Was 2013 The Greatest Year Ever for MMA?

Guest Blogger Emma McHale discusses if 2013 was the greatest year ever for MMA?
by Emma McHale of Sports Direct
Emma McHale trained as a web journalist at the University of Sheffield, has a passion for MMA and currently works at SportsDirect.com.  

MMA has started to become a mainstream sport recently and it is the worlds fastest growing sport. As 2013 comes to a close, we are going to look back at the top MMA moments of 2013 to see if 2013 really was the greatest year of MMA.
 
This has been one of the first years that young talented MMA fighters have completed dedicated training to become simply a MMA fighter. Previous MMA fighters started by learning a specific martial art such as Jiu Jitsu and then become a MMA fighter. This results in more interesting and tougher MMA fights. For example welterweight contender Rory MacDonald has only ever trained as a full mixed martial artist. 

This year celebrated the 20th anniversary of UFC with the UFC 167 event. This year also marked another key event with the introduction of the first women’s division and the first fight in the UFC between rivals Ronda Roussey and Liz Carmouche. 

There have been some of the best MMA fights this year ranging from Silva versus Weidman to Grice versus Bermudez. The year has been highlighted by top knockouts from Weidman, superb submissions from Pettis and controversial judging decisions after the St-Pierre versus Hendricks fight. 

Considered to be the greatest MMA fighter of all time, Anderson Silva lost his UFC Middleweight champion title to Chris Weidman with a knockout in the second round of the fight. The loss of the title was still a UFC record as it was the longest held title in UFC history after defending the title for seven years. “The Spider” and Weidman are due to have a rematch at UFC 168, but could this be the fall of a great MMA fighter? 

The UFC partnership with Fox has resulted in some of the highest viewer ratings since the partnership began in 2011. 

The BAMMA events get better and better every year. The recent partnership with Channel 5 has resulted in MMA becoming a mainstream sport. There are new fans anticipating the latest MMA fights and new participants looking to learn the combat sport. 

2013 may have been the best year of MMA. From the best fights of the year to the television highlights, MMA has come a long way since its humble beginnings of Brazilian jiu jitsu and shoot wrestling. 

Do you think 2013 was MMA’s greatest year? 

For the latest MMA and martial arts equipment ranging from MMA clothing to martial arts belts, check out the www.SportsDirect.com MMA collection. 

Is GSP right to go on a hiatus from fighting?

My opinion on whether GSP should have taken a break from MMA

by John Haigh @JohnBJayHaigh

On Friday 13th December during a media call GSP announced he was taking a step back from fighting vacating his UFC welterweight title in the process.
GSP told media members on a conference call that the pressures of being a champion, combined with the relentless pace of promoting fight cards while training for title defences became too much for him. As a result, St-Pierre said he needed to take an indefinite leave and agreed to vacate the title in his absence. GSP had the following to say.

“I’ve been fighting for a very long time, at a very high level,”
“It’s a lot of pressure. I know that UFC is a business. They have to keep things rolling, so I vacate my title."
“I need to have a normal life for a little bit,”
“If I come back some day, I will be even better.”

But is GSP justified in stepping away?
Having only fought four times in the last years, surely that’s plenty of time in between fights to rest up, have some time to himself and enjoy the fruits of his labour?

Undoubtedly GSP has already had a great career at just the age of 32, but are the last seven straight five round fights catching up with the former champ. We’ve seen the change in GSP’s condition after fights especially recently after the fights with Carlos Condit, Nick Diaz and most recently with Johny Hendricks, with the massive bruising and swelling to his face. It begs the question how long could he continue like this?

There have also been many rumours circulating since GSP’s distressed post fight interview with UFC commentator Joe Rogan, but with GSP liking to keep his private life away from the limelight. I’d be surprised if we ever found out the problems referred to in the interview. However, shouldn’t the former champ have just taken some time off to got his life back to where he wants it to be? Dana White even said “his problems are not as big as he thinks they are.” 

He’s not been fighting as regular as a lot of other champions so would people really even notice? Why not use the interim tittle option?

While many people in and around the MMA world are confident that GSP will one day return to the octagon, does he really need to? Are the risks worth it to him anymore? He’s clearly made plenty of money and could quite easily continue to do so without the stress of entering the cage.

So while the former champ takes time away from the cage to decide what he wants to do in the future, it leaves a change for a new champ to put their mark on the welterweight division.

As always, true to fashion UFC Dana White wasted no time in moving forward, “March 15, Dallas, Texas, Johny Hendricks will fight Robbie Lawler for the vacant UFC welterweight title,” White declared on Friday’s media call with St-Pierre.

UFC 167 Pro Picks: Twitter Weighs In

UFC 167 Pro Picks: Twitter Weighs In
by Chris Houten - @mrhouts

Everyone from fans to fighter are buzzing for tonight's 20 year anniversary UFC show - UFC 167, and there seems to be a mixed bag of predictions coming out from MMA's elite - GSP or Hendricks, Sonnen or Evans - who you got?

The pros take to twitter and weigh in:

Really looking forward to the fights today.Im going with gsp, sonnen, lawler, koscheck, cerrone. Who you got?
— dean amasinger (@deanamasinger) November 16, 2013

Got my coffee on the ready for tonight. Staying up to watch UFC 167! My picks - GSP, Sonnen, McDonald, Koscheck and Cerrone.
— Brendan Loughnane (@Brendan264) November 16, 2013

My #UFC167 picks: Hendricks (but don't count GSP out), Sonnen, Lawler(I hope), Woodley, Elliott, Cerrone, Leites, Ebersole, Perez.
— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) November 16, 2013

Going to try pull an all nighter to watch the fights!! Who u got winning? My picks Kos,McDonald,Sugar,GSP
— Ross Pearson (@RossTheRealDeal) November 16, 2013

@DanHazlehurst GSP, lawyer , rashad
— curt warburton (@curtwarburton) November 16, 2013

Gsp has gota stay away from JH and try control him for 25mins, JH has 25mind to land one punch, I'm goin Hendricks
— Brett Bassett (@Brettbass_MMA) November 16, 2013

@fraz1001 chael and gsp
— Robert Whiteford (@Flyinjudoka) November 16, 2013

@JamesH3aton I think GSP mate
— Davey Grant (@DaveyGrantMMA) November 16, 2013

@CarolinePearce @GeorgesStPierre @JohnyHendricks @ufc @btsport @btsportufc I can't see Gsp getting beat but Hendricks is his biggest threat
— STORMIN NORMAN PARKE (@norman_parke) November 16, 2013

@Mmanarchy GSP, Lawler, Woodley, Evans are my picks mate, not necessarily who I want to win but who I think will.
— Jack Mason (@JackStoneMason) November 16, 2013

@RichieKinsella Big Rig Hendricks - sonnen - and Robbie Lawler :-D why not ha
— Paul Redmond (@RedserMma) November 16, 2013

Think Gsp tonight, (peds will b the diff) wants sonnen but going Evans, McDonald and kos
— rob sinclair (@robc4sinclair) November 16, 2013

“@Garyhop: @bisping who's going to win Hendricks or GSP? #votebisping”Hendricks
— michael (@bisping) November 16, 2013

"@CaptainPlanck: @KelvinGastelum who do you have for this fight? I'm guessing you have sonnen but for the GSP fight"GSP
— Kelvin Gastelum (@KelvinGastelum) November 16, 2013

@TheMMaRanter GSP ,Evans,MacDonald,Woodley,Elliott.

— Mauro Ranallo (@mauroranallo) November 16, 2013

UFC 167 Predictions

UFC 167 Predictions

The UFC is back, and back in a big way with UFC 167 marking the companies 20th anniversary.

For the 3 time in 2 weeks the UFC will be back on your TVs on Saturday night with the biggest fight of them all, an intrigueing welterweight match up between one of the most dominate champs in UFC history in George St. Pierre, and NCAA champion and hardest hitting man in The UFC Johnny Hendricks.

Kingdom MMA writer Jack Broadey (Twitter @j3cK_b) and Tommy Strong (Twitter @strong_tea) give you their predictions for the event which is sure to be a cracker!

George St. Pierre vs Johny Hendricks
Strong: Finally a fight for GSP that puts him in real danger of losing his title he's clung onto for so long. GSP will no doubt try and get the fight to the floor for as much as the fight as possible trying to avoid Hendricks punching power. Though can GSP get Hendricks to the ground?

The odds certainly favour GSP but Im backing Hendricks to land at some point in the fight to end GSP title rein and become the 'new welterweight' champion! .

Prediction: Johnny Hendricks - TKO RD 2

Broadey: I love this fight, Johny Hendricks is easily the biggest threat to GSP's title reign especially with St Pierre having spent so long sidelined in the last couple of years.

Hendricks matches up very well with GSP and I have liked his chances here for a long time. Hendricks has huge power in his left hand and very good wrestling that's well adapted to MMA. GSP is GSP though, you can never count him out. He will have the gas tank to go the championship rounds and if it goes that far he could well take over and win a decision.

That's not to say I don't see Hendricks winning a decision. He showed against Condit he can fight smart when it matters. Getting the round stealing takedowns etc. At this point if anyone is going to beat GSP it's Hendricks, perfect style to beat him, experienced with the youth factor still and maybe catching GSP in the twilight of his career.


Prediction: Johny Hendricks - TKO RD 3

Rashad Evans vs Chael Sonnen
Strong: Sonnen has everything to do here to beat Rashad. He's met his match in the wrestling department and won't be able to take him down at will and sit on him for 3 rounds. If thats the case Rashad is the much better striker who carries power , something Sonnen doesn't. Rashad will be to quick, too strong and athletic for Sonnen.

Prediction: Rashad Evans - Unanimous Decision

Broadey: It's been well documented how evenly matched these 2 guys are. I see Evans having the edge on the feet, he likes to use feints and pushes his jab out but Sonnen doesn't let you settle for a minute and is in your face pushing the pace constantly. Sonnen will look for the takedown and it will be interesting who has the edge here.

In a fight so close I'd be looking to take on the favourite and I think Sonnen offers enough value for a play here. Him pushing the pace will be key to him picking up a decision win.

Prediction: Chael Sonnen - Unanimous Decision

Rory MacDonald vs Robbie Lawler
Strong: A win for either men will put them in prime position to fight the winner of GSP vs Hendricks.

Robbie Lawler has looked a different fighter since dropping down to welterweight again. Knocking out Koscheck and Bobby Voelker in his last 2 fights he will be coming in with lots of confidence. MacDonald is a massive set up for him Though.

In my opinion MacDonald will win this fight then go on to win the welterweight title within a year and I predict him to hold onto it just like GSP has. Lawler does have a punchers chance and a very good one at that, though landing it before being taken down might be the obstacle.

Prediction: Rory MacDonald - Submission RD 2

Broadey: Lawler has a punchers chance but that's all I would give him here. If anyone but GSP was champ we would be talking about an impressive win for MacDonald being enough to earn a title shot. But where does his motivation lie?

If MacDonald wins he's clearly the number 1 contender but won't get a title shot. He needs to figure that out later and get the win 1st. If he remotely looks like getting in trouble on the feet he won't have any trouble taking Lawler down.

Prediction: Rory MacDonald - Unanimous Decision

Josh Koscheck vs Tyron Woodley
Strong: Tyron Woodley will be eager to get back to winning way after suffering a loss last time out to Jake Shields, a fight that what won't be remembered for anything other than a stinker of a fight!! I just hope this doesn't go the same way as it could be a fun fight.

Koscheck even at 35 will give anyone a fight. Though he is coming off a knockout loss to Robbie lLawler, many thought the fight before he was unlucky not to get the win over Johny Hendricks, losing via split decision.

I'm Struggling to pick a winner, though I'm going to predict we might be in a for a bore fest here! (flips the coin)

Prediction: Tyron Woodley - Unanimous Decision

Broadey: This is a hard fight to call, it's difficult to look good against Koscheck. He's looked really poor lately and I would question his motivation at this point. However Woodley has hardly been tearing up trees himself after a strangely tentative performance against Jake Shields.

I think Koscheck might be done, if his motivation isn't there I see him being clipped and stopped again. Woodley has to pull the trigger and go after him.

Prediction: Tyron Woodley - TKO RD 3

Tim Elliot vs Ali Bagautinov
Strong: Nothing like a good flyweight fight to kick off the main event!

Elliot is coming off a very good win over Louis Gaudinot and will be looking to put himself in title contention with a win over Bagautinov in what many believe is the weakest division within the UFC.

Elliot will have his work cut out though fighting the heavy handed Russian Bagautinov who is on a 9 fight winning streak, and has finished his last 3 opponents via knockout.

If Elliot employs the right game plan, I think the fight should go his way, though when you have genuine knock out power of Bagautinov you always have a chance.

Prediction: Tim Elliot - Unanimous Decision 

Broadey: I feel this fight will mostly take place on the feet,  and if it plays out that way Bagautinov should have the edge. His striking is on a different level and he should have the know how to stay off his back. Elliot is well rounded fighter and will have his moments but will be worn down late on.

Prediction: Ali Bagautinov - TKO RD 2

UFC 167 - UK Betting Odds

UFC 167 - UK Betting Odds

The UFC is back weekend with one of the most intriguing welterweight battles, and one of GSP toughest oppoents since..... maybe ever! We team up with partners William Hill to bring those who fancy a little flutter the latest clear cut, betting odds - Good Luck, and don't miss out on your free £25 bet below!

Preliminary Card
3/10 Gian Villante v Cody Donovan 5/2
3/1 Will Campuzano v Sergio Pettis 1/4 
1/3 Jason High v Anthony Lapsley 9/4
2/7 Erik Perez v Edwin Figueroa 13/5
8/5 Brian Ebersole v Rick Story 1/2 
8/5 Ed Herman   v   Thales Leites 1/2
10/11 Donald Cerrone v Evan Dunham 10/11

Main Card
4/6 Tim Elliott v Ali Bagautinov 6/5
EVS Josh Koscheck v Tyron Woodley 4/5
1/4 Rory MacDonald v Robbie Lawler 3/1
4/7 Rashad Evans v Chael Sonnen 11/8
4/11 Georges St Pierre v Johny Hendricks 21/10
 *Blue Denotes Favourite

Gian Villante Replaces Robert Drysdale, Meets Cody Donavan at UFC 167

Gian Villante Replaces Robert Drysdale, Meets Cody Donavan at UFC 167
by Chris Houten - @mrhouts

Cody Donavan has a new opponent at UFC 167 in Gian Villante after his Original opponent, Robert Drysdale was denied a licence to fight by The Nevada State Athletic Department when an out of competition drug test revealed an elevated testosterone-to-epitestosterone (T/E) ratio.

UFC 167 takes place Nov. 16 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, with Donovan and Villante expect to be the opening bout of the evening.

Following a successful UFC debut where he Knocked out Nick Penner, Donovan (8-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC) enters his bout with Villante looking to rebound from his most recent loss to Ovince St. Preux at UFC Fight Night: Shogun vs. Sonnen. A BJJ Blackbelt under Nate Marquardt, Donovan has only gone the distance once in 8 victories, picking up 4 knockouts and 3 submissions along the way.

Meanwhile, Villante (10-4 MMA, 0-1 UFC) takes the fight on short notice seeking his first UFC win.

A former Ring of Combat champion, the 28-year-old New Yorker fought five times under the Strikeforce banner and earned a three-fight winning streak for the promotion with victories over Derrick Mehmen, Trevor Smith and Keith Berry, before joining The UFC. Villante met Ovince St. Preux in his UFC debut in a bout that ended with an "OSP" eye poke just 33 seconds into the final round, resulting in a bizarre finish, and a technical decision loss for the injured Villante.

With the replacement opponent in place, the UFC 167 lineup is again complete. The fight card includes:

MAIN CARD 
Georges St-Pierre vs. Johny Hendricks - For The UFC Welterweight Title
Rashad Evans vs. Chael Sonnen
Robbie Lawler vs. Rory MacDonald
Josh Koscheck vs. Tyron Woodley
Ali Bagautinov vs. Tim Elliott

PRELIMINARY CARD 
Donald Cerrone vs. Evan Dunham
Ed Herman vs. Thales Leites
Brian Ebersole vs. Rick Story
Edwin Figueroa vs. Erik Perez

PRELIMINARY CARD (Facebook)
Jason High vs. Anthony Lapsley
Vaughan Lee vs. Sergio Pettis
Cody Donovan vs. Gian Villante

Stay tuned to KingdomMMA.co.uk for more on UFC 167

Frank Mir vs Alistair Overeem Added To UFC 167

UFC 167 MIR VS OVEREEM , EVERYTHING TO LOSE?

By Tommy Strong @strong_tea

There seems to be no signs of slowing up as the UFC continue to add big names and fights to the UFC's 20th anniversary show, UFC 167 which will take place at the MGM Grand on November 16th in Las Vegas. 

With the recent announcement that former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir will face former Strikeforce champion Alistair Overeem. With more than just a win or loss on their records this fight could determine whether its the end of the line in their UFC career for the loser. 

Mir (16-8) currently ranked 8th in the official UFC rankings has seen himself slide down the ladder since losing to Junior De Santos for the UFC heavyweight championship belt at UFC 146. Mir has since gone onto lose his next two fights, firstly to Daniel Cormier and more recently being stopped by Josh Barnett via first round TKO less than 2 weeks ago. With 3 straight losses on his record , Mir will know a loss to Overeem could well see his 12 year fight career in the UFC come to an abrupt end!

Overeem (36-13-1) came to the UFC as the Strikeforce heavyweight champion and on an 8 fight winning streak. Proving in his debut fight against Brock Lesnar putting on a clinical display defeating him inside the first round at UFC 141 and earning himself a shot at then heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos.

This is where Overeem's career has rapidly gone downhill. Firstly testing positive in a random pre fight drugs test for elevated levels of testosterone forcing the UFC to pull him from the fight and Overeem being handed a 9 month suspension. 

On his return from suspension at UFC 156 in February , he faced Antonio Silva dominating the first two rounds Overeem became over confident and showed a lack of respect for 'Big Foot's' punching power and in doing so paid the ultimate price by being knocked out in the third round.

Then against Travis Browne only last month, Overeem started out the better of the two fighters and on the verge of victory, only to gas himself out within the first round. Browne somehow recovered from the onslaught and took full advantage of Overeem gassing, to land a front kick and punches to win via TKO. 

Could the loser of this fight be heading for pastures new?

Already confirmed for UFC 167:

Welterweight:           Georges St. Pierre  vs  Johny Hendricks

Light Heavyweight:  Rashad Evans        vs  Chael Sonnen

Welterweight:           Rory MacDonald   vs  Robbie Lawler

Welterweight:           Josh Koshcheck     vs  Tyron Woodley

Lightweight:             Donald Cerrone     vs  Evan Dunham

Welterweight:           Brian Ebersole       vs  Rick Story

Chael Sonnen vs Rashad Evan Confirmed For UFC 167

SONNEN VS EVANS TO CO-MAIN UFC 167 IN LAS VEGAS

By Tommy Strong @strong_tea

If UFC 167 wasn't wetting your appetite enough already, then news of Chael Sonnen vs Rashad Evans being the co-main event of the evening, will surely have the desired effect?!

The bout will be at light heavyweight (205lbs) and take place on November 16th in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Sonnen (29-13-1) found himself fighting at light heavyweight after being the only fighter to step up at short notice to fight Jon Jones after Dan Henderson had to pull out due to an injury. Though it was Jones who refused to take the fight on such short notice forcing the UFC to cancel UFC 151.

With a heavy first round loss to Jon Jones at UFC 159 in April, when the pair met after being 'TUF' 17 coaches. Sonnen looked like he was fighting in the wrong division. Though a very impressive win over 'Shogun' Rua last month at UFC Fight Night 26, Sonnen managed to pull off a first round submission victory that earn't himself a top contender in Evans.

Though defeat for him here would more than likely see him return to the middleweight division, where he will be seeking to get another crack at the title or just possibly Anderson Silva!

Former light heavyweight Rashad Evans (18-3-1) has looked very poor since his defeat to Jon Jones in April 2012 when the pair squared off at UFC 145 for the light heavyweight title, losing via unanimous decision after 5 rounds.

Then going onto lose his next fight to Antionio Nogueira in a woeful performance and more recently getting back to winning ways with a split decision win over Dan Henderson at UFC 161 in June which wasn't easy to digest.

This could be just the type of fight Rashad needs to find his mojo, and climb his way back up to the top of the division where he belongs.

UFC 167 will be headlined by Georges St-Pierre when he puts his Welterweight belt on the line and faces the very dangerous and heavy handed Johny Hendricks.

Josh Koscheck vs Tyron Woodley UFC 167

ANOTHER WELTERWEIGHT BATTLE ADDED TO UFC 167
By Tommy Strong @strong_tea

UFC 167 adds another welterweight bout to its card. With the news that Josh Koscheck will face Tyron Woodley on November 16th 2013.

Josh Koscheck (19-7) was scheduled to fight Damien Maia in August at UFC 163, but was forced to pull out due to an injury. Josh will now get the chance to redeem himself after losing his last two fights , a split decision to Johny Hendricks and more recently a 1st round defeat in February to Robbie Lawler.

His opponent Tyron Woodley (11-2) made a spectacular UFC debut in February with a 1st round victory knocking out Jay Hieron in 36 seconds. Though it was polar opposite when he faced Jake Shields in June 2013 losing a split decision in one of the worst fights I've seen to date.

This fight could go one of two way, either be a barn burner or a contender for worst fight of the year!
Lets hope both fighters turn up to entertain the fans!

UFC 167 will be headlined by welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre vs Johny Hendricks, also confirmed for the card will see another welterweight bout between Rory MacDondald vs Robbie Lawler.

Rory MacDonald vs Robbie Lawler set to fight at UFC 167

Top Welterweight Contenders Meet in November

by Tommy Strong @strong_tea

Rory MacDonald will face Robbie Lawler at UFC 167 in a Welterweight bout that will take place on November 16th at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

With both fighters so close to a title fight, the winner could well see their dreams come true with a win in November.

MacDonald (15-1) who recently come through an under whelming unanimous decision win over Jake Ellenberger in July at UFC on Fox 8. Will be eager to put on more of a display over Lawler to prove he's worthy of a title shot. A win over Lawler may have to see MacDonald put his views to one side about training partner GSP in order to get the title shot. Unless of course, the heavy handed Johny Hendricks can over come the odds and snatch the belt from GSP which happens to take place on the same night.
Robbie Lawler (21-9-1,NC) had a very topsy turvy time in Strikeforce with only a 3-5 record. Though 18 of his 21 victories have come the way of knockout which will make him a very dangerous fighter for MacDonald.

Since signing for the UFC and returning back to Welterweight Lawler has knocked out Josh Koscheck and more recently Bobby Voelker earning himself a shot at MacDonald and now sitting at number 9 in the UFC welterweight official rankings.

With so much at stake, both fighters will be looking to put on an impressive fight to earn the ultimate goal..

UFC 167 will be headlined by the welterweight title fight as champion Georges St-Pierre finally meets Johny Hendricks in what could be the toughest test to his belt in recent history.

Vitor Belfort vs Lyoto Machida?

Could we see a middleweight battle between the two Brazilians?

by Tommy Strong @strong_tea



Vitor Belfort's next middleweight challenge could very much be Lyoto Machida, which has been rumoured to be a co-main event at UFC 167.

Machida (19-4) who narrowly lost his last fight to Phil Davis only a couple of weeks ago in what some people saw as a controversial result would be making his Middleweight debut if the fight gets the go ahead.

Vitor (23-10) is only looking for big fights after recently turning down a fight with Tim Kennedy. Vitor is coming off back to back wins with stunning TKO victories over Michael Bisping and more recently a devastating spinning heel kick to knockout top contender Luke Rockhold.

Interestingly the fight could take place at the MGM Arena Las Vegas on November 16th where Belfort's TRT exemption probably wouldn't be given the all clear, forcing Belfort to train and fight all 'natural'.

Machida hasn't fought at middleweight before and would be a great addition to the division, especially now as his friend and training partner Anderson Silva no longer holds the belt. Though this may well change come December when Anderson faces Weidman in a much anticipated rematch!

UFC 167 will see Welterweight champion GeorgeSt-Pierre put his belt on the line when he faces Johny Hendricks.