She Said Yes — Then Tapped to a Triangle Choke
May 23, 2013 by Matt
That’s one way to get someone to marry you — submit them.
Jokes aside, BJJ practitioner Justin Saikaley used the end of a recent BJJ class to roll with his girlfriend — propose to her in the process.
Congrats to you both! And really, what can possibly get you better prepared for marriage than BJJ?
h/t: Middle Easy
Does Mark Hunt’s Improbable Run End at UFC 160?
May 22, 2013 by Matt
Mark Hunt is on an impressive and somewhat improbable run though some of the top UFC heavyweights. Since losing his first UFC fight back at UFC 119 to Sean McCorkle — his 6th straight loss — Hunt has won four in a row and become a fan favorite in the process.
Fans have taken to Twitter to cheer him on and ask UFC president Dana White to give him a title shot. But standing in his way on Saturday night at UFC 160 is former UFC heavyweight champion Junior Dos Santos, who says Hunt’s ride will come to an end at his hands.
“I think I’m better than him, I’m more complete fighter than him,” Dos Santos said. “I can knock anyone out, and I’m going to knock this guy out. He’s very tough…he keeps trying until he knocks the guys out so he’s really dangerous. I’m going to stop him. It’s over for him. Now he’s going to lose.”
As likable as Hunt is, I have to agree with JDS. Dos Santos will not make the mistake that other fighters like Stefan Struve and Ben Rothwell have made. He will use his superior foot work and speed to set up angles and will not stand flat-footed in front of one the power-punching Hunt. He won’t stand and trade just for the sake of doing it. Dos Santos needs a win and he knows how to get it: use his boxing and foot work to stay out of harm’s way. When he does that for long enough Hunt will have no choice but to go for broke, and that’s when JDS will finish the fight with a barrage of strikes.
Hunt may be a sentimental favorite, but up until now it hasn’t shown at the betting window. Top sportsbook sites still have Dos Santos at -450 and Hunt at +325. So if you believe that Hunt’s remarkable run continues with a win over JDS, you’ll be greatly rewarded if you back that up with a financial play.
Here’s a closer look at the fight with Countdown to UFC 160: Dos Santos vs. Hunt:
Adem Redzovic: I Believe in Jiu-Jitsu
May 8, 2013 by Matt
Jiu-Jitsu practitioners will often tell stories about how BJJ changed their lives. Here’s is Gracie Barra/Team Redzovic’s Adem Redzovic describing how he found a new community in Jiu-Jitsu and how it offered him hope as an adolescent.
Visit Team Redzovic at ChicagoJiuJitsu.com.
Bellator’s Fight Master: Meet the Fighters
May 6, 2013 by Matt
Bellator’s new reality show “Fight Master” on Spike TV premieres Wednesday, June 19. 32 fighters will vie for a spot in the upcoming Bellator welterweight tournament. Here’s a look at the format and the cast.
Total Fight Challenge: Dion Walker vs. Jorge Ignacio [Video]
April 30, 2013 by Matt
Rebel of Destruction’s Dion Walker and South Side Knockout’s Jorge Ignacio did battle in a 170-lb. match at Total Fight Challenge last Friday.
The finish came quickly, and in a brutal fashion. This is definitely one for our “Killer Finishes” section.
Props to Massacre MMA and Paris Kixton for the video. TFC’s Joe Goytia announced that the next event will be July 12, and any fighters interested in being on the card should contact him.
Pat Curran vs. Shahbulat Shamhalaev: Bellator 95 [Video]
April 5, 2013 by Matt
Video of Team Curran’s Pat Curran vs. Shahbulat Shamhalaev at Bellator 95 for the featherweight title.
UFC 159: Jon Jones vs. Chael Sonnen Extended Preview
April 4, 2013 by Matt
“I still think Chael can be a pretty crappy human at times.” – Jon Jones
“I started watching (Jones’) fights. I suggest you watch them too if you have trouble sleeping at night.” – Chael Sonnen
Chael Sonnen and Jon Jones finally do battle for the UFC light heavyweight title on April 27. Here is the extended preview for the fight.
Hidden Talent MMA: Matt Crowley vs. Jonathan Quinlan [Video]
April 1, 2013 by Matt
One of the best fights of the night at Hidden Talent MMA’s “Who’s Next! Round 3″ was Death Squad MMA’s Matt Crowley vs. Energy MMA’s Jonathan Quinlan.
These are they types of fights that get fans hooked on MMA.
Check out our recap of Hidden Talent MMA’s “Who’s Next! Round 3″
TUF 17′s Kevin Casey’s Rap Video
February 18, 2013 by Matt
Kevin Casey didn’t show up to his fight against Collin Hart according to coach Chael Sonnen on the last episode of “The Ultimate Fighter”. But if his MMA career doesn’t take off, Casey ca always drop rhymes for a living. Or maybe not, if you saw him freestyling on TUF.
We posted this Kevin Casey rap video back in 2009, when he was the subject of a reality show produced by Spencer Pratt that apparently never made to air. So you make the call: does Casey have skills on the mike?
If Casey isn’t able to rock the mic or rock the fight for a living I guess he could always try his hand at some casino online action. Meanwhile, Casey will hold out hope for a wildcard slot on TUF, but that doesn’t seem likely given the quality of his performance against Hart.
Dana White Continues His Rant Against Randy Couture
February 4, 2013 by Matt
Pulling no punches, Dana White goes into deeper detail about the falling out with Randy Couture, as well as what the future holds for Ryan Couture in the UFC in this video from Middle Easy. He also has unkind words for Frank Shamrock.
NSFW LANGUAGE
