One man’s injury is another man’s opportunity to step up. With Justin Edwards forced out of UFC on FUEL 7, Sengoku middleweight champion Jorge Santiago has been afforded the chance to pick up his first UFC win in nearly seven years.UFC officials have a…
One man’s injury is another man’s opportunity to step up. With Justin Edwards forced out of UFC on FUEL 7, Sengoku middleweight champion Jorge Santiago has been afforded the chance to pick up his first UFC win in nearly seven years.
UFC officials have announced (via MMAjunkie.com) that Santiago takes on Icelandic phenom Gunnar Nelson on the London card with little less than one month to prepare.
It is a weighty task for any fighter, as the undefeated Nelson is one of the top prospects in the sport. However, considering that Santiago is taking this fight on short notice and dropping to a new weight class for the first time, the cards are certainly stacked against him.
This is the third UFC stint for Santiago, who debuted with the organization in 2006 with a knockout win over Justin Levens. However, after losses to Chris Leben and Alan Belcher, he was released from the promotion.
Although he won the 2007 Strikeforce Middleweight Grand Prix, Santiago achieved most of his career success while competing in Japan. Winning six of his seven contests since competing exclusively in Japan, Santiago earned a return ticket to the UFC in 2011 while still wearing the Sengoku middleweight championship.
“The Sandman” was released from the UFC for a second time after losing consecutive fights to Brian Stann and Demian Maia. Since that time, he put together a pair of first-round stoppages in the Titan FC organization.
Nelson currently holds a professional record of 10-0-1 and made a dominant UFC debut against DaMarques Johnson back in September. All but one of his victories came via first-round stoppages.
Arguably the most talented fighter to be included in our 50 Worst Fighters in UFC History list, Jorge Santiago‘s undeniable abilities as a knockout artist and BJJ practitioner have mysteriously failed him inside the Octagon. The former Sengoku champion and Strikeforce Middleweight Grand Prix winner has already burned through two stints with the UFC, which both ended in back-to-back losses. But thanks to an injury withdrawal on the UFC on FUEL 7: Barao vs. McDonald card, Santiago is getting a third chance to prove himself.
The UFC has confirmed that TUF 13 castmember Justin Edwards has pulled out of his February 16th welterweight match against undefeated Icelandic phenom Gunnar Nelson due to an undisclosed injury, and will be replaced by Santiago. On paper, this is a much better matchup than the original one — Nelson vs. Edwards felt like somewhat of a mismatch, while Santiago is certainly on Nelson’s level in terms of talent, and has far more fight experience. Then again, Santiago has been straight-up cursed inside the UFC. The most we can say is that it’ll be a much better gauge of how good Gunnar really is, and if he deserves the hype that has followed him into the UFC.
Santiago won two fights last year under the Titan FC banner, both by first round stoppage, and he currently trains with the Blackzilians. For a complete lineup of the UFC on FUEL 7 card, follow us after the jump…
Arguably the most talented fighter to be included in our 50 Worst Fighters in UFC History list, Jorge Santiago‘s undeniable abilities as a knockout artist and BJJ practitioner have mysteriously failed him inside the Octagon. The former Sengoku champion and Strikeforce Middleweight Grand Prix winner has already burned through two stints with the UFC, which both ended in back-to-back losses. But thanks to an injury withdrawal on the UFC on FUEL 7: Barao vs. McDonald card, Santiago is getting a third chance to prove himself.
The UFC has confirmed that TUF 13 castmember Justin Edwards has pulled out of his February 16th welterweight match against undefeated Icelandic phenom Gunnar Nelson due to an undisclosed injury, and will be replaced by Santiago. On paper, this is a much better matchup than the original one — Nelson vs. Edwards felt like somewhat of a mismatch, while Santiago is certainly on Nelson’s level in terms of talent, and has far more fight experience. Then again, Santiago has been straight-up cursed inside the UFC. The most we can say is that it’ll be a much better gauge of how good Gunnar really is, and if he deserves the hype that has followed him into the UFC.
Santiago won two fights last year under the Titan FC banner, both by first round stoppage, and he currently trains with the Blackzilians. For a complete lineup of the UFC on FUEL 7 card, follow us after the jump…
Preliminsary Card (Facebook, 12:00 p.m. ET)
Terry Etim vs. Renee Forte
Danny Castillo vs. Paul Sass
Josh Grispi vs. Andy Ogle
Stanislav Nedkov vs. Tom Watson
Vaughan Lee vs. Motonobu Tezuka
Ulysses Gomez vs. Phil Harris
(The best part about having palm trees tattooed across your waistline, you ask? Endless cocoNUT jokes.)
A bit of mixed news for fans of the featherweight division, as word just broke that Dennis Siver has been forced to withdraw from his UFC on FUEL 7 bout with Cub Swanson for undisclosed reasons. The good news: stepping in for Siver will be Dustin Poirier, an exciting slugger who has picked up end of the night bonuses in two out of his last three contests. Although Poirier doesn’t exactly match the ridiculous offensive output of Siver, you can bet the ranch that this fight will net another bonus for at least one of these gentlemen when all is said and done.
A fellow top contender, Poirier recently bounced back into the win column by beating TUF 12 winner Jonathan Brookins into damn near retirement. Swanson, on the other hand, has been on an absolute killing spree in his last three bouts, finishing George Roop, Ross Pearson, and Charles Oliveira with punches inside the first two rounds. In fact, before Siver dropped out, Swanson stated on his Twitter account that the fight was being lobbied as the potential number 1 contender matchup at 145. Meanwhile, Chan-Sung Jung has apparently fallen off the face of the earth.
After the jump: Full fight videos of Poirier vs. Brookins and Swanson vs. Oliveira, which we secured through completely legal means. We swear. Just don’t tell anyone you got them from us, OK?
(The best part about having palm trees tattooed across your waistline, you ask? Endless cocoNUT jokes.)
A bit of mixed news for fans of the featherweight division, as word just broke that Dennis Siver has been forced to withdraw from his UFC on FUEL 7 bout with Cub Swanson for undisclosed reasons. The good news: stepping in for Siver will be Dustin Poirier, an exciting slugger who has picked up end of the night bonuses in two out of his last three contests. Although Poirier doesn’t exactly match the ridiculous offensive output of Siver, you can bet the ranch that this fight will net another bonus for at least one of these gentlemen when all is said and done.
A fellow top contender, Poirier recently bounced back into the win column by beating TUF 12 winner Jonathan Brookins into damn near retirement. Swanson, on the other hand, has been on an absolute killing spree in his last three bouts, finishing George Roop, Ross Pearson, and Charles Oliveira with punches inside the first two rounds. In fact, before Siver dropped out, Swanson stated on his Twitter account that the fight was being lobbied as the potential number 1 contender matchup at 145. Meanwhile, Chan-Sung Jung has apparently fallen off the face of the earth.
After the jump: Full fight videos of Poirier vs. Brookins and Swanson vs. Oliveira, which we secured through completely legal means. We swear. Just don’t tell anyone you got them from us, OK?
Poirier vs. Brookins (fight starts at the 10:30 mark)
The injury bug refuses to slow down. It’s most recent victim was an important battle for contendership within the featherweight division. MMAJunkie.com revealed on Thursday that Dennis Siver has been forced out of a scheduled bout against Cub Swan…
The injury bug refuses to slow down. It’s most recent victim was an important battle for contendership within the featherweight division.
MMAJunkie.com revealed on Thursday that Dennis Siver has been forced out of a scheduled bout against Cub Swanson at UFC on Fuel 7. His replacement is none other than Dustin “Diamond” Poirier.
This fight was a hotly-anticipated battle of strikers, as both Siver and Swanson prefer to turn their bouts into slugfests.
After a loss to Donald Cerrone shut down the momentum of four consecutive wins, Siver dropped down to featherweight, where he currently holds a flawless 2-0 record.
Although Swanson struggled to maintain any momentum while fighting for the WEC, he now holds a three-fight winning streak inside the Octagon. Each victory in his trio of success came against a notable, as he outstruck George Roop, Ross Pearson and Charles Oliveira.
Poirier is fresh off of a submission victory over Jonathan Brookins in December, which improves his UFC record to 5-1. The sole blemish came in a Fight of the Year winner against Chan Sung Jung last May.
This fight will likely avoid the scorecards, as Swanson and Poirier have only gone to decision a combined five times in 38 professional fights.
UFC on Fuel 7 comes to you live from Wembley Arena in London, England on Saturday, February 16. The event is currently headlined by a UFC interim bantamweight title fight between RenanBarao and Michael McDonald.
(Barao puts one upside Faber’s head at UFC 149. Photo via Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press)
The interim bantamweight title fight between Renan Barao and challenger Michael McDonald will go down at UFC on FUEL 7, February 16th at London’s Wembley Arena. UFC UK confirmed the news earlier today, and revealed a crop of supporting fights. They are…
– Paul Sass vs. Danny Castillo (LW): The British two-trick pony took his first career loss against Matt Wiman in September, while Team Alpha Male member Castillo had a three-fight win streak snapped in October when he was KO’d by Michael Johnson.
– Terry Etim vs. Renee Forte (LW): Inactive since becoming a permanent part of Edson Barboza’s highlight reel in January, Etim returns from injuries to face TUF Brazilcastmember Renee Forte, who just suffered his first official UFC loss when he was submitted by Sergio Moraes at UFC 153.
– Andy Ogle vs. Josh Grispi (FW): Grispi is on a three-fight losing streak, while TUF: Live castmember Ogle lost his official UFC debut in a decision against Akira Corassani in September. Oh, you bet your ass it’s “win or go home” time.
(Barao puts one upside Faber’s head at UFC 149. Photo via Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press)
The interim bantamweight title fight between Renan Barao and challenger Michael McDonald will go down at UFC on FUEL 7, February 16th at London’s Wembley Arena. UFC UK confirmed the news earlier today, and revealed a crop of supporting fights. They are…
– Paul Sass vs. Danny Castillo (LW): The British two-trick pony took his first career loss against Matt Wiman in September, while Team Alpha Male member Castillo had a three-fight win streak snapped in October when he was KO’d by Michael Johnson.
– Terry Etim vs. Renee Forte (LW): Inactive since becoming a permanent part of Edson Barboza’s highlight reel in January, Etim returns from injuries to face TUF Brazilcastmember Renee Forte, who just suffered his first official UFC loss when he was submitted by Sergio Moraes at UFC 153.
– Andy Ogle vs. Josh Grispi (FW): Grispi is on a three-fight losing streak, while TUF: Live castmember Ogle lost his official UFC debut in a decision against Akira Corassani in September. Oh, you bet your ass it’s “win or go home” time.
– Vaughan Lee vs. Motonobu Tezuka (BW): British bantamweight Vaughan Lee is 1-2 in the Octagon, most recently eating a submission loss against TJ Dillashaw in July. Tezuka is a Pancrase vet who lost his UFC debut at UFC Macao in a split-decision against Alex Caceres.
– Phil Harris vs. Ulysses Gomez (FlyW): The first UFC flyweight match to be held in Europe (true story!), British vet Phil Harris was submitted by Darren Uyenoyama during his UFC debut in October, while former Tachi Palace Fights flyweight champ Ulysses Gomez was knocked out by John Moraga during his own debut in August.
As previously reported, welterweights Matt Riddle and Che Mills will also be squaring off on the card, which marks the UFC’s first London trip since “Bisping vs. Akiyama” in October 2010. But if you were paying attention, you’d notice that all ten fighters in the newly-announced fights listed above are coming off losses. And although the main event will feature a pair of amazing fighters in a competitive matchup, it’s not exactly a blockbuster fight in terms of star power. (At this point, I’d call Renan Barao the fourth-most famous bantamweight on the UFC’s roster, after Ronda Rousey, Urijah Faber, and champion Dominick Cruz, in that order.) So…condolences, London.
Will you care enough to watch this card, or are we giving UFC on FUEL 7 early “garbage ass” status?
Dana White, UFC president, had already hinted that interim bantamweight titleholder Renan Barao would be defending his belt against Michael McDonald in 2013, but that matchup is now set in stone with the announcement heard through MMAJunkie.com that it…
Dana White, UFC president, had already hinted that interim bantamweight titleholder RenanBarao would be defending his belt against Michael McDonald in 2013, but that matchup is now set in stone with the announcement heard through MMAJunkie.com that it will serve as the main event for UFC on Fuel TV 7 in February.
Previously, Barao had been content to wait for a chance to fight fellow 135-pound champion Dominick Cruz. However, Cruz recently re-injured his knee and is expected to be out of action for another year in addition to the 14 months that have already passed since his most recent title defense against Demetrious Johnson.
Barao earned his belt with a clear decision victory over Urijah Faber in July. Cruz had originally been expected to meet Faber in a rubber match at UFC 149, but his initial injury forced him out of that bout and allowed Barao his first opportunity to claim UFC gold.
Meanwhile, Michael McDonald has not competed since April, when he scored the biggest win of his MMA career by knocking out Miguel Torres. With only one loss in 16 fights, the 21-year-old McDonald is considered one of the brightest young stars in the sport.
This fight announcement comes after much debate about interim champions and their purpose in situations where they don’t defend their titles. Most recently, former interim welterweight titleholder Carlos Condit sidelined himself for nine months only to lose against fellow welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre upon his return.
It took an unfortunate injury to a long-reigning champion in Cruz, but this interim title fight between Barao and McDonald will hopefully be a sign of things to come with more active interim champions in this age of constant injuries that the UFC has been facing.
Scheduled for February 16, UFC on Fuel TV 7 will be held at Wembley Arena in London, England. British fans have been begging for bigger fights, and their pleas seem to have been heard in the form of the first UFC title fight to be held on English soil in years.
