UFC 155-Official Fight card- December 29, 2012

Posted on December 22, 2012 by Eric
JDS

JDS

UFC 155: Dos Santos vs. Velasquez II
Information
Date December 29, 2012
Venue MGM Grand Garden Arena
City Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

UFC 155: Dos Santos vs. Velasquez II is an upcoming mixed martial arts event to be held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship on December 29, 2012 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Background

Junior dos Santos vs. Cain Velasquez rematch was already expected since May 26, 2012 at UFC 146, in which dos Santos defended his belt against Frank Mir and Velasquez defeated Antonio Silva. Velasquez and dos Santos have already fought each other on November 12, 2011 at UFC on Fox: Velasquez vs. dos Santos, where dos Santos won his title via knockout in the very first round. Alistair Overeem, former DREAM and Strikeforce champion, is expected to face the winner of this bout. He was expected to face dos Santos for the title at UFC 146. However, on April 4, 2012, Overeem was revealed to have failed his pre-fight drug test by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC). He tested positive for elevated levels of testosterone with a ratio of 10-to-1, over the allowed ratio rate of 6-to-1.

Chael Sonnen was expected to face Forrest Griffin at this event. However, Sonnen was pulled from the fight to coach the seventeenth season of The Ultimate Fighter opposite UFC Light Heavyweight champion Jon Jones and was replaced by Phil Davis.

A bout between Erik Koch and Ricardo Lamas was expected to take place at this event. However, the bout was moved to UFC on Fox 6 and promoted to the main card

Heavyweight     Junior dos Santos     vs.     Cain Velasquez
Lightweight     Joe Lauzon     vs.     Jim Miller
Middleweight     Tim Boetsch     vs.     Costa Philippou
Middleweight     Yushin Okami     vs.     Alan Belcher
Middleweight     Chris Leben     vs.     Derek Brunson
Bantamweight     Brad Pickett     vs.     Eddie Wineland
Bantamweight     Erik Perez     vs.     Byron Bloodworth
Lightweight     Melvin Guillard     vs.     Jamie Varner
Lightweight     Michael Johnson     vs.     Myles Jury
Heavyweight     Phil De Fries     vs.     Todd Duffee
Flyweight     Chris Cariaso     vs.     John Moraga
Featherweight     Max Holloway     vs.     Leonard Garcia

Posted in Bellator, Dream, Strikeforce, UFC | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Roundtable-If you were Joe Silva or Dana White, what two fights would you put together in 2013?

Posted on December 18, 2012 by Eric
Jon Jones

Jon Jones

If you were Joe Silva or Dana White, what two fights would you put together in 2013?

Jaycen De Norsci-RNC Contributor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JaycenD

Frank Mir vs Daniel Cormier 

This is a fight that I was dying to see, and thus, was tremendously disappointed when it was canceled due to Frank Mir’s injury. With Strikeforce folding and their top talents undoubtedly landing UFC contracts in the near future, this is a fight worth trying to make happen again in my opinion. 

Daniel Cormier may have the best wrestling in all of MMA, and Frank Mir’s jiu-jitsu is second to none. It’d be really interesting to see what would happen if these two bulls met for collision inside the Octagon!  

Undisputed UFC Lightweight Championship

UFC Lightweight Champion vs Strikeforce Lightweight Champion

Benson Henderson (c) vs Gilbert Melendez (c)

Getting back to Strikeforce folding, this is another one of those must-see fights that will become a possibility via the top Strikeforce talents joining the UFC. 

 

Benson Henderson received tons of criticism after his second win over Frankie Edgar, which many felt was a very controversial decision. But after his UFC on FOX 5 victory over Nate Diaz, people are drinking the Kool-Aid and recognizing Henderson as the true King of 155. 

…But is he really the best Lightweight on the planet? 

“Gilbert Melendez is above all of us.” – His training partner, Nate Diaz @ UFC on FOX 3. 

Whether or not Gilbert has to win a fight to earn this opportunity is up to the UFC brass, but I think Melendez is an immediate title contender in any fan’s eyes. 

 Brian Hobaugh-RNC Contributor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/arearnakedchoke

Rory MacDonald V.S. Georges St. Pierre for sure!

 Dylan Young-RNC Contributor

Arearnakedchoke.com on Facebook- www.facebook.com/erichobaugh

This is too amusing… Hard to say it’s not every day that you get that kind of status. I think that the fights that would be best for the UFC are both set in the higher weight classes. Don’t get me wrong I love seeing the smaller weight classes, but these both have major fight of the year potential. The first would have to be Jon Jones vs. Ander Silva. This fight is more possible than the dream of seeing the classic grappler vs. striker match that everyone wants to see between Silva and St. Pierre now that Silva has been fighting more often at light-heavyweight, and honestly would more than likely be way more exciting. The second match-up I want to see is Junior Dos Santos vs. Alistair Overeem. Overeem is a monster and easily the only person in my opinion that can take out the now champ. He hasn’t had much competition in the UFC dues to his positive PEDs test, but this fight would be fireworks. Two men that throw hard squaring off in the octagon is the whole idea behind the UFC anyways, isn’t it?

 

 

Posted in Bellator, Dream, Strikeforce, UFC | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Rory Macdonald Vs. Carlos Condit. Who Wins This Newly Signed Fight?

Posted on December 17, 2012 by Eric
rory macdonald

rory macdonald

Looks like Rory and Carlos Condit will fight again next year. Will the outcome be any different from their 2010 fight?

By Jaycen De Norsci-RNC Contributor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JaycenD

Looks like Rory and Carlos Condit will fight again next year. Will the outcome be any different from their 2010 fight?
Yes.

I think, much like the first two rounds of their first fight, Rory MacDonald will pressure Carlos Condit, forcing him out of the center of the Octagon. Combine that with the fact that Rory’s striking, footwork and head movement are even better now, and Rory looks like a much more promising favorite than he did in that first fight. Add on three more years of training with George St-Pierre, and you have to imagine that Rory’s takedown defense has probably improved pretty tremendously as well. Anything’s possible, but I don’t see Carlos Condit stopping Rory MacDonald a second time, or winning the fight at all for that matter.

The real reason I’m dying to see this rematch unfold is because we just saw GSP defeat Condit by Decision. I’m very eager to see if MacDonald can finish Condit. If the answer to that question is yes, well then you shouldn’t have to think hard to figure out who I’d love to see Rory fight after that!

Brian Hobaugh-RNC Contributor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/arearnakedchoke

No. Rory has grown so much in skill and strength since then, and has a lot more experience, so I think he pull it off.

Dylan Young-RNC Contributor
Arearnakedchoke.com on Facebook- www.facebook.com/erichobaugh
To speak simply yes, the fight will be very different. Rory Macdonald has been improving as a fighter non-stop since day one, and this time Condit will have more than a handful. Macdonald isn’t the same fighter as before and with Condit coming off of a brutal loss to GSP I don’t think he will be quite as prepared as he needs to be. Either way this will be a blood-bath, but my money’s on the Canadian.

Posted in Bellator, Dream, Strikeforce, UFC | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Who Wins The TUF 16 Finale?

Posted on December 15, 2012 by Eric

Who wins this Saturday’s TUF 16 Finale fight between Roy Nelson and Matt Mitrione, and why the hell
should I care about this fight now that Shane Carwin is no longer on the card?

Jaycen De Norsci-RNC Contributor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JaycenD

First off, if you’re implying that Shane Carwin was the biggest draw on this card, let me just say that I agree with that statement entirely. I was very excited to see Shane Carwin vs Roy Nelson, especially considering the fact that they’re the only two guys whom Junior dos Santos was unable to finish. So, needless to say, I was very disappointed to hear of Carwin’s untimely injury. Having said that, I do still think this card is worth the watch. Roy Nelson and Matt Mitrione are both former TUF contestants, which makes it apropo for the event. Both men are heavy-handed strikers who waste little time getting down to business, so don’t expect to see this fight going to decision. These guys aren’t getting paid by the round. Somebody’s getting knocked the fuck out fast, in my opinion.
But that’s not all this card offers: Mike Ricci vs Colton Smith is very promising, and with a six-figure UFC contract on the line, it’d be an understatement to say that the stakes are high!  Also, Pat Barry’s in action, which is always entertaining, even when he loses. Dustin Poirier will be in action, too, and he ain’t one to disappoint a crowd either. Even the undercard looks good, which will be headlined by James Head vs Mike Pyle. I think Head’s very underrated.
But my personal favorite fight on this show is the second bout of the main card: Melvin Guillard vs Jamie Varner. Both men are coming off Fight Of The Night losses. I’m not sure who wins this one, but I definitely predict it’ll be the TUF 16 Finale Fight Of The Night!

Brian Hobaugh-RNC Contributor

Twitter: http://twitter.com/arearnakedchoke
Roy Nelson wins by decision, as he has gone the distance many a time before. Honestly, I don’t care either way.

Dylan Young-RNC Contributor
Arearnakedchoke.com on Facebook- www.facebook.com/erichobaugh
Who knows… and who cares. This will probably be one of the least watched cards in awhile. Matt Mitrione comes from my birthplace of Indiana, but am I going to root for him? Yes, why, because I also dislike Roy Nelson. Either way it’s going to be uneventful. I’m saying that Nelson will out wrestle Matt and lay and pray his way to a grueling decision victory.

Eric Hobaugh-Editor-in-Chief
I hate this fight. It does not make sense on any level.  I think there are so many more relevant and exciting fights available in the UFC. Having said that, I do not see any scenario in which Mitrione wins this fight.  I think Nelson can win any way he wants to.  I think he will decide to keep the fight on the feet and kick box with Mitrione. I see this fight ending by decision in favor of Nelson. The Ricci-Smith fight is interesting, but one that is Ricci’s to win. He is more complete fighter and should easily win this one.  Ricci was the most complete fighter at the beginning of the season and he will walk away with the TUF 16 title.

Posted in Bellator, Dream, Strikeforce, UFC | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Should BJ Penn retire after his loss to Rory MacDonald?

Posted on December 14, 2012 by Eric
BJ PENN

BJ PENNBJ PENN

Should BJ Penn retire after his loss to Rory MacDonald?

By Jaycen De Norsci-RNC Contributor

Twitter: @JaycenD

Normally, a question like this isn’t too difficult to answer. But when you’re talking about a guy like BJ Penn, who has been UFC Champion in two different divisions, it’s a bit more complicated than that. His loss to Rory MacDonald at UFC on FOX 5 certainly was not, by any means, his best performance ever. Having said that, though, I don’t entirely fault BJ for it. I view it as a testament to the always-improving Rory MacDonald. At the age of only 23, that kid is already fighting like a Champion. As for BJ, I do still consider him to be a top name in the 170-pound category. But with two losses to Champion, George St-Pierre already on his record, it’s unlikely that he’ll receive another Welterweight title shot; at least not while GSP is still the Champion; and especially not after losing to Nick Diaz and Rory MacDonald in succession. Now, if he wants to make a move back down to Lightweight, I’d be a huge fan of that. We haven’t seen BJ fight at Lightweight since he lost back-to-back fights against Frankie Edgar. But the Lightweight division has changed tremendously since then. Frankie Edgar has moved down to Featherweight, Benson Henderson is the new UFC Lightweight Champion, and there’s a fresh bunch of faces, old and new, like Gray Maynard, Anthony Pettis, Joe Lauzon, Nate Diaz, Jim Miller and Donald Cerrone, all of whom I think would make great opponents for BJ Penn. But if he doesn’t want to try another run at Lightweight, then I would definitely suggest retirement. Either way, BJ Penn is a top-tier UFC Hall of Famer in my eyes.

Jason Dempster --RNC Contributor

BJ is a great fighter and I think he has gotten better over the years but we are no longer pulling fighters from a small pond but instead a larger lake.  Rory represents this new crop of fighters.  Many people still remember the Royce Gracie days where the smaller technical fighter can beat the larger less technical opponent.  The disparity in technical ability between fighters has become much smaller and therefore many other factors have become more improtant in the fight game.  One of those factors is being the larger fighter.  If you are not going to be the larger and stronger fighter, you at least need to be the faster and more in shape fighter.  BJ is unfortunately not usually in better shape than the top level fighters at welterweight.  The amount of extra leverage and range that you get from having a larger frame is a distinct advantage.  BJ can continue to fight but will not be able to continue in the welter weight division against the new crop of fighters who are very technically proficient, larger framed and in shape.  BJ will have to learn to cut weight if he wants to continue.  He may need to consider moving to lightweight division or even the lower in the future.  BJ is a legend and could retire now as one but if he still wants to compete and be at the top of a weight class, he needs to move down.

Brian Hobaugh-RNC Contributor

Twitter: @arearnakedchoke

Yes. He is too old to be doing this anymore, and he already had his golden days. I don’t like seeing him get beat up.

 

Dylan Young-RNC Contributor

BJ Penn is one of the greatest MMA fighters to ever to compete. But, I am beginning to think his time is over, if not completely then nearly. He has been one of my all time favorites, not only has he always been a sight to see, but also his general attitude, ambition, and determination towards the sport make him the fighter everyone is sad to see leave. I think that there is for sure a ticking clock in this scenario, and there aren’t many seconds left with Dane White getting involved and stating that he believes that Penn needs to retire. I say he should give it one more and then hang up the gloves.

Eric Hobaugh-Editor-in-Chief

He is now 1-4-1 in his last six fights. If he comes back, he will run the risk of being pitied like Chuck Liddell was at the end of his career. B.J. Penn should without a doubt retire. He is a wealthy guy who does not have to worry about money or taking care of his family. He should be entered into the UFC Hall Of Fame in late 2012 or early 2013.

Posted in Bellator, Dream, Strikeforce, UFC | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

UFC on Fox 5 results-Henderson Retains Title-Rory MacDonald Horrible Sport

Posted on December 8, 2012 by Eric
ben henderson cut out

ben henderson

This was a good night of fights.  I was impressed with all of the fights tonight.

Before I get to the fights, I want to talk about Rory MacDonald.  He is clearly the future at 170. He trains with GSP everyday.  He will be the champ one day for sure. His disrespect of BJ Penn was disgusting. His showboating tonight lost him more fans that he won.  It reminded me of the time Rashad Evans fought Chuck when he pretended to kiss his midsection. It was hard to watch and we have no place in our sport for it.  I will be rooting for whoever fights him next.

The undercard on FX was solid.  All good fights and well worth watching.

The first fight on the main card was Mike Swick vs. Matt Brown and the first round was a ground clinic.
It was a very exciting round and worth and the price of admission.  The second round was a great back and forth and the knock out by Brown of Swick will be on every highlight real for the end of the year rewinds that will start soon. Brown’s stock has risen and he has earned a fight against a top 15 opponent in his next fight.

B.J. Penn vs. Rory MacDonald started with Rory getting the best on the feet and sow BJ slow by the end of the first round.  B.J. was in trouble on several occasions in the first round.  Rory looks like the prodigy in every round of this fight. The second round was target practice for Macdonald.  It was hard to watch Penn be dominated the way he was in this round. The showboating by MacDonald was very hard to watch.  I think he lost more fans than he gained with his disrespect of one of the greatest fighters to ever fight. Having said that, he did an amazing job against a great champion and won every second of this round and the fight. Macdonald is ready for one or two more fights and then a title shot.

Mauricio Rua vs. Alexander Gustafsson was the fight I was most looking forward too.  Great first round, but I gave the first round to Gustafsson because he had two take downs and landed more on the feet.  The second round was more of the same with Gustafsson winning most of the exchanges.  Round three was a duplicate of the first two rounds. Gustafsson won by decision and he should get Jon Jones next.

The main event of the evening was Benson Henderson vs Nate Diaz and the first round was dead even.  Round two saw Henderson start to use his strength to start to control the fight. I gave a close round two to Henderson.  Round three was an exciting back and forth that I gave to Henderson.  By round four it apparent that Diaz is being outclassed everywhere.  I scored round four for Henderson as well.  Round five was a repeat of round 4. Henderson won a decisive decision victory. Diaz was outclassed everywhere and I do not see many fighters at 155 that have a realistic chance of beating Henderson.

Rory MacDonald

Rory MacDonald

Posted in Bellator, Dream, Strikeforce, UFC | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Who Wins The UFC on Fox 5 Main Event?

Posted on December 7, 2012 by Eric

Who wins this fight on 12/8 UFC on Fox and how?

{Lightweight Championship} Ben Henderson (16-2) vs. Nate Diaz (16-7)

Ben Henderson

Eric Hobaugh Editor-in-Chief

I feel Diaz is a good fighter, but Henderson is an excellent fighter.  He is more complete in all aspects of MMA. His striking and wrestling should allow him to dictate where he wants the fight to take place.  Diaz can win if Henderson makes a makes a large enough mistake, but outside of that, I am going with Henderson via decision.

Dylan Young-RNC Contributor

This is a tossup; in my mind I honestly can’t see a definite winner. So, in this situation, most would give it to the champ. But, I never have expected his reign to last, so I’m giving it to Diaz. I think he will out box and simply control the fight for a lengthy period of time.

Brian Hobaugh- RNC Contributor
I see Benson winning this one. He has gone the distance many times and he has a lot of heart. Diaz is a tough opponent, but Benson will pull it off with a split decision.

Posted in Bellator, Dream, Strikeforce, UFC | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Who wins this Saturday’s UFC on Fox 5 Bout Between Alexander Gustafsson (14-1) vs. Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua (21-6)

Posted on December 6, 2012 by Eric
alexander gustafsson

alexander gustafsson

Eric Hobaugh- Editor-in-Chief

I am looking more forward to this fight more than any other fight the rest of the year.  It has the potential to be an all-time great. On paper, it looks like this will be a stand up war.  I think if Gustafsson is smart, he will take Shogun down and keep the fight on the mat.  This would be a great and unexpected game plan that would be successful.  I think  Gustafsson has a good enough ground game not get caught in the black belt BJJ skills of Shogun.  I predict Gustafsson wins via decision.

Dylan Young-RNC Contributor

Alexander Gustafsson is a talent, and a sight to see. I always love watching him fight, but honestly can’t see him beating a seasoned vet with the caliber of Rua. Shogun has my vote.

Brian Hobaugh- RNC Contributor

Shogun. He has powerful hands, and much more experience than Alexander. Round 2 TKO.

Posted in UFC | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Who wins this Saturday’s UFC on Fox 5 Bout Between BJ Penn and Rory Macdonald

Posted on December 5, 2012 by Eric

Rory MacDonald (13-1) vs. BJ Penn (16-8)

Rory Macdonald

Rory Macdonald

Eric Hobaugh Editor-in-Chief

If I had a crystal ball and could see which B.J. shows up, I could predict this easily.  If he trained and got himself into top condition he should have no trouble.  MacDonald is a good bet to be the heir to
GSP’s belt, but not yet.  Because B.J. does not have many fights left in him, I think he will win this fight by KO in the later rounds.  He has a great deal to prove and if he can win this fight, he goes a long way in starting his way back to the top. History will smile on B.J. Penn and remember him as a great fighter, but if he does not win another title he will not be mentioned in the same breath as GSP and Anderson Silva.  I feel like he might only fight one or two more times and then retire.

Dylan Young-RNC Contributor

Depends… Which BJ Penn will show up? I’d like to say he gets the win I could never put money on it though, especially with Rory MacDonald’s determination and raw athleticism. My choice goes in favor of the up and comer Rory MacDonald.

 

Brian Hobaugh- RNC Contributor

Rory MacDonald has shown in the past that he is clearly very high caliber. BJ Penn is getting old for the game, though he can still put up a fight. I think this ends in the judges hands, Rory’s hand raised to the tune of a unanimous decision.

Posted in do not use, UFC | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Can BJ Penn Get Back to The Top?

Posted on December 4, 2012 by Eric
BJ Penn

BJ Penn

By Eric Hobaugh Editor-in-Chief

http://www.sherdog.net/forums/f2/bj-penn-wants-people-again-talk-about-him-same-breath-anderson-gsp-2317503/

“I actually texted Dana a while back and said, ‘Dana, I watch all these interviews and all these people talking and no one says my name when they talk about the greatest fighters anymore and I really don’t like that.’

“That really bothers me. I know that’s my fault. I know I’m the reason why people don’t talk about me when they talk about GSP or Anderson Silva.”

From the Sherdog.com interview posted on 11/28/12

 

If BJ wants to be thought of as one of the best all-time fighters again, he has a lot of work to do.

This is an unfortunate reality for every fighter.  Even Anderson Silva would fall off his game if he stayed in the fight game long enough.  One thing Silva has been able to do better than many other great fighters, including B.J., is he usually avoids taking too much punishment.  Think about how long B.J. has fought and how many wars he has been in.  In his last 5 fights, he has won only one and that victory was against a WAY over the hill Matt Hughes.  He is not fighting tomato cans (Nick Diaz, John Fitch, and Frankie Edgar twice), but neither are any of the other all-time greats.  I feel B.J. can make a statement with a win over Rory MacDonald, but he will need to put together a few wins against top five fighters in order to hear his name among the elite fighters again.  It has never been a question of his ability.  He has the skill and capability to be one of the best ever…….again.  What he lacks, in my opinion, is the desire to train the way he needs to get back on top.  He is getting older, and from what I have read, he is very wealthy.  Seriously, if you did not have to get up every day and go to work, would you?  That may be a resounding no if your job was getting hit in the face for a living. In my opinion, he will not fight beyond 2014.

Posted in Bellator, Dream, Strikeforce, UFC | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment