Archive for the 'UFC' Category

Pictured: Chris ‘The Crippler’ Leben

Chris Leben’s already interesting story took another colossal twist at UFC 116 with his shocking victory against Yoshihiro Akiyama, in a fight he’d taken just two weeks removed from another fight, a victory over Aaron Simpson. And now he’s shot from being a relatively sedate Middleweight journeyman to a potential title contender. Something I find amusing considering he’s lost to (among others) Kalib Starnes, Jake Rosholt and Jason MacDonald, all fighters later cut by the UFC. In this article I’m going to take a look at the MMA career of Chris Leben, and offer my humble two pence about him as a fighter and as a person.
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When Dana White describes an event as “the best night of his career”, you know it must be a good one.

UFC 116 will not be forgotten by any MMA fan in a hurry. That tends to happen when two FOTN bonuses are awarded in the same night (to Akiyama v Chris Leben and Krzysztof Soszynski v Stephan Bonnar respectively). Then, there is the not-so-small issue of Brock Lesnar.

It’s the closest thing MMA has to a fairytale. The UFC Heavyweight World Champion becomes unbelievably unwell, near death — then makes a triumphant return against possibly the most dangerous striker in MMA history. Love or loathe him, no one can deny Brock Lesnar the title of number one heavyweight in MMA, and not just because Fedor lost…

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Say what you will about Brock Lesnar and Shane Carwin.

Say that they have only a handful of fights, that they perhaps don’t merit discussion with all time greats like Fedor Emelianenko, that the split screen interview segment hyping the bout recently for the TUF finale was the worst in history. Go ahead. Maybe I’ll join you (comfortably on my couch, and far away from them).

But they’ve made UFC 116, eminating live tomorrow night from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, a huge event. Despite the loss of Wanderlei Silva (who pulled out due to injured ribs), the show is sold out and Dana White predicts a million PPV buys. Two of the biggest and baddest in our sport’s short history are set like planets waiting to collide, and it looks like the whole world is watching. So who’s coming out on top? Read on…

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UFC 115, which will be broadcast live on PPV at 10 pm US EST tonight from GM Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, was never hailed among ZUFFA’s top shows of the year. The main event of Chuck Liddell vs Tito Ortiz wouldn’t have made sense in 2007 when both were closer to their primes — as Chuck stopped Tito twice in two lopsided bouts in the mid-2000’s. Today, with both in the twilight of their careers, it’s even less palatable. But Ortiz has been replaced by Rich Franklin, offering a bit more compelling a bout — if not much of a more relevant one. A mediocre undercard isn’t much of a help. This would be an interesting UFC Fight Night, but a PPV it ain’t… particularly on a World Cup weekend.

However, two masochistic stateside Total-MMA staff members find themselves drawn to this show. Please join us. So, sit down, enjoy a recommendation from the world’s greatest wine reviewer, Sadat X of Brand Nubian fame, and let’s get down to it!

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Rampage and Rashad stare-down at UFC 96

This wrap up comes a little late but the show still deserves its due publicity so here we go.

The main event featured one of the most anticipated grudge matches in UFC history. Rampage has had a problem with Rashad Evans ever since he fought Rampage’s teammate Hector Ramirez back in 2004. Ramirez suffered an injury in a fight the day before and basically fought Evans on one leg. Rampage felt Rashad did a little too much showboating in the fight and let him know about it when Rashad approached him after the fight about training with him. The bad blood started there and continued after Rampage beat Rashad’s teammate Keith Jardine at UFC 96 and continued into The Ultimate Fighter show.

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(Author’s Note: This article had been planned since Strikeforce: “Heavy Artillery” but was pushed back due to scheduling issues.)

It’s a tough time to be a fan of Andrei “The Pitbull” Arlovski.

Two of his last three fights have seen him on the receiving end of vicious knockouts, with his last fight causing many to wonder just how many years Arlovski has left in a sport that, like so many other former champions, may have finally caught up to his level of skill and, in fact, passed him by. Still, Arlovski remains one of the most popular Mixed Martial Artists actively competing- his ovation at Strikeforce: “Heavy Artillery” easily surpassed any of his fellow fighters. Arlovski also remains one of the most marketable fighters in the sport- as seen during his “Heavy Artillery” entrance, Arlovski may be the first and only fighter to ever land famed clothing company Dolce & Gabbana as a sponsor. So where did it all go wrong, and more importantly, how and why? Does Arlovski still have enough left in him to turn things around in the face of a three-fight losing streak, or will his popularity and marketability truly be put to the test as Arlovski continues his free-fall from the Heavyweight rankings?

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Hello, fight fans, and welcome to another round of Total MMA predictions. The event getting the attention his week is UFC 114, a card headlined by the long awaited fight between TUF 10 coaches Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson and Rashad Evans. Other featured bouts see two top Middleweights in Dan Miller and Michael Bisping look to get back to winning ways and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira attempt to get past tough wrestler Jason Brilz.

And for those of you who aren’t going to purchase the PPV, you can check out a couple of prelims fights on Spike, between Welterweights Amir Sadollah and Dong Hyun-Kim and Lightweights Efrain Escudero and Dan Lauzon. We won’t be predicting those here, but still, free MMA is free MMA, right?

Unbroadcast prelims include consensus Top 10 Light Heavyweight Luis Arthur Cane against UFC debutant Cyrille Diabate and a renewed Melvin Guillard taking on another UFC newcomer in Waylon Lowe. Look out for vicious finishes in both, and therefore appearances on the PPV should they be required.

Joining me (JL) for predictions are regular Bryan Belangia (BB) and prediction debutant David Bateman (DB). Tommy Hackett is currently abroad and unable to contribute, but he should make his return for our next round of predictions. As always these predictions are just for fun. On no count can we be held responsible if you lose the pension fund on them.
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Pictured: Michael Bisping will be looking for the knockout against Dan Miller at UFC 114

A middleweight bout between Michael Bisping and Dan Miller will take place at UFC 114: Rampage vs. Evans on May 29th at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The fight represents an opportunity for both fighters to get back on track after suffering losses in their last UFC outings. Bisping lost a closely fought decision to Wanderlei Silva at UFC 110 and Miller dropped a unanimous decision to Demian Maia at UFC 109. At one point, both Bisping and Miller were both on the verge of top title contention.

It may also prove to be Miller’s last UFC appearance if he loses, following back to back losses against Demian Maia and Chael Sonnen. The Brazilian Jiu-jitsu black belt has amassed an 11-3 MMA and 3-2 UFC record, but is desperately in need of a win. Read the rest of this entry »

Pictured: John Hathaway at the UFC 93 weigh ins

The upcoming UFC 114 has all the recipes to be a great card, starting with an intriguing headliner between bitter rivals Rashad Evans and Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson that is sure to provide plenty of fireworks and the first challenger to Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua’s Light Heavyweight title. Michael Bisping and Dan Miller both look to set themselves back towards Middleweight glory coming off tough losses. Antonio Rogerio ‘Minotoro’ Nogueira looks to continue his march towards the Light Heavyweight strap by getting through top prospect Jason Brilz, and two Heavyweight up-and-comers collide in the heavy handed Todd Duffee and Mike Russow. But the bout that intrigues me the most is the face off between Diego Sanchez, as he attempts to rebound from that tough Stoppage loss to BJ Penn in the Lightweight title bout, and top Welterweight prospect John Hathaway’s UFC main card debut.

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Pictured: Paul “Semtex” Daley faces an uncertain future after being cut from the UFC

 “It was probably his best punch of the night,” said Josh Koscheck, referring to the uppercut thrown by Paul Daley AFTER their fight at UFC 113.

Daley could have earned a title shot and a chance to coach on the latest series of The Ultimate Fighter with a win, but has now been kicked out of the company, courtesy of UFC president Dana White.

The Brit stunned everyone by sucker-punching opponent Koscheck several seconds after their co-main event, a welterweight fight to determine the number one contender for GSP’s title, as Koscheck’s superior wrestling skills neutralized Daley’s stand up punching power.

It was a moment of madness for Daley – who threw a left uppercut into the face of a celebrating Koscheck – and was promptly grabbed and thrown against the cage by referee Dan Miragliotta.

So is Daley’s behaviour inexcusable?

Dana White certainly thought so, who immediately cut him from the promotion, and Daley now ruins any opportunity he may have had for several more big money sponsorships and finishing bonuses. But does the punishment fit the crime?

Personally, I would like to see a long-time suspension and a significant fine implemented because Daley deserves to be punished. But I’m not sure banishment into the MMA wilderness is the right answer.

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