MMA News Thread
- Thread starter Shogun Locc
- Start date
"Low-key" firefighter Eddie Wineland could be thrust into spotlight with UFC 128 win
NEWARK, N.J. – Every day, admitted small-town guy Eddie Wineland climbs in his car and drives 200 miles to two different Chicago-area gyms.
Not wanting to leave his acre of land and small-city life in Indiana, he logs nearly 36,000 miles per year on Indiana and Illinois freeways.
However, Wineland (18-6-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC), who still holds down a job as a firefighter, knows his whole life could change with a win over Urijah Faber (24-4 MMA, 0-0 UFC) in the co-headliner of Saturday's UFC 128 event at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.
So what does Wineland do with all that drive time?
He puts it to good use.
"I'm just thinking about nothing but fighting," he told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) at today's UFC 128 open workouts. "'How am I going to beat this guy? What are his weaknesses?' If you're in the car for three hours a day ... that's a lot of thinking time. It's my reflection period and my downtime. My downtime isn't sitting on my couch, watching a movie or relaxing. It's sitting in the car and driving to my next gym."
In many ways, Wineland is Faber's polar opposite. Wineland was the WEC's first bantamweight champ and arguably the littlest known. Faber, meanwhile, was a mega-MMA star even after losing his belt.
Faber enjoys the attention, big-city life and opportunity to connect with legions of fans. Wineland, though more than accommodating ahead of his UFC 128 bout, admittedly likes a more low-key approach to life.
"I like staying in my comfort zone," he said.
Part of that comfort zone is his post at the local firehouse. He admits he kind of stumbled into the job and had no big illusions of becoming a firefighter. But by working 100 to 110 days per year and getting the others off, it worked perfectly for his pro-fighting schedule.
"It's a job," he said. "It allows me to do what I'm doing here. If I wasn't a firefighter, I wouldn't be sitting here today. I need to thank that job for everything it gave me.
"It never once crossed my mind (to quit). What I'm doing is working for me, so I really don't feel like deviating from that."
But Saturday's pay-per-view event could change all that. UFC president Dana White won't promise it, but the Faber vs. Wineland winner could be next in line for a title shot and even a head-coaching stint on "The Ultimate Fighter 14" later this year against champ Dominick Cruz.
Such opportunities also could pad his wallet. Wineland is content fighting fires, but fighting people soon could become more much lucrative.
"I think it could get very tough to do both," he said. "That thought has crossed my mind a couple times.
"It's not a bad problem (to have). If someone is going to say, 'Hey, we're going to pay you a bunch of money' – probably more money that you're going to make in your lifetime at the fire department – you really can't pass that up. If I'm going to make more money in three years than in 30 years, it doesn't really balance out."
First, though, he has to get by Faber. And to do that, he'll likely need to win with his hands and avoid falling victim to his opponent's. But Wineland said he's been knocked out only once in his life – and it wasn't in MMA.
It was when he was 17 years old and had a fledgling pro-BMX career.
"It got a little too dangerous," he said of his near-career. "It was the only time I've been knocked out. I was about 20 feet in the air, and (I went) straight down to the ground."
Wineland now dishes out far more punishment than he takes (from fellow fighters or from bikes). But in 28 pro fights, Faber has been stopped with strikes just twice. Wineland is well aware of Faber's ability to take a punch.
But, he said, Faber's never faced a striker like him.
"You look at Manny Tapia, you look at George Roop – you look at anyone I've fought, really," he said. "George Roop, his claim to fame was, 'I've never been dropped. I've never been rocked.' I put him on his ass four or five times in that fight. Same thing with Tapia. ... I put one punch on him, and he fell. I possess a lot of power for a 135-pound guy.
"Urijah is going to feel it. He may have a chin of granite, but we're going to find out for sure."
NEWARK, N.J. – Every day, admitted small-town guy Eddie Wineland climbs in his car and drives 200 miles to two different Chicago-area gyms.
Not wanting to leave his acre of land and small-city life in Indiana, he logs nearly 36,000 miles per year on Indiana and Illinois freeways.
However, Wineland (18-6-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC), who still holds down a job as a firefighter, knows his whole life could change with a win over Urijah Faber (24-4 MMA, 0-0 UFC) in the co-headliner of Saturday's UFC 128 event at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.
So what does Wineland do with all that drive time?
He puts it to good use.
"I'm just thinking about nothing but fighting," he told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) at today's UFC 128 open workouts. "'How am I going to beat this guy? What are his weaknesses?' If you're in the car for three hours a day ... that's a lot of thinking time. It's my reflection period and my downtime. My downtime isn't sitting on my couch, watching a movie or relaxing. It's sitting in the car and driving to my next gym."
In many ways, Wineland is Faber's polar opposite. Wineland was the WEC's first bantamweight champ and arguably the littlest known. Faber, meanwhile, was a mega-MMA star even after losing his belt.
Faber enjoys the attention, big-city life and opportunity to connect with legions of fans. Wineland, though more than accommodating ahead of his UFC 128 bout, admittedly likes a more low-key approach to life.
"I like staying in my comfort zone," he said.
Part of that comfort zone is his post at the local firehouse. He admits he kind of stumbled into the job and had no big illusions of becoming a firefighter. But by working 100 to 110 days per year and getting the others off, it worked perfectly for his pro-fighting schedule.
"It's a job," he said. "It allows me to do what I'm doing here. If I wasn't a firefighter, I wouldn't be sitting here today. I need to thank that job for everything it gave me.
"It never once crossed my mind (to quit). What I'm doing is working for me, so I really don't feel like deviating from that."
But Saturday's pay-per-view event could change all that. UFC president Dana White won't promise it, but the Faber vs. Wineland winner could be next in line for a title shot and even a head-coaching stint on "The Ultimate Fighter 14" later this year against champ Dominick Cruz.
Such opportunities also could pad his wallet. Wineland is content fighting fires, but fighting people soon could become more much lucrative.
"I think it could get very tough to do both," he said. "That thought has crossed my mind a couple times.
"It's not a bad problem (to have). If someone is going to say, 'Hey, we're going to pay you a bunch of money' – probably more money that you're going to make in your lifetime at the fire department – you really can't pass that up. If I'm going to make more money in three years than in 30 years, it doesn't really balance out."
First, though, he has to get by Faber. And to do that, he'll likely need to win with his hands and avoid falling victim to his opponent's. But Wineland said he's been knocked out only once in his life – and it wasn't in MMA.
It was when he was 17 years old and had a fledgling pro-BMX career.
"It got a little too dangerous," he said of his near-career. "It was the only time I've been knocked out. I was about 20 feet in the air, and (I went) straight down to the ground."
Wineland now dishes out far more punishment than he takes (from fellow fighters or from bikes). But in 28 pro fights, Faber has been stopped with strikes just twice. Wineland is well aware of Faber's ability to take a punch.
But, he said, Faber's never faced a striker like him.
"You look at Manny Tapia, you look at George Roop – you look at anyone I've fought, really," he said. "George Roop, his claim to fame was, 'I've never been dropped. I've never been rocked.' I put him on his ass four or five times in that fight. Same thing with Tapia. ... I put one punch on him, and he fell. I possess a lot of power for a 135-pound guy.
"Urijah is going to feel it. He may have a chin of granite, but we're going to find out for sure."
Fully healed, Rua says knee, layoff, no issue in UFC 128 bout with Jones
NEWARK, N.J. – UFC light-heavyweight champion Mauricio "Shogun" Rua (19-4 MMA, 3-2 UFC) long has been considered one of the world's very best 205-pound fighters, but a history of injuries has left some MMA pundits questioning how much the striking specialist has remaining in the tank.
Plenty, Rua said.
After all, at just 29 years old, Rua finally is healthy heading into this weekend's UFC 128 bout with Jon Jones (12-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC), and the Brazilian believes he's prepared to answer his doubters.
"My knee is 100 percent," Rua told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) through his manager and interpreter, Eduardo Alonso. "I've done everything to fix it. I've been training hard for a long time.
"I was training already from October on, but I started training 100 percent around November when the doctor released me to train 100 percent. I never felt any pain or any problems with my knee after the surgery. I was respecting the doctor's orders and doing exactly as he told me."
Rua injured the knee in a May 2010 win over then-champion Lyoto Machida. It's the second time in Rua's three-and-a-half-year UFC run that he's undergone surgery for his knee, and the latest procedure forced the champion into a 10-month layoff.
However Rua, who missed 16 months following his surprising 2007 loss to Forrest Griffin, said he's unconcerned with the break.
"I've stayed sidelined for longer periods in the past," Rua said. "In 2007, I stayed sidelined for about one year and a half. It was also a long time when I injured my arm in the past in Japan."
Of course, following his most recent extended layoff, Rua returned against an aging Mark Coleman. In Jones, Rua faces an entirely different opponent – a bona fide superstar who has been running through opponents with shocking ease.
Because of that run, Jones is considered a near 2-to-1 favorite according to most oddsmakers.
Rua said he isn't bothered by his doubters. In fact, they just make him appreciate his supporters all the more.
"I [don't] feel disrespected," Rua said. "He has been winning his fights soundly. I was really expecting the press and the oddsmakers [to] consider him the favorite. He earned that.
"I really have to cherish the support from my fans who believe in me."
Rua has built his legacy around potent Muay Thai and his trademark aggression. But with Jones' lengthy reach and wrestling prowess, Rua said the ground game may ultimately prove the difference in his first UFC title defense.
"I trained a lot of jiu jitsu for this fight," said Rua, citing grappling ace Demian Maia as a primary training partner. "As always, we had to train everything.
"Me and my team, we sat and we studied Jon Jones' game. We developed a strategy, so we worked many different ways for many different situations. I think Jon Jones is a very complete fighter, but his strongest aspect is his wrestling."
With the fight now just two days away, it seems the majority of the focus is centered on Jones. The budding superstar even received his own pre-fight special on Spike TV, and it seems many MMA fans consider Jones a lock in the matchup.
Rua respects the challenger, but he hasn't wasted time on thinking about anything other than maintaining his belt.
"I don't want to think about my opponents," Rua said. "I'd rather think about myself and try to evolve – see what I can improve. The time that you start to think about your opponents and focus on concern about them is the time you stop evolving as a fighter. I'd rather focus on myself and not think about it."
NEWARK, N.J. – UFC light-heavyweight champion Mauricio "Shogun" Rua (19-4 MMA, 3-2 UFC) long has been considered one of the world's very best 205-pound fighters, but a history of injuries has left some MMA pundits questioning how much the striking specialist has remaining in the tank.
Plenty, Rua said.
After all, at just 29 years old, Rua finally is healthy heading into this weekend's UFC 128 bout with Jon Jones (12-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC), and the Brazilian believes he's prepared to answer his doubters.
"My knee is 100 percent," Rua told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) through his manager and interpreter, Eduardo Alonso. "I've done everything to fix it. I've been training hard for a long time.
"I was training already from October on, but I started training 100 percent around November when the doctor released me to train 100 percent. I never felt any pain or any problems with my knee after the surgery. I was respecting the doctor's orders and doing exactly as he told me."
Rua injured the knee in a May 2010 win over then-champion Lyoto Machida. It's the second time in Rua's three-and-a-half-year UFC run that he's undergone surgery for his knee, and the latest procedure forced the champion into a 10-month layoff.
However Rua, who missed 16 months following his surprising 2007 loss to Forrest Griffin, said he's unconcerned with the break.
"I've stayed sidelined for longer periods in the past," Rua said. "In 2007, I stayed sidelined for about one year and a half. It was also a long time when I injured my arm in the past in Japan."
Of course, following his most recent extended layoff, Rua returned against an aging Mark Coleman. In Jones, Rua faces an entirely different opponent – a bona fide superstar who has been running through opponents with shocking ease.
Because of that run, Jones is considered a near 2-to-1 favorite according to most oddsmakers.
Rua said he isn't bothered by his doubters. In fact, they just make him appreciate his supporters all the more.
"I [don't] feel disrespected," Rua said. "He has been winning his fights soundly. I was really expecting the press and the oddsmakers [to] consider him the favorite. He earned that.
"I really have to cherish the support from my fans who believe in me."
Rua has built his legacy around potent Muay Thai and his trademark aggression. But with Jones' lengthy reach and wrestling prowess, Rua said the ground game may ultimately prove the difference in his first UFC title defense.
"I trained a lot of jiu jitsu for this fight," said Rua, citing grappling ace Demian Maia as a primary training partner. "As always, we had to train everything.
"Me and my team, we sat and we studied Jon Jones' game. We developed a strategy, so we worked many different ways for many different situations. I think Jon Jones is a very complete fighter, but his strongest aspect is his wrestling."
With the fight now just two days away, it seems the majority of the focus is centered on Jones. The budding superstar even received his own pre-fight special on Spike TV, and it seems many MMA fans consider Jones a lock in the matchup.
Rua respects the challenger, but he hasn't wasted time on thinking about anything other than maintaining his belt.
"I don't want to think about my opponents," Rua said. "I'd rather think about myself and try to evolve – see what I can improve. The time that you start to think about your opponents and focus on concern about them is the time you stop evolving as a fighter. I'd rather focus on myself and not think about it."
Jon Jones Talks UFC 128 Strategy, Beating Shogun Rua in the Clinch
Jon Jones is continuing to make the media rounds and get treated as the Next Big Thing in the UFC -- even though it remains to be seen whether he's the UFC's next light heavyweight champion. The latest media event for Jones was a Thursday morning interview on SportsCenter, where he offered a surprisingly detailed account of his strategy for his UFC 128 bout with Shogun Rua.
Speaking with ESPN's Josh Elliott, Jones said he believes he's significantly better than Rua in the clinch, to the point where he thinks that when the two of them come together standing up, Rua won't be able to deal with him.
"I was a Greco-Roman All-American, and the clinch is such a huge part of combat sport," Jones said. "If you look at muay Thai matches, if you look at your traditional boxing, the clinch is huge. It's a natural instinct for people to clinch when they're in a bad situation. And that's one of my main strengths. My takedowns from the clinch are very powerful, my knees from the clinch are very powerful, and I think that can be a huge mismatch that I can exploit in this fight."
Jones' views on his advantages in the clinch tend to defy the conventional wisdom, which is that Rua's muay Thai background actually gives him some advantages over Jones in the clinch -- and that Jones' superior reach is what really helps him against Rua standing up. Jones addressed the reach issue as well.
"Shogun's really good with his head movement," Jones said. "I can see Shogun trying to slip punches side to side, maybe come over with a big overhand right, maybe slip in and come up with an uppercut or a left hook. But we're ready for that, not only using the reach but using my footwork to maintain the distance. I think that will be a big factor in this fight."
Ultimately, Jones said, he thinks he has the right game plan to have his hand raised on Saturday night.
"My biggest goal is to be UFC light heavyweight champion," Jones said. "That's right in front of my face."
Jon Jones is continuing to make the media rounds and get treated as the Next Big Thing in the UFC -- even though it remains to be seen whether he's the UFC's next light heavyweight champion. The latest media event for Jones was a Thursday morning interview on SportsCenter, where he offered a surprisingly detailed account of his strategy for his UFC 128 bout with Shogun Rua.
Speaking with ESPN's Josh Elliott, Jones said he believes he's significantly better than Rua in the clinch, to the point where he thinks that when the two of them come together standing up, Rua won't be able to deal with him.
"I was a Greco-Roman All-American, and the clinch is such a huge part of combat sport," Jones said. "If you look at muay Thai matches, if you look at your traditional boxing, the clinch is huge. It's a natural instinct for people to clinch when they're in a bad situation. And that's one of my main strengths. My takedowns from the clinch are very powerful, my knees from the clinch are very powerful, and I think that can be a huge mismatch that I can exploit in this fight."
Jones' views on his advantages in the clinch tend to defy the conventional wisdom, which is that Rua's muay Thai background actually gives him some advantages over Jones in the clinch -- and that Jones' superior reach is what really helps him against Rua standing up. Jones addressed the reach issue as well.
"Shogun's really good with his head movement," Jones said. "I can see Shogun trying to slip punches side to side, maybe come over with a big overhand right, maybe slip in and come up with an uppercut or a left hook. But we're ready for that, not only using the reach but using my footwork to maintain the distance. I think that will be a big factor in this fight."
Ultimately, Jones said, he thinks he has the right game plan to have his hand raised on Saturday night.
"My biggest goal is to be UFC light heavyweight champion," Jones said. "That's right in front of my face."
Marshall Vows to ‘Put the Pressure’ on Cane in UFC Return
One loss is all it took for Eliot Marshall to lose his spot.
After a stint on “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 8, Marshall (Pictured) rattled off three straight Octagon victories. In his 2008 promotional debut, the light heavyweight bested former castmate Jules Bruchez at the season finale. Next, he outpointed another housemate in Vinny Magalhaes before squeaking by well-rounded wrestler Jason Brilz at UFC 109.
His next bout would mark his first UFC loss, as Marshall lost a split decision to former IFL light heavyweight king Vladimir Matyushenko. Shortly after the defeat, Marshall was released by the promotion. After racking up an Octagon record of 3-1, “The Fire” had been extinguished.
“I learned that, after the worst possible thing happens, life goes on. I was cut, and it sucked, but I moved on from it,” Marshall told Sherdog.com. “If I learned anything it’s to fight hard, go have fun and let the cards fall where they may.”
After losing his roster spot one year ago, Marshall jumped back into action that summer, running off three consecutive wins to close out 2010. Though the last victory in that stretch came for free at the now-infamous Nemesis Fighting “MMA Global Invasion” event in the Dominican Republic, Marshall still asserts that his time spent on the smaller circuit has been beneficial.
“I feel calm. I feel more mature and more confident in my skills and what I can do. I went to smaller shows and rounded my skills out against some tough guys,” said Marshall. “Some people might not think that’s much, but it’s everything. You have to go into the Octagon feeling confident and trusting in your abilities.”
Marshall now has a second chance to impress on the sport’s biggest stage, and he plans on seizing the moment. After Czech powerhouse Karlos Vemola was forced to withdraw from his UFC 128 bout with Brazilian striker Luis Artur Cane Jr., Marshall received the call for which he had been hoping.
With a four-fight deal now in place, the Grudge Training Center product is now fully focused on his bout with Cane, which goes down Saturday at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. The Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt has asserted leading up to this fight that one of the two men would win in decisive fashion, and he plans on sticking by that claim.
“I’m gonna put the pressure on him instead of letting him put the pressure on me and back me up,” said Marshall. “He’s best when he’s coming forward and pressing the action, so I can’t let him do that.”
In regard to his UFC comeback on the whole, Marshall has a new philosophy when it comes to strategy and in-cage attitude.
“I’m going to push the fight a little more. I’m not going to avoid what my opponent is good at. A lot of fighters think, ‘This guy is a great grappler, so I’m going to keep it standing.’ I think that’s the wrong approach. You have to be able to go anywhere the fight goes and you have to dictate the terms of the fight. I’m going to take the initiative and dictate the fight so my opponent is always guessing, instead of the other way around.”
One loss is all it took for Eliot Marshall to lose his spot.
After a stint on “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 8, Marshall (Pictured) rattled off three straight Octagon victories. In his 2008 promotional debut, the light heavyweight bested former castmate Jules Bruchez at the season finale. Next, he outpointed another housemate in Vinny Magalhaes before squeaking by well-rounded wrestler Jason Brilz at UFC 109.
His next bout would mark his first UFC loss, as Marshall lost a split decision to former IFL light heavyweight king Vladimir Matyushenko. Shortly after the defeat, Marshall was released by the promotion. After racking up an Octagon record of 3-1, “The Fire” had been extinguished.
“I learned that, after the worst possible thing happens, life goes on. I was cut, and it sucked, but I moved on from it,” Marshall told Sherdog.com. “If I learned anything it’s to fight hard, go have fun and let the cards fall where they may.”
After losing his roster spot one year ago, Marshall jumped back into action that summer, running off three consecutive wins to close out 2010. Though the last victory in that stretch came for free at the now-infamous Nemesis Fighting “MMA Global Invasion” event in the Dominican Republic, Marshall still asserts that his time spent on the smaller circuit has been beneficial.
“I feel calm. I feel more mature and more confident in my skills and what I can do. I went to smaller shows and rounded my skills out against some tough guys,” said Marshall. “Some people might not think that’s much, but it’s everything. You have to go into the Octagon feeling confident and trusting in your abilities.”
Marshall now has a second chance to impress on the sport’s biggest stage, and he plans on seizing the moment. After Czech powerhouse Karlos Vemola was forced to withdraw from his UFC 128 bout with Brazilian striker Luis Artur Cane Jr., Marshall received the call for which he had been hoping.
With a four-fight deal now in place, the Grudge Training Center product is now fully focused on his bout with Cane, which goes down Saturday at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. The Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt has asserted leading up to this fight that one of the two men would win in decisive fashion, and he plans on sticking by that claim.
“I’m gonna put the pressure on him instead of letting him put the pressure on me and back me up,” said Marshall. “He’s best when he’s coming forward and pressing the action, so I can’t let him do that.”
In regard to his UFC comeback on the whole, Marshall has a new philosophy when it comes to strategy and in-cage attitude.
“I’m going to push the fight a little more. I’m not going to avoid what my opponent is good at. A lot of fighters think, ‘This guy is a great grappler, so I’m going to keep it standing.’ I think that’s the wrong approach. You have to be able to go anywhere the fight goes and you have to dictate the terms of the fight. I’m going to take the initiative and dictate the fight so my opponent is always guessing, instead of the other way around.”
George Confident in ‘Anti-Jiu-Jitsu’ Against Reis
Zac George has not fought in a while, but that does not seem to bother the Team Quest product.
According to George (Pictured), who faces Wilson Reis on Saturday in the quarterfinals of the Bellator Fighting Championships Season 4 featherweight tournament, the 17 months he has spent away from the cage have actually worked to his advantage.
“I’m rolling out a new and improved version of myself this time around. I haven’t fought in a while, and it’s actually been a real blessing for me,” said George. “My performance will do all of my talking for me. Wilson seems like a really nice guy, and after the fight we can be buddies, but during the fight, I’m going to be trying to punch a hole in his face.”
The wrestler rides a six-fight winning streak into his Bellator 37 clash with Reis, which airs live on MTV2. Though his opponent sports an extensive submission pedigree, George feels he holds the key to neutralizing the Brazilian’s jiu-jitsu.
“I think I definitely want to put Wilson where he’s the weakest, and that would probably be on his feet. I’m sure it’s going to go to the ground at some point in the fight, but it’s going to be me on top, punching him and busting him up,” said George. “I know Wilson is extremely decorated in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, but I’ve tapped out a lot of black belts. I like to describe what I do as ‘anti-jiu-jitsu,’ because when you add the strikes in there, it really opens things up.”
Not surprisingly, Reis sees it a bit differently. When the featherweights square off at the Lucky Star Casino in Concho, Okla., the Brazilian believes his jiu-jitsu will reign supreme when the fight hits the floor. However, that does not mean that the former EliteXC bantamweight king is afraid of engaging in the standup.
“I definitely think I’ll have the advantage on the ground, but I’m also very confident on my feet, as well. I’m absolutely ready for anything that Zac has to bring,” said Reis. “I know there are going to be no easy fights in this tournament, so I expect for Zac to be a really tough fight, but it’s a fight I definitely expect to win.
A two-time Bellator tournament semifinalist, Reis hopes he can run the gauntlet in this third attempt in the eight-man draw. In order to claim the $100,000 in total pay and title of No. 1 contender for Joe Warren’s featherweight championship, however, he will have to first get through a powerful opponent in George.
“I’m definitely focused on winning this tournament, but I know that I’m going to have to win two fights before I get to the finals. This is just the first of those two. I’m very focused on my first fight with Zac right now,” said Reis. “I want to fight as hard as I can for Bellator because they gave me this third opportunity to come back and show the fans how good I truly am.”
Zac George has not fought in a while, but that does not seem to bother the Team Quest product.
According to George (Pictured), who faces Wilson Reis on Saturday in the quarterfinals of the Bellator Fighting Championships Season 4 featherweight tournament, the 17 months he has spent away from the cage have actually worked to his advantage.
“I’m rolling out a new and improved version of myself this time around. I haven’t fought in a while, and it’s actually been a real blessing for me,” said George. “My performance will do all of my talking for me. Wilson seems like a really nice guy, and after the fight we can be buddies, but during the fight, I’m going to be trying to punch a hole in his face.”
The wrestler rides a six-fight winning streak into his Bellator 37 clash with Reis, which airs live on MTV2. Though his opponent sports an extensive submission pedigree, George feels he holds the key to neutralizing the Brazilian’s jiu-jitsu.
“I think I definitely want to put Wilson where he’s the weakest, and that would probably be on his feet. I’m sure it’s going to go to the ground at some point in the fight, but it’s going to be me on top, punching him and busting him up,” said George. “I know Wilson is extremely decorated in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, but I’ve tapped out a lot of black belts. I like to describe what I do as ‘anti-jiu-jitsu,’ because when you add the strikes in there, it really opens things up.”
Not surprisingly, Reis sees it a bit differently. When the featherweights square off at the Lucky Star Casino in Concho, Okla., the Brazilian believes his jiu-jitsu will reign supreme when the fight hits the floor. However, that does not mean that the former EliteXC bantamweight king is afraid of engaging in the standup.
“I definitely think I’ll have the advantage on the ground, but I’m also very confident on my feet, as well. I’m absolutely ready for anything that Zac has to bring,” said Reis. “I know there are going to be no easy fights in this tournament, so I expect for Zac to be a really tough fight, but it’s a fight I definitely expect to win.
A two-time Bellator tournament semifinalist, Reis hopes he can run the gauntlet in this third attempt in the eight-man draw. In order to claim the $100,000 in total pay and title of No. 1 contender for Joe Warren’s featherweight championship, however, he will have to first get through a powerful opponent in George.
“I’m definitely focused on winning this tournament, but I know that I’m going to have to win two fights before I get to the finals. This is just the first of those two. I’m very focused on my first fight with Zac right now,” said Reis. “I want to fight as hard as I can for Bellator because they gave me this third opportunity to come back and show the fans how good I truly am.”
Escudero Returns to Mexico for April 8 Bout
Efrain Escudero will compete in his home country for the first time since winning the eighth season of “The Ultimate Fighter” when he takes on Ashe Bowman in Tijuana, Mexico, on April 8.
The lightweight contest is set to headline the debut event from Tijuana-based promotion XCage, “Predators,” which takes place at Fausto Gutierrez Moreno Municipal Auditorium. The card’s co-main event features UFC and WEC veteran Edgar Garcia taking on hometown favorite Edwin “El Tigre” Aguilar in a middleweight tilt.
Nicknamed “Hecho en Mexico” (“Made in Mexico”
, Escudero was born in the border city of San Luis Rio Colorado in 1986. The 25-year-old has fought in Mexico only once during his professional career, defeating Tommy Wagner in February 2008 to run his record to 10-0 shortly before joining the cast of “The Ultimate Fighter.”
After winning the reality show’s lightweight tournament that December with a unanimous decision against Phillipe Nover, Escudero alternated wins and losses, besting Cole Miller and Dan Lauzon, while being submitted by Evan Dunham and Charles Oliveira. Following the loss to Oliveira in September, a bout for which Escudero failed to make weight, the MMA Lab representative was released by the UFC.
Since that time, Escudero has notched back-to-back submission wins against Jeremy Larsen and Alfredo Martinez in local Arizona promotions. He is also slated to meet fellow UFC vet Fabricio Camoes on May 6 at Tachi Palace Fights 9 in Lemoore, Calif.
Bowman, 34, has not fought since December 2009 and will look to halt a three-fight losing skid. A pupil of Ken Shamrock, Bowman’s highest-profile bout came in September 2008, when he faced then-Strikeforce lightweight champion Josh Thomson in a non-title affair at the Playboy Mansion. Bowman suffered a first-round technical knockout to “The Punk,” one of only two TKO losses on his 9-8 professional ledger. Six of Bowman’s nine victories have come by way of submission.
Efrain Escudero will compete in his home country for the first time since winning the eighth season of “The Ultimate Fighter” when he takes on Ashe Bowman in Tijuana, Mexico, on April 8.
The lightweight contest is set to headline the debut event from Tijuana-based promotion XCage, “Predators,” which takes place at Fausto Gutierrez Moreno Municipal Auditorium. The card’s co-main event features UFC and WEC veteran Edgar Garcia taking on hometown favorite Edwin “El Tigre” Aguilar in a middleweight tilt.
Nicknamed “Hecho en Mexico” (“Made in Mexico”
, Escudero was born in the border city of San Luis Rio Colorado in 1986. The 25-year-old has fought in Mexico only once during his professional career, defeating Tommy Wagner in February 2008 to run his record to 10-0 shortly before joining the cast of “The Ultimate Fighter.”After winning the reality show’s lightweight tournament that December with a unanimous decision against Phillipe Nover, Escudero alternated wins and losses, besting Cole Miller and Dan Lauzon, while being submitted by Evan Dunham and Charles Oliveira. Following the loss to Oliveira in September, a bout for which Escudero failed to make weight, the MMA Lab representative was released by the UFC.
Since that time, Escudero has notched back-to-back submission wins against Jeremy Larsen and Alfredo Martinez in local Arizona promotions. He is also slated to meet fellow UFC vet Fabricio Camoes on May 6 at Tachi Palace Fights 9 in Lemoore, Calif.
Bowman, 34, has not fought since December 2009 and will look to halt a three-fight losing skid. A pupil of Ken Shamrock, Bowman’s highest-profile bout came in September 2008, when he faced then-Strikeforce lightweight champion Josh Thomson in a non-title affair at the Playboy Mansion. Bowman suffered a first-round technical knockout to “The Punk,” one of only two TKO losses on his 9-8 professional ledger. Six of Bowman’s nine victories have come by way of submission.
Urijah Faber and No. 1 ranked "butt chin" ready for UFC 128's bright lights
NEWARK, N.J. – Saturday may mark Urijah Faber's first UFC fight, but it's hardly his big-stage debut.
The former WEC champion has taken top spots on many big cards, including the record-breaking WEC 41 show in his hometown of Sacramento, Calif.
So as Faber (24-4 MMA, 0-0 UFC) readies for a UFC 128 co-headliner with fellow ex-WEC champ Eddie Wineland (18-6-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) and his second-ever pay-per-view fight, he sees it basically as business as usual.
"It's pretty similar to be honest with you," Faber said of the UFC 128 pre-event hoopla and press junkets. "I think that maybe (there are) a few more cameras, but there actually have been some pretty big fights for me where I've experienced this, so I'm used to it. Everything feels about the same."
Faber long has awaited this type of opportunity, though. When Zuffa LLC, the UFC's parent company, purchased the WEC in 2006, the little-promotion-that-could got a jolt of prominence, including a Versus broadcast deal and the muscle of the UFC's public-relations machine.
But unless Faber was on the card, WEC ratings proved nothing special. A focus on lighter weight classes brought about some of the sport's most enthralling cards, but only the hardcore fans seemed to take a keen interest in the WEC. That led to the recent UFC-WEC merger, the UFC's recent adoption of the bantamweight and featherweight classes, and Saturday's 135-pound co-headliner between Faber and Wineland.
A potential title shot and coaching spot on "The Ultimate Fighter 14" could be up for grabs at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. And though many of have written off Wineland as a mere showcase fight for Faber, "The California Kid" doesn't see it that way.
"Eddie Wineland is just tough as (UFC bantamweight champ Dominick) Cruz or (ex-champ Miguel) Torres," he said. "It comes down to how much exposure a guy has. Eddie Wineland is a guy who finishes fights. He's dangerous. He's another guy my exact same size, and he trains for a living. I'm going to have to beat him up like anyone else."
But that's not to say he agrees with Wineland, who said he'll test Faber's chin like no one else.
"This chin speaks for itself; look at this thing!" Faber joked. "It's the No. 1 search (result) on Google images for 'butt chin.' I think I'll be all right."
While Saturday's headliner between light-heavyweight champ Mauricio "Shogun" Rua and Jon Jones is thick with story lines and analysis and comparisons and subplots, Faber vs. Wineland has proven pretty straightforward.
Perhaps it's Wineland's underdog status. Or Faber's popularity and Wineland's lack of it. Or, more than likely, it's because there's no heat – real or manufactured – between the two pros.
"We're not best of friends, but he's cordial," Faber said. "I'm an honest guy. If I like someone, I have a hard time acting like I don't and vice versa. Eddie won his WEC belt (at WEC 20 in 2006) before Zuffa was even involved. He and I were right next to each in a hotel room. That was about five-plus years ago. Miguel Torres was actually in his corner coaching him. That's the first time I met any of those guys. We just clicked and have been buddies ever since. There's really no need to waste any energy acting like you're upset or wasting stupid energy.
"I like the guy, I'm going to fight him, I'm going to try to beat him up, and that's the end of the story."
NEWARK, N.J. – Saturday may mark Urijah Faber's first UFC fight, but it's hardly his big-stage debut.
The former WEC champion has taken top spots on many big cards, including the record-breaking WEC 41 show in his hometown of Sacramento, Calif.
So as Faber (24-4 MMA, 0-0 UFC) readies for a UFC 128 co-headliner with fellow ex-WEC champ Eddie Wineland (18-6-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) and his second-ever pay-per-view fight, he sees it basically as business as usual.
"It's pretty similar to be honest with you," Faber said of the UFC 128 pre-event hoopla and press junkets. "I think that maybe (there are) a few more cameras, but there actually have been some pretty big fights for me where I've experienced this, so I'm used to it. Everything feels about the same."
Faber long has awaited this type of opportunity, though. When Zuffa LLC, the UFC's parent company, purchased the WEC in 2006, the little-promotion-that-could got a jolt of prominence, including a Versus broadcast deal and the muscle of the UFC's public-relations machine.
But unless Faber was on the card, WEC ratings proved nothing special. A focus on lighter weight classes brought about some of the sport's most enthralling cards, but only the hardcore fans seemed to take a keen interest in the WEC. That led to the recent UFC-WEC merger, the UFC's recent adoption of the bantamweight and featherweight classes, and Saturday's 135-pound co-headliner between Faber and Wineland.
A potential title shot and coaching spot on "The Ultimate Fighter 14" could be up for grabs at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. And though many of have written off Wineland as a mere showcase fight for Faber, "The California Kid" doesn't see it that way.
"Eddie Wineland is just tough as (UFC bantamweight champ Dominick) Cruz or (ex-champ Miguel) Torres," he said. "It comes down to how much exposure a guy has. Eddie Wineland is a guy who finishes fights. He's dangerous. He's another guy my exact same size, and he trains for a living. I'm going to have to beat him up like anyone else."
But that's not to say he agrees with Wineland, who said he'll test Faber's chin like no one else.
"This chin speaks for itself; look at this thing!" Faber joked. "It's the No. 1 search (result) on Google images for 'butt chin.' I think I'll be all right."
While Saturday's headliner between light-heavyweight champ Mauricio "Shogun" Rua and Jon Jones is thick with story lines and analysis and comparisons and subplots, Faber vs. Wineland has proven pretty straightforward.
Perhaps it's Wineland's underdog status. Or Faber's popularity and Wineland's lack of it. Or, more than likely, it's because there's no heat – real or manufactured – between the two pros.
"We're not best of friends, but he's cordial," Faber said. "I'm an honest guy. If I like someone, I have a hard time acting like I don't and vice versa. Eddie won his WEC belt (at WEC 20 in 2006) before Zuffa was even involved. He and I were right next to each in a hotel room. That was about five-plus years ago. Miguel Torres was actually in his corner coaching him. That's the first time I met any of those guys. We just clicked and have been buddies ever since. There's really no need to waste any energy acting like you're upset or wasting stupid energy.
"I like the guy, I'm going to fight him, I'm going to try to beat him up, and that's the end of the story."
When spit happened, UFC 128's Marquardt lost all respect for Bisping
NEWARK, N.J. – Nate Marquardt is a workhorse of the UFC's middleweight division, a veteran fighter and a perennial contender.
He's polite, humble, well-spoken, hard-working and nothing if not a consummate martial artist.
So when Marquardt (30-10-2 MMA, 9-4 UFC), who meets late replacement Dan Miller (14-4 MMA, 5-3 UFC) at Saturday's UFC 128 event, recently unloaded on fellow fighter Michael Bisping and his UFC 127 antics, it carries a little more weight than the usual fighter-on-fighter bashing.
"I would love to fight that guy just to punch him in his mouth and shut him up," Marquardt said during an open workout session prior to Saturday's pay-per-view event at the Prudential Center in Newark N.J. "That'd be nice. He's an ass. He's a total punk (with) no respect. I don't like those people."
Bisping didn't exactly endear himself to fans (or fellow fighters) following a UFC 127 fight with Jorge Rivera. Granted, Rivera tweaked and poked the Brit with a series of less-than-flattering parodies and spoof videos ahead of the fight. He needled Bisping to no end. But even to a casual observer, Rivera – a 39-year-old veteran clearly trying to capitalize on perhaps his final big run – simply was trying to build interest in an otherwise ho-hum booking.
"Those are just words," Marquardt said. "They're not threats or crossing a line. Making fun of his accent? That's something I'd do to my buddy. It's not that big of a deal."
Bisping, though, didn't see it that way. He had fire in his eyes and a barrage of insults at UFC 127's pre-event press conference and weigh-ins. And after winning the fight (arguably with the help of an illegal knee that dazed Rivera), Bisping continued the grandstanding.
Then, Marquardt said, Bisping crossed a line when he spit at Rivera's cornermen.
"The crap talking – guys hyping up fights – that's one thing," Marquardt said. "Even guys who are like that naturally, I don't hold that against them. But the fact that he goes and spits on his opponent's corner, that's just so disrespectful. That's not what a martial artist does and not what a sportsman does."
Marquardt told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) it's rare for him to genuinely dislike a fellow fighter. Bisping, though, has proven an exception.
"I'd say 90, 95 percent of the time I like my opponents," he said. "But the spitting thing, it's just a couple steps too far."
Middleweight champ Anderson Silva, Chael Sonnen, Vitor Belfort and many others all have expressed a desire to fight Bisping in the wake of the UFC 127 fiasco, so a fight with Marquardt probably isn't all that likely. Besides, right now, Marquardt is simply focused on Miller, a late replacement for Yoshihiro Akiyama, who was forced off the card following a devastating earthquake and tsunami in his native Japan earlier this month.
Despite the opponent switch, Marquardt said Miller represents a solid challenge, and a win would help work him closer to that elusive second title shot.
"I believe I'm still at the top," Marquardt said. "I just need to make a few minor adjustments, and I'll be the champion."
NEWARK, N.J. – Nate Marquardt is a workhorse of the UFC's middleweight division, a veteran fighter and a perennial contender.
He's polite, humble, well-spoken, hard-working and nothing if not a consummate martial artist.
So when Marquardt (30-10-2 MMA, 9-4 UFC), who meets late replacement Dan Miller (14-4 MMA, 5-3 UFC) at Saturday's UFC 128 event, recently unloaded on fellow fighter Michael Bisping and his UFC 127 antics, it carries a little more weight than the usual fighter-on-fighter bashing.
"I would love to fight that guy just to punch him in his mouth and shut him up," Marquardt said during an open workout session prior to Saturday's pay-per-view event at the Prudential Center in Newark N.J. "That'd be nice. He's an ass. He's a total punk (with) no respect. I don't like those people."
Bisping didn't exactly endear himself to fans (or fellow fighters) following a UFC 127 fight with Jorge Rivera. Granted, Rivera tweaked and poked the Brit with a series of less-than-flattering parodies and spoof videos ahead of the fight. He needled Bisping to no end. But even to a casual observer, Rivera – a 39-year-old veteran clearly trying to capitalize on perhaps his final big run – simply was trying to build interest in an otherwise ho-hum booking.
"Those are just words," Marquardt said. "They're not threats or crossing a line. Making fun of his accent? That's something I'd do to my buddy. It's not that big of a deal."
Bisping, though, didn't see it that way. He had fire in his eyes and a barrage of insults at UFC 127's pre-event press conference and weigh-ins. And after winning the fight (arguably with the help of an illegal knee that dazed Rivera), Bisping continued the grandstanding.
Then, Marquardt said, Bisping crossed a line when he spit at Rivera's cornermen.
"The crap talking – guys hyping up fights – that's one thing," Marquardt said. "Even guys who are like that naturally, I don't hold that against them. But the fact that he goes and spits on his opponent's corner, that's just so disrespectful. That's not what a martial artist does and not what a sportsman does."
Marquardt told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) it's rare for him to genuinely dislike a fellow fighter. Bisping, though, has proven an exception.
"I'd say 90, 95 percent of the time I like my opponents," he said. "But the spitting thing, it's just a couple steps too far."
Middleweight champ Anderson Silva, Chael Sonnen, Vitor Belfort and many others all have expressed a desire to fight Bisping in the wake of the UFC 127 fiasco, so a fight with Marquardt probably isn't all that likely. Besides, right now, Marquardt is simply focused on Miller, a late replacement for Yoshihiro Akiyama, who was forced off the card following a devastating earthquake and tsunami in his native Japan earlier this month.
Despite the opponent switch, Marquardt said Miller represents a solid challenge, and a win would help work him closer to that elusive second title shot.
"I believe I'm still at the top," Marquardt said. "I just need to make a few minor adjustments, and I'll be the champion."
UFC boss says Evans up next; former champ, Jones refuse to look past "Shogun"
With a shocking amount of MMA fans and pundits treating this weekend's UFC 128 main event as a foregone conclusion, all anyone seems to ask is, "What's next for Jon Jones?"
On this week's new edition of ESPN's "MMA Live," UFC president Dana White confirmed a win for Jones (12-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) could very well earn him a bout with his teammate, Rashad Evans (15-1-1 MMA, 10-1-1 UFC).
However, both Jones and Evans, who each appeared on the show, said all the talk of training camp switches and teammate vs. teammate philosophy is entirely premature.
"Well, we've got to see what happens here," White said when asked by "MMA Live" host Jon Anik if Evans was guaranteed the next shot at the title. "We've got to see who comes out of this fight, whether they come out unscathed. If the guys are ready to roll again with no injuries, yeah, Rashad is definitely next in line."
Evans, of course, was recently at the front of the line. The former light heavyweight champion was supposed to headline this weekend's event before a knee injury forced him to withdraw from the card. In his place stepped Jones, who now challenges Mauricio "Shogun" Rua for the UFC's light heavyweight title.
Immediately following the announcement of the switch, questions surrounded Evans. Was he upset that his teammate was taking his opportunity? Would he fight Jones, a man he had long insisted he would never face in the cage? Did he feel disrespected?
Jones, of course, has faced many of the same inquiries, and he insisted he hasn't even begun to consider a possible matchup with his friend.
"Nowadays, with all this media, I realize that everyone likes to twist the words that come out of my mouth, and same with you," Jones said to Evans. "People have twisted words that come out of your mouth and try to get us to want to kill each other. So, I try not to focus on a fight with you too much and just focus on the task at hand.
"'Shogun' is a big, big opponent, and looking past him would be extremely ignorant on my part. There's a quote that I've heard recently, and I love it. It says, 'Looking past an opponent is equivalent to staring at second base when a fastball is coming right at you.' My eye is on the fastball – that fastball being Maurcio 'Shogun' Rua. When the time comes to worry about the next opponent, that's exactly what I'll do."
When asked later in the show for his reaction to White's suggestion he may be next in line, Evans was similarly noncommittal.
"I feel like Jon just needs to focus on his fight at hand," Evans said. "Me and Jon talked beforehand, and we talked about this whole situation, but I think that Jon just needs to focus on 'Shogun,' and whatever is going to happen between me and him is going to happen."
With a shocking amount of MMA fans and pundits treating this weekend's UFC 128 main event as a foregone conclusion, all anyone seems to ask is, "What's next for Jon Jones?"
On this week's new edition of ESPN's "MMA Live," UFC president Dana White confirmed a win for Jones (12-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) could very well earn him a bout with his teammate, Rashad Evans (15-1-1 MMA, 10-1-1 UFC).
However, both Jones and Evans, who each appeared on the show, said all the talk of training camp switches and teammate vs. teammate philosophy is entirely premature.
"Well, we've got to see what happens here," White said when asked by "MMA Live" host Jon Anik if Evans was guaranteed the next shot at the title. "We've got to see who comes out of this fight, whether they come out unscathed. If the guys are ready to roll again with no injuries, yeah, Rashad is definitely next in line."
Evans, of course, was recently at the front of the line. The former light heavyweight champion was supposed to headline this weekend's event before a knee injury forced him to withdraw from the card. In his place stepped Jones, who now challenges Mauricio "Shogun" Rua for the UFC's light heavyweight title.
Immediately following the announcement of the switch, questions surrounded Evans. Was he upset that his teammate was taking his opportunity? Would he fight Jones, a man he had long insisted he would never face in the cage? Did he feel disrespected?
Jones, of course, has faced many of the same inquiries, and he insisted he hasn't even begun to consider a possible matchup with his friend.
"Nowadays, with all this media, I realize that everyone likes to twist the words that come out of my mouth, and same with you," Jones said to Evans. "People have twisted words that come out of your mouth and try to get us to want to kill each other. So, I try not to focus on a fight with you too much and just focus on the task at hand.
"'Shogun' is a big, big opponent, and looking past him would be extremely ignorant on my part. There's a quote that I've heard recently, and I love it. It says, 'Looking past an opponent is equivalent to staring at second base when a fastball is coming right at you.' My eye is on the fastball – that fastball being Maurcio 'Shogun' Rua. When the time comes to worry about the next opponent, that's exactly what I'll do."
When asked later in the show for his reaction to White's suggestion he may be next in line, Evans was similarly noncommittal.
"I feel like Jon just needs to focus on his fight at hand," Evans said. "Me and Jon talked beforehand, and we talked about this whole situation, but I think that Jon just needs to focus on 'Shogun,' and whatever is going to happen between me and him is going to happen."
UFC: Maldonado will “wrestle” with Kyle on UFC
After a good debut on UFC, when he knocked out the English James McSweeney, the striker Fabio Maldonado will return to the greatest MMA event on earth, on June 4th, at TUF 13 Finale. The Brazilian will confront the American Kyle Kingsbury, who’s coming of a three-win-streak, being the last one earned with a deadly knockout in 21 seconds of fight. Maldonado believe that Kyle’s game with match his, but knows that things can change.
“I’ve like the choice, I’ve noticed he’s a striker, but each fight is unique, sometimes we think it’s a good fight for us and then we get surprised or it can go the other way around, but I liked it and I’ll wrestle with this guy. I won’t let he kick me, I’ll go for it and I intend to strike on a short distance. My idea is to make each fight a battle and let’s see if he can take it”, commented Fabio, who analyzed the American’s game. “He uses all techniques combined, he has good takedowns, but his striking is his strongest point. Let’s see if he’ll want to strike with me, because I can say beforehand I’ll go there to strike, no matter what happens, I don’t intend to take him down”, revealed Maldonado.
Without fighting since last year, the Brazilian has been training stronger and since his fight will only happen in June, he intends to slow things down to avoid injuries. “I’m feeling strong, a little better on Boxing and on the floor, so I have to take care so I don’t get hurt before the big moment. I’ll train a lot the positions and do lighter and longer trainings until the fight, so that I don’t get ready before I was supposed to. I’ll be in a good shape and prepared as I has never been in my entire life and my fans can hope the best Maldonado ever”, concluded.
After a good debut on UFC, when he knocked out the English James McSweeney, the striker Fabio Maldonado will return to the greatest MMA event on earth, on June 4th, at TUF 13 Finale. The Brazilian will confront the American Kyle Kingsbury, who’s coming of a three-win-streak, being the last one earned with a deadly knockout in 21 seconds of fight. Maldonado believe that Kyle’s game with match his, but knows that things can change.
“I’ve like the choice, I’ve noticed he’s a striker, but each fight is unique, sometimes we think it’s a good fight for us and then we get surprised or it can go the other way around, but I liked it and I’ll wrestle with this guy. I won’t let he kick me, I’ll go for it and I intend to strike on a short distance. My idea is to make each fight a battle and let’s see if he can take it”, commented Fabio, who analyzed the American’s game. “He uses all techniques combined, he has good takedowns, but his striking is his strongest point. Let’s see if he’ll want to strike with me, because I can say beforehand I’ll go there to strike, no matter what happens, I don’t intend to take him down”, revealed Maldonado.
Without fighting since last year, the Brazilian has been training stronger and since his fight will only happen in June, he intends to slow things down to avoid injuries. “I’m feeling strong, a little better on Boxing and on the floor, so I have to take care so I don’t get hurt before the big moment. I’ll train a lot the positions and do lighter and longer trainings until the fight, so that I don’t get ready before I was supposed to. I’ll be in a good shape and prepared as I has never been in my entire life and my fans can hope the best Maldonado ever”, concluded.
HUGE Shooto Card Announced For April 29th! Japan Earthquake Charity Event
Shooto promoter Sustain announced a big Japan earthquake charity Shooto event on April 29th today. The event will take place at the Tokyo Dome City Hall and is called “Shooto Tradition 2011 ~Tohoku Earthquake Charity Event~”.
In a Shooto World Featherweight title fight champion Shuichiro Katsumura will take on Cobra Kai MMA Dojo’s Koetsu Okazaki.
The Shooto World Flyweight title fight between Rambaa Somdet M16 and Junji Sarumaru that was supposed to happen at this months Shootor’s Legacy 02 event (Somdet got injured before the fight but even if he didn’t the event was cancelled because of the earthquake) will instead take place on this event.
In a Shooto Lightweight fight Rumina Sato student, Shooto Pacific Rim champion, and big up-and-comer Taiki Tsuchiya will clash with former Shooto World Lightweight champion Lion Takeshi.
Former Shooto World Welterweight champion Takashi Nakakura will enter the ring for the first time since his loss to Takanori Gomi in 2009. He will take on Cage Force Lightweight champion Kuniyoshi Hironaka.
The Shooto Bantamweight fight between Yuki Shojo and Shinpei Tahara that was supposed to take place earlier this month will instead take place on this event.
The legendary Rumina Sato will also fight at the event against a yet to be announced opponent.
Shooto Tradition 2011 ~Tohoku Earthquake Charity Event~
Date: April 29h, 2011
Place: Tokyo Dome City Hall in Tokyo, Japan
Shooto World Featherweight Title Fight
Shuichiro Katsumura vs. Koetsu Okazaki
Shooto World Flyweight Title Fight
Rambaa Somdet M16 vs. Junji Sarumaru
Shooto Single Fights
LW: Taiki Tsuchiya vs. Lion Takeshi
WW: Takashi Nakakura vs. Kuniyoshi Hironaka
BW: Yuki Shojo vs. Shinpei Tahara
Participant
Rumina Sato
Shooto promoter Sustain announced a big Japan earthquake charity Shooto event on April 29th today. The event will take place at the Tokyo Dome City Hall and is called “Shooto Tradition 2011 ~Tohoku Earthquake Charity Event~”.
In a Shooto World Featherweight title fight champion Shuichiro Katsumura will take on Cobra Kai MMA Dojo’s Koetsu Okazaki.
The Shooto World Flyweight title fight between Rambaa Somdet M16 and Junji Sarumaru that was supposed to happen at this months Shootor’s Legacy 02 event (Somdet got injured before the fight but even if he didn’t the event was cancelled because of the earthquake) will instead take place on this event.
In a Shooto Lightweight fight Rumina Sato student, Shooto Pacific Rim champion, and big up-and-comer Taiki Tsuchiya will clash with former Shooto World Lightweight champion Lion Takeshi.
Former Shooto World Welterweight champion Takashi Nakakura will enter the ring for the first time since his loss to Takanori Gomi in 2009. He will take on Cage Force Lightweight champion Kuniyoshi Hironaka.
The Shooto Bantamweight fight between Yuki Shojo and Shinpei Tahara that was supposed to take place earlier this month will instead take place on this event.
The legendary Rumina Sato will also fight at the event against a yet to be announced opponent.
Shooto Tradition 2011 ~Tohoku Earthquake Charity Event~
Date: April 29h, 2011
Place: Tokyo Dome City Hall in Tokyo, Japan
Shooto World Featherweight Title Fight
Shuichiro Katsumura vs. Koetsu Okazaki
Shooto World Flyweight Title Fight
Rambaa Somdet M16 vs. Junji Sarumaru
Shooto Single Fights
LW: Taiki Tsuchiya vs. Lion Takeshi
WW: Takashi Nakakura vs. Kuniyoshi Hironaka
BW: Yuki Shojo vs. Shinpei Tahara
Participant
Rumina Sato
UFC 128: Shogun vs. Jones Full Weigh-In Results
NEWARK – The UFC 128 weigh-ins went down in New Jersey on Friday afternoon with UFC light heavyweight champion Maurcio “Shogun” Rua and challenger Jon Jones both coming in on weight, making their title fight official for Saturday night.
FULL WEIGH IN RESULTS FOR UFC 128
PAY-PER-VIEW MAIN CARD:
MAIN EVENT: Maurcio “Shogun” Rua (205) vs. Jon “Bones” Jones (205)
Urijah Faber (135 1/2) vs. Eddie Wineland (135 1/2)
Nate Marquardt (186) vs. Dan Miller (185)
Brendan Schaub (245) vs. Mirko CroCop (229)
Jim Miller (155 1/2) vs. Kamal Shalorus (155)
SPIKE TV PRELIMS:
Eliot Marshall (205) vs. Luis Cane (205 1/2)
Anthony Njokuani (155) vs. Edson Barboza Jr. (155 1/2)
FACEBOOK PRELIMS:
Mike Pyle (171) vs. Ricardo Almeida (170)
Kurt Pellegrino (156) vs. Gleison Tibau (155)
NON-TELEVISED PRELIMS:
Joseph Benavidez (136) vs. Ian Loveland (135)
Nick Catone (194) vs. Constantinos Phillipou (195)
Erik Koch (145) vs. Raphael Assuncao (145)
NEWARK – The UFC 128 weigh-ins went down in New Jersey on Friday afternoon with UFC light heavyweight champion Maurcio “Shogun” Rua and challenger Jon Jones both coming in on weight, making their title fight official for Saturday night.
FULL WEIGH IN RESULTS FOR UFC 128
PAY-PER-VIEW MAIN CARD:
MAIN EVENT: Maurcio “Shogun” Rua (205) vs. Jon “Bones” Jones (205)
Urijah Faber (135 1/2) vs. Eddie Wineland (135 1/2)
Nate Marquardt (186) vs. Dan Miller (185)
Brendan Schaub (245) vs. Mirko CroCop (229)
Jim Miller (155 1/2) vs. Kamal Shalorus (155)
SPIKE TV PRELIMS:
Eliot Marshall (205) vs. Luis Cane (205 1/2)
Anthony Njokuani (155) vs. Edson Barboza Jr. (155 1/2)
FACEBOOK PRELIMS:
Mike Pyle (171) vs. Ricardo Almeida (170)
Kurt Pellegrino (156) vs. Gleison Tibau (155)
NON-TELEVISED PRELIMS:
Joseph Benavidez (136) vs. Ian Loveland (135)
Nick Catone (194) vs. Constantinos Phillipou (195)
Erik Koch (145) vs. Raphael Assuncao (145)