Brock Lesnar vs. Cain Velasquez Confirmed For UFC 121 In Anaheim
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Jake Shields signs with UFC, meets Martin Kampmann at UFC 121
Strikeforce middleweight champion Jake Shields (25-4-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) has signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship, where he'll return to the welterweight division and fight Martin Kampmann (17-3 MMA, 8-2 UFC) at UFC 121.
MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) today confirmed the expected plans with Jack Shields, Jake's father and manager, who said bout agreements are being finalized today.
Shields had hoped to remain at middleweight for his Oct. 23 debut, but Jack Shields said the fighter agreed to drop back to welterweight at the urging of UFC officials.
UFC 121 takes place at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. MMAFighting.com first reported the possibility of the fight over the weekend.
"Jake has fought a lot of the top guys, and now he'll fight the best of the them," Jack Shields told MMAjunkie.com. "He's happy the signing has come to fruition."
Shields, who also previously held titles with Shooto and EliteXC, makes his octagon debut with a staggering 14-fight win streak. In his most recent fight, he defended his belt and defeated ex-UFC fighter Dan Henderson at April's CBS-televised "Strikeforce: Nashville" event. Shields, in fact, topped many other UFC veterans during his streak, including ex-champ Dave Menne, Yushin Okami, Carlos Condit, Mike Pyle, Nick Thompson, Paul Daley, Robbie Lawler and Jason "Mayhem" Miller.
After his string of eight consecutive stoppage victories, Shields' recent wins over Henderson and Miller came via decision.
Kampmann, a former kickboxer who's rounded out his fight game with solid ground skills, is a former middleweight contender who dropped to 170 pounds 2009. He's 4-1 since the move with recent victories over Jacob Volkmann at UFC 108 (submission) and Paulo Thiago (decision) at UFC 115. The lone loss came to Daley in 2009.
A victory for either Shields or Kampmann very well could result in a title shot. Current champ Georges St-Pierre and Josh Koscheck fight in December following their stints as coaches on "The Ultimate Fighter 12," but the Shields vs. Kampmann winner (or the winner of a UFC 117 bout between Jon Fitch and Thiago Alves) could be next in line.
Strikeforce middleweight champion Jake Shields (25-4-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) has signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship, where he'll return to the welterweight division and fight Martin Kampmann (17-3 MMA, 8-2 UFC) at UFC 121.
MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) today confirmed the expected plans with Jack Shields, Jake's father and manager, who said bout agreements are being finalized today.
Shields had hoped to remain at middleweight for his Oct. 23 debut, but Jack Shields said the fighter agreed to drop back to welterweight at the urging of UFC officials.
UFC 121 takes place at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. MMAFighting.com first reported the possibility of the fight over the weekend.
"Jake has fought a lot of the top guys, and now he'll fight the best of the them," Jack Shields told MMAjunkie.com. "He's happy the signing has come to fruition."
Shields, who also previously held titles with Shooto and EliteXC, makes his octagon debut with a staggering 14-fight win streak. In his most recent fight, he defended his belt and defeated ex-UFC fighter Dan Henderson at April's CBS-televised "Strikeforce: Nashville" event. Shields, in fact, topped many other UFC veterans during his streak, including ex-champ Dave Menne, Yushin Okami, Carlos Condit, Mike Pyle, Nick Thompson, Paul Daley, Robbie Lawler and Jason "Mayhem" Miller.
After his string of eight consecutive stoppage victories, Shields' recent wins over Henderson and Miller came via decision.
Kampmann, a former kickboxer who's rounded out his fight game with solid ground skills, is a former middleweight contender who dropped to 170 pounds 2009. He's 4-1 since the move with recent victories over Jacob Volkmann at UFC 108 (submission) and Paulo Thiago (decision) at UFC 115. The lone loss came to Daley in 2009.
A victory for either Shields or Kampmann very well could result in a title shot. Current champ Georges St-Pierre and Josh Koscheck fight in December following their stints as coaches on "The Ultimate Fighter 12," but the Shields vs. Kampmann winner (or the winner of a UFC 117 bout between Jon Fitch and Thiago Alves) could be next in line.
Not sure if you mean in a good way or bad way. Cain's a better wrestler than Carwin and Shane sprawled on Brock before he gassed (his hands require too much oxygen). Cain isn't going to gas, and if he does get taken down I can see him scrambling back up the way Randy did against Brock. But if Brock does get like a waist lock or something Cain's gonna get ragdolled.
I think Cain has a shot if he uses his speed to get in and out and wear down Brock slowly over 5 rounds for a decision or possibly KO Brock. We've never seen Brock go the distance in a championship fight and Cain can push a serious pace. I still think Brock takes this by taking him down and gnp tho. Cain is too small and what is he going to do if(when) Brock puts him on his back? Brock is going to put that 300lbs body on top of him and pound him out. Maybe even a sub again.
Diego says he's going to be fighting Paulo Thiago. This card's looking pretty sick so far.
Brock vs. Cain
Jake Shields (UFC Debut) vs. Martin Kampmann
Diego Sanchez vs. Paulo Thiago
Sam Stout vs. Paul Taylor
Court McGee vs. Ryan Jensen
Chris Camozzi vs. Dong Yi Yang (9-0, UFC Debut)
Patrick Cote vs. TBA
and Tito says he wants to be back around this time.
Brock vs. Cain
Jake Shields (UFC Debut) vs. Martin Kampmann
Diego Sanchez vs. Paulo Thiago
Sam Stout vs. Paul Taylor
Court McGee vs. Ryan Jensen
Chris Camozzi vs. Dong Yi Yang (9-0, UFC Debut)
Patrick Cote vs. TBA
and Tito says he wants to be back around this time.
Report: Diego Sanchez vs. Paulo Thiago on tap for UFC 121
Welterweights Diego Sanchez (21-4 MMA, 10-4 UFC) and Paulo Thiago (13-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) look to return to the winner's circle when they meet at UFC 121.
PennyJoMMA.com first reported the matchup on Tuesday evening, and multiple outlets have since confirmed that verbal agreements are in place and both fighters are expected to make it official shortly. It is unknown whether the fight is a part of the event's televised lineup.
UFC 121 takes place Oct. 23 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., and features a heavyweight headliner between current champion Brock Lesnar and challenger Cain Velasquez.
Sanchez recently returned to the 170-pound class after a devastating loss to then-lightweight champion B.J. Penn at UFC 107 this past December. Unfortunately, the "welcome back" mat was rolled up by British prospect John Hathaway, who consistently outstruck him en route to a unanimous decision at UFC 114.
A winner of "The Ultimate Fighter 1," Sanchez made his octagon debut at middleweight but quickly moved to the welterweight class following the inaugural reality fight show, and he racked up five straight wins in the division. He hit a roadblock in 2007 with losses to Josh Koscheck and Jon Fitch, which brought forth hints that he might drop to 155 pounds.
Sanchez put the decision off with two more welterweight victories before making the move to lightweight official with a fight against Joe Stevenson at UFC 95. Following a decision win, he earned his title shot with another decision nod over Clay Guida at The Ultimate Fighter 9 Finale that made many observers' "Fight of the Year" lists.
While Thiago's home has always been at 170 pounds, his path to the title recently took a diversion when he fell short on points against Martin Kampmann at UFC 115. It was a disappointing turn for the full-time special forces police officer after an impressive win over Mike Swick, in which he choked the American Kickboxing Academy fighter out cold at UFC 109. The Brazilian has thus far made a name fighting AKA fighters, particularly with a debut knockout of Josh Koscheck at UFC 95, though AKA teammate Jon Fitch avenged the loss at UFC 100.
In an interview with MMAjunkie.com on the week of UFC 115, Thiago said he had no plans to quit his day job as a cop and aimed for a title shot in 2011. Sanchez is the first step back up the welterweight ladder.
Welterweights Diego Sanchez (21-4 MMA, 10-4 UFC) and Paulo Thiago (13-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) look to return to the winner's circle when they meet at UFC 121.
PennyJoMMA.com first reported the matchup on Tuesday evening, and multiple outlets have since confirmed that verbal agreements are in place and both fighters are expected to make it official shortly. It is unknown whether the fight is a part of the event's televised lineup.
UFC 121 takes place Oct. 23 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., and features a heavyweight headliner between current champion Brock Lesnar and challenger Cain Velasquez.
Sanchez recently returned to the 170-pound class after a devastating loss to then-lightweight champion B.J. Penn at UFC 107 this past December. Unfortunately, the "welcome back" mat was rolled up by British prospect John Hathaway, who consistently outstruck him en route to a unanimous decision at UFC 114.
A winner of "The Ultimate Fighter 1," Sanchez made his octagon debut at middleweight but quickly moved to the welterweight class following the inaugural reality fight show, and he racked up five straight wins in the division. He hit a roadblock in 2007 with losses to Josh Koscheck and Jon Fitch, which brought forth hints that he might drop to 155 pounds.
Sanchez put the decision off with two more welterweight victories before making the move to lightweight official with a fight against Joe Stevenson at UFC 95. Following a decision win, he earned his title shot with another decision nod over Clay Guida at The Ultimate Fighter 9 Finale that made many observers' "Fight of the Year" lists.
While Thiago's home has always been at 170 pounds, his path to the title recently took a diversion when he fell short on points against Martin Kampmann at UFC 115. It was a disappointing turn for the full-time special forces police officer after an impressive win over Mike Swick, in which he choked the American Kickboxing Academy fighter out cold at UFC 109. The Brazilian has thus far made a name fighting AKA fighters, particularly with a debut knockout of Josh Koscheck at UFC 95, though AKA teammate Jon Fitch avenged the loss at UFC 100.
In an interview with MMAjunkie.com on the week of UFC 115, Thiago said he had no plans to quit his day job as a cop and aimed for a title shot in 2011. Sanchez is the first step back up the welterweight ladder.
Patrick Cote meets Tom Lawlor at UFC 121
Middleweights Patrick Cote (13-6 MMA, 4-6 UFC) and Tom Lawlor (6-3 MMA, 2-2 UFC) are scheduled to meet at UFC 121.
MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) confirmed the news today with sources close to the event, who said that bout agreements have been signed, though it's unknown whether the fight will air on the evening's televised card.
UFC 121 takes place Oct. 23 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., and is headlined by a heavyweight tilt between current champion Brock Lesnar and challenger Cain Velasquez.
Although his wild costumes and cage entrances have struck the fancy of UFC fans around the world, Lawlor could be fighting for his octagon future in Anaheim. "The Filthy Maulor" has dropped two consecutive UFC bouts, a narrow split decision against Aaron Simpson and, most recently, a submission loss to replacement killer Joe Doerksen at UFC 113 in May.
Lawlor emerged from "The Ultimate Fighter 8" with a decision nod over fellow cast mate Kyle Kingsbury at the show's finale and followed up with a choke-out of C.B. Dollaway at UFC 100 before hitting the skids.
Fans might see a more subdued Lawlor come October, but then again, probably not.
You likely won't see any smiles coming from Patrick Cote, who returned to the octagon at UFC 113 in May after his title dreams were spoiled at UFC 90 by a third-round knee injury in a fight against current middleweight kingpin Anderson Silva. The French Canadian faced Alan Belcher and was holding his own until the standout striker planted him on the mat with a near-spike and cinched a quick rear-naked choke.
After a turn on "The Ultimate Fighter 4" and a loss to Travis Lutter in the show's finale, Cote went on a tear and put away five consecutive opponents to earn his title bid. It was his best run to date following his first UFC stint in which he went 0-4 in the promotion.
Middleweights Patrick Cote (13-6 MMA, 4-6 UFC) and Tom Lawlor (6-3 MMA, 2-2 UFC) are scheduled to meet at UFC 121.
MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) confirmed the news today with sources close to the event, who said that bout agreements have been signed, though it's unknown whether the fight will air on the evening's televised card.
UFC 121 takes place Oct. 23 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., and is headlined by a heavyweight tilt between current champion Brock Lesnar and challenger Cain Velasquez.
Although his wild costumes and cage entrances have struck the fancy of UFC fans around the world, Lawlor could be fighting for his octagon future in Anaheim. "The Filthy Maulor" has dropped two consecutive UFC bouts, a narrow split decision against Aaron Simpson and, most recently, a submission loss to replacement killer Joe Doerksen at UFC 113 in May.
Lawlor emerged from "The Ultimate Fighter 8" with a decision nod over fellow cast mate Kyle Kingsbury at the show's finale and followed up with a choke-out of C.B. Dollaway at UFC 100 before hitting the skids.
Fans might see a more subdued Lawlor come October, but then again, probably not.
You likely won't see any smiles coming from Patrick Cote, who returned to the octagon at UFC 113 in May after his title dreams were spoiled at UFC 90 by a third-round knee injury in a fight against current middleweight kingpin Anderson Silva. The French Canadian faced Alan Belcher and was holding his own until the standout striker planted him on the mat with a near-spike and cinched a quick rear-naked choke.
After a turn on "The Ultimate Fighter 4" and a loss to Travis Lutter in the show's finale, Cote went on a tear and put away five consecutive opponents to earn his title bid. It was his best run to date following his first UFC stint in which he went 0-4 in the promotion.
