Video of the Day - Shonie Teaches GSP

Here is one of my favorite moments from TUF 4 as Shonie teaches Georges St. Pierre how to do a pimp walk. If you don't remeber, GSP served as a coach on TUF 4 and Shonie Carter was a contestant.

Shonie was able to defeat Rich Clementi in the show's opening round. Matt Serra, who had gotten KO'd by Shonie's infamous backfist at UFC 31, acted as Shonie's main cornerman. Serra did everything in his power to help Shonie out and hype him up before the fight.

UFC 98 Preview

UFC 98 takes place this Saturday, May 23rd, in the MGM Grand Garden Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. The card includes a main event of undefeated young stars Rashad Evans against karate ace Lyoto Machida. In the co-main event, arch rivals and former UFC Welterweight champs Matt Hughes and Matt Serra will square off.

MAIN CARD

Rashad Evans vs. Lyoto Machida- This fight is for the light heavyweight championship. Current 205 pound champ Rashad Evans won the belt over Forrest Griffin by pounding out Forrest for a third round TKO. Rashad, a former Michigan State wrestler will likely try to close the distance with Lyoto to utilize his wrestling base. On the other hand, "Sugar" Rashad may try to slug it out with Machida.

Rashad (16-0-1, 8-0-1 UFC) was the Ultimate Fighter season 2 Heavyweight champion. Rashad needed to win four times for the TUF 2 title, defeating Tom Murphy, Mike Whitehead and Keith Jardine before beating Brad Imes in a slugfest. In UFC competition, Rashad owns KO wins over Chuck Liddell, Jason Lambert and Sean Salmon. Rashad has decision victories over Micheal Bisping and Sam Hoger.

(Rashad Evans pictured above)

Lyoto Machida (14-0, 6-0 UFC) is a karate based fighter that has also excelled in sumo and Brazilian jiu jitsu. He reportedly earned his Shotokan Karate black belt at age 13 and recently got a back belt in BJJ. The elusive fighter is able to keep distance and counter punch very effectively. He will look to counter Rashad's takedowns and get Rashad moving forward. Before entering the UFC, Machida defeated Rich Franklin, Michael McDonald and BJ Penn. In the UFC he has defeated Thiago Silva,Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou and Tito Ortiz.

(Lyoto Machida pictured above)

Matt Hughes vs. Matt Serra- This fight pits TUF 6 coaches and rivals Matt Hughes against Matt Serra. Matt Hughes is widely regarded as one of the best 170 pounders of all time, defeating some of the best in the game. Matt Serra is more known for his grappling credentials, but his defining moment was a knock out of Georges St. Pierre. Both fighters have real distain for one another, that built during TUF 4 and continued to TUF 6.

Matt Hughes (42-7, 15-5 UFC) used his wrestling base from Eastern Illinois University to transfer to mixed martial arts. He began his career fighting in small shows in Iowa before being asked to fight at UFC 22. After a decision victory against Valeri Ignatov, Hughes continued to hone his craft in smaller shows running up big winning streaks. Hughes has career victories over Joe Doerkson, Hayato Sakurai, Sean Sherk, Dave Menne, Akhiro Gono, Frank Trigg and Royce Gracie. He also has a split with BJ Penn and won once over Georges St. Pierre.

(Matt Hughes pictured)

Matt Serra (9-5, 6-5 UFC) is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Renzo Gracie. He used his talents to place second in the ADCC and 1st in the 1999 Pan Am Games. Getting in the UFC, he notched early victories over Yves Edwards, Jeff Curran and Ivan Menjivar. After losing to Karo Parisyan, Serra took a spot on TUF 4 Comeback. Serra was able to beat Pete Spratt and avenge a loss to Shonie Carter before defeating Chris Lytle in the finals. From there, Serra would defeat Georges St. Pierre in one of the biggest upsets in UFC history. Since then, he lost a rematch to St. Pierre and dealt with injuries.

(Matt Serra pictured)

Xavier Foupa-Pokam vs. Drew McFedries- This slugfest will likely end before the end of the first round. The loser will likely be cut from the UFC. Professor X (20-10, 0-1 UFC) will have to use his kickboxing skills to maintain distance on McFedries and pick him apart. McFedries (7-5, 3-4 UFC) will have to close the distance, get in the clinch and land power shots.

Dan Miller vs. Chael Sonnen- Former 185 pound IFL champ Dan Miller (11-1, 3-0 UFC) will take on pseudo 185 pound WEC champ Chael Sonnen (21-10, 1-3 UFC). Both fighters are excellent wrestlers, but the edge in the submission game goes to Miller. Look for Sonnen to get the fight to the ground, and Miller to look for a submission. Miller has UFC victories against Jake Rosholt, Rob Kimmons and Matt Horwich.

Frank Edgar vs. Sean Sherk- This fight puts two excellent wrestlers against each other. However, the edge in the strength game probably goes to Sean Sherk (33-3, 7-3 UFC), who is notorious for crazy workouts. Sherk is a one time 155 pound champ in the UFC, holding victories against Kenny Florian, Nick Diaz, Hermes Franca and Benji Radach. Frank Edgar (9-1, 4-1 UFC) is a non-stop energy fighter who holds victories over Tyson Griffin, Spencer Fisher and Hermes Franca.

PRELIMINARY CARD

Brock Larson vs. Chris Wilson
Pat Barry vs. Tim Hague
Kyle Bradley vs. Phillipe Nover
Andre Gusmao vs. Krzysztof Soszynski
Brandon Wolff vs. Yoshiyuki Yoshida
David Kaplan vs. George Roop

UFC 83 Canada

Jonathan Goulet def. Kuniyoshi Hironaka, TKO (Punches) R2, 2:07 - Was named fight of the night, but I have yet to find it.
Cain Velasquez def. Brad Morris, TKO (Strikes) R1, 2:10
Rich Clementi def. Sam Stout, Decision (Split)
Demian Maia def. Ed Herman, Sub. (Triangle Choke) R2, 2:27- Was named submission of the night.
Jason Day def. Alan Belcher, TKO (Punches) R1, 3:58
Jason MacDonald def. Joe Doerksen, TKO (Strikes) R2, 0:54

Mac Danzig def. Mark Bocek, Sub. (Rear-Naked Choke) R3, 3:48- Danzig may have lost the first round due to being taken down and frustrated by Bocek. The second saw Danzig land a couple knees and eventually get Bocek's back the the rear naked choke.

Michael Bisping def. Charles McCarthy, TKO (Arm injury) R1, 5:00- Bisping, despite giving up a takedown, looked impressive and strong at 185. He got the better of the standup and eventually

Nathan Quarry def. Kalib Starnes, Unanimous Decision - Do yourself a favor and just skip this bout. Extrmely boring, Starnes was cut for his embarrassing performance.

Rich Franklin def. Travis Lutter, TKO (Strikes) R2, 3:01- Lutter was able to get takedowns and get Franklin in trouble. Lutter was able to get a in mount and land strikes, but Franklin didn't buckle, and weathered a Lutter arm bar attempt. In the second round it wasn't good for Lutter as Franklin smashed a highkick to the face of Lutter. Lutter was dazed and tried to get a single leg until he was destroyed by hammerfists.

Georges St. Pierre def. Matt Serra, TKO (Knees to body) R2, 4:45- GSP has now dominated three straight elite fighters in the UFC. He took Serra down at will and punished him with strikes. He connected with kicks to the feet, and totally controlled the fight from start to finish. At the end, Serra was getting pummelled in the body until he was saved by the ref. The Canadian crowd was going crazy the entire fight and were one of the loadest I have heard.
*MMA Blaster readers were correct 21-7!

UFC 83 - Canada Edition - Preview

MAIN CARD

WW Champ Matt Serra (9-4) vs. Georges St. Pierre(15-2)- St.Pierre last fought in the UFC 79 near New Year's eve and beat Matt Hughes via armbar. Serra hasn't fought since April of 2007, having coached on The Ultimate Fighter and than suffering a significant back injury. St. Pierre has looked extremely focused and unstoppable in his victories against Koscheck and Hughes.
*MMA Blaster Pick- GSP via TKO round 3.
*MMA Blaster Poll- Currently has GSP as the favorite by a 2-1 margin.

Rich Franklin (22-3) vs. Travis Lutter (9-4)- Franklin is coming off minor knee surgery and his second loss to Anderson Silva in October of 2007. Lutter's last fight was over a year ago, and was also a loss to Anderson Silva. This was also the infamous failure at making weight. To Lutter's credit, he was able to get Silva to the ground and get mount. One of the few times that Silva has looked in trouble in the UFC. If Lutter can get Franklin to the mat, I believe he can get a submission. If Lutter is stuffed in his attempts and is forced to slug it out it will be Franklin with his hand raised.
*MMA Blaster Pick- Lutter via armbar round 3.

Nate Quarry (9-2) vs. Kalib Starnes (8-2) - Quarry last fought in September of 2007, when he KO'd Pete Sell. Starnes last fought in October of 2007, when he lost after suffering a cut to Alan Belcher. Both fighters will be shaking off a half year of ring rust, and will probably stand and trade. I think Quarry might get the better of it.
*MMA Blaster Pick- Quarry via decision.

Michael Bisping (14-1) vs. Charles McCarthy (10-4) - Bisping is coming off a split decision loss to Rashad Evans in November of 2007, and the Hamill decision. McCarthy last fought in the TUF 4 finale in November of 2006. Bisping has been talking some smack, and I believe he is very confident going into the bout. McCarthy hasn't fought in a long time and I believe this will show.
*MMA Blaster Pick- Bisping via TKO round 3.

Marc Bocek (5-1) vs. Mac Danzig (17-4) - Bocek is coming off a decision win over Doug Evans on the pre New Year's eve show of 2007. Danzig's last fight was his win over Tom Speer in the TUF 6 Finale in December of 2007. Danzig has the experience and I believe he will overwelm Bocek.
*MMA Blaster Pick- Danzig via KO round 2.

PRELIMINARY CARD

Joe Doerksen vs. Jason MacDonald- MMA Blaster Pick- MacDonald via sub round 3.
Rich Clementi vs. Sam Stout- MMA Blaster Pick- Stout via KO round 2
Alan Belcher vs. Jason Day- MMA Blaster Pick- Belcher via sub round 3.
Jonathan Goulet vs. Kuniyoshi Hironaka- MMA Blaster Pick- Hironaka via decision
Ed Herman vs. Demian Maia- MMA Blaster Pick- Herman via TKO round 3.
Brad Morris vs. Cain Velasquez- MMA Blaster Pick- Cain via decision

TUF Thanksgiving News

Story Copyright of the MMA Blaster

I have been out of range for the past couple days enjoying a Thanksgiving in the Boondocks. I did watch TUF this past Wednesday after my drive to the country. The episode was just about as predictable as it could be, except for Serra winning the coaches challenge.

This episode featured two 170 pound second round tournament match-ups Matt Arroyo vs. Troy Mandaloniz, and Richie Hightower vs. George Sotiropoulos. I always hate when there are two fights in a TUF episode because it usually means two very quick fights. Unfortunately, my prediction rang true and both fights ended in the first with Matt Arroyo and George both getting submission victories.

I'm going to reiterate my point that the Troy (2-1) v. Matt (2-1) fight should never have happened and was probably staged to get someone an easier route to the finals because in my book they are the #4, #5 fighters in the tourney. I would have split Speer and Saunders up to take them on. Well, I'll settle on seeing Saunders v. Speer next week.

Apparently Serra is out for his fight versus Matt Hughes and GSP has stepped in. Dana has decided that Matt Serra's back injury is severe enough to classify GSP v. Hughes III as an interim title fight. Dana has also said that Stevenson v. Penn is also an interim title fight. Does this mean most divisions will soon have two title holders? Can you believe that the last UFC 170 pound title fight was April 7, 2007? That is crazy. Serra won't fight for the title in over a year because of TUF and the UFC scheduling.

TUF Recap Danzig v. Kolosci

Recap by the MMA Blaster

After Serra crushed Hughes during the first round of the tournament, 6-2, Dana White is ready to set the quarterfinals. Apparently Serra has some say in this, but you know Dana White is the guy who is really setting the match-ups. Kolosci wants to fight Danzig, probably still riding the Billy Miles upset momentum.

The match-ups are:
Danzig v. Kolosci
Arroyo v. Mandaloniz
Sotiropoulos v. Hightower
Speer v. Saunders

I don't like the Speer v. Saunders fight because I think they should have met in the next round. My guess is those two sustained the most damage in their wins therefore fighting with the most time to heal. To me, Speer is probably the #4 seed and Saunders the #3, and I would have Arroyo #5, Mandaloniz #6. I think it could set up an easier path for Danzig, who I am pretty sure the UFC is in love with on some level.

Danzig has been portrayed pretty much as a grumpy, condescending, know it all. This episode shows him trying to be a gentler, nicer guy. I don't know what to make of him other than I am not his biggest fan right now.

Arroyo and Hightower get shipped to Hughes team to train and be cornered by Hughes because of the 6-2 advantage for Serra. Sucks for them because Hughes as been kicking his fighters into oblivion during the show and not saying much in the corner. Serra says he won't be yelling from the corner during the two Serra v. Serra fights.

The Danzig v. Kolosci fight was definately one sided. Kolosci was physically taller and bigger than Danzig, so the gameplan was pretty simple, take Danzig down. Of course, it didn't work out that way as Kolosci was beat up in the fight from start to finish. After a brief exchange Kolosci went down and was hammered by Danzig before Kolosci managed to get back on his feet. Next Kolosci tried for that takedown, but Danzig was ready to trade, sprawl and counter. Danzig elbowed the head and behind the head, punched the head, elbowed the ribs, used the point of the elbow on the back and ribs, before eventually getting the rear naked choke. Danzig winner rd 1.


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