MMA Ratings

UFC 105 Main Card Predictions

2009-11-14T17:00:00.000-05:00

By Bryan Levick (BryanLevick@mmaratings.net) A busy month of November continues as UFC 105 takes place this Saturday from Manchester, England. The card will be headlined by a light heavyweight showdown between UFC Hall of Famer, Randy Couture and UFC underachiever, Brandon "The Truth" Vera. Spike TV will be airing a tape delay broadcast starting at 8pm. UFC 105 is just one of three major shows that Zuffa is presenting this month. WEC 44 which features a main event for the featherweight championship between champion, Mike Brown and number one contender Jose Aldo will take place on November...

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MMA 101: Banana Split, gogoplata, and kimura are MMA techniques?

2009-11-12T08:00:00.001-05:00

By Katrina Belcher (KatrinaBelcher@mmaratings.net) As per my previous article, many of the techniques associated with MMA are routinely utilized and practiced in other combat sports disciplines on an international level and they have been practiced safely. The evolution of MMA includes a heavy influence from Vale Tude, shoot wrestling and BJJ. Vale-tudo is Portuguese for anything goes: vale – “is allowed”, tudo – “everything.” The sport known as mixed martial arts features competitors from various martial arts and Olympic sports, such as karate,...

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Hugging it Out, or MMA's Mainstream Conundrum

2009-11-11T21:02:00.018-05:00

By Michael Ford (MichaelFord@mmaratings.net) Last week, fellow writer Spencer Kyte discussed his Jorge Gurgel Theory, which he suggested was an impediment to the mixed martial arts becoming mainstream. While I agree with much of the article, I disagree with his contention that the growth of the sport is hampered by unsophisticated, uninformed fans. On the contrary, the existence of those fans is a symptom, not the problem itself. In professional sports, there will always be a tension between being effective and being crowd-pleasing. And yet, these other sports don't feel that the long-term...

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MMA 101: What are holds, take downs and submissions?

2009-11-11T08:00:00.002-05:00

By Katrina Belcher (KatrinaBelcher@mmaratings.net) Many people are not familiar with the technical aspects of MMA and have viewed the vast arsenal of the technical elements of the sport of MMA as confusing and in some cases “barbaric”. However, MMA techniques by their definition come from a wide variety of recognized martial arts and combat disciplines. In fact, MMA uses many of the techniques currently in use in the prestigious Olympic Games – such as Judo, Boxing, Wrestling and Tae Kwon Do to some degree, as well as other martial disciplines that have a history of...

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Jake Shields in the Mainstream

2009-11-10T17:04:00.007-05:00

By Nicholas Bailey (nbailey@mmaratings.net) The first time I ever saw a Jake Shields fight, it was his smothering decision win over Mach Sakurai. I knew that Shields had a reputation for being an awesome grappler and a bit of a blanket, but I was stunned at how inert he was able to render as dynamic an offensive force as Sakurai. It was also, I thought, all I'd ever care to see from Shields. An impressive exhibition of skill, to be sure, but not the stuff of highlight reels. I told myself that, for as long as Shields wanted to use his considerable talents to simply hold his opponent down and...

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UFC 105 Fight Week Previews: James Wilks vs. Matt Brown

2009-11-10T11:51:00.003-05:00

By E. Spencer Kyte (espencerkyte@mmaratings.net) Second fight, second TUF Season 9 winner stepping into the cage. While James "Lightning" Wilks doesn't have as difficult a match-up as countryman and lightweight winner Ross "The Real Deal" Pearson, the welterweight winner faces a stiff test in fellow TUF alum Matt Brown. Despite not advancing past the quarterfinals of Season 7, "The Immortal" has joined "Crazy" Tim Credeur as the true breakout stars of that particular season, earning a 3-1 record and enhancing his reputation as a gritty competitor who is hard to put away. James Wilks (6-2)...

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MMA 101: Why so many rules in MMA?

2009-11-10T08:00:00.002-05:00

By Katrina Belcher (KatrinaBelcher@mmaratings.net) The reason for rules in MMA competition include keeping contestants, ring personnel and spectators safe, and to maintain a sense of fairness and uniformity during each competition. The number one concern of a referee during a competition, however, is the safety of the competitors. In fact, one of the reasons rules and regulations were “created” was to make sure competitors were safe and injuries were kept at minimum. Interestingly, one of the major requirements for becoming certified as an MMA referee is prior knowledge of the sport –...

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Strikeforce In Review: Live Cageside

2009-11-09T15:39:00.012-05:00

By Nicholas Bailey (nbailey@mmaratings.net) Being cageside for this event was a great experience. While the bottom of the card lacked energy, the arena was electric for every main card bout, aside from some restless periods late in the Shields/Miller fight. For all the talk of Fedor being an unknown or difficult to market, the fact is that Rogers, the US fighter was soundly booed when announced and entered, simply because he dared to challenge Fedor. While the action on the main card provided all one could ask for, Strikeforce's warts were still on display. One thing that has plagued them...

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UFC 105 Fight Week Previews: Ross Pearson vs. Aaron Riley

2009-11-09T13:13:00.004-05:00

By E. Spencer Kyte (espencerkyte@mmaratings.net) With Strikeforce's debut on CBS over and done with, the focus shifts to the UFC's free offering this weekend on Spike, as UFC 105 hits the airwaves from Manchester, England. As is always the case with overseas events, the card features the usual suspects like the Pauls (Taylor and Kelly), Dennis Siver and Terry Etim. Joining the mix for the first (and probably not the last time) are the half of Team UK from Season 9 of The Ultimate Fighter. Both Nick Osipczak and Andre Winner return to the Octagon after falling short on the program itself,...

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Strikeforce: 10 Things I Learned Last Night

2009-11-08T10:21:00.008-05:00

By E. Spencer Kyte (espencerkyte@mmaratings.net) 1. This Picture Might Be Accurate Anyone else would have been finished. Broken nose on the very first punch, from a jab no less, before taking some serious ground and pound from a guy known explicitly for his big hands? We've seen talented fighters succumb to less. But Fedor? The increasingly mythical entity that is "The Last Emperor" stood tall and remained calm, weathered the storm, landed some shots of his own and put an exclamation point on the evening with a precision knockout of Brett Rogers less than two minutes into Round 2. More...

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Fight Picks and Predictions for Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers

2009-11-07T18:30:00.005-05:00

By Nicholas Bailey (nbailey@mmaratings.net) What is the meaning of a Fedor vs. Rogers fight? It's not clear. Rogers isn't the cream of the crop, and he's dangerously untested for a fight against an all-time pound-for-pound great like Fedor, but he does have the ability to threaten the heavyweight kingpin. Furthermore, all of this will be happening on the widest possible stage, being broadcast to millions of homes, expanding beyond even the reach of Zuffa's media monster. If Rogers loses quickly, as Fedor's recent opponents have, his humiliation will be complete, and those who have never seen...

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Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers Picks & Predictions

2009-11-07T18:00:00.002-05:00

By Bryan Levick (BryanLevick@mmaratings.net) Tomorrow night mixed martial arts returns to CBS for the first time since last October as Strikeforce presents: Fedor vs. Rogers. The televised portion of the card has four bouts and all of them have some sort of title implications involved with them. Now on to my predictions. Fedor Emelianenko vs. Brett Rogers Strikeforce and CBS have really stepped up here big time with the addition of Fedor on a card that will air during prime time and on free television. Scott Coker took a huge gamble by signing Fedor and if he is to recoup some of his...

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Mixed Martial Arts in the Mainstream: The Jorge Gurgel Theory

2009-11-07T12:55:00.004-05:00

By E. Spencer Kyte (espencerkyte@mmaratings.net) With Strikeforce's long-awaited network television debut tonight, the mainstream media will be turning their often-occluded eye towards Mixed Martial Arts. So too will millions of viewers, some long-time fans flocking at the chance to see the great Fedor Emelianenko fight for free, others in sheer curiosity towards this sport they keep hearing about called MMA. Over the last few months, a great deal has been made about the potential push of Mixed Martial Arts into the mainstream and tonight's groundbreaking event opens the door for that...

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Sengoku 11 Preview

2009-11-06T18:15:00.000-05:00

By Joshua Stein (josh@mmaopinion.com) Along with two Strikeforce events this weekend, the Japanese organization World Victory Road will be putting on Sengoku 11 in Tokyo. Featherweight Bout: Hatsu Hioki vs. Michihiro Omigawa The event will feature a matchup that will look to begin correcting a bizarre featherweight tournament as Michihiro Omigawa (7-8-1 MMA) takes on the organization’s top ranked featherweight in Hatsu Hioki (20-3-2 MMA, #4 IWMMAR). Middleweight Bout: Jorge Santiago vs. Mamed Khalidov There will also be a notable fight between top ten middleweight and organizational...

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Strikeforce Fight Week Previews: Fedor vs. Rogers

2009-11-06T12:48:00.006-05:00

By E. Spencer Kyte (espencerkyte@mmaratings.net) Now it's time for the big dance. Before breaking down the fight, here is my one shout out to the rest of the MMA community: We're getting a chance to see one of the greatest fighters to ever grace our sport for free tomorrow night. This is like Ali fighting on ABC's Wide World of Sports back in the day. Tell your friends, tell your enemies and tell all the people you talk to today, because I don't want to spend Monday writing about the sad state of affairs this sport really is when Fedor Emelianenko can't draw as many fans to a fight on FREE...

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Strikeforce Fight Week Preview: Jake Shields vs. Jason Miller

2009-11-06T12:17:00.003-05:00

By E. Spencer Kyte (espencerkyte@mmaratings.net) I've already gone on record in a couple different places saying this will be the Fight of the Night. That's what happens when you get a guy who likes to submit people fighting a guy who just doesn't tap. While my prediction for this fight has been known to readers of my work at Bleacher Report, that won't stop me from breaking in down FWP-style as always. I mean, just because I think Mayhem is going to win doesn't mean I can't discuss the finer points of this outstanding match-up. Some would call that remaining objective; undoubtedly, others...

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Strikeforce Fight Week Previews: Gegard Mousasi vs. Sokoudjou

2009-11-05T21:07:00.004-05:00

By E. Spencer Kyte (espencerkyte@mmaratings.net) Grab a pen and write this down: In no more than three years time, Gegard Mousasi will be considered the best Mixed Martial Artist on the planet. Remember who told you that when everyone who follows the sport is fawning over the Armenian-born, Dutch-raised soon-to-be superstar. Saturday night, fight fans will get to see why the man known as "The Dreamcatcher" is on the verge of becoming a household name and one of the top pound-for-pound performers in the sport. Gegard Mousasi (26-2-1) vs. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou (7-4-0) The training camp...

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Strikeforce Fight Week Previews: Fabricio Werdum vs. Antonio Silva

2009-11-05T14:50:00.005-05:00

By E. Spencer Kyte (espencerkyte@mmaratings.net) Sorry I've been slacking on breaking down the Strikeforce Main Card this week; in addition to moving, writing revisionist histories on Brock Lesnar and trying to find a job has taken up all of my time. Now that it's already Thursday, here's what we're going to do: two today, two tomorrow. With that out of the way, let's get down to brass tax and break down this bout. Fabricio Werdum (12-4-1) vs. Antonio Silva (13-1-0) As always, where each fighter trains is Step One in trying to figure out who is going to have their hand raised and who is...

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Brock Lesnar: A Lesson in Revisionist History

2009-11-04T13:04:00.003-05:00

By E. Spencer Kyte (espencerkyte@mmaratings.net) Brock Lesnar is the UFC Heavyweight Champion. That fact cannot be disputed. Apparently, everything else in the Mixed Martial Arts history of the athletic freak of nature is up for reconsideration, depending on what side of the Lesnar Line you land on. If you're Team Lesnar, than there is no need to reconstruct the events that have taken place thus far; after all, your guy has a shiny gold belt holding up his pants. The quick UFC history of the organization's top heavyweight looks like this to you: Debuted against a former champion with...

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Thiago Alves: I'm on a mission to become a World Champion

2009-11-04T09:12:00.006-05:00

By Bryan Levick (BryanLevick@mmaratings.net) At the ripe old age of 26, UFC welterweight Thiago Alves has already been through more in his eight years in mixed martial arts than most fighters go through in their whole careers. [Editor's note: Thiago Alves was MMA Ratings' 2008 Fighter of the Year.] From being suspended for using a diuretic to make weight against Tony DeSouza in 2006 to failing to make weight against Matt Hughes at UFC 85 in 2008, all of those trials and tribulations helped Alves become the fighter he is today, the fighter the UFC tapped to fight welterweight champion...

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"Lil' Evil" Jens Pulver to Return in 2010

2009-11-02T16:43:00.004-05:00

By E. Spencer Kyte (espencerkyte@mmaratings.net) When Jens Pulver was submitted in 33 seconds by Josh Grispi back at WEC 41 in Sacramento, the fan favorite known as "Lil' Evil" tearfully thanked the fans for years of support and hinted that the last fight of his career may have just taken place. Thankfully, that doesn't look like it is going to be the case, as the first lightweight champion in UFC history plans on returning to the cage in 2010. Candid as ever, Pulver discussed the time between the Grispi loss and now with Mike Chiappetta of AOL Fanhouse, divulging that moving back to Idaho...

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Red Jelly Beans, Kleenex and Mixed Martial Arts: Oddly Logical Analogies on a Sunday Morning

2009-11-01T12:38:00.005-05:00

By E. Spencer Kyte (espencerkyte@mmaratings.net) If given a choice, which would you rather have: as many red jelly beans as you could possibly eat or all the jelly beans you could stomach in a variety of colors? Those who love red jelly beans see no reason to venture away from their favorite, content to consume the one and only option they enjoy. But some people enjoy and even need variation, different options and possibilities in their jelly bean intake, and the idea of only being allowed one color ruins the enjoyment. Now that you're craving jelly beans, think about this: what if the red...

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Dan Henderson: The Bobby Hull of MMA

2009-10-31T20:39:00.004-04:00

By E. Spencer Kyte (espencerkyte@mmaratings.net) Dan Henderson is the Mixed Martial Arts version of Bobby Hull. For those unfamiliar with the career and biography of "The Golden Jet," Hull was one of the NHL's preeminant stars, sniping goals from the left wing for the Chicago Blackhawks in larger quantities than anyone before him, including Maurice "The Rocket" Richard. But in 1972, Hull grew unhappy with being chronically underpaid and threatened to sign with the upstart WHL. Even though his contract demands seem unreasonable, the owners banded together, came up with the money and landed...

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For The UFC, Less Could Mean More

2009-10-30T14:45:00.006-04:00

By E. Spencer Kyte (espencerkyte@mmaratings.net) When news broke earlier in the week that Brock Lesnar was forced to pull out of his UFC 106 title defense against Shane Carwin, Mixed Martial Arts writer Josh Nason asserted that the sudden shift in schedules highlighted a bigger UFC problem: too many events. Let's make one thing clear right off the top: the chances of the UFC deciding that they're running too many pay-per-view events in a year are about the same as Bob Arum and Bernard Hopkins being next year's inductees into the UFC Hall of Fame. But hypothetically speaking, what would...

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Welcome to the Official MMA Ratings Store

2009-10-29T16:21:00.003-04:00

MMA Ratings, your source for in depth MMA analysis and opinion, and your only source for fight and event rankings, is now bringing you the best in MMA clothing and fight gear. Make MMA Ratings your source for all your MMA gear and clothing. Our store is owned and operated by MMA fighters and fans who want to share their enthusiasm and love for the sport with our customers. Our passion is reflected in our store, and in the performance you can expect in all our products and in your shopping experience. Special thanks to Scott Miller with a MMAadnet for his help with graphics and support. They...

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