Features | MMA DIEHARDS

Archive for the ‘Features’ Category

UFC on FX 8 main card recap: Vitor stuns, “Jacare” puts Camozzi to sleep, Natal, dos Anjos earn decisions

UFC on FX 8 started a tad slow, but finished strong with a slick submission and vicious knockout.

In the night’s main event, UFC veteran Vitor Belfort annihilated forever Strikeforce middleweight champion Luke Rockhold.

In a moment of hilarity, Rockhold fell when attempting a head kick at the beginning of the bout, but hopped up before Belfort could attack. Belfort threw an, out of character, spinning head-kick that came nowhere near connecting with Rockhold. Vitor displayed his quick hands and stalked Rockhold down with punches, but the former Strikeforce standout didn’t absorb a lot of damage. Then, Belfort attempted another spinning head-kick, only this time his heel planted directly on Rockhold’s temple. The UFC debutant collapsed to the ground and Belfort finished him off with a few punches.

Belfort has won four of his last five outings- that sole loss came against UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones- and he finished those four adversaries. The victory surely places Belfort extremely close to title contention.

Rockhold, though, lost the fight and had a nine-fight winning streak put to an end, should still be a Top 10 middleweight in the UFC.

In the opening round of his first UFC bout, Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza put a stop to Chris Camozzi.

Camozzi kept his distance in an effort to avoid a Souza’s takedowns. “Jacare” got a hold of Camozzi, but the American reversed Souza against the cage. Souza broke away and then accomplished a takedown. Camozzi did exceptionally well defending Souza’s superb transitions, but the inevitable ensued.

“Jacare” worked intelligently, while utilizing his craftiness until sinking in an arm-triangle choke. Within seconds Camozzi was unconscious and referee Mario Yamasaki stepped in to end the match.

Souza won his UFC debut and extended his win streak to four straight victories. The former Strikeforce middleweight champion also requested the winner of the main event on UFC on FX 8, Belfort, following his submission of Camozzi.

Camozzi, due to the loss, had his four-fight win streak broken.

Rafael dos Anjos won a close decision against Evan Dunham at UFC on FX 8.

Dunham was on the defense for the first minute of the bout, but turned up the pace by mid-round. Dunham showed good speed, but didn’t utilize his reach to it’s full potential. While dos Anjos was mixing up a wide variety of strikes, Dunham was basically boxing and throwing the odd leg kick, nonetheless, the fight stayed eventful. Dunham got dos Anjos to the mat, but after a lackluster minute, the referee stood the combatants up.

In Round 2, Dunham started with a flurry of hard punches and hit a double-leg takedown. It wasn’t long before dos Anjos was up and retaliating. Dunham opened a cut on dos Anjos’ right eyebrow, but the Brazilian was winning the exchanges on their feet. Dunham managed to get a takedown at the end of the second frame, but the buzzer sounded immediately after the two fighters hit the mat.

Round 3 looked similar to the opening frame, as Dunham used boxing and a minimal amount of leg kicks, while dos Anjos mixed up strikes. Dunham could not complete a takedown, but he kept dos Anjos guessing. Both combatants put on an exciting show towards the end of the bout by standing in the pocket and tagging each other with punches until the time clock expired.

Dos Anjos won the match via decision (29-28×3) and is on a four-fight win streak.

Dunham, however, is 3-2 in his last five fights.

Rafael Natal, through a combination of intelligent striking, smooth Brazilian jiu-jitsu and an opponent’s exhaustion, defeated UFC newcomer João Zeferino.

Zeferino and Natal spent a large part of possible heel-hook positions. They stayed just busy enough to not get stood up by the referee due to lack of action, but the strikes thrown were not effective. The two mixed martial artists were eventually instructed by the referee to stand up, but with only 25 seconds left in the opening frame not much was attempted before the round ended.

Zeferino attempted a high number of kicks and punches, but Natal remained calm and evaded any damage. As Zeferino tired, he attempted an effortless takedown that Natal denied with ease. Zeferino, on the ground from a punch Natal hit him with, laid exhausted and “Sapo” dropped into his opponent’s guard with a punch. Natal finished the round on top of Zeferino, battering him with punches.

Natal pressed forward in Round 3. He elevated his output of strikes, yet avoided a drained Zeferino’s attacks. Natal took down Zeferino midway through the round and started working for a submission. “Sapo” continued bashing Joao Zeferino with fists when he couldn’t nail a submission until the match finalized.

Natal won a decision (30-27, 29-28×2) and is now and has won two consecutive bouts since losing to Andrew Craig in July 2012.

Zeferino’s UFC debut and seven-fight win streak were spoiled with the loss.

UFC on FX 8 preliminary card recap

The UFC on FX 8 preliminary card was a six-fight card full of knockouts, submissions, and back and forth battles.

Nik Lentz defeated Hacran Dias in a back and forth, exciting, action packed bout.

Lentz put the pressure on Dias right out of the gate. The grappling from both combatants was technical and aggressive, with reversals and defense in check. Neither fighter got the better of one another, but kept the action going until Round 1 ended.

Lentz dropped Dias with a knee, but was hesitant to follow up and the Brazilian had a few seconds to regain composure. Lentz took the fight to the mat and sat in half guard, while punishing Dias relentlessly with elbows. Dias did eventually get back to his feet for a short period of time before being placed on his back again. Lentz finished the round in mount position, continuously hitting Dias with punches and elbows.

In Round 3, both combatants were swinging for the win. Dias was clipping Lentz with punches, which led to the American attempting a takedown, yet he was unsuccessful. When pressed up against the cage, Lentz hit a guillotine-choke, but Dias escaped and reversed into an arm-triangle choke. Lentz held on, but appeared to be close to tapping out. In the final minute of the bout, both mixed martial artists were standing and trading punches, still trying to finish the fight.

Lentz won a decision (29-28×2, 28-27) and is on a three-fight win streak.

Dias had his nine-fight win streak snapped after losing to Lentz.

Francisco Trinaldo defeated Mike Rio with some very impressive submission skills.

Rio searched for a couple of takedowns and ate a punch in order to get the fight to the ground. Trinaldo withstood Rio’s attacks on the mat and got back to his feet. The Brazilian accomplished a takedown of his own, in spectacular fashion to boot, which led to the finish.

Trinaldo secured an arm-triangle choke, but what made it unique was the fact that he pulled it off from half guard. It’s seldom seen, but Trinaldo made Rio tap from the submission that is usually applied from side guard.

Trinaldo has won two consecutive matches via arm-triangle choke and has only lost once in the Octagon.

Rio, aside from losing on “The Ultimate Fighter 16,” had a three-fight win streak come to an end.

Gleison Tibau picked up the first submission of UFC on FX 8 with a win over John Cholish.

Tibau, to no one’s surprise, hit a takedown on Cholish right after the opening bell. Cholish, however, escaped the side-control of Tibau. Cholish showed good footwork and striking, though, it didn’t affect Tibau’s performance. Tibau was able to complete another takedown before the frame ended, which undoubtedly earned him the round.

Cholish was a little more creative with his striking in Round 2, even attempting a flying-knee. But Tibau was more powerful and hurt Cholish with a left punch. Cholish became wobbly, and Tibau took down his opponent. The Brazilian latched on guillotine-choke that forced Cholish to tap before going unconscious.

The submission places Tibau back in the win column after losing to Evan Dunham at UFC 156.

Cholish is on a two-fight losing skid after suffering a loss to Tibau.

Paulo Thiago bested UFC newcomer Michel Prazeres in a three-round match.

Prazeres came rushing out of his corner in an attempt to take Thiago down, but the BOPE officer managed to stay on his feet. The first round was mainly a back and forth grappling match, but neither combatant accomplished anything significant.

In Round 2, Thiago punished Prazeres with a knee to the midsection and followed his opponent to the canvas. Prazeres defended Thiago’s transitions on the mat and got back to his feet. He then pinned Thiago on the canvas, against the cage and worked his ground and pound. But, in such high level of grappling match, Thiago snuck out from under Prazeres and ended up on top of “Trator” as the frame finalized.

It was either combatant’s fight to win in the last round. Thiago was the more aggressive fighter off the hop, but Prazeres was able to nullify or absorb strikes coming from the UFC veteran. Thiago stayed relentless in his attacks, but the match eventuated to a decision.

Thiago walked away from the cage as the winner (29-28 on all judges’ scorecards). He is now in the win column after losing two consecutive bouts.

Prazeres lost for the first time in his professional career and now owns a record of 16-1.

Yuri Alcantara wasted no time getting rid of Illiard Santos.

Santos took the fight on short notice, and the bout was short lived. Alcantara hit Santos with a left straight that collapsed his opponent and then swarmed on him with a flurry of punches. The referee immediate halted the action and Alcantara won the match via TKO in Round 1.

Alcantara has won back-to-back bouts in the UFC, both by way of TKO.

Santos’ Octagon debut resulted in a loss and put an end to his seven-fight unbeaten streak.

After a sketchy opening, Fabio Maldonado earned a much needed victory against Roger Hollet.

Not even one minute into the bout, Maldonado was the victim of a brutal groin shot from a spinning back-kick thrown by Hollet. After a short rest, Maldonado returned to his feet and the match continued.

Hollet, out of respect to Maldonado’s elite boxing skills, was quick to take the fight to the ground. Though, it was a lackluster opening to the bout, Hollet avoided damage and controlled his opponent for the majority of Round 1.

Hollet, surprisingly, landed a number of punches on the Brazilian near the beginning of the second frame. However, Maldonado went to work on Hollet’s body, then went upstairs and starting landing punches on the Canadian’s head. Hollet was clearly becoming fatigued from the damage but escaped the round.

Round 3 was all Maldonado. When he wasn’t landing punches, Maldonado was egging on Hollet. Maldonado turned up the pace and battered Hollet until the fight ended. Hollet showed toughness by hanging in there, but Maldonado was declared the winner via decision (29-27×2, 29-28).

Maldonado snapped a three-fight losing skid with the win. The victory was Maldonado’s first since October 2010.

Hollet is now on a two-fight losing streak and remains winless in the UFC.

MFC 37: Sam Alvey: ‘(My wife) is the best corner in the business’

by Jason Kelly on May 10, 2013 9:17:42 AM in Features, Fighter Features | No Comments »

MFC's Sam Alvey (L) with wife, McKey Sullivan. (Photo courtesy of MMA Weekly)

Yeah, so what, Sam Alvey’s cornerman is a pregnant woman.

Alvey (Twitter: @smilensam) fights Jay Silva at “MFC 37: True Grit” on Friday at the Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton, Alberta. To witness a veteran competitor like Alvey, who has 25 pro MMA bouts to his credit, enter the ring for combat is common, but a cornerman such as his is seldom seen.

The majority of fighters stroll to the ring or cage with an entourage of fellow male training partners. Even the female mixed martial artists typically have a crew of men. Not Alvey, he rolls with his spouse, and in this case, his wife plus one.

“She’s eight-and-a-half months pregnant and she’ll be up there again,” Alvey told MMADiehards.com. “I talked to her, because I hate to break this streak of her cornering me, but she said she would be more nervous if she wasn’t there. That’s what worried me about her going there; she’d be too amped up. But she said she’d be more amped up if she didn’t go.”

As instrumental as Alvey’s wife is to his game, he required some assistance in the gym from his own gender.

Alvey trains at Team Quest with Dan Henderson, amongst the numerous mixed martial artists the facility draws in. Working with the elite striker and final Strikeforce welterweight champ, Tarec Saffiedine, has taught Alvey to keep his hands up, he said. Preparations for Silva went according to plan, excluding one slight adaptation made when “The Spida Killa” served as a late replacement for Chase Degenhard.

“My game plan is to always beat the guy by any means necessary,” Alvey said. “So, the only difference I really had to make for this fight was, the guy I was going to fight, Chase, he was like 6’6” or 6’7” from what I’ve read. Jay, he’s a little shorter than me. So, instead of having to throw high, I have to jab instead. That’s the biggest difference.”

Similar to Alvey’s opponent reducing in height, where he travels to fight Silva will drop in climate.

Alvey, a Californian, meets Silva in western Canada, which is a fairly drastic change in temperature. It’s not the first time “Smilin” has experienced The Great White North, as he competed for the MFC in his previous bout, and can bear the cold, crisp Canadian weather. Just as long as the fervent, fired-up fans are in tow.

“Last time I was there the fans were great,” Alvey said. “It was a packed house, I don’t think there was an open seat in the arena and the energy was incredible. Everyone in the audience was incredible and excited for the fight. I’m hoping that transfers into this upcoming fight, which I think it will.”

One thing Alvey can guarantee will be identical to his last trip to Alberta; his wife will be in his corner. Although, concluding she will present while pregnant, did come after negotiations.

“She’s the best corner in the business,” Alvey said. “She’s knows everything I know. She knows how I fight better than I do. There is not another person I would rather have there. Because she’s pregnant, I’m going to have one more corner, a coach of mine. That’s kind of the bargain we came up with for someone to help take the workload off her.”

Well, that woman is one heck of a cornerman.

Louis Gaudinot: “If the UFC changes their mind, I would love to fight (Ian McCall)”

by Jason Kelly on May 9, 2013 9:16:25 AM in Features, Fighter Features | No Comments »

UFC flyweight Louis Gaudinot

Louis Gaudinot doesn’t quite understand why Ian McCall is calling him out, but he does know that a year is a long time to wait.

Gaudinot (Twitter: @LouisGaudinotUFC) last competed on May 5, 2012, against John Lineker at “UFC on Fox: Diaz vs. Miller.” It was a victorious debut in the UFC flyweight division for “Goodight,” even though the bout eventually became a 127-pound catchweight match due to Lineker’s issues at the scales, Gaudinot made weight.

Gaudinot is finally returning to the Octagon, but won’t be meeting the combatant who has recently called him out via the internet. The aforementioned McCall took to The Underground, claimed Gaudinot has been chomping at the bit for a scrap with him, and accepted the challenge. However, Gaudinot finds “Uncle Creepy’s” allegations and retaliation a little belated.

“To be honest, I can’t tell you what’s going on,” Gaudinot told Joe Rizzo and Jason Kelly on MMA DieHards Radio on the MMA DieHards Radio Network. “The UFC told me I have an opponent in August, I can’t say who the opponent is, but they offered me a fight and it’s not Ian McCall. I did an interview over a year ago and they asked me, ‘Who do you want to fight next?’ So, of course, like any fighter, you want to be the best in the world, you want to move up in the rankings. I said, ‘I want to fight someone ranked above me in the rankings.’ At the time, they were doing the flyweight tournament. I said, “I want to fight one of the guys in the tournament.’ Obviously I couldn’t fight (Demetrious) “Mighty Mouse” (Johnson) or Joseph Benavidez because they won their matches, and they were moving on to the title fight. So, I said, ‘I’d like to face Ian McCall or Yasuhiro Urushitani.’ That’s all I really said. I never called anybody out one-on-one; I just said that I wanted to fight one of the guys in the tournament.”

Gaudinot said with the interview being more than a year old, and never mentioning McCall’s name after that, he doesn’t understand why “Uncle Creepy” would claim he is continuously being called out. Gaudinot would be obliged to the UFC if granted a bout with McCall, but due to the politics of matchmaking, the higher ups are not keen on this fight at the moment.

“If the UFC changes their mind, I would love to fight him,” Gaudinot said. “He’s ranked above me in rankings; that’s what I want to do, I want to move up in rankings. Of course, I want to fight those guys, and show that I can beat them, and show them I belong there. He’s talking smack, saying he’ll knock the green off my head. You can talk all you want, if we fight, it’s a different story. I’m not one to talk crap. It’s a business; I don’t have to hate the person before the fight. If that’s how he has to be, so be it. I’m in there to do a job, I know I’m going to win, I know I’m going to kick some ass when I go out there, whoever they put me against. I don’t have to talk smack about it, but I’d love to fight him. The UFC told me he’s coming off two losses, so it doesn’t make sense.”

A fight that is currently sensible is the bout that Gaudinot is scheduled for in August. It may not be his first choice, but after being out of the Octagon for over a year, the New York native is anticipating a dominant return to action.

“I had two different injuries,” Gaudinot said. “I was supposed to fight, I got hurt, thankfully I didn’t need surgery. I rehabbed myself, that was a pain in the ass, then I hurt a different part of my body. That time was a little bit worse, I thought I was going to need surgery, but luckily I didn’t. Now, I’m back to training 100-percent, and I hope to keep it that way. I had a couple bad streaks, but I’m anxious to get back in the cage. It’s been too long.”

MFC 37: Jason Zentgraf: ‘It hurts when people say (I’m) just a jiu-jitsu guy’

by Jason Kelly on May 8, 2013 4:27:14 PM in Features, Fighter Features | No Comments »

MFC middleweight Jason Zentgraf

When a mixed martial artist has all of their wins come via submission, they get labeled, but don’t be so quick to judge Jason Zentgraf.

Zentgraf (Twitter: @JasonZentgraf) is a Maximum Fighting Championship middleweight, sporting a 7-1 record, with all his victories coming by way of submission. His next visit to the ring is Friday at “MFC 37: True Grit” against Luke Harris at the Shaw Centre in Edmonton, Alberta.

Zentgraf trains at Dogpound Fight Team in Missoula, Mont., alongside the likes of Bellator Season 6 lightweight semifinalist Lloyd Woodard, amongst many other talents. He said his jiu-jitsu is feeling crisp from working with Woodard and heavyweights like John Ragsdale, who weighs approximately 300 pounds, but that’s not to say his striking isn’t just as fluent as his ground game.

“It hurts when people say, ‘He’s just a jiu-jitsu guy,’” Zentgraf said. “I’m like, ‘Nah, not really.’ It’s frustrating, it doesn’t really affect me that much, but it’s kind of annoying to keep hearing it. I want to go out there and put on a good show, and for fans that aren’t as well educated, they think the ground is boring. When someone doesn’t understand the ground, they look at it as two dudes just rolling around on the ground, and they want to see strikes. Even if you don’t know anything about the sport, a fan can understand what’s going on when they see striking.”

Ironically, Zentgraf’s opponent, Harris (9-2), is also a mixed martial artist that earned all his wins via submission.

When two combatants square off with recorded victories or backgrounds that are similar, such as, wrestling, jiu-jitsu, judo; the fighters cancel each other’s strongest attribute. This forces them to utilize what striking techniques they have in their arsenal. Therefore, a match with Harris could be the perfect bout for Zentgraf to demonstrate his stand-up abilities that have caught everyone’s eye in the gym.

“It could very easily go to a submission, but hopefully I am able to keep it standing,” Zentgraf said. “I’d like to work some of the striking that I am so good at and hopefully put him on his butt. I’m disappointed in my last two performances. I won, they were pretty decisive, but I wasn’t able to showcase my striking in either of the fights, and a lot of people don’t think I have striking, especially when you look at my record-all submissions. But most people that train with me, they remember my striking over my jiu-jitsu. My jiu-jitsu is very good, but it’s my striking that usually gives people more problems, so that’s what I’m hoping to implement. But if he does want to clinch and go to the ground, obviously I am very prepared for it.”

Providing he gets a victory over Harris, Zentgraf will be on a five-fight win streak, with his most recent three triumphs occurring under the MFC banner. In that instance, there could be a case made that the Big Fight Management signee deserves a title match.

Being granted a chance to win one of the few coveted belts in MMA, the MFC middleweight title, also brings more face time with the media and fans. Their broadcast partnerships with AXS TV and TSN result in garnering new fans all the time. It would be a big commitment, but one Zentgraf is ready for.

“I love interacting with the fans,” Zentgraf said. “When I talk to the fans, they remember who I am when I fight. It helps to build my name a little bit and fans remember who I am when they see my fight, then want to see me in a title fight. Actually, if I can put Luke Harris away, which, if I am on point I know I can, and make it an entertaining fight, I hope to get a title shot.

“There were talks if I put Clay Davidson away decisively, I would get a title fight; unfortunately that didn’t happen. It wasn’t a very exciting fight, second round was alright, first (round) was kind of boring, a lot of clinch and stuff. When I watched it, Michael Schiavello could appreciate the technique I was using, but there wasn’t much action besides a few liver shots I landed. I’m hoping this fight will be more action, more blood, more punches in the face, more excitement, and then I get a title shot.”

Zentgraf isn’t a grappler, or a striker, he’s a mixed martial artist seeking a world title.

MFC 37: Rematches or not, Mukai Maromo is all about progression

by Jason Kelly on May 7, 2013 5:25:20 PM in Features, Fighter Features | No Comments »

MFC lightweight Mukai Maromo

As long as he is evolving as a fighter, it doesn’t matter if it’s rematches or fresh faces for Mukai Maromo.

On May 10, Maromo (Twitter @AfrikanAssassin) meets a familiar face in Kurt Southern at “MFC 37: True Grit” at the Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton, Alberta. The two mixed martial artists squared off at AMMA 5 in 2010, with Southern walking away the victor via submission in the opening frame.

Maromo, who resides in Alberta, kept training close to home for the match, instead of enduring his usual travels to Tristar in Montreal, Quebec, to prepare for a bout. Working with some pro level boxers and accomplished grapplers readied the “Afrikan Assassin” for Southern. Revenge fueled Maromo through his training camp, however, not in a sense of bitterness for his upcoming rival.

“I’ve seen Kurt at different shows and he’s a great guy,” Maromo told MMADiehards.com. “I wouldn’t see him and call him a jerk or anything, he’s a nice guy. Under different circumstances we could probably hang out and have a casual conversation about fighting and training, even have a drink, but this is war. I don’t have any animosity towards him, but for that 15 minutes in the ring it’s do or die. I’m coming to do, not to die.”

Sure, avenging a loss is at the top of any defeated fighter’s to-do-list, but the Kimurawear combatant enjoys this rematch for other reasons, a well.

Maromo, perhaps the MFC’s most elite striker in any weight class, said he has been improving his skill set on the ground. Meanwhile, Southern, a combatant with six submission wins including a triangle-choke victory over Maromo, shines in the grappling department. Being that is the case; Maromo said he would like to use this rematch to gauge where his ground game is at in terms of takedown and submission defense.

Finding reasons to make rematches intriguing to himself is becoming a regular thing for Maromo, as this bout with Southern marks his third rematch with three different opponents in nine fights. He met Adam Lynn in two consecutive matches, winning them both. Most recently, the Edmonton Rush fighter lost in a vacant lightweight title match against Graham Spencer, who also defeated Maromo in 2010 at Awada CC. Although, he admitted it’s not the most attractive part of being a professional mixed martial artist, he accepts that it’s a part of the sport at every level and rematches do serve a purpose.

“In my opinion, the one thing you can’t do is fight poor opposition because then you don’t get better as a fighter,” Maromo said. “I mean, it sucks having to fight the same fighter, but if you’re at the top of the proverbial pyramid and there’s just a few people at the top, you’re going to fight those people a number of times. Rematches are not the most exciting thing to do, but it’s a part of the game.”

Whether or not Maromo is meeting new opponents or old foes, he simply requests that they be formidable competition. Meeting Southern again and having the opportunity to verify that he is a better mixed martial artist than first time the two fighters competed is a reward in itself to Maromo.

“Kurt is one of the best fighters in Canada, in the lightweight division,” Maromo said. “When you talk about the Canadian lightweight division you can’t talk about it without mentioning him or me. It’s a good fight, whether it’s happening in the MFC, or on this show or that show. It’s a tough fight for me and it kind of goes to prove that I’m progressing as a fighter.”

MFC 37: Anthony Birchak and the past, present, future of his fighting family

by Jason Kelly on May 6, 2013 11:59:22 AM in Features, Fighter Features | No Comments »

Bantamweight Anthony Birchak. (Photo courtesy of maximumfighting.com)

Anthony Birchak is carrying family tradition and passing it down en route to accomplishing his next goal.

Birchak (Twitter: @abirchakMMA) is making his first trip to Canada, as he is set to scrap Ryan Benoit on May 10 at MFC 37 at the Shaw Conference Centre in Edmonton, Alberta. Aside from a terrific training camp, Birchak was given some other great news during preparations.

He and his fiancé Mercedes White, who is also a mixed martial artist, are about to have their first child. Birchak already has one boy, while White has two girls, so he said now the house will be evened out with three males and three females. After all, equality is required when your home resembles an MMA gym.

“I’m building a little fight camp,” Birchak told MMADiehards.com. “I’ve got my wrestlers, my little strikers, my jiu-jitsu camp; every one of the kids takes a liking to a different martial art. It’s pretty cool to see. My first son, I wanted him to be a wrestler like me, but he’s gravitating more towards muay thai or boxing. It’s cool to see what he personally likes. It’s awesome.

“And Mercedes, she is the CEO of Luta Elite Sports Management. She manages fighters, she fights, she runs the household, she’s the mother for the kids, I mean this girl is superwoman. She’s been chomping at the bit seeing as she can’t do anything, so I let her throw on some 16 ounce gloves and I put some head gear on. I went on defense while she threw her wing dingers and I let her get her aggression out.”

While White is one tough woman, Birchak still needed some training with opponents of the same gender. The Kimurawear fighter’s day-to-day training takes place at Apex Mixed Martial Arts in Tucson, Arizona, where he worked with the owner, Joey Rivera, who competed on TUF 16. Other notable training partners included Chris Cariaso, Freddie Lux, George Roop, Ed West, Michael Parker and an athlete by the name of Casey Kenney, who Birchak proclaims is a stud that was essential to his grappling practice.

Furthermore, Birchak made a trip to Las Vegas in order to get some work in with a few outside sources, but it just so happened he picked the perfect time to go.

“I went to Xtreme Couture the week of The Ultimate Fighter tryouts,” Birchak said. “I don’t go to tryout; I go with teammates who were trying out. I usually just go there to train with striking coach Tim Lane, but this time I couldn’t have timed it any better. I got to train with the best bantamweight guys in the world; they were all there, so it was great. I bonded with a few guys from Pat Barry’s gym; they knew I had a fight coming up so they kept me busy.”

Birchak is constantly surrounded by fighters, whether it is at home or the gym, and that’s only going to prove beneficial to his success. Being around so many combatants isn’t new to Birchak, though. It’s a family tradition that he is instilling in his own children while he makes his way to the top of the MFC.

“I come from a long line of wrestlers,” Birchak said. “One of my uncles is the first state champion for his high school back in 1960-something. My other uncle, my wrestling coach, was a two-time state champ for my high school in ’82 and ’83. My brothers, cousins, everyone else wrestled too. It’s kind of sucks because I’m the only one without a high school state title. All these other bastards got one except me. I made it up by winning four Greco- Roman state championships, three freestyle state championships and a Greco-Roman All-American. Now I’m on the quest for an MMA world championship.”

Based on history, it is likely that 20 years from now Birchak’s son will be on that same quest.

UFC 159: With only six MMA bouts to her credit, experience is not something Sara McMann lacks

by Jason Kelly on April 26, 2013 4:07:16 PM in Features, Fighter Features | 1 Comment »

UFC bantamweight Sarah McMann (Photo courtesy of Sherdog)

Sara McMann’s experiences in combative sports allow her to know what she’s capable of, and when she won’t be proficiently able to do it anymore.

McMann (Twitter: @Sara_McMann) makes her Octagon debut against fellow UFC newcomer Sheila Gaff at UFC 159 on Saturday at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. While Gaff doesn’t bring the attention a bout with UFC women’s bantamweight champ Ronda Rousey would, the match still gives McMann a chance to do what she loves most; compete.

McMann, a 32-year-old former Strikeforce combatant and 2004 Olympic silver medalist wrestler, is competing against the upper echelon of female mixed martial artists. McMann said she enjoys testing her mettle against other athletes in MMA, just as she did for so many years in wrestling, but fighting in the UFC was never ultimate goal her goal.

“I look at things a little bit different,” McMann told MMADiehards.com. “I want to be the best in the word. The best in the world is the best in the world, whether or not they’re in the UFC doesn’t matter. It’s the same fighters. If Strikeforce wasn’t owned by Zuffa when Strikeforce folded I’d just be in some other promotion trying to be the best. I just want to be the best.”

Not only did wrestling prepare McMann for a grueling MMA training regiment, it’s also the reason that at 6-0, she is confident stepping up against an opponent that has more appearances in the cage.

Along with McMann’s Olympic medal, she won gold twice in the Pan American Games, as well as gold in the FILA Grappling World Championships. Her years of dedication to the wrestling mats have brought her multiple accolades and readied McMann for MMA battle.

Even though, Gaff, who sports a 10-4-1 record, has showcased her skills in MMA competition more than McMann, the Olympian has more overall experience.

“I count a ton of wrestling experience as my experience,” McMann said. “I view myself far more experienced than a lot of girls that are fighting. Some of them may have been doing it longer than me, but I have been doing a combative sport that is essential to MMA for a long time. I’ve had thousands of competitions in my life, but only six MMA fights. Now, if I had only six competitions in my life, I would be nervous. I may be a little less seasoned, but as far as competing, I couldn’t tell you how many competitions I’ve had. I started when I was 14-years-old and I’m 32 (-years-old) now, so over the course of 18 years I have been through a lot of competitions.”

Though, the nearly two decades of combative sports participation have primed McMann for tough training and competition, it also took a toll on her body. The wear and tear, coupled with the fact that women peak earlier than men, suggests a typical WMMA fighter’s career can begin to dwindle at a younger age than most of their male counterparts. However, a positive attribute that comes with McMann’s extensive wrestling background is that MMA training is a load lessened.

“If you were to ask me at 23 (-years-old) if I’d still be competing at this level now, the answer would’ve been no,” McMann said. “I don’t think I could wrestle at the highest level anymore because wrestling is so hard on your body, especially in the tournaments, you compete six or seven times in one day. It takes more out of you than a one-time competition in a night.”

The age factor is always the biggest hindrance on an athlete’s longevity. Often, a competitive person will keep testing their will, yet get defeated by an opponent they would’ve crushed in their prime. For McMann, who meets a foe nine years younger at UFC 159, age is not a burden in the least as she approaches her UFC debut.

“If I couldn’t go out there at the age I’m at and not put it on people younger than me, I would retire,” McMann said. “I’d say to myself, ‘You had your time to compete and the sun has set,’ but it hasn’t. I’m fortunate, but I’m keeping my eyes open for when the time comes and I can’t train like I used to. If I don’t have the same power and same stamina and I go out there and get beat by someone I would’ve beat three years ago; I’m not about that. I like to finish when I’m on top.”

UFC 159: Miller not overlooking Healy, rematches en route to title

by Jason Kelly on April 24, 2013 8:21:32 AM in Features, Fighter Features | No Comments »

UFC lightweight Jim Miller. (Photo: Hector Castro/MMADieHards.com)

Jim Miller is welcoming all competitors, unfamiliar or well-known, on his path to a UFC championship.

Miller (Twitter: @JimMiller_155) fights Pat Healy on Saturday at UFC 159 at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. While Miller is a UFC veteran, and Healy is a UFC newcomer, they both have fought the top names in the sport.

Healy owns a 29-16 record with notable wins over Carlos Condit and Paul Daley. The experienced mixed martial artist is well-versed in all facets of MMA, but shines in the grappling department, as 15 of his victories came via submission. Making his Octagon entrance by way of the UFC/ Strikeforce merger, Healy is riding a five-fight win streak.

Though, relatively unknown to casual fans, Healy is a combatant Miller views as a serious threat.

“The way I approach it, he’s a very dangerous fighter with some great wins and a lot of experience,” Miller told MMADiehards.com. “He’s a talented guy, so that’s where the danger lies. I don’t really take into account what people think of my opponent. I’m the fighter, I’m the professional and I have respect for him. I know what he’s capable of and that’s what matters to me.”

While Healy has slugged it out with some of today’s stars several years ago, Miller has been fighting the world’s best 155-pound mixed martial artist in recent times.

Miller is coming off an unforgettable performance against Joe Lauzon at UFC 155; however, prior to that the AMA Fight Club teammate lost a title eliminator match against Nate Diaz. The other three losses in Miller’s 26-fight career were at the hands of Gray Maynard, Frankie Edgar and current UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson.

Edgar has abandoned the division for a fresh start in the 145-pound weight class. Diaz was recently defeated by Josh Thomson at “UFC on Fox 7,” but still sits sixth in the UFC.com rankings. Maynard occupies the No. 3 slot in the ranks, Miller is fourth and Henderson is the champ.

The outcome against Healy, win or lose, could set up one of numerous, inevitable rematches for Miller.

“Any of those guys are very good fighters,” Miller said. “They’re talented guys, but this sport comes down to little things that happen inside the cage. I know I could’ve beat any one of them on that night had some little things gone my way. I’m looking for the opportunity to avenge something, but I’m not the type of guy that dreams about it.

“None of us are going anywhere. They’re going to be around, there will be rematches and the fights are going to be different. It’s just the way it is. We’re all improving, we’re all human beings and sometimes we all make mistakes. It’ll show in the fights, you just got to be the better guy. I’m sure I’ll meet every one of them again.”

Miller preeminently would like a rematch against the champion, but would not shy away from the opportunity to compete against any combatant that caused a blemish on his record.

Though, Miller is not one to spend his days dreaming about a title shot, he said he hopes a win at UFC 159 will bring him close to it. With the No 1 contender, Anthony Pettis, vacating the division for a chance at UFC featherweight kingpin Jose Aldo, the next challenger for the belt is undecided.

Considering the circumstances, the right performance on Miller’s end and a title fight may come sooner than later.

“It all comes down to leaving an imprint on people’s minds,” Miller said. “That’s what I aim to do. I aim to go in there and be violent, take it to him and put him away. If I can do that and some of the other fights are lackluster, the right guys win and the right guys lose, then who knows? I could be next in line.”

Whether he’s next or only advancing in line, Miller will meet familiar faces in due time.

UFC on Fox 7: Henderson earns split decision against Melendez, narrowly defends title

by Jason Kelly on April 21, 2013 2:46:15 PM in Features, Fighter Features | No Comments »

Benson Henderson (L) vs. Gilbert Melendez (R) at UFC on Fox 7 weigh-ins

UFC lightweight kingpin Benson Henderson narrowly defended his belt in a champion vs. champion match involving former Strikeforce champ Gilbert Melendez in the “UFC on Fox 7” main event.

If there were any doubters Melendez proved he was more than an over-hyped champion of a debunked promotion by the end of Round 1. He was doing reasonably better in the exchanges on their feet, Melendez managed to time Henderson’s well-known leg kick and catch it or disrupt it to lessen the impact, and he accomplished a takedown on the champ in the first five minutes of the contest.

Melendez made it clear he was a legitimate contestant for the UFC lightweight belt, but that didn’t force Henderson to quit and let his title go without a fight.

Henderson increased his volume of strikes in Round 2, but was hesitant to throw the leg kick he so often does. The former WEC lightweight champion was also less accurate with his punches than in the opening frame and was unsuccessful on a takedown he attempted. Meanwhile, Melendez improved his output and accuracy of strikes in Round 2, as well as his defensive abilities as he avoided more of Henderson’s punches and stopped his takedown.

Still adjusting to Melendez’s offensive skills, “Smooth” picked his strikes in the third frame. Though only six were attempted, Henderson landed every leg kick he threw, and he worked more body shots into his strategy. Melendez was not completely outclassed in Round 3, but it was evident he was slowing and Henderson was determining what tactics were effective against the UFC newcomer.

Henderson found his rhythm when the championship rounds began. The champion managed to crack Melendez’s boxing defense with punches, and his leg kicks found their range, which gave “El Nino” the most trouble he encountered until that point in the bout. Though, Henderson kept Melendez guessing with two attempted takedowns, the former Strikeforce champ denied both efforts.

The fight didn’t appear to have a clear-cut front runner and eventuated to a fifth and final round.

Melendez brought a high-level of aggression into the final frame, but Henderson was prepared for the intensity. The champ and the Strikeforce derivative embraced standing in the Octagon and throwing combinations while trying their best to evade one another’s blows. Henderson kept the leg kicks to a minimal and neglected takedown attempts, while Melendez obliged and tried to land a fight-ending punch that would crown him champion of the UFC.

The match finalized and it was up to the judges to declare a winner of a relatively equal match. Walking away with a split decision (48-47×2, 47-48) victory, Henderson defended his title for the third time in the UFC.

The win makes for seven consecutive victories for Henderson, not to mention he is undefeated in the UFC. “Smooth” would have next been set to compete against the last person to defeat him, Anthony Pettis, but “Showtime” dropped to featherweight for a title bout against Jose Aldo. There isn’t an established No. 1 contender for the UFC lightweight division currently, but Henderson will be busy with his soon-to-be-wife that he proposed to in the Octagon following his “UFC on Fox 7” win.

Melendez, though unsuccessful in his UFC debut, will hover around the top of the weight class. He had a seven-fight win streak brought to a halt, but with a couple decisive wins and impressive outings, Melendez could easily be back in the title scene.

Page 1 of 14512 3 4 5...10 20 30...»Last »