UFC 150 Preview: The Main Card Breakdown

Because the area was a lawless wasteland, the first two UFCs ever were held in Denver, Colorado.  It was an interesting time back then in the winter of 1993: as a chill hung over the McNichols Sports Arena, within a sumo wrestler was literally getting his teeth kicked out while a bunch of other combat sports newbies were huffing and puffing and on the verge of altitude sickness.  Denver, you see, is so far above sea level that flying birds are in danger of inadvertently leaving Earth's atmosphere.  The UFC has returned to the area many times since, and on Saturday night will be holding UFC 150 there.  So who on the main card will be fully acclimated to the thin air and who will look like they're suffering from asthma?  Here's a breakdown of the fights to tell you that very thing!

[Listen: Benson Henderson talks with Ariel Helwani about the rematch]

  • Benson Henderson vs. Frankie Edgar ? Edgar became the UFC's lightweight champ after he went five rounds with B.J. Penn.  Then he fought Penn for five rounds again, fought Gray Maynard a couple times for a total of nine rounds, and faced former WEC star Henderson, who took the belt from him after another protracted five-round war.  To say that Edgar spends a lot of time in the Octagon is an understatement.  It would be more accurate to say that he lives in the Octagon, and that UFC president Dana White has often floated the idea of charging the New Jersey-based fighter rent.  Unless he can nail a guillotine choke, Henderson is pretty much a decision-type guy as well, so what this one boils down to is who made the best adjustments from their last fight.  Has Edgar trained to avoid those up-kicks that wrecked his nose (an injury that required surgery and forced the postponement of this rematch earlier in the year)?  Will Henderson continue to throw kicks that Edgar catches and use the opportunity to punch him repeatedly in the face while Edgar stands there holding his leg (which happened last time)?  If adjustments have been made, I can see the "Answer" racking up enough points to take the decision over "Smooth".  Either way, though, this one is going the distance.  Oh, and both men will be in great shape.
  • Don Cerrone vs. Melvin Guillard ? When it comes to knocking people out, lightweight "The Ultimate Fighter ? Season Two" veteran Guillard is king.  Unfortunately, when it comes to defending submissions, the "Young Assassin" is like a knave or squire, or perhaps even just a scullery maid.  But fear not!  For although former WEC star Cerrone is great at grappling, he's also great at standing and banging ? which is hopefully what we'll get for at least the first few minutes of this co-main event hoedown.  Granted, once things get too hairy for him on the feet, "Cowboy" can flip the switch, take things horizontal and tap Guillard out, but we should at least get some fireworks.  I'm picking Cerrone to win this one via choke, hopefully later rather than sooner.

[Related: Old pals Cerrone, Guillard won't hold back one bit]

  • Jake Shields vs. Ed Herman ? Middleweight jiu-jitsu expert Shields ruled Strikeforce with an iron fist, even handling Dan Henderson like he was nothing in his last fight with the organization.  But since crossing over to the UFC, Shields' performances can best be summed up by the word "meh".  TUF 3 runner-up Herman's career has been a mixed bag of dominant wins and crushing defeats, yet he's a gamer, and if he can prevent Shields from getting him down, he can clinch his way to a decision.  That's not going to happen, as Shield will get him down and tie him in knots, but hey, if Herman was going to win, that's how he'd do it.
  • Yushin Okami vs. Buddy Roberts ? Former middleweight contender Okami didn't look so hot against champ Anderson Silva, and when he took on Tim Boetsch at UFC 144, he was dominant until Boetsch said "Enough of this crap!" and simply beat him unconscious.  Replacing Rousimar Palhares as Okami's dance partner is Roberts, who had a less-than-inspiring UFC debut back in June and who's clearly taking a big step up in competition with this match-up.  Look, I'm not going to pretend that Roberts has the chops to beat Okami if Okami is sharp and "in the zone", but if the Japanese fighter is truly riding a fast train to Suckville, losing to the Greg Jackson-trained young buck would likely mean the end of him in the Octagon.  I predict Okami takes this one by getting Roberts down and pounding on him. And if doesn't? see ya, "Thunder".

[Related: Cagewriter breaks down all the fights on the undercard]

  • Justin Lawrence vs. Max Holloway ? Okay, okay, Lawrence looked extremely impressive earning a win via knockout at the TUF 15 finale, but does that mean we should have a TUFer on the main card of a pay-per-view event so soon after his respective season?  Anyway, Lawrence can strike pretty well, and his opponent ? Hawaii native Holloway ? hasn't really made an impact in two UFC appearances (he lost handily to Dustin Poirier and decisioned Pat Schilling), so this bout is either going to be quick and violent or it's going to make you call your cable company and say you ordered this UFC by mistake.  I'm leaning towards the former, with Lawrence emerging victorious.

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Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/ufc-150-preview-main-card-breakdown-213107759--mma.html

Don Barr Pat Barry  Vitor Belfort  Robert Berry

Danny Castillo-Michael Johnson, Jacob Volkmann-Shane Roller join UFC on FX 5 lineup

The UFC is wasting no time in trying to salvage the fights left in limbo after yesterday’s cancellation of the card formerly known as UFC 151. As reported earlier, Jay Hieron‘s bout with Jake Ellenberger has been moved to the co-main event slot on the UFC on FX 5 card in Minneapolis, Minnesota on October [...]

Source: http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2012/08/24/danny-castillo-michael-johnson-jacob-volkmann-shane-roller-join-ufc-on-fx-5-lineup/

Karen Grigoryan Kendall Grove Clay Guida Jason Guida

?UFC 152: Jones vs. Belfort? Fight Card Updated

To say UFC 152 has taken some twists and turns would be an understatement. Following Thursday’s bombshell that UFC 151 was no longer in existence, the Octagon’s following pay-per-view show received quite the boost. Instead of the flyweight finals between Joseph Benavidez and Demetrious Johnson headlining the September 22nd festivities, light heavyweight king Jon Jones [...]

Source: http://www.5thRound.com/126515/ufc-152-jones-vs-belfort-fight-card-updated/

Edgar Garcia Leonard Garcia Andrew Gardner Tiki Ghosn

Ronda Rousey credits improved maturity with assisting in stoppage of Sarah Kaufman

Strikeforce bantamweight champ Ronda Rousey shocked the world this weekend by not only beating seasoned veteran Sarah Kaufman on Saturday night but doing so with an opening round Armbar. The technique has become synonymous with ?Rowdy Ronda? based on her having beaten all of her foes thus far with the submission before the expiration of each bout?s first frame.

However, as familiar s Rousey may be with the hold, it seems as though her stoppage of Kaufman was not as easy as it may have looked.

?In judo I have a tendency to rush because I only had a few seconds to get an Armbar, and this time I got it and I was like, ?Take your time, take your time,? cause I thought if I went for it too early I might lose my position,? explained Rousey in a post-fight interview with Showtime. ?I feel like I?m developing more as a Mixed Martial Artist in that I was able to take my time and change my position around until I was happy with where I was at before I went for it. So I feel mature now since I went in more relaxed and not just trying to go, go, go like my earlier fights.?

Highlights from Rousey vs. Kaufman

Rousey improved her overall record to 6-0 with the victory, dropping Kaufman?s to 15-2 in the process as well. Though nothing official has been announced she is expected to fight either Miesha Tate or Cristiane Santos in her next scrap.

The full interview with Rousey can be found below:

PHOTO CREDIT – STRIKEFORCE

Source: http://www.fighters.com/08/19/ronda-rousey-credits-improved-maturity-with-assisting-in-stoppage-of-sarah-kaufman

Fedor Emelianenko Yasubey Enomoto Mark Epstein Tom Big Cat Erickson

More UFC 151 Fights Find New Homes

The UFC continues to hammer out plans for UFC 151 fights on upcoming events. Dennis Hallman and Thiago Tavares have been placed on the UFC on FX: Browne vs. Bigfoot card. The event takes place October 5 from the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. A pair of other fights have been added to the UFC [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/mmaconvert/~3/3t4bFUDFr3Q/

Joachim Hansen Antoni Hardonk Dan Hardy Lee Hasdell

WWE SummerSlam 2012 Results: Brock Lesnar Taps Triple H Out, CM Punk Retains Title

Tonight, once again, it was time for one of WWE?s biggest events ? SummerSlam! This year the card was stacked from top to bottom with two huge bouts capping off the lineup, as WWE Champion CM Punk defended his belt against Big Show and John Cena in a Triple Threat match, while Triple H attempted to settle his score with Brock Lesnar in the evening?s main event.

Though Punk entered his bout with the momentum of a lengthy title-reign behind him, he also walked down to the ring to a smattering of boos based on some recent behavior including a less-than sporting attitude towards his competitors. Meanwhile, Cena was out to prove the belt still belongs around his waist and Show was hoping to play the role of spoiler, shocking the world by winning the company?s chief strap. However, in the end it was Punk who retained his gold after pinning Show with the assistance of Cena’s Attitude Adjustment. Cena hit the move but before he could pin the “giant” Punk tossed him out of the ring and stole the victory. Prior to the finish Cena and Punk both locked submissions on Show with him tapping out only to have AJ Lee restart the match due to the confusion surrounding the actual winner.

HHH and Lesnar had been feuding for a few months dating back to a ?broken arm? the legendary ?Game? suffered as the result of the former UFC heavyweight champion?s trademark Kimura. The hold was also featured last week on RAW when Lesnar decided to mangle Shawn Michaels? arm as well, adding a personal element into what was brutal brawl rather than the classic ?sports entertainment? fans are used to seeing in the ring. In the end Lesnar used the Kimura once again to finish HHH, seemingly re-injuring his arm with the DX patriarch teasing a potential retirement after the bout while apologizing to fans for tapping out.

Outcomes from the entire event can be found below:

Antonio Cesaro © def. Santino Marella via Pinfall to Become WWE United States Champion (Neutralizer)
Chris Jericho def. Dolph Ziggler via Submission (Walls of Jericho)
Daniel Bryan def. Kane via Pinfall (Small Package)
The Miz © def. Rey Mysterio via Pinfall to Retain WWE Intercontinental Championship (Skull-Crushing Finale)
Sheamus © def. Alberto Del Rio via Pinafall to Retain World Heavyweight Championship (Irish Curse Backbreaker)
R-Truth/Kofi Kingson © def. The Primetime Players via Pinfall to Retain Tag Team Championship (Hard Truth)
CM Punk © def. Big Show/ John Cena via Pinfall to Retain WWE Championship (Pinned After Cena Used Attitude Adjustment on Show)
Brock Lesnar def. Triple H via Submission (Kimura)

Source: http://www.fighters.com/08/19/wwe-summerslam-2012-live-results

Joe Doerksen  Chris Dolman Edson Drago  Tomasz Drwal

Chael Sonnen Rips Jon Jones on ESPN Sports Center

If there is but one winner rising from the ashes of what would have been UFC 151, it’s Chael Sonnen. When UFC President Dana White said that Sonnen had accepted a fight with UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones on a little over a week’s notice, the polarizing wrestler was lauded for his willingness to [...]

MMAFrenzy.com

Source: http://mmafrenzy.com/30075/chael-sonnen-rips-jon-jones-on-espn-sports-center/

Gregor Gracie Ralek Gracie Renzo Gracie Rickson Gracie

WWE SummerSlam Preview: Familiarity Breeds Contempt Between John Cena, CM Punk, and Big Show

John Cena, CM Punk, and Big Show are very familiar with each other by this point. Cena and Show have been at each other’s throats all summer, since the days of John Laurenaitis and People Power, and that’s just the latest in their years of feuds. Punk vs. Cena, of course, was WWE‘s defining conflict throughout the summer of 2011. Punk and Show’s unfinished business dates back to the Straight Edge Society.

So putting the three of them together for SummerSlam‘s WWE Championship match feels like a bit of a retread, especially following relative newcomer Daniel Bryan‘s sudden emergence into the title-scene over the last few months. That doesn’t have to be a bad thing. I’m fully expecting the three participants’ familiarity with each other to result in a great match, especially if they’re allowed to go on last.

I’m a little disappointed Punk hasn’t really followed up much on his sudden clothesline on The Rock a few weeks ago, so I’m not as excited as I could be here. Currently the big reason for the Cena-Punk beef is that Cena wouldn’t shake Punk’s hand, so there’s a lack of “trust” or some crap. But the intensity is way down compared to Punk’s summer last year.

Punk retains here, I believe, and WWE lets his long title reign run longer, especially with Rock looming as the contender at Royal Rumble. Cribbing each other’s moves on RAW was fun and all, but Punk getting to rip into Dwayne “Kung Pao Bitch” Johnson for his ego and the lame catchphrases he pulls out of his ass should provide for much more entertaining and fresh conflict than he’s had against Cena as of late.

Check below for Punk and Cena vs. Big Show and Bryan on last week’s RAW plus the non-handshake that shocked the world:

PHOTO CREDIT – WWE

Source: http://www.fighters.com/08/19/wwe-summerslam-preview-familiarity-breeds-contempt-between-john-cena-cm-punk-and-big-show

Aleksander Emelianenko Fedor Emelianenko Yasubey Enomoto Mark Epstein