MMA News Thread
- Thread starter Shogun Locc
- Start date
January 4, 2014 | Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre | Singapore
main CARD
UFC Fight Pass, 9 a.m. ET
Tarec Saffiedine vs. Hyun Gyu Lim
Tatsuya Kawajiri vs. Sean Soriano
Luiz Dutra vs. Kiichi Kunimoto
Kyung Ho Kang vs. Shunichi Shimizu
preliminary CARD
UFC Fight Pass, 6 a.m. ET
Will Chope vs. Max Holloway
Katsunori Kikuno vs. Quinn Mulhern
David Galera vs. Royston Wee
Tae Hyun Bang vs. Mairbek Taisumov
Dustin Kimura vs. Jon Delos Reyes
Russell Doane vs. Leandro Issa
this isnt on tv only way to watch is by buyiin ufc fight pass shit is on dumb ass early
main CARD
UFC Fight Pass, 9 a.m. ET
Tarec Saffiedine vs. Hyun Gyu Lim
Tatsuya Kawajiri vs. Sean Soriano
Luiz Dutra vs. Kiichi Kunimoto
Kyung Ho Kang vs. Shunichi Shimizu
preliminary CARD
UFC Fight Pass, 6 a.m. ET
Will Chope vs. Max Holloway
Katsunori Kikuno vs. Quinn Mulhern
David Galera vs. Royston Wee
Tae Hyun Bang vs. Mairbek Taisumov
Dustin Kimura vs. Jon Delos Reyes
Russell Doane vs. Leandro Issa
this isnt on tv only way to watch is by buyiin ufc fight pass shit is on dumb ass early
TUF China Finale adds Jordan vs. Mitrione, Hioki vs. Menjivar, Nam vs. Tokudome
SINGAPORE – One day after the live finale for “The Ultimate Fighter: China” was announced, the card now has three additional fights.
UFC Asia Managing Director Mark Fischer today announced that in addition to the Dong Hyun Kim vs. John Hathaway headliner, the TUF China Finale will also include heavyweights Shawn Jordan vs. Matt Mitrione, featherweights Hatsu Hioki vs. Ivan Menjivar and lightweights Yui Chul Nam vs. Kazuki Tokudome.
The TUF China Finale takes place March 1 at The Venetian Macao’s CotaiArena and streams on UFC Fight Pass, the UFC’s recently launched digital network.
“The Savage” Jordan (15-5 MMA, 3-2 UFC) fought most recently in Octovber, when he suffered a knockout loss to Gabriel Gonzaga. Prior to that, he owned an impressive two-fight winning streak after registering knockout wins over Pat Barry and Mike Russow.
“Meathead” Mitrione (6-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) fights for the 10th time under the UFC banner. In April, he picked up a much-needed win over Phil De Fries, snapping a two-fight losing streak. However when Mitrione returned to action in September, he suffered a technical-submission loss to fellow “The Ultimate Fighter 10” cast member Brendan Schaub.
Hioki (26-7-2 MMA, 2-3 UFC) came to the UFC in 2011 as one of the sport’s highest-ranked featherweights. He picked a few tight decision wins over Bart Palaszewski and George Roop but has since come up short against Darren Elkins, Clay Guida and Ricardo Lamas and is in desperate need of a win.
Menjivar (25-11 MMA, 4-4 UFC) is a highly respected veteran of the sport who has been fighting professionally since 2001 and actually made his UFC debut in 2004, losing a decision to Matt Serra. He didn’t return to the promotion until 2011, when he racked up three wins over Charlie Valencia, Nick Pace and John Albert. However, he’s gone just 1-3 since and is also in need of a win.
Tokudome (12-4-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) has been fighting professionally since 2007 and made his UFC debut this past March, when he earned a decision win over Cristiano Marcello. He returned to action in July but dropped a decision to Norman Parke.
Nam (17-4-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC), “The Korean Bulldozer,” makes his UFC debut on the strength of a four-fight winning streak. The reigning champion of Korea’s ROAD FC promotion, Nam has been fighting since 2006 and is 7-1 in his past eight appearances.
SINGAPORE – One day after the live finale for “The Ultimate Fighter: China” was announced, the card now has three additional fights.
UFC Asia Managing Director Mark Fischer today announced that in addition to the Dong Hyun Kim vs. John Hathaway headliner, the TUF China Finale will also include heavyweights Shawn Jordan vs. Matt Mitrione, featherweights Hatsu Hioki vs. Ivan Menjivar and lightweights Yui Chul Nam vs. Kazuki Tokudome.
The TUF China Finale takes place March 1 at The Venetian Macao’s CotaiArena and streams on UFC Fight Pass, the UFC’s recently launched digital network.
“The Savage” Jordan (15-5 MMA, 3-2 UFC) fought most recently in Octovber, when he suffered a knockout loss to Gabriel Gonzaga. Prior to that, he owned an impressive two-fight winning streak after registering knockout wins over Pat Barry and Mike Russow.
“Meathead” Mitrione (6-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) fights for the 10th time under the UFC banner. In April, he picked up a much-needed win over Phil De Fries, snapping a two-fight losing streak. However when Mitrione returned to action in September, he suffered a technical-submission loss to fellow “The Ultimate Fighter 10” cast member Brendan Schaub.
Hioki (26-7-2 MMA, 2-3 UFC) came to the UFC in 2011 as one of the sport’s highest-ranked featherweights. He picked a few tight decision wins over Bart Palaszewski and George Roop but has since come up short against Darren Elkins, Clay Guida and Ricardo Lamas and is in desperate need of a win.
Menjivar (25-11 MMA, 4-4 UFC) is a highly respected veteran of the sport who has been fighting professionally since 2001 and actually made his UFC debut in 2004, losing a decision to Matt Serra. He didn’t return to the promotion until 2011, when he racked up three wins over Charlie Valencia, Nick Pace and John Albert. However, he’s gone just 1-3 since and is also in need of a win.
Tokudome (12-4-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) has been fighting professionally since 2007 and made his UFC debut this past March, when he earned a decision win over Cristiano Marcello. He returned to action in July but dropped a decision to Norman Parke.
Nam (17-4-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC), “The Korean Bulldozer,” makes his UFC debut on the strength of a four-fight winning streak. The reigning champion of Korea’s ROAD FC promotion, Nam has been fighting since 2006 and is 7-1 in his past eight appearances.
Kelvin Gastelum gets wish, meets Rick Story at UFC 171 in Dallas
Kelvin Gastelum‘s Christmas present came a few days late, but it still came.
The welterweight was pining for a fight against Rick Story (16-7 MMA, 9-5 UFC) at UFC 171, and that’s just what Gastelum (7-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) got. UFC officials announced the new fight booking late Friday.
UFC 171 takes place March 15 at Dallas’ American Airlines Center. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on FOX Sports 1 and the UFC’s Fight Pass digital network.
It’s not yet known clear where the Gastelum-Story bout will be placed in the lineup. The main card is headlined by a fight for the vacant welterweight title between Johny Hendricks and Robbie Lawler, and a welterweight contenders bout between Carlos Condit and Tyron Woodley serves as the co-main event.
Gastelum, the 22-year-old Season 17 winner of “The Ultimate Fighter,” stayed on a roll in August when he dropped from middleweight to 170 pounds and submitted Brian Melancon at UFC Fight Night 27 in Indianapolis. That win came after his split-decision upset of Uriah Hall to win “TUF 17” in April.” Gastelum was expected to return this past month, but a torn PCL kept him out of a fight with Court McGee. Now he’ll have to be ready to go in two and a half months in Texas.
Story has had an up and down run ever since he had a six-fight winning streak snapped by Charlie Brenneman on short notice in June 2011. That unanimous decision loss was followed by a decision setback against Martin Kampmann. Since then, it’s been up and down for Story, alternating wins over Brock Jardine, Quinn Mulhern and Brian Ebersole with loses to Mike Pyle and Demian Maia. But at 2-1, his 2013 was mostly a good one – with the lone loss, to Pyle, coming by split decision.
The latest UFC 171 card now includes:
•Johny Hendricks vs. Robbie Lawler – for vacant welterweight title
•Carlos Condit vs. Tyron Woodley
•Hector Lombard vs. Jake Shields
•Myles Jury vs. Diego Sanchez
•Kelvin Gastelum vs. Rick Story
•Ovince St. Preux vs. Thiago Silva
•Robert McDaniel vs. Tor Troeng
•Alex Garcia vs. Sean Spencer
•Will Campuzano vs. Darrell Montague
Kelvin Gastelum‘s Christmas present came a few days late, but it still came.
The welterweight was pining for a fight against Rick Story (16-7 MMA, 9-5 UFC) at UFC 171, and that’s just what Gastelum (7-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) got. UFC officials announced the new fight booking late Friday.
UFC 171 takes place March 15 at Dallas’ American Airlines Center. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on FOX Sports 1 and the UFC’s Fight Pass digital network.
It’s not yet known clear where the Gastelum-Story bout will be placed in the lineup. The main card is headlined by a fight for the vacant welterweight title between Johny Hendricks and Robbie Lawler, and a welterweight contenders bout between Carlos Condit and Tyron Woodley serves as the co-main event.
Gastelum, the 22-year-old Season 17 winner of “The Ultimate Fighter,” stayed on a roll in August when he dropped from middleweight to 170 pounds and submitted Brian Melancon at UFC Fight Night 27 in Indianapolis. That win came after his split-decision upset of Uriah Hall to win “TUF 17” in April.” Gastelum was expected to return this past month, but a torn PCL kept him out of a fight with Court McGee. Now he’ll have to be ready to go in two and a half months in Texas.
Story has had an up and down run ever since he had a six-fight winning streak snapped by Charlie Brenneman on short notice in June 2011. That unanimous decision loss was followed by a decision setback against Martin Kampmann. Since then, it’s been up and down for Story, alternating wins over Brock Jardine, Quinn Mulhern and Brian Ebersole with loses to Mike Pyle and Demian Maia. But at 2-1, his 2013 was mostly a good one – with the lone loss, to Pyle, coming by split decision.
The latest UFC 171 card now includes:
•Johny Hendricks vs. Robbie Lawler – for vacant welterweight title
•Carlos Condit vs. Tyron Woodley
•Hector Lombard vs. Jake Shields
•Myles Jury vs. Diego Sanchez
•Kelvin Gastelum vs. Rick Story
•Ovince St. Preux vs. Thiago Silva
•Robert McDaniel vs. Tor Troeng
•Alex Garcia vs. Sean Spencer
•Will Campuzano vs. Darrell Montague
Chris Weidman opens as 2-to-1 favorite over Vitor Belfort in UFC title defense
After back-to-back stints as a betting underdog, Chris Weidman is again a favorite.
The middleweight champ is a 2-to-1 favorite to defend his title a second time when he meets Vitor Belfort later this year, veteran MMA oddsmaker Joey Odessa told MMAjunkie.
Weidman opens at -200 while Belfort is +160.
“I think Weidman wins the fight and should be favored anywhere on the planet – even in Brazil,” said Odessa. “He just beat arguably the best 185-pound fighter to step into the octagon two times and will get to defend in the United States.”
Of course, Odessa is referring to a pair of wins Weidman owns over ex-champ Anderson Silva, whom he beat a second less than a week ago at UFC 168. Despite his repeat status as an underdog, Weidman dominated the fight early and earned a second-round TKO when he broke Silva’s leg with a leg-check.
The American took the belt from Silva via second-round knockout at this past July’s UFC 162. The win was one of the most shocking upsets in UFC history.
A report Thursday from ESPN.com said the UFC is targeting a bout between Weidman (11-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) and No. 1 contender Belfort (24-10 MMA, 13-6 UFC) in May or July in Las Vegas. The bout’s timetable will be determined by Weidman’s health, as he sustained a knee injury in training for the bout and may need surgery.
Ex-champ Belfort, who two years ago lost a bid for Silva’s title, earned his title shot with a trio of spectacular knockouts in 2013, dispatching Michael Bisping, Luke Rockhold and Dan Henderson to get another chance.
Despite his confidence in a Weidman win, Odessa said the UFC will have an easy time promoting the fight.
“It’s always tough to predict how close the preview shows leading up to the event will paint the bout, but they will have plenty to work with on both sides to make a case for both fighters,” said Odessa.
After back-to-back stints as a betting underdog, Chris Weidman is again a favorite.
The middleweight champ is a 2-to-1 favorite to defend his title a second time when he meets Vitor Belfort later this year, veteran MMA oddsmaker Joey Odessa told MMAjunkie.
Weidman opens at -200 while Belfort is +160.
“I think Weidman wins the fight and should be favored anywhere on the planet – even in Brazil,” said Odessa. “He just beat arguably the best 185-pound fighter to step into the octagon two times and will get to defend in the United States.”
Of course, Odessa is referring to a pair of wins Weidman owns over ex-champ Anderson Silva, whom he beat a second less than a week ago at UFC 168. Despite his repeat status as an underdog, Weidman dominated the fight early and earned a second-round TKO when he broke Silva’s leg with a leg-check.
The American took the belt from Silva via second-round knockout at this past July’s UFC 162. The win was one of the most shocking upsets in UFC history.
A report Thursday from ESPN.com said the UFC is targeting a bout between Weidman (11-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) and No. 1 contender Belfort (24-10 MMA, 13-6 UFC) in May or July in Las Vegas. The bout’s timetable will be determined by Weidman’s health, as he sustained a knee injury in training for the bout and may need surgery.
Ex-champ Belfort, who two years ago lost a bid for Silva’s title, earned his title shot with a trio of spectacular knockouts in 2013, dispatching Michael Bisping, Luke Rockhold and Dan Henderson to get another chance.
Despite his confidence in a Weidman win, Odessa said the UFC will have an easy time promoting the fight.
“It’s always tough to predict how close the preview shows leading up to the event will paint the bout, but they will have plenty to work with on both sides to make a case for both fighters,” said Odessa.
Dominick Cruz out, vacates title; Urijah Faber now meets Renan Barao at UFC 169
Dominick Cruz can’t seem to buy a break.
The UFC’s bantamweight champion, out for more than two years and set to finally return next month, is back on the shelf. A groin tear will sideline Cruz (19-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) and take him out of a bantamweight title unification fight against Renan Barao (31-1 MMA, 6-0 UFC) in the main event of UFC 169. In Cruz’s place will step former WEC featherweight champion Urijah Faber (30-6 MMA, 6-2 UFC).
UFC President Dana White made the announcement Monday afternoon on ESPN’s “SportsCenter.”
UFC 169 takes place Feb. 1 at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. The UFC’s annual Super Bowl weekend show typically is in Las Vegas, but this year heads to New Jersey, which hosts the NFL’s title game the next day at MetLife Stadium in nearby East Rutherford. Barao-Cruz will headline the card following a featherweight title fight between champ Jose Aldo and top contender Ricardo Lamas.
With Cruz stripped of his bantamweight title, Barao now is the UFC’s undisputed 135-pound champion. Instead of a title unification fight, he’ll meet Faber in a rematch.
“Renan Barao’s been tearing through everybody,” White said. “But Faber’s been on a tear, too, with four straight wins against the best of the world. Not only is he ready for this, the guy’s an absolute stud and is taking the fight on three weeks’ notice.”
Cruz has been out due to a series of knee injuries and surgeries. His most recent fight was a title defense against Demetrious Johnson in October 2011. While he’s been out, Barao won the interim 135-pound title by beating Faber, then defended it with wins over Michael McDonald and Eddie Wineland, the latter coming this past September at UFC 165.
Faber in December stopped McDonald with a second-round “Submission of the Night,” capping off a stellar 2013 that saw him go 4-0 with three submission wins. Before stopping McDonald, “The California Kid” beat Ivan Menjivar, Scott Jorgensen and Yuri Alcantara. The four wins and three stoppages have made him a leading candidate for “Fighter of the Year” recognition, and arguably the best non-champion in that conversation.
Barao is ranked No. 1 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie.com MMA bantamweight rankings. Cruz, however, dropped out of the list from his previous perch at No. 1 when he hit two years of inactivity. Faber is No. 2.
Dominick Cruz can’t seem to buy a break.
The UFC’s bantamweight champion, out for more than two years and set to finally return next month, is back on the shelf. A groin tear will sideline Cruz (19-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) and take him out of a bantamweight title unification fight against Renan Barao (31-1 MMA, 6-0 UFC) in the main event of UFC 169. In Cruz’s place will step former WEC featherweight champion Urijah Faber (30-6 MMA, 6-2 UFC).
UFC President Dana White made the announcement Monday afternoon on ESPN’s “SportsCenter.”
UFC 169 takes place Feb. 1 at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. The UFC’s annual Super Bowl weekend show typically is in Las Vegas, but this year heads to New Jersey, which hosts the NFL’s title game the next day at MetLife Stadium in nearby East Rutherford. Barao-Cruz will headline the card following a featherweight title fight between champ Jose Aldo and top contender Ricardo Lamas.
With Cruz stripped of his bantamweight title, Barao now is the UFC’s undisputed 135-pound champion. Instead of a title unification fight, he’ll meet Faber in a rematch.
“Renan Barao’s been tearing through everybody,” White said. “But Faber’s been on a tear, too, with four straight wins against the best of the world. Not only is he ready for this, the guy’s an absolute stud and is taking the fight on three weeks’ notice.”
Cruz has been out due to a series of knee injuries and surgeries. His most recent fight was a title defense against Demetrious Johnson in October 2011. While he’s been out, Barao won the interim 135-pound title by beating Faber, then defended it with wins over Michael McDonald and Eddie Wineland, the latter coming this past September at UFC 165.
Faber in December stopped McDonald with a second-round “Submission of the Night,” capping off a stellar 2013 that saw him go 4-0 with three submission wins. Before stopping McDonald, “The California Kid” beat Ivan Menjivar, Scott Jorgensen and Yuri Alcantara. The four wins and three stoppages have made him a leading candidate for “Fighter of the Year” recognition, and arguably the best non-champion in that conversation.
Barao is ranked No. 1 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie.com MMA bantamweight rankings. Cruz, however, dropped out of the list from his previous perch at No. 1 when he hit two years of inactivity. Faber is No. 2.
Ex-UFC champ Tito Ortiz arrested on suspicion of DUI
UFC Hall of Famer and current Bellator MMA fighter Tito Ortiz was arrested early Monday morning on suspicion of driving under the influence after he crashed his Porsche Panamera on a Los Angeles freeway, according to the California Highway Patrol.
A preliminary alcohol screening showed Ortiz had a blood alcohol level of .12, CHP public information officer Karina Munoz told MMAjunkie. The legal limit in California is .08.
Ortiz, 38, was booked at a Los Angeles Police Department substation, where he posted a $15,000 bond and was released this morning, inmate records show.
The fighter was driving north on the I-405 freeway with two unknown passengers when he collided with the center median wall, Munoz said. Officers arrived on scene, and Ortiz agreed to to a field sobriety test.
Ortiz was arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor DUI at 4:37 a.m. PT and booked into jail at 6:08 a.m. PT, records show. The Porsche suffered moderate damage in the wreck, which happened near the Santa Monica Blvd. exit of the 405.
Ortiz did not respond to requests for comment.
The former UFC champ has had quite a few tough breaks as of late. He signed with Bellator MMA this past August to headline the promotion’s inaugural pay-per-view opposite ex-champ Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, but he suffered a fractured neck that forced him to withdraw from the Nov. 6 event.
Bellator officials then said Ortiz wouldn’t be able to fight for several months and couldn’t give a timetable for a possible return.
Ortiz’s former wife, ex-porn star Jenna Jameson, has feuded with the fighter publicly over the custody of their twins, Jesse Jameson and Journey Jette.
Ortiz (16-11-1 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) was last seen in the cage in July 2012 at UFC 148, where he lost a unanimous decision to Forrest Griffin in a rubber match. He later announced his retirement from the sport and was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame.
UFC Hall of Famer and current Bellator MMA fighter Tito Ortiz was arrested early Monday morning on suspicion of driving under the influence after he crashed his Porsche Panamera on a Los Angeles freeway, according to the California Highway Patrol.
A preliminary alcohol screening showed Ortiz had a blood alcohol level of .12, CHP public information officer Karina Munoz told MMAjunkie. The legal limit in California is .08.
Ortiz, 38, was booked at a Los Angeles Police Department substation, where he posted a $15,000 bond and was released this morning, inmate records show.
The fighter was driving north on the I-405 freeway with two unknown passengers when he collided with the center median wall, Munoz said. Officers arrived on scene, and Ortiz agreed to to a field sobriety test.
Ortiz was arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor DUI at 4:37 a.m. PT and booked into jail at 6:08 a.m. PT, records show. The Porsche suffered moderate damage in the wreck, which happened near the Santa Monica Blvd. exit of the 405.
Ortiz did not respond to requests for comment.
The former UFC champ has had quite a few tough breaks as of late. He signed with Bellator MMA this past August to headline the promotion’s inaugural pay-per-view opposite ex-champ Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, but he suffered a fractured neck that forced him to withdraw from the Nov. 6 event.
Bellator officials then said Ortiz wouldn’t be able to fight for several months and couldn’t give a timetable for a possible return.
Ortiz’s former wife, ex-porn star Jenna Jameson, has feuded with the fighter publicly over the custody of their twins, Jesse Jameson and Journey Jette.
Ortiz (16-11-1 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) was last seen in the cage in July 2012 at UFC 148, where he lost a unanimous decision to Forrest Griffin in a rubber match. He later announced his retirement from the sport and was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame.
Former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva continues to make steady progress on his recovery from a broken leg suffered in a Dec. 28 loss at UFC 168.
Silva (33-6 MMA, 16-2 UFC), who snapped his leg while throwing a low kick at champ Chris Weidman (11-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) in the pay-per-view headliner, has been providing occasional updates through social media. The fighter’s reps and friends have suggested the 38-year-old will forego a retirement and instead return to the cage.
With today’s Instagram update, “The Spider” sounded optimistic about his recovery.
“Thank you for the affection of all,” he wrote (translation via Google Translate). “I’ll be good. I promise you I will.”
For more on this story, check out:
•Video: Watch Anderson Silva’s surgeon describe UFC 168 broken leg, subsequent surgery
•Surgeon says Anderson Silva could train again in six to nine months – and is asking when he can return
•Corey Hill’s sobering advice for Anderson Silva and his return from a broken leg
•Anderson Silva’s son wants his dad to stop fighting
•Is a gruesome injury the end for Anderson Silva?
•UFC 168: Chris Weidman vs. Anderson Silva full fight video highlights
•Photo: The moment Anderson Silva breaks his leg at UFC 168 (warning: graphic)
Reps want Anderson Silva to fight Georges St-Pierre upon UFC return
It’s much too early to set a date, but Anderson Silva‘s managers are dreaming big for the former middleweight champion’s return to the octagon.
Jorge Guimaraes and Ed Soares, who’ve guided Silva’s career since his UFC debut in 2006, say the fighter’s recovery is going better than expected after surgery to repair the broken leg he suffered at UFC 168.
The process is going so well, in fact, the managers mused about a super- fight against Georges St-Pierre, if the former welterweight champ returns from a self-imposed hiatus. St-Pierre vacated his belt last month to deal with personal issues but suggested he would return.
“Don’t you think that’s an option?” Guimaraes told MMAjunkie when asked about Silva’s future.
Actually, the option was all the rage a few years ago when Silva (33-6 MMA, 16-2 UFC) and St- Pierre (25-2 MMA, 19-2 UFC) were dominant champs. Despite UFC President Dana White’s repeated hints of the big fight, fans lost hope that it would ever materialize, and the fighters didn’t seem too jazzed about the prospect, either.
Silva once called the idea “bull(expletive).”
But it sounds as if his camp is keeping the faith.
“Man, if we were able to pull something like that off, it would be a win-win for everybody — the fans, the UFC,” Soares said in a separate interview. “I think that would be awesome.”
But for now, the reps will settle for Silva’s return to health. Guimaraes expects the fighter to begin physical therapy next week after stitches from the surgery come out this week.
“He’s walking around on crutches and raising his leg, and he’s just getting ready to start physical therapy when the doctor allows him,” Guimaraes said.
“He’s already moving his toes. I feel that positive vibe on him, and that’s what makes me believe he’s going to come back even stronger.”
Silva broke his left tibia and fibula when middleweight champion Chris Weidman (11-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) checked his leg kick in the second round of their rematch at the Dec. 28 UFC 168 event in Las Vegas. It was the second such injury to occur in the UFC after Corey Hill broke his right leg in a 2008 fight.
The doctor who repaired Silva’s leg the night of the event said the fighter could return to training in six to nine months. He added that Silva immediately asked him for a timeline, suggesting that speculation surrounding the 38-year-old’s potential retirement was premature.
Soares said the UFC covered the cost of the initial surgery and assumes the company will cover future medical bills.
“The UFC has been absolutely incredible to us and given us the best of everything,” said Soares, who lives two blocks from Silva in Los Angeles and said the champ was in good spirits during a visit Sunday.
“The way it looks now, (his recovery) looks great, and he’s only getting better every day.”
It’s much too early to set a date, but Anderson Silva‘s managers are dreaming big for the former middleweight champion’s return to the octagon.
Jorge Guimaraes and Ed Soares, who’ve guided Silva’s career since his UFC debut in 2006, say the fighter’s recovery is going better than expected after surgery to repair the broken leg he suffered at UFC 168.
The process is going so well, in fact, the managers mused about a super- fight against Georges St-Pierre, if the former welterweight champ returns from a self-imposed hiatus. St-Pierre vacated his belt last month to deal with personal issues but suggested he would return.
“Don’t you think that’s an option?” Guimaraes told MMAjunkie when asked about Silva’s future.
Actually, the option was all the rage a few years ago when Silva (33-6 MMA, 16-2 UFC) and St- Pierre (25-2 MMA, 19-2 UFC) were dominant champs. Despite UFC President Dana White’s repeated hints of the big fight, fans lost hope that it would ever materialize, and the fighters didn’t seem too jazzed about the prospect, either.
Silva once called the idea “bull(expletive).”
But it sounds as if his camp is keeping the faith.
“Man, if we were able to pull something like that off, it would be a win-win for everybody — the fans, the UFC,” Soares said in a separate interview. “I think that would be awesome.”
But for now, the reps will settle for Silva’s return to health. Guimaraes expects the fighter to begin physical therapy next week after stitches from the surgery come out this week.
“He’s walking around on crutches and raising his leg, and he’s just getting ready to start physical therapy when the doctor allows him,” Guimaraes said.
“He’s already moving his toes. I feel that positive vibe on him, and that’s what makes me believe he’s going to come back even stronger.”
Silva broke his left tibia and fibula when middleweight champion Chris Weidman (11-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) checked his leg kick in the second round of their rematch at the Dec. 28 UFC 168 event in Las Vegas. It was the second such injury to occur in the UFC after Corey Hill broke his right leg in a 2008 fight.
The doctor who repaired Silva’s leg the night of the event said the fighter could return to training in six to nine months. He added that Silva immediately asked him for a timeline, suggesting that speculation surrounding the 38-year-old’s potential retirement was premature.
Soares said the UFC covered the cost of the initial surgery and assumes the company will cover future medical bills.
“The UFC has been absolutely incredible to us and given us the best of everything,” said Soares, who lives two blocks from Silva in Los Angeles and said the champ was in good spirits during a visit Sunday.
“The way it looks now, (his recovery) looks great, and he’s only getting better every day.”
Final UFC 168 gate ranks second all-time for MMA in Nevada in excess of $6.2 million
This past month’s UFC 168 officially drew an attendance of 15,650 for a live gate of $6,238,792.50.
Nevada State Athletic Commission Executive Director Keith Kizer on Monday released the figures to MMAjunkie. UFC 168 took place Dec. 28 at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena and aired live on pay-per-view, FOX Sports 1 and MMAjunkie.
The official tally makes the pay-per-view card the second highest-grossing MMA event at the box office in Nevada, according to an official list compiled by the NSAC. UFC 148, which took place July 7, 2012, at the same venue, drew a 15,104 attendance figure and a $6,901,655 live gate.
UFC 168 featured a middleweight title rematch between champ Chris Weidman and former kingpin Anderson Silva, who broke his leg in the second round of the fight and lost via TKO. The event’s co-feature saw women’s bantamweight champ Ronda Rousey defend her title in a rematch with ex-Strikeforce champ Miesha Tate.
For UFC 168, 14,574 tickets were sold, while 1,076 “comp” tickets were issued. No tickets went unsold. The average paid ticket price was $428.07.
Initial box office estimates from the UFC were reported at $6.2 million on an attendance of 15,650.
The MGM Grand Garden Arena’s all-time top UFC gates as compiled by MMAjunkie include:
UFC 148 (Silva vs. Sonnen II): $6,901,655 gate (15,104 attendance)
UFC 168 (Weidman vs. Silva II): $6,238,792 gate (15,650)
UFC 167 (St-Pierre vs. Hendricks): $5,759,350 gate (14,856)
UFC 66 (Liddell vs. Ortiz II): $5,397,300 (13,761)
UFC 162 (Silva vs. Weidman): $4,826,450 (14,272)
UFC 91 (Couture vs. Lesnar): $4,815,675 (14,272)
UFC 71 (Liddell vs. Jackson): $4,304,000 (14,728)
UFC 94 (St. Pierre vs. Penn II): $4,290,000 (14,885)
UFC 116 (Lesnar vs. Carwin): $4,053,990 (12,740)
This past month’s UFC 168 officially drew an attendance of 15,650 for a live gate of $6,238,792.50.
Nevada State Athletic Commission Executive Director Keith Kizer on Monday released the figures to MMAjunkie. UFC 168 took place Dec. 28 at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena and aired live on pay-per-view, FOX Sports 1 and MMAjunkie.
The official tally makes the pay-per-view card the second highest-grossing MMA event at the box office in Nevada, according to an official list compiled by the NSAC. UFC 148, which took place July 7, 2012, at the same venue, drew a 15,104 attendance figure and a $6,901,655 live gate.
UFC 168 featured a middleweight title rematch between champ Chris Weidman and former kingpin Anderson Silva, who broke his leg in the second round of the fight and lost via TKO. The event’s co-feature saw women’s bantamweight champ Ronda Rousey defend her title in a rematch with ex-Strikeforce champ Miesha Tate.
For UFC 168, 14,574 tickets were sold, while 1,076 “comp” tickets were issued. No tickets went unsold. The average paid ticket price was $428.07.
Initial box office estimates from the UFC were reported at $6.2 million on an attendance of 15,650.
The MGM Grand Garden Arena’s all-time top UFC gates as compiled by MMAjunkie include:
UFC 148 (Silva vs. Sonnen II): $6,901,655 gate (15,104 attendance)
UFC 168 (Weidman vs. Silva II): $6,238,792 gate (15,650)
UFC 167 (St-Pierre vs. Hendricks): $5,759,350 gate (14,856)
UFC 66 (Liddell vs. Ortiz II): $5,397,300 (13,761)
UFC 162 (Silva vs. Weidman): $4,826,450 (14,272)
UFC 91 (Couture vs. Lesnar): $4,815,675 (14,272)
UFC 71 (Liddell vs. Jackson): $4,304,000 (14,728)
UFC 94 (St. Pierre vs. Penn II): $4,290,000 (14,885)
UFC 116 (Lesnar vs. Carwin): $4,053,990 (12,740)
Fabricio Werdum expects five-round fight with Travis Browne in March
Fabricio Werdum won’t sit and wait for Cain Velasquez. In fact, he’s already focused on a five-round battle with Travis Browne in March.
Coming off impressive wins since returning to the UFC, Werdum earned a shot at the UFC championship with a submission victory over former champion Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, but will need to fight once again while Velasquez recovers from a shoulder injury.
According to "Vai Cavalo", he will headline a UFC event against Browne in the fight that will determine the next contender in the heavyweight division.
"I had a meeting with Dana White and Lorenzo Fertitta and told them I wanted to wait, but then I thought about it and saw that I would need to wait too much before my next fight," Werdum told MMAFighting.com. "You don’t remember what you don’t see."
"We don’t have a date 100 percent confirmed yet, but I believe it's going to be in March," he continued. "I already know that it’s going to be a main event, so it's a five-round fight. He doesn’t have a good cardio, so that’s good for me. He's explosive when the fight starts, tries to finish it quickly, with jumping stuff and knockouts, so I see a lot of openings to defeat him."
Browne scored three vicious knockouts in 2013, finishing Josh Barnett in 60 seconds to climb up the rankings, but Werdum already saw some ways to stop his incredible rise in the heavyweight division.
"Travis Browne has been doing great recently with three consecutive ‘Knockout of the Night’ bonuses, so it would be a great fight before a shot at the title," he said. "We have trained together a few times three years ago, and he knows how the training was. He knows that he doesn’t have a good ground game.
"He's not an expert on the ground, and I’m getting better and better in the striking area. I train with Rafael Cordeiro for seven years, so we’ll plan the right strategy to win."
Two of Browne's last wins were against grappling experts, so Werdum knows he can't make mistakes when trying to get "Hapa" to the ground.
"I won’t go there like (Gabriel) Gonzaga and Barnett did," he said. "Barnett looked desperate, he didn’t look like the veteran that he is. The clinch, the takedown, the body lock will eventually happen. I don’t need to shoot for a double leg. His takedown defense and elbows are really good, so I won’t make this mistake. We will fight on the ground eventually."
Werdum hasn’t fought since June, and believes that fighting a high-ranked, dangerous opponent in Browne will cement his status in the UFC.
"I want to show the UFC that I’m ready for the title," "Vai Cavalo" said. "This fight will help me to get busy and prove once for all that I’m ready for a shot at the UFC title. It was sad that Cain Velasquez got hurt and I won’t fight for the title now, but it is what it is. This is going to make me stronger."
Fabricio Werdum won’t sit and wait for Cain Velasquez. In fact, he’s already focused on a five-round battle with Travis Browne in March.
Coming off impressive wins since returning to the UFC, Werdum earned a shot at the UFC championship with a submission victory over former champion Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, but will need to fight once again while Velasquez recovers from a shoulder injury.
According to "Vai Cavalo", he will headline a UFC event against Browne in the fight that will determine the next contender in the heavyweight division.
"I had a meeting with Dana White and Lorenzo Fertitta and told them I wanted to wait, but then I thought about it and saw that I would need to wait too much before my next fight," Werdum told MMAFighting.com. "You don’t remember what you don’t see."
"We don’t have a date 100 percent confirmed yet, but I believe it's going to be in March," he continued. "I already know that it’s going to be a main event, so it's a five-round fight. He doesn’t have a good cardio, so that’s good for me. He's explosive when the fight starts, tries to finish it quickly, with jumping stuff and knockouts, so I see a lot of openings to defeat him."
Browne scored three vicious knockouts in 2013, finishing Josh Barnett in 60 seconds to climb up the rankings, but Werdum already saw some ways to stop his incredible rise in the heavyweight division.
"Travis Browne has been doing great recently with three consecutive ‘Knockout of the Night’ bonuses, so it would be a great fight before a shot at the title," he said. "We have trained together a few times three years ago, and he knows how the training was. He knows that he doesn’t have a good ground game.
"He's not an expert on the ground, and I’m getting better and better in the striking area. I train with Rafael Cordeiro for seven years, so we’ll plan the right strategy to win."
Two of Browne's last wins were against grappling experts, so Werdum knows he can't make mistakes when trying to get "Hapa" to the ground.
"I won’t go there like (Gabriel) Gonzaga and Barnett did," he said. "Barnett looked desperate, he didn’t look like the veteran that he is. The clinch, the takedown, the body lock will eventually happen. I don’t need to shoot for a double leg. His takedown defense and elbows are really good, so I won’t make this mistake. We will fight on the ground eventually."
Werdum hasn’t fought since June, and believes that fighting a high-ranked, dangerous opponent in Browne will cement his status in the UFC.
"I want to show the UFC that I’m ready for the title," "Vai Cavalo" said. "This fight will help me to get busy and prove once for all that I’m ready for a shot at the UFC title. It was sad that Cain Velasquez got hurt and I won’t fight for the title now, but it is what it is. This is going to make me stronger."
JDS wants The Reem in May or June if he beats Mir
Away from the UFC since October last year, when he was defeated by Cain Velasquez by TKO, Brazilian Junior dos Santos is back in training, and his coach, Luiz Dorea, now starts projecting his return to the Octagon. According to the technician, the former heavyweight champion could be ready to fight again at the end of the first half.
- He took time to rest and is now back in training. We're thinking about fighting around May or June, but has not yet anything right - Dorea said the site "MMA Fighting."
For this first battle after the defeat, the coach is taking aim at an old foe of Gypsy: Dutchman Alistair Overeem , who faces American Frank Mir at UFC 169 on Oct. 1st February. "The Reem" has come to be programmed to challenge the Brazilian in his first title defense in 2012, but failed a surprise drug test and ended up suspended for nine months. Since then suffered two consecutive losses to Antonio Silva and Travis Browne. The match was again scheduled for UFC 160 last May, but Overeem was injured and ended up facing Gypsy - and winning - Mark Hunt.
- The UFC has great athletes, the best, but a fight we'd like to see is against Overeem. This fight was expected before and has not happened. But they have great fighters in the UFC, anything can happen. He will face anyone they want - Dorea said
After much criticism of the strategy and training of Gypsy before the defeat against Velasquez - the third fight between the two, after a victory for either side - the coach said the former heavyweight champion is "Hungry" and he will make more exchanges to evolve his game.
- We have plans to spend time in the U.S., seeking new training. We need to continue to evolve. When an athlete thinks he knows everything, is the beginning of the end. We need to learn new techniques, so we plan to go to America to train wrestling, and also train in other gyms in Brazil - Dorea explained the "MMA Fighting."
Away from the UFC since October last year, when he was defeated by Cain Velasquez by TKO, Brazilian Junior dos Santos is back in training, and his coach, Luiz Dorea, now starts projecting his return to the Octagon. According to the technician, the former heavyweight champion could be ready to fight again at the end of the first half.
- He took time to rest and is now back in training. We're thinking about fighting around May or June, but has not yet anything right - Dorea said the site "MMA Fighting."
For this first battle after the defeat, the coach is taking aim at an old foe of Gypsy: Dutchman Alistair Overeem , who faces American Frank Mir at UFC 169 on Oct. 1st February. "The Reem" has come to be programmed to challenge the Brazilian in his first title defense in 2012, but failed a surprise drug test and ended up suspended for nine months. Since then suffered two consecutive losses to Antonio Silva and Travis Browne. The match was again scheduled for UFC 160 last May, but Overeem was injured and ended up facing Gypsy - and winning - Mark Hunt.
- The UFC has great athletes, the best, but a fight we'd like to see is against Overeem. This fight was expected before and has not happened. But they have great fighters in the UFC, anything can happen. He will face anyone they want - Dorea said
After much criticism of the strategy and training of Gypsy before the defeat against Velasquez - the third fight between the two, after a victory for either side - the coach said the former heavyweight champion is "Hungry" and he will make more exchanges to evolve his game.
- We have plans to spend time in the U.S., seeking new training. We need to continue to evolve. When an athlete thinks he knows everything, is the beginning of the end. We need to learn new techniques, so we plan to go to America to train wrestling, and also train in other gyms in Brazil - Dorea explained the "MMA Fighting."
'UFC Fight Night 38: Shogun vs. Henderson' official for March 23 in Natal, Brazil
As expected, a light heavyweight rematch between MMA legends Mauricio “Shogun” Rua (22-8 MMA, 6-6 UFC) and Dan Henderson (29-11 MMA, 6-5 UFC) will serve as the headliner of March’s UFC Fight Night 38, which will see the octagon touch down for the first time in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil.
UFC officials recently announced the long-rumored location of Ginasio Nelio Dias will indeed play host to the event, which takes place March 23 and sees a main card air on FOX Sports 1 following prelims that are expected to stream on UFC Fight Pass.
“Shogun” and Henderson first met in the main event of UFC 139 in November 2011. That fight, a unanimous decision win for Henderson, was regarded by many as 2011′s “Fight of the Year” because of its back-and-forth nature, with each fighter taking big momentum swings, and continuing to plod forward in the fourth and fifth rounds despite being visibly exhausted.
Rua in December snapped a two-fight skid when he knocked out James Te Huna in the co-main event of UFC Fight Night 33 in Australia. He picked up “Knockout of the Night” honors for the stunning KO and got back in the win column after consecutive losses to Chael Sonnen and Alexander Gustafsson. Now he’ll be going after his first winning streak since 2009.
His most recent fight, a first-round head-kick knockout loss to Vitor Belfort in Brazil, was not only his third straight setback, it was the final fight on his UFC contract. Prior to the loss to Belfort, Henderson has split-decision losses to Rashad Evans and Lyoto Machida. In fact, his most recent win was the “Fight of the Night” victory over Rua, which at that point was his fourth straight win and his return to the UFC after three fights in Strikeforce, where he won the light heavyweight title.
As expected, a light heavyweight rematch between MMA legends Mauricio “Shogun” Rua (22-8 MMA, 6-6 UFC) and Dan Henderson (29-11 MMA, 6-5 UFC) will serve as the headliner of March’s UFC Fight Night 38, which will see the octagon touch down for the first time in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil.
UFC officials recently announced the long-rumored location of Ginasio Nelio Dias will indeed play host to the event, which takes place March 23 and sees a main card air on FOX Sports 1 following prelims that are expected to stream on UFC Fight Pass.
“Shogun” and Henderson first met in the main event of UFC 139 in November 2011. That fight, a unanimous decision win for Henderson, was regarded by many as 2011′s “Fight of the Year” because of its back-and-forth nature, with each fighter taking big momentum swings, and continuing to plod forward in the fourth and fifth rounds despite being visibly exhausted.
Rua in December snapped a two-fight skid when he knocked out James Te Huna in the co-main event of UFC Fight Night 33 in Australia. He picked up “Knockout of the Night” honors for the stunning KO and got back in the win column after consecutive losses to Chael Sonnen and Alexander Gustafsson. Now he’ll be going after his first winning streak since 2009.
His most recent fight, a first-round head-kick knockout loss to Vitor Belfort in Brazil, was not only his third straight setback, it was the final fight on his UFC contract. Prior to the loss to Belfort, Henderson has split-decision losses to Rashad Evans and Lyoto Machida. In fact, his most recent win was the “Fight of the Night” victory over Rua, which at that point was his fourth straight win and his return to the UFC after three fights in Strikeforce, where he won the light heavyweight title.
