Category: UFC (Page 40 of 45)

Previewing the MMA in August

LAS VEGAS - JULY 11:  Brock Lesnar holds down Frank Mir during their heavyweight title bout during UFC 100 on July 11, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images)

E. Spencer Kyte of Heavy.com previewed the month of August in the MMA.

After Brock Lesnar submitted Shane Carwin at UFC 116, the MMA world fell into a bit of a lull. The UFC was on their version of summer vacation, Strikeforce offered only last weekend’s Challengers Series event, and the real highlights of the remaining days were some overseas adventures from DREAM and Impact FC.

As July winds down and August draws closer, here’s hoping you took the time to get some rest and get those family obligations ticked off the to-do list.

Family camping trips need to be out of the way, your annoying cousin’s third wedding better be in the can, and the in-laws better not be expected any time soon. MMA’s summer vacation about to come to an end, and if you’re a fight fan, you don’t have much time for anything else.

The jam-packed month starts promptly on August 1, as the UFC makes their return to Versus on August 1st. Universally regarded as one of the best prospects in the sport, Jon “Bones” Jones headlines his second consecutive Versus event, this time facing the experienced Vladimir Matyushenko. While some have called for Jones to be fast-tracked to championship contention, the crafty former IFL champion is another legitimate litmus test for the recently-turned 23-year-old.

Read the rest of the preview here.

Tito Ortiz to take on Matt Hamill at UFC 121

LAS VEGAS - NOVEMBER 21: Tito Ortiz (R) battles Forrest Griffin (L) during their Light Heavyweight Fight at the UFC 106 at Mandalay Bay Events Center on November 21, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images)

The guys at Heavy.com are reporting that Tito Ortiz will battle Matt Hamill at UFC 121.

Tito Ortiz will face protege Matt Hamill at UFC 121 in Anaheim, Ca.

MMAFighting.com was the first to report the possibility of the bout on Thursday, and Heavy.com confirmed the bout with sources close to the event on Thursday afternoon.

Ortiz last entered the Octagon against Forrest Griffin last November, where he lost via decision. He has not won a fight since Oct. 2006. The former light heavyweight champion was scheduled to face Chuck Liddell at the end of the 11th season of The Ultimate Fighter, but a neck injury forced him to withdraw from the bout and undergo surgery.

Hamill faced Keith Jardine in June, earning a majority decision. Ortiz is something of a mentor to Hamill, having coached him on The Ultimate Fighter. The pair remained close after the show concluded.

UFC 121 is headlined by a heavyweight title clash between Brock Lesnar and Cain Velasquez.

For more MMA news, including future fight matchups and interviews with fighters, check out Heavy.com.

It’s official: Sean Sherk vs. Evan Dunham for UFC 119

CHICAGO- OCTOBER 25:  Tyson Griffin (L) punches Sean Sherk in a Lightweight bout at UFC's Ultimate Fight Night at Allstate Arena on October 25, 2008 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)

Heavy.com confirms that Sean Sherk will take on Evan Dunham in UFC 119.

Lightweight up-and-comer Evan Dunham withstood his most difficult test to date at UFC 115, defeating Tyson Griffin. Now, the fast-rising lightweight is set up against another top lightweight, as his match up with Sean Sherk at UFC 119 is now official.

The Ultimate Fighting Championship announced the match up earlier this afternoon.

Sherk has been battling through injuries as of late and has not had a fight since his unanimous decision loss to Frankie Edgar at UFC 98. His last win came against Tyson Griffin at UFC 90, which was his follow-up to the technical knockout loss he received against BJ Penn at UFC 84. The former lightweight champion is looking for a resurgence towards another title shot in the 155-pound division.

Read the entire article here.

UFC 119: “UFC Prelims” special set to return

NEW YORK - MARCH 24: Frank Mir of Las Vegas, Nevada speaks at a press conference for UFC 111 at Radio City Music Hall on March 24, 2010 in New York City. Mir will face Shane Carwin of Denver, Colorado in the INterim heavyweight title bout. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)

According to Heavy.com, the Spike-televised “UFC Prelims” special will return for September’s UFC 119 event in Indianapolis.

Initial reports indicated that Spike TV had no plans to broadcast the pre-PPV special for the event, but have since changed their minds and have targeted C.B. Dolloway vs. Joe Doerksen and Joey Beltran vs. Matt Mitrione for the television special.

The change was reported by MMA Junkie. Spike TV confirmed the plans with HeavyMMA.com this afternoon.

UFC 119 takes place September 25 at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The main event features the long-awaited rematch between Frank Mir and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira.

Click here to head over to Heavy.com to read the full article.

The 5 Biggest Threats to Brock Lesnar’s Belt

LAS VEGAS - JULY 11:  Brock Lesnar holds down Frank Mir during their heavyweight title bout during UFC 100 on July 11, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images)

Despite defeating Shane Carwin in UFC 116, Brock Lesnar nearly was knocked out in the fight’s opening round. Did Carwin prove that the heavyweight champion’s game is flawed? Nate Lawson of Heavy.com breaks down the five biggest threats to Lesnar’s heavyweight belt, including Cain Velasquez.

Cain Velasquez

Heavy MMA HW Rank: 4

Record: 8-0

Last Five Fights: W-W-W-W-W

Notable Victories: Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (KO), Ben Rothwell (TKO)

Notable Losses: None

Next Opponent: Brock Lesnar for UFC heavyweight championship, date undecided

Status: Velasquez has risen to the top of the heavyweight division in a relatively short time and was put on the shelf awaiting the winner of Lesnar vs. Carwin. Lesnar took home the victory and the belt, and now Velasquez has the next shot at stealing away Lesnar’s hardware.

To read the rest of the breakdown of Velasquez, as well as the other four threats to Lesnar’s belt, click here.

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