Tag: UFC on Fox 7

Booking Roundup: Jorge Masvidal Gets a Slippery Debut Opponent, Pickett vs. Easton Set for ‘UFC on FUEL 9?


(Just like his mentor Kimbo Slice, Ray would find himself knocked out by the much smaller man when all was said and done.) 

When the list of Strikeforce fighters headed to the UFC was first made available to the public, the most glaring omission fans noticed from the get-go was easily that of Jorge Masvidal, the former lightweight title challenger who was set to face Pat Healy at Strikeforce’s final event before he was forced to withdraw due to injury. While a couple of fighters had been left off the list because they had already booked fights in the UFC (most notably Tyron Woodley and Bobby Green), fans were left scratching their heads in regards to Masvidal, who had both an open calendar and the kind of skills that could make a big impact in the sport’s highest promotion despite their apparent decision to pass him over.

Well you’ll be happy to know that “Gamebred” has in fact been brought over to the UFC and will be making his promotional debut at the lightweight-heavy UFC on FOX 7 card set for April 20th. Across the cage from Masvidal will be Tim Means, the 18-3 powerhouse who basically summed up the injury curse of 2012 when he was pulled from his UFC on FOX 5 fight with Abel Trujillo at the very last second for being KO’d by a sauna floor (Author’s note: By now, you’re likely attempting to compliment me on the clever wordplay displayed in this article’s title. I can only ask that you hold your applause for a time when my brilliance is less obvious.) Currently 2-0 in the octagon, we last saw Means at UFC on FX 3: Johnson vs. McCall, where he delivered the most painful one minute beating in recent memory to opponent Justin Salas. Expect fireworks in this one, Taters.

Masvidal vs. Means is just one of many intriguing fights that have been booked today. Join us after the jump to check out the full list…


(Just like his mentor Kimbo Slice, Ray would find himself knocked out by the much smaller man when all was said and done.) 

When the list of Strikeforce fighters headed to the UFC was first made available to the public, the most glaring omission fans noticed from the get-go was easily that of Jorge Masvidal, the former lightweight title challenger who was set to face Pat Healy at Strikeforce’s final event before he was forced to withdraw due to injury. While a couple of fighters had been left off the list because they had already booked fights in the UFC (most notably Tyron Woodley and Bobby Green), fans were left scratching their heads in regards to Masvidal, who had both an open calendar and the kind of skills that could make a big impact in the sport’s highest promotion despite their apparent decision to pass him over.

Well you’ll be happy to know that “Gamebred” has in fact been brought over to the UFC and will be making his promotional debut at the lightweight-heavy UFC on FOX 7 card set for April 20th. Across the cage from Masvidal will be Tim Means, the 18-3 powerhouse who basically summed up the injury curse of 2012 when he was pulled from his UFC on FOX 5 fight with Abel Trujillo at the very last second for being KO’d by a sauna floor (Author’s note: By now, you’re likely attempting to compliment me on the clever wordplay displayed in this article’s title. I can only ask that you hold your applause for a time when my brilliance is less obvious.) Currently 2-0 in the octagon, we last saw Means at UFC on FX 3: Johnson vs. McCall, where he delivered the most painful one minute beating in recent memory to opponent Justin Salas. Expect fireworks in this one, Taters.

Masvidal vs. Means is just one of many intriguing fights that have been booked today. The full list is below.

-Bantamweights Brad Pickett and Mike Easton have agreed to face off in a sure-to-be-slugfest set for the UFC’s return to Sweden. Both men are coming off losses; Easton dropped his first UFC contest via unanimous decision to Raphael Assuncao at UFC on FOX 5 and Pickett a split decision to Eddie Wineland at UFC 155. Featuring a headlining #1 contender fight (or so they say) at light heavyweight between Alexander Gustafsson and promotional newcomer Gegard Mousasi, UFC on FUEL 9 goes down on April 6th from the Ericsson Globe Arena in Stockholm, Sweden.

-Also set for UFC on FOX 7 are a trio of lightweight fights featuring a slew of TUF alums. First on the list is a battle between TUF 13 runner-up Ramsey Nijem — who has scored three straight in the UFC since being knocked out in his season’s finale by Tony Ferguson — and TUF 15′s Myles Jury, who is 2-0 in the octagon and most recently scored an upset UD victory over Michael Johnson at UFC 155. Elsewhere on the card, Roger Bowling, a.k.a the guy who made sure that noted Nazi pedophile Brandon Sailing left Strikeforce on a loss, is set to square off against devastating Nigerian striker Anthony Njokuani. The “Assassin” is in danger of being cut with a loss here, as he is coming off a loss to Rafael Dos Anjos that dropped his record to just 2-3 in the octagon.

And finally, TUF:Smashes lightweight winner Norman Parke will be facing a big test in his sophomore octagon appearance when he takes on undefeated Guamanian Jon Tuck, who is fresh off a debut victory over Tiequan Zhang at the UFC’s inaugural trip to China.

Predictions, please.

–J. Jones

Booking Roundup: Jorge Masvidal Gets a Slippery Debut Opponent, Pickett vs. Easton Set for ‘UFC on FUEL 9?


(Just like his mentor Kimbo Slice, Ray would find himself done in by the much smaller man when all was said and done.) 

When the list of Strikeforce fighters headed to the UFC was first made available to the public, the most glaring omission fans noticed from the get-go was easily that of Jorge Masvidal, the former lightweight title challenger who was set to face Pat Healy at Strikeforce’s final event before he was forced to withdraw due to injury. While a couple of fighters had been left off the list because they had already booked fights in the UFC (most notably Tyron Woodley and Bobby Green), fans were left scratching their heads in regards to Masvidal, who had both an open calendar and the kind of skills that could make a big impact in the sport’s highest promotion despite their apparent decision to pass him over.

Well you’ll be happy to know that “Gamebred” has in fact been brought over to the UFC and will be making his promotional debut at the lightweight-heavy UFC on FOX 7 card set for April 20th. Across the cage from Masvidal will be Tim Means, the 18-3 powerhouse who basically summed up the injury curse of 2012 when he was pulled from his UFC on FOX 5 fight with Abel Trujillo at the very last second for being KO’d by a sauna floor (Author’s note: By now, you’re likely attempting to compliment me on the clever wordplay displayed in this article’s title. I can only ask that you hold your applause for a time when my brilliance is less obvious.) Currently 2-0 in the octagon, we last saw Means at UFC on FX 3: Johnson vs. McCall, where he delivered the most painful one minute beating in recent memory to opponent Justin Salas. Expect fireworks in this one, Taters.

Masvidal vs. Means is just one of many intriguing fights that have been booked today. Join us after the jump to check out the full list…


(Just like his mentor Kimbo Slice, Ray would find himself  done in by the much smaller man when all was said and done.) 

When the list of Strikeforce fighters headed to the UFC was first made available to the public, the most glaring omission fans noticed from the get-go was easily that of Jorge Masvidal, the former lightweight title challenger who was set to face Pat Healy at Strikeforce’s final event before he was forced to withdraw due to injury. While a couple of fighters had been left off the list because they had already booked fights in the UFC (most notably Tyron Woodley and Bobby Green), fans were left scratching their heads in regards to Masvidal, who had both an open calendar and the kind of skills that could make a big impact in the sport’s highest promotion despite their apparent decision to pass him over.

Well you’ll be happy to know that “Gamebred” has in fact been brought over to the UFC and will be making his promotional debut at the lightweight-heavy UFC on FOX 7 card set for April 20th. Across the cage from Masvidal will be Tim Means, the 18-3 powerhouse who basically summed up the injury curse of 2012 when he was pulled from his UFC on FOX 5 fight with Abel Trujillo at the very last second for being KO’d by a sauna floor (Author’s note: By now, you’re likely attempting to compliment me on the clever wordplay displayed in this article’s title. I can only ask that you hold your applause for a time when my brilliance is less obvious.) Currently 2-0 in the octagon, we last saw Means at UFC on FX 3: Johnson vs. McCall, where he delivered the most painful one minute beating in recent memory to opponent Justin Salas. Expect fireworks in this one, Taters.

Masvidal vs. Means is just one of many intriguing fights that have been booked today. The full list is below.

-Bantamweights Brad Pickett and Mike Easton have agreed to face off in a sure-to-be-slugfest set for the UFC’s return to Sweden. Both men are coming off losses; Easton dropped his first UFC contest via unanimous decision to Raphael Assuncao at UFC on FOX 5 and Pickett a split decision to Eddie Wineland at UFC 155. Featuring a headlining #1 contender fight (or so they say) at light heavyweight between Alexander Gustafsson and promotional newcomer Gegard Mousasi, UFC on FUEL 9 goes down on April 6th from the Ericsson Globe Arena in Stockholm, Sweden.

-Also set for UFC on FOX 7 are a trio of lightweight fights featuring a slew of TUF alums. First on the list is a battle between TUF 13 runner-up Ramsey Nijem — who has scored three straight in the UFC since being knocked out in his season’s finale by Tony Ferguson — and TUF 15′s Myles Jury, who is 2-0 in the octagon and most recently scored an upset UD victory over Michael Johnson at UFC 155. Elsewhere on the card, Roger Bowling, a.k.a the guy who made sure that noted Nazi pedophile Brandon Sailing left Strikeforce on a loss, is set to square off against devastating Nigerian striker Anthony Njokuani. The “Assassin” is in danger of being cut with a loss here, as he is coming off a loss to Rafael Dos Anjos that dropped his record to just 2-3 in the octagon.

And finally, TUF:Smashes lightweight winner Norman Parke will be facing a big test in his sophomore octagon appearance when he takes on undefeated Guamanian Jon Tuck, who is fresh off a debut victory over Tiequan Zhang at the UFC’s inaugural trip to China.

Predictions, please.

–J. Jones

Anthony Pettis Wants Jose Aldo and Benson Henderson in Back to Back Fights

Anthony Pettis is on a mission to be considered one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the sport, and he’s willing to do two consecutive title fights to prove it. On Saturday night just moments after Jose Aldo defeated Frankie Edgar at UFC 156, UF…

Anthony Pettis is on a mission to be considered one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the sport, and he’s willing to do two consecutive title fights to prove it.

On Saturday night just moments after Jose Aldo defeated Frankie Edgar at UFC 156, UFC President Dana White announced that he received a text message from Pettis asking to face Aldo next for the featherweight title.

It was an interesting moment, because Pettis is already in line for the next crack at the UFC lightweight title, but instead of waiting until current champion Benson Henderson battles Gilbert Melendez in April at UFC on Fox 7, he wants to keep busy and challenge a fighter of the caliber of Jose Aldo.

“Aldo is a great fighter, pound-for-pound one of the best fighters in the world, and I want to be on that list.  The only way for me to be on that list is to beat somebody out of my weight class, and I think me and Aldo makes sense, cause I’m stuck waiting for the lightweight belt,” Pettis told Bleacher Report on Monday.

“I wouldn‘t drop down to featherweight and try to stay down there and keep the belt, I just want to fight Aldo, and it makes sense for me to drop down and try to fight him for his belt.”

There was a brief time in 2012 when Pettis was stuck waiting for a fight where he contemplated a move to 145 pounds, but because his teammate, Erik Koch was already in line to face Aldo, he opted against it out of respect for his friend and teammate.

“The thought crossed my mind, but I wouldn’t do it before because of Erik Koch,” said Pettis.   “I wouldn‘t disrespect a teammate like that, and I didn’t even want to entertain the thought, I would have to disrespect my training partner.  After the fight with (Ricardo) Lamas, it’s going to be a couple more fights before he’s there for a title shot, and it works for me, cause I’m stuck waiting for Gilbert Melendez and Benson Henderson, and I just fought, and I think the timing’s perfect for a super fight.”

The other major factor for Pettis‘ decision to ask for Jose Aldo comes down to his body being ready to fight.  The former WEC champion was forced to sit out the biggest part of the last year because of shoulder surgery.

Now that he’s healthy, Pettis is hungry to stay busy and active, and maybe even add a couple of titles to his resume by the end of 2013.

“While I’m waiting, let me get the super fight.  My biggest thing is I’m healthy.  Last year I was stuck waiting, I had one fight last year, and I want to fight three or four times, and I want big fights.  I think the world wants to see that fight.  It has the makings for fight of the year or fight of the decade, and you put two guys like us in there, it’s going to be nothing but fireworks,” Pettis stated.

“I don’t want to leave my division, this is my home, I’ve been making a name for myself in the 155-pound division, I feel like I’m the No. 1 contender, but while I’m stuck waiting, why not do this super fight.”

Regardless of the potential fight with Aldo, Pettis isn’t giving up on facing UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson later this year either.  He feels there is some unfinished business to handle there, so that’s not escaping his to-do list.

Pettis defeated Henderson in the final WEC fight ever in 2010, but now his former foe has the UFC lightweight title around his waist, so he’d love the chance to face him and beat him again.

“For sure I want to fight Ben Henderson.  Ben Henderson is a guy that’s on my list, but he already had a bout contract signed, he’s fighting Gilbert Melendez, and unfortunately for me it’s a couple of months away.  I’ve been here before, you never know what happens in these situations.  Somebody gets hurt, somebody else makes a name for themselves.  I’m going to try to make something happen before somebody gets in my way again,” said Pettis.

If Pettis really does want to end up as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in MMA, there may not be a faster path than beating the featherweight and lightweight champions inside of one year. 

He’s ready for the challenge, and Pettis is excited to silence any critics left out there that don’t think he can pull it off.  Give him the chance, and Anthony Pettis is ready to prove it.

“I’m the No. 1 contender at 155, but I’m just that guy, I want to fight.  I don’t want to be chained to the sidelines.  I hate sitting around watching everybody else get to fight. I’m healthy right now, my last fight was like two minutes long and I want to continue. That’s what I set out to do, I had a rough last two years, and I know my potential. 

“Everybody’s had their opinions—Pettis is overrated, Pettis is this, Pettis is that—and what better way to shut everybody up and prove everybody wrong [than] by fighting for both these titles.”

 

Damon Martin is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. All quotes obtained first hand by Bleacher Report MMA unless otherwise noted.

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UFC Booking Alert: Nate Diaz vs. Josh Thomson Added to Next FOX Card; UFC 159 Gets Nelson vs. Kongo, Miller vs. Healy, Davis vs. Magalhaes


(Above: “Grrrrrr.” / Below: “Haaaaaay!”)

After coming up short in his title challenge against Ben Henderson last month, UFC lightweight Nate Diaz will be returning to the Octagon at UFC on Fox 7: Henderson vs. Melendez (April 20th, San Jose), where he’ll face former Strikeforce champ Josh Thomson; CSNBayArea broke the news yesterday.

Thomson hasn’t competed in the UFC since his 2-1 stint for the promotion in 2003-2004, which ended in an unfortunate/incredible highlight-reel knockout against Yves Edwards. Since then, “The Punk” has spent most of his career fighting for Strikeforce, where he built an entertaining rivalry against Diaz’s training partner (and UFC on FOX 7 title challenger) Gilbert Melendez. Thomson briefly held Strikeforce’s lightweight title after winning a decision against Melendez in June 2008, and has picked up wins over Pat Healy, Gesias Cavalcante, and KJ Noons since then. His most recent appearance resulted in a split-decision loss to Melendez during their rubber-match last May.

Of course, the other thing Thomson is known for is his frequent injuries, and there’s a lot that can go wrong between now and 4/20. Let’s hope this one sticks together. In related news, the UFC has added three big matchups to their UFC 159: Jones vs. Sonnen card, which takes place the following weekend (April 27th) in Newark, NJ…


(Above: “Grrrrrr.” / Below: “Haaaaaay!”)

After coming up short in his title challenge against Ben Henderson last month, UFC lightweight Nate Diaz will be returning to the Octagon at UFC on Fox 7: Henderson vs. Melendez (April 20th, San Jose), where he’ll face former Strikeforce champ Josh Thomson; CSNBayArea broke the news yesterday.

Thomson hasn’t competed in the UFC since his 2-1 stint for the promotion in 2003-2004, which ended in an unfortunate/incredible highlight-reel knockout against Yves Edwards. Since then, “The Punk” has spent most of his career fighting for Strikeforce, where he built an entertaining rivalry against Diaz’s training partner (and UFC on FOX 7 title challenger) Gilbert Melendez. Thomson briefly held Strikeforce’s lightweight title after winning a decision against Melendez in June 2008, and has picked up wins over Pat Healy, Gesias Cavalcante, and KJ Noons since then. His most recent appearance resulted in a split-decision loss to Melendez during their rubber-match last May.

Of course, the other thing Thomson is known for is his frequent injuries, and there’s a lot that can go wrong between now and 4/20. Let’s hope this one sticks together. In related news, the UFC has added three big matchups to their UFC 159: Jones vs. Sonnen card, which takes place the following weekend (April 27th) in Newark, NJ…

– Riding back-to-back knockout wins over Dave Herman and Matt Mitrione, Roy Nelson will be bringing his powerful fists and ratty-ass gray beard to UFC 159 against Cheick Kongo, who’s coming off his award-winning decision win over Shawn Jordan at UFC 149. [source]

– Speaking of bearded white guys: Fresh off his epic battle with Joe Lauzon at UFC 155, Jim Miller will look to make it two in a row against former Strikeforce lightweight contender (and long-lost twin) Pat Healy, who has won his last six fights. Winner gets TJ Grant, I guess? [source]

– And finally, top light-heavyweight contender Phil Davis and BJJ ace Vinny Magalhaes will also face off at UFC 159, settling their ongoing twitter beef. (More on that here.) Davis last competed in October when he submitted Wagner Prado at UFC 153, while Magalhaes made a successful return to the UFC in September, tapping Igor Pokrajac at UFC 152. [source]

So which fight are you most looking forward to, and how do you think they’ll turn out?

Nate Diaz vs. Josh Thomson Set for UFC on Fox 7 in San Jose on April 20

Nate Diaz and former Strikeforce fighter Josh Thomson won’t have to travel very far for their next fight, as the two will be meeting in San Jose for a lightweight battle at UFC on Fox 7, according to CSN Bay Area.Interestingly enough, both fighters are…

Nate Diaz and former Strikeforce fighter Josh Thomson won’t have to travel very far for their next fight, as the two will be meeting in San Jose for a lightweight battle at UFC on Fox 7, according to CSN Bay Area.

Interestingly enough, both fighters are coming off losses in championship bouts.

Thomson recently fell just short of upsetting former Strikeforce champion Gilbert Melendez en route to a contentious split-decision loss last May, while current UFC champion Benson Henderson manhandled Diaz at UFC on Fox 5.

The fight will have added significance for Thompson, as he will get another chance to knock off a member of the “Skrap Pack”—an infamous group of Cesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu fighters consisting of Nate, his brother Nick Diaz, Melendez and middleweight contender Jake Shields.

Speaking of which, Henderson will also be headlining the card against Melendez in a “champion vs. champion” match, attempting to secure a third consecutive defense of his UFC title.

Here’s how the card looks so far, with a total of four bouts rumored and confirmed:

• Benson Henderson vs. Gilbert Melendez
• Frank Mir vs. Daniel Cormier
• Matt Brown vs. Dan Hardy (rumored)
• Nate Diaz vs. Josh Thomson

Both Diaz and Thompson will walk into the Octagon facing “must-win” situations in order to stay within reach of the UFC lightweight title hunt. Thompson is the lower-ranked of the two, so the odds may favor Diaz despite his lower win total and career MMA fight count.

At a glance, Thompson will have to grind his way to a decision—in 24 fights, the younger Diaz brother has never been stopped via KO or TKO.

Both Diaz and Thompson are also black belts in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, although Diaz could be the superior grappler with 11 submission wins to Thompson’s nine.

Still, choking out Thompson won’t come easily, as “The Punk” has never been tapped once in his 25-fight career.

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Dan Hardy Says Most Elite MMA Fighters Are Using PEDs

With the recent confession of cycling legend Lance Armstrong, the sports world is going nuts while debating the topic of performance-enhancing drugs.On Monday, UFC fighter Dan Hardy turned to Twitter and calmly acknowledged the rampant use of cheating …

With the recent confession of cycling legend Lance Armstrong, the sports world is going nuts while debating the topic of performance-enhancing drugs.

On Monday, UFC fighter Dan Hardy turned to Twitter and calmly acknowledged the rampant use of cheating in mixed martial arts.

 

 

The popular Brit doesn’t seem terribly concerned by the epidemic, as he continually fielded questions on the subject. “The Outlaw” even stated that he knows several of his previous opponents have been on the juice.

 

 

While some fighters like Roy Nelson and BJ Penn believe that voluntary anti-doping testing could potentially save the sport, Hardy doesn’t seem to be convinced that it does any good.

 

 

Hardy did take time to acknowledge that some fighters who utilize controversial testosterone replacement therapy allowances truly need it. However, he mixes no words when pointing out that others use it without any necessity.

 

 

Currently, Hardy is scheduled to meet Matt Brown at the upcoming UFC on Fox 7 in April. He hopes to improve upon a two-fight winning streak that saw his arm raised against Amir Sadollah and Duane Ludwig in 2012.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com