CLAY GUIDA TALKS SHANNON GUGERTY
March 17, 2010 by Matt
Clay “The Carpenter” Guida talks with Heavy.com about his upcoming fight with Shannon Gugerty at UFC on Versus 1. I think Guida is a perfect example of how quickly a fighter’s life can change, especially when you fight in the UFC. It doesn’t seem that long ago that Guida was battling Diego Sanchez in one of the best fights of the year. Now he’s going to be on the undercard against Gugerty, who is making his 5th appearance in the Octagon. The good news is that I think Guida takes this fight handily, gets back into the win column and we will see him again on the main card of a UFC event.
BARTIMUS AND THE BULLY WIN AT WEC 47
March 7, 2010 by Matt
Two Chicago-area fighters are leaving Columbus, Ohio with victories, while Miguel Torres is leaving with his second consecutive loss.
Bart Palaszewski took on the very tough Karen Darabedyan in a lightweight battle. Bartimus immediately felt the power and quickness of Darabedyan, who was coming off an impressive win against former WEC champ Rob McCullough. Darabedyan had Bart on the ground and was delivering punishment. Bart absorbed a lot of blows but kept looking for subs. Near the end of round 1 Palaszewski latched on to an arm and hyperextended it until he got the tap. Itwas an amazing submission and Bartimus moves to 34-13 with the win.
Team Top Notch fighter Ricardo Lamas was coming off a TKO loss to Danny “Last Call” Castillo at WEC 42. He needed little time to get back on a win streak with a stunning defeat of France’s Bendy Casimir. In round 1 action, Casimir went for a takedown and Lamas delivered a fierce knee to Casimir’s head that crumbled him to the canvas and left him unconscious. The Bully got the win and improves to 8-1 overall and now 3-1 in the WEC.
Miguel Torres never really got going against Joseph Benavidez, his first fight since losing his WEC title to Brian Bowles. Miguel was active in moving and circling the cage, but couldn’t find the timing on his strikes or kicks. The faster Benavidez easily nullified the nearly 10-inch reach disadvantage with takedowns and easily working his way inside against Torres. The last takedown in round 2 proved fatal for Torres. Benavidez had him up against the cage and delivered a vicious elbow that gashed open Torres’ forehead and immediately started to gush blood. Torres tried to escape but Benavidez caught him in a tight guillotine and Torres was forced to tap. It was a stunning defeat for Torres. Brian Bowles lost the title to Dominick Cruz, so perhaps we will see a Bowles/Torres rematch down the line.
Photos taken from Sherdog’s WEC 47 gallery
MARCH MADNESS, MMA STYLE
March 2, 2010 by Matt
The NCAA tourney will not be the only madness to engulf the sports world in March. There will be 5 MMA major events within 25 days, giving new meaning to March coming in like a lion. Here’s a look at what’s coming up.
3.6 WEC 47: Bowles vs. Cruz
An excellent card to kick off the month. Brian Bowles defends his bantamweight title against Dominick Cruz. We also get the returns of Miguel Torres, who takes on the explosive Joseph Benavidez, and Jens Pulver. The always exciting Scott Jorgensen is also on the card, as well as impressive WEC newcomer Karen Darabedyan.
3.21 UFC on Versus 1
The UFC makes its first appearance on Versus and the card is spectacular. Jon Jones is one of the most dynamic fighters in all of MMA and he will take on Brandon Vera. The most under-appreciated fighter in MMA is also on the card: Junior Dos Santos. Dos Santos will fight Gabriel Gonzaga and needs a win to get closer to a title fight. Also on the card is fan-favorite Clay Guida, as well as a solid heavyweight matchup between Cheick Kongo and Paul Buentello.
3.26 Strikeforce Challengers 7
Where else would you get to see George Bush fight? Not that one, but the heavyweight fighter will take on Ron Humphrey. 2 of the most beautiful — and ferocious — female fighters will do battle at this event, as Miesha Tate brawls with Zoila Frausto. Andre Galvao is back from DREAM to take on Strikeforce veteran Luke Stewart. And Lavar “Big” Johnson will take on Lolohea Mahe.
3.27 UFC 111: St. Pierre vs. Hardy
The Return of GSP against the brash, talented Dan Hardy for the UFC welterweight belt is the main event on this card. But the co-main event of Frank Mir vs. Shane Carwin for the interim heavyweight belt may be an even better fight. Two other top welterweights will go at it in Jon Fitch vs. Thiago Alves, and the exciting Ben Saunders will take on M-1, IFL and Bellator vet Jake Ellenberger.
3.31 UFC Fight Night 21
Just days after 2 title bouts, the UFC is back with another edition of “Fight Night” on Spike. Kenny Florian gets to take on Takanori Gomi in his UFC debut. Ultimate Fighter winner Roy Nelson will battle Stefan “Skyscraper” Struve, an interesting battle of wrestler vs. Jiu-Jtsu. Lightweight Ultimate Fighter winner Ross Pearson gets Dennis Siver, and Nate Quarry and Jorge Rivera will slug it out.
BELLATOR HEADED TO THE CHICAGO THEATRE
February 22, 2010 by searstapper
One of the biggest names in sports entertainment has partnered with Bellator Fighting Championships to bring four nationally televised MMA events to Chicago and Boston later this year.
Under the terms of this historic co-promotional agreement with Madison Square Garden, Bellator will stage at least two events at the historic Chicago Theatre and at least one event at the famed Citi Performing Arts Center Wang Theatre in Boston.
MORE CHICAGO FLAVOR FOR WEC 47; LAMAS ADDED TO CARD
February 2, 2010 by searstapper
The World Extreme Cagefighting event scheduled for Columbus, OH in March has some serious Chicago flavor. In addition to Miguel Torres and Bart Palaszewski, Team Top Notch lightweight Ricardo Lamas will also fight on the card.
DREAM STANDOUT JOE WARREN SIGNS WITH BELLATOR
February 2, 2010 by searstapper
Olympic wrestler Joe Warren was one of the top newcomers to MMA in 2009. The former Michigan Wolverine defeated two former champions in his debut and follow-up fights: former WEC bantamweight champion and Lombard native Chase Beebe and former K1 HERO’S Middleweight Grand Prix Champion Kid Yamamoto. Warren is the latest acquisition among an impressive list of new signees for Chicago/Los Angeles based Bellator Fighting Championships.
MIGUEL TORRES GETS READY FOR WEC 47
January 26, 2010 by Matt
The Las Vegas Sun catches up with Miguel Torres as he trains for his next fight against Joseph Benavidez at WEC 47. In the interview, Miguel seems revitalized. He explains why he has a totally different camp to train with for the bout against Benavidez in Columbus on March 6th. Benavidez is coming off a very impressive win against Rani Yahya.
FRANK TRIGG THINKS HIS NICKNAME IS “KIND OF GAY”
January 19, 2010 by Matt
Maybe I’m in too deep. Why? Because I am truly looking forward to the Matt Serra/Frank Trigg fight at UFC 109. Here’s one of the reasons, from Heavy.com via Bloody Elbow:
Heavy.com: You called Serra a little guido and he made fun of your tattoo. So, things got started early! Do you guys enjoy the war of words?
Frank Trigg: I know I do. I think it’s fun. I can’t speak for Matt. Dan Hardy and Georges St. Pierre are going at it a little bit too. GSP is just kind of taking it. For a guy like me, who is not as good as St. Pierre, not as good as Anderson Silva, not as good as BJ Penn, because I’m talking, I get just as much notoriety as those guys. I like trash talk. It makes it fun. Plus it makes the fights more interesting. Fans pay a little more attention. I don’t know what he’s said. I don’t get on the message boards or read the media sites. I don’t know what he’s said other than he doesn’t want to lose to a guy with a tramp stamp. Once he loses to a guy with a tramp stamp, not only does he lose to a guy with a tramp stamp, but to a guy who’s nickname is “Twinkle Toes” which is kind of gay, a guy that paints his toe nails which is kind of gay. What’s he going to do after that? Is he going to retire? Is he going to quit? Will he be able to eat pasta in his Long Island home or will they laugh him out of there? Really, what’s going to happen?
How do you not love that guy? The only people I know that like Serra are Matt Hughes-haters. How much Trigg has left in the tank is anyone’s guess. But I know it’s more than he showed in the Koscheck fight. He had won 4 consecutive fights prior to coming back to the UFC. I hope he destroys Serra. I never liked Serra, although I did respect his accomplishments. Plus we need Frank to win so we can see…wait for it…Hughes/Trigg III!! And I’m completely serious about that. Told you — I’m in too deep.
WHAT’S HOT IN MMA CLOTHING AND GEAR
January 14, 2010 by Matt
Taking a look at what’s hot in MMA Gear and MMA Clothing for the month of January…
With “Suga” getting back in the victory column against Thiago Silva, his UFC 108 walkout shirt is hot.
Rashad Evans Silver Star UFC 108 Tee
Picking up where they left off with their Kyoudo Fight Shorts, Hayabusa’s Mizuchi Fight Shorts are getting great reviews. The design is killer too.
Hayabusa Mizuchi Fight Shorts
The Jakks MMA action figures were popular for holiday gifts and they are still hot here in January. The figures are mostly UFC fighters, but they also have some Pride and WEC combatants, like Kevin Randleman and Miguel Torres.
Jakks Anderson Silva Action Figure
Moving on to gear, the Jaco Guardian Compression Short & Cup is quickly becoming a favorite among MMA fighters and practitioners. With its leg pockets and 6 included pads, the Jaco short is nice for absorbing some of the heavy kicks. One reviewer said, “I caught an inadvertent switch kick to the cup area and kept sparring because I hadn’t realized that the kick had landed. I felt something, but wasn’t sure. My sparring partner apologized and it was only then I realized what happened. This is a fantastic product for the enthusiast and pro alike.“
Jaco Compression Short
The Datsusara PGB3 MMA Gear Bag is getting 5-star ratings across the board. It’s a huge gear bag, and made from heavy duty 100% hemp canvas – the strongest and most durable of all natural textile fibers It’s also anti-microbial so bacteria, fungus and mold can’t live in it. It has plenty of different pockets for water bottles, mouth guards, towels and more.
Datsusara PGB3 MMA Gear Bag
We saved the most fun item for last: the new Gi shirt from Mallee. It’s like the tuxedo shirt for MMA fans and geeks!
Mallee Gi Shirt
MMA REFEREE AND JUDGING SEMINAR
January 13, 2010 by searstapper
If you want to be an MMA referee or judge you have a chance to learn from one of the most knowledgeable and experienced individuals in the area. Rob Hinds, president of Combat Consulting LLC, is offering a special training seminar. Through Combat Consulting Hinds offers promoters various services for promoting a Mixed Martial Arts event. More information inside.
