MMA News and Tidbits

[INDYjon22]

Contrary to previous reports, Brendan Schaub will face neither Stefan Struve nor Frank Mir in his first bout of 2011. Instead, Schaub will square off against veteran striker Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic at UFC 128, which takes place on March 19 at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.

According to sources close to the matchup, contracts were signed Tuesday morning. The contest was first reported on the website of British magazine Fighters Only on Tuesday. It is currently unknown what became of the proposed Schaub-Struve bout, which had reportedly been agreed to by both fighters.

Schaub enters the bout riding a three-fight winning streak. “The Hybrid” owns victories over Chase Gormley, Chris Tuchscherer and Gabriel Gonzaga in that span. In his bout with Gonzaga at UFC 121, Schaub used superior speed to control the distance and pace, cruising to a unanimous decision victory. Schaub made his promotional debut in the main event of the “Ultimate Fighter 10” finale, losing to fellow finalist Roy Nelson by knockout at 3:45 of round one. The loss was the first of Schaub's career.

Filipovic carries considerably less momentum into the bout, as he was knocked unconscious by a Frank Mir knee in the final minute of their heavyweight headliner at September’s UFC 119. The contest was a sluggish one, as both men clinched often and little damage was inflicted on either side until Mir’s knee met with the former Pride Fighting Championships star’s jaw. The Croat had won back-to-back bouts prior to the Mir defeat, finishing both Anthony Perosh and Pat Barry at UFC 110 and 115, respectively.

UFC 128 has not yet been announced by the promotion, but is expected to be headlined by Mauricio “Shogun” Rua’s light heavyweight title defense against challenger Rashad Evans. Also slated for the event is a lightweight scrap between Kurt Pellegrino and Gleison Tibau, as well as a welterweight duel pitting Mike Kyle against Ricardo Almeida.

Brendan Schaub appears to be a popular man these days. Everyone is trying to get a piece of this guy. First a rumored fight with Mir, then an almost inked deal with Struve, and now a fight with CroCop being set in stone apparently. This is actually probably the best possible match up for Schaub. CroCop is on the decline, while still dangerous, he should be a fairly good match up for Schaub and his striking. Schaub should be able to put CroCop to sleep, but at the very least out point in route to a decision like he did with Gonzaga.

 

[Final Form Snyper.]

This would make for an exciting match because even with Mirko on the decline, he can still be dangerous. Schaub is an entertaining fighter who is athletic to match, but I don't see him being anywhere near the title. I see Brendan as more of a Gate Keeper than a contender in the Heavyweight division.

 

[Tha Wolfpac]

Well Brendand had a lot on his plate i suppose. A Mirko on the decline is still a threat to any up and comer looking to get a gd couple wins under his belt. This is a very interesting bout for Brendan and really put him to the test and see how he fares with one of the more elite strikers of the division no matter how Mirko has performed as of late.

 

[Buffalo Dave]

A couple things I wanted to touch on that have been announced over the past few days.

Both Robbie Lawler and Nick Diaz have re-signed with Strikeforce on multi-year deals. Nothing was released on how many fights each are signed on for. Good move for SF to secure one of their top draws and fighters in Diaz for a while longer. Also, to get Lawler the knockout reel artist as of late. Hopefully after this next deal Diaz will be back in the UFC.

Jim Miller will face Kamal Shalorus at UFC 128 in March. Why in the world they don't pit Miller and Sotiropoulos in a fight to determine the number one contender after Pettis is beyond me. Miller should be able to handle Shalorus. It will be a good test for Miller to see if he could beat one of the better wrestlers at Lightweight, since both of Miller's losses came from good wrestlers in Edgar and Maynard.

Alex "Bruce Leroy" Caceres will after all get a shot in the UFC. He is going the Nam Phan route and dropping down to Featherweight to fight Mackens Semerizer at UFC Fight Night 24 in March. Good fight for Alex to take, he should have no problem beating Semerizer. He can easily win the stand up game with him, and if it goes to the ground, we seen Alex do well there also. I think Alex could have a future fighting in the Featherweight division.

 

[jmt225]

Both Robbie Lawler and Nick Diaz have re-signed with Strikeforce on multi-year deals. Nothing was released on how many fights each are signed on for.

I really, really hope Diaz gets paid a LOT of money for re-signing, because otherwise... I am very disappointed to hear this. Diaz's best possible opponents are in the UFC, and I'm just sick of watching him fight guys below his level. However, if he's getting more $$$ than the UFC would have offered him, then more power to the guy.

I must say though, as a fan, I am disappointed still, because I do think Diaz is a top 3 Welterweight in the World (if not #1) and the only place for him to prove me right is in the UFC, and now it looks like that won't be happening for quite some time.

Jim Miller will face Kamal Shalorus at UFC 128 in March. Why in the world they don't pit Miller and Sotiropoulos in a fight to determine the number one contender after Pettis is beyond me. Miller should be able to handle Shalorus. It will be a good test for Miller to see if he could beat one of the better wrestlers at Lightweight, since both of Miller's losses came from good wrestlers in Edgar and Maynard.

They do that because the Lightweight Division is the best, most stacked division in the sport, and no matter what... there's always going to be a guy 'deserving' of a title shot, which will eventually come in handy whenever a #1 contender or the champion gets injured during training. For example, if Maynard got injured training for Edgar and couldn't fight, the UFC could have easily called up Jim Miller, Sotriopoulos, or even Gomi and/or Guida to fulfill the spot and no one would have complained.

I have no problem whatsoever milking each LW contender for all their worth, until the time comes for their title shot.

 

[jmt225]

So did anyone else watch Dynamite this morning? I'm not in the mood to do a full review, so I'm just going to quickly run down some thoughts I had about the show.

Fucking Overeem SMASHED Todd Duffee. Knocked his ass out 19 seconds into the first round. Is there any doubt in anyone's mind that this guy would not run through the entire UFC Heavyweight Division?

Unfortunately though, my boy Shinya Aoki got his ass kicked in what was supposed to be a gimme fight against a K-1 Phenomenon named Yuichiro Nagashima. I don't know what the fuck Aoki was thinking, but he got KOed with a flying knee in the beginning of the 2nd Round. Huge, huge, HUGE disappointment.

At least Crusher beat Josh Thomson, though. No one saw that one coming except for hardcore JMMA fans, but Kawajiri has always been underrated in the LW Division. Very happy for him.

Sakurai got lay-n-prayed on by Jason High, so that fucking sucked.

Bibiano Fernandes surprisingly got manhandled by Hiroyuki Takaya for the Featherweight Title. Didn't see that one coming.

And Saku had what was hopefully his last fight ever against Marius Žaromskis, in which he lost by doctor stoppage during the first round.

All in all, decent show. Nothing great. Was stoked for Overeem and Crusher, but I'm still really bummed out about Aoki. Damn.

 

[Minor League Brian]

Yeah, but its not like Duffe was really worth much. Sure, he's a good prospect but there is a reason he was let go by the UFC.

My question is how'd he get a title shot against Overeem in Dream that fast? I mean wtf.

 

[jmt225]

Yeah, but its not like Duffe was really worth much. Sure, he's a good prospect but there is a reason he was let go by the UFC.

And that reason had absolutely nothing to do with his fighting ability. Dana White just didn't like the guy's attitude, that's all.

I agree though that Duffe wasn't ready for someone like Overeem, but at the same time... I GUARANTEE there's not a sole in the UFC who can beat him in 19 seconds like Overeem did. All these 'cans' Overeem has destroyed, sure someone like Velasquez and Lesnar could most likely beat them, but there's no chance in hell they could have decimate them as quick and impressively as Overeem has been able to do.

My question is how'd he get a title shot against Overeem in Dream that fast? I mean wtf.

Because there was nobody else, basically, and also because Japan likes their monster fights.

 

[INDYjon22]

Damn, I really wanted to watch last night, er this morning. Glad to hear Reem beat Bodyguard #1, and handily at that. Very disappointed t hear that both Shinya Aoki and Josh Thomson lost though. Especially since both guys have been rumored as the next opponent for Gilbert Melendez and now that they have both lost I feel like that should push them both back from that fight, though I am sure one of those two will get the fight. I'll try to find the fights so I can build a better opinion.

 

[jmt225]

Randy Couture isn't retiring after all.

Couture and Lyoto Machida have verbally agreed to meet at UFC 129 on April 30 in Toronto, MMA Fighting has learned from sources close to the fight. Couture also confirmed the fight when asked by MMA Fighting at UFC 125 on Saturday
night.

The event will be the UFC's first in Toronto and will be held at the Rogers Centre, home of the Toronto Blue Jays.

Very surprised to read this.

Last interview I heard from Randy Couture was that he was only going to take fights he thought would be fun (aka fights he knows he would easily win, like the James Toney bout). I thought that was a bit of a bitch thing to say, but hey... here we are about a month later, and he's signed on to fight one of the best Light Heavyweights in the UFC. Should be interesting for sure, but I see Lyoto knocking Couture's ass out and putting the final stamp on his career. Definitely looking forward to it though.

However, if that's the true main event for the Toronto event, then I think it's a major disappointment, unless they really stack the undercard for the show.

 

[Fizzy]

So after the main event last night which I must admit was outstanding Dana changed his mind and booked an immediate rematch. That is easily the best, and smartest thing to do considering that was a bullshit thing to do in a title fight. I love Pettis, and can't wait to see him fight but he can wait for the winner so we can have the very best of the two companys fight with no if's and's or buts.

 

[Kid Joker]

TSN is reporting that GSP vs Jake Shields has been confirmed for the Toronto UFC 129 event, Dana White confirmed to the Canadian Press. The article can be read here:

http://tsn.ca/mma/story/?id=347856

So they lose the Heavyweight fight in Velasquez vs Dos Santos, but I think this is about the best next possible Main Event for the Toronto Show having GSP on the card.

 

[Buffalo Dave]

Very surprised to read this.

Last interview I heard from Randy Couture was that he was only going to take fights he thought would be fun (aka fights he knows he would easily win, like the James Toney bout). I thought that was a bit of a bitch thing to say, but hey... here we are about a month later, and he's signed on to fight one of the best Light Heavyweights in the UFC. Should be interesting for sure, but I see Lyoto knocking Couture's ass out and putting the final stamp on his career. Definitely looking forward to it though.

Yeah, I'm not liking Randy's chances in this fight either, but I'll still be rooting for him. He is litterally gonna have to grapple him against the cage for the three rounds to get a win.

TSN is reporting that GSP vs Jake Shields has been confirmed for the Toronto UFC 129 event, Dana White confirmed to the Canadian Press. The article can be read here:

http://tsn.ca/mma/story/?id=347856

So they lose the Heavyweight fight in Velasquez vs Dos Santos, but I think this is about the best next possible Main Event for the Toronto Show having GSP on the card.

If I'm not mistaken, the Heavyweight title fight was gonna be the co-main event all along, with GSP/Shields being the main event. I just wish I had a passport or inhanced lisecense to go to Toronto to see this event, since I'm only 1 1/2 away, stupid new laws, screwed me for baseball games as well.

 

[Fizzy]

So Fedor is fighting bigfoot Silva in Feburary and Arlovski is fighting Barnett if the New Jersey athletic commision can get him cleared. On top of that there will be a 8 man HW tourny. Glad to FINALLY see Fedor again, but i have a feeling this tourny will be a disaster simply because Strikeforce management is terrible.

 

[jmt225]

Yeah, a Heavyweight tourney would be ******ed. I think the Super Six in boxing showed that tourneys today in fighting are simply a bad idea.

Anyways, knew about Fedor vs. Big Foot for a while now. Definitely looking forward to seeing Fedor knock his ass out.

But this is the first I've heard of Arlovski vs. Barnett. I'm pumped for that one! Hopefully this will be the start of Arlovski's comeback. Barnett is the perfect opponent for him. WAR PITBULL!!!

 

[Fizzy]

An Oregon real estate agent has pleaded guilty to money laundering in connection with a mortgage fraud case involving Vancouver-based Lighthouse Financial Group, which also did business under the name Crown Point Financial Services.

Chael Sonnen, 33, of West Linn, Ore., entered the plea Monday in U.S. District Court in Portland. He will be sentenced March 28. The maximum sentence is 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine.

According to a news release, Sonnen acted as the real estate agent in a transaction involving a home in Portland, and submitted a false letter and sales agreement instructing the title company to disburse $69,000 to a contractor for plumbing repairs. However, in a deal arranged by Lighthouse employees, $65,000 of the money was actually kicked back to the buyer.

Federal prosecutors allege that two Lighthouse employees, Joel Rosabal and Chadwick Amsden, submitted the false loan application to a now-defunct subprime lender.

This story is huge, and The full storu hasn't come out yet i just thought I should post it ahead of time to avoid shock. This is insane if true.

 

[Uncle Chester]

The Bigfoot fight is a good way for Fedor to reconfirm his ability and multiply the hype on the Overeem fight. Of course it all depends on Fedor winning which I'm 99.99% sure is going to happen. If he loses then Strikeforce loses the hype and if the Overeem fight happens it'll be seen by many as Overeem's fight to win.

 

[Window Licker 101]

Chael Sonnen was scheduled to return to action against Yoshihiro Akiyama at UFC 128 however Sonnen's legal trouble may cause the fight to be pulled from the card

 

[jmt225]

Very disappointed to hear about Chael Sonnen.

Hopefully the judge is lenient with his sentencing. It would be a true shame to see Sonnen's career get flushed down the toilet. He's easily the most interesting person in the sport right now, and while I don't like some of his statements towards guys like Wandy and Shogun, I do think overall it's great for the sport to have such a unique personality like Sonnen headlining fights.

Also, I never heard of that Sexyama/Sonnen fight. That would have been epic. I really hope that is still somehow able to go down.

 

[Buffalo Dave]

In no big surprise Phil Baroni has been released from the UFC, after dropping 2 fights in a row since coming back. He has claimed he's received offers from smaller companies. The 2 losses brought his overall UFC record to 3-7. Now to wait and see if Marcus Davis and Brandon Verra get released as well.

After Ben Henderson was on the receiving end of the kick heard around the world and dropped the decision to Pettis, he is booked for his first fight in the UFC against Mark Bocek at UFC 129 in April. It's a good match up for Bendo, we all know he is great at defending submissions so that will take away from Bocek and his RNC that he wins by. I'd say Bendo subs him somewhere late in the fight.

 

[jmt225]

[YOUTUBE]Iha1o5y3HM0[/YOUTUBE]

LOL

I don't care, I want this fight to happen just for the trash talking only. It would be absolutely hilarious. Rashad/Rampage was fun leading up to because of the trash talk, but this would absolutely obliterate that. Toney can run his mouth like no other walking the face of the Earth, while we all know what kind of jokes and intensity Rampage can bring to the table.

Plus, I think Rampage would stand with Toney, too. At least, for a little bit. He wouldn't go for the immediate takedown like Couture did, I don't think. So, that would make the fight that much more interesting as well.

 

[joejoe]

First off.. HUUUUGE lol to the Rampage video. I doubt Dana White will let James Tony fight in the UFC again but I would love it to see Rampage and him slug it out. Plus the hype up to the fight would be hilarious!

Next this was posted a few hours ago on Stefan Struves twitter page..
"Will have soms big news about my next fight soon, I will give an update as soon as possible!"

The question now is.. who is it going to be next for him? Lesnar? Mir? Big Nog?
I doubt it will be JDS because he's already been KOd by him. But I think its time for Struve to take a step up in competition.... I'm hoping for a Lesnar fight.

Edit: Well.. big disapointment... looks like Struve will be facing Travis Browne...

Oh well.

 

[Buffalo Dave]

Next this was posted a few hours ago on Stefan Struves twitter page..
"Will have soms big news about my next fight soon, I will give an update as soon as possible!"

The question now is.. who is it going to be next for him? Lesnar? Mir? Big Nog?
I doubt it will be JDS because he's already been KOd by him. But I think its time for Struve to take a step up in competition.... I'm hoping for a Lesnar fight.

Yeah, just confirmed that he's fighting Travis Browne at UFC 130 in May. Browne was in that boring ass fight with Kongo a few months back. Huge let down, but should be an easy fight for Struve.

I could see the Rampage/Toney fight going down if Rampage had lost to Machida, but since he won and is still hovering at the top of the title picture, I don't think it will happen right now. A win over Toney wouldn't do anything for him at the moment. But it would sure be nice to see a Rampage slam to Toney, followed by some GnP.

Well from my last post yeasterday, I said now to wait to see if Vera and Davis get released following Baroni, and both have been officially released now. Also Antonio McKee is one and done with the UFC as well. I don't think it will be to long before some smaller companies start fielding offers to Davis and Vera.

Since the whole Chael Sonnen thing blew up over the past few days, it turns out he was supposed to fight Sexyama at UFC 128. Since the UFC has suspended him, Nate Maraquardt is stepping in to face Akiyama. Well, this might be the end of the line for Akiyama unless he uses his Judo to throw Nate off him when he attempts his takedowns, but as we seen Akiyama doesn't like using his Judo in the UFC, that and being Nate is much bigger than him, so Nate will win in a boring decision.

Diego Sanchez vs. Martin Kampmann will meet at UFC Versus 3 in March as the co-headliner. Tough fight to call both guys looked great in their last fights, Diego put on a very impressive performance against Thiago and despite Kampmann losing to Jake Shields he still looked pretty damn good. Should be a nice war between these two.

 

[jmt225]

Wow... what an epic fight to headline a free UFC show!

Diego Sanchez vs. Martin Kampmann is going to either be a stand-up war, or a grappling masterpiece. Either way, it's guaranteed to be one of the best fights in early 2011. I absolutely cannot wait.

My head says Kampmann by decision, but my heart wants to go with Diego Sanchez. I think Diego will need to use his grappling to stand a chance. He does not want a stand-up war with Kampmann, who perhaps is top 3 in the UFC Welterweight Division when it comes to Muay Thai. Diego will need to bait Kampmann into thinking he wants a brawl, and then take him down and use his brilliant BJJ to control him. Easier said than done, but I'm rooting for Diego all the way.

 

[Via Armbar]

Sucks about having to see one of the two fighters at WW I enjoy the most lose. I think Kampmann has actually been underrated for a while now and is just steps away from really solidifying himself as one of the most well rounded fighters at 170. Good striking, underrated grappling and a good chin are all things that The Hitman brings to this fight. All the same can be said about Diego though. Though not obviously similar, I think both are equally as well rounded and it will be interesting to see who can impose their strengths a little better. The deciding factor here will be the game plan and since Diego is back with Greg Jackson, one of if not the best game planner in the sport, I see him getting a decision win.

Struve vs Browne: They are very clearly trying to build Struve up with the sudden blow the HW division has taken. Browne is only a few notches above a can and should be a rudimentary battle for Struve with the win being all but won, save for a tactical error on The Skyscraper's behalf.