UFC 171 on Saturday night is headlined by the highly anticipated title bout between Johny Hendricks and Robbie Lawler for the vacant crown. That fight, however, is not the only welterweight scrap on the card. UFC 171 features four more clashes at 170 pounds, and three of those bouts have at least one ranked fighter. The fight card […]
UFC 171 on Saturday night is headlined by the highly anticipated title bout between Johny Hendricks and Robbie Lawler for the vacant crown. That fight, however, is not the only welterweight scrap on the card. UFC 171 features four more clashes at 170 pounds, and three of those bouts have at least one ranked fighter. The fight card […]
UFC Fight Night 29 was critically panned, but it did cause some important shakeups in the welterweight division. A top-five 170-pounder was taken down by split decision in a bout that was decent at best. Not only that, but a normally grinding South Kor…
UFC Fight Night 29 was critically panned, but it did cause some important shakeups in the welterweight division. A top-five 170-pounder was taken down by split decision in a bout that was decent at best. Not only that, but a normally grinding South Korean welterweight earned himself a highlight-reel knockout against a native hero. It […]
Welterweights Jake Shields and Demian Maia were in Sao Paulo Brazil recently for a photo shoot to promote their October 9th Ultimate Fight Night 29 main event bout when things got a little weird. Interviewer Paula Sack turned her mic over to both Maia and Shields to interview one another on a freaking roof top or something.
Neither fighter seemed too enthused about the idea and appeared to try to get through the awkward question and answer sessions as quickly as possible. In sly tactical maneuvers that ultimately failed, however, both Shields and Maia asked one another what strategies they planned to use in the fight.
Side stepping and nervous laughter all around ensued. “Haha, I’m just kidding. I mean, unless you wanna tell me. That would be cool, too.” Something like that.
Either having two soft-spoken, humble fighters who are about to do battle interview one another is the a great idea or a horrible one. Depending, of course, on if you enjoy watching good or bad interviews.
Did you pick up on any body language signs of stength or weakness while watching the video, nation? Let us know. We were really only paying attention to the parts with Paula Sack in them.
Welterweights Jake Shields and Demian Maia were in Sao Paulo Brazil recently for a photo shoot to promote their October 9th Ultimate Fight Night 29 main event bout when things got a little weird. Interviewer Paula Sack turned her mic over to both Maia and Shields to interview one another on a freaking roof top or something.
Neither fighter seemed too enthused about the idea and appeared to try to get through the awkward question and answer sessions as quickly as possible. In sly tactical maneuvers that ultimately failed, however, both Shields and Maia asked one another what strategies they planned to use in the fight.
Side stepping and nervous laughter all around ensued. “Haha, I’m just kidding. I mean, unless you wanna tell me. That would be cool, too.” Something like that.
Either having two soft-spoken, humble fighters who are about to do battle interview one another is the a great idea or a horrible one. Depending, of course, on if you enjoy watching good or bad interviews.
Did you pick up on any body language signs of stength or weakness while watching the video, nation? Let us know. We were really only paying attention to the parts with Paula Sack in them.
There’s an unmistakable feeling that happens every time Matt Brown steps inside the cage for a fight. Somebody is probably going to bleed, someone will likely need stitches or a cast when it’s over, and Brown will be there every single time like a violent minister preaching a sermon of mayhem inside the Octagon. Watching […]
There’s an unmistakable feeling that happens every time Matt Brown steps inside the cage for a fight. Somebody is probably going to bleed, someone will likely need stitches or a cast when it’s over, and Brown will be there every single time like a violent minister preaching a sermon of mayhem inside the Octagon. Watching […]
The fight was was a rematch of the pair’s 2006 UFC bout, which Fitch won via rear naked choke. Burkman was released by the UFC in 2008 but since that time has been on a tear.
After a few moments of feeling one another out, Fitch pressed forward with punches but got caught, first by a short right hand and then a left hook by Burkman. Fitch stumbled and then fell to the floor.
Burkman pounced and locked up a guillotine choke on Fitch, rising back to his own feet to crank on the neck. Fitch, his neck still locked to the right side of Burkman’s torso in the choke hold, worked for a take down instead of immediately defending the submission.
Fitch got Burkman to his back but the underdog held on to the guillotine choke from his half guard. A moment later, Fitch went limp, Burkman let go of his prone body and stood over the former number one title contender with his arms raised in the air.
Check out the stunning video above. What do you say, nation? Does beating a top ten fighter like Fitch now thrust Burkman into the global welterweight top ten rankings?
Should Burkman get a call back to the UFC? Where does Fitch go from here?
Interview with Burkman about the huge win after the jump.
The fight was was a rematch of the pair’s 2006 UFC bout, which Fitch won via rear naked choke. Burkman was released by the UFC in 2008 but since that time has been on a tear.
After a few moments of feeling one another out, Fitch pressed forward with punches but got caught, first by a short right hand and then a left hook by Burkman. Fitch stumbled and then fell to the floor.
Burkman pounced and locked up a guillotine choke on Fitch, rising back to his own feet to crank on the neck. Fitch, his neck still locked to the right side of Burkman’s torso in the choke hold, worked for a take down instead of immediately defending the submission.
Fitch got Burkman to his back but the underdog held on to the guillotine choke from his half guard. A moment later, Fitch went limp, Burkman let go of his prone body and stood over the former number one title contender with his arms raised in the air.
Check out the stunning video above. What do you say, nation? Does beating a top ten fighter like Fitch now thrust Burkman into the global welterweight top ten rankings?
Should Burkman get a call back to the UFC? Where does Fitch go from here?
Interview with Burkman about the huge win after the jump.
(Contrary to what R. Kelly always told him, Voelker was never able to spread his wings and fly away just because he believed he could.)
We swear this will be our last Patrick Cote-related article for at least a few days, you guys. But being that “The Predator” recently announced his drop to the welterweight division following the cancellation of his rematch with Alessio Sakara and declared that he was still hoping to still fight at UFC 158, we figured we would at least write a follow up now that an opponent has in fact been named. Yes, Cote will be fighting on the Montreal card in his welterweight debut against Bobby “Vicious” Voelker, a five-fight Strikeforce Challengers veteran who boasts an impressive 24-8 record to his credit.
Known for his trio of highly entertaining bouts with Roger Bowling under the Strikeforce: Challengers banner, the 33 year-old Kansas City native has developed a reputation as a comeback specialist, so check out some of his handiwork after the jump.
(Contrary to what R. Kelly always told him, Voelker was never able to spread his wings and fly away just because he believed he could.)
We swear this will be our last Patrick Cote-related article for at least a few days, you guys. But being that “The Predator” recently announced his drop to the welterweight division following the cancellation of his rematch with Alessio Sakara and declared that he was still hoping to still fight at UFC 158, we figured we would at least write a follow up now that an opponent has in fact been named. Yes, Cote will be fighting on the Montreal card in his welterweight debut against Bobby “Vicious” Voelker, a five-fight Strikeforce Challengers veteran who boasts an impressive 24-8 record to his credit.
Known for his trio of highly entertaining bouts with Roger Bowling under the Strikeforce: Challengers banner, the 33 year-old Kansas City native has developed a reputation as a comeback specialist, so check out some of his handiwork after the jump.
Voelker vs. Roger Bowling I
From the opening moments in what would become the very first — and presumably last (sad face) — trilogy in Challengers history, Bobby Voelker and Roger Bowling showed up and threw down. Following a successful debut victory over Erik Apple via second round TKO at Challengers 5, Voelker was shut down by the powerful hands and aggressive wrestling output of Bowling, who managed to rock Voelker on multiple occasions and keep him off balance for the majority of their fight at Challengers 8. Unfortunately, the fight would come to an anticlimactic end in the third when, following an accidental poke to the eye by Voelker, Bowling was unable to continue and handed the technical decision victory.
At the very next Challengers event, Voelker and Devela engaged in a grinder of a match that again saw Voelker overwehlmed by his opponent’s grappling in the early going. However, Voelker was able to turn the tide midway through the fight, and with a little help from his superior gas tank, was able to snag a controversial split decision victory when all was said and done.
Voelker vs. Bowling: Part Deux
Voelker was again paired up against Bowling at Challengers 11 — this time in the main event of the evening – and where Bowling’s wrestling and power shots dictated the first fight, it was Voelker’s improved takedown defense and crisp counter-striking that dictated the second. After wading through damn near everything his faster foe had to offer in the first round, Voelker capitalized on a sloppy takedown attempt by Bowling midway through the second and pounded away from the guard until referee Dan Stell called a stop to the fight with just over a minute remaining.
Voelker vs. Bowling III
July 22nd, 2011 would set the stage for the final and most decisive meeting between Voelker and Bowling yet. The event was Challengers 11, with the duo once again finding themselves in the main event slot. The fight started out in relatively the same fashion as the first two, with Bowling utilizing his speed and diverse striking attack to keep Voelker on the defensive.
As noted by lyrical wordsmith Mauro Ranallo, deja vu would rear its ugly head when an errant finger by Voelker would find the very same eye of Bowling that led to the stoppage of the first fight. Thankfully, Bowling was able to continue and even managed to rock Voelker towards the end of the first. But once again, Voelker would come alive midway through the second, delivering a knee to the jaw of Bowling that put him on queer street. The opening would be all that Voelker would need, as he finished off the trilogy with a series of follow up punches shortly thereafter.
So, Potato Nation, now that you’ve seen what Voelker has to offer, do you think Cote’s poor run of luck in the UFC will continue at UFC 158? Or will Cote’s size advantage and high level experience lead him to victory?
