Category: Events (Page 21 of 45)

      UFC 132 Preview: Carlos Condit vs. Dong Hyun Kim

      July 1, 2011 /

      nullUFC 132 will let us know who the next great contender in the UFC welterweight division may be.

      Carlos Condit and Dong Hyun Kim are both knocking on the door of top-5 contender status, so their clash this Saturday night will show us which one is ready for the next step.

      Here is a breakdown of both fighters heading into this contest.

      Carlos Condit (26-5) – Condit is a solid all-around fighter. He is known mostly for his grappling, but has since really shown some improved striking, both in terms of power and technique. His KO of Dan Hardy sent a big message to the division and put him in line to contend for the title with another big one. While Kim isn’t known much around the country, he is unbeaten, and would be a big win for Condit.

      Dong Hyun Kim (14-0-1) – Kim is a judo grappler that is very big for a 170-pound fighter. He has really been a tough opponent for people to figure out due to his strength and grappling ability. He has won his last three fights, including victories over Nate Diaz and Amir Sadollah. Though he hasn’t finishing most opponents, he has done enough to clearly win fights.

      Who Will Win: Kim has the ability to take a punch and keep moving forward, so I see this being a bad matchup for Condit. I don’t think Condit will be able to win the grappling battle with Kim. With Kim being the bigger fighter, I see Condit struggling to get off his back when the fight hits the ground and that will allow Kim to get another decision victory.

      Events, Fighters, UFC

      Dana White stands firm, Marquardt done with the UFC

      June 30, 2011 /

      nullI guess it wasn’t an emotional reaction from Dana White after all.

      Just minutes after Nate Marquardt was declared unable to compete at UFC Live 4, White stated that Marquardt was done with the UFC.

      Now, despite Marquardt’s tearful apology and a hoard of Twitter followers trying to influence White to rethink his decision, the UFC President stood firm about his choice during the UFC 132 Pre-Fight Press Conference on Thursday. Here is what White told MMAFighting.com.

      “Nate’s done,” said White. “I’m done with Nate. Listen, Nate’s a really nice guy. He’s a really sweet, nice, humble guy, but the facts are the facts and it is what it is. It’s easier to go after a guy like Josh Barnett. He’s just callous and rude and he’s a d–k. So when he does it it’s easier to just go, you know what, f–k Josh Barnett. The difference is, Nate’s such a sweet, nice guy, but the same results.”

      “The difference with Chael and Marquardt, is we can talk about everything in the Chael incident. We can’t with Marquardt. I’ve seen some of the stuff people are saying. You think I’m this crazy, emotional psycho. Give me a break. This isn’t the first time. Everybody’s like, ‘Oh, give him a second chance.’ This would be like the fourth time.”

      “He tested positive before, then apparently he was on suspension with New Jersey, because his levels were high, then he comes into [Pittsburgh] and he doesn’t pass his medicals. Now you tell me: is that the fourth chance? Or is that a second chance? Sounds like a fourth chance to me.”

      It appears that Marquardt’s run with the UFC is indeed over and he probably only has himself to blame. Hopefully he still is able to land on his feet in some capacity.

      Events, Fighters, News, UFC

      UFC 132 Preview: Ryan Bader vs. Tito Ortiz

      June 30, 2011 /

      nullWill this be the swan song for “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy”?

      One of the first superstars of MMA was Tito Ortiz, but on Saturday, he can be facing his last appearance in the octagon if he is unable to beat, or maybe just compete, against Ryan Bader.

      Bader was one win away from perhaps fighting for the UFC Light Heavyweight championship, but he was dominated by current champ, Jon Jones.

      Here is a breakdown of both fighters heading into this contest.

      Tito Ortiz (15-8-1) – Ortiz is 0-4-1 in his last five fights and he hasn’t picked up a victory since 2006. Ortiz is a strong wrestler, but he has never quite evolved in his striking and many of the top light heavyweights have been able to match his wrestling ability. His last loss saw him taken down by Matt Hamill, and Ryan Bader appears to be a more explosive wrestler than Hamill.

      Ryan Bader (12-1) – Bader ran through the UFC until facing Jones, but he picked up some solid wins along the way. Bader has used a mixture of takedowns and big hooks to beat his opponents. While he isn’t a great technical striker, he has some good power. He is able to fake takedowns and follow up with a big overhand hook because his opponents are too busy preparing for the shot. Bader is very athletic and can push a good pace for a 15-minute fight. Bader did struggle with the wrestling of Jon Jones, and Ortiz does have some good explosiveness in his takedown attempts.

      Who Will Win – Ortiz is skilled, but he just doesn’t have what it takes to beat today’s superior MMA fighters. Bader is a better version of what Ortiz was in his prime. I see Bader being able to stuff Ortiz’ takedown attempts and Bader being able to get Ortiz down a few times each round. I also see Bader getting the best of the striking exchanges in this fight. Look for Bader to win by decision.

      Events, Fighters, UFC

      UFC 132 Preview: Chris Leben vs. Wanderlei Silva

      June 29, 2011 /

      nullThe idea of Chris Leben and Wanderlei Silva fighting each other is enough to get any fight fan excited.

      However, a fight that gets this kind of hype rarely lives up to expectations.

      Still, this contest should be a slugfest and has me excited for Saturday.

      Here is a breakdown of the fight.

      Wanderlei Silva (33-10-1) – Silva hasn’t fought in over a year since he won a decision over Michael Bisping. He is one of the top strikers of all time as he has some pretty notorious KO victories. Over recent year, Silva has struggled with a weaker chin, as he was KO’d in three of his last five losses. Silva is also just 2-5 in his last seven fights, but he is still one of the most feared men in all of MMA.

      Chris Leben (25-7) – Leben is coming off a TKO loss to Brian Stann at UFC 125, which derailed a nice train of momentum he had going for him. Leben has some big hands, but tends to struggle with grapplers and crisp technical strikers. Stann, Michael Bisping, and Anderson Silva each picked Leben apart in the octagon.

      Who Will Win: When I talk about technical striking, Wanderlei Silva isn’t necessarily in that discussion. He loops big punches that take a long time to deliver. Leben isn’t necessarily real technical either. This basically comes down to which fighter will land the big punch first. I think Leben has a real good shot to win, but my gut just won’t let me pick him. I will take Silva by TKO in the second round.

      Events, Fighters, UFC

      Marquardt says high testosterone level is what caused failed test, going through hormone replacement therapy

      June 28, 2011 /

      nullNate Marquardt went all Chael Sonnen on us.

      During Tuesday’s edition of the MMA Hour, Nate Marquardt appeared live in studio with his manager Lex McMahon as they spoke to Ariel Helwani to address his firing from the UFC for a failed medical exam prior to his UFC Live 4 bout with Rick Story.

      According to Marquardt, he has been battling low testosterone levels since August of 2010 and began hormone replacement therapy under the advisement of his doctor.

      Marquardt had been altering his therapy sessions in terms of frequency and intensity and that caused his testosterone levels to alter.

      Three weeks prior to the fight, Marquardt discovered that his testosterone levels were too high to get licensed for the fight. He stopped doing the therapy sessions, but they didn’t bring his levels back to an acceptable level by the time the medical exam took place on Saturday.

      The Pennsylvania Athletic Commission suspended Marquardt indefinitely for the failed test, but Marquardt stated that his testosterone levels are now at an acceptable level and he is in the process of getting his license back.

      Marquardt also indicated that the hormone therapy was an issue for his UFC 128 bout with Dan Miller, but he still tested at an acceptable level prior to the bout, so he was cleared to fight.

      Marquardt says that he used to take andro over the counter until 2005, which he thinks may have led to his low testosterone levels.

      Still, Marquardt was fired from the UFC for the failed test on Saturday. Now, remember that Chael Sonnen was caught with high testosterone levels following his bout with Anderson Silva last year and he has not fought again since, but he was never fired by the UFC.

      Should the UFC give Marquardt another chance? Did Marquardt tell the whole story?

      I am sure we have not heard the last of this.

      Events, Fighters, News, UFC

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