Tag: Urijah Faber

UFC 132 Results: 5 Fighters Dominick Cruz Could Fight Next

Now that Dominick Cruz has defeated the only man he has ever lost to, Urijah Faber, once again defending his bantamweight title, a tough question now looms.
Who or what is next for Cruz at the bantamweight division? Cruz finds himself at the top having…

Now that Dominick Cruz has defeated the only man he has ever lost to, Urijah Faber, once again defending his bantamweight title, a tough question now looms.

Who or what is next for Cruz at the bantamweight division? Cruz finds himself at the top having mowed down practically all of the legitimate challengers in the division in the past two years.

A quick glance at the 135-pound division shows that Cruz has faced and already beaten the next 4-of-5 ranked fighters in the pecking order, and it may be a tough task to find a fighter worthy of Cruz.

Here are my five picks for the next possible opponent for The Dominator.  

 

1. Demetrius “Mighty Mouse” Johnson (9-1)

Johnson is the highest ranked bantamweight that Cruz has yet to fight, and he is coming off a solid but razor thin victory over Miguel Torres. He has nine victories in ten fights, with his only loss coming last year to Brad Pickett.

Mighty Mouse would have a large size and reach disadvantage against Cruz, but that has never stopped his heart and wrestling game before.

Johnson may be the fight with the most interest right now, simply because he has not faced Cruz yet.

 

2. Brian Bowles (10-1)

Brian Bowles earned himself a victory over Takeya Mizugaki last night and kept himself right in the mix at the top of the bantamweight division.

It was not the dominant finish that Bowles may have wanted to set up a rematch with Cruz, but it was a win, nonetheless. Bowles has some unfinished business with Cruz, as he lost the belt to him in his first title defence in March 2010 due to a doctors stoppage.

Bowles broke his hand early in the fight with Cruz and was unable to continue past the second round. This fight makes sense for both fighters at this point and would also generate some fan interest.

 

3. Joseph Benevidez (9-2)

To me, Joseph Benevidez is still the second best bantamweight in the world and poses the biggest challenge to Dominick Cruz at 135 pounds. The problem here is that Benevidez has already fought Cruz twice in the past two years, losing both times via hard fought decision.

The first one was a three-round unanimous decision and the second one was for the title, and Benevidez lost a five-round split decision.

It would be another solid, close fight if these two were to clash again, but how much fan interest would it have at this point? And how many shots at Cruz should Joseph get? It exposes the division a bit as not being very deep with talent.

 

4. Scott Jorgensen (9-3)

Scott Jorgensen is another fighter who is always at the top of the heap at 135, and he has also faced Cruz before. He lost a five-round unanimous decision to Cruz in December of last year when both were fighting in the WEC.

Wins over Mizugaki, Antonio Baneulos and Brad Pickett earned him his first shot at Cruz, and he put up enough of a fight that another shot at the title is not out of the question.

 

5. Miguel Torres (39-4)

A loss to Demetrius Johnson in your last outing does not usually qualify you for a shot at the title, but such is the situation in the new UFC bantamweight division. Torres is an experienced, popular and unorthodox fighter who poses problems for anyone in the stand up and submissions game of mixed martial arts.

Johnson exposed Torres to a weakness in wrestling and take down defense, but Torres could have easily won that decision and thus would have been in line for a shot at Cruz if he had.

Again, I think Miguel needs a two-fight win streak and a revenge win against either Benevidez or Bowles to earn him the shot he wants, but he is in the mix with all others.

 

Dwight Wakabayashi is a Feature Columnist for Bleacher Report MMA (also a correspondent for MMACanada.net).

Catch him on Twitter @wakafightermma .

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

UFC 132 Cruz vs. Faber: The Bonuses

For all the grief we give the guy, we owe him a second photo of this submission. (Pic: UFC.com)

There were a score of unofficial bonuses dealt out last night. Tito got to keep his job and shut up his many, many detractors. Cruz evened the scorecards against Faber and avenged his only loss. Chris Leben bounced back from a crippling Gummi Bear addiction to score a vicious 27 second KO victory over Wanderlei Silva. As if that weren’t enough, the UFC handed out a quartet of its official, more financially lucrative $75k bonuses as well.

For all the grief we give the guy, we owe him a second photo of this submission. (Pic: UFC.com)

There were a score of unofficial bonuses dealt out last night. Tito got to keep his job and shut up his many, many detractors. Cruz evened the scorecards against Faber and avenged his only loss. Chris Leben bounced back from a crippling Gummi Bear addiction to score a vicious 27 second KO victory over Wanderlei Silva. As if that weren’t enough, the UFC handed out a quartet of its official, more financially lucrative $75k bonuses as well.

It was the UFC’s first bout for the Bantamweight strap, and Dominick Cruz and Urijah Faber did their damnedest to put the little guys on the map in their “Fight of the Night” performance. They gave us five full rounds of the high-energy, dynamic style best exemplified by the sport’s lower weight divisions, and in doing so they may have secured a rubber-match in the near future.

He not only needed a win, he needed it against an opponent that few gave him a chance of beating. Tito Ortiz didn’t just earn the victory, he ended the fight in under two minutes and picked up the evening’s “Submission of the Night” bonus along the way. This was a very big win for the former champion, and it felt a little nostalgic to see the old “grave digger” routine once again.

UFC 132’s “Knock Out of the Night” was delivered by Carlos Condit, who earned his third straight bonus courtesy of a flying knee that dropped Dong “Stun Gun” Kim. A few follow up punches on the ground put Kim out just shy of three minutes into the first round. Now riding a four fight win streak with three consecutive stoppages, expect Condit’s calls for a title shot to grow louder.

UFC 132 Results: Tito Ortiz vs Ryan Bader Results and Aftermath

Tito Ortiz is back. He has been on a bit of a losing streak over the past few years, as well as battling many injuries and personal issues. He was a 5-1 underdog in this fight, and while a rare few picked him, virtually none truly believed it. Ryan …

Tito Ortiz is back. He has been on a bit of a losing streak over the past few years, as well as battling many injuries and personal issues. He was a 5-1 underdog in this fight, and while a rare few picked him, virtually none truly believed it.

Ryan Bader is like a young Tito many say. He has now lost two straight. While many may laugh about him losing to Tito, in all truths it is not a bad thing.

Tito has been fighting nothing but top competition while on his losing skid.

The started out with both men attempting to find their range, which led to Tito connecting with a right, which dropped Bader. Tito instantly swarmed him with punches then locked in an arm in guillotine. That move is a wrestler’s weakness a Tito said and Bader eventually tapped out.

So what is next for both men? Ryan Bader needs to take a small break and truly evaluate himself. Starting undefeated and then losing two straight will mess with your mind. His next fight should be against someone like Matt Hamill. This would be a good match up for both men, and with coming off of a loss it makes sense.

Tito Ortiz is a big question mark at the moment. It is hard to even think about who they could give him. The reason that is said is because it is unknown where he is ranked in the “UFC”. He could fight the winner of Matyushenko and Gustaffson, or they can throw him in to the deep end and let him fight the loser of Davis vs Evans. Either way Tito Ortiz is back!

Bleacher Report’s Cody Slovensky

UFC 132 Results: Carlos Condit vs Dong Hyun Kim Results and Aftermath

Carlos Condit absolutely outclassed Don Hyun Kim in their match up. I interviewed Condit and asked if he felt Kim was ready for an opponent of his caliber, and well…..He say that we would find out Saturday night, and indeed we did. Condit caught h…

Carlos Condit absolutely outclassed Don Hyun Kim in their match up. I interviewed Condit and asked if he felt Kim was ready for an opponent of his caliber, and well…..He say that we would find out Saturday night, and indeed we did.

Condit caught him with a flying and finished him with a few punches. Condit really made a statement in this fight. He said that if he finished Kim that he would request a title shot, well with this impressive victory I personally say that he deserves it.

Post fight, Kim still appeared dazed. He made it to the back, but when you are knocked out for the first time, it is a different experience for you. Condit isn’t a very emotional type person that boasts celebratory emotions after a fight. But again he did make it clear he wanted a title shot.

What is next for Kim? This loss did not hurt his stock at all. He loss to one of the best welterweights of all time. He could be facing the likes of a Rick Story or a Charlie Brennaman. He is still mid level contender and two more wins and he is back.

What is next for Condit? He is ready for the big dogs. In all truths it would be nice to see a rematch with Kampmann, but now that his stock level has risen even more it is time for a guy like Jon Fitch or BJ Penn.  He does have a claim to fight for the belt, but that would include a long layoff, which is what he just encountered so odds are he will have 1-2 more fights before a shot at the championship.

Bleacher Report’s Cody Slovensky

UFC 132 Results: Carlos Condit vs. Dong Hyun Kim

Carlos Condit used to have a reputation for submitting his opponents.  It seems now he wants to change his rep. For the second time in as many fights, Condit walked out of the Octagon with a first round knock, this time of previously unbeaten Do…

Carlos Condit used to have a reputation for submitting his opponents.  It seems now he wants to change his rep.

For the second time in as many fights, Condit walked out of the Octagon with a first round knock, this time of previously unbeaten Dong Hyun Kim.

After what seemed a lackadaisical start to the fight, one that saw Condit get taken down before reversing his position and getting back up, Condit threw a lazy straight right kick before moving in close enough to throw a brilliantly timed flying knee that landed square on Kim’s jaw, dropping him to the canvas. 

The additional punches Condit landed after pouncing on a fallen Kim were probably not even necessary, but referee Steve Mazzagatti allowed him to it anyway, further punctuating another impressive win for the former WEC Welterweight Champion.

The question now becomes; what’s next for Carlos Condit?  In a division staring for a legitimate threat to Georges St. Pierre’s title, maybe Condit is that threat.  It’s true that GSP has a formidable opponent on deck in Nick Diaz, but should that fight end the same way most of St. Pierre’s do, Condit may very well have the best case for a shot at the champ.

Just as impressive as Condit’s ability to end his most recent fights early is who he’s beaten in the process.  A left hook KO of Dan Hardy, who’s lone strength seems to be boxing, and now a flying knee KO of Dong Hyun Kim, who had yet to taste defeat and consistently looked a class above those he formerly fought, screams that Condit is as worthy an opponent to challenge St. Pierre’s strap as exists in the UFC.

Will the UFC give it to him?  Count me among those who think they should.

Bleacher Report’s Patrick Straub

“UFC 132: Cruz vs. Faber” Aftermath: Like Sands Through the Hourglass…

First win since 2006? Yeah, we’d probably savor the moment a little longer than we should as well. (Pic: MMAWeekly.com)

Just a few fights into last night night’s card I was looking at my watch. It wasn’t because the fights were boring, nor because my wings had yet to arrive. It was the pace at which the fights, and fighters, were dropping. For the first time ever, I was concerned that the UFC didn’t have enough lame movie and video game promos to spam throughout the event. In more ways than one, time was the theme of UFC 132. The evening’s bouts marked the end of a long run, good and bad, for many of the fighters on the card.

(4 Years, 3 Months) Tito’s last taste of victory

Have you ever seen anyone so elated to win a fight? Rightfully so, as there was no ambiguity as to “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy’s” position in the UFC: win, or get the fuck out. Few gave him a chance against Ryan Bader, a guy who seemed to hold every advantage and who’d amassed an impressive 11-1 record, all during Tito’s infamous slide down the rankings. Ortiz quickly connected with a short right hook, dropping his opponent to the mat, and less than two minutes into the fight Bader was quite literally choking in his second consecutive defeat. As much as we give Tito a hard time—and it is almost always deserved—it was nice to see him finally get a win in the organization that he helped carry for many years. Now, can he do it again?

First win since 2006? Yeah, we’d probably savor the moment a little longer than we should as well.  (Pic: MMAWeekly.com)

Just a few fights into last night night’s card I was looking at my watch. It wasn’t because the fights were boring, nor because my wings had yet to arrive. It was the pace at which the fights, and fighters, were dropping. For the first time ever, I was concerned that the UFC didn’t have enough lame movie and video game promos to spam throughout the event. In more ways than one, time was the theme of UFC 132. The evening’s bouts marked the end of a long run, good and bad, for many of the fighters on the card.

(4 Years, 3 Months) Tito’s last taste of victory

Have you ever seen anyone so elated to win a fight? Rightfully so, as there was no ambiguity as to “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy’s” position in the UFC: win, or get the fuck out. Few gave him a chance against Ryan Bader, a guy who seemed to hold every advantage and who’d amassed an impressive 11-1 record, all during Tito’s infamous slide down the rankings. Ortiz quickly connected with a short right hook, dropping his opponent to the mat, and less than two minutes into the fight Bader was quite literally choking in his second consecutive defeat. As much as we give Tito a hard time—and it is almost always deserved—it was nice to see him finally get a win in the organization that he helped carry for many years. Now, can he do it again?

(4 Years, 4 Months) Wanderlei’s Pride reign of terror ended

We hate to say it, but “Uncle Chael” was right. We all knew it would be a wild brawl with one man going out on his shield, but no one expected (or at least no one wanted) to see a legend crumbled so quickly. Wanderlei Silva, the longtime savior of Japanese bloodlust, has gone a depressing 2-4 since bringing his violent talents stateside, and he’s once again found himself on the business end of a highlight reel knock out. Although he exited Pride on a two-fight skid, he was still considered a savage in his prime; those days are gone. While Tito has likely staved off his pink slip for now, Dana White said that this is “probably the end of the road for Wanderlei” at the post fight presser. As tough as it is to see stars slowly fade away, it’s more painful to see them snuffed out quickly. Silva’s berserker-style isn’t a double-edged sword, it’s a double-edged battle axe, and if this was his last fight it’s been an honor to watch him swing it with reckless abandon.

(4 Years, 3 Months) Cruz waits for revenge

It took a perfect 9-0 stretch to earn Dominick Cruz his first shot at Urijah Faber back in 2007, and less than two minutes for the WEC Featherweight Champ to hand him his first and only loss. Since that time Cruz strung together another eight consecutive wins and picked up a WEC/UFC belt of his own, but until last night he’d have to wait for his revenge. The evening’s “Fight of the Night” was a razor thin, tough-to-call decision in favor of “The Dominator” (50-45? Probably not). The back and forth action lasted the full five rounds, stealing the show on a card chock-full of “holy shit” stoppages. Prior to 132 there was talk of Brian Bowles earning his shot with a win over Mizugaki, and there’s a nice storyline in him challenging the man that took his belt, but there are already murmurs of a rubber match between Faber and Cruz and from where Dana White’s sitting those two may have pre-sold tickets to that event last night.

Full Results (via MMAWeekly.com)

Main Bouts (On Pay-Per-View):
-Dominick Cruz def. Uirjah Faber by Unanimous Decision (50-45, 49-46, 48-47), R5
-Chris Leben def. Wanderlei Silva by KO (Punch) at 0:27, R1
-Dennis Siver def. Matt Wiman by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28), R3
-Tito Ortiz def. Ryan Bader by Submission (Guillotine Choke) at 1:56, R1
-Carlos Condit def. Dong Hyun Kim by TKO (Strikes) at 2:58, R1

Preliminary Bouts (On Spike/Rogers):
-Melvin Guillard def. Shane Roller by KO (Punch) at 2:12, R1
-Rafael dos Anjos def. George Sotiropoulos by KO (Punch) at 0:59, R1

Preliminary Bouts (On Facebook):
-Brian Bowles def. Takeya Mizugaki by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27), R3
-Aaron Simpson def. Brad Tavares by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27), R3
-Anthony Njokuani def. Andre Winner by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26), R3
-Jeff Hougland def. Donny Walker by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27), R3