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Is Jon Jones fighting the greatest fighter of all-time in Dan Henderson?
Dan Henderson's 15 years in the 18-year-old sport of mixed martial arts render "Hendo" one of the 10 greatest mixed fighters of all-time.
As he next prepares to challenge UFC light-heavyweight champion Jon Jones – the youngest titleholder in octagon history – the question arises: Is Jones facing the greatest of all-time?
At 41 years old (perhaps 42 depending on when the title bout is officially set), Henderson enters his UFC clash for the gold against a fighter indicative of MMA's new sporting future – one who is an entire senior-prom-going teenager younger than the veteran. It's a classic title fight storyline: the decorated former champion challenging the ascendant crown-wearing dominator of the division. Weighing Henderson's accomplishments makes it all the more compelling.
Henderson's current resume boasts 10 wins over big-show champions: Carlos Newton, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Murilo Bustamante, Kazuo Misaki, Vitor Belfort, Wanderlei Silva, Rich Franklin, Rafael Cavalcante, Fedor Emelianenko and Mauricio "Shogun" Rua. That is victory against at least six future Hall of Famers plus the legendary Renzo Gracie, a yesteryear fighter before title accolades were in serious vogue. Comparatively, Anderson Silva, who's generally the current consensus greatest fighter ever, has six champions on his ledger. Georges St-Pierre has three.
The reason Silva carries that nebulous distinction is a March 2008 second-round rear-naked-choke defeat of Henderson.
That's the hang-up in calling Henderson the greatest all-time. Silva's unprecedented 14-0 run through the UFC, which includes a record nine consecutive title defenses, is a defining streak of longevity that has always eluded Henderson. After starting his career 9-0, Henderson's win column is almost entirely comprised of three- and four-fight win streaks – like the four fights he currently rides vs. Jones – interrupted by one of eight career losses.
Still, that's just eight losses in 15 years. Of the eight opponents to walk away victorious against Henderson, only Ricardo Arona (split decision) and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (armbar) have not held notable titles. Half (Wanderlei Silva, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Quinton Jackson and Anderson Silva) are surefire Hall of Famers. Henderson also holds victories over three (Misaki, Wanderlei Silva and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira) of the opponents who defeated him. However, none of the four fighters to best Anderson Silva wore a significant championship belt in his career.
Where Henderson surpasses Silva is in his divisional jumping. Like Henderson, Silva has been successful in three weight classes albeit with much less frequency. Defeating Shooto welterweight kingpin Hayato Sakurai in 2001 and former UFC light-heavyweight champion Forrest Griffin in 2008 account for his out-of-division success. Henderson, meanwhile, enjoyed the greatest victories of his career – Wanderlei Silva, "Shogun" and Emlianenko – above his natural weight of 185 pounds. A preference to fight larger combatants at light heavyweight was comically apparent in Henderson's Strikeforce title grab versus Rafael Cavalcante, a man so thickly muscled no scale should ever register him as a 205-pounder. No matter size differentials, Henderson's heavy-handed "H-Bomb" spun around "Feijao" and sent him to the mat face down.
Then there are the accolades all Henderson's own. Fighters to seize the major titles in two weight classes can be counted on one hand. Henderson is the first and only fighter to simultaneously hold two major belts, the PRIDE middleweight (205 pounds) and welterweight (183 pounds) titles. In addition to multiple titles, he is one of few to ever win two high-profile tournaments: UFC 17's middleweight-bracket victory and the following year, Rings' Kings of Kings 1999 open-weight tournament.
Crumbling the most storied heavyweight in the sport, Emelianenko, in less than five minutes further elevates Henderson's status to serious all-time greatest consideration. Not to mention arguably the second greatest heavyweight of all-time in Nogueira is also in his win column. The significance in jumping up two weight classes to best the two greatest heavyweights of the generation is a feat that cannot be understated. Recall the infamous scene in Martin Scorsese's "Raging Bull" in which the master director illustrates Jake Lamotta's pugilistic delusions by suggesting he would like to challenge heavyweight champ Joe Louis. Henderson essentially did that, and did so with his trademark toothless smile.
The case against Henderson is a 1-3 record in his most recent title bouts. Earning back-to-back UFC title shots on the strength of his historic PRIDE feat, he fell to light-heavyweight champ "Rampage" via hard-fought unanimous decision in September 2007. He then tapped out to middleweight titleholder Anderson Silva six months later. Working his way back to a No. 1 contender's bid at 185 pounds to challenge Silva once more, contract negotiations found Henderson leaving the octagon for Strikeforce, where his organizational debut was upset by middleweight champion Jake Shields. Capturing Strikeforce's 205-pound belt from Cavalcante exercised some of these demons from Henderson's past and put him on the path that scored perhaps the two greatest victories – the ones that lead him to Jones – of his Hall of Fame career versus Emelianenko and Rua, back to back.
Henderson is nearly a four-to-one underdog on the betting lines versus "Bones" Jones. If Jones' divisional dominance sustains, he can make the case he did so against the greatest fighter of all-time.
If Henderson stops Jones' ferocious title run comprised of former titleholders, there may be little controversy in calling him the greatest ever.
Dan Henderson's 15 years in the 18-year-old sport of mixed martial arts render "Hendo" one of the 10 greatest mixed fighters of all-time.
As he next prepares to challenge UFC light-heavyweight champion Jon Jones – the youngest titleholder in octagon history – the question arises: Is Jones facing the greatest of all-time?
At 41 years old (perhaps 42 depending on when the title bout is officially set), Henderson enters his UFC clash for the gold against a fighter indicative of MMA's new sporting future – one who is an entire senior-prom-going teenager younger than the veteran. It's a classic title fight storyline: the decorated former champion challenging the ascendant crown-wearing dominator of the division. Weighing Henderson's accomplishments makes it all the more compelling.
Henderson's current resume boasts 10 wins over big-show champions: Carlos Newton, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Murilo Bustamante, Kazuo Misaki, Vitor Belfort, Wanderlei Silva, Rich Franklin, Rafael Cavalcante, Fedor Emelianenko and Mauricio "Shogun" Rua. That is victory against at least six future Hall of Famers plus the legendary Renzo Gracie, a yesteryear fighter before title accolades were in serious vogue. Comparatively, Anderson Silva, who's generally the current consensus greatest fighter ever, has six champions on his ledger. Georges St-Pierre has three.
The reason Silva carries that nebulous distinction is a March 2008 second-round rear-naked-choke defeat of Henderson.
That's the hang-up in calling Henderson the greatest all-time. Silva's unprecedented 14-0 run through the UFC, which includes a record nine consecutive title defenses, is a defining streak of longevity that has always eluded Henderson. After starting his career 9-0, Henderson's win column is almost entirely comprised of three- and four-fight win streaks – like the four fights he currently rides vs. Jones – interrupted by one of eight career losses.
Still, that's just eight losses in 15 years. Of the eight opponents to walk away victorious against Henderson, only Ricardo Arona (split decision) and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (armbar) have not held notable titles. Half (Wanderlei Silva, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Quinton Jackson and Anderson Silva) are surefire Hall of Famers. Henderson also holds victories over three (Misaki, Wanderlei Silva and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira) of the opponents who defeated him. However, none of the four fighters to best Anderson Silva wore a significant championship belt in his career.
Where Henderson surpasses Silva is in his divisional jumping. Like Henderson, Silva has been successful in three weight classes albeit with much less frequency. Defeating Shooto welterweight kingpin Hayato Sakurai in 2001 and former UFC light-heavyweight champion Forrest Griffin in 2008 account for his out-of-division success. Henderson, meanwhile, enjoyed the greatest victories of his career – Wanderlei Silva, "Shogun" and Emlianenko – above his natural weight of 185 pounds. A preference to fight larger combatants at light heavyweight was comically apparent in Henderson's Strikeforce title grab versus Rafael Cavalcante, a man so thickly muscled no scale should ever register him as a 205-pounder. No matter size differentials, Henderson's heavy-handed "H-Bomb" spun around "Feijao" and sent him to the mat face down.
Then there are the accolades all Henderson's own. Fighters to seize the major titles in two weight classes can be counted on one hand. Henderson is the first and only fighter to simultaneously hold two major belts, the PRIDE middleweight (205 pounds) and welterweight (183 pounds) titles. In addition to multiple titles, he is one of few to ever win two high-profile tournaments: UFC 17's middleweight-bracket victory and the following year, Rings' Kings of Kings 1999 open-weight tournament.
Crumbling the most storied heavyweight in the sport, Emelianenko, in less than five minutes further elevates Henderson's status to serious all-time greatest consideration. Not to mention arguably the second greatest heavyweight of all-time in Nogueira is also in his win column. The significance in jumping up two weight classes to best the two greatest heavyweights of the generation is a feat that cannot be understated. Recall the infamous scene in Martin Scorsese's "Raging Bull" in which the master director illustrates Jake Lamotta's pugilistic delusions by suggesting he would like to challenge heavyweight champ Joe Louis. Henderson essentially did that, and did so with his trademark toothless smile.
The case against Henderson is a 1-3 record in his most recent title bouts. Earning back-to-back UFC title shots on the strength of his historic PRIDE feat, he fell to light-heavyweight champ "Rampage" via hard-fought unanimous decision in September 2007. He then tapped out to middleweight titleholder Anderson Silva six months later. Working his way back to a No. 1 contender's bid at 185 pounds to challenge Silva once more, contract negotiations found Henderson leaving the octagon for Strikeforce, where his organizational debut was upset by middleweight champion Jake Shields. Capturing Strikeforce's 205-pound belt from Cavalcante exercised some of these demons from Henderson's past and put him on the path that scored perhaps the two greatest victories – the ones that lead him to Jones – of his Hall of Fame career versus Emelianenko and Rua, back to back.
Henderson is nearly a four-to-one underdog on the betting lines versus "Bones" Jones. If Jones' divisional dominance sustains, he can make the case he did so against the greatest fighter of all-time.
If Henderson stops Jones' ferocious title run comprised of former titleholders, there may be little controversy in calling him the greatest ever.
'UFC Primetime' returns to FX for 'UFC 146: Dos Santos vs. Mir'
While this month's UFC 146 event may feature a shuffled lineup, that isn't stopping the UFC and FX from giving the main event 'Primetime' treatment.
In advance of their UFC 146 heavyweight title fight, UFC champ Junior Dos Santos (14-1 MMA, 8-0 UFC) and former title holder Frank Mir (16-5 MMA, 14-5 UFC) will be featured in an upcoming edition of "UFC Primetime," a three-part special that airs on FX.
The first episode airs Friday, May 11, at 11 p.m. ET, with subsequent episodes premiering in the same timeslot on May 18 and May 25.
Replays of each episode air on FUEL TV.
"UFC 146: Dos Santos vs. Mir" takes place May 26 at Las Vegas' MGM Grand Garden Arena. The night's main card airs on pay-per-view.
Dos Santos, of course, was slated to face former Strikeforce champion Alistair Overeem in the main event of UFC 146. However, a pre-fight drug test that flagged Overeem for elevated levels of testosterone left his licensing status in doubt, and UFC officials pulled him in favor of Mir.
Overeem was later denied a license to fight by the Nevada State Athletic Commission and must wait until Dec. 27 before applying again.
Mir enters the fight on the strength of a three-fight win streak. The former heavyweight champion is 8-2 in his past 10 fights and has downed Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Roy Nelson and Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic in his past three outings.
While this month's UFC 146 event may feature a shuffled lineup, that isn't stopping the UFC and FX from giving the main event 'Primetime' treatment.
In advance of their UFC 146 heavyweight title fight, UFC champ Junior Dos Santos (14-1 MMA, 8-0 UFC) and former title holder Frank Mir (16-5 MMA, 14-5 UFC) will be featured in an upcoming edition of "UFC Primetime," a three-part special that airs on FX.
The first episode airs Friday, May 11, at 11 p.m. ET, with subsequent episodes premiering in the same timeslot on May 18 and May 25.
Replays of each episode air on FUEL TV.
"UFC 146: Dos Santos vs. Mir" takes place May 26 at Las Vegas' MGM Grand Garden Arena. The night's main card airs on pay-per-view.
Dos Santos, of course, was slated to face former Strikeforce champion Alistair Overeem in the main event of UFC 146. However, a pre-fight drug test that flagged Overeem for elevated levels of testosterone left his licensing status in doubt, and UFC officials pulled him in favor of Mir.
Overeem was later denied a license to fight by the Nevada State Athletic Commission and must wait until Dec. 27 before applying again.
Mir enters the fight on the strength of a three-fight win streak. The former heavyweight champion is 8-2 in his past 10 fights and has downed Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Roy Nelson and Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic in his past three outings.
Ross Pearson arrested in Las Vegas for suspicion of DUI
"The Ultimate Fighter 9" winner Ross Pearson (13-5 MMA, 5-2 UFC) was arrested in Las Vegas early Sunday morning under suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol.
Pearson's arrest was first reported by TMZ.com, and MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) subsequently confirmed the incident with Las Vegas authorities.
Pearson was arrested and transported to Clark County Detention Center after officers observed erratic driving, citing his inability to maintain a travel lane as their reason for pulling him over.
A field sobriety test was issued, and Pearson was subsequently arrested.
The British featherweight is currently in Las Vegas to assist UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz with his coaching duties on "The Ultimate Fighter: Live."
Pearson, who was released later the same day of his arrest, has yet to comment on the matter.
Pearson is currently scheduled to fight Cub Swanson on June 22 at UFC on FX 4, marking his second bout as a featherweight. The former lightweight was 4-2 in the octagon before electing to drop to 145 pounds. In his first appearance at the weight, he earned a UFC 141 win over Junior Assuncao. Prior to the move, Pearson had gone just 1-2 in three bouts, slipping a win over Spencer Fisher in between losses to Edson Barboza and Cole Miller.
"The Ultimate Fighter 9" winner Ross Pearson (13-5 MMA, 5-2 UFC) was arrested in Las Vegas early Sunday morning under suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol.
Pearson's arrest was first reported by TMZ.com, and MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) subsequently confirmed the incident with Las Vegas authorities.
Pearson was arrested and transported to Clark County Detention Center after officers observed erratic driving, citing his inability to maintain a travel lane as their reason for pulling him over.
A field sobriety test was issued, and Pearson was subsequently arrested.
The British featherweight is currently in Las Vegas to assist UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz with his coaching duties on "The Ultimate Fighter: Live."
Pearson, who was released later the same day of his arrest, has yet to comment on the matter.
Pearson is currently scheduled to fight Cub Swanson on June 22 at UFC on FX 4, marking his second bout as a featherweight. The former lightweight was 4-2 in the octagon before electing to drop to 145 pounds. In his first appearance at the weight, he earned a UFC 141 win over Junior Assuncao. Prior to the move, Pearson had gone just 1-2 in three bouts, slipping a win over Spencer Fisher in between losses to Edson Barboza and Cole Miller.
UFC boss says title shots on line for Diaz, Hendricks, perhaps not for Miller, Kosche
UFC president Dana White said there's a potential he may grant two title shots following Saturday's UFC on FOX 3 event, but he might not grant any.
While main-card bouts of Nate Diaz (15-7 MMA, 9-5 UFC) vs. Jim Miller (21-3 MMA, 12-2 UFC) and Johny Hendricks (12-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) vs. Josh Koscheck (17-5 MMA, 15-5 UFC) have been discussed as de facto No. 1 contender fights, White today said that's not exactly true.
Similar to the UFC on FOX 2 meeting between Rashad Evans and Phil Davis, White said Saturday's two headlining fights each have title implications – just not necessarily for the fighters on both sides of the octagon.
"We're in one of those situations we were in before with Davis and Evans." White told "USA Today's" Sergio Non. "Should Diaz win, Diaz is definitely getting the title shot. Should Miller win, Miller's probably going to be a fight or two away."
White confirmed the co-feature contestants find themselves in a similar situation with Hendricks bidding for a shot at the belt but onetime title challenger Koscheck not quite yet in the championship picture.
UFC on FOX 3 takes place Saturday at IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. The evening's main card airs on FOX.
Diaz enters the bout after back-to-back career bests, flashing moments of absolute domination in wins over Donald Cerrone and Takanori Gomi. The 26-year-old is just 4-2 in his past six fights, but with five "Fight of the Night" bonuses under his belt, he's a must-watch competitor and may very well work his way into title contention with a win.
Meanwhile, Miller looks to build on the strength of his impressive submission win over Melvin Guillard at this past weekend's UFC on FX 1 event. Miller was decisioned by Ben Henderson in a bid for a shot at the lightweight title, but he's still 9-1 in his past 10 fights and extremely relevant in the 155-pound title picture.
While UFC officials have yet to make an official announcement, the lightweight title is expected to next be contested on Aug. 11 at UFC 150.
Koscheck returns after narrowly edging Mike Pierce at this past weekend's UFC 143 event via split decision. Koscheck, who recently split from his longtime home at American Kickboxing Academy, admitted he didn't take the fight as serious as past encounters but will now compete in a contest that has real title implications.
Meanwhile, Hendricks fights for the first time since earning a stunning 12-second knockout of Jon Fitch at December's UFC 141 event. The once-beaten former collegiate wrestling stud now boasts a three-fight win streak and is 7-1 in eight octagon contests.
The UFC's welterweight division currently boasts two champions with interim titleholder earning a belt with division kingpin Georges St-Pierre sidelined due to injury. Those two are expected to unify the belts in late 2012.
UFC president Dana White said there's a potential he may grant two title shots following Saturday's UFC on FOX 3 event, but he might not grant any.
While main-card bouts of Nate Diaz (15-7 MMA, 9-5 UFC) vs. Jim Miller (21-3 MMA, 12-2 UFC) and Johny Hendricks (12-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC) vs. Josh Koscheck (17-5 MMA, 15-5 UFC) have been discussed as de facto No. 1 contender fights, White today said that's not exactly true.
Similar to the UFC on FOX 2 meeting between Rashad Evans and Phil Davis, White said Saturday's two headlining fights each have title implications – just not necessarily for the fighters on both sides of the octagon.
"We're in one of those situations we were in before with Davis and Evans." White told "USA Today's" Sergio Non. "Should Diaz win, Diaz is definitely getting the title shot. Should Miller win, Miller's probably going to be a fight or two away."
White confirmed the co-feature contestants find themselves in a similar situation with Hendricks bidding for a shot at the belt but onetime title challenger Koscheck not quite yet in the championship picture.
UFC on FOX 3 takes place Saturday at IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. The evening's main card airs on FOX.
Diaz enters the bout after back-to-back career bests, flashing moments of absolute domination in wins over Donald Cerrone and Takanori Gomi. The 26-year-old is just 4-2 in his past six fights, but with five "Fight of the Night" bonuses under his belt, he's a must-watch competitor and may very well work his way into title contention with a win.
Meanwhile, Miller looks to build on the strength of his impressive submission win over Melvin Guillard at this past weekend's UFC on FX 1 event. Miller was decisioned by Ben Henderson in a bid for a shot at the lightweight title, but he's still 9-1 in his past 10 fights and extremely relevant in the 155-pound title picture.
While UFC officials have yet to make an official announcement, the lightweight title is expected to next be contested on Aug. 11 at UFC 150.
Koscheck returns after narrowly edging Mike Pierce at this past weekend's UFC 143 event via split decision. Koscheck, who recently split from his longtime home at American Kickboxing Academy, admitted he didn't take the fight as serious as past encounters but will now compete in a contest that has real title implications.
Meanwhile, Hendricks fights for the first time since earning a stunning 12-second knockout of Jon Fitch at December's UFC 141 event. The once-beaten former collegiate wrestling stud now boasts a three-fight win streak and is 7-1 in eight octagon contests.
The UFC's welterweight division currently boasts two champions with interim titleholder earning a belt with division kingpin Georges St-Pierre sidelined due to injury. Those two are expected to unify the belts in late 2012.
New Jersey approves Nick Diaz for UFC on FOX 3 second's license
NEW YORK CITY – A temporary suspension in Nevada has not prevented Nick Diaz from obtaining a second's (cornerman's) license in New Jersey.
Diaz was approved this past week to corner his younger brother, Nate Diaz, in the main event of UFC on FOX 3, which takes place Saturday at IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J.
"Had [the suspension] been finalized, we may have looked at it differently," New Jersey State Athletic Control Board legal counsel Nick Lembo today told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com). "But at this point, the matter is under review."
The Nevada State Athletic Commission issued a temporary suspension to Diaz shortly after he tested positive for marijuana metabolites following a decision loss to Carlos Condit at UFC 143 in February.
Since then, the Diaz camp and Nevada attorney general have gone back and forth on the merits of the suspension while Diaz has readied himself to compete in a grappling match on May 12 in Long Beach, Calif. He recently said he's retired from the sport of MMA.
This past week, the Diaz camp made its boldest move yet when it sued the NSAC and claimed the fighter was denied due process. A hearing on the suspension and a request from the Diaz's camp to drop the disciplinary action is set for May 14 in Las Vegas.
Nate Diaz said on Wednesday that his brother would be among those cornering him but that trainer/manager Cesar Gracie would be on standby in the event Nick didn't make it.
Gracie was unavailable for comment when contacted today by MMAjunkie.com.
NEW YORK CITY – A temporary suspension in Nevada has not prevented Nick Diaz from obtaining a second's (cornerman's) license in New Jersey.
Diaz was approved this past week to corner his younger brother, Nate Diaz, in the main event of UFC on FOX 3, which takes place Saturday at IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J.
"Had [the suspension] been finalized, we may have looked at it differently," New Jersey State Athletic Control Board legal counsel Nick Lembo today told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com). "But at this point, the matter is under review."
The Nevada State Athletic Commission issued a temporary suspension to Diaz shortly after he tested positive for marijuana metabolites following a decision loss to Carlos Condit at UFC 143 in February.
Since then, the Diaz camp and Nevada attorney general have gone back and forth on the merits of the suspension while Diaz has readied himself to compete in a grappling match on May 12 in Long Beach, Calif. He recently said he's retired from the sport of MMA.
This past week, the Diaz camp made its boldest move yet when it sued the NSAC and claimed the fighter was denied due process. A hearing on the suspension and a request from the Diaz's camp to drop the disciplinary action is set for May 14 in Las Vegas.
Nate Diaz said on Wednesday that his brother would be among those cornering him but that trainer/manager Cesar Gracie would be on standby in the event Nick didn't make it.
Gracie was unavailable for comment when contacted today by MMAjunkie.com.
Sergio Pettis, 18, thinks move to UFC could be just a few fights away
You may know the name, even if you don't know the fighter.
But teenage MMA prospect Sergio Pettis believes he could be just a couple away fights away from joining big brother and former WEC champion Anthony Pettis under the bright lights of the UFC.
"I'm thinking like two or three more fights maybe, but I don't want to go into the UFC not fully prepared," he told MMAjunkie.com Radio (www.mmajunkie.com/radio). "I don't want to look like a slouch. I want to look like a Jon Jones of my division.
"I want to come in confident. People are going to be amazed at what I can throw. I'm taking my time. I'm young. A have a lot of time ahead. But we'll see what Duke says."
"Duke," of course, is veteran trainer Duke Roufus. He's also a fight promoter, and on Friday, Pettis (3-0) drops from bantamweight to flyweight for his co-headliner with Chris Haney (3-3) at "NAFC: Colosseum" at Potawatomi Bingo Casino in Milwaukee.
Pettis, whose friends are too young to even get into the event, first began training with Roufus as a 14-year-old, and he fought as an amateur through high school. After two years on the high-school wrestling team – where he wrestled as heavy as 145 pounds and as light as 135 – he focused his efforts on MMA.
Looking back, he missed a lot a lot of the high-school experience because of training and his burgeoning fight career. However, now possibly on the verge of a big-show contract, he'd do it all over again.
"I don't regret any decisions I made in high school," he said. "All the teachers supported it. A couple come to my fights and support me. But a lot of them had their opinions and said it was dangerous and they didn't want me ruining my pretty face."
So, the younger Pettis has game? He had the hot history teacher rooting him on?
"Nah, the hot Spanish teacher," he joked.
Pettis made his amateur debut three years ago (before he could drive), and his pro debut came this past September. The experience level of his opponents has increased with each fight, and most recently, he submitted 28-fight vet Mike Lindquist for his third stoppage win as a pro.
Obviously, everything is new, and he's still finding his place in the sport. But when he heard earlier this year that the UFC had launched a 125-pound flyweight division, it became his focus.
Admittedly, it hasn't been easy. He's had a strict diet for the first time. He expects his final weight cut to be grueling. And as an 18-year-old, he knows there's always the possibility of a growth sport (one just like his brother got after high school) that could derail his flyweight plans.
"I'm trying to get down to 125 for the first, so it's kind of hard," he said. "They just opened the division in the UFC, so we made the decision to cut to 125. It could be permanent, or I could jump back if I get taller."
"But for the day of weigh-ins, it's going to suck horrible. I'm going to be pretty crabby."
However, any level of success could set the groundwork for big things. His last name gives him the type of instant credibility fighters can't buy. His affiliation with Roufusport MMA speaks to his professionalism. His age could provide a lucrative marketing opportunity for a promoter such as the UFC.
Now, he just needs to prove he can put it all together – and that the constant comparisons to Anthony are warranted.
"I don't mind [the comparisons]," he said. "A lot of people expect me to jump off cages and do all these spin kicks like him. I'm a little different than Anthony. I think people would say I'm more passive, you'd say. But I think it's because in my first few fights, I didn't let it all go as much I wanted.
"But in this fight, I'm going to show the world I can do those tricks too and just have fun in there."
You may know the name, even if you don't know the fighter.
But teenage MMA prospect Sergio Pettis believes he could be just a couple away fights away from joining big brother and former WEC champion Anthony Pettis under the bright lights of the UFC.
"I'm thinking like two or three more fights maybe, but I don't want to go into the UFC not fully prepared," he told MMAjunkie.com Radio (www.mmajunkie.com/radio). "I don't want to look like a slouch. I want to look like a Jon Jones of my division.
"I want to come in confident. People are going to be amazed at what I can throw. I'm taking my time. I'm young. A have a lot of time ahead. But we'll see what Duke says."
"Duke," of course, is veteran trainer Duke Roufus. He's also a fight promoter, and on Friday, Pettis (3-0) drops from bantamweight to flyweight for his co-headliner with Chris Haney (3-3) at "NAFC: Colosseum" at Potawatomi Bingo Casino in Milwaukee.
Pettis, whose friends are too young to even get into the event, first began training with Roufus as a 14-year-old, and he fought as an amateur through high school. After two years on the high-school wrestling team – where he wrestled as heavy as 145 pounds and as light as 135 – he focused his efforts on MMA.
Looking back, he missed a lot a lot of the high-school experience because of training and his burgeoning fight career. However, now possibly on the verge of a big-show contract, he'd do it all over again.
"I don't regret any decisions I made in high school," he said. "All the teachers supported it. A couple come to my fights and support me. But a lot of them had their opinions and said it was dangerous and they didn't want me ruining my pretty face."
So, the younger Pettis has game? He had the hot history teacher rooting him on?
"Nah, the hot Spanish teacher," he joked.
Pettis made his amateur debut three years ago (before he could drive), and his pro debut came this past September. The experience level of his opponents has increased with each fight, and most recently, he submitted 28-fight vet Mike Lindquist for his third stoppage win as a pro.
Obviously, everything is new, and he's still finding his place in the sport. But when he heard earlier this year that the UFC had launched a 125-pound flyweight division, it became his focus.
Admittedly, it hasn't been easy. He's had a strict diet for the first time. He expects his final weight cut to be grueling. And as an 18-year-old, he knows there's always the possibility of a growth sport (one just like his brother got after high school) that could derail his flyweight plans.
"I'm trying to get down to 125 for the first, so it's kind of hard," he said. "They just opened the division in the UFC, so we made the decision to cut to 125. It could be permanent, or I could jump back if I get taller."
"But for the day of weigh-ins, it's going to suck horrible. I'm going to be pretty crabby."
However, any level of success could set the groundwork for big things. His last name gives him the type of instant credibility fighters can't buy. His affiliation with Roufusport MMA speaks to his professionalism. His age could provide a lucrative marketing opportunity for a promoter such as the UFC.
Now, he just needs to prove he can put it all together – and that the constant comparisons to Anthony are warranted.
"I don't mind [the comparisons]," he said. "A lot of people expect me to jump off cages and do all these spin kicks like him. I'm a little different than Anthony. I think people would say I'm more passive, you'd say. But I think it's because in my first few fights, I didn't let it all go as much I wanted.
"But in this fight, I'm going to show the world I can do those tricks too and just have fun in there."
White: Penn declined Strikeforce's Melendez but eyeing UFC return at 170 pounds
NEW YORK CITY – So it turns out there was something to those rumblings of Gilbert Melendez (20-2 MMA, 10-1 SF) vs. B.J. Penn (16-8-2 MMA, 12-7-2 UFC) for the Strikeforce lightweight title, after all.
Following today's pre-UFC on FOX 3 press conference in New York City, White revealed he tried to put the fight together but was rebuffed by Penn, ultimately leading to Melendez vs. Josh Thomson III on May 19.
White said Penn simply wasn't up for a fight at that time, though things have since changed. The UFC boss said Penn could be back sooner rather than later, and it will be at 170 pounds.
"I tried to do [Melendez vs. Penn], but it was at the time when B.J. was like, 'Yeah, I'm not fighting for a while,'" White told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com).
"In October, former UFC champion Penn suffered a one-sided loss to Nick Diaz, prompting "The Prodigy" to call it quits at the conclusion of the fight. Penn has yet to publicly commit to another fight, but as he did less than two weeks ago, White insists things are different behind the scenes.
"He wants to come back," White said of Penn.
While most MMA pundits believe Penn, who has held titles at both 155 pounds and 170 pounds, is best suited for the lightweight division, White said Penn will make his return at welterweight.
"I'm done with telling him where to go as far as weight goes," White said. "The guy's handled himself in both weight divisions, and if he wants to come back at 170 – plus you get to an age where cutting down to 155 just doesn't make sense anymore."
When that return could happen is still anyone's guess, but the UFC boss said Penn will ultimately make that call. In a sport where mental focus and commitment is often as important as physical preparation, White said he refuses to rush anyone back to action until he's 100 percent certain it's the right time.
"Whenever he's ready," White said. "That's up to him. Whenever he's ready. I don't ever push guys. Guys know when they're ready. Guys know when they want to come back.
"This isn't a sport where you can just say, 'I know your head isn't in it right now, but get back over here and fight.' This isn't that kind of sport. Guys let me know when they're ready to fight."
Meanwhile, Melendez's next chance at fighting a UFC athlete doesn't appear any closer. With the relationship between White and Strikeforce's broadcast partners at Showtime nearly nonexistent, he's less-than-optimistic that a peaceful coexistence will provide for any cross-promotional opportunities.
"Gilbert Melendez is a Strikeforce fighter," White said. "He's been great in dealing with it. He wants to come over here, and he wants to challenge himself against the best, and I know a lot of other people want to see it, too, but he's in that Strikeforce deal.
"The thing that sucks for Gilbert and that's disappointing is that I was 100 percent fired up and gung ho to go over there and work on Strikeforce. The whole thing fell apart. I know he's bummed out about, and other people are, too, but it is what it is. It just didn't work out."
NEW YORK CITY – So it turns out there was something to those rumblings of Gilbert Melendez (20-2 MMA, 10-1 SF) vs. B.J. Penn (16-8-2 MMA, 12-7-2 UFC) for the Strikeforce lightweight title, after all.
Following today's pre-UFC on FOX 3 press conference in New York City, White revealed he tried to put the fight together but was rebuffed by Penn, ultimately leading to Melendez vs. Josh Thomson III on May 19.
White said Penn simply wasn't up for a fight at that time, though things have since changed. The UFC boss said Penn could be back sooner rather than later, and it will be at 170 pounds.
"I tried to do [Melendez vs. Penn], but it was at the time when B.J. was like, 'Yeah, I'm not fighting for a while,'" White told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com).
"In October, former UFC champion Penn suffered a one-sided loss to Nick Diaz, prompting "The Prodigy" to call it quits at the conclusion of the fight. Penn has yet to publicly commit to another fight, but as he did less than two weeks ago, White insists things are different behind the scenes.
"He wants to come back," White said of Penn.
While most MMA pundits believe Penn, who has held titles at both 155 pounds and 170 pounds, is best suited for the lightweight division, White said Penn will make his return at welterweight.
"I'm done with telling him where to go as far as weight goes," White said. "The guy's handled himself in both weight divisions, and if he wants to come back at 170 – plus you get to an age where cutting down to 155 just doesn't make sense anymore."
When that return could happen is still anyone's guess, but the UFC boss said Penn will ultimately make that call. In a sport where mental focus and commitment is often as important as physical preparation, White said he refuses to rush anyone back to action until he's 100 percent certain it's the right time.
"Whenever he's ready," White said. "That's up to him. Whenever he's ready. I don't ever push guys. Guys know when they're ready. Guys know when they want to come back.
"This isn't a sport where you can just say, 'I know your head isn't in it right now, but get back over here and fight.' This isn't that kind of sport. Guys let me know when they're ready to fight."
Meanwhile, Melendez's next chance at fighting a UFC athlete doesn't appear any closer. With the relationship between White and Strikeforce's broadcast partners at Showtime nearly nonexistent, he's less-than-optimistic that a peaceful coexistence will provide for any cross-promotional opportunities.
"Gilbert Melendez is a Strikeforce fighter," White said. "He's been great in dealing with it. He wants to come over here, and he wants to challenge himself against the best, and I know a lot of other people want to see it, too, but he's in that Strikeforce deal.
"The thing that sucks for Gilbert and that's disappointing is that I was 100 percent fired up and gung ho to go over there and work on Strikeforce. The whole thing fell apart. I know he's bummed out about, and other people are, too, but it is what it is. It just didn't work out."
UFC 148's Sonnen understands if 'fake Brazilian' Silva unhappy with venue change
LAS VEGAS – For months, it seemed one of the most-anticiapted rematches in UFC history would take place in front of 80,000 screaming Brazilians.
Instead, when the UFC was unable to secure a suitable Brazilian venue for Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen II, the company moved the fight to Las Vegas, where it now serves as the headlining bout for UFC 148, which takes place July 7 at MGM Grand Garden Arena.
While Sonnen (27-11-1 MMA, 6-4 UFC) will no longer find himself entering the proverbial lion's den, he admits he's a little disappointed he'll miss out on being a part of such a historic event. As for Silva (31-4 MMA, 14-0 UFC), Sonnen believes he has a right to be upset, even if he is a "fake Brazilian," just like his countrymen Wanderlei Silva and Vitor Belfort.
"I don't know that I fault him," Sonnen told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com). "He was told he would get a fight in Brazil. He, like Wanderlei and like Vitor, pretend to people they're from Brazil, even though they left over a decade ago. Vitor and Wanderlei live in gated communities in Las Vegas. Wanderlei drives an Aston Martin, OK? He lives in an American home and drives a $200,000 car made in England. That's how loyal he is to Brazil. He claims Brazil when it's convenient, kind of like Vitor. Vitor was born in Rio and goes on – quoting here – to vacation to Rio. A vacation to his hometown. That's how long he's been gone form there. These guys are Brazilian when it's convenient – when they go back and take Brazil's money back to America.
"It's just like Anderson. He pretends he's from Brazil. He pretends he can't even speak the language, at times. Of course, he bought a $2 million mansion in Beverly Hills out of money he made in North America. The point that I'm getting at, these fake Brazilians – that when it's convenient claim that country – he wants to fight there? Fine. I get it. He was told the fight was going to be there. So if he's upset it got moved back to the country that made him famous and rich, that's up to him. I get it."
Strong words from Sonnen, who rarely limits himself when addressing the man he nearly beat at UFC 117 in August 2010. Sonnen reinvented himself in the months leading up to the fight, channeling his inner pro wrestler and bringing trashtalk to a level rarely seen in MMA. He nearly delivered on all of his guarantees, grinding "The Spider" down for four-and-a-half rounds before succumbing to a triangle choke with less than two minutes left in the fight.
Sonnen has kept his sights on the champion since that time, defeating Brian Stann and Michael Bisping en route to earning a second shot at the belt. He's continued to take shots at Silva (and Brazilians) along the way. So intense has the rivalry become, many MMA observers began to even question whether the UFC could guarantee Sonnen's safety in Brazil. The company did so during a recent press conference in Rio de Janeiro, but UFC president Dana White today admitted it wasn't easy.
"It's not fun taking Chael to Brazil," White said. "I'm not a big fan of that. I was actually very confident (when) we did the big stadium – we'll pull this thing off. We'll bring Chael down there. I didn't think Chael was going to say the type of [expletive] he was going to say down there. It's one thing when you're sitting in your living room in America and you say crazy [expletive] like that, but I can tell you that was one of the most surreal press conferences I've ever been in.
"I joke about it, saying we would have to dig a hole under the octagon to get him out of there, but now I'm starting to believe it. It's crazy."
But all the questions will be answered on July 7. And while a recent bitter feud between Jon Jones and Rashad Evans seemed to dissipate a bit as the fight date approached, the Silva-Sonnen rivalry appears as strong as ever. Sonnen knows this may be his last chance to unseat the 37-year-old pound-for-pound kingpin, and he's guaranteeing success.
"He ducked me for six years," Sonnen said. "For six years I called him out. There's no way around that. There's no two ways around that. You can go on the Internet and find it with me poking my finger in his chest. If anybody poked their finger in my chest for a fight, they'd be fighting me right then.
"He ducked me for six years. He had other business. He had to fight a one-legged Canadian named Cote. He had to fight the amazing Thales Leites. He had to go to England to take on the undersized, dangerous Lee Murray. He was busy in Japan with Ryo Chonan. He didn't have any time for the gangster from West Linn, Oregon, Chael P. Sonnen. He still doesn't have time.
"He's not agreeing to this fight. He's fighting because Dana is making him fight. I am a volunteer army. I wasn't drafted for this position. I have volunteered for this position. I have begged for this position. I just know one thing: On July 7, Bruce Buffer will announce, 'And still undefeated and still undisputed and still named Chael P. Sonnen.'"
Sonnen's answers were part of a Wednesday night media session in Las Vegas, where he touched on a number of topics in relation to UFC 148. Additional excerpts from the conversation are below.
* * * * *
MMAjunkie.com: What are your thoughts on the card moving to Las Vegas? Do you see it as any advantage at all in not having to fight in Brazil?
Chael Sonnen: I would prefer to not have to travel. But you never factor that stuff in because you can't control it. You try not to think of anything that's out of your control. And the bottom line is the octagon is the octagon. I don't want to travel. He doesn't want to travel. One of us have to. He did it the first time. It's only fair that I return the favor out of sportsmanship. They moved the fight to Las Vegas, now we both have to travel. We've both got to get on a plane and go to Vegas. That's just the way it goes.
MMAjunkie.com: Is there any part of you that's disappointed that you don't get to travel to Anderson's home country, play the bad guy and take on that challenge?
Sonnen: The only thing I liked about the opportunity of Brazil was that it was an 80,000-seat venue. St-Pierre and Shields had set the record in Toronto with 55,000 seats. If you have a chance to be part of history, you don't want to miss those opportunities. So if we're going to do a stadium, and that's where the opportunity is, then let's do it there. That was disappointing. But geez, I'd hate to be a professional athlete and complain about anything. I'd hate for someone to see this and think we're sitting here complaining when we get to do what our childhood dreams are. That's not my intent.
Adam Hill, Las Vegas Review-Journal: There were a lot of questions about whether or not you would be safe in Brazil. Did you ever feel it would be a risk to go down there?
Sonnen: Of course it's a risk to go to Brazil. It's a risk to go to Las Vegas, though. I was in Chicago for my last fight, and this guy asked me that about going to Brazil. I said, 'Yes, there's a threat to go to Brazil, but you might want to check your local paper. You guys aren't a haven for civility. You're in Chicago. I wouldn't let my mother or girlfriend just roam around.' I don't know that there's anything added because it's in Brazil. I don't do anything, anyway. I sit in my room, and I walk to the venue. But sure.
I feel like sometimes people want me to deny that or something, or that as a fighter you're supposed to be like, 'I'm never scared of anything.' I'm just a person. I have every human emotion from fear to sad to happy to excited. I experience them all. When a fighter comes out and pretends, yeah, he's not scared, that's playground talk. That's talk that you do when you're a little kid. Whoever talks the toughest is the toughest when you're a little kid. I don't care whether you're scared, happy or sad. When my music hits those speakers, I will make that walk.
Rafael Hernandez, El Octagono: Do you think a lot about your first fight with Anderson? You were the first person that basically whipped his butt for four-and-a-half rounds, then you were submitted. Do you think a lot about that fight?
Sonnen: Unfortunately, that wasn't the first endeavor that I've set out to that I've failed at. I had matches from the time I was a kid in wrestling that I worked so hard for and were so important, and I blew it. So unfortunately, I've been through that before. I've dealt with not getting what you want and having to walk out with your head up anyway. That's just part of what we do. We have horrible odds in this sport. You have a 50 percent chance of failure in this business. That's very bad odds, but that's just the deal, and we've all got to face it, and we've all got to walk out there and do our best anyway. I do think about it.
Dave Sholler, UFC: You have quickly become a part of one of those most heated rivalries in MMA history. What are your thought on the evolution of rivalries in this sport such as Dominick Cruz vs. Urijah Faber and Rashad Evans vs. Jon Jones?
Sonnen: I've got a lot of thoughts. I get faced with, 'How are you going to handle this? You lost your last fight. You've got to come back.' Dominick Cruz just did that. Urijah Faber choked him out. I was there for that fight live. Boom, he came back and won the second match. It was such a tight fight. … So when this trilogy got announced, as a fan, it was like, 'Oh, thank goodness. I didn't know we'd get to see this.' As far as Evans and Jones goes, that was a great fight, and I don't see who the loser was. You've got the two best guys. And for me going into that fight, if Jones get cleaned up, he's still a badass. If Evans gets cleaned up, he's still the man. For me, there wasn't going to be a loser. Let's find out who's ahead of the other one, but these are such good guys, and sometimes you'l;l have rankings and a the No. 2 gets beat by the No. 1 guy, and he falls to No. 9. How does that work? So for me, it's still Jones and Rashad. Then Dan Henderson makes his claim in there and some other guys.
I like it. At the end of the day, we don't have to get along. Everybody in every walk of life has somebody in the office they'd like to beat up. All of them. They talk about it. They go home, and they go, 'Oh, this guy's driving me crazy. I wish I could smack him. In our field, we can. Some of these guys come in there and talk about their respect and all this stuff. That's a bunch of crap. You hear about the history of the martial arts. Where did you get a history of the martial arts from? Hollywood? Besides the UFC, there is nothing to condition us or educate us on the martial arts besides what you saw in Hollywood. This is a fistfight in a steel cage. I'm not going to apologize to my opponent. And if I like him or I don't like him, we're still going to go out and compete hard to find out who's the best. It's a mutually exclusive term. Only one guy can be champion, period.
Lance Pugmire, Los Angeles Times: Do you wish you could get more of an interaction with Anderson similar to how Dominick Cruz and Urijah Faber are able to interact during the buildup to their fight?
Sonnen: Maybe. Sometimes it's awkward when you're with a guy. Sometimes that's a little bit hard. Cruz and Faber have known each other for a long time, and people forget these guys have done work multiple times. A lot of fans lose sight of that because the WEC often gets forgot. But this is a trilogy. This is a tremendous fight. This is what history gets written about – when the two best guys meet up for the second and third time. I'm so envious of their spot. I think it's just awesome.
As far as Anderson, he's one of these guys. For me, he's very funny. He wants to come out. He wants to pretend certain things. He wants to pretend you're friends. He wants to talk about friendship to avoid fights. He does that to avoid fights. He's not in it for friendship or respect. He's in it for the money. That's it. You take the money out of it, you take Anderson Silva out of it. He's a fake. Some of these guys think it's respectful to bow to your face and put a knife in your back when you turn around. I will tell you to your face that when you turn around, I'm going to put a knife in your back.
Rafael Hernandez, El Octagono: Have you considered brushing up on your Portuguese or getting a translator so you can find out exactly what Anderson Silva is saying? Usually when they get translated, there's always words getting thrown in or words getting taken out.
Sonnen: It happens. Ed Soares tries to get involved. Look, Ed Soares is not in the UFC. He's never been in the UFC. He's never been paid by the UFC. He never will be. Somehow, this guy has got himself in the UFC video game. That's what a great job Ed Saores has done. They ask a guy a question, Ed Soares gives an answer that never happened and continually works. God bless him. He's the dirtiest player in the game next to Monte Cox.
MMAjunkie.com: So what is your mindset coming into this rematch? Since you did perform so well until the submission, do you approach it in the same way you did the first time, or because of the loss do you believe you have to retool and reinvent for the second meeting?
Sonnen: I will never stop trying to get better. I will never look at anything and say, 'OK, that's done. Let's move on.' Everything has to get better, bigger, stronger, faster, more technical, tougher – everything has to get better. But as far as the first fight, this is the truth: That was a misunderstanding of the rules. The way I thought it worked was if you tapped, you lost that round. So I thought what they would do is they would go to a judges' decision, they'd go four rounds to one, and we'd go home, and I'd be the new champion. And if anyone had explained to me that that stops the bout in its entirety, I would not have tapped.
MMAjunkie.com: So then this training camp has really just been about better educating yourself on the rules?
Sonnen: It was a complete misunderstanding. Now I get it. I had never been in a five-round fight. I just didn't know.
Rafael Hernandez, El Octagono: You talk about always getting better, but is the ultimate prize always the title?
Sonnen: Absolutely. I don't think there's any other reason you should be in this sport than to be champion. A lot of my aggravation or chip on my shoulder isn't towards Anderson. It's towards all the other guys in the UFC. When they stick a microphone in a guy's face and he calls out anybody other than the champion, they should fire him right then. They should just say, 'Look, man, you're not UFC material. You've got to go. This is for guys that want to be champion, not for guys that want to put on their little tough-guy T-shirts and cut in line at the local strip club.'
You get these fake tough guys all the time. I've got to see these fake tough guys when the camera comes on, puffing their chest up, and in the back they're asking Anderson for an autograph. It makes my stomach sick. I don't want his autograph. I want to spit on him. I want everything that he has. I'm jealous, and I'm envious, and I would never apologize for that.
There can only be one champion, and you have to fight it out. He's not going to give it up. I'm not going to give it up. We're going to have to fight this thing out and figure it out like men. It makes me angry when I see these guys be offered opportunities and say, 'No.' It makes me angry when guys sign to do a fight, and they pull out. My dad didn't feel good. He went to work everyday. He was a plumber. He got up when it was dark. He went to bed when it was dark. And I would never disrespect him by not showing up to an athletic event that's 25 minutes long because I don't feel good.
MMAjunkie.com: Earlier tonight, Dominick Cruz said rivalries make you better as a fighter, and you shook your head in agreement. With that in mind, do you consider Anderson a rival, and has he made you better?
Sonnen: Anything that gives you motivation makes you better – anything that gives you purpose and gives you a drive. Our sport is so hard, and it's very unpleasant. I wake up certain mornings depressed because I know what I've got to do that day before I can be done. The training is so hard, and it's so miserable – not just physically but mentally. To get in the car to get to practice on time is hard, and if you can find something that helps to motivate you? You see guys all the time wearing headphones. They've got some song that just kind of gives them a little pep. You see a guy go through the coffee line and get a shot of coffee before practice. It's that hard just to change your clothes and be on the mat every single day on time. So if you can get a rival, if you can get some motivation, you know in your head somebody else is out there somewhere in the country – somewhere in the world – working, it will make you better.
LAS VEGAS – For months, it seemed one of the most-anticiapted rematches in UFC history would take place in front of 80,000 screaming Brazilians.
Instead, when the UFC was unable to secure a suitable Brazilian venue for Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen II, the company moved the fight to Las Vegas, where it now serves as the headlining bout for UFC 148, which takes place July 7 at MGM Grand Garden Arena.
While Sonnen (27-11-1 MMA, 6-4 UFC) will no longer find himself entering the proverbial lion's den, he admits he's a little disappointed he'll miss out on being a part of such a historic event. As for Silva (31-4 MMA, 14-0 UFC), Sonnen believes he has a right to be upset, even if he is a "fake Brazilian," just like his countrymen Wanderlei Silva and Vitor Belfort.
"I don't know that I fault him," Sonnen told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com). "He was told he would get a fight in Brazil. He, like Wanderlei and like Vitor, pretend to people they're from Brazil, even though they left over a decade ago. Vitor and Wanderlei live in gated communities in Las Vegas. Wanderlei drives an Aston Martin, OK? He lives in an American home and drives a $200,000 car made in England. That's how loyal he is to Brazil. He claims Brazil when it's convenient, kind of like Vitor. Vitor was born in Rio and goes on – quoting here – to vacation to Rio. A vacation to his hometown. That's how long he's been gone form there. These guys are Brazilian when it's convenient – when they go back and take Brazil's money back to America.
"It's just like Anderson. He pretends he's from Brazil. He pretends he can't even speak the language, at times. Of course, he bought a $2 million mansion in Beverly Hills out of money he made in North America. The point that I'm getting at, these fake Brazilians – that when it's convenient claim that country – he wants to fight there? Fine. I get it. He was told the fight was going to be there. So if he's upset it got moved back to the country that made him famous and rich, that's up to him. I get it."
Strong words from Sonnen, who rarely limits himself when addressing the man he nearly beat at UFC 117 in August 2010. Sonnen reinvented himself in the months leading up to the fight, channeling his inner pro wrestler and bringing trashtalk to a level rarely seen in MMA. He nearly delivered on all of his guarantees, grinding "The Spider" down for four-and-a-half rounds before succumbing to a triangle choke with less than two minutes left in the fight.
Sonnen has kept his sights on the champion since that time, defeating Brian Stann and Michael Bisping en route to earning a second shot at the belt. He's continued to take shots at Silva (and Brazilians) along the way. So intense has the rivalry become, many MMA observers began to even question whether the UFC could guarantee Sonnen's safety in Brazil. The company did so during a recent press conference in Rio de Janeiro, but UFC president Dana White today admitted it wasn't easy.
"It's not fun taking Chael to Brazil," White said. "I'm not a big fan of that. I was actually very confident (when) we did the big stadium – we'll pull this thing off. We'll bring Chael down there. I didn't think Chael was going to say the type of [expletive] he was going to say down there. It's one thing when you're sitting in your living room in America and you say crazy [expletive] like that, but I can tell you that was one of the most surreal press conferences I've ever been in.
"I joke about it, saying we would have to dig a hole under the octagon to get him out of there, but now I'm starting to believe it. It's crazy."
But all the questions will be answered on July 7. And while a recent bitter feud between Jon Jones and Rashad Evans seemed to dissipate a bit as the fight date approached, the Silva-Sonnen rivalry appears as strong as ever. Sonnen knows this may be his last chance to unseat the 37-year-old pound-for-pound kingpin, and he's guaranteeing success.
"He ducked me for six years," Sonnen said. "For six years I called him out. There's no way around that. There's no two ways around that. You can go on the Internet and find it with me poking my finger in his chest. If anybody poked their finger in my chest for a fight, they'd be fighting me right then.
"He ducked me for six years. He had other business. He had to fight a one-legged Canadian named Cote. He had to fight the amazing Thales Leites. He had to go to England to take on the undersized, dangerous Lee Murray. He was busy in Japan with Ryo Chonan. He didn't have any time for the gangster from West Linn, Oregon, Chael P. Sonnen. He still doesn't have time.
"He's not agreeing to this fight. He's fighting because Dana is making him fight. I am a volunteer army. I wasn't drafted for this position. I have volunteered for this position. I have begged for this position. I just know one thing: On July 7, Bruce Buffer will announce, 'And still undefeated and still undisputed and still named Chael P. Sonnen.'"
Sonnen's answers were part of a Wednesday night media session in Las Vegas, where he touched on a number of topics in relation to UFC 148. Additional excerpts from the conversation are below.
* * * * *
MMAjunkie.com: What are your thoughts on the card moving to Las Vegas? Do you see it as any advantage at all in not having to fight in Brazil?
Chael Sonnen: I would prefer to not have to travel. But you never factor that stuff in because you can't control it. You try not to think of anything that's out of your control. And the bottom line is the octagon is the octagon. I don't want to travel. He doesn't want to travel. One of us have to. He did it the first time. It's only fair that I return the favor out of sportsmanship. They moved the fight to Las Vegas, now we both have to travel. We've both got to get on a plane and go to Vegas. That's just the way it goes.
MMAjunkie.com: Is there any part of you that's disappointed that you don't get to travel to Anderson's home country, play the bad guy and take on that challenge?
Sonnen: The only thing I liked about the opportunity of Brazil was that it was an 80,000-seat venue. St-Pierre and Shields had set the record in Toronto with 55,000 seats. If you have a chance to be part of history, you don't want to miss those opportunities. So if we're going to do a stadium, and that's where the opportunity is, then let's do it there. That was disappointing. But geez, I'd hate to be a professional athlete and complain about anything. I'd hate for someone to see this and think we're sitting here complaining when we get to do what our childhood dreams are. That's not my intent.
Adam Hill, Las Vegas Review-Journal: There were a lot of questions about whether or not you would be safe in Brazil. Did you ever feel it would be a risk to go down there?
Sonnen: Of course it's a risk to go to Brazil. It's a risk to go to Las Vegas, though. I was in Chicago for my last fight, and this guy asked me that about going to Brazil. I said, 'Yes, there's a threat to go to Brazil, but you might want to check your local paper. You guys aren't a haven for civility. You're in Chicago. I wouldn't let my mother or girlfriend just roam around.' I don't know that there's anything added because it's in Brazil. I don't do anything, anyway. I sit in my room, and I walk to the venue. But sure.
I feel like sometimes people want me to deny that or something, or that as a fighter you're supposed to be like, 'I'm never scared of anything.' I'm just a person. I have every human emotion from fear to sad to happy to excited. I experience them all. When a fighter comes out and pretends, yeah, he's not scared, that's playground talk. That's talk that you do when you're a little kid. Whoever talks the toughest is the toughest when you're a little kid. I don't care whether you're scared, happy or sad. When my music hits those speakers, I will make that walk.
Rafael Hernandez, El Octagono: Do you think a lot about your first fight with Anderson? You were the first person that basically whipped his butt for four-and-a-half rounds, then you were submitted. Do you think a lot about that fight?
Sonnen: Unfortunately, that wasn't the first endeavor that I've set out to that I've failed at. I had matches from the time I was a kid in wrestling that I worked so hard for and were so important, and I blew it. So unfortunately, I've been through that before. I've dealt with not getting what you want and having to walk out with your head up anyway. That's just part of what we do. We have horrible odds in this sport. You have a 50 percent chance of failure in this business. That's very bad odds, but that's just the deal, and we've all got to face it, and we've all got to walk out there and do our best anyway. I do think about it.
Dave Sholler, UFC: You have quickly become a part of one of those most heated rivalries in MMA history. What are your thought on the evolution of rivalries in this sport such as Dominick Cruz vs. Urijah Faber and Rashad Evans vs. Jon Jones?
Sonnen: I've got a lot of thoughts. I get faced with, 'How are you going to handle this? You lost your last fight. You've got to come back.' Dominick Cruz just did that. Urijah Faber choked him out. I was there for that fight live. Boom, he came back and won the second match. It was such a tight fight. … So when this trilogy got announced, as a fan, it was like, 'Oh, thank goodness. I didn't know we'd get to see this.' As far as Evans and Jones goes, that was a great fight, and I don't see who the loser was. You've got the two best guys. And for me going into that fight, if Jones get cleaned up, he's still a badass. If Evans gets cleaned up, he's still the man. For me, there wasn't going to be a loser. Let's find out who's ahead of the other one, but these are such good guys, and sometimes you'l;l have rankings and a the No. 2 gets beat by the No. 1 guy, and he falls to No. 9. How does that work? So for me, it's still Jones and Rashad. Then Dan Henderson makes his claim in there and some other guys.
I like it. At the end of the day, we don't have to get along. Everybody in every walk of life has somebody in the office they'd like to beat up. All of them. They talk about it. They go home, and they go, 'Oh, this guy's driving me crazy. I wish I could smack him. In our field, we can. Some of these guys come in there and talk about their respect and all this stuff. That's a bunch of crap. You hear about the history of the martial arts. Where did you get a history of the martial arts from? Hollywood? Besides the UFC, there is nothing to condition us or educate us on the martial arts besides what you saw in Hollywood. This is a fistfight in a steel cage. I'm not going to apologize to my opponent. And if I like him or I don't like him, we're still going to go out and compete hard to find out who's the best. It's a mutually exclusive term. Only one guy can be champion, period.
Lance Pugmire, Los Angeles Times: Do you wish you could get more of an interaction with Anderson similar to how Dominick Cruz and Urijah Faber are able to interact during the buildup to their fight?
Sonnen: Maybe. Sometimes it's awkward when you're with a guy. Sometimes that's a little bit hard. Cruz and Faber have known each other for a long time, and people forget these guys have done work multiple times. A lot of fans lose sight of that because the WEC often gets forgot. But this is a trilogy. This is a tremendous fight. This is what history gets written about – when the two best guys meet up for the second and third time. I'm so envious of their spot. I think it's just awesome.
As far as Anderson, he's one of these guys. For me, he's very funny. He wants to come out. He wants to pretend certain things. He wants to pretend you're friends. He wants to talk about friendship to avoid fights. He does that to avoid fights. He's not in it for friendship or respect. He's in it for the money. That's it. You take the money out of it, you take Anderson Silva out of it. He's a fake. Some of these guys think it's respectful to bow to your face and put a knife in your back when you turn around. I will tell you to your face that when you turn around, I'm going to put a knife in your back.
Rafael Hernandez, El Octagono: Have you considered brushing up on your Portuguese or getting a translator so you can find out exactly what Anderson Silva is saying? Usually when they get translated, there's always words getting thrown in or words getting taken out.
Sonnen: It happens. Ed Soares tries to get involved. Look, Ed Soares is not in the UFC. He's never been in the UFC. He's never been paid by the UFC. He never will be. Somehow, this guy has got himself in the UFC video game. That's what a great job Ed Saores has done. They ask a guy a question, Ed Soares gives an answer that never happened and continually works. God bless him. He's the dirtiest player in the game next to Monte Cox.
MMAjunkie.com: So what is your mindset coming into this rematch? Since you did perform so well until the submission, do you approach it in the same way you did the first time, or because of the loss do you believe you have to retool and reinvent for the second meeting?
Sonnen: I will never stop trying to get better. I will never look at anything and say, 'OK, that's done. Let's move on.' Everything has to get better, bigger, stronger, faster, more technical, tougher – everything has to get better. But as far as the first fight, this is the truth: That was a misunderstanding of the rules. The way I thought it worked was if you tapped, you lost that round. So I thought what they would do is they would go to a judges' decision, they'd go four rounds to one, and we'd go home, and I'd be the new champion. And if anyone had explained to me that that stops the bout in its entirety, I would not have tapped.
MMAjunkie.com: So then this training camp has really just been about better educating yourself on the rules?
Sonnen: It was a complete misunderstanding. Now I get it. I had never been in a five-round fight. I just didn't know.
Rafael Hernandez, El Octagono: You talk about always getting better, but is the ultimate prize always the title?
Sonnen: Absolutely. I don't think there's any other reason you should be in this sport than to be champion. A lot of my aggravation or chip on my shoulder isn't towards Anderson. It's towards all the other guys in the UFC. When they stick a microphone in a guy's face and he calls out anybody other than the champion, they should fire him right then. They should just say, 'Look, man, you're not UFC material. You've got to go. This is for guys that want to be champion, not for guys that want to put on their little tough-guy T-shirts and cut in line at the local strip club.'
You get these fake tough guys all the time. I've got to see these fake tough guys when the camera comes on, puffing their chest up, and in the back they're asking Anderson for an autograph. It makes my stomach sick. I don't want his autograph. I want to spit on him. I want everything that he has. I'm jealous, and I'm envious, and I would never apologize for that.
There can only be one champion, and you have to fight it out. He's not going to give it up. I'm not going to give it up. We're going to have to fight this thing out and figure it out like men. It makes me angry when I see these guys be offered opportunities and say, 'No.' It makes me angry when guys sign to do a fight, and they pull out. My dad didn't feel good. He went to work everyday. He was a plumber. He got up when it was dark. He went to bed when it was dark. And I would never disrespect him by not showing up to an athletic event that's 25 minutes long because I don't feel good.
MMAjunkie.com: Earlier tonight, Dominick Cruz said rivalries make you better as a fighter, and you shook your head in agreement. With that in mind, do you consider Anderson a rival, and has he made you better?
Sonnen: Anything that gives you motivation makes you better – anything that gives you purpose and gives you a drive. Our sport is so hard, and it's very unpleasant. I wake up certain mornings depressed because I know what I've got to do that day before I can be done. The training is so hard, and it's so miserable – not just physically but mentally. To get in the car to get to practice on time is hard, and if you can find something that helps to motivate you? You see guys all the time wearing headphones. They've got some song that just kind of gives them a little pep. You see a guy go through the coffee line and get a shot of coffee before practice. It's that hard just to change your clothes and be on the mat every single day on time. So if you can get a rival, if you can get some motivation, you know in your head somebody else is out there somewhere in the country – somewhere in the world – working, it will make you better.
UFC 147 headliner 'official' with Vitor Belfort vs. Wanderlei Silva II
NEW YORK – As expected, a rematch between "The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil" coaches Vitor Belfort and Wanderlei Silva will serve as the new main event of next month's UFC 147 show in Brazil.
UFC president Dana White confirmed the pay-per-view headliner on Thursday.
"Yup, that's official," he said.
The bout took the top spot when another rematch – UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen – was moved from UFC 147, which takes place June 23, to UFC 148, an event expected to break U.S. gate records in Las Vegas on July 7. The move was prompted by a forced change of venue; though initially announced for Rio de Janeiro's Joao Havelange Stadium, it's now expected to take place at the smaller Estadio Jornalista Felipe Drumond (the "Mineirinho") in Belo Horizonte due to a U.N. conference in Rio.
The event no longer will be the PPV blockbuster it once was, but it should be a hit with Brazilian fans. Belfort and Silva, MMA trailblazers who both hail from the country, currently can be seen on local TV each week as part of the Sunday-evening "TUF: Brazil" broadcasts.
Belfort won the fighters' first meeting via first-round TKO back in 1998 at "UFC Brazil: Ultimate Brazil" (UFC 17.5). Belfort is coming off a first-round submission victory over Anthony Johnson in January, which marked his seventh win in eight fights. Silva, meanwhile, recently rebounded from a 2-6 skid with a second-round TKO of former Strikeforce champion Cung Le in November.
Their rematch coincides with the season finale of "TUF: Brazil," which is the UFC's first international edition of its long-running reality series. UFC 147 also will feature the show's live finale, as well as other cast members from the show.
Heavyweight contenders Fabricio Werdum (15-5-1 MMA, 3-2 UFC) and Mike Russow (15-1 MMA, 4-0 UFC) are slated for UFC 147's co-headliner.
NEW YORK – As expected, a rematch between "The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil" coaches Vitor Belfort and Wanderlei Silva will serve as the new main event of next month's UFC 147 show in Brazil.
UFC president Dana White confirmed the pay-per-view headliner on Thursday.
"Yup, that's official," he said.
The bout took the top spot when another rematch – UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen – was moved from UFC 147, which takes place June 23, to UFC 148, an event expected to break U.S. gate records in Las Vegas on July 7. The move was prompted by a forced change of venue; though initially announced for Rio de Janeiro's Joao Havelange Stadium, it's now expected to take place at the smaller Estadio Jornalista Felipe Drumond (the "Mineirinho") in Belo Horizonte due to a U.N. conference in Rio.
The event no longer will be the PPV blockbuster it once was, but it should be a hit with Brazilian fans. Belfort and Silva, MMA trailblazers who both hail from the country, currently can be seen on local TV each week as part of the Sunday-evening "TUF: Brazil" broadcasts.
Belfort won the fighters' first meeting via first-round TKO back in 1998 at "UFC Brazil: Ultimate Brazil" (UFC 17.5). Belfort is coming off a first-round submission victory over Anthony Johnson in January, which marked his seventh win in eight fights. Silva, meanwhile, recently rebounded from a 2-6 skid with a second-round TKO of former Strikeforce champion Cung Le in November.
Their rematch coincides with the season finale of "TUF: Brazil," which is the UFC's first international edition of its long-running reality series. UFC 147 also will feature the show's live finale, as well as other cast members from the show.
Heavyweight contenders Fabricio Werdum (15-5-1 MMA, 3-2 UFC) and Mike Russow (15-1 MMA, 4-0 UFC) are slated for UFC 147's co-headliner.
UFC boss Dana White: 'The feeling is mutual' on impending 'Rampage' departure
NEW YORK – UFC president Dana White isn't going to fight with Quinton "Rampage" Jackson anymore.
If the former light heavyweight champ wants out of the UFC, then he can leave.
"'Rampage' is obviously not happy with the UFC – no big deal, brother," White said following Thursday's pre-UFC on FOX 3 press conference.
White hasn't gotten that impression when talking to Jackson one-on-one. But whatever understanding they shared in person apparently hasn't translated to the public domain.
"I'll have a conversation with 'Rampage' and think we're cool, and then I'll read other stuff," he said.
That "stuff" is several interviews Jackson has given to multiple media outlets in which he's complained about being under-promoted, underpaid, and under-appreciated in his time with the promotion. He's promised that his next fight inside the octagon – which remains unscheduled as he recovers from knee surgery – will be his last.
White said his relationships with fighters aren't always roses and daisies, but he defended his company's treatment of Jackson in the five years he's fought for the UFC.
"As far as money goes, everybody needs to make more money," he said. "You making enough money? Nobody here is, right? Everybody needs to make more money. That's human nature. What we do is we go and negotiate deals that work for everybody.
"We've been good to everybody we've ever dealt with. We've never screwed anybody over, including 'Rampage.' And you want to talk about a guy that we went to bat for – we've gone to bat for him many times. I feel like [expletive] (Derek) Jeter when it comes to 'Rampage.'"
But the time in which White is willing to go to bat for someone who doesn't want to work with him is coming to an end.
"If he's unhappy with us, doesn't like us and doesn't want to be with us anymore, then the feeling is mutual," he said.
In his most recent appearance, Jackson, who took the title from Chuck Liddell at UFC 71 before losing it to Forrest Griffin at UFC 86, dropped a second consecutive fight when Ryan Bader outpointed him at UFC 144 following a submission loss to current champ Jon Jones at UFC 135.
Before injury concerns set him back, Jackson was targeted for a rematch with former champ Mauricio "Shogun" Rua, who defeated him seven years ago in the now-defunct PRIDE.
Jackson courted controversy after UFC 144 when he gave an interview to "Fighters Only" in which he said the UFC had recommended an age-management doctor who prescribed testosterone to treat a knee injury he suffered in training for the event. He later amended his comments, stating his doctor had recommended the treatment.
Nevertheless, he said he was finished fighting for the promotion.
"I think the flavor is done," Jackson told HDNet's Bas Rutten. "If anybody thinks that I can't make my own career choices and stuff like that, then you're a bigot. I can do whatever the hell I want to do. I'm a grown man. I don't want to have to fight for somebody no more if they're not really appreciating me."
NEW YORK – UFC president Dana White isn't going to fight with Quinton "Rampage" Jackson anymore.
If the former light heavyweight champ wants out of the UFC, then he can leave.
"'Rampage' is obviously not happy with the UFC – no big deal, brother," White said following Thursday's pre-UFC on FOX 3 press conference.
White hasn't gotten that impression when talking to Jackson one-on-one. But whatever understanding they shared in person apparently hasn't translated to the public domain.
"I'll have a conversation with 'Rampage' and think we're cool, and then I'll read other stuff," he said.
That "stuff" is several interviews Jackson has given to multiple media outlets in which he's complained about being under-promoted, underpaid, and under-appreciated in his time with the promotion. He's promised that his next fight inside the octagon – which remains unscheduled as he recovers from knee surgery – will be his last.
White said his relationships with fighters aren't always roses and daisies, but he defended his company's treatment of Jackson in the five years he's fought for the UFC.
"As far as money goes, everybody needs to make more money," he said. "You making enough money? Nobody here is, right? Everybody needs to make more money. That's human nature. What we do is we go and negotiate deals that work for everybody.
"We've been good to everybody we've ever dealt with. We've never screwed anybody over, including 'Rampage.' And you want to talk about a guy that we went to bat for – we've gone to bat for him many times. I feel like [expletive] (Derek) Jeter when it comes to 'Rampage.'"
But the time in which White is willing to go to bat for someone who doesn't want to work with him is coming to an end.
"If he's unhappy with us, doesn't like us and doesn't want to be with us anymore, then the feeling is mutual," he said.
In his most recent appearance, Jackson, who took the title from Chuck Liddell at UFC 71 before losing it to Forrest Griffin at UFC 86, dropped a second consecutive fight when Ryan Bader outpointed him at UFC 144 following a submission loss to current champ Jon Jones at UFC 135.
Before injury concerns set him back, Jackson was targeted for a rematch with former champ Mauricio "Shogun" Rua, who defeated him seven years ago in the now-defunct PRIDE.
Jackson courted controversy after UFC 144 when he gave an interview to "Fighters Only" in which he said the UFC had recommended an age-management doctor who prescribed testosterone to treat a knee injury he suffered in training for the event. He later amended his comments, stating his doctor had recommended the treatment.
Nevertheless, he said he was finished fighting for the promotion.
"I think the flavor is done," Jackson told HDNet's Bas Rutten. "If anybody thinks that I can't make my own career choices and stuff like that, then you're a bigot. I can do whatever the hell I want to do. I'm a grown man. I don't want to have to fight for somebody no more if they're not really appreciating me."
Dominick Cruz injured, forced out of UFC 148 bout with Urijah Faber
The rubber match will have to wait.
UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz (19-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) has torn his ACL and is now unavailable to face opposing "The Ultimate Fighter: Live" coach Urijah Faber (26-5 MMA, 2-1 UFC) at UFC 148.
The injury was first reported by PhyteGurus.com and has since been confirmed by UFC president Dana White.
UFC boss White announced the injury via Twitter, but it's currently unknown if Faber will take another fight in the interim or wait for Cruz to heal. White's post encouraged fans to "stay tuned for more info."
UFC 148 takes place July 7 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view, and FX and Facebook are expected to carry the prelims. Cruz vs. Faber III was originally expected to take the headlining slot of the event, but logistical issues forced the move of Anderson Silva (31-4 MMA, 14-0 UFC) vs. Chael Sonnen (27-11-1 MMA, 6-4 UFC) II from a planned Brazilian slot to the main event of UFC 148.
Cruz and Faber currently serve as opposing head coaches on "The Ultimate Fighter: Live." Their traditional coach-vs.-coach bout was set to place a month after the reality show's conclusion on FX.
It would have been their third meeting overall; Faber won the first at WEC 26 via submission to defend the WEC featherweight title, and in 2011, Cruz avenged the defeat with a unanimous-decision victory at UFC 132 to defend his UFC belt.
A timetable for Cruz's return has yet to be established.
The rubber match will have to wait.
UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz (19-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) has torn his ACL and is now unavailable to face opposing "The Ultimate Fighter: Live" coach Urijah Faber (26-5 MMA, 2-1 UFC) at UFC 148.
The injury was first reported by PhyteGurus.com and has since been confirmed by UFC president Dana White.
UFC boss White announced the injury via Twitter, but it's currently unknown if Faber will take another fight in the interim or wait for Cruz to heal. White's post encouraged fans to "stay tuned for more info."
UFC 148 takes place July 7 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view, and FX and Facebook are expected to carry the prelims. Cruz vs. Faber III was originally expected to take the headlining slot of the event, but logistical issues forced the move of Anderson Silva (31-4 MMA, 14-0 UFC) vs. Chael Sonnen (27-11-1 MMA, 6-4 UFC) II from a planned Brazilian slot to the main event of UFC 148.
Cruz and Faber currently serve as opposing head coaches on "The Ultimate Fighter: Live." Their traditional coach-vs.-coach bout was set to place a month after the reality show's conclusion on FX.
It would have been their third meeting overall; Faber won the first at WEC 26 via submission to defend the WEC featherweight title, and in 2011, Cruz avenged the defeat with a unanimous-decision victory at UFC 132 to defend his UFC belt.
A timetable for Cruz's return has yet to be established.
Nate Marquardt vs. Tyron Woodley targeted for July 14 in Portland or Indianapolis
A long-anticipated fight for the vacant Strikeforce welterweight title is nearing confirmation.
Sources close to the event today told MMAjunkie.com that Nate Marquardt (31-10-2 MMA, 0-0 SF) and Tyron Woodley (10-0 MMA, 8-0 SF) could meet at a yet-unannounced Strikeforce event targeted for July 14.
Multiple outlets reported the matchup and date for the event, which could take place in Portland, Ore., or Indianapolis.
Strikeforce has held a previous event, "Strikeforce Challengers 8: Lindland vs. Casey," at the Rose Garden in Portland.
Wherever it takes place, the booking is music to the ears of both fighters, who have seen extended time on the shelf. As recently as March, Woodley pined for confirmation of the bout, preferably at "Strikeforce: Heavyweight Grand Prix Finale" on May 19 in San Jose, Calif.
Regardless, he said he was moving forward with training for the bout. In the end, it was not scheduled for the May event.
Marquardt, who signed with Strikeforce in February, could also use the activity. He was released in January from a contract with British MMA promotion BAMMA. Although scheduled to make his promotional debut at BAMMA 9 against UFC vet Yoshiyuki Yoshida, the fight never came to fruition. He hasn't fought since UFC 128, when he outpointed Dan Miller.
Marquardt was released from the UFC after failing to gain medical clearance to fight Rick Story at UFC on Versus 4. The Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission, which oversaw the event this past June, wouldn't clear him when pre-fight blood tests revealed his testosterone levels to be outside the commission's allowable limits. He later revealed the failed test was the result of doctor-recommended testosterone replacement therapy.
A long-anticipated fight for the vacant Strikeforce welterweight title is nearing confirmation.
Sources close to the event today told MMAjunkie.com that Nate Marquardt (31-10-2 MMA, 0-0 SF) and Tyron Woodley (10-0 MMA, 8-0 SF) could meet at a yet-unannounced Strikeforce event targeted for July 14.
Multiple outlets reported the matchup and date for the event, which could take place in Portland, Ore., or Indianapolis.
Strikeforce has held a previous event, "Strikeforce Challengers 8: Lindland vs. Casey," at the Rose Garden in Portland.
Wherever it takes place, the booking is music to the ears of both fighters, who have seen extended time on the shelf. As recently as March, Woodley pined for confirmation of the bout, preferably at "Strikeforce: Heavyweight Grand Prix Finale" on May 19 in San Jose, Calif.
Regardless, he said he was moving forward with training for the bout. In the end, it was not scheduled for the May event.
Marquardt, who signed with Strikeforce in February, could also use the activity. He was released in January from a contract with British MMA promotion BAMMA. Although scheduled to make his promotional debut at BAMMA 9 against UFC vet Yoshiyuki Yoshida, the fight never came to fruition. He hasn't fought since UFC 128, when he outpointed Dan Miller.
Marquardt was released from the UFC after failing to gain medical clearance to fight Rick Story at UFC on Versus 4. The Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission, which oversaw the event this past June, wouldn't clear him when pre-fight blood tests revealed his testosterone levels to be outside the commission's allowable limits. He later revealed the failed test was the result of doctor-recommended testosterone replacement therapy.
Team unifies around injured 'TUF: Live' coach Cruz, doesn't want replacement
Members of Team Cruz on "The Ultimate Fighter: Live" heard the bad news about their coach around the same time the rest of the world found out earlier this week.
After nine weeks on set, the UFC bantamweight champ sustained a torn ACL in training that ruled out his further participation on the reality show, as well as a season-ending fight with opposing coach Urijah Faber at UFC 148.
Speculation about Cruz's replacement and the show's coaching setup has since run wild, but Team Cruz members Justin Lawrence and James Vick say they don't want anything to change on set.
"There's no way we want anybody else but him," Vick today told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) during a teleconference in support of the show's quarterfinal matchups, which kick off Friday on the show's 10th episode. "He's been here for 10 weeks now, and he's a great coach (with) a great coaching staff.
"We're getting very close to him, like family almost, and there's no way I would want anybody else but him."
Family was a term used by both Lawrence and Vick to describe the relationship between the Team Cruz coaches and fighters. Lawrence said support coach Eric DelFierro, who coaches Cruz at San Diego's Alliance MMA, and Wilson Reis are key members of the team, as is trainer Lloyd Irvin.
Lawrence said his team hasn't been informed of what, if anything, the UFC plans to do with the coaching staff now that Cruz is injured.
"But I'd say they're going to have eight guys that are going to be upset if they try to change our coach," he said. "It's already been nine weeks. Like James said, we made a bond with the coaching staff already."
At the start of the teleconference, a UFC representative deferred questions about the promotion's plans to a later date. What's clear to all, though, is that Cruz likely faces a long road back to health.
"I've also gone through two surgeries, and it's no joke," Lawrence said. "It's the most depressing time of your life."
Despite a shortened time on the mats with Cruz, Lawrence said he is grateful to have learned the champion's training methods, even if they sometimes ran the team ragged.
"We'd come home after practice sometimes, and we were instantly crashed out, and when the next training session came around, we were like, 'Already?'" he said. "It just really shows me what a world champion trains like, and how intense a training camp should be."
Members of Team Cruz on "The Ultimate Fighter: Live" heard the bad news about their coach around the same time the rest of the world found out earlier this week.
After nine weeks on set, the UFC bantamweight champ sustained a torn ACL in training that ruled out his further participation on the reality show, as well as a season-ending fight with opposing coach Urijah Faber at UFC 148.
Speculation about Cruz's replacement and the show's coaching setup has since run wild, but Team Cruz members Justin Lawrence and James Vick say they don't want anything to change on set.
"There's no way we want anybody else but him," Vick today told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) during a teleconference in support of the show's quarterfinal matchups, which kick off Friday on the show's 10th episode. "He's been here for 10 weeks now, and he's a great coach (with) a great coaching staff.
"We're getting very close to him, like family almost, and there's no way I would want anybody else but him."
Family was a term used by both Lawrence and Vick to describe the relationship between the Team Cruz coaches and fighters. Lawrence said support coach Eric DelFierro, who coaches Cruz at San Diego's Alliance MMA, and Wilson Reis are key members of the team, as is trainer Lloyd Irvin.
Lawrence said his team hasn't been informed of what, if anything, the UFC plans to do with the coaching staff now that Cruz is injured.
"But I'd say they're going to have eight guys that are going to be upset if they try to change our coach," he said. "It's already been nine weeks. Like James said, we made a bond with the coaching staff already."
At the start of the teleconference, a UFC representative deferred questions about the promotion's plans to a later date. What's clear to all, though, is that Cruz likely faces a long road back to health.
"I've also gone through two surgeries, and it's no joke," Lawrence said. "It's the most depressing time of your life."
Despite a shortened time on the mats with Cruz, Lawrence said he is grateful to have learned the champion's training methods, even if they sometimes ran the team ragged.
"We'd come home after practice sometimes, and we were instantly crashed out, and when the next training session came around, we were like, 'Already?'" he said. "It just really shows me what a world champion trains like, and how intense a training camp should be."
Siyar Bahadurzada replaces Yoshihiro Akiyama at UFC 149, meets Thiago Alves
July's UFC 149 event has a fairly significant change: Siyar Bahadurzada (21-4-1 MMA, 1-0 SF) has replaced injured Yoshihiro Akiyama (13-5 MMA, 1-4 UFC) and now meets Thiago Alves (19-9 MMA, 11-6 UFC).
Officials from the UFC's Brazilian office today announced the change.
UFC 149 takes place July 21 at Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo headlines in a five-round title fight with challenger Erik Koch.
UFC 149's main card, including Bahadurzada vs. Alves, airs on pay-per-view. FX and Facebook are expected to carry the prelims.
The nature of Akiyama's injury wasn't disclosed.
Alves was less than a minute away from topping Martin Kampmann in a UFC on FX 2 headliner back in March. But Alves shot for a late takedown and ultimately tapped out to a guillotine choke in a crushing defeat. The American Top Team fighter earned a title shot with after a 9-1 run in the UFC, but he's just 2-4 since then. The skid began with the title loss to champ Georges St-Pierre in 2009.
Bahadurzada, meanwhile, made an impressive promotional debut at UFC on FUEL TV 2, where he knocked out another Brazilian, Paulo Thiago, in just 42 seconds. The "Knockout of the Night" performance marked the former Shooto champion's seventh straight win. It also marked his 17th stoppage (and 11th knockout) in 21 career victories.
The full UFC 149 card now includes:
MAIN CARD (Pay-per-view)
•Champ Jose Aldo vs. Erik Koch (for featherweight title)
•Mauricio "Shogun" Rua vs. Thiago Silva
•Cheick Kongo vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira
•Thiago Alves vs. Siyar Bahadurzada
•Michael Bisping vs. Tim Boetsch
PRELIMINARY CARD
•Mitch Clarke vs. Anton Kuivanen
•Court McGee vs. Nick Ring
•Bryan Caraway vs. Mitch Gagnon
•Antonio Carvalho vs. George Roop
•Ryan Jimmo vs. Anthony Perosh
July's UFC 149 event has a fairly significant change: Siyar Bahadurzada (21-4-1 MMA, 1-0 SF) has replaced injured Yoshihiro Akiyama (13-5 MMA, 1-4 UFC) and now meets Thiago Alves (19-9 MMA, 11-6 UFC).
Officials from the UFC's Brazilian office today announced the change.
UFC 149 takes place July 21 at Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo headlines in a five-round title fight with challenger Erik Koch.
UFC 149's main card, including Bahadurzada vs. Alves, airs on pay-per-view. FX and Facebook are expected to carry the prelims.
The nature of Akiyama's injury wasn't disclosed.
Alves was less than a minute away from topping Martin Kampmann in a UFC on FX 2 headliner back in March. But Alves shot for a late takedown and ultimately tapped out to a guillotine choke in a crushing defeat. The American Top Team fighter earned a title shot with after a 9-1 run in the UFC, but he's just 2-4 since then. The skid began with the title loss to champ Georges St-Pierre in 2009.
Bahadurzada, meanwhile, made an impressive promotional debut at UFC on FUEL TV 2, where he knocked out another Brazilian, Paulo Thiago, in just 42 seconds. The "Knockout of the Night" performance marked the former Shooto champion's seventh straight win. It also marked his 17th stoppage (and 11th knockout) in 21 career victories.
The full UFC 149 card now includes:
MAIN CARD (Pay-per-view)
•Champ Jose Aldo vs. Erik Koch (for featherweight title)
•Mauricio "Shogun" Rua vs. Thiago Silva
•Cheick Kongo vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira
•Thiago Alves vs. Siyar Bahadurzada
•Michael Bisping vs. Tim Boetsch
PRELIMINARY CARD
•Mitch Clarke vs. Anton Kuivanen
•Court McGee vs. Nick Ring
•Bryan Caraway vs. Mitch Gagnon
•Antonio Carvalho vs. George Roop
•Ryan Jimmo vs. Anthony Perosh
MiddleEasy.com's Sunday Morning Rumor Mill: Tuesday Edition
- According to MMA neo-reporter FrontRowBrian, Super Fight League is in talks with Genki Sudo to get the former fighter to return to MMA, which would make it his first fight since December 31st 2006.
- I mentioned this in an article yesterday, but a couple weeks ago I heard from a very close source that when Yushin Okami fought Anderson Silva at UFC 134, he received several death threats en route to Rio de Janeiro and within the fighter/media hotel.
- Eddie Alvarez is no longer considered a ‘Bellator fighter.’ It’s rumored that Lorenzo Fertitta and Eddie Alvarez discussed an inevitable signing to UFC which may close as soon as the end of this week. It’s also heavily rumor that a Eddie Alvarez vs. Anthony Pettis bout is being targeted for UFC 150.
- After UFC on FOX: Diaz vs. Miller, it’s been rumored Carlos Condit will defend his UFC welterweight interim belt against Johny Hendricks – giving Hendricks the ‘title fight’ that was talked about at the post-fight press conference.
- It appears Urijah Faber will get his wish and fight against Renan Barão. Now it’s rumored Faber is trying to push talks of the bout being for the interim belt.
- This was rumored back in early 2010, but it appears that Lorenzo Fertitta flew out to Stary Oskol, Russia to broker a deal with Fedor while he was still under contract (or under ‘partnership’) with Strikeforce.
- About two weeks ago Sherdog Radio mentioned a story that was associated with Bjorn Rebney. Apparently the promoter called Sherdog and asked the show to remove it with the ultimatum they would lose credentials if they did not.
- ProElite stocks are no longer indexed by Yahoo! and several other financial sites as of about 16 days ago.
- It’s rumored the UFC had Frank Mir on tap long before it was announced that Alistair Overeem couldn’t participate in his title bout against Junior dos Santos.
- According to MMA neo-reporter FrontRowBrian, Super Fight League is in talks with Genki Sudo to get the former fighter to return to MMA, which would make it his first fight since December 31st 2006.
- I mentioned this in an article yesterday, but a couple weeks ago I heard from a very close source that when Yushin Okami fought Anderson Silva at UFC 134, he received several death threats en route to Rio de Janeiro and within the fighter/media hotel.
- Eddie Alvarez is no longer considered a ‘Bellator fighter.’ It’s rumored that Lorenzo Fertitta and Eddie Alvarez discussed an inevitable signing to UFC which may close as soon as the end of this week. It’s also heavily rumor that a Eddie Alvarez vs. Anthony Pettis bout is being targeted for UFC 150.
- After UFC on FOX: Diaz vs. Miller, it’s been rumored Carlos Condit will defend his UFC welterweight interim belt against Johny Hendricks – giving Hendricks the ‘title fight’ that was talked about at the post-fight press conference.
- It appears Urijah Faber will get his wish and fight against Renan Barão. Now it’s rumored Faber is trying to push talks of the bout being for the interim belt.
- This was rumored back in early 2010, but it appears that Lorenzo Fertitta flew out to Stary Oskol, Russia to broker a deal with Fedor while he was still under contract (or under ‘partnership’) with Strikeforce.
- About two weeks ago Sherdog Radio mentioned a story that was associated with Bjorn Rebney. Apparently the promoter called Sherdog and asked the show to remove it with the ultimatum they would lose credentials if they did not.
- ProElite stocks are no longer indexed by Yahoo! and several other financial sites as of about 16 days ago.
- It’s rumored the UFC had Frank Mir on tap long before it was announced that Alistair Overeem couldn’t participate in his title bout against Junior dos Santos.
Papy Abedi replaces Rich Attonito, meets Rick Story at UFC on FX 4
Papy Abedi (8-2 MMA, 0-2 UFC) has replaced Rich Attonito (10-5 MMA, 3-2 UFC) and now meets fellow welterweight Rick Story (13-5 MMA, 6-3 UFC) at next month's UFC on FX 4 event.
UFC officials today announced the switch while stating Attonito suffered an undisclosed injury.
UFC on FX 4 takes place June 22 at Revel Casino in Atlantic City, N.J.
The night's main card card airs on FX. The prelims, including Abedi vs. Story, air on FUEL TV.
Story is still trying to regain momentum and may be close to a pink slip. After a six-fight streak saw him earn key wins over top contender Johny Hendricks and former title challenger Thiago Alves, he's fallen short in his past two outings against Charlie Brenneman and Martin Kampmann, both via decision.
He fights for the first time since November when he meets Abedi, a Swedish-Congolese fighter who gets a third shot at a first UFC win. After opening his career with an 8-0 mark in England, he signed with the UFC and since has suffered submission losses to Alves and James Head, both in the first round.
The latest UFC on FX 4 card now includes:
MAIN CARD (FX)
•Clay Guida vs. Gray Maynard
•Spencer Fisher vs. Sam Stout
•Brian Ebersole vs. T.J. Waldburger
•Ross Pearson vs. Cub Swanson
PRELIMINARY CARD (FUEL TV)
•Hatsu Hioki vs. Ricardo Lamas
•Jim Hettes vs. Steven Siler
•Papy Abedi vs. Rick Story
•Luis Ramos vs. Matt Riddle
•Chis Camozzi vs. Nick Catone
•Ricardo Funch vs. Dan Miller
•Edwin Figueroa vs. Ken Stone
•C.J. Keith vs. Ramsey Nijem
Papy Abedi (8-2 MMA, 0-2 UFC) has replaced Rich Attonito (10-5 MMA, 3-2 UFC) and now meets fellow welterweight Rick Story (13-5 MMA, 6-3 UFC) at next month's UFC on FX 4 event.
UFC officials today announced the switch while stating Attonito suffered an undisclosed injury.
UFC on FX 4 takes place June 22 at Revel Casino in Atlantic City, N.J.
The night's main card card airs on FX. The prelims, including Abedi vs. Story, air on FUEL TV.
Story is still trying to regain momentum and may be close to a pink slip. After a six-fight streak saw him earn key wins over top contender Johny Hendricks and former title challenger Thiago Alves, he's fallen short in his past two outings against Charlie Brenneman and Martin Kampmann, both via decision.
He fights for the first time since November when he meets Abedi, a Swedish-Congolese fighter who gets a third shot at a first UFC win. After opening his career with an 8-0 mark in England, he signed with the UFC and since has suffered submission losses to Alves and James Head, both in the first round.
The latest UFC on FX 4 card now includes:
MAIN CARD (FX)
•Clay Guida vs. Gray Maynard
•Spencer Fisher vs. Sam Stout
•Brian Ebersole vs. T.J. Waldburger
•Ross Pearson vs. Cub Swanson
PRELIMINARY CARD (FUEL TV)
•Hatsu Hioki vs. Ricardo Lamas
•Jim Hettes vs. Steven Siler
•Papy Abedi vs. Rick Story
•Luis Ramos vs. Matt Riddle
•Chis Camozzi vs. Nick Catone
•Ricardo Funch vs. Dan Miller
•Edwin Figueroa vs. Ken Stone
•C.J. Keith vs. Ramsey Nijem