UFC 112 review and predictions
Probably the biggest fight card this year has come around quick.
UFC 112 BJ Penn vs Frankie Edgar Anderson Silva vs Demain Maia
Its special for two reasons, first event held in Abu Dhabi and outdoors and secondly important as two titles are on the line. BJ Penn arguably the best ever lightweight defends against New Jersey wrestler Frankie Edgar.
The second title defence is arguably pound for pound number Anderson Silva defending against fellow Brazilian and Brazilian Ju Jitsu expert Demain Maia.
Tweet This :) 
Digg This Post 
Facebook
March top 10 pound for pound MMA fighters
1. Anderson Silva (25-4)
Current UFC middleweight champion is definitely the number one pound for pound fighter around in MMA. His flirting with light heavyweight has only happened twice but both times destroyed his opponents. If he defends his title against Demian Maia at UFC 112 in Abu Dhabi he will be pushed to go back up. Mentioned by many as a possible dual weight champion he scares all light heavyweights.
2. Georges St. Pierre (19-2)
The current UFC welterweight champ, is defending his title against Dan Hardy at the end of this month at UFC 111. GSP has defended his title three times. With a win over Hardy it is highly suggested he might have to start fighting up at middleweight. Still discounts the step up and a third fight against lightweight champ BJ Penn.
3. Fedor Emelianenko (31-1, 1 NC)
World known heavyweight known as Fedor has scared many heavyweights over the years, he is currently fighting in Strikeforce and defending his WAMMA heavyweight title. He known for destroying fighters in Pride and Affliction. Many question his absence away from the UFC but if he wants to be known as one of the true greats he must jump over to the stacked heavyweight UFC division.
Tweet This :) Digg This Post Facebook
Top 5 UFC rankings lightweight division February
Here are my top 5 rankings for all current lightweight UFC division.
1. BJ Penn
2. Kenny Florian
3. Frankie Edgar
4. Gray Maynard
5. Tyson Griffin
What else can you say about the best ever lightweight to fight in MMA? The Hawaiian 155lbs champion has beaten all fighters thrown at him at 155lbs, his recent destruction of Diego Sanchez, Kenny Florian, Sean Sherk and Joe Stevenson. BJ defends his title against Frankie Edgar at UFC 112 in Abu Dhabi. If a win at UFC 112, it is widely anticipated he will step up to welterweight to challenge the top 5 and another rematch against GSP.
Second for me is Kenny Florian, Kenny could and has beaten the majority of the top 5 contenders already. Kenny has lost two title shots, BJ Penn defended and beat Florian at UFC 101. Florian next fight is against Takanori Gomi on March 31st at Ultimate fight night. If Florian wins expect him to have one more fight before another title shot.
Third comes number one contender Frankie Edgar, Edgar has been impressive since his introduction to UFC back in February 2007. Edgar has only lost once, that was to other contender Gray Maynard. Edgar beat former champ Sean Sherk in May of last year. I am not expecting Edgar to really challenge BJ at UFC 112 but he is a real contender and hope for the future of lightweight division.
Fourth is wrestling and now striker Gray Maynard, Maynard is technically unbeaten in MMA. He has beaten 9 fighters including Frankie Edgar and Tyson Griffin. Maynard was due for a title shot however with his last fight against Diaz he struggled to contain his emotions and admits he wasn’t ready for a title shot. Maynard is a big guy for lightweight, he will need to mentally focus and keep improving, with another win he could challenge for a title shot in the near future.
Fifth for me is Tyson Griffin, Griffin is another fighter for the future, he has lost two fights in his short but impressive career. Griffin is widely known as fight of the night winner, he has already made real buzz around him, he has a good strong base and trains at the right champ Extreme Couture. He is definitely the future and look forward to fighting at a higher standard in the very near future.
Danny Denhard
Tweet This :) Digg This Post Facebook
MMA lightweight top 10 rankings January 2010
LIGHTWEIGHT DIVISION (160-pound limit)
1. B.J. Penn – Current UFC lightweight champion
2. Shinya Aoki – Current WAMMA Lightweight Champion, DREAM Lightweight Champion and Shooto Middleweight Champion
3. Eddie Alvarez – Bellator Fighting Championships lightweight champion
4. Kenny Florian
5. Tatsuya Kawajiri
6. Joachim Hansen
7. Gesias “JZ” Cavalcante
8. Gray Maynard
9. Frankie Edgar – current number 1 contender, will fight BJ Penn at UFC 112
10. Gilbert Melendez – current Strikeforce lightweight champion
Danny Denhard
Tweet This :) Digg This Post Facebook
UFC 112 Fight card
UFC 112
April 10, 2010
Abu Dhabi, UAE
Official Fight card
Main Card
Main event
Middleweight Championship bout: Anderson Silva (champion) v Demian Maia
Co main event
Lightweight Championship bout: B.J. Penn (champion) v Frankie Edgar
Welterweight bout: Matt Hughes vs. Renzo Gracie
Lightweight bout: Terry Etim vs. Rafael dos Anjos
Middleweight bout: Kendall Grove vs. Mark Munoz
Preliminary Card
Light Heavyweight bout: Alexander Gustafsson vs. Phil Davis
Lightweight bout: Paul Taylor vs. John Gunderson
Welterweight bout: Nick Osipczak vs. Rick Story
Welterweight bout: DaMarques Johnson vs. Brad Blackburn
Lightweight bout: Paul Kelly vs. Matt Veach
Heavyweight bout: Jon Madsen vs. Mostapha Al-turk
Fight preview video Anderson Silva middleweight champ
Danny Denhard
Tweet This :) Digg This Post Facebook
What next for BJ Penn?
Lightweight champion BJ Penn defended his title @ 107 against ultimate fighter winner Diego Sanchez.
If you saw the fight you will understand it when I say he didn’t just beat Diego he had the answer before Diego asked the question. Don’t forget Diego was until recently a highly thought of welterweight.
BJ for 4 and half rounds won every round, his boxing, his defence and brief attacks were so methodical he looked like he saw every move. His boxing was awesome and just illustrates how he developed since his recent lost at welterweight against GSP.
The difference between BJ and the rest of the division and arguably across the lightweight worldwide category is he is the best boxer, the best BJJ fighter, grappler and has almost take down defence.
So the question is what does he do?
At lightweight -
Does he take on Gray Maynard?
Maynard has been one of the raising unbeaten fighters within the last few years, he has beaten some of the best and is huge at 155. He has also beaten closest rival Frank Edgar in 2008.
Question that strikes me is he going to trouble BJ? His hands might not be quick enough, his BJJ isn’t in the class of BJ’s no and can he take him down I doubt it. So really that’s a pointless title defence and not a fight to excite the fans. I think he should fight a classy fighter like Kenny Florian first.
Does he take on Frankie Edgar?
Frankie Edgar is a raising star of MMA no question but the only skill he has is his wrestling but even if he takes BJ down does he have the skills to finish or keep him there or even would BJ get out and end up tabbing Frankie out. I forsee a easy win for BJ again. I think is Frankie beats a big name at lightweight possibly throw him in against Diego Sanchez to see his credentials.
Does he take on Shinya Aoki?
Well this would be so many if’s and buts, however if Dana and co could get this rolling it would be one fight that might excite BJ and UFC fans. I can’t see this happening but in long run maybe a possibility. The only question mark for me as a fighter is Aoki has already lost 4 fights and Dana wouldn’t want to sign him put him up against a contender or challenger and lose his first fight, Denis Kang was highly thought of and was so disappointing he was dropped.
Rematch with Kenny Florian could be on the cards in the future but definitely wouldn’t be the best for UFC lightweight and I also think Kenny couldn’t beat BJ.
Going up to welterweight -
GSP would be the first one suggested by the fans, it would sell out every venue but not quite the best thing for the welterweight division or championship. Not sure this would be the best thing for Penn either.
GSP defends title against Englishman Dan Hardy possibly at UFC 111 and would need to beat him to even stand a chance for the rubber match.
There has been strong rumours that former number one contender Jon Fitch would face BJ if he steps up. Fitch is probably number two or three contender currently and would have something to say if the rubber match was suggested. Fitch has won 19 out of his last 20 fights and only loss in that run was against current champ GSP. Fitch is also a large welterweight (has fought at light heavyweight before) and can trade with all comers at WW, this fight would be very good and give BJ a real look at a classy welterweight.
I am sure BJ would love to step back up but with all the huge welterweights he might have to train 6-9 months before he gave himself a real chance. Grease gate and the ease in which GSP took BJ down would illustrate the huge difference.
Another champion who has stepped up middleweight champ and pound for pound best fighter Anderson Silva’s transition period was not easy but he does walk around more like 205 and is a very large middleweight and appears light heavyweight is much less of a cut and possibly a more natural weight than what BJ does. On the flip side BJ’s new training camp appears to have given him a real confidence and wouldn’t appear to be a problem with building mass and adapting his training to welterweight. BJ would need to beat at least one welterweight from comments via UFC president Dana White. There would be a line up of potential fighters who want to have BJ’s scalp under the record, Josh Koscheck, Thiago Alves and would it prompt another fight between Matt Hughes and BJ or even Matt Serra and BJ?
Anyone who wants to fight will have to pay attention, many people do not know he has fought some of the biggest names in MMA, he beat Matt Hughes at welterweight at UFC 46, he beat Rodrigo Gracie at middleweight and fought Lyoto Machida at light heavyweight when Lyoto was close to 30lbs heavier.
I’d like to see BJ step up beat a bigger fighter possibly Koscheck and then maybe have a shot at GSP for the rubber match. BJ doesn’t strike me to leave the lightweight division and may need to defend his title at least once in 2010, maybe it will be Maynard or Edgar. Switching weight might be more difficult but if one fighter who has the desire to go down in history is Baby Jay Penn.
BJ Penn’s UFC career –
Win 15–5–1 Diego Sanchez TKO (Doctor Stoppage) UFC 107: Penn vs. Sanchez
Win 14–5–1 Kenny Florian Submission (Rear Naked Choke) UFC 101: Declaration
Loss 13–5–1 Georges St-Pierre TKO (Corner Stoppage) UFC 94: St-Pierre vs. Penn 2
Win 13–4–1 Sean Sherk TKO (Knee and Punches) UFC 84: Ill Will
Win 12–4–1 Joe Stevenson Submission (Rear Naked Choke) UFC 80: Rapid Fire
Win 11–4–1 Jens Pulver Submission (Rear Naked Choke) The Ultimate Fighter 5 Finale
Loss 10–4–1 Matt Hughes TKO (Punches) UFC 63: Hughes vs. Penn
Loss 10–3–1 Georges St-Pierre Decision (Split) UFC 58: US vs. Canada
Win 7–1–1 Matt Hughes Submission (Rear Naked Choke) UFC 46: Supernatural
Draw 5–1–1 Caol Uno Draw UFC 41: Onslaught
Win 5–1 Matt Serra Decision (Unanimous) UFC 39: The Warriors Return
Win 4–1 Paul Creighton TKO (Strikes) UFC 37: High Impact
Loss 3–1 Jens Pulver Decision (Majority) UFC 35: Throwdown
Win 3–0 Caol Uno KO (Punches) UFC 34: High Voltage
Win 2–0 Din Thomas TKO (Strikes) UFC 32: Showdown in the Meadowlands
Win 1–0 Joey Gilbert TKO (Strikes) UFC 31: Locked and Loaded
Danny Denhard
Tweet This :) Digg This Post Facebook
The day The Hawaiians Took Over – BJ Penn’s entrance music
Mahalo – This is the world famous BJ Penn entrance music, the day the Hawaiians took over. There are a number of fans like myself who love this and thought I’d post!
Dedicated to the greatest lightweight in MMA BJ Penn!
Danny Denhard
Tweet This :) Digg This Post Facebook
live upcoming televised ufc events
Sunday 25th October 02:00
Lyoto Machida v Mauricio Rua – light heavyweight title fight
UFC 104
ESPN
(02:00-05:00)
Saturday 14th November 20:00
Randy Couture v Brendon Vera
UFC 105
ESPN
Sunday 22nd November 03:00
Brock Lesnar v Shane Carwin – heavyweight title fight
UFC 106
ESPN
Sunday 13th December 03:00
BJ Penn v Diego Sanchez – lightweight title fight
UFC 107
ESPN
Source www.news4ufc.co.uk
Danny Denhard
Tweet This :) Digg This Post Facebook
UFC fighters twitter list
UFC champions -
Lightweight champion
BJ Penn
http://twitter.com/ufcbjpenn
Welterweight champion
George St Pierre
http://twitter.com/Georgesstpierre
Middleweight champion
Anderson Silva
http://twitter.com/brazillianspida
Light heavyweight champion
Lyoto Machida
http://twitter.com/lyotomachidafw
Heavyweight champion
Brock Lesnar
http://twitter.com/DCBROCKLESNAR
UFC legends
Randy Couture
http://twitter.com/Randy_Couture
Tito Ortiz
http://twitter.com/titoortiz
Chuck Liddell
http://twitter.com/chuckliddel
Royce Gracie
http://twitter.com/roycegraciemma
Top contenders
Kenny Florian
http://twitter.com/Kenny_Florian
Forrest Griffen
http://twitter.com/ForrestGriffin
Shane Carwin
http://twitter.com/ShaneCarwin
Rashad Evans
http://twitter.com/SugaRashadEvans
Dan Henderson
http://twitter.com/danhendo
Rampage Jackson
http://twitter.com/Rampage4real
Nathan Marquardt
http://twitter.com/NathanMarquardt
Frank Mir
http://twitter.com/ufcmir
Rich Franklin
http://twitter.com/FollowACE
Mike Swik
http://twitter.com/officialswick
Other UFC fighters
Ryan Bader
http://twitter.com/ryanbader
Dan Hardy
http://twitter.com/danhardymma
Amir Sadollah
http://twitter.com/amirMMA
Nate Quarry
http://twitter.com/NateRockQuarry
Mark Muñoz
http://twitter.com/markkmunoz
Patrick Cote
http://twitter.com/patrickcoteufc
DaMarques Johnson
http://twitter.com/DaMarques_UFC
Keith Jardine
http://twitter.com/KeithJardine205
Gabriel Gonzaga
http://twitter.com/gonzagabjj
Joe Laozon
http://twitter.com/JoeLauzon
Joe Stevenson
http://twitter.com/joestevenson
Frank Trigg
http://twitter.com/FRANKTRIGG
Jason Miller
http://twitter.com/mayhemmiller
Michael Bisping
http://twitter.com/bisping
CB Dollaway
http://twitter.com/cbdollaway
Kimbo Silce
http://twitter.com/kimboslice
Marcus Davis
http://twitter.com/irishgrenade
Sam Stout
http://twitter.com/samstoutblog
WEC fighters
Urijah Faber
http://twitter.com/urijahfaber
Efrain Escudero
http://twitter.com/effyescudero
Jens Pulver
http://twitter.com/Jens_Pulver
Rob McCullough
http://twitter.com/RaZoRoB
Former UFC fighters
Andrei Arlovski
http://twitter.com/AndreiArlovski
Frank Shamrock
http://twitter.com/frankshamrock
Travis Lutter
http://twitter.com/travislutter
Houston Alexander
http://twitter.com/scrib1972
Other MMA fighters to follow
Bobby Lashley
http://twitter.com/fightbobby
Josh Barnett
http://twitter.com/JoshLBarnett
Jeff Joslin
http://twitter.com/JeffJoslin
Female MMA figters to take note of -
Jessica Pene
http://twitter.com/JessicaPene
Gina Carano
http://twitter.com/ginacarano
Danny Denhard
@betalabs
Tweet This :) Digg This Post Facebook
UFC 101 results – BJ Penn and Anderson secure great wins – UFC 101 video highlights
- B.J. Penn (champion) beats Kenny Florian via submission — Round 4, 3:54
UFC Lightweight Championship - Anderson Silva beats Forrest Griffin via KO — Round 1, 3:23
- Aaron Riley (Perez Hilton lookalike) beats Shane Nelson via unanimous decision (3×30-27)
- Johnny Hendricks beats Amir Sadollah via TKO — Round 1, 0:29
- Ricardo Almeida beats Kendall Grove – unanimous decision (3×30-27)
- Kurt Pellegrino beats Josh Neer via unanimous decision (3×30-27)
- John Howard beats Tamdan McCrory via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Alessio Sakara beats Thales Leites via split decision (29-28, 27-30, 29-28)
- Matthew Riddle beats Dan Cramer via unanimous decision (29-27, 30-26, 30-27)
- George Sotiropoulos beats George Roop via kimura — Round 2, 1:59
- Jesse Lennox beats Danillo Villefort via TKO (cut) — Round 3, 3:37
Danny Denhard
LinkedIn
If you want to see my LinkedIn profile, click on this button:
