My Favorite UFC Welterweight Of All Time

If you had to pick one of your most favorite UFC welterweight fighters of all time who would it be? My all time favorite is none other than Matt Hughes who happens to be a 9 time UFC Welterweight Champion and UFC Hall of Famer.

It’s hard to believe that it has been two years since mma legend Matt Hughes, had retired from active mma competition. I consider Matt a pioneer in the welterweight division. I know probably many of you would say how can i overlook Georges St Pierre? GSP was a great champion in all. But I really respect Matt in and out the Octagon a lot. So of course I head over to youtube to watch some throwbacks of Matt inside the Octagon. I started to wonder if Matt had one more fight left in him. So i ran across an interview Matt did with German outlet Groundandpound.de. Here is the kicker according to Matt Hughes, a return to the UFC would only require one little thing:

“For Dana White to say ‘come back’. That’s all it would take, a phone call from Dana and I would be back! I’m a little old, I’m 41 years old and I’d have to be careful with my opponent, but I’m still a competitor and I’d love to get in there.”

Although Hughes wants to choose his opponent for a potential UFC return carefully, he quickly named one right away:

“Matt Serra and I had a good match this last time and we’ve got our differences. So he’s been asking for a rematch forever and I’d give it to him if he wanted to.”

I actually watched that fight on UFC fight pass where Matt Hughes beat Serra via decision six years ago at UFC 98 in what turned out to be Fight of the Night performance. Can you imagine such a rematch between both of them? That would surely attract quite a few of viewers if you ask me it could be one of those great comeback fights. If you look at how well Bellator did ratings wise with Tito Ortiz and Stephan Bonnar? Now you have Ken Shamrock versus Kimbo Slice so I wonder if this becoming a popular trend? In case you are Matt Hughes fan here are some pretty cool most recent interviews with Matt Hughes.

MMA Legend Matt Hughes interview on the snp show mma radio

fast forward to around the 34:00 minute mark to here his interview.

Episode 41: MMA Legend Matt Hughes

Matt Hughes why he is against TRT sherdog interview.

http://www.sherdog.com/videos/videointerview/Matt-Hughes-Why-Im-Against-TRT-6001

Who is your favorite welterweight of all time?

World Series Of Fighting 19

According to MMAjunkie.com, the Lucas Montoya vs. Raymond Pina lightweight preliminary bout has been pulled from WSOF 19, due to a Pina injury. WSOF 19 takes place March 28 at Phoenix’s Comerica Theatre with the following card…

MAIN CARD (NBCSN, 9 p.m. ET)
Champ Justin Gaethje vs. Luis Palomino for the WSOF lightweight title
Matt Hamill vs. Thiago Silva in the opening round of the WSOF light heavyweight tourney
Jake Heun vs. Teddy Holder in a light heavyweight tourney reserve bout
Timur Valiev vs. Ed West

Preliminary card (Online, 6 p.m. ET):
Eddie Arizmendi vs. Clifford Starks
Benny Madrid vs. Jimmy Spicuzza
Joseph Gigliotti vs. Brendan Tierney
Juan Archuleta vs. Andres Ponce
Israel Aquino vs. Dan Huber
Matthew Frincu vs. Eric Regen
Joe Madrid vs. Erik Villalobos

Many are saying that this is Justin Gaethje toughest test to date when he faces off against Luis Palomino. Check out the champs latest interview before his big fight.

Conor McGregor steals Jose Aldo’s belt

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) featherweight No. 1 contender Conor McGregor believes his UFC 189 pay-per-view (PPV) headliner against reigning division champion Jose Aldo is merely a formality, and that the Brazilian is simply keeping it warm until July.

…and it’s only stop number three of the #UFCWorldTour 😳 #UFC189 tickets on-sale this Friday

A video posted by ufc (@ufc) on Mar 24, 2015 at 5:00pm PDT

And if you are one of the many mixed martial arts (MMA) fans who buried “Bones” for signing his name “UFC light heavyweight champion” before he even fought Mauricio Rua at UFC 128, then don’t you dare high-five your broskis over the mind games of “Notorious.”A video posted by ufc (@ufc) on Mar 24, 2015 at 5:00pm PDT

https://instagram.com/p/0oTm8kJJa_/embed/?v=4

McGregor was in “The City of Angels” on Tuesday as part of the promotion’s “World Tour,” which focuses on their epic 145-pound showdown this summer in Las Vegas, Nevada. Aldo has been king of the featherweight castle since UFC merged with WEC, while the Irish import has gone 5-0 with four finishes since his 2013 debut.

For more on UFC 189 click here.

LION FIGHT 22: KEM vs. SMOKIN’ JO

(Press Release) LAS VEGAS – Lion Fight Promotions CEO Scott Kent today announced that Thai superstar and World Muay Thai Champion Kem Sitsongpeenong is coming to the United States, for the first time ever, to headline LION FIGHT 22. Kem will face “Smokin’ Jo” Nattawut, an explosive, highly technical fighter who won admiration from fight fans for his aggressive style and dominant back-to-back wins in the Lion Fight ring. BUD LIGHT® presents LION FIGHT 22: KEM vs. SMOKIN’ JO  live from Sunset Station in Las Vegas Friday, May 22.

 

Tickets for LION FIGHT 22: KEM vs. SMOKIN’ JO go on sale starting at $45 Tuesday, March 24 at 10 a.m. PT through Ticketmaster.com. Tickets are also available online at sclv.com, or any Station Casino or Fiesta Property (additional fees may apply). Doors open at 4:30 p.m. First bout is at 5 p.m.

AXS TV’s “Inside MMA” was the first to report that Kem signed on for the world title fight vs. Smokin’ Jo, and that Bud Light is the presenting sponsor for Lion Fight’s debut event at Sunset Station in Las Vegas.

“We are excited to bring Kem to the U.S. for the first time and to give fight fans an extraordinary world super welterweight title fight between this Thai legend and the rising star Smokin’ Jo,” said Kent. “Kem literally has more championship belts than he can carry, and Smokin’ Jo wants nothing more than to keep him from winning another. On May 22, we are back in ‘Fight Town’ for LION FIGHT 22 live at Sunset Station with another stacked Muay Thai card.”

“Sunset Station is very excited to bring a world class organization like Lion Fight to our outdoor amphitheater,” said Bryan Lindsey, Sunset Station General Manager. “Our VIP guests from all over the United States will be flying in to catch the action ringside!”

 

LION FIGHT 22: KEM vs. SMOKIN’ JO airs live on AXS TV starting at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. The broadcast will feature play-by-play and color commentary by UFC Hall of Famer Pat Miletich alongside renowned sports commentator Michael “The Voice” Schiavello.

Kem, 30, started fighting in Thailand at the age of 13. A native of Bangkok, he has over 124 wins to his name. In 2007, Kem began racking up titles, and according to documented records, owns an astonishing 12 championship belts, including one from the WBC and MTA, three from the WMC, and the 2007 Rajadamnern Stadium Super Featherweight belt. With over 50 fights on record, Smokin’ Jo fights out of Bankok Gym in Atlanta. He stormed onto the America Muay Thai scene last year tearing through his first two opponents. He shocked fans with a strong victory over World Muay Thai Champion Cosmo Alexandre and easily defeated Sean Kearney even after accepting the fight on 24 hours notice.

Kent also announced Tiffany “Timebomb” Van Soest vs. Bernise Alldis as LION FIGHT 22’s co-main event.

Van Soest, former Lion Fight featherweight champion, is one of the biggest female stars in the sport. Fighting out of the famed Blackhouse Gym, home of UFC greats Anderson Silva, Lyoto Machida and the Nogueira brothers, she is among the most feared opponents in full rules Muay Thai. Alldis, fighting out of the United Kingdom, is an aggressive, supremely skilled opponent who holds a rare victory over Muay Thai icon Julie Kitchen. She has taken on and beat top female fighters around the world including Moroccan, Amel Dehby and Dutch kickboxer Maria Verheijen.

Also on the live televised main card are Las Vegas locals Jason Andrada and Anthony Castrejon in a featherweight (122 lbs.) bout. Knockout artist Gaston Bolanos takes on skilled opponent Damien Early in a welterweight (142 lbs.) fight, and Las Vegas local Tom Morales faces Brian Del Rosario from Van Nuys, Calif. in another action-packed welterweight (147 lbs.) matchup.

KEM SITSONGPEENONG vs. ‘SMOKIN’ JO NATTAWUT

FOR THE WORLD SUPER WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

CO-MAIN EVENT: TIFFANY VAN SOEST vs. BERNISE ALLDIS

The ladies will kick off the first televised fight of the night live on AXS TV. Las Vegas local Christine Ferea will take on Laura Salazar from Rosemead, Calif. for a featherweight (125 lbs.) show opener.

The all-amateur undercard also is packed with locals; the line-up is as follows:

Middleweight Bout (160 lbs.)

Kawika Lagasca (Las Vegas, NV) vs. Miles Mansell (Phoenix, AZ)

Middleweight Bout (155 lbs.)

Christian Cardona (Las Vegas, NV) vs. Justin Bondar (La Puente, CA)

Flyweight Bout (110 lbs.)

Fanny Tommasino (Las Vegas, NV) vs. Star Monroe (Vallejo, CA)

Middleweight Bout (155 lbs.)

Zhenya Chuprina (Las Vegas, NV) vs. Gary Koehler (Phoenix, AZ)

Lightweight Bout (13 lbs.)

Jack Terzian (Van Nuys, CA) vs. Alfredo Figueroa (Irvine,CA)

**All bouts live and subject to change**

Brock Lesnar No Longer UFC Bound

LOS ANGELES — Former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar ruled out a return to mixed martial arts on Tuesday, ending three years of speculation about the biggest pay-per-view star in the sport’s history.

Lesnar announced he had re-signed with the WWE in an interview on ESPN’s “SportsCenter.”

Moments after his announcement, Lesnar told The Associated Press he was in training for a UFC return as recently as last week, though he had developed conflicted feelings about it over the previous month.

They finally decided to stick with specialized wrestling only in the past 2 days, signing his new three-year deal with the WWE about Monday night when the campaign increased its financial present.

“The fighter in me wants to continue, but at this stage in my life, it ain’t just about me anymore,” Lesnar told The AP. “You put your pride to the side. You hug your wife and your kids. I’m a 37-year-old man, and some days I feel like I’m 80, just with all the things I’ve experienced, all the things I’ve done. I feel fortunate about it. It’s like, what else can I do? Why go backward?”

Up to two years after Lesnar first started out working on an MMA return, he decided his long health was more important when compared with his hunger to return to cut-throat sports.
The UFC did not allow Lesnar to shut typically the octagon door easily: Lesnar said he turned down an offer worth “10 times” precisely what he was making earlier in the MMA career.
UFC Chairman Lorenzo Fertitta even attempted to increase the temptation when Lesnar phoned Fertitta and UFC President Dana White to tell them his decision while driving into the parking garage at ESPN’s downtown Los Angeles studios.

Though the UFC doesn’t disclose the financial results of its pay-per-view shows, White has said Lesnar is the biggest PPV draw in MMA history.

“Lorenzo said to me, ‘Can we sharpen our pencil? Can we double it’“ Lesnar said. “I said, ‘It’s not about that. I’m calling you to tell you where my heart is, and it’s not about the money.’

“And then in the back of my mind, I’m thinking, ‘Well, yeah, it is about the money, but I don’t have to beat myself up for it.’ To prepare for another MMA fight, we’re talking 16, 18 weeks of pure hell, and then the cage door shuts and it’s on.”

Lesnar lost his title seat belt to Cain Velasquez throughout October 2010, and had key surgery several months later to take out a 12-inch section of the colon damaged by diverticulitis. He hasn’t fought from the UFC since December right before christmas, when he lost to Alistair Overeem.

Persistent health problems adjacent his diverticulitis forced typically the 6-foot-3 Lesnar to take the latest perspective on his athletic invulnerability. The hulking NCAA safe bet wrestler who nearly built the Minnesota Vikings’ roster out of his first FOOTBALL training camp despite zero real football experience was required to re-evaluate his own mortality along with ability.

“When you’re sick for two or three years and you don’t know what’s going on, all of a sudden I went from the baddest man on the planet, to vulnerable,” Lesnar said. “It’s reality. My whole life I’ve been this superhuman freak that just kills people, a savage beast. I wasn’t that guy anymore. … Of course my confidence was totally jaded on my last three fights. Whose wouldn’t be? Is Anderson Silva the same guy he was (after breaking his leg)?

“I’ve been a barbarian my whole life. I’m just a smarter barbarian now. Evolution, you know?”

But Lesnar still gathered his fight camp at his home in Minnesota in recent months to prepare for a big-money UFC return. He said his training has been going splendidly, with his coaches “absolutely amazed” by his progress.

Still doubt kept clawing with Lesnar’s mind. He had some sort of sleepless night a month in the past, when he began talking audibly to himself about a go back. He booked his own priced to Los Angeles last month to go to the UFC 184 credit highlighted by Ronda Rousey’s latest dramatic victory, in hopes the energy and atmosphere of any big-time title fight would likely rekindle his fire.

“I tried to picture myself coming down to the cage, and it was like a bad dream,” Lesnar said. “It just wasn’t right. It didn’t feel right.”

Lesnar realizes his athletic old age is cushioned by the busy schedule with the WWE, and still gets a way of measuring competitive thrill from expert wrestling’s scripted results. They also will have more time to expend with his wife and a few children, and Lesnar would seem confident he can thrive with out MMA.

“I’m riding the caboose of my sports career,” Lesnar said, waving his hand in the air. “I just barely caught this thing. I’ll see you the next time.”

10 Great Sites for UFC and MMA News

1. MMA Fighting

MMA Fighting has great articles and content with exclusive interviews alongside MMA reporter of the year Ariel Helwani. This is one of the best UFC/MMA sites around and should be checked out for their video interviews with fighters.

2. Sherdog

Sherdog has great, insightful writers who give great coverage of all the fights and fighters in MMA. They feature great preview on UFC’s biggest PPVs and have live analysis after every round. Check out their post fighter reports and tally of all the strikes and takedowns by each fighter including fight of the night bonuses and other KO bonuses.

3. MMA Junkie

MMA Junkie has a clean and easy to navigate layout that has radio podcasts on MMA headlines as well as fight videos, live events, fighter rankings and forums for MMA fans to discuss their favorite fighters and judges decisions.

4. SB Nation Bloody Elbow

Bloody Elbow is always on top of their game providing you with up to date MMA news and MMA interviews. Their MMA blog can be argued that it’s one of the best in the purest sense. They are usually one of the first to break news stories. They are not afraid to report on rumors neither.

5. ESPN MMA

ESPN gives the same great coverage of MMA you always get from other major sports covered by ESPN. With great analysis and exclusive award winning ESPN content you have profiles and fight records from thousands of fighters who’ve fought professionally.

6. UFC

UFC.com is your source for full UFC fight cards, tickets to the live PPVs, UFC bios, list of champions and so much more. See which fights you can watch for free by going to UFC and seeing the free streams on Facebook and YouTube.

7. MMA News

MMA News  has unique coverage of Bellator and WSOF Pay Per View events alongside their UFC forums and ranking of the top fighters in each weight class from the top promotions around the world.

8. MMA Weekly

MMA Weekly is one of the biggest MMA news websites around and has been in business for over a decade. They feature MMA news, UFC headlines and events along with an MMA blog that gathers the latest rumors and recaps of the fights in MMA promotions in the Pacific.

9. Top MMA News

Top MMA News has you covered for MMA events around with world. They feature exclusive content on Canadians fighters and videos along with MMA podcasts and a photo gallery of the biggest names in MMA like Anderson Silva, GSP, and Renan Barao.

10. The SnP Show

The SNP SHOW MMA Radio is a little different. I list them because of the quality of MMA guest they feature on their MMA radio show, along with providing MMA news, and MMA debates on the air. They do have MMA news on their website featuring different MMA promotions.

What are your favorite MMA sites?

World MMA Awards 2015

The 2015 World MMA Awards took place at The Venetian Theatre at The Venetian in Las Vegas.  At the MMA awards it features MMA’s leading athletes, executives and personalities will once again be joined by a whole host of celebrity fans and iconic sports stars to celebrate the greatest moments and achievements in mixed martial arts from 2014. With a couple of weeks still to run, 2014 has been known as the ‘Year of the Upset’ in MMA with underdog success stories running strongly throughout the year. And along with our favorite highlight reel finishes. Lets give a great big congrats to all the winners.

Charles ‘Mask’ Lewis Fighter of the Year
Robbie Lawler

Female Fighter of the Year
Ronda Rousey

Breakthrough Fighter of the Year
Kelvin Gastelum

International Fighter of the Year
Conor McGregor

Fight of the Year
José Aldo vs. Chad Mendes II (UFC 179)

Knockout of the Year
Mark Hunt vs. Roy Nelson (UFC Fight Night 52)

Submission of the Year
Ben Saunders vs. Chris Heatherly (UFC Fight Night 49)

Comeback of the Year
Dominick Cruz (career)

Upset of the Year – New Award
TJ Dillashaw vs. Renan Barao (UFC 173)

Shawn Tompkins Coach of the Year
Duane Ludwig

Gym of the Year
Team Alpha Male

Trainer of the Year
Mike Dolce

Referee of the Year
Herb Dean

Ringcard Girl of the Year
Arianny Celeste

Leading Man of the Year
Dana White

Personality of the Year
Joe Rogan

Best Promotion
Ultimate Fighting Championship

Best Lifestyle Clothing Brand
Bad Boy

Best Technical Clothing Brand
Venum

Best Technical Equipment
Everlast

MMA Media Source of the Year
MMA Junkie

MMA Journalist of the Year
Ariel Helwani

Lifetime Achievement Award: Burt Watson

 

 

Cris Cyborg vs Charmaine Tweet

Cris Cyborg is set to defend her featherweight title against Charmaine “Not So Sweet” Tweet Feb 27th in the same city and weekend as her rival Ronda Rousey, now if that isn’t ironic.

So could there be truth about the UFC reopening talks with Cris Cyborg  afterall?

While Invicta has not released the rest of the card yet, that will be announced in the coming days, Invicta FC 11 will take place at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. UFC 184 is set to go down the following night at the Staples Center with the very anticipated co-main event between Ronda Rousey vs Cat Zingano.

Tweet has won her last 5 of 6 fights and is on a mission to get the featherweight title. Cyborg has not been in the cage since July of 2013 when she won Invicta’s inaugural featherweight belt against Marloes Coenen.

Cyborg was scheduled to make her bantamweight debut in December which would have set up a possible fight with Ronda Rousey but had to pull out due to an ankle injury and later announced she has ditched efforts to make 135lbs.

Last week Lorenzo Feritta mentioned on ESPN Zuffa has reopened talks for the last two weeks with Justino’s reps to possibly strike a deal which would keep her signed to Invicta, allowing both sides the flexibility to book a potential fight with Ronda Rousey. However, Cyborg would have to make bantamweight without a doubt.

 

Bas Rutten MMA Legend

Sebastiaan “Bas” Rutten is a Dutch retired mixed martial artist (MMA), Karate and Taekwondo blackbelt, along with being an accomplished Muay Thai kickboxer. The MMA legend was a UFC Heavyweight Champion, a three-time King of Pancrase world champion, and finished his career on a 22 fight unbeaten streak that consisted of 21 wins and 1 draw. Bas is currently a co host the highly acclaimed Inside MMA on AXS.TV along with being  the star of Punk Payback on Fuel TV.

As a professional fighter, one of his favorite tactics was the liver shot both punch and kick, and he popularized its use in MMA.Rutten is known for his charisma and has capitalized on his celebrity status since retiring from fighting in 1999. He has worked as a color commentator in several MMA organizations, including World Series Of Fighting , Pride, and has appeared in numerous television shows, movies, and video games. He also coaches MMA at his gym Bas Rutten Elite MMA Gym. At his gym which is located in California is open to men and women of all ages and skill levels to learn about and participate in numerous of skills sets such as Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ), MMA training and practice, Muay Thai, boxing, kickboxing, and other activities. On the net Bas has authored several instructional MMA videos.

Check out some of the latest videos that features The MMA Legend Bas Rutten.

 

Roma Pawelek

While browsing across babes of mma website which there is plenty of serious women who knows how to kick ass in MMA. I ran across the very beautiful Roma Pawelek. There was something about her look that made me want to find out more about her.

Roma “Panther” Pawelek made her Tuff N Uff debut following racking up a 5-0 amatuer MMA record. All of Roma’s fights were concluded in the first round, with one DQ exception. Roma projects to carry on her MMA career undefeated and at some point make it to the Invicta stage when she makes the professional jump. I read that Roma was fighting for the women’s flyweight title at Tuff N Uff mid last year in 2014.
So i decided to check out her Tuff N Uff fight which you can see below
From browsing the net and watching her previous fights I can tell that Roma puts on a really good show everytime she fights.
Granted her last fight did not pan out in her favor and I will admit that her last opponent  Aspen is a brillant fighter. So i kept digging and looking for more interviews and I ran across one of her last interviews.

You got involved in boxing first, What made you first decide to begin MMA in 2010?

When I started boxing in college, I founded a Fight Club so that I could gather more training partners. One of the members had a strong grappling background and he started to teach jiu jitsu half of the days. I really liked the ground game. In fact, it suited me better than standup. When I finally joined a fight gym when I moved to Montana in 2010 I wanted to combine everything I’ve learned and try MMA.

You were involved in a lot of male activites when you were younger i.e football, basketball and boyscouts. Do you think all of that has helped you now vs the female sports and activities?

This was a great interview and you can read the rest of the article here on MMA Core:

Roma The Panther Pawelek is an assassin in the cage and takes great pride of her physique I am personally looking forward to her return inside the cage a very talented WMMA fighter.