Saturday 31 December 2011

?Dream: Fight for Japan. How Are You! New Year! 2011? Results

While most North Americans were still tucked away in their comfy and cozy beds this morning, Dream was hosting their New Year’s Eve extravaganza inside the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. “Dream: Fight for Japan. How Are You! New Year! 2011″ featured Fedor Emelianenko’s highly-anticipated return to the orient. Emelianenko made quick work of [...]

Source: http://www.5thRound.com/101169/dream-fight-for-japan-how-are-you-new-year-2011-results/

Rashad Evans Urijah Faber Wagnney Fabiano Kevin Kimbo Slice Ferguson Paulo Filho

Hockey Fight of the Day: Matt Martin vs. Stu Bickell

New York-New York! No, it’s not the line from Frank Sinatra‘s famous tune or a geographical reference but rather the match-up mixing it up last night on the ice as the New York Rangers faced the New York Islanders. As even a non-hockey fan might guess the bad blood between two teams in such close [...]

Source: http://www.fighters.com/12/23/hockey-fight-of-the-day-matt-martin-vs-stu-bickell

Paulo Filho Mirko Cro Cop Filipović Luiz Buscapé Firmino Spencer Fisher Jon Fitch

?UFC 141: Lesnar vs. Overeem? Post-Fight Press Conference Notes

For those of you who were too lazy to sit through 48 minutes of Q&A, we’ve taken the liberty of jotting down the key points from the “UFC 141: Lesnar vs. Overeem” post-fight press conference for your convenience. UFC president Dana White, Alistair Overeem, Jim Hettes, Nate Diaz, Donald Cerrone, Johny Hendricks and Alexander Gustafsson [...]

Source: http://www.5thRound.com/101433/ufc-141-lesnar-vs-overeem-post-fight-press-conference-notes/

Paulo Filho Mirko Cro Cop Filipović Luiz Buscapé Firmino Spencer Fisher Jon Fitch

UFC 141 Live Blog: Brock Lesnar vs. Alistair Overeem Updates

Filed under:

Brock Lesnar faces Alistair Overeem at UFC 141.LAS VEGAS -- This is the UFC 141 live blog for Brock Lesnar vs. Alistair Overeem, the main event of tonight's UFC pay-per-view from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Lesnar (5-2), who is returning after another bout with diverticulitis, last competed at UFC 121 in October 2010 where he lost his UFC belt to Cain Velasquez. Overeem (35-11) is making his UFC debut coming off a decision win over Fabricio Werdum at Strikeforce in June.

The live blog is below.

More Coverage: UFC 141 Results

Overeem enters first and stands directly in the middle of the Octagon as Lesnar steps in. Overeem stares down the former pro wrestler as he jogs around the interior perimeter. Lesnar does his best not to look at Overeem, and Overeem turns to his corner and nods after Lesnar goes by.

Round 1: Mario Yamasaki is our referee for the main event tonight. This building is electric as he gives the signal to start. Overeem comes plodding slowly forward with short steps. Lesnar bounces around just outside his range. Overeem feints and Lesnar reacts to each one. Lesnar reaches for a single-leg, but Overeem shrugs him off. Overeem grabs Lesnar in a Thai clinch and lands a nice knee to the head and then the body. Lesnar fires back and then Overeem sticks him with a sharp right. Overeem is cut above his right eye, but it's Lesnar who seems to be worried right now. Overeem clinches and lands a knee to the body. Lesnar circles away and Overeem follows him with very little fear of the takedown. A body kick from Overeem slams home and Lesnar steps back and then crumples to the mat after a delayed reaction. Overeem pops him with a series of right hooks as Lesnar sits on the mat covering up. No response from Lesnar as Overeem digs punches to his head and body. Yamasaki gives him a chance to fight back, but he's already done. This one is over.

Alistair Overeem def. Brock Lesnar via TKO (body kick and punches) at 2:26 of round one

In his post-fight interview, Lesnar says this is the last time we'll see him in the Octagon. He promised his family he'd be done soon -- after the title shot if he won, and after this fight if he lost -- and now he is "officially" retired, he says.

%VIRTUAL-Gallery-142683%

 

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Source: http://www.mmafighting.com/2011/12/30/ufc-141-live-blog-brock-lesnar-vs-alistair-overeem-updates/

Musse Hasselvall Daiki DJ taiki Hata He Peng David Heath Delson Heleno

Why are so many fighters A-Holes?

You ever notice how many guys who fight are the most complete shitheads? What do you think is up with this?

I mean look at Tyson and Ali.

Both A-Holes in their own right. Ali is/was probably a...

Source: http://ninjashoes.net/forum/showthread.php?77611-Why-are-so-many-fighters-A-Holes&goto=newpost

Dave Gomez Keith Hackney Matt Hamill Volk Han Joachim Hansen

UFC 141 postfight video: Confidence and big knees got the job done for Alistair Overeem

Those UFC jitters you hear about all time? Alistair Overeem didn't feel them. Nor was he intimidated by the a 270-plus pound beast standing across the cage. Overeem went toe-to-toe with Lesnar and came out the easy victor.

During the UFC 141 posfight press conference, a very relaxed Overeem explained that he laid out the path to victory a few days and it played out exactly as he had seen it.

"It just came up to me. It's weird, I know. I'm not usually the guy who believes in aliens and UFO's, superstitious stuff, but I say 'tomorrow, I'm going to do this, I'm going to do this, I'm going to do this ... and it just turned out that way."

Overeem thought the early knees in the clinch changed Lesnar's mindset.

"After that he didn't come for the takedown as he would [normally]. After that, we could in the clinch and he would disengage," Overeem said. "And usually Brock is a guy who comes for you straight forward, but he was not doing that. So I knew, the knees bothered him."

Overeem admitted he had to put his foot on the gas pedal early in the fight. Lesnar cut him with his first jab and blood was leaking in his eye. He didn't want to allow anything like a doctor's stoppage to get in the way of a victory.

He's targeting late spring or early summer for his title shot against Junior dos Santos. Overeem spoke about a very difficult 3-4 months leading up to UFC 141 and that he needs a vacation and some time to get things in order following the break.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/UFC-141-postfight-video-Confidence-and-big-knee?urn=mma-wp11433

Paul Buentello  Josh Burkman  Mikey Burnett  Murilo Bustamante  Grant Campbell 

Nate Diaz vs. Donald Cerrone lives up to hype as UFC 141 ?Fight of the Night?

The bad blood between Nate Diaz and Donald Cerrone existed for months and paid off in fifteen minutes after the two lightweights slugged it out in a highly-entertaining co-headliner at UFC 141: Lesnar vs. Overeem. The result saw Diaz walk away with a Unanimous Decision victory after dominating Cerrone with crisp boxing from the get [...]

Source: http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2011/12/31/nate-diaz-vs-donald-cerrone-lives-up-to-hype-as-ufc-141-%e2%80%9cfight-of-the-night%e2%80%9d/

Roan Jucao Carneiro Shane The Engineer Carwin  Jason Hollywood Chambers Ryo Piranha Chonan  Dan The Sandman Christison 

GI Joe 2 - Retaliation starring the Rock and Bruce willis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWKwat0kpko&feature=related

The first part was garbage, i hope the rock and bruce willis make this one better.

Source: http://ninjashoes.net/forum/showthread.php?77636-GI-Joe-2-Retaliation-starring-the-Rock-and-Bruce-willis&goto=newpost

Masakatsu Funaki Zelg Benkei Galesić Mauro Galvao Arman Gambaryan Manvel Gamburyan

Ross Pearson outlasts Junior Assuncao for UFC 141 decision

Ross Pearson outlasts Junior Assuncao for UFC 141 decision

In his first fight at featherweight, Ross Pearson survived Junior Assuncao's jiu-jitsu to take a decision at UFC 141 in Las Vegas on Friday. The winner of season nine of "The Ultimate Fighter" took the bout 29-28, 29-28, 30-27 on the judges cards.

Assuncao took Pearson down early in the first round, then got his back before Pearson escaped. Assuncao moved well as Pearson stalked him around the cage. Halfway through the round, Assuncao tried for another takedown, but was unsuccessful. As the round neared its end, Pearson was able to land a few punches and kicks, but Assuncao's movement kept him from landing anything substantial.

In the second round, Assuncao continued to work for a takedown but took plenty of punishment for it. Pearson figured out Assuncao's movement and landed a jab that shook Assuncao. He used that to move into the clinch and land short strikes. Assuncao returned to the takedown attempt, but Pearson held him off.

Assuncao started the third round out well, catching Pearson with a jab and taking him down. Assuncao moved to Pearson's back, but couldn't do anything with the position as Pearson maneuvered back to his feet. For the rest of the round, Pearson moved forward and landed damaging shots to Assuncao.

After winning TUF, Pearson won two fights before losing bouts to Cole Miller and Edson Barboza. This was his first time dropping down to 145 lbs.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Ross-Pearson-outlasts-Junior-Assuncao-for-UFC-14?urn=mma-wp11317

Don Frye Tony Fryklund Kazuyuki Fujita Masakatsu Funaki Zelg Benkei Galesić

Alistair Overeem is ready to win another dance in December

Former Strikeforce heavyweight champ Alistair Overeem knows he will be taking on one of the biggest and toughest man of his fight career on Friday night when he steps inside the Octagon for the first time against Brock Lesnar at UFC 141. However, Overeem, who has also won titles in DREAM and K-1, doesn?t seem [...]

Source: http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2011/12/29/alistair-overeem-is-ready-to-win-another-dance-in-december/

Efrain Escudero Rashad Evans Urijah Faber Wagnney Fabiano Kevin Kimbo Slice Ferguson

Cowboy was afraid of diaz?

Maybe it was just me but he looked uncomftrable even before the fight.

Source: http://www.mmaforum.com/mma-smacktalk/98450-cowboy-afraid-diaz.html

Luciano Azevedo  Ba Te er  Ryan Bader  Siyar Bahadurzada Bao Ligao 

UFC 141 results recap: Nate Diaz vs Donald Cerrone fight review and analysis

Source: http://www.mmamania.com/2011/12/31/2672264/ufc-141-results-recap-nate-diaz-vs-donald-cerrone-fight-review-mma

Lorenzo Borgomeo  Kyle Bradley  Jai Bradney  Ebenezer Fontes Braga Chris Brennan

UFC on FOX 2 lineup undergoes two changes with loss of Paul Sass, Eddie Wineland

The UFC?s January 28 return to FOX took a slight hit Monday night when it was announced that Paul Sass and Eddie Wineland had both been scratched from the card after each man suffered an injury while training for their respective opponents. Sass was scheduled to face Evan Dunham at the event while Wineland was [...]

Source: http://www.fighters.com/12/27/ufc-on-fox-2-lineup-undergoes-two-changes-with-loss-of-paul-sass-eddie-wineland

Mikey Burnett  Murilo Bustamante  Grant Campbell  Gesias JZ Calvancante  Luiz Cane 

Floyd Mayweather Jr. sentenced to 90 days in jail after pleading guilty to domestic violence charges

Decorated boxing champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. may be untouchable in the ring but the trait doesn?t carry over to his life outside of the squared-circle. The polarizing pugilist plead guilty earlier today to charges of domestic violence/harassment based on a 2010 incident where he hit the mother of two of his children in front of [...]

Source: http://www.fighters.com/12/21/floyd-mayweather-jr-sentenced-to-90-days-in-jail-after-pleading-guilty-to-domestic-violence-charges

Marcus Aurelio  Mikhail Avetisyan Luiz Azeredo  Luciano Azevedo  Ba Te er 

Not sure if you guys noticed this or not

I would go to justin.tv to watch the glorious days of WWF, now it no longer exists. Doesn't that suck? It's a shame that WWE won't allow such material to be streamed. I mean where the fuck am I going...

Source: http://ninjashoes.net/forum/showthread.php?77593-Not-sure-if-you-guys-noticed-this-or-not&goto=newpost

Dean Amasinger  Jimmy Ambriz Matt Andersen  Alex Andrade  Jermaine Andrè 

FIGHTDAY Official UFC 141 Pre-Show ? Dec 30 2011 5PM EST

More FIGHT DAY Video clips! // < ![CDATA[ // < ![CDATA[ // < ![CDATA[ // < ![CDATA[ document.write( '' ); // ]]> The UFC?s only official pre-fight show returns when Fight Day comes to you live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena, the host of Saturday?s UFC 141 event. Hosts Dave Farra and Megan Olivi [...]

Source: http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2011/12/30/fightday-official-ufc141-preshow-%e2%80%93-dec-30-2011-5pm-est/

Rolles Gracie Royce Gracie Royler Gracie Ryan Gracie Peter Graham

UFC 141 Results: Nate Diaz Outpoints Donald Cerrone in Co-Main Event

Nate Diaz outstruck Donald Cerrone to score a unanimous decision victory in their lightweight showdown,which co-headlined UFC 141 on Friday night in Las Vegas.


After the fight, Diaz and Cerrone put their rivalry to rest as they shook hands after the final round and applauded one another for putting on a "Fight of the Night" front-runner.

Source: http://mmafrenzy.com/27029/ufc-141-results-nate-diaz-outpoints-donald-cerrone-in-co-main-event/

Jaime Gutierrez Dave Gomez Keith Hackney Matt Hamill Volk Han

UFC 141 results: Did Brock Lesnar win last night?

Source: http://www.mmamania.com/2011/12/31/2672018/ufc-141-results-did-brock-lesnar-win-last-night

Mikhail Avetisyan Luiz Azeredo  Luciano Azevedo  Ba Te er  Ryan Bader 

Yahoo! Sports and Heavy present UFC 141 Fight Day at 6 p.m. ET

The UFC's only official pre-fight show returns when Fight Day comes to you live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena, the host of Saturday's UFC 141 event. Hosts Dave Farra and Megan Olivi will guide you through the latest news of the week. Top MMA journalists will help Farra break down all of the action from UFC 141, including the huge main event between Brock Lesnar and Alistair Overeem. UFC stars will also stop by the Fight Day set for exclusive interviews. Tune in at 6 p.m. ET!

Yahoo! Sports and Heavy present UFC 141 Fight Day at 6 p.m. ET

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Yahoo-Sports-and-Heavy-present-UFC-141-Fight-Da?urn=mma-wp11276

Joe Hybrid Duarte Aldrin de Jesus  Todd Duffee  Marvin Eastman  Stav Crazy Bear Economou 

UFC 141 Post fight conference (Live)

---Quote---
http://mma.sbnation.com/2011/12/30/2671888/video-ufc-141-post-fight-press-conference
---End Quote---

I did a quick google search and...

Source: http://www.mmaforum.com/ufc/98427-ufc-141-post-fight-conference-live.html

Dan Hardy Lee Hasdell Musse Hasselvall Daiki DJ taiki Hata He Peng

Alexander Gustafsson scores first knockout of the night at UFC 141

After a night of decisions, Alexander Gustafsson scored a first-round knockout of MMA veteran Vladimir Matyushenko at UFC 141 on Friday night.
Matyushenko moved in to throw a strike, and ran right into Gustafsson's jab. He was stunned and fell to the ...

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Alexander-Gustafsson-scores-first-knockout-of-th?urn=mma-wp11335

Ba Te er  Ryan Bader  Siyar Bahadurzada Bao Ligao  Josh Barnett 

UFC 141 Live Blog: Brock Lesnar vs. Alistair Overeem Updates

Filed under:

Brock Lesnar faces Alistair Overeem at UFC 141.LAS VEGAS -- This is the UFC 141 live blog for Brock Lesnar vs. Alistair Overeem, the main event of tonight's UFC pay-per-view from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Lesnar (5-2), who is returning after another bout with diverticulitis, last competed at UFC 121 in October 2010 where he lost his UFC belt to Cain Velasquez. Overeem (35-11) is making his UFC debut coming off a decision win over Fabricio Werdum at Strikeforce in June.

The live blog is below.
More Coverage: UFC 141 Results

Overeem enters first and stands directly in the middle of the Octagon as Lesnar steps in. Overeem stares down the former pro wrestler as he jogs around the interior perimeter. Lesnar does his best not to look at Overeem, and Overeem turns to his corner and nods after Lesnar goes by.

Round 1: Mario Yamasaki is our referee for the main event tonight. This building is electric as he gives the signal to start. Overeem comes plodding slowly forward with short steps. Lesnar bounces around just outside his range. Overeem feints and Lesnar reacts to each one. Lesnar reaches for a single-leg, but Overeem shrugs him off. Overeem grabs Lesnar in a Thai clinch and lands a nice knee to the head and then the body. Lesnar fires back and then Overeem sticks him with a sharp right. Overeem is cut above his right eye, but it's Lesnar who seems to be worried right now. Overeem clinches and lands a knee to the body. Lesnar circles away and Overeem follows him with very little fear of the takedown. A body kick from Overeem slams home and Lesnar steps back and then crumples to the mat after a delayed reaction. Overeem pops him with a series of right hooks as Lesnar sits on the mat covering up. No response from Lesnar as Overeem digs punches to his head and body. Yamasaki gives him a chance to fight back, but he's already done. This one is over.

Alistair Overeem def. Brock Lesnar via TKO (body kick and punches) at 2:26 of round one

In his post-fight interview, Lesnar says this is the last time we'll see him in the Octagon. He promised his family he'd be done soon -- after the title shot if he won, and after this fight if he lost -- and now he is "officially" retired, he says.

%VIRTUAL-Gallery-142683%

 

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Source: http://www.mmafighting.com/2011/12/30/ufc-141-live-blog-brock-lesnar-vs-alistair-overeem-updates/

Marcus Aurelio  Mikhail Avetisyan Luiz Azeredo  Luciano Azevedo  Ba Te er 

Donald Cowboy Cerrone vs. Nate Diaz Fight Video UFC 141 Main Card

Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone vs. Nate Diaz Fight Video UFC 141 Main Card Bout.






Source: http://www.mmatko.com/donald-cowboy-cerrone-vs-nate-diaz-fight-video-ufc-141-main-card/

Tyson Griffin Karn Grigorian Karen Grigoryan Kendall Grove Clay Guida

Hockey Fight of the Day: Darcy Hordichuk vs. Matt Kassian

St. Paul can be an awfully cold place come late December. Fortunately, hockey fans in the area were able to warm themselves by the heat between the Minnesota Wild’s Matt Kassian and Edmonton Oilers’ Darcy Hordichuk who decided to square off twice in last night’s game between the two teams. As you’ll see from one [...]

Source: http://www.fighters.com/12/30/hockey-fight-of-the-day-darcy-hordichuk-vs-matt-kassian

Kit Cope  Wesley Cabbage Correira  Patrick The Predator Côté  Randy The Natural Couture  Dan Cramer

Friday 30 December 2011

Pro MMA Radio 178: UFC 141 Preview

We have partnered with Pro MMA Radio to bring you weekly replays of PMR as the official radio show of MMAConvert.com. Pro MMA Radio can be heard live every Monday evening at 9PM ET/6PM PT. Replays and podcasts of every show are available 24/7 by going to the ?Replay Corner? section of ProMMARadio.com, our own [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/mmaconvert/~3/MCZJsQDSRZw/

Tank Abbott Hiroyuki Abe Cyril Abidi  Daniel Acacio Bernard Ackah 

Donald Cowboy Cerrone vs. Nate Diaz Fight Video UFC 141 Main Card

Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone vs. Nate Diaz Fight Video UFC 141 Main Card Bout.






Source: http://www.mmatko.com/donald-cowboy-cerrone-vs-nate-diaz-fight-video-ufc-141-main-card/

Eddie Alvarez Thiago Alves  Andre Amade  Dean Amasinger  Jimmy Ambriz

Hockey Fight of the Day: Wayne Simmonds vs. Eric Brewer

Plenty of hockey fights end in a draw or without a definitive winner. Today’s entry is NOT one of those, as the Philadelphia Flyers’ Wayne Simmonds not only drops the Tampa Bay Lightning’s Eric Brewer with a sweet hook-uppercut combo but even opens up a pretty decent gash on his face as a result. The [...]

Source: http://www.fighters.com/12/28/hockey-fight-of-the-day-wayne-simmonds-vs-eric-brewer

Jonathan Goulet Wilson Gouveia Jason Grace Crosley Gracie Gregor Gracie

Vitor Belfort giving fans intimate access to UFC 142 training camp

Fans may occasionally get glimpses of a UFC fighter’s camp thanks to a few snippets on UFC Countdown or UFC All-Access but rarely do they get to check in on his preparation from start to finish. However, when it comes to former champion Vitor Belfort‘s January 14 clash with Anthony Johnson at UFC 142, “The [...]

Source: http://www.fighters.com/12/22/vitor-belfort-giving-fans-intimate-access-to-ufc-142-training-camp

Matt Andersen  Alex Andrade  Jermaine Andrè  Yoji Anjo  Ao Hailin 

Brendan Schaub facing Ben Rothwell at UFC 145

The last time Brendan Schaub?s name was brought up it was in relation to a bout with Fabricio Werdum. However, with Werdum booked to battle Roy Nelson the TUF 10 finalist was left looking for a new opponent and now it appears he?s now found one in the form of Ben Rothwell. According to the [...]

Source: http://www.fighters.com/12/28/brendan-schaub-facing-ben-rothwell-at-ufc-145

Daiki DJ taiki Hata He Peng David Heath Delson Heleno Dan Henderson

Merry Christmas sweeties

........

Source: http://ninjashoes.net/forum/showthread.php?77591-Merry-Christmas-sweeties&goto=newpost

Ryan Bader  Siyar Bahadurzada Bao Ligao  Josh Barnett  David Baron 

Ed Herman scheduled to face Clifford Starks at UFC 143 in February

Just over a month away, the UFC 143: Condit vs. Diaz continues to grow as the organization recently added a middleweight bout between former Ultimate Fighter 3 finalist Ed Herman and the undefeated Clifford Starks. The contest is expected to be part of the nights preliminary card, scheduled to air on FuelTV. The fight has [...]

Source: http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2011/12/29/ed-herman-scheduled-to-face-clifford-starks-at-ufc-143-in-february/

Hermes Franca Rich Franklin Ian Freeman Don Frye Tony Fryklund

UFC 141 Weigh-In Video

Filed under:

Brock Lesnar will attempt to make weight for his main event fight at UFC 141 at the UFC 141 weigh-ins.All 22 fighters taking part in UFC 141 on Friday night will first step on the scale on Thursday at the UFC 141 weigh-ins and we'll carry the live video right here at MMAFighting.com.

In the main event, Brock Lesnar and Alistair Overeem will both have to make the heavyweight limit of 265 pounds. For fans, the weigh-in will be an opportunity to see how Lesnar is looking after more than a year off while battling health problems.

The UFC 141 weigh-in begins at 7 PM ET and the video is below.





 

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Source: http://www.mmafighting.com/2011/12/29/ufc-141-weigh-in-video/

Marcus Davis  Tony DeSouza  Edwin Dewees  Nick Diaz  Tadhg Steamfist Dixon

Sixth Ounce Podcast: Episode 12

It’s the final Sixth Ounce Podcast of 2011 so join Brendhan Conlan, Samer Kadi, and Jeremy Lambert as we look back on Christmas and also look ahead to 2012 by revealing our New Year’s plans plus giving our resolutions. Beyond that we’ll talk some MMA including thoughts on Miguel Torres being brought back to the [...]

Source: http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2011/12/30/sixth-ounce-podcast-episode-12/

David Bielkheden Michael Bisping  Dan Bobish Vagam Bodjukyan Kotetsu Boku 

Xtreme Couture Had To Halt Overeem�s Training Camp Due To Lesnar/Couture Relationship

---Quote---
�There were some issues with Alistair training at Xtreme Couture because Randy, after he fought Brock, trained with him and signed a...

Source: http://www.mmaforum.com/ufc/98392-xtreme-couture-had-halt-overeem-s-training-camp-due-lesnar-couture-relationship.html

Aleksander Emelianenko Fedor Emelianenko Yasubey Enomoto Mark Epstein Tom Big Cat Erickson

Hockey Fight of the Day: Arron Asham vs. Tanner Glass

In every hockey fight there is a winner whether it be winner or fan. In this case it’s the latter, as the Pittsburgh Penguins’ Arron Asham and Winnipeg Jets’ Tanner Glass throw down with neither getting the edge but both turning in an extremely entertaining affair. Tweet

Source: http://www.fighters.com/12/25/hockey-fight-of-the-day-arron-asham-vs-tanner-glass

Mark The Hammer Coleman Wes Soldier Combs  Ray Cooper  Kit Cope  Wesley Cabbage Correira 

Brock Lesnar puts hunting incident behind him with fine and apology

Brock Lesnar puts hunting incident behind him with fine and apologyFormer UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar paid a fine and made an apology in a hunting incident in Canada from last year that made major news on the Internet last week when he was accused of several violations.

Lesnar was charged with failing to properly tag a deer, unlawful possession of wildlife and abandonment/wasting of the edible flesh of big game. Lesnar paid a fine for failing to tag a mule deer he shot, but the charge of abandonment was dropped.

The incident occurred during a hunt in Alberta, Canada, in 2010.

Lesnar released a statement in which he said, in part:

"In Alberta, Americans can't hunt without a licensed outfitter. The outfitter is there to make sure you follow the rules. I had two deer tags for the trip, which meant I could legally shoot two deer. On the first day of the trip, I shot a mule deer. On the second day, I shot a white tail. Video from the hunt has been on the Internet for over a year. After I shot the mule deer, I failed to immediately tag it. As far as I was involved, that's all there is to it.

"Now it's resolved. I paid my fine today. It's the kind of thing that happens to hunters all the time. I want to thank the Canadian authorities for their cooperation in resolving this misunderstanding. I love Canada and I can't wait to go back to Alberta for a hunt."

Lesnar said he had nothing to do with the abandonment charge and was relying on the outfitter to comply with the rules.

Lesnar fights Alistair Overeem in the main event of UFC 141 on Dec. 30 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. It will be his first bout since losing his championship to Cain Velasquez at UFC 121 on Oct. 23, 2010.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Brock-Lesnar-puts-hunting-incident-behind-him-wi?urn=mma-wp10970

Takanori The Fireball Kid Gomi Akihiro Gono Gabriel Gonzaga Lyman Good Gary Goodridge

UFC 141 ? Main Card Predictions and Analysis

The UFC may have lost 11 of 14 planned main events due to injury recently but they’ve managed to hold onto the most important headliner of 2011. Brock Lesnar and Alistair Overeem meet at UFC 141 tomorrow night as the cataclysmic crescendo of a ca...

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/mmahq/main/~3/v2ksVSF1nHw/

David Bielkheden Michael Bisping  Dan Bobish Vagam Bodjukyan Kotetsu Boku 

2012 MMA crystal ball: Where are these 34-somethings 12 months from now?

2012 MMA crystal ball: Where are these 34-somethings 12 months from now?Retirement is inevitable for every athlete. Whether it's voluntary or forced is up to the athlete. In fighting, it's too often forced. There's no exact age or time. Some guys have to walk away in their early 30's, others like the incredible Randy Couture, make it into their late 40's.

The end of the 2011 was unkind to several legends of MMA who are past their 34th birthdays. As a result, their careers are gasping for their last breath of air.

In 2012, we could see the end of the road for Tito Ortiz, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Matt Hughes. Then there's Brock Lesnar.

He's not a legend, but he is the pay-per-view king of the sport and yet his future could be in question following UFC 141. Lesnar has battled serious health issues and after his loss to Cain Velasquez 15 months ago, many question his passion for the sport.

During our "The MMA Insiders" show on ESPN1100/98.9 FM in Las Vegas, Yahoo! Sports' Kevin Iole, MMA analyst Frank Trigg and myself talked about who will be standing at the end of 2012.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/2012-MMA-crystal-ball-Where-are-these-34-someth?urn=mma-wp11097

Antoni Hardonk Dan Hardy Lee Hasdell Musse Hasselvall Daiki DJ taiki Hata

GSP overhyped? A Canadian website says so after tough 2011

GSP overhyped? A Canadian website says so after tough 2011

It's been a lousy year for Georges St-Pierre and he can't even turn to his boys in Canada for a little moral support. Well, it's only one writer's opinion, but Aaron Lefko of Sportsnet.ca included GSP on his "Most Overhyped Athletes of 2011" list.

And even before his injury, St-Pierre was taking verbal shots from the public, the media and fighters for his inability to put away opponents.

He grabbed the international spotlight in April for headlining the first UFC card in Toronto, producing GSP mania. A record UFC crowd of more than 55,000 packed the Rogers Centre to finally see the conquering Canadian hero and he went the full five rounds with Jake Shields in what was more of a clinic on how not to lose a fight than actually win it.

Keep in mind, St-Pierre won the fight against Jake Shields back in April. Since then he's battled injuries all year with the worst coming a few weeks back when he suffered a torn ACL. The fight at UFC 129 is really stuck in the writer's craw.

It was boring at best and continued a pattern of St-Pierre going the full distance without delivering the knockout blow or submission. Heck, the fight before it on the card was way more entertaining than the main event.

We're not exactly sure why it's a bad thing for the undercard to outperform the main event. Plus it seems tough to overhype a guy who's been inactive for eight months.

Check out the rest of the list. Is there anyone on there who's been a champion? Seems a little harsh to put GSP, a legitimate champion, on the list just because he doesn't win the right way.

Is GSP overhyped? Maybe this guy and Nick Diaz are onto something.

Frank Trigg, Kevin Iole and myself discussed the St-Pierre topic on the latest "The MMA Insiders" on ESPN1100/98.9 FM.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/GSP-overhyped-A-Canadian-website-says-so-after-?urn=mma-wp11086

Gilbert Aldana  José Aldo  John Alessio  Houston Alexander Ricardo Almeida 

UFC 141 Blog: Donald Cerrone on Getting Snubbed by Nate Diaz

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Where I am from, if you are cool with someone, you are cool with their friends. If you are not cool with me, then don't go talking to my best friend when I am in the room unless you can be cool with me for a couple of seconds, too.

A couple of months ago at UFC 137, at the open workout at the TUF Gym in Vegas, Nate Diaz was in the room talking to my best friend, Leonard Garcia, so I went over to shake his hand. Nothing major just like, "Hey man, what's going on? Nice to meet you."

This was the first time I've ever met the dude and I was being polite. Y'know, because that what you do when you are in a room and your friend is talking to a dude right in front of you, you introduce yourself.

But Diaz slapped my hand away and called me a 'punk-ass b**ch' and walked off.

I was like, really?

Okay.

This guy thinks you've got to be dumb or come from Stockton, wherever that is, to be tough. But I've got the same 'I don't give a f**k' gene he has, and I also got genes for better striking and better wrestling. He pissed me off, he lit my fire up and as soon as I beat Dennis Siver at UFC 137 I knew that I wanted to fight again before the end of the year, and I knew I wanted to fight Nate Diaz.



The weird thing is, I like the Diaz brothers. They come to fight. They are crazy. They bring it. Diaz is going to show up Friday night at UFC 141 and we will have a war. Do I respect him as a fighter? Yes I do. He comes to throw down. He comes and fights with everything he's got. Is that enough to stop me from beating him up? No, it is not. Not anywhere near.

If he wants to stand, let's stand. He won't last a round with that funny hands above his head like he's riding a Harley stance. And if he wants to take me down, first he has got to beat my wrestling, and he isn't good enough to do that. And I don't know if it is a good idea for him to even try to take me down. My BJJ isn't great, but it is as good as his.

Diaz doesn't make a whole lot of sense when he talks. He said if I don't knock him out or win a decision, I am in trouble. What does that mean? I know how to co-exist in this world, and part of that is to say 'Hi' and shake hands with people. Diaz can't do that. I guess he didn't go to school to learn how to shake hands... sorry, inside joke.

Yesterday we had the open workouts at the same TUF gym where Diaz slapped my hand away in October. I was in the locker room waiting for him to get done doing interviews with press, but then I decided to go out and give him something to worry about. I purposely went out there knowing he wasn't done and started hitting pads. He kept turning around real skittish.

I got this. If he makes it to the second round, he's had a lucky night.

Follow 'Cowboy' Cerrone on twitter @Cowboycerrone

 

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Source: http://www.mmafighting.com/2011/12/29/ufc-141-blog-donald-cerrone-on-getting-snubbed-by-nate-diaz/

Luke Cummo  Jeff Big Frog Curran Dai Shuanghai  Mac Danzig  Karen Darabedyan

Virgin wedding, Virgin Kiss

http://youtu.be/7NgEm4y1vcs

I don't know about you guys but that was pretty hot.

Source: http://ninjashoes.net/forum/showthread.php?77618-Virgin-wedding-Virgin-Kiss&goto=newpost

Mark The Hammer Coleman Wes Soldier Combs  Ray Cooper  Kit Cope  Wesley Cabbage Correira 

Junior dos Santos Discusses Recent Knee Surgery, UFC 141 Main Event

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LAS VEGAS -- Watch below as UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos discusses his recent knee surgery, when he expects to fight again, how his life has changed since winning the heavyweight title last month, and his pick for Friday night's UFC 141 main event.

 

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Source: http://www.mmafighting.com/2011/12/28/junior-dos-santos-discusses-recent-knee-surgery-ufc-141-main-ev/

Eric Butterbean Esch Efrain Escudero Rashad Evans Urijah Faber Wagnney Fabiano

Griffin says his Twitter warning was a warning for everyone

Griffin says his Twitter warning was a warning for everyoneMiguel Torres is gone. Let's hope it's a short stay in exile.

If he returns to the UFC, it won't erase what's gone down on Twitter with the fighters and it certainly doesn't mean that a future blow up isn't right around the corner. Managing verbal gaffes on Twitter will be an ongoing challenge for teams, sports and fight promotions.

Forrest Griffin, who sort began the whole Twitter flap with his rape joke/commentary last month on Twitter, says it really shouldn't be that difficult for the fighters to police themselves.

"You should know. You kind of should know. You have a feel for it. For me, it was like a three-hour thing. Three hours before anyone said anything to me, I realized 'I messed up. I shouldn't have said that,'" laughed Griffin. "Someone once said. Twitter is like internet porn, once it's out there, it's out there and there's no getting rid of it."

Griffin joined Stephan Bonnar in the FoxSportsRadio920 studios on Sunday to talk about the current state fighting in the Octagon and outside. Bonnar gave his take on what happened to Griffin, Rashad Evans and then Torres.

"It's one of those things where Forrest said something and everyone got mad. And it's like a little slap on the wrist for Forrest. Then Rashad said something, everyone got mad. Then it was like 'dammit you guys I warned you once.' Then Miguel said something, okay 'we need to make an example somebody.'"

Griffin suggested Torres should've known by then that any sort of sarcastic/joking tweet referencing rape was off limits.

"That was kind of the warning for me, was the warning for everyone. Don't do it. Just stop. It's not perceived well," Griffin told the MMA Fight Corner radio show.

The former light heavyweight champ still likes Twitter because it provides a good forum for discussions.

"I like to say things that are not necessarily inflammatory, but also kind of make you think a lot," said Griffin. "[...] My whole thing is I never meant to hurt people who've been hurt by that. I'm not the kind of person who'd want to hurt people who've been victims of a horrible crime."

Both Griffin and Bonnar appreciate the fact that the UFC has never censored the fighters, but they've definitely gotten the fact that Twitter can be a dangerous place with a fine line to walk.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Griffin-says-his-Twitter-warning-was-a-warning-f?urn=mma-wp10769

Sean Gannon Edgar Garcia Leonard Garcia Andrew Gardner Tiki Ghosn

Countdown To UFC 141: Nate Diaz v. Cowboy Cerrone

Countdown To UFC 141: Nate Diaz v. Cowboy Cerrone.





Source: http://www.mmatko.com/countdown-to-ufc-141-nate-diaz-v-cowboy-cerrone/

Jason Ellis Aleksander Emelianenko Fedor Emelianenko Yasubey Enomoto Mark Epstein

UFC 141 Weigh-In Replay Video And Results

UFC 141 Weigh-In Replay Video And Results.




Main Card:
Brock Lesnar (266) vs. Alistair Overeem (263)
Donald Cerrone (156) vs. Nate Diaz (157*)
Jon Fitch (171) vs. Johny Hendricks (170)
Alexander Gustafsson (203) vs. Vladimir Matyushenko (205)
[...]

Source: http://www.mmatko.com/ufc-141-live-weigh-in-video-and-results-at-7pm-est/

Don Frye Tony Fryklund Kazuyuki Fujita Masakatsu Funaki Zelg Benkei Galesić

Dana White Not Happy About Donald Cerrone-Nate Diaz Press Conference Scuffle

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Nate Diaz shoves Donald CerroneLAS VEGAS -- Donald Cerrone and Nate Diaz were playing so nicely together for most of Wednesday's UFC 141 pre-fight press conference. Then they came face to face for the customary staredown photo op, and that's when it all fell apart.

While the two posed for the cameras in one another's personal space, Cerrone muttered something to Diaz that made the Stockton, Calif.-native slap Cerrone's trademark cowboy hat off his head and then back him up with a shove before the two were separated.

And really, UFC president Dana White should have seen this one coming, but he too was taken in by their amicable demeanors up until that point, he said.

"I was expecting it," said White, who chastised himself for being too slow to step in. "But they were being so cool today, I didn't see it coming."

According to White, "Cerrone said something like, 'I'm getting in that [expletive] tomorrow' or something. ...That's why [Diaz] did it." But of course, this feud has deeper roots, and both men know it.




The story goes that, well before this fight was signed, Cerrone tried to introduce himself to Diaz when he saw him talking to longtime friend and teammate Leonard Garcia. Diaz slapped his hand away and swore at him before walking off, which didn't exactly make Cerrone hesitant to accept a fight with Diaz when it was offered shortly thereafter, he told reporters at Tuesday's open workouts.

But at Wednesday's press conference, it seemed like even Cerrone had realized that, when it comes to one of the Diaz brothers, stuff like that isn't personal -- it's just how they operate.

"I never met the kid. I went up to shake his hand. I understand where he comes from. He doesn't want to be friends. He doesn't want any kind of interaction with any guys who he fights, and that's just how he approaches his fights. At the time, I didn't realize that. ...Words were exchanged. The fight's signed, and Friday we're going to dance."

Diaz remarked that the incident had been made "into more than it really was," and Cerrone seemed to accept that explanation, saying, "I didn't understand at first, but if that's the way he approaches it. ...If that's what he has to do to get ready to fight, hey, hate me, love me, I don't care. We're fighting."

Maybe they weren't quite on the path to becoming best friends, but at least it was something resembling professional courtesy. Then came the staredown, the muttered comment, and the hat slap. While it might seem like good pre-fight build-up, White is not a fan, he explained later.

"There's going to be times when heated stuff happens," he said. "I'm not happy that Nate slapped Cerrone's hat off today. I don't like the guys touching each other [before the fight]. That's why I'm standing there. I'm not there to mug up into the camera. I'm there to make sure that [expletive] doesn't happen. I didn't do my job today, apparently."

White said he wasn't "overly concerned about it," but the negative appearance created by two fighters laying hands on one another in public days before they're actually supposed to is still "something that I think about, no doubt about it," the UFC president remarked.

Fortunately, this incident amounted to little more than an exciting few seconds in the lobby of the MGM Grand. And after all, it's not like they won't get a chance to settle their differences very soon, White pointed out, and in a fashion they both understand.

"Everybody knows how nasty the Diaz brothers are," said White. "But Donald Cerrone's not the nicest guy in the world either, you know what I mean?"

 

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Source: http://www.mmafighting.com/2011/12/28/dana-white-not-happy-about-donald-cerrone-nate-diaz-press-confer/

Mirko Cro Cop Filipović Luiz Buscapé Firmino Spencer Fisher Jon Fitch Kenny Florian

History in the Making: Brock Lesnar exacts his revenge on Frank Mir at UFC 100

Source: http://www.mmamania.com/2011/12/29/2400362/brock-lesnar-frank-mir-2-ufc-100-recap-revenge-mma

Tom Big Cat Erickson Martinsh Egle Eric Butterbean Esch Efrain Escudero Rashad Evans

Thursday 29 December 2011

GSP overhyped? A Canadian website says so after tough 2011

GSP overhyped? A Canadian website says so after tough 2011

It's been a lousy year for Georges St-Pierre and he can't even turn to his boys in Canada for a little moral support. Well, it's only one writer's opinion, but Aaron Lefko of Sportsnet.ca included GSP on his "Most Overhyped Athletes of 2011" list.

And even before his injury, St-Pierre was taking verbal shots from the public, the media and fighters for his inability to put away opponents.

He grabbed the international spotlight in April for headlining the first UFC card in Toronto, producing GSP mania. A record UFC crowd of more than 55,000 packed the Rogers Centre to finally see the conquering Canadian hero and he went the full five rounds with Jake Shields in what was more of a clinic on how not to lose a fight than actually win it.

Keep in mind, St-Pierre won the fight against Jake Shields back in April. Since then he's battled injuries all year with the worst coming a few weeks back when he suffered a torn ACL. The fight at UFC 129 is really stuck in the writer's craw.

It was boring at best and continued a pattern of St-Pierre going the full distance without delivering the knockout blow or submission. Heck, the fight before it on the card was way more entertaining than the main event.

We're not exactly sure why it's a bad thing for the undercard to outperform the main event. Plus it seems tough to overhype a guy who's been inactive for eight months.

Check out the rest of the list. Is there anyone on there who's been a champion? Seems a little harsh to put GSP, a legitimate champion, on the list just because he doesn't win the right way.

Is GSP overhyped? Maybe this guy and Nick Diaz are onto something.

Frank Trigg, Kevin Iole and myself discussed the St-Pierre topic on the latest "The MMA Insiders" on ESPN1100/98.9 FM.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/GSP-overhyped-A-Canadian-website-says-so-after-?urn=mma-wp11086

Thiago Alves  Andre Amade  Dean Amasinger  Jimmy Ambriz Matt Andersen 

Matt Brown draws ?do or die? dance with Chris Cope at UFC 143

UFC welterweight Matt Brown might have a southern drawl and love to fight but make no mistake where his intelligence is concerned. A smart, insightful individual, Brown knows the writing is on the wall where his future in the UFC is concerned after dropping four of his last five fights. Now word has surfaced that [...]

Source: http://www.fighters.com/12/23/matt-brown-draws-%e2%80%9cdo-or-die%e2%80%9d-dance-with-chris-cope-at-ufc-143

Edson Drago  Tomasz Drwal Joe Hybrid Duarte Aldrin de Jesus  Todd Duffee 

[VIDEO] A new challenger has emerged in the UFC 145lbs division

Undefeated Russian Azamat Gashimov has reportedly signed for the UFC. Here is an introduction to this guy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wy69msg2wE

Source: http://ninjashoes.net/forum/showthread.php?77589-VIDEO-A-new-challenger-has-emerged-in-the-UFC-145lbs-division&goto=newpost

Dan The Sandman Christison  Logan The Pink Pounder Clark  Steve The Snake Claveau  Rich No Love Clementi  Mark The Hammer Coleman

Five Ounces 2011 Year-End Awards: Oops, Oohs, and Arghs

The final week of 2011 has arrived, and though the year may not have delivered on the public?s long-standing dream of flying cars and laser-blasters it was certainly a period filled with memorable months from a Mixed Martial Arts viewpoint. We witnessed champions fall in dramatic fashion, prospects rise from the ranks to become divisional [...]

Source: http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2011/12/29/five-ounces-2011-year-end-awards-oops-oohs-and-arghs/

Rolles Gracie Royce Gracie Royler Gracie Ryan Gracie Peter Graham

Jake Shields talks teammates, fighting Yoshihiro Akiyama at UFC 144

Between November 2004 and March 2011, UFC welterweight Jake Shields fought fifteen times and came away with fifteen victories including those over Yushin Okami, Paul Daley, Robbie Lawler, Jason Miller, and Carlos Condit. Since then he?s fought twice, losing both times and gaining a new perspective on MMA as a fighter looking up from the [...]

Source: http://www.fighters.com/12/26/jake-shields-talks-teammates-fighting-yoshihiro-akiyama-at-ufc-144

Dan Henderson Josh Hendricks Ed Herman Heath Herring Branden Lee Hinkle

Watch Dana White prove Duane Ludwig?s fastest knockout

In UFC president Dana White's latest video blog, he answered to the Nevada Athletic Commission's refusal to change Duane "Bang" Ludwig's knockout time. The UFC changed the time of Ludwig's 2006 knockout of Jonathan Goulet, giving Ludwig the fastest knockout in UFC history.

The NAC, on the other hand, said that the 11-second time still stands. To prove just how wrong they are, White worked with the UFC's production team to show the time of the three fastest knockouts in UFC history.

White doing this adds validity to his decision to update the record. It wasn't a capricious decision by White, but something fair, calculated and transparent. Nicely done.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Watch-Dana-White-prove-Duane-Ludwig-s-fastest-kn?urn=mma-wp11195

Bernard Ackah  Terrance Aflague Yoshihiro Akiyama  Gilbert Aldana  José Aldo 

Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. puts gold up for grabs at Super Bowl Weekend event in Texas

Super Bowl Weekend is shaping up to be an amazing few days for fight fans, as it appears 25-year old sensation Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. will put his WBC middleweight title and unbeaten record on the line against 53-5-1 Marco Antonio Rubio. Adding to what should already be a great environment, the event will take [...]

Source: http://www.fighters.com/12/28/julio-cesar-chavez-jr-puts-gold-up-for-grabs-at-super-bowl-weekend-event-in-texas

Karn Grigorian Karen Grigoryan Kendall Grove Clay Guida Jason Guida

Overpraised or Underrated: An Examination of Alistair Overeem's Recent Fight History

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Headed into Friday night's UFC 141 main event, the question of just how good Alistair Overeem is remains one of MMA's heated topics. His supporters point out that he's won titles in Strikeforce, DREAM and K-1. His detractors suggest he's done most of that while facing non-elite competition.

In some ways, both sides have valid points. Perhaps his performance against Brock Lesnar will provide answers about his place among the heavyweight elite, but until then, it's worth a look at his recent history.

Overeem shifted divisions to heavyweight for good in 2007, and since then has lost only once. On the strength of an 11-fight unbeaten stretch, most heavyweight rankings have him listed between Nos. 2-4. What's obvious about that stretch is that he's been fairly dominant. Seven of his last 10 fights have lasted less than two minutes. But less obvious is that he has seemed to benefit from great timing. His bout with Lesnar will mark the seventh time his last 11 fights he'll be facing an opponent coming off a loss, an unusually high number for someone competing at a championship level.

In Lesnar's case, he's not just looking to rebound from a defeat, but from an illness and surgery that cost him more than a year of his athletic career.



It's not the first time Overeem has faced down an opponent walking in with little momentum. In fact, of his last 11 opponents including Lesnar, the only one who could boast of any real momentum heading into their bout was Fabricio Werdum, who had won four of his last five and had just become the first man to defeat Fedor Emelianenko in nearly a decade. That victory propelled Werdum to the No. 3 spot on the FightMatrix.com rankings at the time, the highest ranking opponent Overeem has faced during his current stretch until Lesnar.

During his last 10 fights, Overeem has faced three fighters who were ranked in the top 10 at the time, as ranked by FightMatrix's computer formula. Aside from beating Werdum in a somewhat lackluster decision, he steamrolled No. 8 Brett Rogers in May 2010 and fought to a no contest with No. 8 Mirko Filipovic in September 2008.

The rest of the 10 bouts were mostly a mix of mediocrity, veterans on the way out, and unestablished prospects. Five of the 10 fighters Overeem's faced during his streak are no longer active in MMA. Three opponents -- James Thompson, Gary Goodridge and Lee Tae-Hyun -- did not even crack the top 150 at the time they fought Overeem. Thompson walked into his bout with four straight losses, Goodridge -- then 42 years old -- had lost three in a row, and Tae-Hyun, who was only in his third pro fight, lost in 36 seconds and never fought again.

Tony Sylvester was ranked No. 131 when Overeem fought him. Not surprisingly, he lasted all of 83 seconds. Kaz Fujita was 39 years old and No. 102. Overeem finished him off even quicker, in 75 seconds.

Mark Hunt was a fairly credible opponent. He came in 5-3 but was unranked because he hadn't fought MMA in over 18 months. Still, he tapped to a keylock in 71 seconds.

Lesnar currently sits at No. 3 on the FightMatrix rankings, one spot ahead of Overeem (by comparison, MMA Fighting rankings have the two flip-flopped). Whichever you accept, it still marks his second straight time battling a top five foe. At the time of publication, Overeem was considered a slight favorite in the matchup.

Even with a win over Lesnar, Overeem likely won't silence all the questions observers have raised about him. His recent record is too dotted with non-elite opponents, and some will wonder if Lesnar truly competed at full strength. Despite the skeptics who dismiss his resume because of that, there is no question Overeem has dominated the opposition he's faced and has shown elite ability in several dimensions.

With most of MMA's top heavyweights under the UFC banner -- or soon to be there, given the recent Strikeforce announcement that they're discontinuing the division and sending their talent to the octagon -- Overeem has a chance to erase every last criticism of his in-cage ability.

Here's a closer look at his last 10 bouts and the competition he's faced to vault up the rankings.

Opponent: Fabricio Werdum
Previous five fights: 4-1
Prior fight: Win
Notable: First bout since beating Fedor Emelianenko
FightMatrix.com ranking at time of fight: No. 3
Overeem's ranking at time of fight: No. 8
Age at time of fight: 33
Result: Decision win
Current career record: 14-5-1

Opponent: Todd Duffee
Previous five: 4-1
Prior fight: Loss
Notable: Accepted fight on 2 week's notice
FightMatrix ranking: No. 58
Overeem's ranking: No. 8
Age: 25
Result: 19-second KO
Current career record: 6-2

Opponent: Brett Rogers
Previous five: 4-1
Prior fight: Loss
Notable: First fight since being KO'd by Fedor
FightMatrix ranking: No. 8
Overeem's ranking: No. 12
Age: 29
Result: TKO, 3:40 of Rd. 1
Current career record: 11-4

Opponent: Kaz Fujita
Previous five: 2-3
Prior fight: Loss
Notable: Two straight defeats
FightMatrix ranking: No. 102
Overeem's ranking: No. 12
Age: 39
Result: 75-second KO
Current career record: 15-9 (retired)

Opponent: James Thompson
Previous five: 1-4
Prior fight: Loss
Notable: Four straight losses
FightMatrix ranking: Unranked
Overeem's ranking: No. 13
Age: 31
Result: 33-second submission
Current career record: 16-14, 1 no contest

Opponent: Tony Sylvester
Previous five: 4-1
Prior fight: Win
Notable: Sylvester's only career fight vs. a top 20 opponent
FightMatrix ranking: No. 131
Overeem's ranking: No. 13
Age: 31
Result: 83-second submission
Current career record: 11-3 (retired)

Opponent: Gary Goodridge
Previous five: 2-3
Prior fight: Loss
Notable: Three straight losses
FightMatrix ranking: Unranked
Overeem's ranking: No. 12
Age: 42
Result: Submission, 1:42 of Rd. 1
Current career record: 23-22-1 (retired)

Opponent: Mirko Cro Cop
Previous five: 3-2
Prior fight: Win
Notable: Cro Cop had lost two of his last three prior
FightMatrix ranking: No. 8
Overeem's ranking: No. 11
Age: 34
Result: No contest
Current career record: 27-10-2, 1 no contest (retired)

Opponent: Mark Hunt
Previous five: 3-2
Prior fight: Loss
Notable: Overeem took the fight on short notice
FightMatrix ranking: Unranked
Overeem's ranking: No. 13
Age: 34
Result: 71-second submission
Current career record: 7-7

Opponent: Lee Tae-Hyun
Previous five: N/A (third pro fight)
Prior fight: Win
Notable: Only 1-1 before Overeem fight
FightMatrix ranking: Unranked
Overeem's ranking: No. 13
Age: 33
Result: 36-second KO
Current career record: 1-2 (retired)

TOTALS
Opponents in previous five: 28-19 (.596 win percentage)
Average age: 33.1
Combined career record: 131-78-4 (.630 win percentage)
Top 10 opponents Overeem faced: 3
Unranked opponents Overeem faced: 4
Average Time of Fight: 3:03
Overeem's record: 9-0, 1 NC

 

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Source: http://www.mmafighting.com/2011/12/29/overpraised-or-underrated-an-examination-of-alistair-overeems/

Jai Bradney  Ebenezer Fontes Braga Chris Brennan Marcelo Brito  Rob Broughton