Sunday, March 6, 2011

Tim Kennedy wants to prove he is the number one contender


When you have a chance to fight a world championship and come up on the short end of it, you always have that bitter taste in your mouth, but not Strikeforce middleweight Tim Kennedy. Kennedy defeated Melvin Manhoef via submission at last night's at Strikeforce: Hendo vs Feijao event.


Kennedy who faced current Strikeforce Middleweight Champion Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza in August at the Strikeforce event in Houston and lost a very close decision says he is in no rush to fight for the title immediately and will fight the previous title challenger in Robbie Lawler.


Kennedy says, " Let me prove I'm the number one contender by fighting the number two guy in the entire world".


Strikeforce has a card in his home state of Texas on June 18th in Dallas and the card isn't finalized, so maybe we see that bout happen at that time.


You can listen to the entire backstage interview with Tim Kennedy at www.sportstownchicago.com/fightclub

Jorge Gurgel says his wife is the champion of the family

Jorge Gurgel who upped his record to 14-7 by defeating Billy Vaughan last night via submission (RNC) in 44 seconds at Strikeforce: Hendo vs Feijao, but he was more happy that his wife won her fight last night as well.

If you don't know who his wife, it is Bellator 115 lb Women's champion Zoila Frausto who defeated Karina Hallinana in a non-title bout.

Gurgel and Fruasto who had just married recently, but he was glowing when talking about her as they had both trained together before Zoila went off to California for final preparations.

Gurgel said, " I knew she was not going to lose and made my night complete when I found out that she won".

So, who is the better fighter in family?

"Zoila is the true champion of the family".

To listen to the backstage interview Jorge Gurgel, visit www.sportstownchicago.com/fightclub

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Strikeforce: Henderson vs Feijao Post-fight Press Conference Notes

Post-Fight Press Conference Notes


Scott Coker was a no-show at the post-fight press conference due to a continued according to Strikeforce officials.

The crowd announced by Strikeforce was 7,125 at the Nationwide Arena.

Jorge Gurgel said, "felt like it was an insult to be on the prelims but was glad to do in front of his hometown and his students and it is a one time thing".

Jorge Masvidal said he will fight at either 155 or 170 and doesn't care who he fights next, but would prefer KJ Noons.

Tim Kennedy said it he would like to fight Mayhem Miller or Robbie Lawler next, but was leaning towards Lawler as Kennedy thinks he's the number one middleweight in Strikeforce behind Jacare.

Liz Carmouche said she felt like she had Coenen in the 2nd but is a great champion and was glad to pass her finals while training for the fight.

Rafael Feijao said that he felt ok and will bounce back and learned a lot from this fight.

Dan Henderson said that 205 is his home and looks forward to the challenges that Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Division has a couple intriguing possibilities and looks forward to whoever Strikeforce puts in front of him.

Strikeforce: Hendo vs Feijao Main card

1) Jorge Masvidal vs Billy Evangelista

Round 1- Masvidal forcing the issue with some kicks and jabs to open the fight. Evangelista throwing a lot right jabs to begin the fight. Takedown by Masvidal but Evangelista able to pop up. Evangelista has Masvidal in the clinch and both fighters now in the middle of the cage. Takedown by Evangelista but Masvidal has him in a guillotine as Masvidal pushes himself up. With Evangelista throwing knees with Masvidal trying get hooks amd gets the fight back in the middle. Exchange of kicks by both guys as. the round ends Masvidal had a guillotine with a Muay-Thai knee to end the round. Round 1 to Evangelista with the takedown and more active

Round 2- Both guys exchange jabs to begin the roound and then exchange kicks. Masvidal gets Evangelista in the clinch with a couple knees. Evangleista tries to throw a kick by blocked by Masvidal and takes down Evagelista and short scramble and Evangelista gets back to his feet. Sprawl by Masvidal stuffs Evangelista's takedown attempt. Masvidal starting to control the tempo with his jabs. Masvidal takes down Evangelista but Evangelista gets right up. Masvidal with another takedown with Evanglista gets right back up. Masvidal really controlling the pace of the round with cage control as the round ends. Round 2 10-9 to Masvidal

Round 3- Round begins a combination by Evangelista. Masvidal throwing jabs and using good movement with his jab. Overhand right by masvidal staggers Evangelista but doesn't capitalize. Attempted takedown by Masvidal is denied and both fighters back standing as the crowd is booing. Masvidal controlling the fight with his jab. Evangelista sensing urgency starts throwing right hooks and knee attempts and both fighters ended in the clinch to end the fight.
Round 3 to Masvidal as I have the fight 29-28 Masvidal. The judges score it 30-27 Jorge Masvidal

2) Tim Kennedy vs Melvin Manhoef

Round 1- Manhoef was starting to strike early and was stuffing Kennedey's takedowns early but it was too much for Manhoef as he eventually tapped out.

Winner- Tim Kennedy def Melvin Manhoef via submission (RNC) 3:41 of Round 2

3) Marloes Coenen vs Liz Carmouche

Round 1- The round was basically all standing Coenen did dominate with the standup as she won the round 10-9

Round 2- Both fighters echanged some standup early in the round as then carmouche took Coenen down for the remainder of the round with good ground control and punches. 10-9 Carmouche

Round 3- Fighters exchanged a little bit with Carmouche in the clinch and Coenen reversed but really didnt do anything with it. Carmouche then takes Coenen down and landing punches to the side of the head and Coenen keeps trying to put her legs up for a triangle to no avail. Hammerfists by Carmouche as all Coenen can do is try to block the shots. 10-9 Carmouche

Round 4- Coenen starts with round with an inside leg kick and then takes down Carmouche as Carmouche tries a triangle. Coenen lets Carmouche up. Carmouche then takes down Coenen a minute into the 4th and as Carmouche left her arm open, Coenen locks in a triangle choke as Carmouche taps out.

Winner- Marloes Coenen def Liz Carmouche via submission (triangle choke) 1:29 of Round 4 to retain Strikeforce Women's Welterweight Title

4) Dan Henderson vs Rafael "Feijao" Cavalcante

Round 1- Feijao starts the fight an overhand right to begin the fight knockdown Henderson as Feijao comes at Henderson and he flips over. The rest of the round the fighters lay and prayed on him for the rest of the round. 10-9 Feijao

Round 2- Round begins with both fighters standing in the pockets as henderson hits feijao with an overhand right and then moments later Feijao goes for the takedown but Henderson stuffs and Henderson gets a takedown of his own. Henderson is jaust laying on Feijao with the crowed booing and the referee finally stands them up. Superman punch and a combination by Henderson as he presses Feijao against the cage and scores a takedown to end the round. 10-9 Henderson

Round 3- Vicious right outside leg kick by feijao to begin the round. As both guys were gauging what to do, Henderson lands an overhand right that floors Feijao who falls flat on his face and a couple punches by Henderson and the referee halts the fight.

Winner- Dan Henderson def Rafael "Feijao" Cavalcante via KO (0:50) in Round 3 to win the Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Title

Strikeforce Prelims

1) JP Felty vs John Kuhner



Round 1- Both fights looked very tentative to begin the opening stanza as bth guys were very tentative throughout the whole round and lay and prayed by Felty. Give felty the 1st, 10-9



Round 2- Kuhner opens the round with a tajedown and locks in a RNC but Felty gets in a fiull mount and ground and pounds Felty and Felty kept giving up his back and Kuhner is pounding him mercifally with punches and with 1:47 Kuhner attempted anohter RNC and only to transition into a full mount. Kuhner then gives up his back and locked in a triangle choke and Felty tapped out.



Winner- John Kuhner def JP Felty via submission (traingle choke) 4:31 in Round 2



2) Marc Cofer vs Mitch Whitesel



Round 1- Whitesel starts off with a couple jabs and left inside leg kicks and Cofer pushes Whitesel into the cage and after about 30 seconds in the clinch they are in the middle of the cage. Cofer forces Whitesel into the cage as Whitesel does a heel-trip takedown snd the Cofer gets on both knees as Whitesel locks in a front guillotine as Cofer taps out.



Winner- Mitch Whitesel def Marc Cofer via submission ( gulliotine choke) 3:55 of Round 1



3) Brian Rodgers vs Ian Rammel



Round 1- Straight right hand by Rodgers staggers Rammel and another straight right hand by Rodgers and a couple knees knocks down Rammel. Rammel throws a right inside leg kick and Rodgers floors him with an overhand right to knock down Rammel but lets Rammel up. Lots of circling by both fighters as Rammel hit Rodgers with a clean right. Then a left hook knocks down Rammel and Rodgers ground and pounds him and then threw some hammer fights and the referee finally calls an end to the bout.



Winner- Brian Rodgers def Ian Rammel via TKO (punches) 4:23 of Round 1



4) Jason Riley vs Jason Freeman



Round 1- Both fighters open up the bout each with leg kicks. Combination by Freeman staggers Riley who then threw an overhand right to knock down Freeman and Freeman gets back and hits Riley and Freeman knocks down Riley and starts landing a flurry of hammerfists and the referee halts the bout

Winner- Jason freeman def Jason Riley via TKO (punches) 1:52 of Round 1

5) Jorge Gurgel vs Billy Vaughan

Round 1- Attempted leg kick by Gurgel caught by Vaughan but Gurgel locks in a guillotine and then tightens the grip and drops to the ground to secure the submission victory as Vaughan taps out.

Winner- Jorge Gurgel def Billy Vaughan via submission (guillotine choke) 0:44 of Round 1

6) Roger Bowling vs Josh Thornburg coming up next

Round 1- Bowling has dominated the whole round his strikeing and somehow Thornburg has been surviving and with 0:35 left Bowling attempted a guillotine choke and Thornburg survived the round.

Round 1 - 10-8 Bowling

Round 2- Bowling begins the round with a takedown and trying to work his guard and trying for d'arce choke but unsuccessful. Thronburg is able to momentarily get it into a closed guard and can see blood coming down from Thornburg's forehead. The referee stands them up with about 1:25 left. They exchange shots, but Thronburg's have a little impact as Bowling is starting to get tired. Heel-trip takedown by Thronburg is then reversed by Bowling as Thronburg has a closed guard to end the round. Give round 2 to Bowling 10-9

Round 3- Exchange of kicks by both fighters to open the final round. A takedown by Thronburg with another reversal by Bowling as he has side control as he tries to transition into full guard but Thornburg has him in a closed guard. Bowling was able to get it back side control but Thornburg got it back the closed guard. lack of action by both fighters as the crowd gets restless and starts booing but the referee stands them up. Bowling throws a left high kick and Bowling takes Thornburg down but Thronburg locks in a guillotine in the final 25 seconds but Bowling survives the round. Round 3 to Bowling

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Why Michael Bisping Should be Fired by the UFC

When you look at Mike Tyson and Michael Bisping, they are two polar opposites you would think. One became the youngest heavyweight champion in the world in the sport of boxing and the other one hasn't fully lived up to his potential in the world of MMA. But, when you really look at it, mentally you could make the arguement they are very much alike.

Mike Tyson fought Evander Holyfield in a rematch for the WBA heavyweight title on June 28, 1997 in Las vegas at the MGM Grand and a lot of hype was going into that fight. Would Tyson prove the loss was a fluke and move onto face Lennox Lewis and regain his claim as the baddest man on the planet or would Holyfield define father time and prove it was no fluke. Well, in the 3rd a frustrated Tyson went and bit Holyfield's ear and the fight was allowed to continue, but a few moments Tyson went and did it again and a brawl broke out and the fight was stopped.

Tyson got fined $3 million dollars and his license got revoked for 1 year by the NSAC for his action on that June. Our view of Tyson was never the same after the bout and he got a punishment he deserved.

Fast forward to last night as Michael Bisping faced Jorge Rivera at UFC 127 at the Acer Arena in Sydney, Australia in the co-main event. It was quite arguably the most anticpated bout of the evening as Rivera had made videos prior to the fight making fun of Bisping in every aspect.

The fighters weighed-in on Friday and when watching UFC President Dana White's video blog, you can blatently hear Bisping making homophobic slurs toward Rivera. Strike 1 was right there.

Then, we get to last night as both fighters didn't touch gloves to begin the bout. With 2:15 left in the first as Bisping was landing some really good strikes and Rivera was on both knees and Bisping kneed Rivera right to the forehead. In the UFC, that is illegal and the thing about is that Bisping waited a second and then kneed Rivera and pushed his head forward after that before referee Mark Goddard stepped in. And, as Bisping was walking to his corner, he went and gave the middle finger to Rivera's corner. Strike 2.

The fight did continue and Bisping ended winning the fight via TKO due to punches. As Goddard ended the fight, Bisping walked over to the corner of Rivera and spit right at them and then walked over to Rivera and called him a loser. Strike 3

I have no problem with guys being amped up and excited after a big win especially with the heat between these 2 heading into the bout last night. Homophobic slurs are uncalled for, regardless of the sport. Its deragotory and uncalled for and its a shame that the UFC and Dana White didn't out a stop to that after weigh-ins on Friday.

I truely think that if UFC officials would have stepped in and said something to Bisping, then what happened last night does not happen. Regardless of what Bisping tried to tell MMAFighting.com's Ariel Helwani afterwards that it was unintentional. That is one of the biggest lies I have ever heard. If it was unintentional it would have been done right when Rivera got to both knees, not wait a second, look right at him and then knee Rivera in the forehead with a push to the head to boot with a snicker and a middle finger to Rivera's corner.

Then, saying he spit at the ground and not at the corner of Rivera's, when the camera shows Bisping spitting right at Rivera's corner as you can see the reaction from them when it happened.

What a Michael Bisping did the last two days was a lot worse than what Paul Daley did to Josh Koscheck and he got fired for it. The UFC and Dana White just can't give Bisping a slap on the wrist here. It shouldn't matter that he put MMA on the map in the UK. The UFC can only do one thing and that's to the put "The Count" out of the UFC.