UFC 121: Cain Velasquez Dethrones Brock Lesnar

   One big array of punches from Cain Velasquez is all he need to take down the "baddest man on the planet", UFC's heavyweight champ Brock Lesnar. And as the whole crowd of Anaheim, California explodes to joy of  Cain's victory, the former champ Lesnar leaves the Octagon, bruised and bloodied on UFC 121.

   Lesnar started and showed why he is the champ by barging right into Velasquez using his strength as his advantage. But on every Lesnar offense resulted into Velasquez's instant defense-offense combination of punches. As the two traded punches in the middle of the first, Lesnar had a bad left eye already. Velasquez had Lesnar with a big punch that sent down the champ. But Lesnar got up again. And with Velasquez sensing the end of Lesnar, he followed it up with a set of punches that sent Lesnar again. As the challenger pummeld the champ, the referee had enough and stopped it at 4:12 of the first round.

   With the win, Velasquez became the first Mexican heavyweight champ of the UFC.



(TheBloggerSays: Really good fight. I was really rooting for Cain to pull this one up. Good overall performance by Cain really paved the way for him. I think Lesnar just didn't expect this kind of opponent.)

St-Pierre's Manila Visit

   Last week, UFC welterweight champion George St-Pierre visited Manila and he thought that it was just another visit to another country. And he was wrong. Fans crowded the Ninoy Aquino International Airport just before his arrival at 5 AM. From there on, it was all amazement for GSP as he roamed Manila. He stopped by ABS-CBN's top-rating Showtime to promote his activities. He also dropped by in a gym where his idol, boxing champ Manny Pacquiao trains. He even had some tips from Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach. The day after he went on a MMA clinic at SM Mall of Asia where thousands of Filipino MMA fans gather to see one of UFC best top fighters.

   GSP's next bout is against Josh Koscheck on UFC 124, December 14, 2010.



(TheBloggerSays: This is one big proof, that MMA or UFC is really the fastest growing sport anywhere.)

UFC 119: Mir Back In Winning Ways, Defeats Cro Cop

   After a loss suffered from Shane Carwin 6 months ago, heavyweight Frank Mir showed again his might knocking out Mirko Filipovic in the 4:02 of the 3rd round at main event of UFC 119 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

   Cro Cop,who replaced Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira due to injury, ducked while attacking but unaware if a Mir knee strike. That strike sent him down to the octagon's canvass and also ended the fight. Both fighters were criticized for lack of offensive attacks in the fight prior to the knock out.



(TheBloggerSays: I really liked the way Mir knocked Cro Cop. But that's it. The KO was the only thing in the fight. I almost fell asleep. I just wish Mir will go up again in the ranks.)

UFC 118: Randy Couture To James Toney "Let's Go!"

   "James or any other boxers, they think they're just gonna walk in there with just their boxing tools and be terribly effective, I'll show him mistake."

   Those were the words by UFC legend and former heavyweight champion Randy Couture regarding his opponent, boxer James Toney, scheduled on UFC 118 this August 28.

   The said heavyweight bout will be the co-main event along with Penn-Edgar lightweight fight.

   The whole UFC Couture interview below. Courtesy of UFC's official Youtube site.

(TheBloggerSays: I think this heavyweight bout will just be an attraction, for the fans of course. But surely will be entertaining. I wanna see if Toney will be able to counter all of Randy's kicks and take downs.)

Eric "Butterbean" Esch Q&A Interview

   Known as "King of the 4 Rounders" in boxing, Eric "Butterbean" Esch, now a MMA athlete, answered some questions thru his Facebook account exclusively for this blog. He talked about his coming MMA fight on Sept. 18 against Marius Pudzianowski and his future plans after the said bout.

Good day Mr. Esch! You've just turned 44 and you've knocked down and out so many guys all over the world via different types of combat sports, are you still planning to switch to another sport after doing MMA?

- Boxing maybe? Depends who.

Do you have a dream match or opponent for yourself?

-No. Just whatever comes my way at this age.

I learned that your two good sons are also fighters, do you train them yourself? 

-Yes, I do train them. And a few of other fighters that I know.

Now about your upcoming fight against Marius Pudzianowski, what can you say about the guy? I mean he's a strongman champion and looks like a human-hulk, do these credentials intimidate you?

-I think he's stupid. Being a strong man and fighting MMA is like apples and oranges. Intimidate ME? NOT AT ALL!! You'll see when I fight him, I WILL KNOCK HIM OUT!!!

After the fight, do you have immediate plans for the the future? Do you plan to fight one more guy?

-I will have another fight after. not sure who yet tho.

You worked with WWE twice, a staged and a shoot fight as well with Knoxville (Johnny) in Jackass. Which one do you enjoy more?

-Jackass!!!

Do you have any message for the fans on your next fight and future endeavors?

-I WILL KNOCK OUT Pudzianowski BY THE 2nd ROUND!! BET ON IT!!! I feel good and I will keep fighting until I feel it it time to retire. But not yet.




(TheBloggerSays: Mr. Esch is humble enough and great to give me this opportunity. I hope this will be the first of my many chats or interviews with big and great athletes like Mr Esch.)






Photo Credit: espnmilwaukee.com

Lashley Open On Fighting Batista

   When news broke that former WWE superstar Batista was entering the world of Mixed Martial Arts and will be fighting for the Strikeforce MMA promotion later this year, speculation began immediately that we could see him fight against fellow WWE alum Bobby Lashley (5-0).

   Lashley was a part of Strikeforce’s media conference call this afternoon and commented on a possible showdown in the cage with Batista. Lashley said he’s open to fighting Batista if Strikeforce pushes the fight, but he’d rather focus on more experienced fighters in his quest for Heavyweight gold:

   “It’s not really the direction I want to move (in), but if it’s worth it and they really think he’s ready and Strikeforce wants me to fight him, I’ll take the fight. I’ve had a good game plan up to this point and I really want to move in the right direction. Dave’s just starting out. I’m looking to better myself and get better opponents each time. I’m not disrespecting Dave at all, but he’s new to the game. That’s definitely a fight for the fans, but not so much for my career.”

   Lashley’s next fight takes place later this month on August 21st against Chad Griggs at Strikeforce: Houston on Showtime.

Source: http://www.lordsofpain.net/

Dave Batista vs. Bobby Lashley?

   There's no contract yet for Filipino-Greek Dave Bautista (WWE's Batista) to be on Strikeforce but news around buzzing is Strikeforce CEO Scott Cooker is said to be very interested on bringing him in and matching him up on Bobby Lashley, also a former WWE champ. Cooker said that a good undercard and a CBS deal would make them high on ratings.

   Bautista said that he would like a few fights first before clashing with Lashley. He now training boxing, wretling and jiu-jitsu while Lashley is still recovering from a knee injury.