Erick Silva ?s DQ will stand, but UFC implementing replay

Remember Erick Silva's bizarre disqualification at UFC 142? The one that caused the Brazilian prospect to go from jubilant to despondent in about .15 seconds? The one that made UFC commentator Joe Rogan call out referee Mario Yamasaki's judgment while in the Octagon? The one that made us all wonder why there's no instant replay in MMA?

Yeah, that one? It won't be overturned. Since the fight was in Brazil, with no regulatory commission, the UFC served as the regulator of the fight. They announced that they have no plans to change the fight to a no-contest.

From Marc Ratner, the UFC's vice president of government and regulatory affairs:

"Based on the referee's verbal warnings and his determination that the blows were intentional and a disqualifying foul, this is not the type of decision that can be reviewed," Ratner stated. "Therefore, the decision stands."

However, Ratner did share some good news. The UFC will start using instant replay at their self-regulated, international events, and will encourage state commissions to come into the 90s and use replay.

While it may not be the exact outcome that MMA fans -- or Erick Silva -- wants, it's still a good sign that the UFC is willing to make a change to improve the sport overall.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/erick-silva-dq-stand-ufc-implementing-replay-154335851.html

Tank Abbott Hiroyuki Abe Cyril Abidi  Daniel Acacio Bernard Ackah 

Demian Maia Over Initial Disappointment of Opponent Switch

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CHICAGO -- Watch below as Demian Maia talks about his upcoming fight against Chris Weidman at UFC on FOX 2, getting over the initial disappointment of not fighting Michael Bisping, his thoughts on Weidman, and his improvement as a striker.

 

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Source: http://www.mmafighting.com/2012/01/25/demian-maia-over-initial-disappointment-of-opponent-switch/

Eddie Alvarez Thiago Alves  Andre Amade  Dean Amasinger  Jimmy Ambriz

Vitor Belfort overcomes Anthony Johnson?s size to get UFC 142 submission

Fighting in front of his hometown crowd, Vitor Belfort submitted Anthony Johnson in the first round at UFC 142 in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday.

Johnson wanted to use his wrestling skills caught a kick for a takedown early in the first round. Belfort looked for submissions from his back, but couldn't find any, and they were stood up by referee Dan Miragliotta. Belfort landed a knee and stuffed Johnson's takedowns, while Johnson was still able to land several big strikes.

As the crowd chanted, "Ole Ole Ole! Vitor, Vitor!" Belfort took Johnson's back and cinched it with a body triangle. Belfort methodically worked his arms under Johnson's chin, and secured the rear naked choke for the submission at 4:49 in the first round.

The fight was in question after Johnson weighed in at 197 lbs. for the 185-lb. division. Johnson had to weigh in again at 2 p.m. on Saturday and weigh less than 205 lbs. for the fight to go on. Johnson fought for years at welterweight and had trouble with the weight cut then.

"I fought big guys. I'm not afraid of size. I'm ready to fight whatever, but I cut 20 lbs. in four days. I've got to be a professional. I cannot control the outcome, but I can control my attitude," Belfort said after the bout.

Belfort lost to Anderson Silva in a title bout last February, but has two first-round wins since then. Next, he is slated to coach the first Brazilian edition of "The Ultimate Fighter" against fellow Brazilian MMA legend Wanderlei Silva.

Johnson is in a precarious position. Not making weight will draw the ire of UFC president Dana White, and it does not help to lose a fight the next day.

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Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/vitor-belfort-overcomes-anthony-johnson-size-ufc-142-043537297.html

Andre Amade  Dean Amasinger  Jimmy Ambriz Matt Andersen  Alex Andrade 

Jim Miller back on track with choke victory over Melvin Guillard at UFC on FX 1

Fundamentals took out flash Friday night.

Melvin Guillard looked spectacular at times, but after three minutes of wowing the crowd, he was caught in another choke and had to tap to the very steady and tough Jim Miller.

Guillard, a dynamic striker, was lighting up Miller when he made a big mistake. He left his feet to attempt his fourth flying knee of the fight. Miller was waiting and dumped him to the ground where he eventually locked on a rear-naked choke to finish things at the 2:02 mark of the first round in the main event of the UFC on FX 1 card in Nashville.

"It always something I've been able to do and then from there it was just about securing the position," Miller told UFC play-by-play voice Jon Anik. "I'm pretty confident that I am the most dangerous lightweight in the world. I'm willing to make you guys believe that."

The dominant victory puts Miller (21-3, 10-2 UFC) right back in the middle of the UFC lightweight title hunt. A second straight loss Friday and he would've tumbled down the rankings. Miller lost badly his last time out against Ben Henderson. He revealed this week that he was battling some medical issues entering that fight. That's all in the past now.

Guillard's regarded as one of the most explosive fighters in any weight division. He came out on fire.

Just 35 seconds into the fight, Guillard dropped Miller. As Miller scrambled, he got drilled by six more hard punches. Miller clutched and grabbed to avoid more damage. He ate another big knee as the fighters separated. With 2:48 left, Miller absorbed another huge Guillard punch, right down the pipe, but he never wilted. When Guillard tried a fourth flying knee, Miller was ready.

The 28-year-old from New Jersey dumped Guillard on his back and 10 seconds later scored a momentary mount. Guillard did himself in when he flipped to his back in an attempt to free himself. Miller's jiu-jitsu is too nasty to attempt such an elementary escape. Miller jumped on Guillard's back as he tried to stand up and instantly sunk in his hooks. Guillard's suffered seven previous choke losses during his career. He wasn't getting out of this one.

A relieved Miller gave Guillard (29-10-2, 10-6 UFC) much credit following the fight.

"I don't get knocked down often and he knocked me down. He hits hard man. There are a lot of guys, I think in this weight class and the one above, that don't want to fight that kid," said Miller.

Henderson faces Edgar for the UFC lightweight title next month in Japan. Beyond that fight, it's anyone guess who'll get the next shot against the winner. Miller certainly put himself in the conversation.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/jim-miller-back-track-choke-victory-over-melvin-040255362.html

John Alessio  Houston Alexander Ricardo Almeida  Eddie Alvarez Thiago Alves 

Rashad Evans interview: ?Suga? focused on fight in front of him

Though former UFC light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans is focused on his fight with Phil Davis at UFC on Fox 2, there is another man who still gets on Evans' nerves: the current UFC light heavyweight champion. In fact, the mere mention of Jones' name caused the once friendly relationship between Evans and Davis to grow frosty.

"We've actually always been friendly to each other," Evans told Cagewriter. "I've always been a Phil fan. But when you're talking trash about Jon Jones, it kind of bothers me a little bit. I can't lie."

Though Evans and Jones were once friends and training partners, their relationship fell apart after Jones remarked to media that he would fight Evans. Since then, Evans has been irked by Jones.

"All the stuff that Jon has done, he deserves credit for and I respect that. He's been an amazing athlete in the sport, and he's accomplished so much. I have nothing but respect for him in that, but when he opens his mouth against me, it bothers me."

During the UFC on Fox 2 press conference, Davis mentioned what Jones said about Evans' lack of chin. Evans responded to Davis, a Penn State alumnus, by referring to the Penn State sex abuse scandal.

"Sometimes you say things and you didn't think about it when you say it. I can't tell somebody how they should feel about something. It was a lesson that I learned about being a little bit more conscious and watching what I say because you never know how it's going to affect people in different ways."

Both Evans and Davis were collegiate wrestlers, but Davis made a comment that he is the only one who truly has wrestling skills. According to Evans, there is a big difference between collegiate wrestling and MMA wrestling.

"What it comes down to is that he can be the best college wrestler in the world. He can have all the accolades. That's awesome. But we're not wrestling college wrestling. This is a fight. You can have the best college wrestling in the world, but you can have terrible MMA wrestling. His MMA wrestling is OK. It's not phenomenal. It's not exceptional. But his transitions from his punches to a takedown are trash," Evans said.

Davis was an NCAA Division I wrestling champion, but Evans doesn't see him as a well-rounded fighter.

"It's about timing and his timing is off. He's not comfortable standing up and punching, and it's a two-part thing. That's the other part of it. You can have a great shot. Great wrestling, but if you're afraid to get punched, or if you don't have good set-ups for your takedowns, then it doesn't matter. You can't execute because you're too afraid to get hit. Or you spend too much time thinking about it. The moment you think about the shot, the moment I see it. If I see it, it's too late. You're not going to shoot on me."

Next Saturday, Evans will fight in his adopted city of Chicago, just hours away from Michigan State, where he went to school. Logic would say that he would get a warm reception from the crowd, but Evans is usually booed by crowds. He doesn't expect any change from his fellow Midwesterners.

"Of course I expect to be booed. People always have to find the bad guy, and for some reason, the look on my face or something, people just want to boo me.That's fine. I know who I am as a person, and if they boo me, they boo me. That's OK. It doesn't make me lose sleep at night. I know who I am in real life. The same people that boo you are the same people who will ask you for a picture an an autograph. They don't know why they boo me."

Evans is often cast as a villain in fights, but he doesn't relish the role, like Chael Sonnen or Josh Koscheck does.

"It's so far from my character. People who know me in real life know that's on the extreme of the other end of who I am. So when people boo me, or they say things about me, 'Rashad thinks he's this, Rashad thinks he's that,' it does bother me to a certain extent, but then I've got to remember that it's not me they're saying it about. It's a character of who they think I am, and I've got to divorce myself from that character."

He also has learned to take any promises of title shots with a shaker's worth of salt. Evans has been promised title shots with Mauricio Rua and Jones, but injuries and timing have gotten in the way. Again, Evans has been promised a shot at Jones with a win over Davis, but he knows better than to put stock in it.

"No matter what, it's not about the next fight after this one. The only fight that matters is this fight. What comes after this is for the fans to anticipate and think about. For me? Nothing matters besides the fight that I have. And that's the way it should be. Whether I've been promised something or not. Only thing I care about, the only thing I think about is the fight in front of me."

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/rashad-evans-interview-suga-focused-fight-front-him-213006869.html

Alex Andrade  Jermaine Andrè  Yoji Anjo  Tank Abbott Hiroyuki Abe

UFC on FOX 2 Predictions

Filed under:

Phil Davis will square off against Rashad Evans in the UFC on FOX 2 main event Saturday night.Will Rashad Evans finally earn the shot at the light heavyweight title that has been evading him for the last two years? Or will Phil Davis pull off the biggest win of his career? Will Chael Sonnen earn the rematch with Anderson Silva he so desperately wants? Or is Michael Bisping going to become the No. 1 contender in the middleweight division? Can Chris Weidman take a big step forward on by far the biggest stage of his career? Or will Demian Maia's jiu jitsu be too much for Weidman to handle?

I'll attempt to answer those questions as I pick the winners of UFC on Fox 2 below.

What: UFC on Fox 2: Evans vs. Davis

When: Saturday, the preliminary card starts at 4 p.m. ET on Fuel TV, and the main card starts at 8 p.m. on FOX.

Where: United Center, Chicago





Rashad Evans vs. Phil Davis
What makes this fight so dangerous for Evans is that the methods he's used to win his last three fights (against Tito Ortiz, Rampage Jackson and Thiago Silva) aren't likely to be effective against Davis. Davis is more naturally talented than Evans, he was a better college wrestler than Evans, he's bigger than Evans and stronger than Evans, and I think Davis will come out on top if Evans attempts to clinch with him and take him down.

So then it becomes a question of whether the more experienced Evans can fight a smarter fight than Davis, pick his spots standing and change levels to keep Davis guessing. Evans has much more experience fighting high-level opponents than Davis does, and if Evans can take Davis out of his comfort zone, he'll be able to frustrate him.

I'm tempted to pick Davis to pull off the upset, but I think Evans is crafty enough to find a way to beat Davis, probably by decision in a fight that stays mostly standing. With the win, Evans will finally get a shot at Jon Jones and his light heavyweight title.
Pick: Evans

Michael Bisping vs. Chael Sonnen
The battle for the right to face middleweight champion Anderson Silva is an easy fight for the UFC to hype this week because Bisping and Silva are such natural trash talkers. Unfortunately, I don't see it as being a particularly competitive fight once the Octagon door closes. Sonnen is just on another level than Bisping at this point in his career, and it will be shocking if Sonnen doesn't take Bisping down and beat him up on the ground. A Sonnen-Silva rematch is the huge money fight the UFC wants to book, and after Sonnen whips Bisping, it's a fight that a whole lot of FOX viewers will be willing to buy on pay-per-view.
Pick: Sonnen

Demian Maia vs. Chris Weidman
Weidman agreed to take the biggest fight of his life on very short notice last week when this card was re-shuffled because of Mark Munoz's injury. I was surprised when the betting odds came out for this one and Weidman was labeled the favorite, because I think Maia's world-class Brazilian jiu jitsu skills are going to make this a very tough fight for Weidman to win. Weidman was a good college wrestler who has built up a 7-0 record in MMA, but Maia is on another level, and I expect this fight to end with Weidman tapping.
Pick: Maia.

Evan Dunham vs. Nik Lentz
Lentz needs a win after looking surprisingly bad in a loss to Mark Bocek at UFC 140, and I think he's going to get it against Dunham. Lentz is the better wrestler in this fight and should be able to take Dunham down and stay on top of him, and I don't think Dunham is good enough off his back to do much about it. Look for Lentz to win a decision.
Pick: Lentz

Mike Russow vs. John-Olav Einemo
Russow, a Chicago cop, should have a great home crowd on his side at the United Center. But the crowd won't be enough to carry him through a tough battle with Einemo. Russow hasn't fought in almost a year, and ring rust and conditioning could be issues, and Einemo is such a high-level grappler that I expect him to submit Russow.
Pick: Einemo

Johnny Bedford vs. Mitch Gagnon
Fresh off a one-sided win over Louis Gaudinot at the Ultimate Fighter Finale, Bedford draws the Canadian Gagnon, a UFC newcomer. Gagnon is 8-1 with all eight wins coming by submission, so he could be a threat to Beford on the ground, but Bedford is bigger, much more experienced and a better striker and should take this one.
Pick: Bedford

Cub Swanson vs. George Roop
Roop is coming off a tough split decision loss to Hatsu Hioki in a fight where a win would have done big things for his career. I see him bouncing back and out-striking Swanson on his way to a decision victory.
Pick: Roop

Charles Oliveira vs. Eric Wisely
The 22-year-old Oliveira entered the UFC as a very hot 12-0 prospect and then won his first two fights inside the Octagon, and it looked like just a matter of time before he was in title contention. Unfortunately, Oliveira has two bad losses and an unfortunate no contest in his last three fights. Now the UFC is wisely giving Oliveira a step down against Wisely, a UFC newcomer. Oliveira may not be able to finish Wisely, who has never been stopped in 25 pro fights, but he should win a decision.
Pick: Oliveira

Michael Johnson vs. Shane Roller
Johnson, the former Ultimate Fighter finalist, is a good athlete and strong wrestler who sometimes relies too much on playing a top control game, as he did when he got submitted by Paul Sass in his last fight. But against Roller I like Johnson's chances of getting the better of the striking exchanges and winning a decision.
Pick: Johnson

Joey Beltran vs. Lavar Johnson
This heavyweight fight should be a fun slugfest for fans who are willing to forgive a lack of technique if they get lots of sloppy brawling. Beltran and Johnson are both big guys who hit hard, and the question is going to be who connects with a fight-changing punch first. I think it'll be Johnson.
Pick: Johnson

Chris Camozzi vs. Dustin Jacoby
Camozzi appeared on the 11th season of The Ultimate Fighter and has been a middling UFC competitor since then, going 2-2 inside the Octagon. Jacoby lost his UFC debut in October and will probably lose his spot on the UFC roster after this one.
Pick: Camozzi

 

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Source: http://www.mmafighting.com/2012/01/25/ufc-on-fox-2-predictions/

Tank Abbott Hiroyuki Abe Cyril Abidi  Daniel Acacio Bernard Ackah 

UFC on FOX 2 Predictions

Filed under:

Phil Davis will square off against Rashad Evans in the UFC on FOX 2 main event Saturday night.Will Rashad Evans finally earn the shot at the light heavyweight title that has been evading him for the last two years? Or will Phil Davis pull off the biggest win of his career? Will Chael Sonnen earn the rematch with Anderson Silva he so desperately wants? Or is Michael Bisping going to become the No. 1 contender in the middleweight division? Can Chris Weidman take a big step forward on by far the biggest stage of his career? Or will Demian Maia's jiu jitsu be too much for Weidman to handle?

I'll attempt to answer those questions as I pick the winners of UFC on Fox 2 below.

What: UFC on Fox 2: Evans vs. Davis

When: Saturday, the preliminary card starts at 4 p.m. ET on Fuel TV, and the main card starts at 8 p.m. on FOX.

Where: United Center, Chicago





Rashad Evans vs. Phil Davis
What makes this fight so dangerous for Evans is that the methods he's used to win his last three fights (against Tito Ortiz, Rampage Jackson and Thiago Silva) aren't likely to be effective against Davis. Davis is more naturally talented than Evans, he was a better college wrestler than Evans, he's bigger than Evans and stronger than Evans, and I think Davis will come out on top if Evans attempts to clinch with him and take him down.

So then it becomes a question of whether the more experienced Evans can fight a smarter fight than Davis, pick his spots standing and change levels to keep Davis guessing. Evans has much more experience fighting high-level opponents than Davis does, and if Evans can take Davis out of his comfort zone, he'll be able to frustrate him.

I'm tempted to pick Davis to pull off the upset, but I think Evans is crafty enough to find a way to beat Davis, probably by decision in a fight that stays mostly standing. With the win, Evans will finally get a shot at Jon Jones and his light heavyweight title.
Pick: Evans

Michael Bisping vs. Chael Sonnen
The battle for the right to face middleweight champion Anderson Silva is an easy fight for the UFC to hype this week because Bisping and Silva are such natural trash talkers. Unfortunately, I don't see it as being a particularly competitive fight once the Octagon door closes. Sonnen is just on another level than Bisping at this point in his career, and it will be shocking if Sonnen doesn't take Bisping down and beat him up on the ground. A Sonnen-Silva rematch is the huge money fight the UFC wants to book, and after Sonnen whips Bisping, it's a fight that a whole lot of FOX viewers will be willing to buy on pay-per-view.
Pick: Sonnen

Demian Maia vs. Chris Weidman
Weidman agreed to take the biggest fight of his life on very short notice last week when this card was re-shuffled because of Mark Munoz's injury. I was surprised when the betting odds came out for this one and Weidman was labeled the favorite, because I think Maia's world-class Brazilian jiu jitsu skills are going to make this a very tough fight for Weidman to win. Weidman was a good college wrestler who has built up a 7-0 record in MMA, but Maia is on another level, and I expect this fight to end with Weidman tapping.
Pick: Maia.

Evan Dunham vs. Nik Lentz
Lentz needs a win after looking surprisingly bad in a loss to Mark Bocek at UFC 140, and I think he's going to get it against Dunham. Lentz is the better wrestler in this fight and should be able to take Dunham down and stay on top of him, and I don't think Dunham is good enough off his back to do much about it. Look for Lentz to win a decision.
Pick: Lentz

Mike Russow vs. John-Olav Einemo
Russow, a Chicago cop, should have a great home crowd on his side at the United Center. But the crowd won't be enough to carry him through a tough battle with Einemo. Russow hasn't fought in almost a year, and ring rust and conditioning could be issues, and Einemo is such a high-level grappler that I expect him to submit Russow.
Pick: Einemo

Johnny Bedford vs. Mitch Gagnon
Fresh off a one-sided win over Louis Gaudinot at the Ultimate Fighter Finale, Bedford draws the Canadian Gagnon, a UFC newcomer. Gagnon is 8-1 with all eight wins coming by submission, so he could be a threat to Beford on the ground, but Bedford is bigger, much more experienced and a better striker and should take this one.
Pick: Bedford

Cub Swanson vs. George Roop
Roop is coming off a tough split decision loss to Hatsu Hioki in a fight where a win would have done big things for his career. I see him bouncing back and out-striking Swanson on his way to a decision victory.
Pick: Roop

Charles Oliveira vs. Eric Wisely
The 22-year-old Oliveira entered the UFC as a very hot 12-0 prospect and then won his first two fights inside the Octagon, and it looked like just a matter of time before he was in title contention. Unfortunately, Oliveira has two bad losses and an unfortunate no contest in his last three fights. Now the UFC is wisely giving Oliveira a step down against Wisely, a UFC newcomer. Oliveira may not be able to finish Wisely, who has never been stopped in 25 pro fights, but he should win a decision.
Pick: Oliveira

Michael Johnson vs. Shane Roller
Johnson, the former Ultimate Fighter finalist, is a good athlete and strong wrestler who sometimes relies too much on playing a top control game, as he did when he got submitted by Paul Sass in his last fight. But against Roller I like Johnson's chances of getting the better of the striking exchanges and winning a decision.
Pick: Johnson

Joey Beltran vs. Lavar Johnson
This heavyweight fight should be a fun slugfest for fans who are willing to forgive a lack of technique if they get lots of sloppy brawling. Beltran and Johnson are both big guys who hit hard, and the question is going to be who connects with a fight-changing punch first. I think it'll be Johnson.
Pick: Johnson

Chris Camozzi vs. Dustin Jacoby
Camozzi appeared on the 11th season of The Ultimate Fighter and has been a middling UFC competitor since then, going 2-2 inside the Octagon. Jacoby lost his UFC debut in October and will probably lose his spot on the UFC roster after this one.
Pick: Camozzi

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Source: http://www.mmafighting.com/2012/01/25/ufc-on-fox-2-predictions/

Tank Abbott Hiroyuki Abe Cyril Abidi  Daniel Acacio Bernard Ackah