Jackson on medical leave

Rampage Jackson to Undergo Double Knee Surgeries, Shogun Fight Delayed

Quinton “Rampage” Jackson still has one final fight to go in the UFC and it is slated to be against Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, but not before he goes through surgery.

The former Pride fighter took to his Twitter account on Thursday with news that the knee injury that hampered him in the fight with Ryan Bader will require him to go under the doctor’s knife.

As a matter of fact, both of Jackson’s knees will need to be surgically repaired.

“To keep it real, the Shogun fight will have to wait. I just found out that I have to get surgery on both knees,” wrote Rampage. “But I heal fast, don’t trip.”

Jackson didn’t specify the nature of the surgery, but from the tone in his post it doesn’t sound like major reconstructive surgery like the one UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre just had to undergo.

Jackson first revealed the nature of his injury after missing weight for his fight with Ryan Bader at UFC 144 in Japan. He stated that a nagging knee problem forced him to miss out on much of the road work that would have allowed him to get his weight down prior to the trip overseas.

Jackson ended up losing the fight to Bader by unanimous decision.

Over the past several weeks, Jackson has been on a rampage via Twitter and a separate interview with HDNet’s Bas Rutten complaining about his status with the UFC and going as far as asking for his release.

With one fight left on his current deal, the UFC offered to appease his wish after he fulfilled that final bout.

The plan was for Rampage to face Shogun later this year in a rematchof their 2005 bout in Pride, but the double knee surgeries will at least delay the timing of that fight for now.

Beltran-Johnson fight on FUEL TV

 

by MMAjunkie.com

UFC officials announced today that Canadian Mitch Gagnon (8-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) is unable to cross into the U.S. for a fight with Johnny Bedford (18-9-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC), forcing the promotion to scrap the booking at UFC on FOX 2.

A heavyweight bout between Joey Beltran (13-6 MMA, 3-2 UFC) and newcomer Lavar Johnson (15-5 MMA, 0-0 UFC) has subsequently been added to the event’s six-bout preliminary card broadcast, which airs on FUEL TV.

UFC on FOX 2 takes place Saturday at Chicago’s United Center. A three-bout main card airs live on FOX.

Gagnon, who hails from Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, was a replacement for Eddie Wineland (18-8-1 MMA, 0-2 UFC), who was forced to withdraw from the event with a knee injury. Wineland was initially slated to face onetime bantamweight title challenger Demetrious Johnson before the UFC announced a championship flyweight tournament set for UFC on FX 2 in Australia.

All of Gagnon’s career wins have come via submission (five via guillotine choke). His lone defeat came via decision in 2009 to William Romero, who later went on to fight in Bellator.

Bedford, who was knocked out of the “TUF 14” bantamweight semifinals by eventual show winner John Dodson, returned earlier this month on the undercard of the show’s live finale, where he scored a vicious third-round TKO beatdown of fellow cast member Louis Gaudinot. The onetime Bellator fighter is now 7-1 over his past eight pro fights, and five of the wins came via stoppage.

It’s unknown whether Gagnon vs. Bedford will be rescheduled for a later date.

With the late change to the schedule, the UFC on FOX 2 lineup now includes:

MAIN CARD (FOX)

• Phil Davis vs. Rashad Evans
• Michael Bisping vs. Chael Sonnen
• Demian Maia vs. Chris Weidman

PRELIMINARY CARD (FUEL TV)

• Evan Dunham vs. Nik Lentz
• Michael Johnson vs. Shane Roller
• Jon Olav Einemo vs. Mike Russow
• George Roop vs. Cub Swanson
• Charles Oliveira vs. Eric Wisely
• Joey Beltran vs. Lavar Johnson

UFC on FX 1 brings down the house

 Jan 21, 2012

UFC on FX 1

By Chris Howie
MMANEWS.COM Staff Writer

The following is a list of quotes from the “UFC on FUEL TV: Post Fight Show” for UFC On FX: GUILLARD vs. MILLER

Jay Glazer and Stephan Bonnar hosted the “UFC on FUEL TV: Post Fight Show,” while Ariel Helwani conducted exclusive post-fight interviews backstage. Here’s a rundown of what was said:

Stephan Bonnar on Jim Miller’s future: “He’s probably the number-two contender now. He’s up there. I think he’s about one fight away from the title.”

Jay Glazer and Stephan Bonnar interview Jim Miller on set: “It doesn’t happen often, but I got knocked down. Melvin is an animal. Melvin hit me hard, the hardest I’ve ever gotten hit.

Stephan Bonnar asked Jim Miller if he got the submission of the night: “Yes, I got the submission of the night.”

Stephan Bonnar on Melvin Guillard losing to Jim Miller: “Melvin should learn a lesson and be a little more patient on the ground. Don’t be so anxious. It’s all about not getting submitted.”

Ariel Helwani asked Melvin Guillard about his fight: “I think I fought the perfect fight. I knocked him down. He caught my back and it’s ironic because I’ve been working on back escapes. I could tell I hurt him and he didn’t want to be in there with me at one point. I need to work harder on my Jiu-Jitsu. That’s why I’m working with the Blackzilians.”

Josh Neer about who he wants to fight next: “I want to just keep moving up and fight a tough guy.”

Josh Neer about losing his mouthpiece during the fight: “I didn’t intentionally throw out my mouthpiece. I was still fighting for 30 seconds after that.”

Jay Glazer and Stephan Bonnar asked Josh Neer about his win: “He hit me with some good shots and I was able to survive it and come out with a win. I felt my legs wobble a little bit. I was able to get the take down and get the submission. I think my mental game has changed. Try to get on top and defend the takedown a little more. I’m trying to get to the top just like anyone else.”

Stephan Bonnar on Duane Ludwig losing the fight: “Duane looked crisp, but he got caught on the ground. Josh Neer is really good on the ground and that was Duane’s mistake.”

Ariel Helwani interviewed Duane Ludwig on what when wrong: “I got caught. I just hesitated for a second and he got the choke out. He was getting popped up a little bit and then lost his mouthpiece to get a breather.”

Stephan Bonnar on Pat Barry beating Christian Morecraft: This is a new Pat Barry, he really showed composure on the ground. He’s just all around improved.

Jay Glazer and Stephan Bonnar interview Pat Barry about how close he was to getting submitted: “I would like to tell you that they were not close submissions, but I don’t know.”

Pat Barry on not finishing fights with submissions: “I’m not going to cut my hair until I submit someone. I might become Clay Guida.”

Jay Glazer asked about Pat Barry about hanging out with Christian Morecraft two days before the fight: “I don’t think that this applies to everyone, but I don’t have to hate you to fight you.”

Stephan Bonnar on Mike Easton’s win over Jared Papazian: “This was a great fight. I think it was the fight of the night. I’m really impressed by Jared Papazian, but he didn’t get the win. But with Easton, I was most impressed on his energy and intensity.”

Ariel Helwani asked Mike Easton on his win over Jared Papazian: “I knew [Jared] was a tough guy. So why not, let’s just stand toe-to-toe and swing it. We were both scrapping. I think the takedowns and being aggressive helped me get the win. I still have to get better all around. I can only get better.”

Stephan Bonnar on Jorge Rivera beating Eric Schafer: “Duane Ludwig and Melvin Guillard should watch this fight. This is a lesson on how to be patient on the ground with a dangerous submission artist on top of you. Jorge Rivera stayed patient and protected himself. He bought his time and finally turned things around with some ground and pound to take Schafer out.”

Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones on who he wants to fight next: “I want to fight Rashad. He’s the antagonist of my career.”

Jon Jones on Dan Henderson: “He’s a great fighter. I know what he brings to the table and I’ll be ready for him.”

Jay Glazer asked Jon Jones about the bad blood between him and Rashad Evans: “There’s no just pumping up pay per views when it comes to me and Rashad. Everything about us disliking each other is true. After we fight each other it’ll all be clear and he can go have a seat somewhere.”

Stephan Bonnar asked Jon Jones about a super fight with Anderson Silva: “People do want to see it. My job is to fight the best fighters in the world. If the UFC asks me to do it, I’ll do it.”

Jon Jones pick on Evans vs. Davis: “I’m picking Rashad Evans. I’m in his corner.”

UFC 141 Results

UFC 141 results wrap: Brock Lesnar retires from MMA after losing to Alistair Overeem

 by Jesse Holland on Jan 2, 2012 8:01 AM EST in UFC Results

Brock Lesnar (right) winces in pain after eating a couple of knees to the breadbasket by Alistair Overeem in the main event of UFC 141 last Friday night in Las Vegas. Photo by Donald Miralle via Zuffa LLC/Getty Images.

Happy New Year!

For those mixed martial arts (MMA) fans who spent their Friday night pre-gaming for the inevitable drink-tank that consumes a majority of the male population of New Year’s Eve, you missed a pretty historic pay-per-view (PPV) event that closed out Ultimate Fighting Championship’s (UFC) 2011 fight campaign.

Brock Lesnar retired from active competition, Alistair Overeem made a successful UFC debut and Jon Fitch got KTFO by a guy with a bushy beard.

Nate Diaz also turned in a career performance against Donald Cerrone and shattered a CompuStrike record in the process. Oh, and if you never heard of Jim Hettes, you will.

Just ask Nam Phan.

UFC 141: “Lesnar vs. Overeem” went out with a bang, and hopefully you did too (literally and figuratively). Here’s what happened at the Friday night fights from the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Dec. 30 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Check it all out (plus a few bonus links on Fedor Emelianenko) after the jump.

UFC 141: Nate Diaz rolls in ‘style’ with big win over Donald Cerrone in Las Vegas

 by Jason Probst on Jan 1, 2012 2:00 PM EST in UFC Results

Nate Diaz boxes up Donald Cerrone at UFC 141 with his Stockton striking style, which is “vexing and paralyzing” for opponents who decide to stand and trade with him. Photo by Esther Lin for MMA Fighting.

Nate Diaz’s performance Friday night (Dec. 30, 2011) at UFC 141 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, was a reminder of the reason(s) the Diaz brothers look often-beatable on paper, yet consistently deliver above expectations.

I’m firmly in the camp that while both of them can be decisioned, it’s going to take one hell of a fighter to make either of them openly admit they flat-out lost.

And while Diaz’ three-round, record-setting battering of Donald Cerrone doesn’t erase the memories of fights he’s lost because of better wrestlers, it’s a reminder of how vexing and paralyzing the “Stockton Style” really is. I won’t be surprised if Diaz is decisioned by the elite grapplers at lightweight, but even in the five UFC fights he’s dropped — all via decision — a similar template was followed in three.

Nate was simply held down by Joe Stevenson, Clay Guida and Dong Hyun Kim.

UFC 141: Alistair Overeem’s Octagon debut like few others, sets up blockbuster showdown with Junior dos Santos

 by Jason Probst on Jan 1, 2012 12:35 PM EST in UFC Results

Alistair Overeem “hit the ball out of the park” with his Octagon debut performance, defeating Brock Lesnar via technical knockout and UFC 141 and sending him into retirement. Photo by Esther Lin for MMA Fighting.

In a smashing Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) debut this past Friday (Dec. 30, 2011), Alistair Overeem introduced himself with a bang, dispatching Brock Lesnar in just 2:26 in the UFC 141 main event from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

In the history of the game’s biggest promotion, there have rarely been bigger stages for an Octagon first-timer, and the Dutchman’s larger-than-life showing landed him a shot at heavyweight champ Junior dos Santos. This was no figurative double lined into the right-center gap.

Overeem hit the ball out of the park.

There was much ground to cover for him, recognition-wise, with casual fans. Given his years of fighting in other organizations, compiling a highlight-reel list of victims, the soft-core mixed martial arts (MMA) aficionado may well have known little to nothing about him. And facing a known commodity in Lesnar, Overeem had a huge risk-reward prospect — 266 pounds’ worth — across the cage.

Equal parts patient and lethal, he dominated Lesnar with the kind of big-man fury that makes heavyweight fights an animal all their own.

UFC 141 results recap: Brock Lesnar vs Alistair Overeem fight event wrap up from Las Vegas

 by Geno Mrosko on Jan 1, 2012 9:01 AM EST in UFC Results

Brock Lesanr (left) lost to Alistair Overeem (right) at UFC 141 on Fri., Dec. 30, 2011, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo via ESPN.com.

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) was back on pay-per-view this past Friday night (Dec. 30, 2011) withUFC 141: “Lesnar vs. Overeem,” featuring Alistair Overeem earning his shot at Junior dos Santos and his heavyweight title by sending Brock Lesnar into retirement with a first round technical knockout stoppage.

Nate Diaz also impressed with his three-round unanimous decision win over Donald Cerrone in a 15-minute war of attrition that resulted in everyone going home happy. That’s probably because the “Fight of the Night” bonus they earned netted them a cool $75,000.

And that’s not even mentioning Johny Hendricks, who put himself on the welterweight map with a 12-second knockout of Jon Fitch. 

In cased you missed any or all of it — or just want to keep the discussion alive — below are links to all the major storylines borne from Friday night’s event in Las Vegas, Nevada.

In we go.

C

UFC 141 results: Reflecting on Brock Lesnar’s short MMA career

 by Jason Probst on Jan 1, 2012 8:01 AM EST in UFC Results

Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC – Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

It was a grim tableau. Slumped against the cage after absorbing a frightful assault to the body, Brock Lesnarwore the dejected look of a fighter done with the sport. Imagine realizing your career in a given vocation was obviously something you suddenly no longer wanted to pursue, with the impetus for that decision being a public beating like the one Alistair Overeem delivered at UFC 141 this past Fri., Dec. 30, 2011, in Las Vegas. It was one of the most poignant moments you’ll see, yet painfully public at the same time.

His post-fight retirement announcement wasn’t a surprise. In moments of adversity, you find out what a fighter is about, and Lesnar handled his interview with Joe Rogan very well.

Brevity goes a long way when making an announcement that will change the short-term landscape of the sport; he’s done with MMA, and he did one hell of a lot to bump the game up to the next level in a mere eight fights, five of which were against guys who were former or current champions. He could have ranted about how he just got caught, how he wanted a rematch, and all the expected posturings that come straight from the “Beaten Fighter Playbook.”

Those are the easy sells and juicy rationalizations. But Lesnar took his medicine like a man and reminded us that life goes on outside the game, with a quality precisely defined by how much you put into it. Family is key to him and MMA simply isn’t worth the investment, especially considering his diverticulitis, which has been a recurring issue in the past two years.

His short, frank speech was a graceful exit given the tumultuous emotions he must have been feeling, and went a long way toward showing his real side, that of a family man who simultaneously accepted the need, at times, to play the heel, something he’d become proficient at during his pro wrestling days. He was certainly adept at it, sometimes pushing the envelope to strange places where the envelope seemingly ended, and unclassifiable viewer weirdness ensued.

His inimitable post-fight meltdown after battering Frank Mir into submission at UFC 100 was a Holy Trifecta of sorts, as he simultaneously offended the guy he’d just smashed, the promotion he smashed him in and a major sponsor (Bud Light) for the event he smashed him at.

In the history of the sport, there may have been no equivalent moment where a guy had the audience so ready to eat from the palm of his hand, willingly accepting him as the newly crowned champ. But Lesnar delivered a gleeful verbal smack to the face instead.

Johny Hendricks knockout of Jon Fitch a reminder of bittersweet nature of quick stoppages

 by Jason Probst on Jan 1, 2012 7:00 AM EST in UFC Results

Johny Hendricks (right) brutally knocks out Jon Fitch (left) at UFC 141 on Fri., Dec. 30, 2011, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo by Donald Miralle/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images.

Johny Hendricks’ booming left cross gave him one heck of a career boost, as he dispatched longtime welterweight contender Jon Fitch in just 12 seconds at UFC 141 this past Fri., Dec. 30, 2011, in Las Vegas. The win elevates “Big Rig” into the elite of the 170-pound weight class, a division suddenly in flux with championGeorges St. Pierre’s knee injury and the Nick Diaz vs. Carlos Condit bout for the interim title.

It was a stunning end, given Fitch’s hard-earned reputation for durability. And it left the same taste in my mouth as Jake Ellenberger stopping Jake Shields did: we saw an elite welterweight get starched so quickly that we really didn’t learn a lot about the victor in what was expected to be a hard-knocks-style test of his overall game.

Quick knockouts happen in MMA, with a frequency I’ve roughly estimated at 10-15 percent. They are the kind of fights where you merely find out one guy can strike hard, but you don’t learn anything else regarding how the winner’s overall game matched up in any other phases.

That’s not to take anything away from Hendricks or Ellenberger, both of whom delivered the goods in a manner no one predicted. But I’ve always had a special place for the “step-up” fight like this, where a guy takes on a proven commodity to show if he’s got the goods to compete at the next level.

Quick endings leave me feeling like we were served dessert first, got stuffed, and were kicked out of the joint without getting a taste of the main course.

UFC 141 results: Brock Lesnar may have suffered a broken rib in loss to Alistair Overeem

 by Adam Guillen Jr. on Dec 31, 2011 10:00 PM EST in UFC Results

Alistair Overeem (left) delivers a powerful knee to the midsection of Brock Lesnar (right) at UFC 141 on Fri., Dec. 30, 2011 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Ouch!

After receiving a devastating left kick to the mid-section from heavy hitting heavyweight Alistair Overeem last night (Dec. 30, 2011) at UFC 141: “Lesnar vs. Overeem,” the 6‘3″ 265-pound Brock Lesnar crumbled to the mat, wincing in visible pain.

Following up with a few strikes to the downed behemoth, Overeem delivered one final body blow that forced referee Mario Yamasaki to step in and save the former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) heavyweight champion from further damage in the opening frame of a scheduled five round main event.

The dominating performance not only kick-started “The Demolition Man’s” UFC career in impressive fashion; it also marked the end of Lesnar’s career with the world’s largest mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion.

Contrary to the belief of the WWE’s Chris Jericho, Lesnar wasn’t simply looking for a way out by “taking a dive.”

According to UFC President Dana White, Lesnar told him after the bout that he feels he may have suffered a broken rib, a message White passed along to reporters at the UFC 141 post-fight press conference:

UFC 141 results recap: Review of Friday night’s gigantic ‘Lesnar vs. Overeem’ fight card in Las Vegas

 by Kevin Haggerty on Dec 31, 2011 9:00 PM EST in UFC Results

UFC 141’s Alistair Overeem emerged as the next number one heavyweight contender after smashing Brock Lesnar in the main event. Photo by Esther Lin for MMA Fighting.

Looking for live UFC 141: “Lesnar vs. Overeem” results?

Sorry, you’re a little late to the party. That’s because Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) impressively completed another crowd-pleasing pay-per-view (PPV) event last night (Fri., Dec. 30, 2011), knowing that most of its young mixed martial arts (MMA) audience would be out ringing in the New Year this evening.

Fear not, because we’re here to give you a complete rundown of what you missed — or simply want to revisit — with UFC 141: “Lesnar vs. Overeem,” which came through in the clutch for the fans in attendance at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, and those of us who watched it remotely.

Alistair Overeem proved that his stand up skills really are as good as promised when he defeated former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar in a devastating first round technical knockout triumph, while in the co-main event, Nate Diaz put on a boxing clinic against Donald Cerrone en route to a very dominant decision win.

If you like submissions, this was not the event for you. Each and every fight was either finished by (technical) knockout or went to a judges’ decision. Indeed, there was not one solitary submission on the entire card.

After the jump, MMAmania.com reviews the highlights of the weekend that comprised UFC 141:

Greenman’s UFC 141 Picks

Posted on December 28, 2011 by GC Edit

Greenman’s UFC 141 MMA Picks

From Radio to HDNET, Chris Greenman’s UFC and StrikeForce predictions have racked up the highest win percentage among all known and documented MMA experts. The difference is that when you train among some of MMA’s elite, inside information surfaces that don’t quite make it to ESPN, FOX, Spike, and others.

For the last 3 years he is 429 correct and 68 wrong, that is 86.5% for those of you can’t do the math too well.  We finally will publish as a service to our viewers.

 Chris Greenman’s IFC 141 picks

Sorry guys I went 2-2 this UFC, it happens overall record is still insanely good, so chill

W This was my pick of the year ***** Lesnar – Overeem, Unfortunately I have to bow out and go against the All-American wrestler, Alistair Overeem simply brings in too much diversity

 L Great Fight sorry if you lost money Diaz – Cerrone, I am not a Cerrone fan simply because when I met him at the Arnold Classic behind the exhibitors staff area, he was a punk and I almost had to beat his 150 lb ass.  However, Diaz is even a bigger punk and is no Nick.  Cerrone beats Diaz in this bout.

L This was the surprise like when Sara knocked our GSP, rare very rare –  Fitch – Hendricks, Two world class wrestlers, two great fighters, but experience prevails and Fitch takes home this victory.

W This guy’s style could give Jon Jones some problems  Gustafsson – Matyushenko, Gustafsson 100%, this is a bad matchup for Mr. Henko.

 Assuncao – Pearson, I am actually on the fence on this one, if I had to pick I would take Pearson, but I betting man doesn’t force bets so I will lay low on this.

 Greenman’s latest UFC 140 Predictions results – 4 – 0 “This is a free service I offer anyone that follows my stuff, so if you’re in Vegas you can buy me dinner or something email me ProFightNetworkCEO@gmail.com and ask about my Pick of the year”

 Chris Greenman’s UFC 141 Picks, Greenman MMA, Greenman’s MMA picks,Mixed martial arts, MMA Pro UFC 141 picks, mmabay, profightnetwork,UFC 141 picks, Ultimate Fighting Championship

UFC 141 Fight Card

WATCH VIDEO HERE

UFC 141 Main event:

265 lbs.: Brock Lesnar vs. Alistair Overeem

UFC 141 Main card

170 lbs / Jon Fitch vs. Johny Hendricks

155 lbs / Nate Diaz vs. Donald Cerrone

145 lbs / Jim Hettes vs. Nam Phan

205 lbs /  Alexander Gustafsson vs. Vladimir Matyushenko

Spike TV Prelims:

145 lbs / Ross Pearson vs. Junior Assuncao

155 lbs / Danny Castillo vs. Anthony Njokuani

Preliminary Facebook

155 lbs / Efrain Escudero vs. Jacob Volkmann

170 lbs / Luis Ramos vs. Matt Riddle

170 lbs / Dong Hyun Kim vs. Sean Pierson

145 lbs /  Manny Gamburyan vs. Diego Nunes

UFC’s Rampage Jackson is set for Japan

November 28 2011 Last updated at 03:22 AM ET

Rampage Jackson Excited to Perform in Front of ‘Favorite’ Fans in Japan at UFC 144

By Mike Chiappetta

MMA Writer

01054

Quinton “Rampage” Jackson is very, very excited to to fight inJapan. All you have to do is ask him.

In a Monday morning press conference in the Land of the Rising Sun, Jackson told the Japanese media that it took some effort on his part to ensure his place on the UFC 144 card, and that he finally had his request granted after a non-stop, one-man campaign.

“I had to fight and complain and b—- to my manager,” he said. “Now I think the representatives of UFC are upset with me a little bit … But ask me, do I care?”

For Jackson, any amount of trouble was worth it because of his love of Japanese audiences, who in his opinion value effort above results, a seismic shift from American audiences.

Jackson, who will face Ryan Bader in the co-main event on February 26 in Saitama, Japan, is no stranger to Nipponese culture. From 2001 to 2006, he fought there 18 times while under the PRIDE promotion.

“Back when I was fighting here, I had so much energy,” he said. “I just wanted to put on a good show for the fans because all the energy they give. In America, you’re under so much pressure to win at all costs because the fans talk s— to you if you lose even if it’s a good, exciting fight. InJapan, it’s just a different energy. Who knows? Maybe I’ll take more chances and not care because it’s all about the crowd. I react to the crowd. I don’t care about the people watching on TV.”

It was in Japan where he authored some of his most memorable career moments, including the often-replayed powerbomb knockout win over Ricardo Arona in June 2004. That fight holds particular significance to Jackson because it took place on his 26th birthday.

It was also in Japan where Jackson became renowned for his slams, a particular favorite of the Japanese crowds who enjoyed his aggressive, improvisational style. In a rare bit of public introspection, Jackson noted that since signing with the UFC though, his game has gotten standup-heavy at times.

“Actually my standup has evolved a lot since I last fought here, but at the same time that’s what’s gotten me in trouble a lot lately,” he said. “Everyone sees me boxing a lot more, so they’re creating great game plans to counter my boxing. In Japan, I used to slam a lot and put on more of a show because the energy from the fans gave me power and I don’t feel the same energy in the US. So, I can’t honestly say I improved or evolved in a good way since leaving Japan.”

But in some ways, that doesn’t matter to Jackson right now, because he’s only concerned about entertainment value. One new wrinkle the fighters will have to prepare for is fighting early in the morning. While most fights take place late Saturday night, this event will occur in the morning in Japan in order to sync up with American TV viewing habits.

Jackson noted that as a youth, he was in plenty of fights that came unexpectedly, and he has the time to plan for an early morning peak. He also said that the hardest part of fight day is usually the anticipation of what is to come, and that competing early in the day would cancel out much of that nervous energy.

Beyond that, he said that the biggest obstacle in his way is Bader, and more specifically, making sure he and his opponent understand the collective mind set of Japanese fans.

“The only thing that matters when he steps in the cage in Japan is that he comes in to put on an exciting show,” he said. “I’m all about putting on an exciting fight in Japan. One thing I love about Japanese fans and why I love them the most is that they don’t care if you win or lose. All they care is if you have samurai spirit, that you put on a good fight. That’s why Japanese fans are my favorite. And American fans are jealous that I say that all the time.”

Lion Fight Promotions

UFC’s Junior Dos Santos is the new champion

Junior Dos Santos stopped Cain Velasquez just 64 seconds into their UFC heavyweight title bout Saturday night, claiming Velasquez’s belt and bringing a swift end to the mixed martial arts promotion’s first show before millions of presumptive newcomers to the sport.

The UFC president, Dana White, stood before a bank of cameras and proclaimed the UFC’s first fight on prime-time network television to be an unqualified success, however long it lasted.

“It was a perfect night,” White said. “Nothing went wrong in terms of putting on a live production. It was perfect.”

Junior Dos Santos couldn’t resist chiming in.

“I agree,” the UFC’s new heavyweight champion said, grinning broadly.

 

I just want to say sorry to all my fans, family and friends. I disappointed you. I’m much more than this. I will be back, and I will get that belt back.

– Cain Velasquez

The brief fight was the only event on a one-hour broadcast on Fox, which signed the UFC to a seven-year broadcast deal earlier this year. Any newcomers to the sport who tuned in got a taste of MMA’s violence, but not much else — particularly if they returned late from a commercial break.

Or even if they blinked.

Dos Santos hit Velasquez with an overhand right early in the first round, staggering the previously unbeaten champion to the canvas. The Brazilian challenger jumped onto Velasquez, who defended himself briefly before finally succumbing to Dos Santos’ relentless ground-and-pound blows.

“All of my fights, I look for the knockout,” said Dos Santos, who burst into tears in the cage. “My coach used to tell me I’ve got heavy hands, so I tried to find a time to use them. It’s good to use my power, and that worked today.”

Exactly 18 years to the day after the UFC debuted with an eight-man tournament featuring no weight classes and one-round fights to the finish with almost no rules, MMA’s dominant promotional company kicked off its long-anticipated major television contract with its first live prime-time show. The UFC put spotlights, party tents and a red carpet outside Honda Center, which has hosted several major MMA events in the sport’s relatively short history, and the crowd was filled with celebrities from Fox’s stable of stars and every other corner of Hollywood.

Most of the debut broadcast was taken up by a primer on MMA and profiles of the two fighters — along with more post-fight analysis than expected.

White claimed it’s all part of the larger plan.

“We put on this production and we collaborate and work together, and as soon as those fights start, whatever happens, happens,” White said. “We can’t control the fights.”

White chose these two fearsome fighters for his Fox debut because of the high potential for a stoppage victory — but White openly wondering about Velasquez’s decision to stand and fight with Dos Santos, one of the best boxers in MMA. Dos Santos said he wasn’t 100 percent healthy, and acknowledged being “scared” before the bout.

Nobody could tell — certainly not Velasquez, whose yearlong reign ended in his first title defense.

“I just want to say sorry to all my fans, family and friends. I disappointed you,” said Velasquez, who agreed with the referee’s decision to stop the fight. “I’m much more than this. I will be back, and I will get that belt back.”

Velasquez (9-1) said Dos Santos’ only big punch disrupted his equilibrium when it landed behind his ear. The first minute before Dos Santos’ decisive blow included almost no action except a takedown attempt by Velasquez that was thwarted by Dos Santos.

“It was a good shot,” Velasquez said. “He has a lot of power. I waited too much for him. He went in and did what he was supposed to do, so my hat is off to him.”

Velasquez hadn’t fought since October 2010, when he claimed the belt from Brock Lesnar in the same octagon at Honda Center, but tore his rotator cuff in the process.

Dos Santos becomes the UFC’s third Brazilian champion, joining featherweight belt-holder Jose Aldo and longtime middleweight champ Anderson Silva, widely considered the world’s top pound-for-pound fighter.

Dos Santos has been a menacing prospect on the UFC horizon for several years, and he introduced himself to more casual MMA fans by serving as a coach opposite Lesnar on “The Ultimate Fighter,” the UFC’s popular reality show, earlier this year.

Like Velasquez, Dos Santos took up MMA relatively late, turning pro at 21 in 2006. He received his only professional loss in November 2007 when Joaquim Ferreira submitted him in the first round, but Dos Santos has rarely even been in trouble in a fight since.

Dos Santos made a spectacular UFC debut in October 2008, stopping heavily favored Brazilian Fabricio Werdum just 1:20 into the first round of their bout. He climbed the heavyweight ladder with stoppages of veterans Stefan Struve, Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic and Gabriel Gonzaga before winning decisions over Roy Nelson and Shane Carwin to get a title shot.

His next opponent is expected to be the winner of Lesnar’s bout against Alistair Overeem in Las Vegas on Dec. 30 on pay-per-view.

“I don’t have a preference,” Dos Santos said. “I never choose any opponent. Doesn’t matter who’s going to be my next opponent. I’m not thinking about that right now. I want to go back to Brazil and make a big, big barbecue for my family and all my partners.”

Rashad Evans continues to trash talk jon Jones, Why?

Yes, Rashad Evans is still talking about Jon Jones.

That’s mostly a function of his being asked about the light heavyweight champion, though, and that was the case this past weekend. “Suga” was the featured fighter at the UFC 138 Fight Club Q&A in Birmingham, England, and fans wanted to know who would win if Jones fought Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva.

Rashad’s reply:

“Honestly, I think… I would say Anderson would win. I think he would catch Jon standing up because I think Jon does a lot of crazy stuff but, fundamentally, sometimes he does it just to do it. But I think Anderson has a reason, like Anderson, fundamentally and technically, is better in that respect and I think he would catch (Jones) doing something stupid. If the fight was to go a little bit longer and Jon used his wrestling then I think the fight may go to Jon. But for the most part, early on in the fight, Anderson would catch Jon trying to do something crazy.”

Silva’s speed, technique and pinpoint accuracy would be enough to defeat Jones’ superior size, length and unorthodox striking. That’s one way of looking at it.

Another is to say that “Bones” would stifle “The Spider” with a suffocating top game, much like Chael Sonnen did to the middleweight champ back at UFC 117. Of course, Sonnen went on to lose that fight via triangle choke.

This one would be a tough call, no question. Who do you Maniacs think wins?

Evans answered plenty more questions during his near hour long on stage session in front of fans, including more on his feud with Jones and fighters he wishes he could have fought before they retired from MMA.