On the UFC on Fox 3 undercard, John Dodson beat Tim Elliott in a back-and-forth decision so wild that I can't quite articulate what is going on here. Nonetheless ... what the heck is going on here?
(Tracy Lee)Follow Cagewriter on Facebook and Twitter for more during the fights.
Before we talk about the fights, let's take a second to listen to some Beastie Boys. Adam "MCA" Yauch died today after a battle with cancer, but left a legacy of great music. Enjoy one of my favorites above.
And yes, we have plenty of fights to talk about. Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chander is fighting for the first time since his memorable win over Eddie Alvarez. He will take on Akihiro Gono in a non-title bout. Bryan Baker will fight Ben Saunders in a welterweight tournament semifinal.
On "The Ultimate Fighter," the opening round will finish out with Team Faber's Andy Ogle taking on Team Cruz's Mike Rio.
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Read More »from Friday night talkback thread: Michael Chandler’s Bellator bout and final opening round on TUF
(Combat Lifestyle)
Jim Miller made weight in front of his home crowd at the Izod Center in Newark, just a half hour from where he trains. His opponent, Nate Diaz, also made weight to make their five-round fight on Saturday official.
The rest of the weigh-ins were uneventful. Danny Castillo sported the best outfit, coming to the stage in what appeared to be a suit and tie, but tore off like track pants. John Dodson's socks were the best accessory. John Lineker came in a pound heavy for his flyweight bout with Louis Gaudinot, and will hand over $1,200 to Gaudinot.
Complete weigh-in results from our friends at MMA Junkie:
MAIN CARD (FOX)
Nate Diaz (156) vs. Jim Miller (156)
Johny Hendricks (170.5) vs. Josh Koscheck (170.5)
Alan Belcher (186) vs. Rousimar Palhares (186)
Pat Barry (244) vs. Lavar Johnson (253)
PRELIMINARY CARD (FUEL TV)
Tony Ferguson (154.5) vs. Michael Johnson (156)
John Dodson (126) vs. Tim Elliott (125)
John Hathaway (169) vs. Pascal Krauss (169)
Louis Gaudinot (126) vs. John Lineker (127)
Danny Castillo (155) vs. John Cholish (155.5)
Dennis Bermudez (145.5) vs. Pablo Garza (145)
PRELIMINARY CARD (Facebook)
Roland Delorme (135) vs. Nick Denis (135)
Mike Massenzio (184) vs. Karlos Vemola (185)
Watch this video of a Paralympian's journey to the Games. It's worth the minute you'll spend on it.
The concept in and of itself is incredible. Starring Canadian Paralympian Alister McQueen, the ad shows how a Paralympian truly exemplifies the word "unstoppable." Though it is not McQueen's story, it shows everything a Paralympian can go through on the way to the Games, and how that struggle is ever-present through training.
Knowing the backstory behind the ad makes it even more incredible. It was done in one, continuous take, with no special effects. McQueen was actually running through every wheelchair, crashed car and smoke that was in his way.
Read More »from Canadian Paralympics ad shows journey to the Games (VIDEO)
In happier times (Getty)Lately, Quinton Jackson has been complaining about how he doesn't want to be in the UFC any more, and it appears the feeling is mutual from the UFC. They have become the couple that everyone knows should break up. Inexplicably, they stay together and annoy everyone around them. It's time to break this down, women's magazine style.
Cagewriter asks, can this relationship be saved?
"After I leave the UFC, I'm done with them! ... The UFC's just throwing me all these boring fighters, these game planners, these wrestlers. I'm the type of fighter who you should match up with people who want to fight excitingly. You know what I'm saying? Cuz I'm gonna be the type of fighter who puts butts in seats."
UFC president Dana White says:
"I'll have a conversation with 'Rampage' and think we're cool, and then I'll read other stuff," he said. "We've been good to everybody we've ever dealt with. We've never screwed anybody over, including 'Rampage.' And you want to talk about a guy that we went to bat for — we've gone to bat for him many times. I feel like [expletive] (Derek) Jeter when it comes to 'Rampage.' If he's unhappy with us, doesn't like us and doesn't want to be with us anymore, then the feeling is mutual."
Cagewriter responds, NO. This relationship cannot be saved. Jackson is miserable and will not be quiet until he is free from the UFC, so UFC? Let him go. Give him a quick fight to finish out his contract, or just cut him. White says both sides don't want to work with each other any more. Why prolong the agony?
Not all (business) relationships are built to last. Tear this one down.
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Read More »from Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson and the UFC: Can this relationship be saved?In January, Pat Barry was facing a three-fight losing streak, something that usually means a pink slip in the UFC. After Barry was stopped by Cheick Kongo and Stefan Struve, he needed a win. He did just that with a first-round knockout of Christian Morecraft.
Will he find the same magic against Lavar Johnson this Saturday at UFC on Fox 3? Tell us in the comments, on Facebook or on Twitter.
Do you want to see what UFC on Fox 3's Josh Koscheck looks like sitting on a tractor? Obviously, yes.
(Twitter)
Sure, Koscheck has talked about his fancy home and fast cars while on "UFC Insider," but he seems at home right here, too. We'll see Saturday if his game is as diverse as his love of vehicles! OK, that was a reach. Sorry about that.
Read More »from Josh Koscheck on a tractor (PHOTO)
Hendricks prepares for Saturday's bout. (Getty)UFC returns to network television for the third time on Saturday with four bouts on Fox and six on Fuel TV. What questions will be answered when the fights are over?
1. Is Johny Hendricks ready for the big time? Since losing to Rick Story in 2010, Hendricks has been on a tear. He won three straight fights, including a 12-second knockout of Jon Fitch. His last test before being promised a title shot is Josh Koscheck, a one-time welterweight contender who has equally impressive wrestling credentials.
2. Does Nate Diaz deserve a title shot? UFC president Dana White says with a win over Jim Miller, yes. Diaz won his last two fights, but lost the two before that. The lightweight belt is being contested in August and Anthony Pettis is waiting in the wings. Even with a win, Diaz may have some time on his hands before fighting for UFC gold.
Read More »from UFC on Fox 3 will answer these five questionsLet's hear it for the old guys! 53-year-old Tim Karaker showed up at Fire Extreme in Bourbonnais, Ill. last week and was asked to fight. He said yes, and knocked out 21-year-old Brandon Frey. Watch his MMA debut here, and skip to the 2:30 mark for the KO. UFC fighter Stephan Bonnar narrates and lets a few NSFW words slip.
Apparently, the medical personnel who is supposed to be at that fight were out for a walk, because they weren't too quick in responding to Frey on the ground. Nonetheless, congratulations to Karaker. You're now the hero of Bonnar as well as every man over the age of 50 who wanted to throw some leather at a youngun but couldn't actually get in a cage with him.
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Read More »from 53-year-old knocks out opponent half his age
(Getty)As Doug Farrar pointed out, remembrances of Junior Seau filled Twitter from the moment the news of his death broke. Most came from his contemporaries, the men who knew Seau on the football field and in locker rooms. But one came from an unlikely source who didn't start in the NFL until after Seau retired.
Eric Olsen, an offensive guard for the New Orleans Saints, shared a sweet story about how he met Seau in high school, and the encounter changed his life.
Wow this is a tough one.. When I was a frosh in HS Junior Seau worked the Jay Fiedler Football camp and at the end of one of the days he challenged any1 to a 1 on 1. Being one of the 'big' kids, I was volunteered by my buddies and went up in front of the whole camp to face this monster of a man. Shaking in my cleats, he gave me a wink before a coach gave the cadence. He let me pancake him. And he sold it too. I can't even tell you how good I felt at that moment; it changed me forever. The whole camp cheered for me, a chubby kid that didn't know if he even liked football. From then on I was addicted. All thanks 2 this 10 time all-pro that felt like making some snot-nosed kid's day. Doesn't seem like much but it meant a lot to me. Sorry for the essay just had to share. RIP Junior I'll never forget what you did for me.
It seems like everyone who encountered Seau has some memory like Olsen's to share. If you would like to share yours, the San Diego Chargers have set up a page to share your condolences and memories of No. 55.
Read More »from New Orleans guard Eric Olsen tells how encounter with Junior Seau ‘changed him forever’