No “Kid” Yamamoto for DREAM featherweight grand prix.
January 19, 2009
Props: JapanMMA
Japanese media is writing today that “Kid” Yamamoto’s knee injury is not yet fully healed, and he will not be able to participate in the upcoming DREAM event in March. This is of course another blow to DREAM who needs their Japanese star to return as soon as possible.
“Kid” is hinting at a return after April, but with all the injuries I am thinking it might go even longer than that. I hope we get to see a fully fit “Kid” soon, and DREAM needs the ratings that would bring too.
You know, I think I like the fact that “Kid” won’t probably be in the DREAM featherweight tournament. His absense will allow for the other unknown fighters to shine without having to deal with the fact that the entire grand prix was primarily created for the simple fact of having “Kid” end up as the featherweight champion.
I do agree though, if “Kid” is healthy by April, he’ll probably be given a bye and allowed to enter the 2nd round of the tournament, and then he’ll probably win the entire thing and give DREAM what they originally wanted. Even if he doesn’t compete, when he’s healthy he’ll probably be given first crack at the current featherweight champion. Either way, sometime in 09 he’ll either be fighting for the title or wearing it, that is unless DREAM goes under…..which isn’t out of the realm of possibility.
As of right now, there are currently ZERO fighters announced to compete in the grand prix, it’s pretty ridiculous considering the event is expected to begin in March. Hopefully we’ll get some damn updates in the next few weeks.
Shogun’s in trouble…
January 18, 2009
Props: MMAMania
Fresh off his less-than-thrilling victory over Mark “The Hammer” Coleman at UFC 93: ‘Franklin vs. Henderson,’ Mauricio Rua was rewarded (or punished, depending on how you look at it) by Dana White with a fight against former UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell at UFC 97 on April 18 in Montreal, Canada.
Most everyone expected this match up regardless if Shogun won or lost his fight with Coleman, so it’s not a big suprise that this was announced so quickly. I’m pretty confident saying that I think this fight will work in Chucks favor and get him a big win he so desperately needs. Shogun looked like shit last night, it could have been the 16-month layoff he’s had, mixed in with his knee surgeries, but the fact remains that if fights Chuck like he fought Coleman, he’s probably getting knocked out, and possibly removed from the UFC.
I’m expect this to be the co-main event of the event, Anderson Silva will defend his title against Thales Leites, and it just wouldn’t look right putting a 3 round non-title fight ahead of a championship bout, not to mention both Chuck and Shogun’s recent fights have been anything but impressive and I don’t think the fans want to see them headline a card. Here’s the current fight card for the event, Keith Jardine was expected to fight Luiz Cane, but will now fight Quinton Jackson at UFC 96. Cane’s opponent has yet to be named…
Location: Montreal, Canada
Venue: Bell Centre (Le Centre Bell)
Broadcast: Pay per view
- Chuck Liddell vs. Mauricio “Shogun” Rua
- Middleweight champ Anderson Silva vs. Thales Leites
- Luis Cane vs. TBA
- Ed Herman vs. David Loiseau
- Jonathan Goulet vs. TBA
Keith Jardine’s got another chance to shine.
January 18, 2009
Props: MMAMania
Quinton “Rampage” Jackson will headline UFC 96 at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, on March 7, but it won’t be against Rashad Evans for the light heavyweight crown as previously passed along right here at MMAmania.com.
Instead, the charismatic former 205-pound kingpin will challenge the very tough Keith Jardine, who himself was expected to face Luis Cane at UFC 97 in Montreal. It’s believed that Jackson earned a title shot against Rashad Evans after his big knockout win over Wanderlei Silva at UFC 92: “The Ultimate 2008? just last month; however, a deal could not be struck between both parties for the big money match.
Jardine’s had what can only be described as a “roller coaster career” while inside the UFC. Let’s break it down in the most simplistic way imaginable (excluding his fights with Schall, Whitehead, Bonnar, and Gouveia):
- Destroys Forrest Griffin at UFC 66 (considered a big upset)
- Gets KTFO by Houston Alexander at UFC 71
- Defeats Chuck Liddell via split decision at UFC 76 (considered a big upset)
- Gets KTFO by Wanderlei Silva at UFC 84
- Defeats Brandon Vera via split decision at UFC 89. (for me it was an upset)
Now, according to the way his past 5 fights have gone, it looks like he’s due for another upset win, and as quickly as people might write him off, I think that he stands a much better chance in defeating Rampage than most people think. The two things I think will determine the outcome of this bout are:
- Keith Jardine’s leg kicks
- Rampage’s ability or inability to check those kicks
Take in point the fact that Forrest Griffin destroyed Rampage’s front leg with well-timed chopping kicks in their fight at UFC 86, which could have directly contributed to Rampage’s inability to captialize in the later rounds. Keith Jardine is notorious for his hard ass kicks to the legs and midsection, he used them to TKO Kerry Schall, he used them to off-set Chuck Liddell, and you better believe he’s going to be getting the best of Rampage and pulling the upset if Jackson doesn’t learn how to properly defend a low kick.
Don’t get me wrong, Rampage could easily come out and connect one with one of his beautiful left or right hooks and put Jardine down before he gets in his groove and starts firing off, but I think Keith’s proved to be a very versatile and dangerous fighter, and I think that he’s going to have a serious advantage coming into the fight if Rampage doesn’t realize that he doesn’t check those goddam leg kicks. I really like this match up, I think it’s a great fight to have as the main event, and I think Jardine could definitely walk away the winner.
**Side Note**
If Jardine wins, are we going to see two of Greg Jackson’s fighters fighting for the UFC light heavyweight title? That’d be a pretty strange fight….but I’m sure both would be willing to do it regardless of their friendship.
UFC 93 results and post-event thoughts.
January 18, 2009
First off, I want to say that I didn’t purchase this on PPV, and as the main event ended, I felt I made the right choice. In my humble opinion, and with the exception of a few fights, I thought the event wasn’t that great and I’m extremely thankful that UFC 94 is only two weeks away, which will hopefully erase whatever sour taste this card may have left in some people’s mouths. After the jump, you’ll find some quick results, as well as my thoughts on the fights and where I think the fighters should go from here….
Marlon Sandro confirmed for Sengoku featherweight grand prix.
January 16, 2009
Tatame is writing that Marlon Sandro is confirmed for the Sengoku Featherweight GP. This is not surprising, as the King of Pancrase I was expecting him to compete.
The first Sengoku featherweight grand prix is expected to kick off at Sengoku 8, on March 20th, 2009. That’s a little over two months away, which means we should be hearing more about who else is going to compete in the next coming weeks. Marlon Sandro, if you don’t know, is the current featherweight King of Pancrase. He’s 12-0 as a professional, and has shown both the ability to KO opponents, as well as submit them. Most of his victories have come via decision, but don’t let that cover the fact that he’s one of the better 145lb fighters currently competing in MMA, I personally think he’ll be a big favorite to win the entire thing.
After getting heel-hooked, he gets his hair done.
January 16, 2009
Props: Suki MMA
It looks like the only thing that could cheer former PRIDE lightweight champion Takanori Gomi up after getting submitted by Satoru Kitaoki at Sengoku no Ran 2009 was a visit to his favorite salon. I guess he wanted to look like an emo kid, which I think he did rather well. I’m not one to judge, I’m a firm believer in living how you want to live, and if this makes him a better fighter, whatever….more power to you.
Roger Huerta might be getting the “Ortiz Farewell”.
January 16, 2009
Props: MMAWeekly
MMAInsider has learned from several sources close to former UFC lightweight champ Sean Sherk that a meeting with fellow Minnesotan Roger Huerta is possible for UFC 97 in Montreal, Canada.
The “Ortiz Farewell”, to those that can’t figure it out, is when you leave the UFC on a bad note with Dana White. He ends up getting in one last “F*** You!!” by throwing you into the octagon against a guy that you have very little chance in defeating. Tito’s last UFC opponent was the highly respected Lyoto Machida, who completely dominated Tito for the duration of the fight, with the exception of that one instance. It was a great fight to get Machida into the spotlight, considering Tito was a huge name with a huge following…
Now, Roger Huerta vs. Sean Sherk is a great fight regardless of the whole “Dana White hates Roger” thing. Huerta, regardless of his loss to Kenny Florian at UFC 87, is still widely considered to be one of the best lightweights in the organization. He’s got great well-rounded skills, he’s shown both serious striking skills and solid grappling skills. Sean Sherk, well….the guy’s a beast, great wrestler, great boxing (that we finally got to see when he fought Tyson Griffin), and exceptional cardio. He’s definitely in the running for another title shot, and with a victory over a big name like Huerta, it’d be hard to argue differently.
You see what happens when you decide to piss of the top guy in the organization you fight for? You end of fighting guys like Machida and Sherk before leaving, who will 99% of the time beat you down for 3 rounds and leave you feeling like you just got ass-raped. Huerta, I hope you made the right choice…
**SIDE NOTE AFTER THE JUMP**
Anthony Johnson on Matt Hughes: “He’s a dick”
January 14, 2009
Props: CagePotato
“I’ll fight anybody the UFC puts in front of me but I’d like to fight Matt Hughes one day. People say his level of fighting is better than mine because he has a lot of experience. I don’t care. He’s a dick. Hopeufully I’ll get a chance to knock him out like Thiago Alves did…
When I fought Tommy [Speer] he was weird. Me and my friends were walking out of the locker room and he walked by. I said what’s up to him and nodded my head and he kept walking like I was invisible. I thought ok, you’re like that. I’m friendly. You only have one life to live. But if he’s like that I know why Matt Serra wants to beat his ass…He wants to retire but he doesn’t need to retire until I beat his ass. After Matt Serra beats himI’ll retire him give him to me and . The HIT squad is great. Everything he does is great but I want to fight him because of that incident. Maybe he didn’t see me but I saw him look right at me. You want to be like that I’ll give you a reason not to want to look at me.”
If this doesn’t excite you, what the hell will?
January 14, 2009
What you’re about to see is without a doubt the greatest poster for any MMA event in the history of the sport. Fights like this come along once in a great while, and this poster perfectly sums up how badass it’s going to be….
HKM’s UFC 93 predictions
January 14, 2009
UFC 93 is this weekend, anyone with eyeballs can see that the main event is a light-heavyweight battle between former UFC middleweight champion Rich Franklin and former PRIDE welterweight and middleweight champion Dan Henderson. It’s a big fight for many reasons, but I don’t care to go into that and will instead simply give you my humble thoughts on who will win, which you can see after the jump.
