WWE STAR FIGHTS 350 POUND BEAST IN MMA
Posted June 26th, 2009 byCategories: OTHER MMA NEWS
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Categories: OTHER MMA NEWS
THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER - UK vs USA FINALS
Posted June 19th, 2009 byCategories: UFC NEWS
Thursday, June 18, 2009
by (trios@sherdog.com)
After another season of “The Ultimate Fighter,” all we’re left with is a piercing headache and a distinct appreciation for Michael Bisping’s first-aid skills. That and Ross Pearson’s willingness to let someone with no medical training pop his shoulder back in place.
Thankfully, this year’s consolation prize is particularly meaty. This Saturday’s TUF 9 finale card from the Pearl in Las Vegas features not only the coronation of new lightweight and welterweight Ultimate Fighters but a trio of main card bouts that mean something to people who’d rather taxidermy themselves than sit through a reality show. The main event alone makes the never-ending season recaps we’ll have to endure worth it, as Diego Sanchez will look to keep his lightweight ledger sterling against carpenter turned Cro-Magnon Clay Guida.
Throw in another lightweight scrap starring Stockton’s own Nate Diaz against fellow Californian Joe Stevenson and an early Fight of the Night favorite pitting firefighting fighter Chris Lytle against the mass of intestinal fortitude that is Kevin Burns. Before all that goes down, though, get your knowledge update and fight pick fix all in one.
Jeff Sherwood/Sherdog.com
a tough test in Clay Guida.
The Breakdown: The climb up the lightweight ladder gets only harder for Sanchez, as he puts his title hopes up for grabs against everyone’s favorite anthropomorphized version of Animal the moppet, Clay Guida. This fight hinges on what has been Sanchez’s Achilles heel throughout his career: His brilliant offense seems to shrivel up and die whenever he runs into a dominant wrestler who can smother his submissions. Guida may be a dominant wrestler, but he is far from bulletproof on the mat. He is prone to getting into scrambles, which is a dream scenario for Sanchez. While Guida has shown the fight IQ to use his wrestling in reverse before, that won’t work against Sanchez, who has more powerful strikes and has shown constant overall improvement in that area of his game.
Guida needs to think of himself as the Wile E. Coyote to Sanchez’s Roadrunner, but instead of loading up the Octagon with enough dynamite to level Luxembourg, he just needs to contain his quarry. Rough him up in the clinch, throttle him on the mat or just build an elaborate spring-loaded cage that will trap him when he goes for that pile of birdseed. I’m not sure how the commission would feel about that third suggestion. Guida should just focus on keeping Sanchez under control at all times. The problem with that is it means keeping Sanchez close enough to make the strategy seem like Wile E. Coyote came up with it.
The X Factor: Both fighters are known for keeping a furious pace. This fight may well come down to who can hold up late in the game. While Guida certainly has the gas tank to go the full 15 minutes, he tends to lose discipline as the clock runs out and that is a luxury he can’t afford against Sanchez, who will be looking for the finish one way or another every second this fight lasts. Both of Sanchez’s defeats have come against opponents willing to play it safe and stick to a no-frills game plan. You have to wonder if a guy who rocks the Geico caveman cut and listens to Alkaline Trio knows how to be conservative.
The Bottom Line: As much as I’d like to see a guy who looks like a borderline vagrant challenge for the lightweight title someday, it won’t be Guida. He’ll make my dreams come true as a rollicking fight turns into a showcase for Sanchez, who seals the deal via submission in the third round. While challenging for that title seems out of reach for Guida, he can always take solace in the fact that Acme Co. has weathered the financial meltdown and will eventually build something capable of catching something, maybe.
Photo by Sherdog.com
The Breakdown: Another critical lightweight tilt fills out the main card proceedings as one-time title challenger Joe Stevenson looks to rebound from two straight losses by handing Nate Diaz a second straight loss of his own. While both men have a stated preference for the ground game, it is Stevenson who has the wrestling to take the top position while Diaz relies on judo throws that have the same success rate of Matthew McConaughey movies. That won’t be particularly important, though, as Diaz is incredibly fluent off his back and would be best served scoring as many points as he can on the feet before Stevenson switches up for a takedown.
Once that happens, you’re essentially matching Diaz’s submission savvy against Stevenson’s top control and underrated ground-and-pound. While Stevenson is certainly an above average grappler, he’s a notch below the best and he especially suffers when he can’t use his brute strength to make up the difference. Bulling Diaz around won’t work by itself. Unless Stevenson can back up his takedowns with some real offense, he’ll be staring down the barrel of a third straight loss inside the Octagon.
The X Factor: The temptation is to think that this bout will be decided on the mat. That ignores Stevenson’s troubling habit of going off in search of kickboxing matches when he should be focused on scoring takedowns. Whether it’s bad game planning or a crisis of confidence, Stevenson should not be fancying himself a striker and he definitely shouldn’t take on Diaz with that mentality. An unorthodox but fluid striker, Diaz’s reach advantage alone should be enough to dissuade Stevenson from trading with him, but if Stevenson does, he’ll get his own wing in the Darwin hall of fame.
The Bottom Line: It looks like the lightweight division has left Stevenson behind. That notion will only be driven home by Diaz, who hands in a sterling showing at the expense of Satoru Kitaoka’s body-double. Expect it to start out evenly with Stevenson’s physicality giving Diaz trouble, but Stevenson doesn’t have the gas tank to keep that strategy going for three rounds and his grappling isn’t going to come anywhere near neutralizing the younger half of the flying Stockton brothers. Once Stevenson starts to slip, Diaz will quickly seal the deal.
Photo by Sherdog.com
The Breakdown: Two of the UFC’s most aw-shucks, Midwest do-gooders will match wits and fists when Iowa’s own Kevin Burns takes on the Indiana firefighter that makes us all look like lazy piles of biomass, Chris Lytle. This match is a study in similarities. Both fighters are versatile and savvy, but Lytle is the one with the experience advantage and his striking in particular is more studied and free flowing. After a pair of brawls with Anthony Johnson, many have forgotten about Burns’ slick submissions, but Burns had better hope for his own sake that he hasn’t; it represents his best and likely only hope for a win.
The X Factor: If anything has kept Lytle from reaching the next level, it has been his own inability to stay composed and measured in the cage. Lytle often plays right into his opponents’ hands by trying to beat them at their own game — a strategic mistake that has haunted him throughout his career. Whether or not Burns is good enough of a grappler to make Lytle pay for that mistake is anyone’s guess, but it’s not a question Lytle should go off searching to answer.
The Bottom Line: Even if Burns manages to turn this into a grappling match, Lytle can more than keep up with him while scavenging whatever points he can on the feet. Considering Burns was more than willing to trade with Johnson, Lytle should be able to draw him into more than a few exchanges and that is where his combination of boxing fundamentals and physical talent will overwhelm Burns. It won’t be easy hitting a kill-shot on Burns, but Lytle should have no trouble taking home a unanimous judges’ nod.
Jim Page/Sherdog.com
The Breakdown: An all-UK lightweight final awaits everyone who successfully sat through another season of testosterone-laced endlessness, as journeyman turned potential poster boy Ross Pearson takes on the incomparably named Andre Winner. Already considered one of the Rough House’s prized prospects, Winner has dominated thus far by scoring stoppages in the first stanza of all of his TUF bouts. Pearson hasn’t been quite as impressive as his countryman. Reason being Pearson just doesn’t have Winner’s raw talent and athleticism — a difference that Pearson can only hope to overcome with sheer grit and gumption.
The X Factor: After an easy run into the finals, Winner may not be ready to deal with Pearson’s pressing style and attrition approach inside the cage. Winner has shown a willingness to go all-out against anyone, and that freelancing style could cost him dearly against an opponent who fights like he’s doing his best Michael Myers impersonation. Watch the early going closely because if Winner can’t keep Pearson off him, he’ll spend more time trying to survive than trying to win.
The Bottom Line: Let me level with you: This season hasn’t exactly revealed any hidden gems. We all know Pearson is a bulldog who lacks top-shelf talent and Winner is a solid prospect with his share of flaws. With that said, we’ll at least get a solid scrap, as Winner takes some early licks before overwhelming Pearson on the feet and notching an impressive knockout win to take home the double-edged sword that is a TUF title.
Photo Courtesy: Spike TV
Damarques Johnson vs. James Wilks
The Breakdown: The welterweight half of TUF comes down to the lone American fighter left, Damarques Johnson, and the Englishman angling to make the evening a clean sweep for the Brits, James Wilks. That will be a problem for Wilks, who lacks experience and got a sweetheart draw into the finals while Johnson has been scoring scalps for years and proved his mettle with an impressive run in reality land. Long story short: The odds are stacked against Wilks, and it looks like Johnson will manage to save the States from an otherwise embarrassing season.
The X Factor: Barring Johnson running face first into a haymaker, Wilks’ best hope here is to get this fight on the ground and go for broke in search of a submission. The obvious problem is that Wilks isn’t much of a wrestler and his physical talents don’t include brute strength, but anytime this fight is on the mat, he’ll at least be dealing with Johnson on even terms. Just how much time Wilks gets there is what will decide his future, or lack thereof, in the UFC.
The Bottom Line: Everyone loves an underdog, but not everyone loves England. It’s a real existential mindbender that Johnson will make simple when he buries his fist three inches inside Wilks’ left eye socket … or maybe the right. Either way, Johnson goes from journeyman to star by beating down Wilks in half the time it took England to win the Falklands War.
SHOWTIME CHALLENGER SERIES TONIGHT
Posted June 19th, 2009 byCategories: STRIKEFORCE NEWS
Friday, June 19, 2009
by (ccozzone@sherdog.com)
His smokin’ guns holstered for over a year, Joey Villasenor has been at the mercy of belly-up organizations throughout a long, zigzag career climb. But he’s reasonably sure he’s finally going to get the chance to fight Friday night.
“Here we are, four days out,” Villasenor said Monday, following a wind-down workout at Jackson’s Mixed Martial Arts in Albuquerque. “I think it’s finally going to happen.”
On Friday, Villasenor (26-6) headlines the Strikeforce Challengers event against Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos (16-12) in Kent, Wash. The bout, and four others, will be televised live on Showtime.
There’s no reason to think that Villasenor’s fight won’t happen — but after multiple letdowns over the last 12 months, a bit of skepticism is a reasonable, if not healthy, response.
After Pride Fighting Championships went dormant, Villasenor signed up with EliteXC. Villasenor had a strong start, than a bad stumble against Murilo “Ninja” Rua, who stopped Villasenor with a second-round TKO in the promotion’s first middleweight title championship. The New Mexican veteran racked up three big wins afterward and was on the verge of another title shot when the organization folded.
With Villasenor’s contract caught in the crossfire, months of legalities tied up the Jackson-trained fighter, until Strikeforce resurrected the sport on Showtime this spring.
“The time off stunk,” said Villasenor. “I know it’s the nature of the business, but I lost a lot of time.”
At 33, and with a decade invested in a game that has seen its veterans, of late, become cage- and shopworn, Villasenor’s clock could be ticking.
Chris Cozzone/Sherdog.com
his career in the past year.
“Am I a dinosaur?” asked Villasenor with a laugh. “I don’t think so, no sir. I feel I’ve only gotten better. It took a while for my career, and for MMA in general, to develop. The young guys are redefining it and training has become so specialized. But, for me, it’s been learning on the job.”
Villasenor was born in East L.A., but moved to Albuquerque when he was in fourth grade. Years later, Villasenor got his start in martial arts when his family moved to Farmington, in the northwest corner of New Mexico. After turning pro in 1999, Villasenor eventually found his way back to Albuquerque where he hooked up with Greg Jackson.
“I had a lot of opportunity to fight early on,” said Villasenor, who fought frequently for King of the Cage. “But, for the most part, I was sent out to lose. I realized I was just a feeder.”
Villasenor went from feeder to beater, as his nicknames evolved from “The Dream Smasher” to “The Mexican Hitman” to “Smokin’.” Eventually, he earned the choice to fight in the UFC or Pride.
Villasenor, whose teammates were UFC fighters, chose Pride.
“I have no regrets not taking the route of the UFC,” said Villasenor. “Everything’s a gamble in this sport. When the opportunity came for the UFC, I wanted to be paid accordingly.”
Villasenor lost his opening Pride bout –- a split decision to Ryo Chonan — and was knocked out by a 22-second flying knee courtesy of Robbie Lawler in his second bout with the organization. Ironically, if EliteXC had continued, Villasenor would’ve rematched Lawler for the middleweight belt.
“It’s been a bit like fighting in the shadows,” said Villasenor. “And I don’t mind fighting in the shadows at all. I’ve never been big on stardom — that just means more pressure. On the other hand, of course I want the chance to be the champ.”
Friday is another first step in that direction.
“The time off has taught me to savor every precious moment of ring time,” said Villasenor. “I’ve been training for a fight, on and off for a year now, for something that never happened. Now that’s it’s going to happen, the pressure is there to perform. It’s huge. No one wants to see a boring win. But if you forget all that, and just go out there and fight, and take over… that’s all there is.”
Against Santos, Villasenor believes he has preparation on his side.
“We’re gonna be better prepared than Cyborg,” said Villasenor. “He’s a Wanderlei Silva type, but he’s slowed down after hard losses. We’re prepared for his ankle and leglock attacks. We’ll stay clear of his big shots and we’ll go to work. I got the right team behind me.”
That team, for the past three years, has included girlfriend Holly Holm, who is a six-time world champion boxer.
“She’s been the biggest blessing in my life,” said Villasenor. “She understands the game, what it is we do. We eat right together, run together, watch films… She’s been a big impact in my life.”
UFC 99 LOOKS LIKE A GREAT CARD
Posted June 11th, 2009 byCategories: UFC NEWS
Thursday, June 11, 2009
by
The Ultimate Fighting Championship touches down in Deutschland this Saturday, as the Las Vegas-based promotion embarks on an historical first trip to Germany. The card can serve both to entertain international fans and endear the sport to a new nation.
Here are five storylines to follow at UFC 99 “The Comeback” at the Lanxess Arena in Cologne.
1. Former Champions Interested in Change
Compromise equates to meeting in the middle — exactly what former Pride 205-pound champion Wanderlei Silva and former UFC middleweight titleholder Rich Franklin will do when they clash in the main event at a catchweight of 195 pounds.
Silva’s once elite status has turned tumultuous, and he believes shedding some of his skin for a 185-pound rebirth can return him to his skull collecting ways. However, Franklin’s interrupted ascent to 205 pounds — this after Anderson Silva effectively exiled the former middleweight king — serves as a significant roadblock for “The Axe Murderer” and his attempted return to prominence.
Most hope Silva acclimates to weight cutting and Franklin grows comfortable with a heavier frame. It seems to be an easier move for Silva, though. Franklin has already started his divisional shift, posting a 1-1 record in light heavyweight bouts against Matt Hamill and Dan Henderson. Dropping an extra 10 pounds when he planned to pack them on looks like a rough proposition, but trouncing Silva has monetary and resume-building rewards.
Should Silva perform well, it builds much-needed momentum for his entry into a division desperate for a star power injection. If he loses, it only stings on the highlight reels. Meanwhile, Franklin claims a title run in a new weight class would be more than just a side effect from his one-sided encounters with Anderson Silva.
The UFC typically steers away from special attraction fights, but this showdown between former titleholders seems mutually beneficial, whether it ends with a big left hook from Franklin or an onslaught of knees from Silva. For live spectators — perhaps viewing their first mixed martial arts event — it has been called a “dream fight.”
2. Heavyweight Headlines
American Kickboxing Academy standout Cain Velasquez infuses the heavyweight division with young, scary talent, but the backbone of the weight class still lies in dangerous veterans like Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic. Both are primed to make headlines, for better or worse, at UFC 99.
Jeff Sherwood/Sherdog.com
The Velasquez hype train followed the two-time All-American right out of Arizona State University and into professional MMA. After just two fights, he hit the UFC Octagon and rattled off three dominating performances. Head AKA trainer Javier Mendez sees the Salinas, Calif., native as the sport’s next superstar and expects him to take his place alongside former Mendez students like B.J. Penn and Frank Shamrock.
Velasquez was originally scheduled to face Pride Fighting Championships veteran Heath Herring, but an illness left Cheick Kongo to replace “The Texas Crazy Horse.” The French kickboxer wields powerful strikes that can threaten anyone in the heavyweight division, including Velasquez. At this early stage in the Mexican-American heavyweight’s career, any veteran poses stiff challenges. Kongo, perhaps teetering on the brink of a title shot, wants nothing more than to capitalize on inexperience and impress UFC brass by siphoning Velasquez’s momentum. Another win for Velasquez would strengthen his place as one of the sport’s top prospects.
Filipovic re-enters the Octagon after a self-admitted underwhelming 1-2 foray in 2007. He will face Mustapha al Turk, a fighter battered relentlessly by Kongo in his UFC debut in December. Al-Turk’s inexperience at the elite level and his grappling-oriented offense looks like a “Cro Cop” gift card on paper. However, the Croatian’s mental game fluctuates, which adds uncertainty and intrigue to his return. Anything less than a left high kick knockout victory will make him look less like the 2006 Pride Open Weight Grand Prix winner and more like the disinterested fighter who prodded through Eddie Sanchez. Emphatic victories go a long way, and when “Cro Cop” wins with an exclamation point, it goes even further.
3. Welterweight Gold and Grudge
Georges St. Pierre’s reign of near picture-perfect terror over the welterweight division includes wins against two of top three 170-pound fighters at the American Kickboxing Academy: Josh Koscheck and Jon Fitch. That leaves Mike Swick. Plagued by injures and a shift from middleweight to welterweight, the newly minted Guerilla Jiu-Jitsu purple belt will look for a fourth straight victory against Ben Saunders. An American Top Team representative, the unbeaten Saunders turned Brandon Wolff’s forehead into a balcony the same night Swick knocked out Jonathan Goulet.
For all of the depth at welterweight, the division lacks a clear number one contender beyond the St. Pierre-Thiago Alves contest at UFC 100. Swick can secure his spot or defer to the tall, rangy Saunders, who would receive a golden ticket to top-tier credibility with a win here.
On the opposite end of the pre-fight noise spectrum, not much can be said for Dan Hardy and Marcus Davis that has not been said already. Their bad blood seems more potent than that which existed between Matt Hughes and Matt Serra. The two stand-up stylists have the skills set to match their hateful pre-fight bravado. Contender implications take a back seat to pride in this one.
4. Lightweight Show Stealers
Anytime Spencer Fisher fights, expect a “Woo!” and a war. His opponent, Caol Uno, serves as a nice retro addition to the UFC roster and fancies himself a fighter, too. This bout features two highly regarded veterans who aim to entertain, even though they fall just short of the best in the world at 155 pounds.
The UFC’s lightest weight class often features fights with non-stop action, and Terry Etim vs. Justin Buchholz shapes up as a matchup that will following in that tradition. Etim, one of the division’s tallest fighters will face one of its shortest. Each needs to impose his will in fast, hurtful fashion.
In addition, look for Paul Kelly to employ his bulldozing style in his divisional debut when he takes on “The Ultimate Fighter” alum Roli Delgado.
5. New Market Mayhem
Like any good promotion, the UFC caters to its local audience in preliminary action. Native German Dennis Siver earned his second UFC win in five tries when he knocked out Nate Mohr with a flash-forward spinning back fist at UFC 93. Dale Hartt will hunt for a more notable UFC performance after getting his lone Octagon win on Corey Hill’s freak injury. Disposing of the tough home favorite could do wonders for his stock.
Meanwhile, European heavyweights Stefan Struve and Denis Stojnic simply seek their first UFC wins in a submission-fighter-versus-striker match. Finally, “Fight of the Night” collector Paul Taylor welcomes great German hope Peter Sobotta to the UFC in a welterweight tilt.
PRO FIGHTERS MAKE THEIR CALL ON LAWLER vs SHIELDS
Posted June 5th, 2009 byCategories: STRIKEFORCE NEWS
Friday, June 05, 2009
by (msloan@sherdog.com)
Robbie Lawler has been on a roll, going undefeated in his last six fights and scoring five finishes along the way. His opponent Saturday at Strikeforce has been even hotter, though. Jake Shields hasn’t lost since 2004, racking up 11 straight wins.
Lawler is the No. 4-ranked middleweight in the world. Shields is the No. 4-ranked welterweight, and Strikeforce has done a remarkable job in pitting the two contenders together in what should be one heck of a showdown.
The general consensus around the mixed martial arts world is that Lawler should win if the fight remains standing and Shields should triumph if he can bring the ruthless one to the canvas. Sherdog.com chatted with dozens of professional fighters and trainers to gauge their thoughts on the matchup:
Luigi Fioravanti: If it stays on the feet, Lawler by KO. If it goes to the ground, Shields will pull off a submission.
Erik Paulson: Robbie is tough as shit, but Jake is (at) the top of his game. Robbie has heavy hands and definitely has a slugger’s chance once Jake gets the takedown.
Scott Bieri: Jake Shields’ American jiu-jitsu will be the difference in this one. Lawler is game, but Jake’s smothering grappling (will) get him the submission win.
Guy Mezger: The Lawler-Shields fight is tough to call. It either goes boring win for Shields or KO for Lawler.
Jaime Fletcher: I like Jake’s chances on the ground and Lawler on the stand up. Classic striker/grappler matchup. I got Shields by some made-up NorCal American jiu-jitsu hold in the first or second round.
Cesar Gracie: Shields by tapout.
Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com
Kit Cope: The Shields/Lawler fight is going to be the most dynamic fight we’ll see that night. Lawler has a strong edge on the striking, but I think it will ultimately end on the ground with Jake in a dominant position. Robbie is a good scrambler, but Jake is very strong with holding position, especially in mount, which he’ll end up at on top of Robbie.
Kevin Burns: If the fight stays standing, I see Lawler winning easily by KO or decision. … If Jake can get the fight to the ground, he wins by submission.
Travis Lutter: I think Jake will take this one. He has been a terror as of late, and I think Robbie has a hard time with grapplers.
Mike Whitehead: Robbie by KO! And I also pick Whitehead to win also … just a hunch.
Marvin Eastman: Robbie Lawler (will) win by KO in the second round.
Stav Economou: Lawler KO third round.
Jamie Varner: Lawler TKO.
Tom Gavrilos: Lawler is going to be very hard to submit, even for Jake, and clearly has the heavier hands. Lawler TKO.
Michael Guymon: Shoot, this is the classic matchup of striker versus grappler. It’s simple: If this fight stays on the feet, Robbie; if it goes to the ground, Jake. That’s all I can say on this one; otherwise, I will be getting a call from Jake or Robbie wanting to hang me (laughs).
Enson Inoue: I pick Jake Shields.
Cung Le: Tough one to call (no pick).
Gabe Ruediger: Got to go with Jake. Lawler is very tough and hits hard, but Jake’s grappling is very high level and if and when it hits the mat, Jake will dominate there. Submission for Jake, not sure which round.
Stephane Vigneault: I think Jake Shields (made) a mistake (going to) 185 against Lawler. I think a TKO win by Lawler. Yes, Shields is an awesome grappler, but I think he is not gonna be able to handle the power of Robbie Lawler.
Robin Black: I don’t think Shields can handle Lawler. Shit, not many people can handle Lawler. Can Shields pull off a slick sub? Maybe, but more likely Lawler will win this by face smash. Either way, (a) fun fight to watch. Probably Lawler, round two KO.
Ben Saunders: Man, I love watching Lawler fight. The guy is a beast! I believe that Lawler will be too powerful and dangerous standing for Jake. He trains with good wrestlers and has good takedown defense. Jake hasn’t shown the best hands in the game, and I feel if Lawler plays the game right, he should win by KO. If Jake gets him down, it will definitely be in his favor, but I believe Lawler has enough skill to defend and get back to his feet. But I respect them both as fighters, and it is MMA and anything can happen. Hell, I’ve seen the fake shot to big overhand right take out the best of them. It’s notorious for causing the biggest upsets. The wrestler knocking out the striker, something no one ever thought would happen, yet in MMA you see it happen more and more often. Fake the shot and as his hands drop for the sprawl …. BOOM! It’s a bitch! Either way it will be a great fight!
Patrick Cote: I’m going with Lawler by pure power.
Pros who picked Lawler: 9
Pros who picked Shields: 7
Pros who couldn’t decide: 6
FABER VS BROWN REMATCH ON SUNDAY
Posted June 4th, 2009 byCategories: WEC NEWS
Thursday, June 04, 2009
by (trios@sherdog.com)
While the rest of the sports world cries into its Cheerios after watching the prospect of a Kobe Bryant vs. LeBron James NBA Finals flame out like Eminem, the mixed martial arts fan has yet another meaty World Extreme Cagefighting card to keep his or her bowl tear-free. Slated for this Sunday at the Arco Arena in Sacramento, Calif., it features the fight that’s on the mind of every fan.
A rematch between WEC featherweight champion Mike Thomas Brown and the man he built his name upon, Urijah Faber, will help define the future of the promotion’s burgeoning featherweight class. The return of featherweight super-prospect Jose Aldo backs up the main event, along with the latest appearance of lightweight sadomasochist Donald Cerrone and perhaps the last stand of one-time UFC lightweight champion Jens Pulver.
Get your situation lined up for this weekend and settle in for the latest round of semi-reliable unprofessional prognostication. Remember, I get 10 percent of your winnings and take no responsibility for the losses. Not my fault that probability has a grudge against me.
Photo by Sherdog.com
WEC Featherweight Championship
Mike Thomas Brown vs. Urijah Faber
The Breakdown: The long-awaited rematch between Brown (21-4), the incumbent featherweight champion, and Faber, the man he replaced, comes with a distinct set of expectations this time around. Brown took Faber’s title but remains a relative unknown in comparison to his media darling counterpart. The marked size advantage Brown holds over “The California Kid,” which was a major factor in Brown’s first-round knockout win against him in November, has not changed. Whether or not Faber (22-2) will overcome that gap and find a way for his hyperactive offense to work against Brown stands as the defining question surrounding this bout.
Fast and talented as Faber may be, Brown’s strength and fundamental acuity make him a unique presence in the division; he’s a physically dominant fighter who still relies on technique to get the job done. Brown’s balance of finesse and Incredible Hulk power has Faber pegged as an underdog — and for good reason. He may be beloved for his Jeff Spicoli “surfer dude” demeanor, but Faber needs to come out from the opening bell and swarm Brown without making any obvious mistakes. If not, he risks seeing his years of divisional dominance go for naught.
The X Factor: Faber can always rely on his fighting instincts. For whatever reason, he seems to know exactly what to do when the action gets most hectic. If he can force Brown to get into scrambles and generally disrupt the flow of his offense, Faber will give himself the best chance of not only winning but taking out Brown in a manner that would announce his return as the division’s top dog. Whatever plays out after the fight, Faber needs to go into it knowing his spot in the division will be won or lost in the scramble.
The Bottom Line: Faber may deserve the right to bask in the glow of the featherweight division’s renaissance, but his frame does not belong at 145 pounds. The difference in size alone presents enough problems for Faber in this rematch. Throw in Brown’s underrated versatility and junkyard dog determination, and this just is not the fight Faber hopes it to be. Expect another dominating performance from Brown, who moves that much closer to building himself as the featherweight fighter of our time.
File Photo/Sherdog.com
Cub Swanson at WEC 41.
Jose Aldo vs. Cub Swanson
The Breakdown: The current featherweight prospect du jour takes on his predecessor, as Brazilian bomber Aldo (14-1) takes on California’s own Swanson. Like any fighter taking on Aldo, Swanson (13-2) has to keep clear of the striking game at all costs. Simply put, Aldo is too dangerous on the feet, so Swanson’s only hope is getting the lanky knockout artist down and out of his comfort zone. It seems like a simple enough plan, but Aldo’s long reach and strong grappling pedigree makes doing just about anything against him easier said than done.
The X Factor: Assuming Swanson can get Aldo down before losing his grip on consciousness, one has to wonder exactly what he will do to a guy who comes from the grappling-centric Nova Uniao camp. Black belts do not come for free from that team, and Swanson is hardly an irresistible force on the mat. It will take a lot more than a takedown and some luck for Swanson to keep himself from becoming the next in a long line of scalps for Aldo.
The Bottom Line: There’s a reason why Aldo’s career has taken off and Swanson has been left to toil in the mid-level of the WEC lightweight division. Simply put, Aldo is a far superior fighter. That truth will shine through, as Swanson ends up in the worst spot of all — on the end of Aldo’s piston-like punches. Sooner or later, one of those blows will put Swanson out like a bottle of Ambien and a DVD of “Meet the Spartans.”
Photo by Sherdog.com
Donald Cerrone vs. James Krause
The Breakdown: A battle of impossibly tall lightweight strikers adds intrigue to the 155-pound division, as Cerrone (9-1, 1 NC) attempts to rebuild his credentials after a failed title run. Krause (10-0) may be one of the few lightweights around taller than Cerrone, but he’s not the same caliber striker and lacks the ground game to add a different dimension to this fight. This feels like a concerted WEC attempt at rebuilding a popular fighter at the expense of a newcomer. Don’t be surprised if it plays out that way.
The X Factor: Cerrone is willing to scrap, even at the expense of his seemingly suicidal brain cells. That mentality often draws him into unnecessary firefights, especially when one considers Cerrone’s surprising mat savvy. If Krause can draw him into a shootout, the difference in skill may not matter as much as Cerrone’s own inability to control his kamikaze instincts.
The Bottom Line: Expect the early going to be reminiscent of Custer’s Last Stand, as both fighters go for broke on the feet before Cerrone settles into his usual game plan of switching gears and hunting the submission. Krause may have the game to survive on the feet with Cerrone, but he will not have an answer for Cerrone’s rapid-fire submission onslaught. Sooner or later, Krause will find himself in a spot from which he cannot escape; that’s when the would-be contender will play the three-tap symphony.
Peter Lockley/Sherdog.com
The Breakdown: The rising prospect takes on the aging veteran, as Grispi continues his climb up the ranks against Pulver, the former UFC lightweight champion turned fading featherweight. While Pulver (22-11-1) can still chin check anyone, his overall game has suffered as he has aged, and it’s obvious he cannot keep up with the current crop of competitors. Thankfully, Grispi (12-1) is not the kind of striker that has been troubling Pulver of late. However, he does have a strong ground game, and Pulver’s takedown defense is not what it used to be. This is probably the last litmus test for Pulver’s career, and, lately, the results have not been too encouraging.
The X Factor: Age, an iffy chin and some bad luck have left Pulver’s once promising featherweight tenure feeling like an “Alien vs. Predator” movie — nothing more than wasted potential. However, if Pulver can force Grispi to fight him standing, he definitely has an edge on the grappling-centric style of his youthful counterpart. Pulver has put together miraculous career comebacks before; whether or not he has another one in him is anyone’s guess.
The Bottom Line: Pulver has endured nothing but disappointment of late, and it does not figure to get any better against Grispi. He has the gusto and game to chase after a submission and avoid Pulver’s parries on the feet. Expect an entertaining fight, but Pulver’s declining skills will eventually cost him the fight, as Grispi snatches hold of a late submission in an evenly matched fight. No more of the Phoenix routine for Pulver, who looks to have squeezed every last drop of greatness he could from his long and storied career.
Photo by Sherdog.com
Manny Gamburyan vs. John Franchi
At long last, Gamburyan (8-4) wised up and made his move to the featherweight class. He will debut against the undefeated Franchi. Both fighters prefer the mat, but Gamburyan holds the edge there, as his bull rush takedowns and nose for the submission make him a dangerous addition to the division. Like most, Franchi (5-0) will not be ready for Gamburyan’s savage submission game, and he’ll eventually get caught in one of the Armenian’s cringe-inducing leg locks.
This bantamweight duel features the undefeated and highly touted Dietz (5-0) taking on a journeyman. If it has not become apparent by now, Rebello is the sacrificial lamb pegged to launch Dietz’s run in the WEC. Granted, Rebello (5-3) is a solid grappler, but he struggles against more well-rounded opponents, and Dietz will have no qualms about bullying around his foe and turning this into a mauling. Expect Rebello to buckle under the pressure of Dietz’s offense and end up taking a one-sided TKO loss.
Mike Campbell vs. Anthony Pettis
The power lifter meets the kickboxer when Campbell (4-1) tests himself against Pettis’ flashy strikes. Campbell’s strength has translated well to MMA, but he does not seem to have a skill on which he can rely. Meanwhile, Pettis’ striking makes him a threat against anyone who cannot at least force him off his game. This fight will quickly turn into a showcase for Pettis (6-0), as he evades Campbell and picks him apart with strikes before putting him down for good.
Scott Jorgensen vs. Antonio Banuelos
Another bantamweight scrap rests on the undercard, as Banuelos looks to re-establish his footing in the hyper-competitive division by taking out the rapidly improving Jorgensen (6-2). The problem? Banuelos’ striking game depends on stopping his opponent’s takedowns, and that’s something he will fail to do against Jorgensen. Three rounds worth of ground-and-pound will leave Banuelos (15-5) battered and Jorgensen with another win on his ledger.
After getting blackballed by the UFC for his Darwin award-worthy run on “The Ultimate Fighter,” Thomas has to settle for the WEC bantamweight division, where he finds himself pitifully outmatched by Gomez (6-1). Expect the wash, rinse, repeat treatment from Gomez, as he dominates the wrestling and segues right into the ground-and-pound portion of the match. Thomas (13-4) will have no answers, as he takes the beat down no one got to see during his time as a reality show lightning rod.
A Thomas Denny disciple, Dikun (6-3) looks to carve out a spot in the WEC against Perez, who wants redemption after he became Jose Aldo’s most recent heavy bag. With that said, Perez (4-2-1) showed some talent in that bout, and he should have no problem lighting up Dikun on the feet and keeping away from the mat. Denny will not have much to celebrate, as Perez picks apart Dikun en route to a thorough decision win.
EXPECT KNOCKOUTS AT STRIKEFORCE ON SHOWTIME SATURDAY
Posted June 3rd, 2009 byCategories: STRIKEFORCE NEWS
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
by (trios@sherdog.com)
By the looks of its latest card — scheduled for this Saturday at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis — it appears Strikeforce is well on its way to carving out a spot as a big-name mixed martial arts promotion.
With a featured bout pairing top 10 middleweight Robbie Lawler and top 10 welterweight ace Jake Shields, plus co-main events featuring heavyweight fang aficionado Andrei Arlovski and the always entertaining Nick Diaz, it’s time to jump on this free Showtime promotion.
Load the fridge with artery-clogging delights and make sure you call out sick from work for a few days in order to prepare. In the meantime, get squared up on the knowledge. Who knows? Maybe, I’ll nail a few this time.
Photo by Dave Mandel
Shields on top of him.
Main Event
Robbie Lawler vs. Jake Shields
The Breakdown: In a style clash so extreme it almost seems out of place in modern MMA, Lawler’s bloodlust on the feet stands at odds with Shields’ clinical precision on the mat. What this fight really hinges on, though, is how Shields (22-4-1) deals with Lawler’s brutish physicality in the cage. Lawler (16-4, 1 NC) has always been an easy mark on the ground. Getting him there is the problem, and Shields’ substandard striking will not buy him any time standing if his usual game plan goes awry.
Keep an eye out early. If Lawler starts bullying around Shields and teeing off, the former EliteXC welterweight champion might as well bust out the Ric Flair flop and call it a day. However, the longer this fight goes, the more it favors Shields, who needs only a takedown and a minute or two on the clock to teach Lawler that screaming and flexing only looks cool when upright.
The X Factor: Both men are former welterweights, but Lawler has been competing as a middleweight for years; this bout represents Shields’ first run at 185 pounds. Picking arguably the best middleweight outside the UFC as one’s first mark seems bold at best, masochistic at worst. If Shields does not carry the extra weight well, he’ll be stuck trying to drag down one of the division’s most gifted athletes. By the same token, if Shields handles the jump in weight as well as Lawler has, he’ll force one of MMA’s premier power punchers to prove his worth on the mat.
***
The Bottom Line: Once upon a time, Lawler was just another brawler. Thankfully, those days are long gone and we now have a more refined version of the wild-eyed brute of old. Striking the balance between composure and aggression will be pivotal for Lawler, who must prevent Shields from getting him down. However, the mere threat of his loaded limbs should be enough to keep Shields from getting too bold with his takedowns. Either way, Lawler will keep this bout in his domain long enough to add Shields’ scalp to his growing list of knockout victims.
Photo by Dave Mandel
to bounce back from
his loss to Fedor Emelianenko.
Andrei Arlovski vs. Brett Rogers
The Breakdown: The old guard runs headfirst into a man representing the supposed next generation, as former UFC heavyweight champion Arlovski (15-6) takes on the undefeated Rogers. While Rogers’ headfirst brawling tactics have served him well thus far, Arlovski made his name picking apart one-note bombers with uncommonly precise punches and fluid footwork. Unless Rogers (9-0) can turn this into more of a slugfest than a boxing match, he’ll have to rely on gutting out Arlovski’s offense and answering back with something that can put the Belarusian on the defensive.
The X Factor: Anytime Arlovski starts stringing together blows, his fans will hold their collective breaths, knowing full well that a single synapse-scrambling strike from Rogers could send their guy straight to the canvas. That’s the reality of the heavyweight division, and it’s always been a particularly cruel one for Arlovski, who has seen some of his best performances go unrewarded thanks to his notoriously fragile chin. Outgunned as he may be, Rogers needs only one of his bombs to land for this fight to turn into his coming out party.
***
The Bottom Line: Banking on an unproven prospect to take out Arlovski, porcelain beard and all, is a fool’s bet, especially when one considers the former UFC champion’s stumbles have always come against the division’s elite. Rogers doesn’t have anything Arlovski hasn’t already seen, and the difference in fundamental ability will be too great for the Minnesotan to overcome. Watch for a vintage showing from Arlovski, as he overwhelms Rogers early before putting him away with a highlight reel knockout.
Photo by Dave Mandel
five out of six.
Nick Diaz vs. Scott Smith
The Breakdown: Captain Comeback meets Captain Cannabis, as Smith — MMA’s answer to Doug Flutie — takes on the talented and always unpredictable Diaz (19-7, 1 NC). What really makes this fight attractive is Diaz’s penchant for getting after it on the feet, something on which Smith (16-5, 1 NC) must rely since his ground game is no match for what Diaz brings to the table. However, Diaz’s fight IQ is very underrated by the masses, which focus on his out-of-cage follies instead of the brilliance he brings inside it. As long as Diaz remembers he has Smith’s number on the mat, he’ll have the edge.
The X Factor: Diaz has never been shy about trading on the feet. That penchant for getting into firefights could cost him dearly against Smith, who has an unnatural knack for scoring knockouts when the chips are down. While Diaz has stood unflinchingly with brawlers like Robbie Lawler, that risk is unnecessary here given the disparity in the grappling department. Regardless, that’s a fact Diaz may choose to ignore come fight time, and it will leave Smith right where he wants to be.
***
The Bottom Line: Sooner or later, Smith’s luck was bound to run out, and Diaz is not the type to let anyone back into a fight. Some early fireworks on the feet will give way to a takedown from Diaz and a clinical grappling dissection, with Smith playing the cadaver.
Photo by James Meinhardt
won three straight.
Phil Baroni vs. Joe Riggs
The Breakdown: Because every card needs a guaranteed dogfight, Strikeforce delivers the always articulate Baroni (13-10) into battle with Riggs, a division-hopping regular. Don’t look for any world-class grappling, but count on both men coming in ready to go for broke on the feet. The difference is that Riggs (29-10, 1 NC) can back up his stand-up bombs with his always dangerous ground-and-pound, an advantage that will play heavily in his favor the longer this fight goes.
The X Factor: Neither fighter is known for his gas tank, and if we don’t get an early knockout, someone is bound to start sucking wind. Once that happens, it comes down to who can summon up the juice to gut out a win. Flip a coin, and hope you didn’t bet on whoever gets laid out.
***
The Bottom Line: At this point, Baroni gets about a mile per gallon and has not shown much evolution since his days as a free-swinging braggart. Meanwhile, Riggs has developed solid striking on the feet and on the mat, which should be more than enough to handle Baroni’s one-dimensional offense. Expect a dominant display from Riggs, who puts Baroni out of commission with a cringe-inducing ground-and-pound blitzkrieg.
Photo by Jeff Sherwood
his Strikeforce debut.
Kevin Randleman vs. Mike Whitehead
The Breakdown: Still going at it after more than a decade in the sport, Randleman (17-12) now gets to face a member of the new guard. Both favor the wrestling game. Whitehead (23-6) lacks Randleman’s pedigree, but the former UFC champion’s sheer athleticism isn’t quite as dominating as it once was. In other words, this bout banks on who can impose his wrestling and keep his flaws far from view.
The X Factor: Striking is a skill both of these fighters like to show off, with less than impressive results. Regardless, if the wrestling game produces a stalemate, look for Randleman to start winging punches and Whitehead to start taking them. He will have no answer for Randleman’s hand speed and power.
***
The Bottom Line: The game may have left Randleman behind some time ago, but his skills remain largely intact. They’re more than enough to handle Whitehead, who does not have the wrestling chops to stop Randleman. This match will turn one-sided, as Randleman notches a ho-hum three round decision thanks to his ongoing love affair with ground-and-no pound.
The Prelims
Jesse Finney vs. Josh Baumgartner
A battle of undefeated prospects matches Finney (3-0) and Baumgartner, and while both have been impressive, the latter may be the top prospect on the Strikeforce roster. Look for Baumgartner (5-0) to overwhelm Finney with his superior wrestling and ground savvy, leading to a lopsided ground-and-pound drubbing. Keep an eye on Baumgartner, as it looks like Strikeforce has found itself a long-term project.
Another of Strikeforce’s big-ticket prospects is slated for his next challenge, as Woodley (2-0), a collegiate All-American wrestler, takes on Woods. While the experience favors Woods (2-4), everything else favors Woodley, who has shown a dominating wrestling game and the aggression to make it work for him. Woods doesn’t have any answer for Woodley’s repeated takedowns and will eventually get pounded out by strikes late in the fight.
Scott Ventimiglia vs. Lucas Lopes
Two journeymen lock horns in this one, as Ventimiglia (12-5-1) looks to carve out a place for himself at Lopes’ expense. Although neither fighter has distinguished himself much, Ventimiglia has always been a solid competitor who fails against next level competition. Lopes (9-8), meanwhile, is basically a glorified gatekeeper. Watch for Ventimiglia’s more versatile and fundamentally sound game to give him the edge he needs to notch a decision.
Pat Benson vs. Dave Lehr Cochran
The Mendoza line in MMA stands at .500. Here are two fighters trying to get that much closer to clearing it, as both Benson (3-5-1) and Cochran find themselves in desperate need of a win. The advantage goes to Cochran (16-19), the far more experienced and savvy fighter. Benson has a bad habit of making fight-ending mistakes, and that will serve as the final tipping point, as Cochran guts out a spirited decision win over his inexperienced quarry.
Booker DeRousse vs. James Wade
Another win-or-go-home bout rounds out the undercard, with DeRousse matching wits and fists with Wade (0-0). The latter has been in the game longer, but DeRousse (1-1) has the upside and talent to make up the difference. Wade’s middling game won’t be enough to overcome DeRousse’s brute physicality and striking ability, as he will turn this into his own coming out party.
Note: A matchup between Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante and Mike Kyle was added to the prelims on Tuesday.
KIMBO SIGNS WITH UFC!
Posted June 2nd, 2009 byCategories: UFC NEWS
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
by
“Kimbo Slice” will be among the 16 heavyweight fighters to join the 10th season of “The Ultimate Fighter,” which starts shooting this week in Las Vegas.
“He just really wants to fight right now,” Slice’s manager, Mike Imber, told Sherdog.com.
UFC President Dana White confirmed the news with Yahoo Sports on Monday. Slice appeared on White’s latest video blog in advance of WEC 41 this Sunday in Las Vegas.
“It’s an opportunity for me to prove myself, being a mixed martial artist coming from the backyard, coming from being a street fighter and all,” Slice said. “It’s time for me to step my game up. I’m coming here to kick ass and take names and to continue to feed myself and my family.”
Slice, whose real name is Kevin Ferguson, was released from the Pro Elite organization on May 13, according to a recent SEC filing.
The 34-year-old father of six also opted to pass on a potential multi-fight deal with Strikeforce, which had obtained an option to purchase the bearded Internet phenomenon’s contract from Pro Elite last February.
Ferguson’s management told Sherdog.com that the promotion was offering less than the fighter’s Pro Elite contract had stipulated (Slice was paid $175,000 and $500,000 for two of his last three bouts), though both parties split on amicable terms.
This cleared the way for negotiations with Zuffa, which owns the UFC, to cash in on one of the sport’s fastest rising stars ever.
Though TUF hopefuls sign undisclosed contracts and make a reported $5,000 per each fight they finish (submission or stoppage) on the series, there is little doubt Ferguson won’t be afforded a different deal on the show. Slice is, by far, the highest-profiled candidate to ever make the show that prides itself on harvesting undiscovered talent.
Ferguson, who earned fame from the brutal backyard beatdowns he dished out over the Internet, fought three times for Pro Elite under its EliteXC banner. Two of those bouts were main-event attractions featured on CBS and are the No. 1 and No. 3 most-watched fights in U.S. history, topping off at 7.3 million viewers.
Last June, Slice (3-1) became the second mixed martial artist to make the cover of ESPN the Magazine after UFC superstar Chuck Liddell.
White has been critical of Ferguson’s unmatched notoriety, as well as his lack of fighting ability.
“It should be interesting, given some of the things I’ve said about him,” White told Yahoo Sports Monday.
Slice addressed the criticism from the UFC boss.
“DW can say whatever the [expletive] he wants,” Slice said. “The greatest revenge, to my knowledge, is success. I don’t care about the s–t talking.”
The move also squashes rumors that Slice was set to embark on a career in professional boxing. Gary Shaw, who promoted Ferguson under the EliteXC banner, was among those that made overtures for the slugger’s services in the squared circle.
Slice will have much to prove. He rebounds off a 14-second loss last October at the hands of Seth Petruzelli, a light heavyweight who was pulled up from the undercard after Ken Shamrock was deemed medically ineligible to fight that same day.
This story was updated at 12:52 ET on June 2 to include comments from Slice.
PREVIEW OF SATURDAY’S UFC 98
Posted May 20th, 2009 byCategories: UFC NEWS
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
by (trios@sherdog.com)
Tons of cancellations, last-second changes and controversial matchmaking never make for a quality show. Well, not until now.
The UFC 98 card set for Saturday at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas is looking like one of the best lineups in some time despite a final product that looks nothing like what the UFC had originally planned.
The star factor is certainly present. Light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans will defend his title against the criminally underappreciated Lyoto Machida, and we’ll get a long overdue resolution to the ongoing grudge between former welterweight champions Matt Hughes and Matt Serra. The rest of the main card, however, is what makes this a worthy investment for any fight fan.
Between middleweight bouts featuring some potential entrants in the Anderson Silva sweepstakes and a lightweight showdown that stars two of the UFC’s premier pocket rocket pugilists, there is something for every fight-crazed palate out there. So sit back and enjoy another round of offbeat prognostication courtesy of the guy who once argued that ping-pong is a contact sport.
Photo by Sherdog.com
Rashad Evans vs. Lyoto Machida
The Breakdown: Opportunistic bomber meets precision tactician as Evans, fresh off knockout wins over Chuck Liddell and Forrest Griffin, attempts his first defense of the UFC light heavyweight strap against the Zen violence of Lyoto Machida. While the temptation is to set this up as a clash of Machida’s disciplined counter-striking and Evans’ flair for the violently dramatic, the reality is that Evans’ ability to get after Machida without paying a fight-ending toll is the riddle that he must solve. That is why Evans must resolve to make his wrestling as much a part of his game plan as his concussive right hand.
Relying only on finding a home for a power punch, even with 25 minutes’ worth of fight time, will leave Evans frustrated and dissected. Machida thrives on his opponent’s aggression and subsequent frustration. However, if Evans can keep Machida from finding a rhythm by stepping forward with punches and immediately changing levels for a takedown, he’ll keep Machida from getting his counters off and open up his own opportunities to score with ground-and-pound. Obviously Machida’s jiu-jitsu is well regarded and for good reason. Staying upright with him, though, will get Evans the same thing as the others who tried it — a shattered ego and a Darwin Award to go with it.
The X Factor: As much as fans waste their breath bemoaning the tactical nuances of Machida’s style, Evans’ bizarre habit of giving away rounds is far more worrisome. Getting behind on the judges’ cards against Machida would be a disaster for Evans, who can’t rely on Machida handing him the fight via some foolish mistake. The early going will be critical for Evans. He must at least break even with Machida or risk working from behind against a fighter whose entire style is built on reference-quality fundamentals.
The Bottom line: Evans has started slow throughout his career, but his explosive style and finisher’s instincts have made up the difference. However, against an opponent who simply doesn’t make mistakes, Evans’ modus operandi is useless. Expecting him to suddenly mix his wrestling back into the game — something he struggled to do against Michael Bisping — has all the realism of a Dan Brown novel. The “Da Vinci Code” of MMA will remain unsolved Saturday, as Machida picks apart Evans before putting him away late. Make sure you set your television’s volume to max so you can hear the entire UFC brass let out a groan when the belt is handed over to the man who was never supposed to get it.
Photo by Sherdog.com
The Breakdown: A fading UFC titan takes on one of the most unlikely champions ever as Hughes enters what he calls his last fight with two lifetimes’ worth of fistic accolades and one unsettled grudge with Serra. While Serra does hold a win over Georges St. Pierre, who holds a win over Hughes, he has yet to rediscover that magic and is on the verge of becoming a trivia answer instead of a legitimate welterweight contender. To send Hughes off into the night on a sour note, Serra will have to force Hughes out of his usual ground-and-pound routine.
Serra’s striking consists of little more than power punches and the gusto to throw them freely, but Hughes has always been vulnerable on the feet and has never had the chin to hold up against a power puncher. The tradeoff is that despite Serra’s reputation as a world-class grappler, he has never been a submission ace in MMA and Hughes has smothered some of the very best grapplers the UFC has to offer. If this turns into a grappling bout, Serra’s lacking wrestling and ineffectual guard work will leave him with a taxed gas tank and no fuel to load up on those chin-checking hooks.
The X Factor: Both fighters are coming off major injuries. Serra has wrestled with back injuries while Hughes is coming off a torn MCL and partially torn PCL that he suffered in his knockout loss to Thiago Alves. With Hughes admittedly in the twilight of his career, you have to wonder how he’ll handle coming back from such a severe injury, especially when it comes time for him to drive into his takedowns. Likewise for Serra, who will be a sitting duck if his back isn’t ready to absorb Hughes’ trademark slams. One way or another, we’re getting a lot of questions answered in this one and many of the answers won’t be pleasant.
The Bottom Line: It’s a gamble taking either fighter. Hughes, assuming his knees haven’t turned into country grits, has the stylistic advantage over Serra, who doesn’t have the strength or cardio to hold up against Hughes’ soul-sapping ground-and-pound. Barring another Hail Mary hook by Serra, he simply doesn’t have much to offer offensively, especially against a wrestler who can take him down and impose a no-frills top-control game on him. It won’t be the kind of match that the heated verbal back and forth has the masses expecting, but it will be vintage Hughes. He’ll notch a one-sided decision to close out one of the most storied Octagon careers we’ve ever seen.
Jeff Sherwood/Sherdog.com
looking for his first UFC win.
Drew McFedries vs. Xavier Foupa-Pokam
The Breakdown: Every fight night needs a strikers special, and we get just that with power-punching dynamo Drew McFedries taking on the slick kickboxing of Xavier Foupa-Pokam. Staying slick will be key for Foupa-Pokam, who can’t stay in the pocket against McFedries — one of the middleweight divisions premier punchers. As long as Foupa-Pokam moves in and out of the pocket and stays focused on picking his foe apart from afar, he’ll stay clear of McFedries’ blitzes and potentially capitalize on his substandard cardio.
The X Factor: When it comes to grappling, McFedries has all the talent of a striker who’s spent his whole career focusing only on scoring knockouts. While Foupa-Pokam is hardly the shining star of the jiu-jitsu scene, he is competent enough on the mats to tie McFedries into knots. It won’t be easy dragging McFedries to the mat, though, because he’ll be the significantly bigger man come fight time. With that said, McFedries has shown that any time he spends on the mat is typically just a way of him killing the clock before tapout time comes.
The Bottom Line: This won’t be an easy fight for Foupa-Pokam, but all he really has to do is keep McFedries from turning this into a glorified game of Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots. Look for Foupa-Pokam to get on his horse early. He’ll stay out of McFedries’ range before turning the tables and taking over with his versatile kickboxing game. Once that happens, a takedown will be there and Foupa-Pokam will be all too willing to take the opening on the ground and close out McFedries.
File Photo
The Breakdown: With Anderson Silva off mimicking Roy Jones Jr.’s career path, the middleweight division is waiting for someone to step up and challenge the incumbent champion’s unquestioned dominance. Both Miller and Sonnen are likely candidates, but what separates the two is that while Sonnen’s wrestling makes him a tough match for anyone, Miller has the submission game to match his wrestling. Even if Miller can’t work his submissions from top control, he’s versatile enough to give Sonnen fits from inside the guard — a place where Sonnen is more accident prone than Joe Biden at a news conference.
The X Factor: Typically Sonnen bulls his way to top control and batters his opponents into submission. That game plan goes well when Sonnen isn’t leaving his arms out on an island, but Miller is good enough to force Sonnen into a mistake. By the same token, Miller isn’t used to getting outwrestled and beat on like a cheap drum. This bout likely comes down to who can adapt best to stepping outside of his usual routine.
The Bottom Line: If adaptation decides this fight, you can put the farm on Miller. He is far more versatile and has a very underrated fight IQ. Effective as Sonnen can be from top control, he can’t bank on controlling Miller for 15 minutes. Miller is a solid wrestler in his own right and incredibly active regardless. That constant threat of the submission will end with Sonnen playing the three-tap symphony and Miller announcing his presence as a force in the contender-starved middleweight division.
Photo by Sherdog.com
The Breakdown: The evening’s opening pitch features a pair of hyperactive wrestlers in the form of Sean Sherk and Frankie Edgar, both of whom are looking to stake their claim to the winner of the upcoming lightweight title bout between Kenny Florian and incumbent champion B.J. Penn. Like any wrestling meet, this fight boils down to who can control the takedowns, whether it be by scoring his own or by stopping his opponent’s. While the skills are equal, Sherk is a converted welterweight and Edgar should be a featherweight. The New Jersey native struggled mightily against another gigantic wrestler in Gray Maynard.
It may seem overtly simplistic to let the size difference decide the direction of this bout, but Edgar doesn’t have the physical strength to resist Sherk’s light-speed takedowns. While there is always the chance that Sherk will look to keep this fight standing, he’s more than handled his own on the feet against the likes of Tyson Griffin and Nick Diaz. Regardless, I can’t imagine Sherk settling for a nip-tuck stalemate on the feet when he could easily overwhelm Edgar on the mat.
The X Factor: Of late, Sherk has been moonlighting as a striker by using his wrestling to stuff takedowns instead of scoring them. That strategy got him an LAPD-level beatdown from B.J. Penn and indicated a troubling trend for a fighter who is at his best when his wrestling guides him to the win. While Edgar is hardly the lightweight division’s resident Mike Tyson, Sherk is courting disaster every time he steps out of his comfort zone for the sake of showing off his striking. In a sport where every punch carries knockout potential, Sherk would do well remembering what has kept his head firmly attached to his shoulders after nearly a decade in the sport.
The Bottom Line: It’s hard not to root for Edgar, an undersized underdog with skill to spare and the sheer determination to brush off his disadvantages like so much dust. It makes for a compelling storyline, but it won’t make for a win. Sherk will seize the initiative early and suffocate him with three rounds of textbook top control peppered with the occasional bit of boxing to keep the lay fan interested. Hardly the performance you would expect from the nouveau fighter that Sherk promised he would become, but this is the fight where Sherk needs to realize that the fighter he has always been is the best fighter he can be.
PROS PICK MATT HUGHES vs SERRA THIS SATURDAY
Posted May 19th, 2009 byCategories: UFC NEWS
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
by (msloan@sherdog.com)
On Saturday in scorching Las Vegas, the only thing hotter than the desert heat will be a ticket to UFC 98 “Evans vs. Machida” at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. The chief support bout to the main event between light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans and unbeaten challenger Lyoto Machida is the oft-delayed grudge match between Matt Hughes and Matt Serra. Both former UFC welterweight champions, Hughes and Serra desperately need a win to stay relevant at 170 pounds.
Sherdog.com spoke with dozens of professional fighters and trainers inside the world of mixed martial arts to see who they favored in the UFC’s best grudge match since Tito Ortiz first flipped the bird at Ken Shamrock.
Nick Thompson: Hughes by decision.
Jeff Monson: [It’s a] tough call, but I think Hughes [wins] by close decision.
Roland Sarria: Serra by submission.
Pete Sell: I’m in Vegas with Serra now. He is looking better than I’ve seen him in years. His ground game is sick and has some new tools, so it will be a problem for Hughes.
Rory Markham: I believe Hughes is back on his game as far as strength and confidence goes. I like Serra, but Hughes is my boy, and I think he is going to be too strong on the ground-and-pound for Serra.
Randy Couture: With Matt Serra’s newly mastered striking abilities and his already phenomenal jiu-jitsu and wrestling skill sets, I think he has the potential to be very difficult for Hughes. This could be a pivotal fight for Hughes, considering [this might be] his last outing. He’s a tough, experienced fighter that you can never count out, but I believe Serra will win the fight. [There] could be some interesting fireworks along the way with their personalities, as well. It should be fun.
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Marvin Eastman: Serra by submission, second round.
Guy Mezger: I will take Hughes. He outworks Serra but plays it safe, and [it could be] potentially boring.
Stav Economou: I’m really confident that Serra will win this long overdue fight, but the only thing that makes me a little unsure about Serra is his inactivity in the cage, having fought once a year for the last four years. Still, I’m predicting Matt Serra winning via TKO in the second round.
Michael Guymon: I see Hughes going back to his brutal ground-and-pound style and wearing Serra down. [Hughes wins by] ref stoppage, middle of the third.
Scott Epstein: Serra may pull off another haymaker KO, but I doubt it. Yes, Serra does have a better BJJ game than Hughes, and I can’t tell whose hands are better. Hughes might have to pull out his trump card, which is to control Serra with superior wrestling and just throw rabbit punches till the bell rings. I really don’t see Serra pulling off a sub on Hughes. I’m thinking Hughes. May the best Matt win.
Jonathan Goulet: I will pick for Serra. He will have his chance. I think it will be a nice fight.
Patrick Cote: I’ll go with my buddy Matt Serra. I just can’t stand Matt Hughes.
Stephane Vigneault: I think Hughes [is] gonna outmuscle Serra and win a decision or a TKO in round three. I think Serra is not in the good weight class, but, anyway, I think they both [are] gonna retire soon.
Elvis Sinosic: Hughes vs. Serra is an exciting match because it is a grudge match. Both guys don’t like each other and will bring that to the cage. Both have victories over GSP. Serra is the grappler; Hughes is the wrestler. Can Serra out-strike Hughes before getting taken down? Can Hughes avoid the submission when he gets the takedown? My prediction is that Serra won’t land that big punch, though it is possible. Hughes will take Serra down. Serra is a good scrambler, but Hughes has great control. Serra has the ability to sub Hughes, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he did. Saying that, I think Hughes will be able to avoid the submissions. Serra is better on the top rather than off his back. Hughes will be on top. Serra hasn’t subbed a top fighter in a while, and I don’t think Hughes will be the next. Hughes will ground-and-pound and grind out a decision.
Thomas Denny: I am not really exited for the fight. I will go with Serra [by] sub.
Ben Saunders: Serra by Tiger Uppercut, round two.
Robin Black: Matt Serra seems like a funny Italian guy, and Matt Hughes seems kinda crusty. I’m gonna go with the pudgy Italian guy. Maybe he’ll submit Mr. Crusty. I do know this is going to be an exciting fight — can’t wait.
Pros that picked Hughes: 8
Pros that picked Serra: 10