GRACIEMAG.com was at UFC 157 open workouts and caught up with UFC star Urijah Faber. “The California Kid” talked about still being in title contention, as well as having Duane “Bang” Ludwig as coach at Team Alpha Male. Check out the video.

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Heavyweight champion Junior "Cigano" dos Santos facing Frank Mir at the pre-UFC 146 press conference / UFC publicity photo

UFC 146 is going down this Saturday in Las Vegas, and there’s no shortage of expectations surrounding what’s about to transpire there. In the main event of the evening, heavyweight title-holding knockout artist Junior Cigano has a high-caliber Jiu-Jitsu specialist in Frank Mir challenging him for his strap.

With his crisp boxing, to nine out of ten experts the current champ is the odds-on favorite to keep his title—the GRACIEMAG.com team too is convinced another “Cigano” win is imminent.

The opinion is shared by Gilbert “Durinho” Burns, who has the utmost confidence in his friend and boxing coach Luiz Dórea, and his money is on a knockout from the reigning title holder.

“Cigano is a monster of an athlete, and he began his career in Jiu-Jitsu. Rodrigo Artilheiro was with me at the TUF Brazil house, and he mentioned how crazy his endurance is. He’s 28 years old, started at 22—he hasn’t been in MMA long but has already shown what he’s made of. I don’t think this one leaves the first round—Cigano drops him. But even if it does go longer, Cigano is in much better physical shape than Frank Mir,” opined Durinho, echoing statements made by Mir, to whom the longer the fight goes, the better.

If you were in Frank Mir’s place, what would you do? What would you do against a fighter with heavy hands and pinpoint accuracy?

“If I were Mir, I’d try to take him to the ground. I’d try to clinch, get the takedown. I’d try to be Rousimar “Toquinho” in there; I’d attack his heel, and always stay clear of Cigano’s hands. To beat a monster like that, you have to frenetically work at taking it to the ground. I’d work on improving my footwork, get good at faking punches and try capitalizing from the clinch. Training would have to be like this: getting the takedown, working on wrestling and going for the foot when on the ground,” said Gilbert in analysis.

The TUF Brazil participant doesn’t, however, feel Mir will be successful in his mission.

“I expect a first-round knockout from the Brazilian. Cigano’s punching is really crisp, he’s healthier for being younger, he has the confidence from being champion and he does an excellent job. All Cigano has to do is be calm and fight,” wagered the 2011 Jiu-Jitsu lightweight champion of the world.

“I think Frank Mir is going to mess up after the first punch lands. Being the champion, in my opinion Cigano doesn’t even need to press the action; he can just be calm, do his footwork and jab, because the knockout will surface,” said the black belt training partner of Vitor Belfort in closing.

Now what do you think, will the outcome of the fight be the one everyone is expecting? To you, can Frank Mir pull off a surprise? What would your strategy be?

UFC 146
MGM Arena, Las Vegas, USA
May 26, 2012

Junior Cigano vs Frank Mir
Cain Velasquez vs Antônio Pezão
Dave Herman vs Roy Nelson
Shane Del Rosario vs Stipe Miocic
Lavar Johnson vs Stefan Struve
Darren Elkins vs Diego Brandão
Edson Barboza vs Jamie Varner
Jason Miller vs C.B. Dollaway
Jacob Volkmann vs Paul Sass
Dan Hardy vs Duane Ludwig
Kyle Kingsbury vs Glover Teixeira
Mike Brown vs Daniel Pineda

O campeão Junior "Cigano" dos Santos diante de Frank Mir na conferência de imprensa do UFC 146. Foto: UFC/Divulgação.

O UFC 146 que rola neste sábado, em Las Vegas, vem cheio de expectativas. No combate principal da noite, o campeão dos pesados e nocauteador Junior Cigano encara o desafiante bom de Jiu-Jitsu Frank Mir.

Dono de um boxe afiadíssimo, o atual campeão é apontado por nove entre dez especialistas como o favorito para esta peleja – a equipe do GRACIEMAG.com também aposta em Cigano, aliás.

Se o chão de Cigano ainda é uma incógnita no UFC, para alguns faixas-pretas de Jiu-Jitsu isso não fará a menor diferença na luta. A verdade é que poucos estão acreditando no queixo de Frank Mir nessa luta.

É o que acha Gilbert “Durinho” Burns, que diz confiar plenamente no amigo e treinador Luiz Dórea e aposta em nocaute do atual campeão.

“O Cigano é um monstro de atleta, e começou a carreira no Jiu-Jitsu. O Rodrigo Artilheiro estava comigo na casa do TUF Brasil e comentou que ele tem um gás sinistro. Ele tem 28 anos, começou com 22, tem pouco tempo de MMA mas já mostrou o seu valor. Eu acho que não passa do primeiro round, o Cigano derruba, mas mesmo se passar as condições físicas do Cigano são bem melhores que a do Frank Mir”, opina Durinho, ecoando declarações de Mir, para quem quanto mais durasse a luta, melhor.

E se você estivesse no lugar do Frank Mir? O que faria contra um lutador de mão pesada e certeira?

“Se eu fosse o Mir, eu tentaria derrubar, tentaria o clinche, a queda. Eu tentaria ser um Rousimar Toquinho ali, atacar o calcanhar, e sempre ficar muito esperto com a mão do Cigano. Para ganhar de um monstro assim, só se você trabalhar freneticamente na movimentação para botar para baixo. Eu teria de melhorar minha movimentação de perna, fintar muito bem e tentar aproveitar o clinche. O treino teria de ser este, botar para quedar, trabalhar o wrestling e no chão embolar no pé”, analisa Gilbert.

O participante do TUF Brasil, no entanto, não acredita que Mir será bem-sucedido na dura missão.

“Minha expectativa é de nocaute no primeiro round para o brasileiro. O Cigano está com a mão muito afiada, tem mais saúde por ser mais novo, tem a confiança de ser o campeão e tem um jogo de perna muito bom, vai ser nocaute. Confio no treinador Luiz Dórea, que fez um excelente trabalho. Basta o Cigano entrar tranquilo para lutar”, aposta o campeão mundial de Jiu-Jitsu peso leve em 2011.

“Acho que o Frank Mir vai errar depois de entrar o primeiro soco. Como campeão, na minha opinião o Cigano nem precisa buscar a luta, tem de ficar tranquilo, trabalhando seu jogo de perna, jabeando, porque o nocaute vai aparecer”, conclui o faixa-preta parceiro de Vitor Belfort.

E você, acha que o resultado dessa luta será o esperado também? Para você, Frank Mir pode surpreender? Qual seria sua estratégia?

UFC 146
MGM Arena, Las Vegas, Estados Unidos
26 de maio de 2012

Junior Cigano vs Frank Mir
Cain Velasquez vs Antônio Pezão
Dave Herman vs Roy Nelson
Shane Del Rosario vs Stipe Miocic
Lavar Johnson vs Stefan Struve
Darren Elkins vs Diego Brandão
Edson Barboza vs Jamie Varner
Jason Miller vs C.B. Dollaway
Jacob Volkmann vs Paul Sass
Dan Hardy vs Duane Ludwig
Kyle Kingsbury vs Glover Teixeira
Mike Brown vs Daniel Pineda

UFC on Versus 5 featured plenty of ground action not just in the four matches ending in submissions but practically throughout the entire card. Frenetic bouts, even without any true marquee names – it was one of the best installments from the promotion this season.

In the evening’s main event, Chris Lytle showed just why he’s been the beneficiary of fight of the night bonuses five times. Boxing defined the fight throughout. Lytle had the advantage, but Dan Hardy had his moments as well. In the third round Hardy tried to mount a comeback, but Lytle responded with a snug guillotine, coaxing the Englishman to tap out.

The only thing missing from the showdown between Ben Henderson and Jim Miller was a fireworks show. While Ben landed solid takedowns and put in a fine display of standup, Miller presented real danger with his submission attempts, even pressuring his opponent’s knee. But Henderson slipped out of the holds and brought on an aggressive barrage of ground and pound. The final round saw him achieve back mount, nearly making it to full mount. A well-deserved win for the Jiu-Jitsu brown belt, who put a stop on Miller’s seven-fight win streak.

Donald Cerrone showed just why he was favored to win going into his fight with Charles do Bronx. Cerrone shrugged off takedown attempts and was effective in the standup department. One of Cerrone’s strikes found its mark and sent Charles to the ground, where he tried pulling guard but was met with a barrage of strikes that forced referee Mario Yamasaki to step in and end the action.

In the undercard, Brazil’s Ronny Markes, making his promotional debut, took a well deserved win with a solid display of positional Jiu-Jitsu. Ronny held his own with Karlos Vemola in the standup action and made good use of takedowns throughout the three rounds. On the ground, it was all the Brazilian, who controlled his opponent through positional superiority, earning him the unanimous decision win after three rounds.

Jimmy Hettes and Alex Caceres had an eye-pleasing bout, featuring lively ground-fighting action. After plenty of back-and-forth action, Hettes ended the spectacle with a rear-naked choke in the second round. Cole Miller and TJ O’Brien had an exciting second round. Miller got the better of the action, though, when he sung a snug guillotine in the second. Ed Herman came up with a submission win of his own, taking out Kyle Noke with a heel hook while still in the first round.

Chris Lytle defeated Dan Hardy via guillotine at 4:16 min of R3
Ben Henderson defeated Jim Miller via unanimous decision
Donald Cerrone defeated Charles Oliveira via TKO at 3:01 min of R1
Duane Ludwig defeated Amir Sadollah via unanimous decision
Jared Hamman defeated C.B. Dollaway via TKO at 3:38 min of R2
Joseph Benavidez defeated Eddie Wineland via unanimous decision
Ed Herman submitted Kyle Noke via heelhook at 4:15 min of R1
Ronny Markes defeated Karlos Vemola via unanimous decision
Jimy Hettes submitted Alex Caceres via rear-naked choke at 3:12 min of R2
Cole Miller submitted TJ O’Brien via guilltine at 2:38 min of R2
Jacob Volkmann defeated Danny Castillo via unanimous decision
Edwin Figueroa defeated Jason Reinhardt via TKO at 0.50 min of R2

O UFC on Versus 5 contou com muita luta no chão, não apenas nas quatro finalizações da noite, mas em praticamente todos os desafios. Confrontos frenéticos, mesmo sem um card estelar, foi uma das melhores edições da temporada.

Na principal luta da noite, Chris Lytle mostrou por que já recebera cinco vezes o prêmio de melhor luta. Quase até o fim prevaleceu o boxe. Lytle levava vantagem, mas Dan Hardy também conseguiu bons lances. No terceiro assalto, Hardy tentou reagir, mas Lytle respondeu com uma justa guilhotina e botou o inglês para bater.

No combate entre Ben Henderson e Jim Miller só faltou sair faísca. Enquanto Ben conseguia aplicar boas quedas e ia bem na trocação, Jim era perigoso nas tentativas de finalização, chegou a esticar o joelho do oponente. Mas Henderson escapou dos golpes e foi mais agressivo no ground and pound. No assalto final, pegou as costas, quase finalizou e montou. Vitória merecida para o faixa-marrom de Jiu-Jitsu, que interrompeu uma série de sete triunfos de Miller.

Donald Cerrone mostrou por que era considerado favorito na luta contra Charles do Bronx. O lutador evitou as quedas e foi mais efetivo na trocação. Charles sentiu o golpe e puxou para a guarda, mas o Cowboy percebeu o momento e continuou a socar. Não restou opção ao árbitro Mario Yamasaki a não ser interromper.

No card preliminar, vitória do estreante Ronny Markes e muito Jiu-Jitsu. Ronny foi bem na trocação contra karlos Vemola e usou bem as quedas nas três parciais. Ao chão, chegou à posições de superioridade e controlou o oponente. Após os três rounds, decisão unânime a favor do brasileiro.

Jimy Hettes e Alex Caceres fizeram um combate agradável de se ver, muito movimentado e com técnica no solo. Depois de muitas reviravoltas, se deu bem Hettes, com um mata-leão na segunda parcial. Cole Miller e TJ O’Brien fizeram um segundo round emocionante. Melhor para Miller, que definiu com uma justa guilhotina, no segundo assalto. Ed Herman também finalizou. A vítima foi Kyle Noke, ainda na primeira parcial, com uma chave de calcanhar.

Confira todos os resultados:

Chris Lytle finalizou Dan Hardy com uma guilhotina aos 4min16s do r3
Ben Henderson venceu Jim Miller por decisão unânime
Donald Cerrone venceu Charles Oliveira por TKO aos 3min1s do R1
Duane Ludwig venceu Amir Sadollah por decisão unânime
Jared Hamman venceu C.B. Dollaway por TKO aos 3min38s do R2
Joseph Benavidez venceu Eddie Wineland por decisão unânime
Ed Herman finalizou Kyle Noke com uma chave de calcanhar aos 4min15s do R1
Ronny Markes venceu Karlos Vemola na decisão unânime dos juízes
Jimy Hettes finalizou Alex Caceres com um mata-leão a 3min12s do R2
Cole Miller finalizou TJ O’Brien com uma guilhotina aos 2min38s do R2
Jacob Volkmann venceu Danny Castillo por decisão unânime
Edwin Figueroa venceu Jason Reinhardt por TKO aos 50s do R2

Lyle Beerbohm / Photo: Publicity

Beerbohm, of Spokane, Washington, will enter what will be a dangerous-for-both-fighters lightweight (155 pounds) scrap with a record of 15-0. Healy, of St. Louis, is 25-17.

Tickets for Strikeforce’s third fight card in twenty-one days and second in the Lone Star State go on sale to the general public at 10 a.m. Central Time on Friday, January 21, and will be available at the Cedar Park Center ticket office, all Ticketmaster locations (800) 745-3000, Ticketmaster online (www.ticketmaster.com) and the show official website (www.strikeforce.com).

The first non-televised, undercard fight will begin at 7:30 p.m. Central Time. The doors open at 6:45 p.m.

Both Beerbohm and Healy are highly skilled 155-pounders who are trying to position themselves to contend for a possible shot at champion Gilbert “El Nino” Melendez.

The experienced Healy has faced top quality opposition and is no stranger to a big fight. He showed his ability and tremendous determination in his last start, pushing former lightweight champion Josh Thomson to the limit before getting submitted (rear-naked choke) at 4:27 of the third and final scheduled round on June 26, 2010.

All Beerbohm has done is win convincingly.

Beerbohm will be making his fourth start for Strikeforce and his main event debut. In his last outing, Beerbohm won a split-decision over Jiu-Jitsu world champion Vitor “Shaolin” Ribeiro on May 15, 2010. It was only the second time one of Beerbohm’s fights went the distance.

A 5-foot-10, three-year pro, Beerbohm, who turns 32 on Feb. 5, has since fought twice, both times in his home state of Washington. He is coming off a 2:48, first-round submission (guillotine choke) over Talon Hoffman on Dec. 4, 2010.

Beerbohm literally began his pro career after serving 366 days at the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla as a result of felony convictions, all related to a crystal meth addiction. The day he was freed from prison, he visited a Jiu-Jitsu gym. He had his first amateur fight eight days after being released.

Since entering MMA, Beerbohm has found a discipline and determination that was missing in his life. “If I didn’t go to prison, I probably would be dead today,” he said. “Because I wouldn’t get cleaned up. I wouldn’t go to rehab. I wouldn’t get off the drugs. I didn’t want to get off the drugs. (Finally) I traded one addiction for the other. I traded meth for MMA.”

A top wrestler in high school, Beerbohm is a brawler who can switch between southpaw and orthodox stances. He went 12-0 in the amateurs, in spite of the obstacles he had to overcome. Although the vast majority of his fights have ended early and he’s recorded more KO’s than submissions, he still considers himself a grappler.

Beerbohm, whose nickname is derived from the custom-made, multi-colored trunks sewn by his mother, owns wins over former world Muay Thai champion and UFC veteran Duane “Bang’’ Ludwig as well as UFC vet Rafaello Oliveira. Beerbohm submitted (bulldog choke) Ludwig in the first round, on June 19, 2009.

“I want to fight the best, I want to fight for the title,’’ said Beerbohm, the head of Washington’s Fancy Pants Fight Team. “All I can do is continue to work hard and beat who they put in front of me. This is going to be a very difficult fight for both of us, but I’m confident of winning and moving up the ranks.

“I am very anxious to show the fans what I can do. My goal is to fight for the world title. I want to be the champ. I want a five-round fight. That would be something else.’’

Pat Healy / Photo: publicity

A member of Team Quest, Healy has been an active MMA fighter for nearly a decade. He’s ousted big-name, quality opponents all

over the world since turning pro in August 2001, including Paul “Semtex’’ Daley, Carlos Condit and Dan Hardy.

Healy has won three of his last four bouts, and six of eight. “I was disappointed I didn’t quite get it done the last time, but I appreciate getting another opportunity against an up-and-coming fighter,’’ Healy said. “This fight is obviously very important to me. I’ll enter the cage with a lot of confidence.’’

Healy got his start in MMA at the age of 15, shortly after he and a brother stood up to a neighborhood bully and Muay Thai practitioner. Following the altercation, Pat wanted to learn more about technical fighting and sought out MMA gyms for formal training.

To supplement his MMA training regimen, he wrestled in high school, gaining All State accolades and eventually went on to wrestle at Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville. Following college, Pat knew that he had the potential to do something great and devoted himself fulltime to an MMA career.

Healy believes that cardio is his strength and that it allows him to pressure and break his opponents mentally.

Paul Daley at Strikeforce debut. Photo: Esther Lin/Strikeforce

One of the top world-ranked welterweight, Paul Daley, has signed a multi-fight deal with Strikeforce.

The 5-foot-9, 27-year-old native of London who fights out of Nottingham, England, has won two straight and six of his last seven. Overall, the cocky, brash seven-year pro is 25-9-2.

Nicknamed “Semtex” after an explosive that British armed forces use to demolish large structures, Daley is coming off a unanimous three-round decision over recent Strikeforce signee, Jorge Masvidal, last Saturday, Sept. 11. It was the first time since July 1, 2006, that Daley had won a fight on points.

Daley is a freelance mixed martial artist whose style is an aggressive mix of striking, striking and more striking.

“I am a striker – there is no secret about that,” the exciting British bomber said. “I like to knock people out aggressively and quickly. That’s my game and no opponent’s going to change that. Almost all my fights are exciting and memorable with non-stop action.”

Daley specializes in muay thai (Dutch style). He utilizes lead leg kicks often and possesses devastating knees and quick, heavy hands.

“I’m looking forward to fighting and would really love to fight Nick Diaz (Strikeforce current champion),” Daley said. “He’s a big name and a great fighter. Diaz would bring out the best in me and would be a great test.”

Daley, who has compiled a highlight reel of impressive knockout victories, has competed against some of the best since turning professional in June 2003. Three of his most significant victories came against Masvidal, a 2:24, first-round KO (punches) over Dustin Hazelett on Jan. 2, 2010, and a 2:31, first-round TKO (punches) over Martin Kampmann on Sept. 19, 2009.

A former Cage Rage champion, Daley appeared on a Strikeforce co-promoted card on June 22, 2007. On the undercard of Frank Shamrock vs. Phil Baroni in San Jose, Calif., he registered a second-round TKO (punches) over Duane “Bang”Ludwig.

Daley was introduced to martial arts when he began taking karate at the age of 7. Besides England, he also trains in Holland. For a time several years ago, Daley was involved in a project with Mothers Against Guns in London.