Fight Writing | Mixed martial arts – a sport worth fighting for. News and Perspective for MMA and the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship)

UFC 149 Results: Barao Stymies Faber, Riddle Earns Lone Finish on Main Card

Fans in Alberta, Canada waited a long time to see UFC action in their neck of the woods. What they saw from the main card at UFC 149 on Saturday night didn’t rate very high on the excitement scale, but it did feature a possible changing of the guard in the bantamweight division.

Renan Barao continued his rapid rise to the top ranks of mixed martial arts by nearly shutting out Urijah Faber in the night’s main event, claiming the UFC Interim Bantamweight Championship by scores of 49-46, 50-45 and 49-46. Now undefeated in his last 30 professional fights, Barao Continue reading →

UFC 149: Faber vs. Barao – Main Card Preview

The fight that awaits Urijah Faber in the main event of UFC 149 on Saturday night in Calgary isn’t the one he’s been anticipating for so long. But if the “California Kid” isn’t on top of his game against Renan Barao, he may find a third fight against Dominick Cruz never comes to pass.

Four years ago, Faber (26-5, 2-1 in the UFC) was an MMA phenom, riding one of the longest undefeated streaks in the sport. He became a household name even in the pre-Zuffa WEC, and while his SoCal persona played a big part, it was his success in the cage that cemented it. Continue reading →

Welterweight Rankings: Nate Marquardt Takes Strikeforce Title with Explosive KO Over Tyron Woodley

Nate Marquardt had earned his stripes as one of the best middleweights in the developmental stages of MMA, but now, as a reborn welterweight, Marquardt has again emerged as one of the most formidable forces the division has seen. He faced an undefeated blue chip prospect for the vacant Strikeforce welterweight championship, and Tyron Woodley certainly had his moments, but it was Marquardt who surged in the 4th round with vicious elbows and uppercuts that left his opponent collapsed. Continue reading →

Middleweight Rankings: Chris Weidman Dominates Mark Munoz, Blasts Away For 2nd Round TKO

When Chris Weidman earned the #8 spot on our middleweight rankings we thought he was probably capable of significantly more. Weidman certainly proved that in the main event of a UFC fight night against previously #4 ranked Mark Munoz.

Munoz is good sized middleweight and former division 1 NCAA champion yet he had nothing for former division 1 NCAA all-american Weidman in the first round when the fight took to the mat. Weidman smothered Munoz and threatened with arm-locks, chokes, and ground strikes. Continue reading →

P4P Rankings: Sonnen falls from the top 10

Where does Chael Sonnen go from here? He is one of the most dominating fighters in the sport, but unfortunately, he now has two losses against the top p4p fighter in the world. There are plenty of interesting match-ups for a fighter of his caliber but another run at a UFC championship, and up the p4p rankings, seems a little unlikely.

Of course, if he takes a cue from his friend and stablemate Dan Henderson, anything is possible. The legendary Henderson is 41-years old and re-enters the top 10 p4p rankings ahead of his confrontation with Jon Jones. Continue reading →

Bantamweight Rankings: Mike Easton Cracks Top 10 with Decision Over Ivan Menjivar

It was a close tactical battle against regarded contender Ivan Menjivar, but ultimately it was Mike Easton who was awarded the judge’s decision at UFC 148 based off of pressure and effective strikes.

Although Menjivar should not slip far down the rankings, the win certainly puts Easton in the UFC bantamweight title picture. Continue reading →

Anderson Silva Stops Chael Sonnen in Second Round, Considered Top Fighter in MMA History

The first round went according to plan for challenger Chael Sonnen. Much like in their first fight, Sonnen had little trouble taking the champion down early in the fight. Sonnen would be able to keep top position for the rest of the round. Working mostly from Anderson Silva’s half-guard, Sonnen mostly landed small shots before eventually making his way to the full mount late in the round. Although Sonnen was doing excellent work, the champion remained patient and exited the first round without being too much worse for the ware. Continue reading →

UFC 148: Silva vs. Sonnen II – Main Card Preview

If MMA fights were guaranteed to be entertaining based solely on the level of hype leading up to them, the main event of UFC 148 could already be etched in stone as an all-time classic.

It doesn’t always work out that way, of course, but that’s not dampening any of the anticipation for the UFC Middleweight Championship rematch between Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen that will close the show Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. If anything, the public’s appetite for the bout has only grown as the war of words between the two fighters has intensified leading up Continue reading →