UFC Rio: What To Expect
UFC 134: Rio
UFC 134 heads back to Brazil for the first time since being purchased by Zuffa, and it intends to impress both attendees and TV viewers alike. The UFC seems to be determined on leaving a lasting impression on the city of Rio De Janiero with the fight card that it has put together. A card which includes UFC poster boy and Middleweight champion Anderson Silva defending his title against the last person to beat him: Yushin Okami. Here’s a breakdown of the main fights along with a prediction for each one.
Middleweight Championship: Anderson Silva vs. Yushin Okami
With Silva fighting in his home country you best believe he will aim to put on a show for his countrymen. Although, Okami, a very talented striker and wrestler, is not going to make it easy for Silva and will definitely give Silva a run for his money. Look for Silva to hold nothing back in this one and finish Okami off in the third round.
Light Heavyweight bout: Maurício Rua vs. Forrest Griffin
With Rua coming off a major loss that saw him lose the light heavyweight title, he will be determined to bounce back and get back in the title picture. With that, nothing can motivate Rua more than a win against a fighter that submitted him in their last meeting: Forrest Griffin. Griffin, on the other hand, has never quite been the same since his loss to Anderson Silva, and continues to look completely disinterested in the fight game. Look for Rua to come out strong in this one and win by highlight reel KO.
Heavyweight bout: Brendan Schaub vs. Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira
Brendan Shaub has made some very bold statements about his match-up with Antonio Nogueira, and it will be interesting to see if he can actually pull off a KO win against MMA great Nogueira. Big Nog is the type of fighter that does not believe in quitting, while Shaub is still a young fighter that has a lot to prove. Nogueira can and will squeeze out a decision win.
Lightweight bout: Ross Pearson vs. Edson Barboza
Lightweights always tend to bring excitemernt to UFC cards, and this one will be no different. Look for the Brazilian Barboza win by submission in the 2nd round.
Light Heavyweight bout: Luiz Cane vs. Stanislav Nedkov
Luiz Cane will waste no time in ending this one rather quickly by 1st round KO, making for a great start to the night.
Let us know what you think. Do you agree with the predictions? Have a few of your own? Let us know in the comments section below.
UFC Confirms Fighters Fan Expo In Houston
UFC Fan Expo
For its return to Houston for the first time since 2007, the UFC is bringing some of the sport’s most recognizable names to Texas this October. UFC officials announced today over two dozen athletes scheduled to participate in the UFC Fan Expo at the George R. Brown Convention Center on Friday, Oct. 7 and Saturday, Oct. 8.
The following fighters will participate in autograph sessions and a variety of other fan activities: UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva, UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz, former UFC champions Chuck Liddell, Frank Mir, Forrest Griffin, Tito Ortiz, Vitor Belfort, Rashad Evans, Shane Carwin, and Matt Serra, as well as UFC stars Wanderlei Silva, Urijah Faber, Miguel Torres, Phil Davis, Jason “Mayhem” Miller, Clay Guida, Brendan Schaub, Mark Munoz, Donald Cerrone, Jon Fitch, Amir Sadollah, Matt Mitrione, Pat Barry, Jake Shields, Chan Sung Jung, Cole Miller, and Stephan Bonnar.
In addition, STRIKEFORCE lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez, top welterweight contender Tyron Woodley and surging middleweight Tim Kennedy will also take part in the festivities.
“We’re excited to bring some of the biggest stars in the sport to Houston for the UFC Fan Expo,” UFC President Dana White said. “This is our sixth Expo now. For people who have never experienced the Fan Expo before, trust me, this is the ultimate fan experience. You won’t be disappointed.”
For more information on UFC Fan Expo and to purchase tickets, visit www.ufcfanexpo.com. To subscribe to the official UFC Fan Expo newsletter visitwww.ufcfanexpo.com/newsletter. For companies interested in reserving space at this premier event, contact Ed Gallo, Event Director at 1-203-840-5546 or email egallo@ufcfanexpo.com. Don’t wait, space is limited and will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Standard VIP packages and general admission tickets are also available online at www.ufcfanexpo.com. Fans are encouraged to buy their tickets now and save, as ticket pricing will increase at the door.
All the UFC Fan Expo activities will be planned in conjunction with UFC 136: EDGAR vs. MAYNARD 3 event, which takes place at Toyota Center on Saturday, Oct. 8. Headlined by a lightweight title bout between champion Frankie Edgar and challenger Gray Maynard, UFC 136 also features Jose Aldo defending the featherweight crown against the always-dangerous Kenny Florian. Tickets are still available at ToyotaCenterTix.com, by phone at 1-866-4-HOU-TIX, at select Houston area Randalls locations, and the Toyota Center Box Office. Tickets are subject to applicable service charges and event time and date are subject to change.
Athletes scheduled to attend the UFC Fan Expo are subject to change.
Indecent Proposal With Chandella Powell
Chandella Powell
When Chandella Powell isn’t making the rounds at UFC events she is seemingly rolling around in a sea of money whilst being photographed. Well, it didn’t exactly happen like that, but pretty close. Thanks to YouTube user MMA30tv for posting the video.
UFC 134: Extended Preview
UFC 134: Rio
UFC 134 is almost here, and most fight fans can’t wait for the organization’s return to Brazil since the early day’s of the UFC. UFC 134 is set up to be one of the greatest cards of the year and both fans and media alike are expecting it to deliver. Here’s an extended preview of UFC 134, thanks go out to YouTube user NaturalBornKillerMMA for posting.
Kimbo Slice’s Boxing Debut A Success
Kimbo Slice
Kimbo Slice didn’t waste any time in his boxing debut by knocking out James Wade in 17 seconds in true Kimbo fashion. Check out the video below. Thanks to YouTube user IMakeFights for posting it.
Handstand Kick KO, Shaq’s Fight Wish List & More
Headstand KO
This has got to be one of the sickest KO’s, even though it happened during a sparring session, it’s still pretty impressive. Props to YouTube user Pritch84 for posting it. Check it out and let us know what you think.
Shaq has been a fan of text for hyperlinkMMA for quite some time and there has even been speculation about Shaq entering MMA and making a career out of it. For now, here’s Shaq going over a list of NBA’ers he would like to fight.
Skippy is quite the act, some people have a good time with him, while others get annoyed rather quickly. All in all, it’s good fun and entertainment.
Finally, straight from the FuelTV YouTube channel, you just can’t go wrong with a little Bas Rutten.
Stefan Struve Training For Pat Barry
Stefan Struve
UFC fighter Stefan Struve is coming off a loss in which he was brutally KO’d by Travis Browne and is looking to get back into the win column. Pat Barry is also coming off a KO loss that saw a seemingly beat Cheick Kongo come back to KO a completely stunned Pat Barry. However, one thing Struve has is height and he has a very unique way of working that to his advantage. Enter exhibit A, a video of Struve training for his bout against Barry. Props to YouTube user KCrigger40 for the video.
The Women Of MMA
UFC Ring Girl Arianny Celeste
You simply cannot go wrong with a video featuring the ladies of MMA. Especially when it includes the lovely ring girls, the better looking fighters and the incredibly hot (Jenny Mir anyone?) wives of MMA fighters. Check it out, enjoyment guaranteed. Props to Fight Zone TV for putting this together.
Strikeforce Nearing Its End?
Strikeforce
Strikeforce, an MMA promotion that was once hot on the heels of the UFC, looks like it’s getting ready to close up shop, just a few short months after Zuffa purchased the promotion. With the recent events surrounding Strikeforce, it’s only a matter of time before they completely close their doors.
The first clue pointing to Strikeforce’s demise was the departure of their Welterweight champion Nick Diaz. Diaz took an offer with the UFC to fight Georges St-Pierre, in the process leaving his Strikeforce Welterweight championship vacant and without a champion.
Another indicator pointing towards the absolution of Strikeforce was the firing of every fighter under the Golden Glory banner. This includes current Strikeforce Heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem, brother Valentijn Overeem, former women’s Bantamweight champion Marloes Coenen & Jon Olav Einemo. According to Dana White, the mass firing was because of the way Goldon Glory ran their business, and in turn, their fighters.
The latest indication for Strikeforce is the recent news that their poster boy and main prized possession Fedor Emelianenko would be cut from Strikeforce following 3 straight losses.
To add insult to injury (at least for the Strikeforce fan in all of us) is that the man that put Emelianenko in the unemployment line, Dan Henderson, just fought the last fight on his Strikeforce contract and rumors are that he is in contract talks to re-enter the UFC.
Nothing is quite official yet, but it does look like the odds are clearly stacked against Strikeforce. What do you think, is Strikeforce going to join Pride and WEC in MMA heaven? Let us know in the comments section below.
