UFC 118: B.j. Penn revitalized ... yet

B.j. Penn doesn't come from your traditional pugilist. He doesn't grow in the streets of some metropolitan hard. Either he is mad world, or keep the same out of prison. Penn has had a pretty good education in Hilo, Hawaii (may perhaps be as bad, right?) and when it ends his career of combat, got a good safety net to fall into. He is a smart guy, who was at the forefront, as fighters go, himself on Internet marketing. As he prepares for 118 UFC this weekend, he is putting forth an old theme--"focused/hungry B.j. Penn". Whenever he loses a fight Penn speaks to reinvent himself.

"The loss of Frankie actually I took a step back and realize that I want to fight as much as possible. (After this fight, if healthy)I want to fight the next week, next month, "Penn said during UFC 118 conference call last week." I don't know if I feel my biological clock ticking or thing ...I want to fight as much as possible ".

Penn is only 31 years old, but it seems that he looks back on his 20 's with some regret. Has spent a lot of time discussing contracts and taking long breaks between the fighting.

"I kind of spread my career in 10 years," said Penn (UFC 15-6, 11-5). "I kinda make a push to be really a real fighter. I had a good training camp and I kinda figured out how to keep me heatlhy through more training camps. "

In recent years, we've been down this path multiple times. Penn spoke of a renewed hunger and that he would after losses from Georges St. Pierre and Matt Hughes.Now his win-loss record serves as motivation.

"When I started before fighting. I thought that was the gift of God to the fight.I thought I would go with 100 knockouts 100-0. Sit back, look at my record and I can't believe that I have six losses, "Penn said.

He sees the loss of UFC 112 Edgar a blessing.

"If I win this fight would have you changed anything in my game and would've set me to fall even more difficult in the future," Penn said."whenever you get lost you can take a different path and you get back on the journey of right, because you started this thing first."

Penn not only lost his UFC Lightweight Title, but it was the first time he had fallen in combat 155 pounds since 2002.Was so a big upset that he was installed as preferred less-450 to regain his belt.He's not buying into hype.

"People are putting Frankie as the underdog. I feel like I am the underdog. I'm the guy who does not want this sport to be passed to him," said Penn. "And I want to remain at the forefront of everything. I am working day and night to keep tweaking these sparsely, to keep up with these young boys. "

Hopefully this is the last time that Penn must motivate himself to be at its best. When the right, he is a fighter pound for pound five top. If he remains in good condition and keeps improving, he probably will be able to get back its belt and have a race of 4-5 year before him as the best worldwide 155er. but it is up to its legacy now Penn cement as one of the best ever.

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Noons destroys Gurgel but did he land different strokes illegal?

 

Jorge Gurgel has had a bad habit of hitting with strikers. A brilliant Jiu-Jitsu practitioner, he did not suffer devastating consequences until this evening. Gurgel of Noons K.J. game and nearly banged your head off. In the first three minutes of struggle, Gurgel has been marked by 20-of-44 shots. It is only made worse from there. Noons eliminated almost Gurgel with a left hook at the end of the first. Then at the beginning of the second, he finished quickly when he landed a bad combination with right straight, followed by a left hook. Kerry Hatley Referee stopped the fight at 0: 19 of second Noons giving the victory, but was not without controversy.

Once Noons fell Gurgel, tried to Hatley to save Gurgel. The REF hesitated so Noons downloaded with three more left on Gurgel helpless. Then as the official carnage listlessly moved to stop the fight, Noons delivered a right knee. A problem, Gurgel was still on the soil. The blow was clearly illegal.Showtime Mauro Ranallo screeched color entry in protest. Apparently, Texas officials decided the knee was legal or simply not seeing it.

 

When Gus Johnson of Showtime entered the cage he probed Noons with four questions but shied away from him asking the illegal strike (pictured).

"Jorge is great adversary," said Noons (9-1). "He was to stay away from my hands trying to me enter into his gameplan but I instinct killer".

At the end of the first there was also a question about left hook that almost eliminated Gurgel (13-7).Showtime never shown a playback with sound.It seemed that the punch landed as the bell sounded.Ranallo and others thought that it may have come only after the Bell.

In all, 41-Noons landed of-80 strikes while Gurgel was just 21-of-67. Clearly, Noons landed the heaviest blows. Gurgel was bleeding around both the eyes and nose. he could barely stand at the end of the fight was noons of face markings.

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Lashley must obtain from Griggs ground fight high profile

 

Scott Coker certainly wants to see Chad Griggs engage in a good fight against Bobby Lashley. But must be Coker thinking, "don't get too froggy Mr. Griggs." After all, he took Lashley, a great signed Free-Agent back in early 2009 slow, along a path with the target you hopes to be some clashes mega-money for the star of former pro wrestling. The payoff for Strikeforce could come in the form of Lashley against another former WWE star Dave Batista or one of the big boys atop heavyweight division of promotion.

The hard part is avoiding looking for Lashley in front of the little known Griggs.

"The hardest thing about him (Griggs) you do not know much about the guy at all," said Anderson."Is another opponent. Has a very impressive record. Is going to be a good challenge for me to return from the long break. "

Lashley (5-0) last fought in January make quick work of Wes Sims. Some fans MMA and bloggers were frustrated by the slow path Lashley taking. Coker and Lashley seems happy with where he is.From Las Vegas Sun:

"I always told me, ' what Bobby is going to look like in 18 months? '" Coker said. "With his athletic ability and wrestling, the sky's the limit ".A guy who has to get through is Chad. That has got to be the first thing that is at the top of her mind.As you all know, (Strikeforce) has some of the heavyweights top worldwide, and adapts Bobby right there. "

And now Lashley is talking about moving into five main Strikeforce. a jolt of confidence gained from working with UFC title contender Cain Velasquez and companion Strikeforce heavyweight perspective at the American Academy well-regarded Kickboxing in San Jose.

"Cain is probably the best heavyweight there is now," said Anderson. "You got to be ready training with him.The guy had great conditioning and was good mixing with him and [...] Cormier.

"We've had some great practice sessions, and I know that my conditioning isn't going to be a factor."

That is good to hear. why so much as another fighter brawny Shane Carwin, where previously there were questions about cardio of Lashley if struggles to enter the second and third rounds. Lashley was only for the second round once in five fighting.

What's next? Should push a promotion Strikeforce Lashley-Batista only cash? Or, at age 34, Lashley goes more interested to promote his career MMA legitimate?

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UFC 118 Preview: Will Nate Diaz spoil Marcus Davis Return Boston?

by Roling Leland on 26 August 2010 3: 20 PM EDT in MMA Events

UFC 118 receive things started on Saturday night in the main Division as Southpaw Boxer Marcus Davis (UFC 17-6, 9-4) will hopefully begin streak as it battles new statements Nate Diaz (12-5, 7-3 UFC). Both fighters are on similar terms in recent performances Davis has produced 3-3 record in his last 6 appearances Diaz 2-3 at the time of its last five bouts. Both fighters, coming off a victory.Davis Jonathan Goulet are dropped on UFC 113 in the second round them up against while Diaz sheet outside Rory Markham in only 2: 47 first round at UFC 111. This is the official debut main Diaz's bout with Markham was fought in catchweight when Markham weighed in seven pounds over 170 pound limit.

Matched up seems fairly uninteresting cursory glance does not take a genius to realize that gameplan Davis will revolve around establishing leather to Chin and Diaz Diaz's more than likely to be compatible with stand-up games, he suffers from what appears to be inherited cloud judgment in its strategy. Fascinating appeal to this fight, but that Diaz boxing training and game for risk on legs and its immense reach compared to most fighters certainly gives him an edge.

More although consideration.While we have all used to viewing Nate brother Nick demolition opponents from peppering shots on face and body blows harmful, Nate is beginning to show, that can operate at this level, as well as enduring success comes from attitude that can left field, and which may not be the best gameplan against the Boxer like Davis. Diaz will have to deal with the fact that the country as Boston is old stomping ground, where Davis professionally Boxed in his youthful days. Sometimes you can keep the crowd Support adrenaline going to fighter and can cause Davis additional power later rounds.

So Interestingly Diaz can benefit from considering the strategy taking down Davis and threatening his feet on the ground. After all, when is the last time Davis actually fought grappler who actually tried to grapple? And may be actually argue that never recorded such challenge, primarily because Davis was placed in entertaining match solely for doing exactly that--entertainment.

When you actually put Diaz in frame however, anything is possible.Nate probably winnable for legs and on the floor in this fight, only because I believe that I say that Davis has started to decline with age.It doesn't take a punch, as well as it used to, and it is certainly more susceptible to being battered in. ..While it looks bulked up behemoth fighter, we've seen far too many times that it can be bullied around the cage and air force bombed by precision strikes.Diaz will provide these strikes precision scope and Davis will explode to catch Diaz.Unfortunately, that would open him worldwide hurt on Earth.

With all that said Diaz should receive victory on Saturday night, whether it is on Earth is the question I would have just.. I think Davis will be forced to be very aggressive in stand-up for around Diaz's coverage and when that happens--will struggle of the ground in these encrypts I believe Diaz will secure a dominant position and place a huge danger in Davis or catch him in the submission.

Survey Read more: nate diaz, marcus davis, ufc, ufc 118 118 main Card, UFC 118: Edgar vs. Penn 2

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UFC 118 Preview: Why MMA Fans should appreciate James Toney and Herschel Walker

by Nate Kid on 26 August 2010 6: 02 PM EDT in MMA News

MMA Fans tend to reflexively dismiss fighters "freakshow", such as James Toney and Herschel Walker and resent account lead for our sport, but Let's not forget is still growing and we need eyeballs, paid by the spectacle.

B.J. Penn is Here in case for James Toney, via Ariel Helwani (transcript via Fight views):

BJ PENN: "what is worse than having champ WWF as our heavyweight champ? That ain't no worse than having James Toney enter and win the fight. "

HELWANI ARIEL: "So this is not all bad for the sport, right? It is bringing a little hype.Cannot be worse, right? "

BJ PENN: "is perfect for sport James Toney is now a gift of God to MMA. He is promoting the sport. Is he saying everybody go out and buy tickets.You cannot ask for a better person. What does James Toney is putting more money into everybody's pockets. "

And here's a great quote from Herschel Walker speaking Michael David Smith sees it as its contribution to MMA:

"I think My glory may be helpful to mixed martial arts, and I hope that helps, because I love mixed martial arts, UFC is Strikeforce or or smaller promotions," Walker said."People think all blood--this is a sport, but is really about sport most technical.So many go about technique. "

Now not I would pretend that James Toney is doing to help the MMA does not he does for James Toney, but Hey, whatever works.

Luke Thomas wrote a piece last year of that sums the role of spectacle in the building of this sport, And will offer it again:

... trying to convince (MMA sceptyka with) beauty MMA conditions MMA's is an infinitely more difficult than using little carrots with the stick.

The lesson is that not all are created equal freakshows, but that time products can be improved and refined palates. What begins as crew mess room often causes enough sparks eventually away record and produce something the unessential. properly underlines, MMA Ross himself in America began as a freakshow, but melee bouts circus, and the alligator pit nevertheless proposed homed core concept hand-to-hand fighting, which has matured, and has flourished in the sophisticated, porzadna versions of its former self.

My hope for UFC 118 is that several fans curious boks will tune in to see James Toney and will enjoy the rest of the show and come for more.

Read more: james toney, herschel walker, 118, randy couture ufc, UFC 118: Edgar vs. Penn 2

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Coaster of struggles: The ups and downs of Kenny Florian

Kenny Florian will fight Gray Maynard in his hometown of Boston this weekend. The winner will get a shot at UFC Lightweight title. If this is Florian, will be his third bite at the Apple of title. For someone with so much success, Florian has faced some ups and downs.

Hill: Dana White was a fight in Massachusetts for scout Drew Fickett.Although won Fickett, his opponent, Florian, white eye caught. Florian was expressed in a new reality show where the winner would get a contract with the UFC.

Valley: on the much-touted season finale of the first season of the reality show, "The Ultimate Fighter", Florian was man managed by Diego Sanchez, losing in a first-round TKO.

Hill:Florian rebounded from lost Sanchez with three victories, all breaks: a TKO of Alex Karalexis and observations of Kit Cope and Sam Stout. Florian who earned a shot at Sean Sherk and lightweight title vacated.

Valley: That title first shot didn't work so well.UFC 68, Sherk not leave elbows of Florian bothering him and Florian controlled for a unanimous decision.

Hill: After losing that title first shot, Florian walked the ladder light That began with WINS over Dokonjonosuke Mishima, Alvin Robinson and DIN Thomas--all communication.

Bigger Hill: Florian titled UFC Fight Night 13 in an attack with fellow Bostonian, Joe Lauzon. Florian avoided submission attempts of Lauzon with elbows mortals, winning by TKO.He followed that with a decision at UFC 87 over warmer light perspective of the UFC, Roger Huerta.

Not exactly fights, but still a hill: Florian compiled for as commentator for Frank Mir WEC 41 to rave reviews, which opened the door for Florian more forward work for ESPN, UFC and WEC.

Mountain: Florian was promised another shot of the title if he got through Joe Stevenson. he gets what he wants after the presentation of Stevenson in the first round at UFC 91. after the fight, he calls out UFC Lightweight Champion B.j. Penn with the now famous, "I want to belt of B.J.!"

Valley: heads in UFC 101 and his second title shot, Florian was flying high. Unfortunately, Penn has brought him back to Earth with a beating that ended with a rear naked choke in the fourth round.

Hill: chokes nude back on Takanori Gomi and Clay Guide has helped bring Florian closest to a title shot, and struggling with Maynard.

What do you think that this weekend will be for Florian, a hill or Valley?

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Bellator: Frausto, nicknamed hornbuckle and large heavyweights shine

Bellator continued their third season with an event in Chicago that featured three periods of tournament and a featured event.

Zoila Frausto started things with a decision that dominates on Penis of Jessica, 30-27 on the cards of all three judges.Frausto used takedown defense and kicks to go to the tournament Bellator. She seemed eager to hire any fighter Bellator put in front of her.

"Who's next. I want that number one spot and I'm gunning for it, "Frausto said after the fight.

Frausto combines Jessica Aguilar and Megumi Fujii semi-finalist Bellator's women's tournament, but the tournament may have hit a snag. At a press conference Frausto postfight, who said he injured his foot.The seriousness of the injury will decide whether you can continue.

After Brad Blackburn dominated the first round, Dan Hornbuckle is back with a vengeance.He checked Blackburn during the second and even he knocked the round ended. the third was more of the same, with crispy hits Ashrah showing until late television ... bitter With this, has won the match of the tournament-not in a unanimous decision, 29-28 on all three cards.

Ashrah had lost fought in season two final Bellator's welterweight, deleting a decision by Ben Askren.Blackburn, a veterinarian UFC, now lost three fights in a row.

In addition, the event featured two heavyweight tournament fighting.

Damian Grabowski, a maximum weight of Poland, has won the first battle in a unanimous decision, 30-27 by all three judges. his opponent Scott Barrett kept fighting nearest indicating the score. Has used his wrestling control Grabowski but inflicted little damage, while Grabowski threw continually strikes from below. for the third round, Barrett looked exhausted, and Grabowski not had no difficulty in throwing fist after the punch.

Cole Konrad, an NCAA champion in Minnesota, controlled Rogent Lloret, on the way to a unanimous decision. during the attack, Konrad took Lloret time. Vaunted Jiu-Jitsu Lloret did factor Konrad--that looked in much better shape than in his last bout Bellator--kept Lloret on land with strikes and Staples.

Grabowski and Konrad Subscribe now Neil Grove in the semi-finals of the inaugural tournament Bellator's heavyweights.

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