UFC 165 weigh in video and results – all fighters on weight

 

It’s official, all of the scheduled fights for tomorrow’s UFC event in Toronto are ready to go.

Every fighter made weight, though veteran bantamweight Ivan Menjivar needed a couple of attempts to make it down to 136lbs, which is still within the legal limit for 135lb non-title fights.

There is one thing that I noticed about this weigh in that puzzles me. I still can’t understand why Jon Jones can;t look his opponents in the eye before a fight. He’s been accused of arrogance by many people in the past and he certainly seems to believe/know he’s better than everyone so he’s clearly not scared. We’ll probably never know, but if anyone has any valid suggestions I would be all ears.

Anyway, the full list of results are below

Main Card

Jon Jones (204.5) vs. Alexander Gustafsson (204.5)
Renan Barao (135) vs. Eddie Wineland (135)
Matt Mitrione (260.5) vs. Brendan Schaub (237)
Francis Carmont (186) vs. Constantinos Philippou (186)
Pat Healy (155.75) vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov (156)

Prelims

Myles Jury (156) vs. Mike Ricci (155.5)
Ivan Menjivar (136) vs. Wilson Reis (135)
Chris Clements (169.5) vs. Stephen Thompson (170.5)
Mitch Gagnon (136) vs. Dustin Kimura (136)
PRELIMINARY CARD (Facebook, 6 p.m. ET)
Renee Forte (155.5) vs. John Makdessi (155)
Michel Prazeres (155) vs. Jesse Ronson (155.5)
Alex Caceres (136) vs. Roland Delorme (136)
Nandor Guelmino (230) vs. Daniel Omielanczuk (245.5)

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MMA recap – September: UFC on FOX Sports, Bellator, WSOF, fight announcements

I’ve been on holiday for a couple of weeks, so there’s a lot to catch up on from the world of MMA. Lets waste no time.

UFC Fight Night 28: Bader vs. Texixeira

FIrst up, I left just before the last UFC on FOX even in Brazil, where Glover Teixeira booked a title shot with a win against Ryan Bader.

It was the result pretty much everyone was expecting, but not the manner. Despite Glover getting the first round KO he did not look that impressive and his stock definitely dropped after the fight. He looked sluggish and was wobbled a couple of times by his opponent. He’s going to have to do a lot better against Jon Jones otherwise he’s toast.

The most impressive performance of the night came from Ronaldo Jacaré Souza, who pounded divisional top-five mainstay Yushin Okami. No-one has handled Okami like that and finished him so decisevely apart from Anderson SIlva in the last several years. It was a sure-fire statement that Jacaré is ready for a title shot. The only thing that could stop that is a SIlva win against Chris Weidman will change that, as the pair of Brazilians have shown a reluctance to square off against each other.

The other main attraction of the card also ended in predicatable fashion, as Joseph Benavidez showed of his Joe-jitsu (how cool was that Burce Buffer announcement?) and stomped Jussier ‘Formiga’ Da Silva with strikes in the first frame. The Duane Ludwig-inspired Team Alpha male freight train was in full effect once again.

The rest of the main card was fun, with exciting finishes from newcomers Piotr Hallmann and Ali Bagautinov, while Rafael Natal triumphed over Tor Troeng in typically ramshackle display of sloppy MMA.

Bellator

Bellator kicked off it’s ninth season with two events in a week.

Bellator 98 was headlined by Alexander Schlemenko defending his middleweight strap for the first time against Brett Cooper. The first real shock of the season came when Derek Anderson took a decision over Patricky ‘Pitbull’ Freire in the quarter finals of the lightweight tournament.

On Friday, the other Pitbull, Patricky’s brother Patricio Freire (confusing eh?) established himself as the clear favourite for the featherweight tournament and a rematch with Pat Curran as he finished Diego Nunes.

No UFC or WEC fighter was able to finish Nunes in the last five years, so this was both shocking and impressive.

World Series of Fighting

Not many people paid much attention to this fifth event from NBC Sports’ MMA promotion because it was on the same night as the biggest boxing fight of the decade.

The wasn’t too much to shout about. Dave Branch established himself as the favourite for the middleweight tournament, proving the WSOF middleweight division isn’t all that. Rolled Gracie also got knocked out, which wasn’t a huge shock.

In the main event Andrei Arlovski got back on the winning track despite taking a trip to the canvas courtesy of Mike Kyle’s hands. He’s never going to shake off his weak chin stigma, but he is beginning to show that he can get back up and fight after taking heavy blows to the dome.

UFC matchmaking

The big announcement came today when Josh Thomson was announced as Anthony Pettis’s first opponent as title holder. The prospect of this fight makes me so happy. Another two endlessly exciting fighters will face off in a five-round fight, and it’s another case of Pettis trying to find a way to finish one of the grittiest fighters around. I won;t bet against him though, because he’s managed it in successive fights against Donald Cerrone and Ben Henderson. As a side note, how crazy is it that another former Strikeforce champion will fight a former WEC champion for the UFC belt? Not many people would have predicted this a few years ago.

In the heavyweight division Joe SIlva had an easy job matching winners and losers from two recent big heavyweight fights. FIrsst up, it’s make or break for Frank Mir and Alistair Overeem, who will probably be fighting for their jobs against each other at UFC 167. Their conquerers will fight each other at the mega new year event: UFC 168. Josh Barnett and Travis Browne is an intriguing style match up that will put the winner in a lofty spot in the rankings.

In other UFC 167 news Rashad Evans will fight Chael Sonnen and Rory Macdonald will get the test everyone wants to see against Robbie Lawler. It looks like the UFC matchmakers are having an absurd competition with each other to see just how much they can stack the final two PPV events of the year. I’m happy to watch them try.

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UFC 164 Henderson vs. Pettis 2 weigh-in results and video

Every fighter was on weight for UFC 164 earlier today in Milwaukee, so there’s not too much to say really.

A few thoughts:

• Gleison Tibau us far too big to be a lightweight!
• Erik Koch and Dustin Poirier are still in the infancy of their MMA careers, but you won’t find many better or more intense fighters out there. Prepare for fireworks.
• When I hear Brandon Vera was moving back up to heavyweight I was skeptical. When I heard he weighed in at 241 pound I though his return to the division was bound to be a disaster. However, having seen his frame, he’s thicker, not just heavier. If he can keep a bit of speed from 205lbs he could give Ben Rothwell some trouble and revitalise his career.
• You would thing Chad Mendes had just dropped from the weight class above. He dwarfs Clay Guida. I predict an uncomfortable ride for The Carpenter tomorrow night.
• Henderson and Pettis look ready to go right now. This ssi very exciting.

Full preview to follow, though I’m not sure how coherant it will be. I think the breakdown of the main event might just be a list of superlatives, because this is the rematch of one of the top 5 best fights ever, and for my money the most exciting match possible to make in MMA right now.

Main Card

Benson Henderson (155) vs. Anthony Pettis (154.5)
Josh Barnett (255) vs. Frank Mir (248)
Clay Guida (146) vs. Chad Mendes (145)
Ben Rothwell (262) vs. Brandon Vera (241)
Erik Koch (145) vs. Dustin Poirier (145.5)

Prelims

Gleison Tibau (155) vs. Jamie Varner (156)
Tim Elliott (125.5) vs. Louis Gaudinot (125)
Pascal Krauss (170) vs. Hyun Gyu Lim (171)
Chico Camus (135) vs. Kyung Ho Kang (136)
Nikita Krylov (236) vs. Soa Palelei (265)
Ryan Couture (156) vs. Al Iaquinta (156)
Magnus Cedenblad (185) vs. Jared Hamman (185.5)

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Pat Curran vs. Daniel Straus: Another awesome fight for Bellator PPV

Bellator has added another awesome fight to Bellator 106, the promotion’s first foray into the PPV business.

Bjorn Rebney’s crew have picked their other divisional elite ace in the hole, featherweight champion, Pat Curran, to defend his title against Daniel Straus, who has put a list of legal troubles behind him.

It’s another great fight, adding further legitimacy to a card that still unfortunately carries an absolute folly of a main event. Just like the first Bellator show on Spike TV, they’re going in with their big guns. Curran, Michael Chandler and arguably Eddie Alvarez are the most talented and exciting fighters the promotion has under contract. Add to that a grudge match between Emanuel Newton and King Mo in the sport’s traditional glamour division, and you’ve got a hell of a line up to accompany the Rampage vs. Tito main-event farce.

Kudos Bellator, though you have to wonder what on earth they’re going to fill the rest of their Season 9 events with now most of the stars are tied up for the big PPV push.

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UFC on FOX 8 weigh in results and video

The UFC on FOX  weigh ins weren’t without a couple of hiccoughs, but it passed mostly without incident. With the exception of a couple of unfriendly stare downs, there was a lack of confrontation and no-one had to be separated for getting too rowdy.

Three fighters missed weight. John Albert and  TIm Means were both unable to make weight on their first attempt and will forfeit 20% of their purses to their opponents.

Jorge Masvidal was overweight on his first attempt, but hit his 155lb limit on his second attempt. GIven all of his talk about his love of fast food with Ariel Helwani during the week this probably shouldn’t have come as such a surprise, but at least he ended up hitting his target in the end. As always, questions will be raised about how much this extended and difficult cut will affect ‘Gamebred’ tonight against Michael Chiesa. However, there might be none. It’s easy to remember the extreme examples of skeletal-looking fighters (James Irvin, RIch Franklin) suffering due to a brutal weight cut,but people seem to forget the frequency that fighters who are practically carried to the scales before making a full recovery and getting the W.

My money is on Masividal fighting without issue and the outcome of his contest will be decided on skill and gameplanning rather than the effects of an extra hour in the sauna.

Main Card

Champ Demetrious Johnson (124.5) vs. John Moraga (124.5)
Jake Ellenberger (171) vs. Rory MacDonald (170.5)
Robbie Lawler (170.5) vs. Bobby Voelker (170)
Jessica Andrade (134) vs. Liz Carmouche (136)

Prelims

Michael Chiesa (155.5) vs. Jorge Masvidal (155)
Danny Castillo (155) vs. Tim Means (160)
Mac Danzig (155) vs. Melvin Guillard (155)
Daron Cruickshank (156) vs. Yves Edwards (155)
Ed Herman (186) vs. Trevor Smith (185)
Germaine de Randamie (135) vs. Julie Kedzie (135.5)
Aaron Riley (156) vs. Justin Salas (155)
John Albert (137) vs. Yaotzin Meza (136)

France says ‘non’ to to the UFC

The UFC won’t be headed to France any time soon.

Despite an expansion to all corners of the globe, there are still a few major markets that the UFC not only can’t crack, but can’t even legally enter.

One of the most significant examples of this is in France. Despite a right martial arts tradition, and love of athletic competition ESPN have reported that MMA will remain banned.

Unfortunately for the UFC, none of their lobbying was enough to make the change and open up one of the most promising European markets for the UFC.

Carole Bretteville, the president of the Women’s Committee for Federation Francaise du Sport d’Entreprise said:

“France works very hard to promote equality in all aspects of life, especially in sports,” she said. “I was appalled to find out how UFC was lobbying in France, especially when [told] how UFC has tolerated derogatory statements and attitudes against women. We cannot allow such an organisation to destroy all the work we have done to promote equality through French sports.”

Whoops. Those Dana White rants are haunting the company once again.

It’s not just that though, despite prominent French MMA fighters like Karl Amoussou and Cheick Kongo, there appears to be an opposition to the sport from all over the country and not just from stuck-in-the-mud politicians.

On of France’s most famous and beloved judokas, Teddy Riner has been asked about pursuing a career in MMA before, and at 6ft 8 and 290 pounds, the muli world championship winning Olympic gold medallist seems perfectly suited for a career in professional combat sports.

However, he had this to say:

There is no moral code in MMA. I am a warrior on the tatami, but you always have to respect your opponent

If one of the country’s most famous and respected martial artists thinks this was about the sport, I get the feeling it will take quite a long time before there’s a significant change of opinion that will allow the UFC the chance at running a show in Paris.

It’s not that France does not have MMA fans. The UFC broadcasts there and has attracted audiences of more than 150,000 for it’s TV appearances, but

However, unlike Australia, where some politics in certain areas was stopping the sport from reaching a wealth of rabid fans, it seems that a full-scale shift in public perception may be in order before these views get a taste of live octagon action.

I’d be very interested to know just why the sport is held in such low regard, or whether this really is just the work of a prejudiced few.

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Bisping vs Munoz announced for UFC show in Manchester

More good news. Michael Bisping will take on Mark Munoz at an as yet untitled UFC show in Manchester.

This is really good fight for an event in England, and probably the most high-profile since Couture/Vera at UFC 105 in 2009.

Both have names, particularly Bisping in the UK, and both  recently redeemed themselves after losses with solid wins over good opposition.

What’s more, the fight should be a five-round main event, which has me very intrigued. A three round fight would have been great, and most likely a sprint to the finish but a five rounder should provide a long, tactical battle, and opens up so many more possibilities.

The most interesting clash I see involves the cardio factor.

Bisping is a machine with the resting heartbeat of a sloth, and the ability to pressurise his opponent for as long as it takes to reach the final bell.

Munoz tends to go hard and fast, and has worn himself out in past fights. However, in his last fight against tim Boetsch he was able to keep control, deliver punishing strkes and keep a constant pace for a while.

Traditionally Bisping has been able to outlast most of his opponents, but he’s never gone deep into championship rounds against a juggernaut like this.

I might have to make the trip for this fight.

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Chris Weidman vs Anderson Silva II at UFC 168

Well. That was a quick turnaround wasn’t it.

Ol’ Andy Silva has a habit of flip flopping with his decisions of who he’ll fight next. Sonnen, Belfort, even Weidman. He always fights them in the end though, but usually it takes a few months of arm twisting from Dana White.

Not this time.

Less than a week after the greatest fighter in history lost his title, Dana White announced he would have a shot at winning it back. Better yet, the fight will be at UFC 168 on December 28, taking the main event slot from the ronda Rousey vs. Miesha Tate rematch at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

It’s been a while since we’ve had a true mega card for the UFC’s NYE show in Vegas, but with two title fights already (and huge rematches at that) it’s headed in the right direction.

To compliment the announcement, the UFC released this vdeo.

“I go back to fight Weidman and Anderson Silva. I back. Trust me, I back.”

Make what you will of this nonsense, but I think he got the point acrosss at least. Silva is back, motivated, and hopefully in a state of miind to get serious and go 100% to get his title back.

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Guess who’s back: Chael Sonnen vs Shogun for UFC 161

Earlier today, UFC 160 took a bit of a hit, when the…. shall we say reasonably highly anticipated (but probably about four years too late) rematch between Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua and Antonio Rogerio ‘Minotoro’ Nogueira was scuppered following an injury to ‘L’il Nog’.

Enter the man with the biggest arms and the biggest charms. From Chael Sonnen’s twitter:

@ShogunRua I HEAR BRAZILIAN CHICKEN IS OFF THE MENU. AMERICAN GANGSTER IS STILL AVAILABLE IF YOU WANT TO SEND YOUR WAITRESS OVER.

Sure enough, just over three hours later Bloody Elbow reported that Sonnen would step in to square off against the former UFC heavyweight champion in little over a month.

This changes everything for Shogun. He would have been anticipating a stand-up war with L’il Nog, and now he’s going to have to contend with an all-american wrestler. Furthermore, he’s only got five weeks to prepare.

After last months thrashing from Jon Jones, I think most educated MMA fans thought Sonnen had probably reached the end of the road in this division. However, he has talked himself into another fight you could certainly argue he doesn’t deserve on merit, and he’s matched up against a top 10 opponent.

The fight is winnable, and he could be clambering his way into the mix with the division’s elite a lot quicker than we had ever thought possible.

Let the vitriol begin!

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Dan Henderson vs. Rashad Evans booked for UFC 161 main event, Nelson added too

Well here’s a happy turn of events.

Just as the UFC injury curse looked to be rearing its ugly head once more, to bona-fide stars stars step in to replace a headlining title fight.

I’m not saying the Renan Barao vs. Eddie Wineland scrap for the bantamweight title was not tantalising, it certainly was. Barao is one of the hottest properties out there right now, and it’s rare to see a boring Eddie Wineland fight, but this new main event between Dan Henderson and Rashad Evans is a big positive step for the promotion.

The sad fact is that UFC fans don’t know who the bantamweight contenders are. They certainly do know who Hendo and Rashad are. Furthermore, this isn;t some kind of tired Tito/Forrest type of fight, where everyone is shrugging their shoulders, this is a new, and exciting match.

Because of Henderson’s stints at multiple weight classes in Pride, a middleweight run in the UFC and run in Strikeforce at the same time as Rashad was coming up at 205lbs in the UFC, this was never a match that was possible in the past. Because of that, it’s something that people haven’t considered, so to me at least, it seems new and fresh.

My early thoughts are centred on Rashad’s youthful exuberance and dynamic power wrestling getting the better of Henderson, but we all know how much Rashad likes to strike, and if he’s not 100% on his game, that H-bomb will be waiting.

Also, to add a little more star power to this event (and I’m so happy to be saying this about this man) Roy Nelson has replaced Soa Palelei, and he will fight Stipe Miocic just seven weeks after his win over Cheick Kongo.

This is probably a step down for Nelson, but who cares. It probably just means he’ll be getting a fourth first round KO in a row, and possibly another $50,000 bonus.

At this point, i’m just thrilled by watching Big Country step out there and throw massive right hads that knock fighters out cold.

Also, it makes this card even more fun, and better. No disrespect intended in Soa Palelei’s direction, but he is not the calibre of fighter that nelson is.

then again, even without this fight, LOOK AT THIS FIGHT CARD. even beyond the main card there are some cool fights, but that main card, featuring the Shogun/L’il Nog rematch…. oh my goodness.

Main Card

Light Heavyweight – Rashad Evans vs. Dan Henderson
Light Heavyweight – Maurício Rua vs. Antônio Rogério Nogueira
Heavyweight – Roy Nelson vs. Stipe Miocic
Heavyweight – Pat Barry vs. Shawn Jordan
Women’s Bantamweight – Alexis Davis vs. Rosi Sexton

Prelims

Welterweight – Jake Shields vs. Tyron Woodley
Lightweight – Sam Stout vs. Isaac Vallie-Flagg
Light Heavyweight – Ryan Jimmo vs. Igor Pokrajac
Bantamweight – Yves Jabouin vs. Dustin Pague
Welterweight – Sean Pierson vs. Kenny Robertson
Lightweight – Mitch Clarke vs. John Maguire
Bantamweight – Roland Delorme vs. Edwin Figueroa

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