Check out this video, Dana White talking Toney vs Couture with legendary boxer ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson.
UFC & MMA blog by Duane Farr
duane@bluraymma.com
UFC 118: Edgar vs Penn 2 & Couture vs Toney
The bank holiday weekend is here! While many are travelling to the seaside or music festivals, Saturday August 28, 2010 is a huge date for fight fans, who will be glued to their sets when the action kicks off in the earlier hours of Sunday morning.
Not only will BJ Penn get a chance of redemption against Frankie Edgar in a return contest for the lightweight belt, but Zuffa are also treating us to a boxer versus mixed martial artist co-main event match-up -- Randy ‘The Natural’ Couture against boxing champ James Toney.
I’m agreeing with Tom Watson, who picks BJ Penn as the winner, in his bout with defending lightweight champ Frankie Edgar. If Penn is in tip top condition and chooses the right game plan he’s the man getting his hand raised by the referee. BJ needs to go in for the finish earlier on, Edgar is a durable fighter, with great cardio, whereas Penn has to drop quite a bit of weight to make the cut to 155 lbs.
The co-main event old school style boxer vs wrestler bout, pitting UFC Hall of Famer Couture against heavyweight boxing champ Toney has got UFC 118 a lot of mainstream attention. Toney is the highest profile heavyweight pro-boxer to challenge a veteran mixed martial artist.
According to the boxing and MMA competitors quoted in Gareth A Davies article most agree Couture is the likely winner, due to Toney’s lack of MMA experience. Randy’s tactics have got to include getting the boxer to the ground and tapping him out. If he plays his usual game of holding his opponent against the fence and dirty-boxing, it may be his undoing against a boxer of Toney’s pedigree, who’ll trade punches in the clinch and may knock out the former UFC Light-heavyweight and Heavyweight title-holder.
Another bout I’m looking forward to is Marcus Davis facing off against Nate Diaz. Diaz one my favourites from The Ultimate Fighter, has got fantastic Jiu Jitsu and some underrated boxing. Davis is known for his stand-up, but don’t underestimate him on the canvas either. Diaz versus Davis looks to be a damn good scrap. My pick is Diaz by tap-out.
Watch the weigh ins video with interviews.
The advertised card:
TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts is the location, see UFC 118 LIVE exclusively on ESPN in the UK.
UFC & MMA blog by Duane Farr
duane@bluraymma.com
In the words of Joe Rogan: Batista joins a bunch of savages
Now this picture is something that grabs my attention as a pro wrestling to MMA convert.
Pictured above is former WWE pro wrestling superstar Dave Batista, alongside the Caesar Gracie camp. Rumour has it muscle-bound freak Batista, who trained in BJJ and Muay Thai before leaving the sports entertainment world, is in talks with Scott Coker’s California based Strikeforce outfit.
A future possibility would be the match-up of Batista versus another former WWE heavyweight and current Strikeforce contracted fighter – Bobby Lashley. First impressions are of sceptisism, featuring 2 former WWE guys in a freak show fight. However after watching this video and seeing who he’s training with, it’s clear he’s focussed and taking the MMA switch seriously.
From Sherdog.com:
Scott Coker had stated that he would be interested to see the 41 year old matched up against former WWE star, and Army wrestler Bobby Lashley claiming that it would be a fun fight for the fans. Only time will tell how interested Batista is in competing in MMA at age 41 it is a little late to pick up the sport. It is yet to be seen if Batista will be able to handle all the hard work involved in becoming an MMA fighter.
UFC & MMA blog by Duane Farr
duane@bluraymma.com
UFC & MMA blog by Duane Farr
duane@bluraymma.com
As many of you will know, The Two Sheds Review has been in circulation on the world wide web since it’s debut in 2000. Since then it has appeared on over fifty websites and newsletters over the year.
Early on a fellow writer by the name of SamJerry told me that I should get my work out to as many sites as possible, so it can be seen by a wider audience. Back in the day that was really easy, because all I had to do was to e-mail it a bunch of people at the same time.
But over the years most of the sites I write for have taken advantage of the various posting systems that are now available, meaning that writers could by-pass the website editors and post the content themselves, and while this is a good system when you currently do this for twenty websites it can be somewhat time consuming.
Which is why I’ve made the following decision. From now The Two Sheds Review will only be seen on a select number of websites. This is simply because it’s now taking too much time to post it on numerous websites.
The sites where my reviews and columns will be seen are:
The Bleacher Report – http://www.bleacherreport.com
BluRay MMA – http://www.bluraymma.com
MMA Universe – http://www.mmauniverse.com
TBL Wrestling – http://www.tblwrestling.com
Wrestling Edge – http://www.wrestling-edge.com
The reason I have chosen these particular sites is based on the time I have posted my columns there and the number of hits my work gets. Obviously my own website, http://www.twoshedsreview.com will remain unaffected.
So to those websites who have taken a chance on me over the years I would like to say a big thank you for your support. The Two Sheds Review would never have been as popular without you.
And to those who continue to read my work, thank you for your continued and future support.
Calling MMA gamers and would be writers out there! Fancy being a guest reviewer by submitting a review of UFC Undisputed 2010?
BluRayMMA.com is seeking guest reviewers and MMA bloggers, email:
duane@bluraymma.com
UCMMA 14: Invincible
Ariel Helwani of MMAFighting.com interviews Roy ‘Big Country’ Nelson, ahead of his cage-clash with Junior Dos Santos, Saturday August 7, at UFC 117.
Roy is not looking for the fight of the night bonus, being a sensible fella is more concerned about winning whilst receiving least damage physically. Ironically Nelson versus Dos Santos could well be the surprise fight of the night.
Chubby Roy Nelson is not the bookies favourite, do not be deceived by the TUF 10 winners physique, he’s got the tools to get the job done. Betting on Roy could make you a winner.
UFC & MMA blog by Duane Farr
duane@bluraymma.com
Chael Sonnen talks the talk, but will the American back it up, snatching the middleweight belt from around the waist of reigning champion, the Brazilian Anderson ‘The Spider’ Silva?
Anderson is odds on favourite, but Can Sonnen get the job done? Who are you betting on? Silva or Sonnen?
Watch UFC 117 live at 3am, Saturday night on ESPN to find out.
UFC & MMA blog by Duane Farr
UFC 117: USA vs Brazil
Although not officially marketed as USA vs Brazil, this unofficial UFC 117 poster design brilliantly highlights a great selling point for the Saturday’s pay per view fight-card.
Saturday August 7, a date MMA fans around the world have all been anticipating. Can the UFC top UFC 116? Will Dana White give UFC fans payback in the form of Chael Sonnen vs Anderson Silva?
There is no doubt about it Dana and co are spoiling fight fans with another stacked card. Defending middleweight champion Anderson ‘Spider’ Silva facing Chael Sonnen has set the internet alight with discussion.
Anderson’s last octagon outing, in Abu Dabai, UFC 112, was a controversial moment for the UFC. Silva’s antics turned many a fan to stop cheering the man given the honour of the best pound for pound fighter on the planet. Show-boating and not engaging are antics UFC President Dana White is not a fan of. White has hinted Silva will be out of the organisation if he continues in this vein.
Worthy of note Anderson’s actions have made him less respected, giving him heat – fans will now pay to see the former fan favourite beaten. Challenger Chael Sonnen is being hyped up as the man who can get the job done, but can he? Despite all the building up of Sonnen, the bookies have Anderson as odds on favourite to win.
My prediction: submission victory for Silva, bagging a win for Team Brazil.
A personal favourite Roy ‘Big Country’ Nelson returns to octagon action at UFC 117, facing Brazilian knockout artist Junior Dos Santos. The underrated chubby winner of TUF 10, is a fighter I can’t help but like. Not only a world class heavyweight, the IFL veteran is an endearing character. Hell he’s carrying some extra timber, making him an underdog, I like an underdog. This is going to be a war, unlikely to go the distance.
My prediction: Nelson by KO.
Fight card as advertised:
See UFC 117 live from 3am on subscription channel ESPN, UK, PPV North America.
UFC & MMA blog by Duane Farr
duane@bluraymma.com