Bisping and Belfort Get Physical at UFC on FX 7 Press Conference

Although tensions between Michael Bisping and Vitor Belfort seemed fairly tame leading up to Saturday’s UFC on FX 7, they flared up at Thursday’s press conference in Sao Paulo, Brazil.The two men threw verbal barbs in each other’s direction for most of…

Although tensions between Michael Bisping and Vitor Belfort seemed fairly tame leading up to Saturday’s UFC on FX 7, they flared up at Thursday’s press conference in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

The two men threw verbal barbs in each other’s direction for most of the 45-minute pre-fight press conference, but in the obligatory staredown, things quickly heated up.

As the pugilists squared off, Belfort boldly put his right hand directly against Bisping’s chin. The Brit didn’t care for the picture that was being painted, so he shoved “The Phenom’s” arm to the side. 

Clearly, Belfort didn’t care about Bisping’s feelings in regards to hand placement, as he returned his fist to the spot of agitation. “The Count” was clearly angered and pushed it away once again.

When the UFC’s Marshall Zelaznik stepped in to separate the two, Bisping loudly declared “I’ll f***ing see you Saturday.” 

The former light heavyweight champion seemed unmoved by the threat, as he repeatedly exclaimed “I’m ready!”

The UFC posted a video of the incident on its official YouTube channel earlier today, and you can watch it above.

Since the press conference, Bisping has turned to Twitter to let out some steam and mock his overheated foe.

Shortly after, “The Count” returned for another jab.

Finally, he returned for one more.

Additionally, ESPN posted an audio clip interviewing Bisping about the incident. The fired-up Bisping let loose once again. This time, he lost about 20 years of maturity by making comments about whether or not “The Phenom” has male genitalia. It goes to show you exactly how heated the middleweight contender truly is.

“Does he have a penis? He is a penis,” Bisping said. “Just because he is a penis doesn’t mean he has a penis.”

With things heating up only two days before the UFC’s return to Brazil, there could be enough tension to garner some decent ratings on an otherwise underwhelming card.

UFC on FX 7 takes place on Saturday night, with the main card airing at 9 p.m. EST on FX.

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The UFC is Still Screwing With Rampage Jackson, According to Rampage Jackson [SAD STORY BRO]

It’s really tough being Rampage Jackson these days, you guys. Sure, the boatloads of cash, the film and rap “careers,” and the endless string of Bengal tigers just waiting to be dry-humped are nice and all, but they don’t come close to filling the bottomless chasm left behind in Page’s soul by the swindlers and snake oil salesmen over at the UFC. Because beneath Rampage’s tuff (we imagine that is how he would prefer we spell it) exterior lies a kind, sensitive mixed martial artist that just wants his boss to pat him on the head and tell him that he’s proud of what he’s done. And then stop matching him up against fighters who utilize “gameplans,” “strategies,” “takedowns,” and other facets of modern MMA that are best left for trifling bitches.

And even though we haven’t been covering it as extensively as some, Jackson has been vehemently venting his feelings lately. Like, a lot. And by lately, we mean the past two years or so. And wouldn’t you know it, just a couple weeks out from his final contractually obligated fight at UFC on FOX: Johnson vs. Dodson, the UFC is still screwing with the poor guy. Jackson’s most recent lament was passed along by 5thround:

I’m sponsored by Reebok now and the UFC said I’m not allowed to wear Reebok in the cage, when the other fighters are sponsored by Nike and stuff. Why can’t I have Reebok?

It’s really tough being Rampage Jackson these days, you guys. Sure, the boatloads of cash, the film and rap “careers,” and the endless string of Bengal tigers just waiting to be dry-humped are nice and all, but they don’t come close to filling the bottomless chasm left behind in Page’s soul by the swindlers and snake oil salesmen over at the UFC. Because beneath Rampage’s tuff (we imagine that is how he would prefer we spell it) exterior lies a kind, sensitive mixed martial artist that just wants his boss to pat him on the head and tell him that he’s proud of what he’s done. And then stop matching him up against fighters who utilize “gameplans,” “strategies,” “takedowns,” and other facets of modern MMA that are best left for trifling bitches.

And even though we haven’t been covering it as extensively as some, Jackson has been vehemently venting his feelings lately. Like, a lot. And by lately, we mean the past two years or so. And wouldn’t you know it, just a couple weeks out from his final contractually obligated fight at UFC on FOX: Johnson vs. Dodson, the UFC is still screwing with the poor guy. Jackson’s most recent lament was passed along by 5thround:

I’m sponsored by Reebok now and the UFC said I’m not allowed to wear Reebok in the cage, when the other fighters are sponsored by Nike and stuff. Why can’t I have Reebok?

[Reebok] support me. They know that I’m probably gonna be doing more movies and stuff in the future. Who knows, I might go into boxing or somewhere else. They’ll still hang out with me. They’re not worried about the UFC. They don’t care. They’re not upset. 

When assessing the troubled life of Rampage, I am oft reminded of Sisyphus, who was condemned to roll the same boulder up a hill for all eternity, only to have it come rolling back down when he had made it to the top. Except instead of boulders, Page is forced to express the same complaints over and over again, only to injure himself and be forced to remain under his UFC contract until the day his osteoporosis-ridden body can no longer support the oversized bike chains that dangle from his neck. It almost makes me want to cry.

Jackson has also taken aim at his upcoming opponent at UFC on FOX, Glover Teixeira, and how he is being a two-faced doo-doo liarpants in his interviews leading up to their clash:

Glover is a guy who is just like everybody else, they say they are going to stand with me when most of his training camp is taking me down and fighting me on the ground just like the other guys. These cowards needs to do what they say they’re going to do and stop trying to confuse me and have me training in other areas but I’m smarter than that now. Now I see his game plan.

Good for you, Rampage. It has only taken you 10+ years in the business to figure out what the average child could piece together before their first ever dodgeball match at gym class. My opponents might use deception to mess with me? SHOW ME WHERE THE MAGIC BEANS ARE, WIZARD.

This of course brings us to the age-old question: If Rampage complains in the forest (or about him, amiright?) and no one is around to hear it, should we continue to give a fuck?

J. Jones

UFC on FX 7 Bleacher Report Main Card Staff Predictions

UFC on FX 7 takes place at the Ibirapuera Arena in Sao Paulo, Brazil and features a high-profile middleweight tilt between Vitor Belfort and Michael Bisping. UFC president has announced that with a win, Bisping will get a long-awaited shot at UFC …

UFC on FX 7 takes place at the Ibirapuera Arena in Sao Paulo, Brazil and features a high-profile middleweight tilt between Vitor Belfort and Michael Bisping. 

UFC president has announced that with a win, Bisping will get a long-awaited shot at UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva, but “The Phenom” clearly has other plans. 

Kicking off the main card, Thiago Tavares takes on Khabib Nurmagomedov in a lightweight clash, followed by a middleweight match up between Gabriel Gonzaga and Ben Rothwell. 

The co-main event of the evening features submission specialist Daniel Sarafian against decorated wrestler C.B. Dollaway. 

Take a look inside to see who has their hands raised this time around. 

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5 UFC Middleweights That Are Hoping Michael Bisping Loses to Vitor Belfort

Saturday, January 19, Michael Bisping steps into a hostile Brazilian territory as he challenges former champion Vitor Belfort in the main event of UFC on FX 7. It’s the most important fight of his career, as UFC president Dana White has guaranteed the …

Saturday, January 19, Michael Bisping steps into a hostile Brazilian territory as he challenges former champion Vitor Belfort in the main event of UFC on FX 7. It’s the most important fight of his career, as UFC president Dana White has guaranteed the Ultimate Fighter winner a championship opportunity if he is successful.

With an ever-evasive title shot hanging in the balance, there is no doubt that all of Great Britain will be standing solidly behind “The Count” when he enters the cage on Saturday night. However, that isn’t to say that he doesn’t have detractors.

As competition increases in the middleweight division, the level of animosity among fighters who are clawing their way to the top grows exponentially. For that reason, among others, there are several fighters who are hoping to see Bisping crash and burn at UFC on FX 7.

Here is a list of five UFC middleweights who are hoping that Vitor Belfort defeats Michael Bisping. 

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UFC’s New Drug Rules: All Fighters Tested Overseas, No Bonuses Until Tests Are Passed


(“F*ckin’ with your cash is the only thing you kids seem to understand!” / Photo via FCFighter.com)

UFC Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Marc Ratner revealed to MMAJunkie yesterday that the promotion has instituted a pair of new rules to act as deterrents against their fighters using performance enhancing drugs. First, all fighters who compete at international events will now be tested for performance-enhancing drugs. The UFC has traditionally hired independent local facilities to test fighters during events outside of North America, but in the past, only a few fighters per card were usually selected for testing.

The shift in policy may have been spurred by a recent stretch in which the UFC’s independent drug screening busted fighters at three consecutive overseas cards. UFC 153 in Rio de Janeiro — where all fighters were screened for banned substances — resulted in suspensions for Stephan Bonnar (Drostanolone) and Dave Herman (marijuana). A month later, Thiago Silva tested positive for weed at UFC Macao. And finally, Rousimar Palhares and Joey Beltran failed drug tests following UFC on FX 6 in Australia.

The wave of botched tests is an embarrassing trend, and the UFC is clearly trying to get in front of it. Testing all their fighters at international events going forward will send a message to fighters who may have considered rolling the dice with banned substances, thinking that testing policies are a little more lax when formal athletic commissions aren’t running the show.


(“F*ckin’ with your cash is the only thing you kids seem to understand!” / Photo via FCFighter.com)

UFC Vice President of Regulatory Affairs Marc Ratner revealed to MMAJunkie yesterday that the promotion has instituted a pair of new rules to act as deterrents against their fighters using performance enhancing drugs. First, all fighters who compete at international events will now be tested for performance-enhancing drugs. The UFC has traditionally hired independent local facilities to test fighters during events outside of North America, but in the past, only a few fighters per card were usually selected for testing.

The shift in policy may have been spurred by a recent stretch in which the UFC’s independent drug screening busted fighters at three consecutive overseas cards. UFC 153 in Rio de Janeiro — where all fighters were screened for banned substances — resulted in suspensions for Stephan Bonnar (Drostanolone) and Dave Herman (marijuana). A month later, Thiago Silva tested positive for weed at UFC Macao. And finally, Rousimar Palhares and Joey Beltran failed drug tests following UFC on FX 6 in Australia.

The wave of botched tests is an embarrassing trend, and the UFC is clearly trying to get in front of it. Testing all their fighters at international events going forward will send a message to fighters who may have considered rolling the dice with banned substances, thinking that testing policies are a little more lax when formal athletic commissions aren’t running the show.

And if the greater risk of a suspension isn’t enough of a deterrent, Ratner also stated that from now on, the UFC will no longer pay out their end-of-night performance bonuses until drug testing results come back. The policy changes will be in place this weekend at UFC on FX 7: Belfort vs Bisping in Sao Paulo, Brazil. According to MMAJunkie, a new Brazilian commission appointed by the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) will oversee the event.

In 2006, UFC on FX 7 headliner Vitor Belfort tested positive for 4-Hydroxytestosterone following his loss to Dan Henderson at PRIDE 32, and immediately invoked the tainted supplement defense.

UFC on FX 7: Thiago Tavares vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov Head to Toe Breakdown

UFC on FX 7 is set for this Saturday, January 19. The event features a middleweight headliner to be contested by Vitor Belfort and Michael Bisping but will also play host to an additional 10 bouts. Of those 10 bouts, perhaps the most intrigui…

UFC on FX 7 is set for this Saturday, January 19. 

The event features a middleweight headliner to be contested by Vitor Belfort and Michael Bisping but will also play host to an additional 10 bouts. 

Of those 10 bouts, perhaps the most intriguing is a lightweight affair between Thiago Tavares and Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Let’s take a closer look at the matchup and determine which 155-pounder holds an advantage where and explore who is likely to come out of Saturday night’s action the victor.

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