That’s right boys and girls, it’s time for another Memorial Day Weekend edition of the Downes Side! While many of you in the United States will be celebrating one of your federally mandated holidays with barbecues, my progressively-minded friends and I will be celebrating the birth of actor Todd Bridges. Different strokes move the world, and so will the Octagon’s finest this weekend for UFC 160. Live from the MGM Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, the main event puts the heavyweight title on the line as the champion Cain Velazquez gives everyone’s favorite Bigfoot (well, besides this guy) a re ... Read the Full Article Here
In 2011, heavyweight Mark Hunt told UFC.com if he didn’t win his next fight he’d be looking for a new organization or a new line of work. If he beats Junior dos Santos in their fight this Saturday at UFC 160, he could be in line for a title shot. And while he doesn’t gush about his own achievements, he admits he’s proud of how far he’s come.“I am pretty proud of it, going from where I was to where I am today, so it's great.”Heavy hitter Junior Dos Santos believes he can knock Mark Hunt out. Hunt, a former K-1 kickboxing World Grand Prix champion, knows it’s a possibility. But he doesn’t ... Read the Full Article Here
“Once a champion, always a champion” is a common saying used in combat sports. And while it sounds nice for fighters who have moved beyond the scope of title contention…they are words that mean nothing to Junior dos Santos.The heavy-handed Brazilian slugger wore the UFC heavyweight championship proudly during his reign atop the division. But after losing the strap in a lopsided loss to the man who he claimed the belt from in Cain Velasquez at UFC 155, “Cigano” is on a mission to reclaim the belt he coveted. Only a select few have what it takes to become a UFC champion and the 29-year-old is de ... Read the Full Article Here
A young fighter trying to establish themselves in mixed martial arts will take progress in any form it comes. Whether their career moves forward as the result of a grinding, three round decision or a barn burning battle that demands every ounce of grit they have, as long as the needle moves north, the sacrifices were worthwhile. After coming up short in his quest to become the winner of the 14th installment of The Ultimate Fighter, New York native Dennis Bermudez has blazed forward, refusing to take a step back. The 26-year-old has claimed three consecutive victories since his loss to Diego Br ... Read the Full Article Here
No one starts a career in combat sports aspiring to a 5-4 win-loss record. In boxing, that’s a kiss of death, the ticket to a career full of opportunities to get beat up by hot prospects or the promoter’s kid. In mixed martial arts, the world is a little more forgiving. Not easier, but more forgiving. So when Abel Trujillo lost his second straight bout against Alonzo Martinez in April of 2011, he knew something had to give. “Back then I was training myself, so I was pretty much just going in with my wrestling background and my heart,” said Trujillo, a four-time NAIA All-American wrestler for W ... Read the Full Article Here
If not for visa issues that plagued his promising mixed martial arts career, Glover Teixeira likely would have been competing in the UFC Octagon years ago. Today, he might even be holding a world title. Instead, he’s 33 and making up for lost time as he prepares for his fourth fight in a year against James Te Huna this Saturday night.Some might feel bitter about the lost time. Not Teixeira, who always felt that he would eventually get his chance to shine on the sport’s brightest stage.“I was confident,” he said. “But I didn’t want to wait too long to get into the UFC. If I was 35 or 37 years o ... Read the Full Article Here
When James Te Huna and his entourage donned suits and performed a dance to the theme from Men in Black as an entrance for his last fight, it seemed to signal his growing confidence.But in truth, the performance (which went viral with MMA fans) gave Te Huna a much needed distraction as he battled doubts heading into his bout with Ryan Jimmo. Te Huna, who will fight Glover Teixeira on Saturday at UFC 160, was expecting to get knocked out. And it nearly happened after Jimmo dropped him with a head kick in the first round. "In those last two weeks I knew what was going to happen (I wou ... Read the Full Article Here
