BREAKING: Alexander Gustafsson Announces UFC Return
It's been eight months since former title-challenger and No. 4-ranked light heavyweight in the world Alexander Gustafsson has competed inside of the UFC's Octagon, and according to a local Swedish report, it may not be too long before we see him back again. According to the source Gustafsson is targeted to take on Jan Blachowicz in
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It's been eight months since former title-challenger and No. 4-ranked light heavyweight in the world Alexander Gustafsson has competed inside of the UFC's Octagon, and according to a local Swedish report, it may not be too long before we see him back again.
According to the source Gustafsson is targeted to take on Jan Blachowicz in the UFC's Hamburg event this September.
Gustafsson (16-4) is on an incredibly disappointing two-fight losing skid after dropping a split decision title-bout to current 205-pound king Daniel Cormier, in their incredible five round war at UFC 192 this past October.
Blachowicz (19-5) comes fresh off of a unanimous decision victory over Igor Pokrajac at UFC Fight Night 86 in April, following a two fight losing streak to the likes of Jimi Manuwa and Corey Anderson over the span of a year. A bout between Gustafsson and Blachowicz has yet to be confirmed, however, stick with LowKick for the latest on 'The Mauler's' return and this bout's possible confirmation.
UFC Fight Night 93 goes down live from Hamburg, Germany on FS1, live from the Barclaycard Arena on September 3, 2016. The event is headlined by a heavyweight clash between No. 6-ranked heavyweight Andrei Arlovski and No. 9-ranked Josh Barnett.
Gustafsson came tantalisingly close to defeating Jon Jones back when 'Bones' was the undisputed champion of the 205-pound division. That was at UFC 165 in 2013, a veritable lifetime ago in terms of MMA years. Many still feel that five round war was the greatest light-heavyweight title fight in the promotion's history, and there are those who still argue that 'The Mauler' should have got the nod from the judges.
The reported bout with Blachowicz would certainly serve as a good litmus test for where Gus' future is headed, and it would be great to see Gustafsson back after nearly a full year out of action.
Gustafsson took to Instagram this morning to announce the fight with 'JB,' here it is:
It's on. Cant wait to fight my Polish friend @janblachowicz at @ufc Hamburg.
A photo posted by AlexThemauler (@alexthemauler) on Jun 17, 2016 at 12:11am PDT
Author adminPosted on June 17, 2016 Tags Alexander Gustafsson, Andrei Arlovski, daniel cormier, Jan Blachowicz, Josh Barnett, UFC, ufc fight night 93, UFC Hamburg
Bellator 156 Weigh-In Results
Bellator officials held the weigh-ins for Bellator 156 on Thursday and you can watch them here: Bellator 156 takes place on Friday, June 17, 2016 at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California. The prelims will air on Spike TV.com and the main card that features four bouts will air on Spike TV. The main
The post Bellator 156 Weigh-In Results appeared first on LowKick MMA.
Bellator officials held the weigh-ins for Bellator 156 on Thursday and you can watch them here:
Bellator 156 takes place on Friday, June 17, 2016 at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California. The prelims will air on Spike TV.com and the main card that features four bouts will air on Spike TV.
The main event will be a bantamweight title bout between Marcos Galvao and Eduardo Dantas while the co-main event will be a welterweight showdown between Chidi Njokuani and Thiago Jambo . The other two bouts on the main card are Brandon Halsey vs. John Salter and Chris Honeycutt vs. Mikkel Parlo.
Here are the weigh-in results:
Bellator 156 Main Card (Spike TV):
Marcos Galvao (135) vs. Eduardo Dantas (134.7)
Chidi Njokuani (170.8) vs. Thiago Jambo (169)
Brandon Halsey (185.6) vs. John Salter (185.6)
Chris Honeycutt (185.9) vs. Mikkel Parlo (185.3)
Bellator 156 "Prelims" Card (Spike.com):
A.J. Matthews (184) vs. Ben Reiter (185.5)
Jermaine McDermott (205.8) vs. Blake Watkins (205.1)
Paul Ruiz (139.9) vs. Christian Navarro (139.7) ^2
Javy Ayala (266) vs. Roy Boughton (264.3)
Nick Bustamante (154.4) vs. Antoine Smith (160) ^3
C.J. Keith (165.1) ^1 vs. Carrington Banks (156)
John Paul Elias (206) vs. Jose Cabesas (203.4)
Chris Lewis (264) vs. Myron Smith (213)
Luis Jauregui (155.5) vs. Ryan Tobar (155.4)
Author adminPosted on June 17, 2016 Tags Bellator, Bellator 156
Brock Lesnar Earns His Blue Belt In Jiu-Jitsu
Former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar is set to make his highly-anticipated Octagon return at this summer's colossal UFC 200 card, against the heavy-hitting Australian knockout artist Mark Hunt. While Lesnar's biggest threat against the 42-year-old Hunt may lie in the 'Super Samoan's' game-changing knockout power, it appears 'The Beast' is working a little more
The post Brock Lesnar Earns His Blue Belt In Jiu-Jitsu appeared first on LowKick MMA.
Former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar is set to make his highly-anticipated Octagon return at this summer's colossal UFC 200 card, against the heavy-hitting Australian knockout artist Mark Hunt.
While Lesnar's biggest threat against the 42-year-old Hunt may lie in the 'Super Samoan's' game-changing knockout power, it appears 'The Beast' is working a little more on his ground game instead and is making strides in the department as well.
The following video surfaced on Twitter Thursday evening, showing that Lesnar has earned his blue belt under jiu-jitsu coach Rodrigo Comprido:
The new blue belt! @BrockLesnar promoted by @compridobjj @ufc pic.twitter.com/qNcZ6ioAgs
— Ana Hissa (@AnaHissa) June 16, 2016
Lesnar (5-3) is making his Octagon return after choosing to return to the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), with his last UFC bout resulting in the former heavyweight champ being downed in the first round by current title challenger Alistair Overeem.
Hunt (12-10-1) is riding a two-fight winning streak, after most recently knocking out Frank Mir in their meeting at UFC Fight Night 85 in Australia this past March.
Hunt and Lesnar are set to get it on in the co-main event of UFC 200 live on pay-per-view (PPV), from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on July 9, 2016.
Author adminPosted on June 17, 2016 Tags Brock Lesnar, Frank Mir, Mark Hunt, MMA, UFC, UFC 200
'Wonderboy' Thompson Isn't Looking To Knock Out MacDonald Saturday
UFC Fight Night 89 is live this weekend (June 18, 2016) from Ottawa, Canada and is headlined by the cream of the crop in the welterweight division, when No. 1-ranked Rory MacDonald takes on No. 2-ranked Stephen 'Wonderboy' Thompson. Thompson is coming off of a first round TKO victory over former 170-pound champion Johnny Hendricks, which
The post 'Wonderboy' Thompson Isn't Looking To Knock Out MacDonald Saturday appeared first on LowKick MMA.
UFC Fight Night 89 is live this weekend (June 18, 2016) from Ottawa, Canada and is headlined by the cream of the crop in the welterweight division, when No. 1-ranked Rory MacDonald takes on No. 2-ranked Stephen 'Wonderboy' Thompson.
Thompson is coming off of a first round TKO victory over former 170-pound champion Johnny Hendricks, which he initially believed was enough to earn him title contender-ship.
That proved not to be the case, as the UFC instead chose No. 3-ranked Tyron Woodley to take on champion Robbie Lawler at UFC 201.
Now that MacDonald and Thompson sit atop the welterweight rankings 'Wonderboy' is convinced that no matter who wins the perennial 170-pound contest, the winner has to be given the next shot at UFC gold:
"Win or lose, me or Rory, they have to give it to us," he said (Courtesy of MMAJunkie). "I understand he fought for the title back in July, but he's been at the top of the game for a long time."
"With a good win over Rory, they have to give it to me. I'm keeping my fingers crossed."
MacDonald has challenged for the title once before as well as having been amongst the elite of the elite in the talented pool that is the welterweight class, a fact Thompson is sure not to overlook when they tangle this weekend:
"I'm prepared for the best Rory, especially after a loss," Thompson said. "I became the fighter that I am after my loss to Matt Brown. Mentally, I want to be prepared for the best.
If I'm thinking he may not feel this way or may not be the same after that fight with Lawler, I don't like to think that. I think I'm facing the toughest Rory MacDonald on Saturday. To me, I don't think it affects him."
"(MacDonald) is the best well-rounded fighter I've faced so far," Thompson said. "Fairly similar to St-Pierre. My goal is to keep it standing on my feet, obviously.
I would not want to go to the ground with this guy. He's the No. 1 contender and been at the top of the game for a long time for a good reason. He's a good martial artist."
It was also revealed that MacDonald has brought in karate champion Raymond Daniels to mimic Thompson's style ahead of their clash:
"Rory is bringing him in to get used to the movement. It is a different movement, and it is very frustrating if you've never been standing in front of somebody with that type of movement."
While Thompson would love to go in there and finish the job early against MacDonald Saturday night, 'Wonderboy' is fully prepared to go five rounds with 'The Red King' as opposed to fully committing to a knockout:
"I always go out there and prepare for a five, five-minute round war," Thompson said. "Mentally, that's just how I look at it. I never go out there looking for the knockout.
I've done that in the past in kickboxing and worn myself out trying. Sometimes, that can break people mentally.
You go out there looking for the knockout and it doesn't happen? I just let it happen. If it happens, it happens. If it doesn't, it doesn't. You can't go out there looking for it, because you'll wear yourself out trying."
MacDonald and Thompson are set to headline UFC Fight Night 89, which takes place live from the TD Place Arena in Ottawa, Canada, live on FS1 on June 18, 2016.
Author adminPosted on June 17, 2016 Tags MMA, Rory MacDonald, Stephen Thompson, Stephen Wonderboy Thompson, UFC, UFC Fight Night 89, Wonderboy
UFC Fight Night 89 fight card: Donald Cerrone vs Patrick Cote full fight preview
Donald Cerrone and Patrick Cote will square off this Saturday (June 18, 2016) at UFC Fight Night 89 inside TD Place Arena in Ottawa, Canada. In a match up of exciting veterans, what adjustments must be made for either man to claim victory? Find out below!
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Welterweight transplants Donald Cerrone and Patrick Cote will collide this Saturday (June 18, 2016) at TD Place Arena in Ottawa, Canada.
Since dropping down to Welterweight, Cote has honestly looked phenomenal. Despite being 36 years old and over a decade into his professional career, "The Predator" looks better than ever and will do his best to continue his winning ways opposite "Cowboy."
Speaking of, Cerrone made short work of his opponent in his Welterweight debut last February. Cerrone is still looking to prove that Welterweight is his home, and a victory over Cote would go a long way.
Let's take a look at the keys to victory for both men:
Record: 29-7 (1)
Key Wins: Benson Henderson (UFC Fight Night 59), Eddie Alvarez (UFC 178), Myles Jury (UFC 182)
Key Losses: Rafael dos Anjos (UFC on FOX 17), UFC Fight Night 27), Anthony Pettis (UFC on FOX 6)
Keys to Victory: Cerrone is a highly skilled kickboxer with a dangerous Brazilian jiu-jitsu game. He's a highly aggressive finisher, having submitted or knockout out 21 of his opponents.
This will be a major test of Cerrone's ability to keep distance and defend grappling attempts from a larger opponent. Cerrone usually wins or loses fights based on this, so this will be a solid indicator toward whether or not Cerrone can really compete at 170 pounds.
To outwork a larger fighter from range, Cerrone will really have to focus on his footwork. Cote's recent losses came to mobile kickboxers, and Cerrone should do his best to keep moving and fit that description.
In addition, Cerrone should have a speed advantage. If he can get his low kicks going and weaken Cote's legs, he could increase that edge even further.
If Cote can't catch Cerrone, he's in for a rough night.
Patrick Cote
Record: 23-9
Key Wins: Ben Saunders (UFC Fight Night 81), Josh Burkman (UFC Fight Night 74), Kyle Noke (TUF: "Nations" Finale)
Key Losses: Stephen Thomson (UFC 178), Cung Le (UFC 148)
Keys to Victory: For a long time, Cote was one of those fighters with a reputation for knockout power who didn't really knock anyone out. However, against two of the tougher opponents he's faced in recent years, Cote landed his first UFC knockouts since 2008.
The Canadian has really put it all together. At this point, he wrestles fluidly, transitions well on the ground and threatens with submissions, and his iron chin has held up well. When all that is combined with his striking background — which has always been his greatest strength — it's clear why he's won five of six at Welterweight.
By the way, that sole loss came to Thomson, who's proven himself to be a pretty alright fighter himself.
In this bout, Cote needs to blend together all of his skills and make use of his size. As a former Middleweight taking on a long-time Lightweight, that's a considerable advantage.
On the whole, Cote needs to pressure Cerrone with his boxing and work into the clinch or takedown. Cote is the superior boxer and can trust on his chin to get him in close, and his size should be a significant factor in grappling exchanges.
Bottom Line: This fight is a crossroads bout for both men.
Cote is on a serious tear, but Cerrone is certainly a higher level of competition than his recent wins. Cote is vying for a position inside the Top 15, and a win here would give him a strong argument.
On the other hand, a loss would hurt Cote's momentum and chance of every reaching that rank. He's deep into his career and already made one major jump in ability, so hoping for another one is pretty unrealistic.
Meanwhile, Cerrone still has to prove that he can really compete with the best at Welterweight. He may have found success in his first bout, but Benson Henderson did as well before stumbling when facing a more skilled foe.
If Cerrone comes up short here, a move to Lightweight is in his best interest.
On the other hand, a win keeps the goal alive. Cote may not be ranked, but he's as tough as they come and a legitimate test for "Cowboy." By winning impressively, Cerrone makes a bold statement that he's ready for a top fighter.
At UFC Fight Night 89, Patrick Cote and Donald Cerrone will compete in the co-main event. Which fighter will be named the victor?
Author adminPosted on June 17, 2016
Frankie Edgar: 'You Can't Write' Better Story Than Me vs. McGregor At MSG
Surging featherweight contender and former lightweight champion Frankie "The Answer" Edgar will finally get his chance to avenge his loss to Jose Aldo at July 9's UFC 200 from Las Vegas, Nevada. The two met back in 2013 for Aldo's then-held 145-pound title in a close fought five round affair that Aldo came out of
The post Frankie Edgar: 'You Can't Write' Better Story Than Me vs. McGregor At MSG appeared first on LowKick MMA.
Surging featherweight contender and former lightweight champion Frankie "The Answer" Edgar will finally get his chance to avenge his loss to Jose Aldo at July 9's UFC 200 from Las Vegas, Nevada. The two met back in 2013 for Aldo's then-held 145-pound title in a close fought five round affair that Aldo came out of the victor.
This time, an interim title will be on the line, as Aldo surrendered the strap in brutal fashion to Conor McGregor last December. McGregor then decided to move up in weight and challenge Nate Diaz at UFC 196 in a bout where he was submitted in the second round.
McGregor will now look to avenge that loss at August 20's UFC 202, putting the featherweight division on hold once again.
Edgar, however, is simply focused on the gold, and he plans to beat Aldo before hopefully facing off with McGregor for the undisputed title at November 12's UFC 205 in New York:
"You can't write something better than that," Edgar said on Monday's edition of The MMA Hour. "Why wouldn't Conor want to fight at MSG? There's definitely a big Irish contingency in New York and it could be possibly biggest fight UFC history."
Of course this potentially massive fight would require McGregor to drop back down to featherweight, something he has yet to do since capturing the title. Edgar for one isn't sure if the Irishman will ever defend his crown:
"At '45, he has everything to lose," Edgar said. "At '70 he has nothing to lose, even though Nate is a '55 pounder and they decided not to cut weight, so they can market going up two weight classes which is ridiculous since he's a 55 pounder … at '45, if he loses, he has nothing. He has a hard time making the weight. If he goes to 55 he's not going to be in the title talks for awhile."
As far as how Aldo will rebound from his devastating loss to the "Notorious" one, Edgar says that we won't know until "Scarface" shows up to the Octagon:
"To be so dominant for this long, and then to lose like that, Conor is worst guy to lose to in that fashion," Edgar said. "He already let the world know before and he let the world know after. He digs better than anybody. Some guys get through it and some guys don't. He may say this or say that in the leadup for the fight, but even he won't know until he steps into the Octagon."
Author adminPosted on June 17, 2016 Tags conor mcgregor vs frankie edgar, Jose Aldo vs. Frankie Edgar rematch, MMA, Nate Diaz vs. Conor McGregor Rematch, UFC, UFC 200, ufc 202, UFC 205, UFC New York