Category: Events (Page 41 of 45)

Rocktagon MMA strikes deal with GFL

April 20, 2011 / Drew Ellis

The GFL Combat Sports Network recently announced in a press release that it has struck a deal with emerging MMA organization, Rocktagon MMA.

The promotion will now start airing fight events through GFL’s video on demand service beginning with this Saturday’s Amateur Elite Series 5 event in Elyria, Ohio.

Keith Evans, Vice President of Operations at GFL had the following to say about the deal:

“We at GFL are excited about Rocktagon. We believe Rocktagon has their finger on the pulse of “Raw and Uninhibited” MMA. They approach the amateur game in a music underground way with big emphasis on fighters putting their future and their hearts on the line. These fight cards are not Tenderfoot Try Outs…They’re fully fledged Rock-On Battles. Another thing that really works for them is the way they promote events more like a Warped Rock Concert versus a regional High School wrestling tournament. Fans at the amateur level don’t generally see poor competitions; they mostly see poor fight presentations. There are number of amazing amateur fighters springing up and it’s promoters like Rocktagon that is helping to elevate the amateur MMA platform to another level.”

Amateur Elite Series 5 will feature a lightweight title unification bout as reigning lightweight champions Garret “The Sickness” Sahene and Marcus Washington will go head to head to determine who will become the undisputed Rocktagon MMA Lightweight Champion.

Events, Fighters, News

Garret Sahene GFL Combat Sports Network Marcus Washington Rocktagon MMA

UFC bouts that I’d pay to see that will never happen

April 19, 2011 / Drew Ellis

Just when it looked like the UFC might go all nostalgia at UFC 134 in Brazil with a bout featuring Royce Gracie, Dana White nixed the idea (MMAFighting.com).

But with names like Dan Severn and Art Jimmerson being thrown around lately, it made me think of the past and weird fights that I have always wanted to see for one reason or another.

Here are some fights that I would pay to see if the UFC deeply cared to entertain me:

Tank Abbott vs. Roy Nelson – Roy Nelson is what Tank Abbott should have been. Abbott has always been a fan favorite, yet is one of the worst fighters I have ever seen. At 10-14, Abbott was good for about 30 seconds of haymakers and then he gassed out. Nelson, who has a similar shape, is actually pretty impressive at grappling and jiu-jitsu, and he hits even harder than Tank. I would love to see Nelson toy with Abbott and then rub his giant belly in celebration.

Matt Hughes vs. Mark Hughes – Who better to match strength with Matt Hughes than his twin brother Mark? Mark has dipped into the MMA world, as he has a 6-2 record in his career. Granted, he hasn’t fought since 2003, but it was just be interesting to see the UFC find a way to pit twin brothers against one another. Would they both come out to “Country Boy Can Survive?”

Hong Man Choi vs. Jose Aldo – Granted Choi would have the size edge at 7-foot-2, 352-pounds, but I think the UFC featherweight champion (145 pounds, 5-7) can take him. I would love to see Jose speed around Choi and pepper him with leg kicks until the 7-footer comes crashing down like a giant oak tree.

Jose Canseco vs. Johnnie Morton – This is a must-see match. Both are former athletes. Both are 0-1 in their career. And both men lasted less than 90 seconds in their fight. Oh, and both men use steroids. It is a perfect match. Which man will be able to out-juice the other and get their first MMA victory?

Wesley Snipes vs. Joe Rogan – It has been a fight that has been talked about before, and I know Rogan would be down to fight. What better way to truly win over the fan base than seeing Rogan put a beat down on Snipes?

Events, Fighters, UFC

Joe Rogan Jose Aldo Jose Canseco Matt Hughes Roy Nelson Royce Gracie Tank Abbott UFC 134

Top 5 Moments in Randy Couture’s Storied Career

April 19, 2011 / Drew Ellis

Is 47 the lucky number for “The Natural” Randy Couture?

The two-time former UFC light heavyweight and heavyweight champion seems to be sticking to the idea that his bout with Lyoto Machida at UFC 129 will be his last. (ESPN)

With that in mind here are (in my opinion) the top five moments in the 47-year-old’s historic career.

1. Out of retirement, back with the gold – Couture had retired following a loss to Chuck Liddell at UFC 57 in February of 2006, but quickly got the itch to fight once again. This time, Couture came back at heavyweight to challenge then-champion Tim Sylvia. At UFC 68, The Natural returned and dominated Sylvia from the opening bell. Couture landed a big right hand that sent Sylvia crashing and then followed up with numerous takedowns over the 25 minutes to get the win and become a two-time UFC heavyweight champion.

2. Whipping Tito’s butt – Couture had just been crowned UFC Interim Light Heavyweight Champion after beating Chuck Liddell at UFC 43, which set up a unification bout with champion Tito Ortiz. Ortiz had been riding six-fight win streak that lasted for four years and was largely considered the favorite against the then-40 Couture. From the opening bell, Couture out-muscled Ortiz and scored takedown after takedown as Ortiz offered little offense. In the fifth and final round, Couture found himself over the top of Ortiz’ rear end and to sum up the night, patted him on the butt a few times, to drive home the point that he just dominated the loudmouth champion for 25 minutes.

Events, Fighters, News, UFC

Chuck Liddell James Toney Lyoto Machida Pedro Rizzo Randy Couture Tim Sylvia Tito Ortiz UFC 129

Your weekly MMA TV Schedule update

April 17, 2011 / Drew Ellis

It is Sunday night, so that means it is time for your weekly MMA on TV update.

Here is a look at the MMA content that will be airing this week:

– On Wednesday, the fourth episode of The Ultimate Fighter will air on SpikeTV at 9 p.m. ET. Team dos Santos took a 2-1 edge in the prelims last week and regained control of the fight picks. This week, Lesnar brings in fellow wrestler Matt Hughes to work with his team.

– On Thursday at midnight (so to some that is Wednesday night) UFC 129 Primetime airs its second of three episodes. The show is following Jake Shields and Georges St. Pierre as they prepare for their UFC 129 welterweight championship showdown on April 30. The second episode airs on SpikeTV and will be replayed at 1:30 a.m. and 11 p.m.

– On Saturday, Bellator 42 takes place from the Lucky Star Casino in Concho, Okla. The show will air live on MTV2 at 9 p.m. ET. This event features a main event of heavyweight champion Cole Konrad taking on former UFC heavyweight contender, Paul Buentello. The fight will be a non-title contest. The light heavyweight tournament semifinals will also take place as Tim Carpenter faces off with Christian M’Pumbu and Richard Hale squares off against D.J. Linderman.

Bellator, Events, Fighters, The Ultimate Fighter, UFC

Bellator Brock Lesnar Cole Konrad Georges St. Pierre Jake Shields Junior Dos Santos Matt Hughes MMA Paul Buentello The Ultimate Fighter TV Schedule UFC

Break out the Bengay: Old Fighters want to challenge Royce Gracie

April 17, 2011 / Drew Ellis

The rumors have been swirling in the MMA community that Royce Gracie will be taking part in the upcoming UFC 134 event that will be held in Brazil.

With the Hall of Famer gearing up for the bout, the question has been, who will be fighting Gracie?

Gracie hasn’t competed since June of 2007 and his most notable fight came in May of 2006 when he was dominated by Matt Hughes at UFC 60

If the UFC is really going to trot Gracie into the octagon in his home country, they need to give him an opponent he can beat.

Well, have no fear UFC, as plenty of elderly fighters seem to want that fight.

It started with Art Jimmerson tossing his name into the hat. You remember Art Jimmerson, he was the guy that fought Gracie at the first UFC with one boxing glove on. A game plan that sharp hasn’t been seen since. Gracie quickly submitted Jimmerson and began his Hall of Fame legacy.

Now, former UFC champion, Dan Severn, wants a piece of the action. Severn, who is now 52-years-old, has been competing regularly in smaller MMA shows. He is requesting a retirement match with Gracie at UFC 134.

Gracie submitted Severn at UFC 4 and the wrestler has been looking for a rematch ever since.

This situation has become a bit of a mess. I respect the UFC wanting to pay respect to Gracie, but he is simply not a fighter that is capable of fighting at a high level, and his opponent surely won’t be able to either.

A fight featuring Gracie can still draw as he is a legend with a fan base, but hopefully the UFC won’t be looking to make any more of these bouts any time soon.