I was really looking forward to Hendo vs. Jones and equally...
Edson Drago Tomasz Drwal Joe Hybrid Duarte Aldrin de Jesus Todd Duffee
Monday, September 3, 2012
ok so now what do we have to look forward to?
As much as I dislike Jones, I always liked when he would fight so I could at least look forward to the possibility of him being upset.
I was really looking forward to Hendo vs. Jones and equally...
I was really looking forward to Hendo vs. Jones and equally...
Pat Miletich on UFC 151?s Cancellation
Former UFC champion and current Strikeforce analyst Pat Miletich recently spoke out to MMA site Bloody Elbow on the cancellation of UFC 151. "The Croatian Sensation," while understanding of the pressure facing the UFC, he was critical of the company's handling of the situation. Miletich, who has ran an established training center for years, was understanding of Greg Jackson's reasoning to suggest that UFC light heavyweight champ Jon Jones decline a fight with Chael Sonnen.
Source: http://mmafrenzy.com/30167/pat-miletich-on-ufc-151s-cancellation/
ROUNDTABLE: Outside of Vitor Belfort, who would you have liked to see against Jon Jones at UFC 152?
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DAN MOORE, MMATORCH UK CONTRIBUTOR
There wasn?t anyone else at 205 lbs to match him up with, and the announcement of Vitor Belfort was a desperate measure to paper over the cracks. Glover Teixeira doesn?t have enough star power or credible UFC experience yet, and the same theory also applies to Alexander Gustafsson. Both are future contenders, but not with only three weeks notice to fight someone as good as Jones. Machida and Shogun were supposed to be the guys to step up, yet both were extremely hesitant in accepting, because they both know their next title shot will likely be their last should they fail.
FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
I can't really think of anyone I would rather have, to be honest. There are other guys out there who might deserve a title shot if they win their next fight, but I'm in favor of not holding the belt up for long. I think Belfort is as good a pick as any in this situation.
ERIC HOBAUGH, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
I would love to see Anderson Silva fight Jon Jones. This is a HUGE fight, it makes sense, and it is one Silva can win. It would have the potential to be the greatest fight in the history of the sport.
BRAD WALKER, MMATORCH COLUMNIST
Sonnen would have been an interesting pick to fight Jones, I doubt he would have done much to Jonny Bones, but you never know. Jones played it safe and I respect that, even if I don't like it. I still want to see him face Dan Henderson in the future, aside from the obvious players of Machida and Shogun other good sleeper picks could have been Gustaffson, Chris Weidman who tossed his hat in the ring and naturally my favorite guy Glover Teixeira. Teixeira has all of the tools necessary to give Jones hell for five rounds if either of them were to make it that far, but we got Belfort, who I am content with, actually excited.
JASON AMADI, MMATORCH COLUMNIST
There were two problems with Machida and Shogun fighting Jon Jones on short notice. The first problem is that they both just fought.
The second problem is that they've already lost to Jones in decisive fashion. Shogun offered little to no resistance against Jones and Machida, while competitive, ultimately fell flat on his face. They're both lucky to even be considered for rematches, so rushing preparation for what is likely your last title opportunity in the weight class (unless Jones loses or vacates the title) would be unwise.
Really, there isn't anyone else who deserves the shot and could actually be ready to compete at a high level in that time frame. We were pretty much either looking at a middleweight ready to move up or bust.
Source: http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/roundtables/article_14273.shtml
Dan The Sandman Christison Logan The Pink Pounder Clark Steve The Snake Claveau Rich No Love Clementi Mark The Hammer Coleman
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Smackdown Backstage Fallout: Sheamus Sends Sandow to the Showers, Kaitlyn Crosses Paths with Eve Torres
As always the action didn?t end when Smackdown?s main cameras stopped rolling on last night?s show. Fortunately, WWE continues to deliver Backstage Fallout segments including their most recent offering packed with WWE Superstars? reactions to the evening?s offerings.
The clip kicks off with Damien Sandow explaining his rationale for intentionally getting counted out when things went sour in a match with Sheamus. Rather than hijinks it was apparently hygiene drawing Sandow to the back, although his actions apparently didn?t upset Sheamus who was simply happy to have gotten paid to beat on Sandow for any period of time.
Other highlights include Eve Torres buttering up Kaitlyn leading up to the bubbly Diva?s upcoming title-bout against champ Layla, as well as the Primetime Players doing what they seem to do best ? brag and talk about wanting money while acting like fools.
The full Backstage Fallout feature can be found below:
PHOTO CREDIT – WWE
TweetTomasz Drwal Joe Hybrid Duarte Aldrin de Jesus Todd Duffee Marvin Eastman
Revised UFC 152 poster with Jon Jones vs. Vitor Belfort
Following the cancellation of UFC, an updated promotional poster was released for UFC 152 featuring Jon Jones and Lyoto Machida 2. As you know that poster quickly became outdated when Machida declined the title shot. Now the UFC has released the latest version for the UFC 152 poster which now showcases Jones and Vitor Belfort. [...]
Revised UFC 152 poster with Jon Jones vs. Vitor Belfort is a post from: MMA Interplay UFC News
Source: http://www.mmainterplay.com/ufc-news/revised-ufc-152-poster-with-jon-jones-vs-vitor-belfort-59365/
Phil Cardella Roan Jucao Carneiro Shane The Engineer Carwin Jason Hollywood Chambers Ryo Piranha Chonan
Bellator 72 Fight Highlights - Bellator
"Travis Wiuff continues to amaze with another completely dominating performance, while Paul "Semtex" Daley did exactly what we thought he would in his Bellator debut by delivering another brutal knockout," said Bellator Chairman & CEO Bjorn Rebney. "My hats off to Karl Amoussou, who came out as his usual explosive self and had everyone on their feet with a slick submission win. Amoussou vs. Askren is something I'm looking forward to, and should happen in short order." For Bellator welterweights Bryan "The Beast" Baker and Karl "Psycho" Amoussou, a win Friday night would not only earn them the Bellator Season 6 Welterweight Tournament Championship, but also $100,000 and a shot at Bellator Welterweight World Champion, Ben Askren. After briefly exchanging on the feet, Amoussou (16-4-2) swept the leg of Baker (18-4) and rather than taking the back, latched on to the leg of "The Beast." Baker immediately felt the pain of the inverted heel hook and tapped quickly to halt the bout at 0:56 of the first round. "I'm really happy right now," said an emotional Amoussou. "It's been a lot of hard work, and I'm so happy to be at this point right now."When asked about his next challenge, reigning Bellator Welterweight World Champion Ben Askren, Amoussou didn't hesitate."Lay and prayer, it's time for you to face the Psycho. I think Bellator needs a real exciting champion. Somebody is getting knocked out, and that somebody is going to be him."Entering the Bellator cage for the first time Friday night, vicious striker Paul "Semtex" Daley was looking to impress Bellator brass when he met 6-time Bellator veteran, Rudy Bears at the USF Sun Dome. While Bears (14-11) appeared to have some success early on, Daley (30-12-2) ultimately showed why he is considered one of the best knockout artists in MMA. After landing a series of brutal knees to the body of Bears, Daley unloaded with a barrage of punches until the referee was forced to stop the fight at 2:45 of the first round. "Anybody who trades with me is getting knocked out. Much respect to Rudy Bears for stepping in here with me," said Daley. "I'm looking to get in the tournament, and I'm going to win it."After choking out Zelg Galesic last month in the quarterfinals of the Bellator Summer Series Light Heavyweight Tournament, Attila Vegh was matched up with the toughest test of his career Friday night when he faced Emanuel Newton. Newton (18-7-1), was coming off a submission win of his own over Roy Boughton and looked to stop the momentum of "Pumukli." The story throughout the fight was the aggressiveness of Newton and the counter striking of Vegh (27-4-2). For three close rounds, both men went blow for blow until a decision was rendered by the judges. Two of the three judges scored the fight in favor of Attila Vegh, who will now move on to the finals of the Bellator Summer Series Light Heavyweight Tournament. "It was hard to train for the awkwardness he brings. The kicks were coming out of nowhere," said Vegh. "However, I was confident wherever the fight went. I trained for 15 minutes." After earning a decisive victory over Chris Davis in the quarterfinals of the Bellator Summer Series Light Heavyweight Tournament, Travis "Diesel" Wiuff undoubtedly wanted to impose his will on Tim Carpenter when the two met Friday night in a semifinal matchup. For three rounds, Wiuff (68-14) controlled Carpenter (9-2), utilizing his takedowns and landing devastating strikes from the guard. After dominating for the entire fight, Travis Wiuff was awarded the unanimous decision victory. After the fight, Wiuff had choice words for Bellator Light Heavyweight World Champion, Christian M'Pumbu. "Christian, I'm coming for you," said Wiuff. "It's only a matter of time, Christian. Next time I beat you, I'm taking that belt." In the first fight of the evening, Bellator welterweights Waachiim Spiritwolf and Marius Zaromskis were looking to pick up where they left off in their previous contest and finally put a stamp on their epic trilogy. Throughout the fight, Zaromskis (18-6) was the aggressor, constantly moving forward and avoiding the power shots of Spiritwolf (9-11-1). Zaromskis also showed off his improved takedown defense every time Spiritwolf attempted to take the fight to the ground. After the completion of three rounds, two of the three judge's cageside scored the fight in favor of Marius Zaromskis.Source: http://mmalice.com/bellator/bellator-72-fight-highlights-video_fc25edec4.html
Wes Soldier Combs Ray Cooper Kit Cope Wesley Cabbage Correira Patrick The Predator Côté
Erik Koch injured, Frankie Edgar vs. Jose Aldo super fight now set for UFC 153
By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
An injury to featherweight challenger Erik Koch has opened the door to one super fight for the UFC. According to a report from USAToday.com, former UFC Lightweight Champion Frankie Edgar will replace Koch at UFC 153, and will take on Jose Aldo for the UFC Featherweight Championship.
The injury to Koch allows Edgar to forego any warmup fight at 145 lbs., and he'll step into his seventh straight UFC title fight following a controversial decision loss at UFC 150 this month. Edgar took on Ben Henderson for the second straight time, and most saw their rematch in his favor. Unfortunately, the split decision came down in favor of Henderson, and Edgar was left with a decision to move down or move to the back of the line at 155 lbs.
"Obviously, we've had a rough couple of weeks here at the UFC, and then sure enough, I walk in to work today, and Erik Koch is hurt," UFC President Dana White said. "But Frankie Edgar, being the stud and the warrior that he is, steps up and accepts this fight."
"I'm pumped. I think that people are going to be very excited for this fight. Frankie has had a tough go the last couple of times with the judges, but a lot of people think he belongs at 145 pounds. Well, here we go ? Jose Aldo vs. Frankie Edgar. People have been wanting to see this fight for a long time."
Indeed, it's a fight that has been talked about for years, and was contingent upon one of the fighters switching weight classes. Edgar's the first to do so, and he'll now get a chance to join B.J. Penn and Randy Couture as the only two-division Champions in UFC history.
Aldo will attempt to defend his belt for a sixth straight time, and will fight the biggest named opponent he's yet faced in his MMA career in the former champion. UFC 153 takes place on October 13 from the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Penick's Analysis: I'm really disappointed we can't see what Koch has for Aldo just yet, but at the same time, this is such a fantastic fight that I can't complain in the least. Edgar-Aldo is a fight that's been talked about for a long time, and now it's going to happen; in Brazil, no less. Regardless of the sham decision loss to Henderson at UFC 150 and the legitimate decision loss at UFC 144, Edgar is an elite talent regardless of where he's fighting. He's immediately the biggest fight of Aldo's career, and this is going to be a fantastically interesting matchup come Oct. 13. How Aldo deals with Edgar's boxing, wrestling, and speed will be as interesting to see as how Edgar deals with Aldo's speed, vicious striking, and jiu jitsu skills. This is just a great, great fight, and I can't wait to see it go down.
[Frankie Edgar art by Grant Gould (c) MMATorch.com]
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The injury to Koch allows Edgar to forego any warmup fight at 145 lbs., and he'll step into his seventh straight UFC title fight following a controversial decision loss at UFC 150 this month. Edgar took on Ben Henderson for the second straight time, and most saw their rematch in his favor. Unfortunately, the split decision came down in favor of Henderson, and Edgar was left with a decision to move down or move to the back of the line at 155 lbs.
"Obviously, we've had a rough couple of weeks here at the UFC, and then sure enough, I walk in to work today, and Erik Koch is hurt," UFC President Dana White said. "But Frankie Edgar, being the stud and the warrior that he is, steps up and accepts this fight."
"I'm pumped. I think that people are going to be very excited for this fight. Frankie has had a tough go the last couple of times with the judges, but a lot of people think he belongs at 145 pounds. Well, here we go ? Jose Aldo vs. Frankie Edgar. People have been wanting to see this fight for a long time."
Indeed, it's a fight that has been talked about for years, and was contingent upon one of the fighters switching weight classes. Edgar's the first to do so, and he'll now get a chance to join B.J. Penn and Randy Couture as the only two-division Champions in UFC history.
Aldo will attempt to defend his belt for a sixth straight time, and will fight the biggest named opponent he's yet faced in his MMA career in the former champion. UFC 153 takes place on October 13 from the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Penick's Analysis: I'm really disappointed we can't see what Koch has for Aldo just yet, but at the same time, this is such a fantastic fight that I can't complain in the least. Edgar-Aldo is a fight that's been talked about for a long time, and now it's going to happen; in Brazil, no less. Regardless of the sham decision loss to Henderson at UFC 150 and the legitimate decision loss at UFC 144, Edgar is an elite talent regardless of where he's fighting. He's immediately the biggest fight of Aldo's career, and this is going to be a fantastically interesting matchup come Oct. 13. How Aldo deals with Edgar's boxing, wrestling, and speed will be as interesting to see as how Edgar deals with Aldo's speed, vicious striking, and jiu jitsu skills. This is just a great, great fight, and I can't wait to see it go down.
[Frankie Edgar art by Grant Gould (c) MMATorch.com]
Source: http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/UFC_2/article_14267.shtml
Heath Herring Branden Lee Hinkle Tank Abbott Hiroyuki Abe Cyril Abidi
Georges St-Pierre: ?I'm now medically cleared to compete in professional mixed martial arts!?
UFC welterweight champ Georges St-Pierre appears to have gotten over the final hump in his lengthy journey back to the ring after tearing his ACL in late 2011. The 22-2 French Canadian recently took to Facebook where he revealed he had received clearance to fight again with his anticipated return still slated to come against Carlos Condit at UFC 154.
?(Monday) was the final chapter of my Road to Recovery – I’m now medically cleared to compete in professional mixed martial arts,? an excited St-Pierre exclaimed. ?Big thanks to all my fans for the amazing support during those nine long months of rehab – couldn’t have done it without you.?
St-Pierre also gave credit to his training partners, management, and the doctors who helped him get back to 100%.
?I’ve been lucky to work with such professional and kind people and I’ve learned a lot from them. It’s been an incredible experience,? wrote St-Pierre. ?Rendez-vous le 17 Novembre, UFC 154, Montreal!!!?
“Rush” Focused on Condit, Not Potential Super-Fight with Anderson Silva
GSP hasn?t fought since a win over Jake Shields in April of last year, his ninth straight instance of success inside the Octagon.
PHOTO CREDIT – UFC
TweetDos Caras Jr Phil Cardella Roan Jucao Carneiro Shane The Engineer Carwin Jason Hollywood Chambers
DirecTV Offers UFC Fans A Special Package For Upcoming PPVs
If you are a DirecTV customer and enjoy the UFC, the cable satellite service has an offer for you. DirecTV is bundling the next six UFC pay-per-view events, starting with UFC 152 later this month, into a package deal. By making two monthly payments of $137.50, you receive the sixth PPV free. That sixth card [...] 
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/mmaconvert/~3/lsWuLpI5pHw/
Thiago Alves Andre Amade Dean Amasinger Jimmy Ambriz Matt Andersen
Ultimate Fighter cast includes a former TUF coach and plenty of drama between Dana White and Roy Nelson
But as the 15th season is about to begin, White's focus is slightly different. The series, now known as 'The Ultimate Fighter Fridays,' seems to be as much about the battle between White and coach Roy Nelson as it is about the fighters or Nelson's upcoming fight with opposing coach Shane Carwin.
The series will return to the taped format on Sept. 14 with a two-hour special that will include all 16 fights to get into the house. The season features welterweight fighters, including Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt Cameron Diffley, who served as the jiu jitsu instructor when Forrest Griffin was the coach.
There have been plenty of times a fighter has fought on the show and then coached, but this might be the first time a man coached and then showed up as the contestant.
But the big news seems to be about the battles between White and the outspoken Nelson, the winner of Season 10.
Nelson kicked things off in an interview with MMA Junkie in which he publicly blasted White. That is big news in and of itself, since so few of the UFC fighters are willing to take White on publicly.
Nelson, though, had no such qualms. He tore into White in an interview with MMA Junkie's Steven Marrocco.
It's probably because he wants to be a fighter, and he's not
Nelson continued to poke at White, painting himself as a guy looking to carry the sport to the next level.
I'm always at the back of the bus when it comes to the UFC. I'm just trying to further MMA to the next level, hold journalism up to higher standards, holding fights to higher standards, holding promotions to higher standards, holding athletic commissions to higher standards, and even holding the fans to higher standards.
White responded to Nelson following the UFC on Fox 4 card in Los Angeles, telling MMA Fighting's Ariel Helwani that Nelson "is a huge pain in the [expletive]."
The dynamic between White and Nelson may wind up being the highlight of the season.
The 32 fighters who will compete on Sept. 14 for the 16 slots in the house and the chance at the UFC contract are:
Bristol Marunde, 30, Las Vegas
Cameron Diffley, 27, Las Vegas
Colton Smith, 30, Fort Hood, Texas, via Ankeny, Iowa
Cortez Coleman, 30, Hugo, Okla.
David Michaud, 23, Pine Ridge, S.D.
Diego Bautista, 26, Lakewood, Calif.
Dom Waters, 23, Santa Rosa, Calif.
Eddy Ellis, 29, Olympia, Wash.
Frank Camacho, 23, Camp Springs, Md.
George Lockhart, 29, Atlanta, Ga.
Igor Araujo, 31, Albuquerque, N.M., via Patos De Minas, Brazil
James Chaney, 25, Klamath Falls, Ore.
Jason South, 34, West Jordan, Utah
Jerel Clark, 23, Reno, Nev.
Jesse Barrett, 26, Tempe, Ariz.
Joey Rivera, 32, Tucson, Ariz.
Jon Manley, 26, Ludlow, Mass.
Julian Lane, 25, Mansfield, Ohio
Kevin Nowaczyk, 23, Chicago
Leo Kuntz, 28, Bismarck, N.D.
Lev Magen, 25, Las Vegas
Matt Secor, 25, South Glens Falls, N.Y.
Max Griffin, 26, Sacramento, Calif.
Michael Hill, 25, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
Mike Ricci, 26, Montreal
Neil Magny, 24, Chicago
Nic Herron-Webb, 22, Anchorage, Alaska
Ricky Legere Jr., 26, Corona, Calif.
Saad Awad, 23, San Bernardino, Calif.
Sam Alvey, 26, Murrieta, Calif.
Tim Ruberg, 30, Harrison, Ohio
Zane Kamaka, 23, Klaianae, Hawaii
Dai Shuanghai Mac Danzig Karen Darabedyan Viacheslav Datsik Marcus Davis
Knockout of the week: Joe Benavidez earns spot in flyweight finals
At UFC 152, Joe Benavidez will face Demetrious Johnson for the first-ever UFC flyweight (125 lb.) championship. How did Benavidez get to the finals? Watch and learn.
Off the bell to start the second round, Benavidez scored a quick knockout over Yasuhiro Urushutani. Will he have the same magic against Johnson on Sept. 22? Tell us in the comments, on Facebook or on Twitter.
Dan Bobish Vagam Bodjukyan Kotetsu Boku Tony Bonello Stephan Bonnar
Despite Early Reports, ?UFC Japan Series? Deal not Finalized
Early reports by a Japanese sports website on a finalized deal for smaller series of UFC fights in the country are not completely accurate at this time. While a deal is in the works, the UFC's executive vice president and managing director of UFC Asia Mark Fisher has revealed to MMAFighting that nothing has been finalized at this time.
Source: http://mmafrenzy.com/30177/despite-early-reports-ufc-japan-series-deal-not-finalized/
David Bielkheden Michael Bisping Dan Bobish Vagam Bodjukyan Kotetsu Boku
Phil Baroni vs. Rodrigo Ribeiro Fight Video ONE FC Pride of a Nation Prelim
Phil “New York Bad Ass” Baroni vs. Rodrigo “Ximbica” Ribeiro Fight Video ONE FC Pride of a Nation.
Source: http://www.mmatko.com/phil-baroni-vs-rodrigo-ribeiro-fight-video-one-fc-pride-of-a-nation-prelim/
Tadhg Steamfist Dixon Joe Doerksen Chris Dolman Edson Drago Tomasz Drwal
Saturday, September 1, 2012
Timmeh thinks he won the 2 rounds against Arlovski
http://mmajunkie.com/news/30460/one-fc-5-results-tim-sylvia-vs-andrei-arlovski-4-ends-in-controversial-no-contest.mma
"I felt I won the first two rounds," Sylvia said after the fight. "He landed a...
"I felt I won the first two rounds," Sylvia said after the fight. "He landed a...
Ed Herman Heath Herring Branden Lee Hinkle Tank Abbott Hiroyuki Abe
Jon Jones now faces Vitor Belfort at UFC 152, Lyoto Machida declined title shot
Another unreal twist following the cancellation of UFC 151 on Thursday… Let’s recap… Dan Henderson partially tears his MCL and is out of his title fight against Jon Jones at UFC 151 on September 1st. Chael Sonnen is chosen to replace Henderson against Jones. Sonnen would be taking the fight on 8 days notice. Jones [...]
Jon Jones now faces Vitor Belfort at UFC 152, Lyoto Machida declined title shot is a post from: MMA Interplay UFC News
Volk Han Joachim Hansen Antoni Hardonk Dan Hardy Lee Hasdell
USA TODAY: Frankie Edgar replaces Erik Koch, meets champ Jose Aldo at UFC 153
Despite a pair of disappointing losses to current UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson, former titleholder Frankie Edgar will now get his shot at history.USA TODAY Sports and MMAjunkie.com have learned that an undisclosed injury has forced Erik Koch to withdraw from a planned UFC 153 title fight with current featherweight champion Jose Aldo, and Edgar has agreed to step into the evening's main event.
Edgar now looks to join UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture and Hawaiian superstar B.J. Penn as the only men to hold UFC championships in two different weight classes.
Manvel Gamburyan Sean Gannon Edgar Garcia Leonard Garcia Andrew Gardner
Following knockout of promotion's champ, Tyson Nam facing potential Bellator lawsuit
Tyson Nam's stunning knockout of Bellator champ Eduardo Dantas has drawn interest from major promotions, according to his trainer.
But that...
But that...
Source: http://forums.ufc.production.sparkart.net/showthread.php?t=125409&goto=newpost
Houston Alexander Ricardo Almeida Eddie Alvarez Thiago Alves Andre Amade
Daniel Cormier: UFC Champ Jon Jones good enough to fight anyone on eight days notice
By: Jamie Penick, MMATOrch Editor-in-Chief
Daniel Cormier will make his UFC debut sometime next year, but with the turmoil that hit the UFC this last week with the cancellation of UFC 151 and the UFC scrambling for a new opponent for Jones, he would have liked the opportunity to do so earlier.
"Right now no one wants to fight Jon Jones, but s*** I'll do it, I'll fight Jon Jones,? Cormier said in an interview with BJPenn.com. "Guys are turning down the fight; you have to go to an old school fighter like Vitor Belfort to step up to the plate. That's no knock on Machida or Shogun, but if those guys want to coach on The Ultimate Fighter and move off to the side and let me fight Jones, I'll do it. If no one wants the title shot then give it to Daniel!"
Cormier chimed in on the UFC 151 cancellation issue as well, agreeing with those who believe Jones should have just taken the fight with Chael Sonnen to save the event. However, his reasoning isn't to necessarily criticize Jones, so much as it's a belief that it didn't matter who Jones was facing there, he'd have beaten them on eight day's notice.
"My idea is this - and this is the God's honest truth - Jones can fight anyone on eight days notice, he's that good," Cormier said. "With that being said I think he should've taken the fight. If you listened to what Rashad Evans said it was kind of Jones' obligation to the UFC to stop the cancellation of the card. They've gotten behind him, I mean obviously his skills are what have gotten him a long way, but they have pushed him out to the front. They have made him a lot of money and put him in big fights. I'm almost 100% sure without knowing they played a hand in him landing the deal with Nike. There are a lot of reasons why he should have taken the fight, but the main one is he could have beaten 98% of the guys in the world on eight days notice."
Penick's Analysis: There may be truth to that belief. We won't be able to find out on Saturday, unfortunately, but Jones may be the type of elite fighter who could take on any challenge on that short of notice and defeat them. He and his camp obviously didn't feel comfortable testing that idea with his title on the line, but the skills are there for him to do just that. Cormier may get his chance to face Jones at some point down the line, and indeed it's a matchup that could be quite interesting considering Cormier's elite wrestling skills. But for now, he's got Frank Mir ahead of him and a move to the UFC to concern himself with, and he can take things from there in 2013 and beyond.
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"Right now no one wants to fight Jon Jones, but s*** I'll do it, I'll fight Jon Jones,? Cormier said in an interview with BJPenn.com. "Guys are turning down the fight; you have to go to an old school fighter like Vitor Belfort to step up to the plate. That's no knock on Machida or Shogun, but if those guys want to coach on The Ultimate Fighter and move off to the side and let me fight Jones, I'll do it. If no one wants the title shot then give it to Daniel!"
Cormier chimed in on the UFC 151 cancellation issue as well, agreeing with those who believe Jones should have just taken the fight with Chael Sonnen to save the event. However, his reasoning isn't to necessarily criticize Jones, so much as it's a belief that it didn't matter who Jones was facing there, he'd have beaten them on eight day's notice.
"My idea is this - and this is the God's honest truth - Jones can fight anyone on eight days notice, he's that good," Cormier said. "With that being said I think he should've taken the fight. If you listened to what Rashad Evans said it was kind of Jones' obligation to the UFC to stop the cancellation of the card. They've gotten behind him, I mean obviously his skills are what have gotten him a long way, but they have pushed him out to the front. They have made him a lot of money and put him in big fights. I'm almost 100% sure without knowing they played a hand in him landing the deal with Nike. There are a lot of reasons why he should have taken the fight, but the main one is he could have beaten 98% of the guys in the world on eight days notice."
Penick's Analysis: There may be truth to that belief. We won't be able to find out on Saturday, unfortunately, but Jones may be the type of elite fighter who could take on any challenge on that short of notice and defeat them. He and his camp obviously didn't feel comfortable testing that idea with his title on the line, but the skills are there for him to do just that. Cormier may get his chance to face Jones at some point down the line, and indeed it's a matchup that could be quite interesting considering Cormier's elite wrestling skills. But for now, he's got Frank Mir ahead of him and a move to the UFC to concern himself with, and he can take things from there in 2013 and beyond.
Source: http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/UFC_2/article_14265.shtml
Gerard Gordeau Jonathan Goulet Wilson Gouveia Jason Grace Crosley Gracie
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