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| Ultimate Fighter Tom Lawler has a nice … beard? Posted: 13 Dec 2008 08:17 AM CST | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Krzysztof Soszynski: Junie Browning wanted to be worse than Chris Leben Posted: 13 Dec 2008 02:44 AM CST
Props: The Canadian Press Quoteworthy:
UFC light heavyweight and The Ultimate Fighter Season Eight alum Krzystof Soszynksi sounds off on lightweight and fellow castmate Junie Browning. Soszynski questions Browning’s motives and suggests that Browning planned his actions every step of the way. I wonder if those plans included getting choked out by Efrain Escudero in the semifinals? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ultimate Fighter 8 Finale weigh in results (Video update) Posted: 12 Dec 2008 07:24 PM CST The official weigh-in event for The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 8 Finale at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada is in the books. Former light heavyweight Wilson Gouveia came in four pounds heavy for his middleweight tilt again Jason MacDonald. For safety reasons, the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) did not allow him additional time to shed the extra baggage; therefore, the bout will be contested at a catchweight of 189 pounds. He will also forfeit 20 percent of his purse to MacDonald for the miscue. Fortunately, the remaining field of competitors all tipped the scales without incident. Here are the official results:
*Note: Fighters are allowed to weigh one pound more than the division limit in non-title fights. Remember that MMAmania.com will also provide LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the main card action on fight night, which is slated to air at 9 p.m. ET on Spike TV from The Pearl at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas on Saturday, December 13. Of course, the latest quick updates of the prelim bouts will begin to flow earlier than that at around 7:30 p.m. ET. It's going to be a solid night of mixed martial arts action — be sure to check us out for all the pre, during and post-fight show coverage you can handle. Check out the video package of the TUF 8 Finale weigh-ins after the jump.
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| The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 8 Finale betting odds and lines Posted: 12 Dec 2008 04:05 PM CST
The Spike TV event The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 8 Finale at The Pearl at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada, begins at 9 p.m. ET tomorrow (Saturday, December 13). And the preliminary card action begins sooner than that around 7:30 p.m. ET. That means time is of the essence if you plan to get some action. Therefore, here are the latest TUF 8 Finale odds:
To check out the complete The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 8 Finale fight card click here. Remember that we will also be the spot for up-to-the-minute LIVE results and coverage on fight night. Don't know what those numbers mean? Unclear of how much you can win when you place bets? Check out the BetUS.com MMA betting calculator RIGHT HERE and find out. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 8 Finale predictions, preview and analysis Posted: 12 Dec 2008 01:18 PM CST
The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 8 Finale is set to go down from The Pearl at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Saturday, December 13. The television event airs LIVE on Spike TV at 9 p.m. ET. Remember: MMAmania.com will provide LIVE updates and blow-by-blow, round-by-round commentary of the main card action throughout the three-hour telecast. As usual, it promises to be a great discussion during an exciting line up of fights. To get us pumped for the festivities, MMAmania.com Editor and Senior Writer Jesse Holland (that's me) will be breaking down the main event matches and revealing each fighter's keys to victory. If you're looking for an unbiased and objective examination of each contest, then I'm happy to report you will be extremely disappointed. Why else do you think I would depose the former contributors and take this act solo like the selfish blowhard you already know me to be? But enough about me, at least for the time being. Let's get cracking: Ryan Bader (7-0) vs. Vinicius Magalhães (2-2) Undefeated light heavyweight finalist Ryan “The Master” Bader was Coach Nogueira’s number one pick for a reason. In addition to being a two-time All-American and three-time All-Pac-10 wrestler from Arizona State, he’s undefeated in mixed martial arts and has KO power. He looked great in his destruction of Tom Lawlor during TUF 8 and effectively neutralized the jiu-jitsu of Eliot Marshall en route to a unanimous decision win in the semifinals. Unfortunately for “Darth”, Vinny Magalhaes is not Eliot Marshall. In fact he’s not even close. Frank Mir lauds Magalhaes as the best grappler in the entire UFC light heavyweight division. The three-time BJJ world champion in heavyweight, super heavyweight, and absolute divisions also holds a title in the Pan-American Grappling Championships and is a two-time Brazilian National Heavyweight Champion. He may be a little flashy when it comes to his technique, but I don’t think it’s a stretch to say Bader doesn’t have a prayer on the ground. If you take away the wrestling of Bader, what are you left with? He’s an average striker, and he may have been better on the feet than Vinny was during TUF, but things have changed a lot since then. Mags has been doing time at Xtreme Couture under the tutelage of Dan Henderson working specifically on stand-up. Vinny already knew how to kick hard and if he comes into his bout against Bader with some confidence in his hands, this one’s going to be a first-rounder.
Keys to victory: Bader: You’re a great wrestler, but Vinny’s guard is the last place you want to be. Re-watch Henderson versus Palhares and drop a couple of quarters in an old Street Fighter machine for a tip: Vega went down easily when you hit him in his pretty face. Magalhaes: A couple of hard low kicks should keep him at bay. Like most money shots, he’ll be aiming for your face so make sure you’re a moving target. There’s no shame in pulling guard - just make sure he’s within ten feet of you before flopping on your back. Prediction: Magalhaes by submission Efrain Escudero (10-0) vs. Phillipe Nover (5-0-1) At first glance Phillipe Nover is the favorite to win the title of “Ultimate Fighter.” But let’s not count Efrain Escudero out just yet. Escudero trains out of the very underrated Southwest MMA in Tempe, Arizona and in addition to his title of 140-pound state wrestling champion at Cibola High School in Yuma, he’s finished nine of his ten victories via submission. He easily submitted Shane Nelson and Junie Browning during his stint on TUF, all while dealing with the loss of his father. He is tenacious and crafty, and it’s not implausible to think he can win it all. Having said that, Escudero will need to be nearly perfect. Nover hits like a sledgehammer and can sink a submission without even using a slick technique. His first round Kimura over George Roop in the semifinals was all muscle and that has to be considered when planning a ground attack. I’m not sure Escudero will be strong enough to submit Nover but we haven’t seen what Phillipe can do outside of the first round. He’s only gone to the second round twice in his career and never seen a third, so it will be interesting to see what happens if Escudero can survive the early punishment and drag him into deep water. And don’t discount the family tree - Escudero has boxing in his blood. One thing is for sure, this one isn’t going to be boring. Keys to victory: Escudero: First things first: Survive round one. From what we’ve seen so far that may be a pretty tall order. We’re talking about fighting a guy who snacks on aborted ducklings. Good luck. Nover: Not that you need any further motivation, but just imagine that Escudero is a JCAHO officer who just cited your entire ward with violations. TUF Finale 8: When nurses attack! Prediction: Nover by TKO Junie Browning (2-0) vs. Dave Kaplan (2-1) This is a compelling match-up because it finally answers the question about which fighter can actually walk the walk. For the entire eighth season all we heard about was how Junie Browning is so talented and has so much potential and blah, blah, blah. Then he barely squeaks past Roli Delgado and gets choked out by Efrain Escudero in the semifinals. Kaplan is no better. He was marching through the TUF mansion like the town crier, ringing his bell and promoting his granite chin. Then he gets laced by Phillipe Nover and then taxied to queer street in the upstairs bathroom by Tom Lawlor. Now I’ve heard Kaplan is the real deal who executed a piss-poor gameplan (homage to the fruit platter), and he claims to have trained with international names like Ivan Hippolyte, Ernesto Hoost, Gilbert Yvel and Remy Bonjasky. He also studies jiu-jitsu under Lloyd Irvin. The question is, can he execute? I haven’t seen anything from Junie Browning that leads me to believe he’s ready to take the next step and if he sleepwalks his way through Saturday’s fight it may be the last we see of him. That said, I’m hoping he realizes this opportunity and brings a sound strategy. This fight has the potential to be Fight of the Night if both men live up to the promise they both claimed they have since day one. Here’s to hoping. Keys to victory: Browning: I know guys with a tracheotomy that suck wind less than you do. You may be tough, but if you can’t breathe after the first two minutes then what good does it do? Train like you were fighting in PRIDE, where the first round was ten minutes long and you might have a chance. Kaplan: Enough about the chin already, you’re not Bobby Fibonacci. Brawling is nothing in the face of technique. You repeatedly claim to have it, now can we please see it? Prediction: Kaplan by TKO Wilson Gouveia (11–5) vs. Jason MacDonald (21–10) Jason MacDonald has been keeper of the gate in the middleweight division ever since he fell to Rich Franklin at UFC 68 back in 2007. Since then he’s been a mediocre 3-3 and if you include the fight against Chris Leben at UFC 66, wins every other fight. Using that amazingly scientific logic, MacDonald will lose this fight since he just beat Jason Lambert at UFC 88. Now before the haters rush furiously to the comments section, let me remind you the real Nostradamus used pretty much the same logic. MacDonald has great submissions (winning 17 of 21 via sub), but despite his moniker “The Athlete,” has been known to gas in the later rounds. Wilson Gouveia on the other hand is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt that likes to strike. He has heavy hands and great leg kicks and is 5-1 in his last six fights. Like Medium Mac, he can taper off as the fight drags on. It’s hard to imagine this fight going the distance since both fighters have seen the judges scorecards only once in their last ten fights, but I don’t see either of them being able to finish the other. Expect MacDonald to keep it interesting on the ground while Gouveia outpoints him on the feet. A slow first round will pick up in the second and return to a crawl in the third. Move along folks, nothing to see here. Keys to victory: Gouveia: Since it’s trendy for jiu-jitsu black belts to stand and strike (Jorge Gurgel, Andy Wang - yes, I went there), there’s no point in going all Jack Ryan and focusing on the sub. You have great leg kicks and quicker hands so use them early and often. MacDonald: Just like MMAmania after one Coors Light, you’re guaranteed to end up on the ground. Forget about the submissions and blast him with elbows like you did against Rory Singer and Joe Doerksen. Prediction: Gouveia by split-decision Kevin Burns (7-1) vs. Anthony Johnson (5-2) How angry is Anthony Johnson? “Rumble” took an eye poke back at UFC Fight Night 14 in July courtesy of an errant Burns uppercut. Referee Steve Mazzagatti was out of position and didn’t see the gouge and stopped the fight after Burns followed up with an onslaught. Johnson filed an appeal to have the decision overturned and was denied. Add that to his eye surgery and you have one angry welterweight. And a big one at that. After giving Tommy Speer a near-death experience at Fight Night 13, Johnson reminded both UFC fans and officials just how scary his striking can be when he's locked in. While at first glance he looks to be the favorite, I can't shake the sight of him tapping to Rich Clementi at UFC 76. Like Mr. "No Love" himself, Burns has a capable submission offense and should not try to stand and bang with Johnson. Why should he? "Rumble" has yet to finish a fight that has gone past round one. His goal here should be to survive the first and let Johnson burn himself out looking for the knockout. From there he needs to pick his spots and wait for the overeager Johnson to make a mistake. Like any good striker, there is very little margin for error, so working from the guard may be Burns' best chance. Hopefully he's there by choice, and not because he can't feel his legs. Keys to victory: Burns: Fists of fury? Count on it. Put your head down and weather the storm until “Rumble” gases out and then it’s easy pickins’. Bring him to the floor and make him tap. Assuming you haven’t been dropped in the first ten seconds. Johnson: Ease off the throttle. Stop running around like the Stygian witches screaming about your lost eye. You’re a deadly striker and if you attack methodically it’s enter sandman. Prediction: Johnson by KO That's a wrap, folks. For the complete Ultimate Fighter 8 Finale fight card click here . Remember to come check us out after the show for the latest results, recaps and thoughts on Saturday's fights. What do you think? Now it's your turn … let's have it in the comments section and share your thoughts and picks for The Ultimate Fighter 8 Finale. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Juanito Ibarra holds the key to beating Rampage and Wandy doesn’t want it (Updated) Posted: 12 Dec 2008 10:27 AM CST
Mixed martial arts and boxing trainer Juanito Ibarra told the folks over at Fight Hype that he can provide a winning formula for Wanderlei Silva when he meets his old PRIDE nemesis and former Ibarra disciple Quinton "Rampage" Jackson at UFC 92 on December 27. In fact, Ibarra went on record as saying that a representative from the Silva camp was actively seeking his services. Here’s a snip:
It would seem logical, albeit a bit unethical, that Ibarra could provide some inside information on the former UFC light heavyweight champ. The two were a dynamic duo up until Jackson lost his title to Forrest Griffin at UFC 86 and followed that with a fasting and energy drink induced crime spree. Rampage now trains with Michael "The Count" Bisping at Wolfslair in the UK and has since distanced himself from his former friend and trainer. Despite the claim by Ibarra, Silva has quickly gone on record through Brazil Combate TV via Fighters Only Magazine to defend himself and his team. From Wandy:
Sounds like Silva has taken the high road. "The Axe Murderer" has already faced Jackson on two occasions in PRIDE, winning by TKO and KO with devastating knees. However, those fights were back in 2004 and since then Wandy has gone 5-5 with a KO loss to Dan Henderson while Jackson is 7-2 with a unanimous decision win over "Hollywood". Apples to oranges? You decide.
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| Efrain Escudero to honor his late father with TUF finale victory Posted: 12 Dec 2008 10:00 AM CST
Props: NBC Sports Quoteworthy:
The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 8 lightweight finalist Efrain Escudero talks about competing on the SpikeTV reality show with a heavy heart after the loss of his father Oscar, a former pro boxer from Mexico who dies just a week before taping began. Escudero remained remarkably composed during the season, even in the face of some very confrontational antics from fellow lightweight contestant Junie Browning. The undefeated Escudero has a chance to win it all on Saturday night with a win over the seemingly unstoppable Phillipe Nover. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dave Kaplan on Junie Browning Ultimate Fighter 8 Finale fight (Video) Posted: 12 Dec 2008 09:22 AM CST | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MMA Stack: The difference is Stack-ability Posted: 12 Dec 2008 09:21 AM CST
No good speed goes unpunished. One of the biggest reasons Randy Couture lost his UFC heavyweight title to Brock Lesnar ar UFC 91 was speed. Brock still has it. Randy doesn’t. Being able to shoot on your opponent or fire off strikes before he does all comes down to which of you is the faster athlete. Some aspects of speed can’t be taught, but the majority of them can. It doesn’t matter how hard you hit or how strong you are if you’re the one getting hit first. Rashad Evans vs. Chuck Liddell at UFC 88 comes to mind. One of the first steps to getting your speed fix is also probably the easiest. I know it’s the off season for most athletes and like them, I’m using the winter months to pack on the mass. Still, it’s not too early to start thinking about leaning out. Simple physics will tell you the leaner and harder you are, the faster you’ll move inside the cage or ring. Anyone else remember what happened to Roy Nelson when he faced Andrei Arlovski at EliteXC ‘Heat?’ ‘Big Country’ probably could have benefited from a few weeks on Lean Stack. Repetition is another tried-and-true method of improving speed. Using the speed bag at your local gym will not only improve your timing, but it will also train those hand and arm muscles you can’t always train with weights. That’s not to suggest you should be striking with all your might. Relaxing your muscles until the point of impact ala Bruce lee style will allow you to move at a faster rate of speed. You can easily practice this on the heavy bag and if you aren’t sure how to get started, just mimic the drunken master style of fighting until you get the hang of it. You might want to save that last one for the home gym, so that the trainers don’t call the funny farm after seeing you go praying mantis on a hapless heavy bag. Finally, stretching out your muscles will enhances your recovery by preventing stiff and sore muscles. It can help circulate your blood better and rush nutrients to the muscles. If for no other reason, you should be stretching after your workout to give those nutritional supplements a free and clear path to your nutrient-starved muscles while simultaneously flushing out the existing waste products. Besides stretching your muscles, most of the supplement companies out there will also be stretching your wallet. Fortunately for the readers of MMAmania, the good folks over at Feel it! Nutrition are offering 25% off their already low priced MMA Stack. Mixed martial arts competitors have different nutritional needs. Just as one method of training won’t cut it inside the Octagon, one nutritional blueprint won’t suffice for high level athletes. Don't worry about trying to figure out what nutritional supplements are going to help you prepare for caged combat. Once again the Feel it! Nutrition experts have already done the research for you and assembled the most comprehensive stack available to help you achieve your goals. MMA Stack consists of the following cutting-edge supplements: Protein Powder: Pro Lab Pure Whey Chocolate (5 lb.) The key to using MMA Stack is incorporating it into your fight preparation. With the addition of MMA Stack you can take yourself to the next level. If you're stepping into the cage with an opponent who matches up evenly with you, the difference in the fight could come down to which fighter has the higher anaerobic threshold. Get to the head of the pack. Get MMA Stack. Now 25% off for a limited time. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| DEEP 39 ‘Impact’ recap & quick results Posted: 12 Dec 2008 05:58 AM CST DEEP 39 'Impact' went down on Wednesday from the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan. In main event action, Nobuhiro Obiya made an impressive return after a long layoff from competition. Obiya, who’s battled the likes of Gilbert Melendez in PRIDE, snapped a three-fight losing streak with a TKO victory over Yoshihiro Tomioka. A few more performances like that and we could possibly be seeing him in the big leagues of Japan once again. Jang Yong Kim, fresh off his win over former UFC & DREAM fighter Keita Nakumura back at Cage Force 'Ex Eastern Bound' last month, was put to the test with DEEP standout Katsunori Kikuno - a test he failed as Kikuno dominated and took home the unanimous decision win. Look out for him to move onto bigger things soon. A little known Korean fighter named Chang Son Jon proved to be another one to watch with his destruction of Fanjin Son. Chang came out fast and showcased his superior striking skills with a quick knockout over the more experienced fighter a mere 17 seconds into round one. There were also three fights which pitted DEEP vs Wajyutsu Keisyukai gym, home of Yushin Okami and Caol Uno as well as many others. Also important to note that the Wajyutsu Keisyukai gym is owned and operated by Greater Common Multiple (GCM), who also run the fight promotions Cage Force and Valkyrie, so a lot was on the line in terms of bragging rights. Luiz Andrade bested Shinobu Miura to a decision to pick up a win for himself and for DEEP. However in the end, Wajyutsu Keisyukai gym came out on top, winning two out of the three fights thanks to Yukiya Naito and Yusaki Tsukumo defeating Yuta Watanabe and Hidenobu Koike, respectively. After trumping DEEP on their own card, it’s easy to see why someone such as UFC President Dana White is not too keen on the idea on cross promoting, especially with the risk of your product being shown as inferior as was demonstrated for DEEP on Wednesday. Here are the official results for DEEP 39 'Impact': Nobuhiro Obiya (10-3-1) defeated Yoshihiro Tomioka (12-7-4) by TKO (2:35-R2) |
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