With a 52-athlete fight card featuring both legendary well-knowns and carefully curated next-gens, a tripled purse and a venue with a 1,000-spectator capacity, Jeff Curran knows his next invitational will pack plenty of thrills.

JCI 4: Night of Champions will bring 26 submission-only Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu matches to the mat at The MAC on Ridgefield Court in Crystal Lake Saturday, Sept. 19. Doors will open at 4 p.m., the pre-show starts at 5 p.m., and the livestreamed matches, including six title bouts, begin at 6 p.m., said Curran, a former Ultimate Fighting Championship veteran, fifth-degree BJJ black belt and professor of the Curran Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Crystal Lake.

Tickets and other details, including the full fight card, are available at jcinvitational.com.

Curran — whose career now includes running nationwide camps and retreats as well as starring in and producing a YouTube series called “The Martial Life” — said he is excited about all of the pairings he has built from the hundreds of athletes who have applied from the U.S. and abroad since he started his invitational in 2025. But he’s especially excited about adding his first international competitor, as well as the return of a young, new UFC BJJ competitor.

“We’re building more than an event,” Curran said. “We’re building a championship platform where the best competitors in the world want to compete.”

JCI 4 will feature Shooto Watanabe of Japan against local fighter Joey Diehl for the bantamweight title. Watanabe trains in the greater Tokyo area and is an athlete with DEEP Japan, an organization akin to a feeder for UFC.

Among the youngest to step onto the JCI mat this September will be Raphael “Rafa” Ferreira of Draper, Utah, who, at age 5, was not especially enamored with his new Jiu-Jitsu lessons. By age 18, though, he’d become a UFC Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitor who won by submission in his debut professional match-up April 2. He then competed in JCI 3 in May, claiming the featherweight title, which he will defend this September, about a month after his 19th birthday.

A student of the respected master Pedro Sauer, Curran gives back everything he learned at his Jiu-Jitsu academy in Illinois. His learning as an athlete and fighter has been a vital factor in the growth of his submission-only Jiu-Jitsu event, with a simple and powerful motto: “Athletes first, always.”

At 48 years old, the MMA “Big Frog” fought from 1998 to 2016, and told GRACIEMAG.com what he has learned, and taught, as the organizer of the Jeff Curran Invitational (JCI) event.

GRACIEMAG: What was the most valuable thing you learned from your master, Pedro Sauer?

JEFF CURRAN: I have had many big lessons I have learned from Pedro Sauer. But one that always comes to my mind when I am teaching or going through hard times is that things can always be worse.

When was that?

Back when I was a purple belt. I was visiting him in Salt Lake City at his academy, and I was going through some financial troubles, I was struggling with my work/business/athletic career as well as some student issues. After knowing what I was going through, Pedro asked me to train and tapped me God knows how many times and tossed me all around the mat. I was in tears because my confidence had been stripped away from me and on top all I was going through. Anyhow, in true Pedro Sauer fashion he put his arm around me as we sat tired on the mat and he said “Just remember Little Jeff: things can always get worse”.

A powerful lesson, indeed…

Yes. It was a very good moment for me after I had settled down because I thought deeply about that comment. It also made me laugh so it snapped me out of my current mental state and into a fresh one.

Jeff “Big Frog” with master Pedro Sauer.

You have around 55 MMA fights in your career, right? Did you fight big tournaments with the gi, as well?

Yes. I had many memorable moments in the Gi. Also during my purple belt days I was set to face a former teammate who was more mature than me and had been having more formal training. It was the semifinals of the 2000 Pro Ams in Raleigh North Carolina, something like that. I was so nervous yet confident. Most on the team thought I was in over my head but I locked in and was able to put him to sleep in front of his new professor and of course in front of Pedro. That was me realizing that I was capable of stealing the show no matter who it was. My confidence went way up and that fueled that next charge in my early career.

Which fight marked you the most? Maybe the one that taught you the most lessons?

This is a good question and I could choose from 50 different MMA fights that ring a bell but I had a fight against Ryan Ackerman for the Shooto America’s belt back in early 2000’s. I trained so hard, I trained with all my top guys. That hurt me because I didn’t catch those guys in triangles much in training because they knew my game. So, after I caught the first triangle at the end of round 1 and he survived, I stood up and I could barely walk. I was so fatigued from squeezing the triangle. I continued to catch him multiple triangles throughout the fight and now the chokes were weaker and weaker as the time went on. I won the Belt via unanimous decision, however the big win was to realize that I should have been sharpening my offense on lower level guys who don’t want to tap easy. It taught me to really find value in all your training partners.

And what would be the differentiating factor of your event, JCI?

There is a few things that are unique to JCI ruleset. First of all we have regulation time of 7 minutes (10 for title fights and main events) and 3 minute OT for regular bouts and 5 minute OT for title fights/main events. At the end of regulation, the referee will flip a coin to determine who gets to choose the starting position of the OT round. Top (inside closed guard), Bottom (playing closed guard), Neutral (from the feet).

At the end of regulation if there was warnings for stalling during the match, the referee has the choice to give the coin toss to your opponent. This keeps people from stalling because they don’t want to lose a 50/50 chance at picking the start position.

And what happens then?

Well, after the OT round ends, if there is no winner, the 3 mat side judges score only the OT round to determine the winner. Threatening submissions and mat dominance are key to victory for the most part. So far, we have had great success with these rules but myself and my referee staff meet regularly to discuss little nuances that could make the rules set and/or judging criteria more and more clear.

Your motto is “Athletes first, always.” How does this translate into practice in the tournament?

“Athletes first, always” means every decision we make is built around giving competitors the best possible experience. That starts with fair, meaningful matchups based on experience — not just belt rank. Our rules push action and create clear outcomes, so athletes always have a real chance to win. We also prioritize professionalism—tight scheduling, high-level referees, and a well-run event—because these athletes put in serious time to prepare. On top of that, we focus on presentation and exposure, making sure every competitor feels valued. At the end of the day, if the athletes feel respected and proud of their performance, we’ve done our job.”

Which event treated you best in your vast and successful career?

I really loved the WEC days. Although the staff was for the most part the same as UFC, the experience in WEC felt different. It was an entity of its own but powered by the Zuffa machine. I loved everyone from drivers/assistants all the way up the line to Reed Harris, Dana White, Sean Shelby, Joe Silva etc. And everyone in between. They were special days back then.

As an athlete, have you experienced any curious instances of mistreatment or organizational failure anywhere?

My whole purpose in my organization, the Jeff Curran Invitational (JCI) is to provide fair opportunity to the athletes. That isn’t the case in some organizations. I have felt used, taken for granted and at times even set-up for failure from a number or organizations. Fighting is a dirty business and attracts a lot of people without the best intentions unfortunately. So although it’s called Mixed Martial Arts, the martial arts respect is often left out of the equation. JCI is not a corporate machine, it’s a small tight team of people I believe in and trust and they all see my vision clearly. To put the Athletes First!

What can viewers on your YouTube channel expect?

So far we have had two successful events. Our livestream is clean, our event moves forward steadily and our match-ups are awesome from start to finish. Some up and comers, some local heroes and some top of the food chain competitors. We have five title fights including two women’s match-ups and three mens. If anyone wants to get a glimpse behind the scenes before May 9th, they can watch Episode 4 of Jeff Curran: Martial Life @jeffcurraninvitational YouTube channel.

“The mindset I developed as a fighter is what helps me push through the promoter side,” says former MMA fighter Jeff Curran, also known as “Big Frog,” who is now making waves in the martial arts market as the head of the Jeff Curran Invitational (JCI). “Just like in competition, you can’t control every outcome, but you can control your effort and your integrity. That’s what will keep JCI growing from show to show. I didn’t get to where I did in MMA and Jiu-Jitsu by taking anything lightly.”

For martial arts fans who are not yet familiar with JCI, one way to experience it is through the event’s official YouTube channel, where the organization streams full events, highlights, and behind-the-scenes coverage. “We’re committed to keeping JCI accessible to everyone (fans, athletes, and families) so people can enjoy high-level Jiu-Jitsu without needing a paid subscription or exclusive platform,” says Curran.

Here is a frank and revealing conversation with the black belt trained by professor Pedro Sauer. Oss!

Today you draw attention by running the Jeff Curran Invitational, but it’s worth taking a step back in your journey and discussing your career as an MMA fighter. What were the most significant moments in your journey as an athlete, what was the big lesson you learned, and how did it motivate you to become a fight event promoter?
JEFF CURRAN: My career as a fighter took me on an incredible journey; from small regional shows to the biggest stages in the world like the UFC, WEC, and PRIDE. Competing against some of the best athletes in the sport taught me more than just how to fight; it taught me about resilience, humility, and how to stay true to my values no matter the outcome. Some of the most significant moments weren’t just my wins, but the challenges I faced getting there, training full time while raising a family, building a gym, and helping develop the next generation of fighters. Every setback reminded me that the real fight is about consistency and staying passionate even when the spotlight fades. That lesson carried directly into creating the Jeff Curran Invitational. For years, I talked about wanting to build something special for the grappling world, something that truly puts “athletes first.” My son Ty was a big part of finally making it happen. He pushed me to stop just talking about it and actually bring it to life. Him and my other son Jacob got me motivated to go for it so I dug in and started to create a platform that will honor athletes, build the BJJ community, and inspire future generations!

What are the peculiarities of the JCI when compared to other fight events?
The Jeff Curran Invitational was created by an athlete, for athletes. After a lifetime in martial arts and competing on the biggest stages, I wanted to build something that truly represents what I believe this sport should be about: respect, skill, and authenticity. JCI isn’t a corporate machine; it’s something I’ve built from the ground up with a small team and a big vision. I’m proud of what we’ve created so far, but I’m also humble enough to say it’s not perfect yet. I’m on a mission to make it one of the most exciting and respected grappling events in the world, without relying on gimmicks, trash talk, or negativity to get attention. I want the quality of the athletes, the matches, and the experience itself to speak for us.
What truly separates JCI is the professionalism behind every match. All of our referees are highly experienced Jiu-Jitsu black belts and/or professional referees who understand the nuances of the sport. That ensures fair calls, safe competition, and respect for the athletes above all else. All my commentators are also decorated black belts and/or professional analysts who have been around the sport for decades. Our ruleset also encourages action and excitement. If there’s no submission in regulation, we move into a dynamic overtime round designed to push for a finish while keeping things fair and thrilling for the audience. Like wrestling, a coin toss or lack of action in regulation will determine who gets choice of starting position during OT. Top, bottom or Neutral.

This is what fans like, right?
Fans love it because it brings out the best in both athletes and leaves an element of surprise to the winner of position choice. If again no submission, the 3 referees not working the mat act as judges and score the overtime round for the winner to be the one pushing the pace and hunting submissions and position advancement. And beyond the competition, JCI delivers an experience: professional lighting, stage design, production, and storytelling that bring Jiu-Jitsu to life. It’s intimate, emotional, and real. My goal is simple: to keep raising the bar for what a grappling event can be, while staying true to what makes Jiu-Jitsu so great in the first place.

What were the major challenges you faced in this shift from fighter to event promoter?
The biggest challenge was learning how to take the same passion I had for competing and channel it into building something for others. As a fighter, everything revolves around your own preparation, discipline, and performance. That is a hard thing to give up. After 20 years as an MMA fighter, nine years retired now, it is still challenging for me to live a life not revolving around competition. As a promoter, your mindset shifts, it’s about creating a stage where others can shine, and making sure every athlete, coach, and fan feels valued. In reality, I already knew how much work went into promoting events. From 2003 until around 2015, I co-founded and ran the XFO, the Xtreme Fighting Organization, which became one of the Midwest’s premier MMA promotions. During that time, I was promoting, coaching, and fighting, sometimes all in the same night. That experience gave me a real understanding of how demanding it is to balance it all.
What made JCI different was the emotional side of starting over, taking everything I’d learned from MMA and rebuilding it around the values of Jiu-Jitsu and grappling. Financially and emotionally, it’s still a grind. You put your name, resources, and reputation on the line every time. But that challenge fuels me similar to the same way training camps used to.

In addition to being an event promoter, you run Team Curran in Crystal Lake, IL. What is the secret to transforming an average student into a great champion?
At Team Curran, the secret begins with mindset. Skill and athleticism matter, but without passion and persistence, they don’t last. I’ve always said there are three pillars I live by: Passion, Persistence, and Perfection. Passion gives you the drive to show up every day, no matter how you feel. Persistence keeps you pushing through the hardships, life challenges, and curveballs that try to pull you off course. And perfection – while it can never truly be reached in life or in Jiu-Jitsu – is what keeps us growing. It’s the pursuit of perfection that defines us. That chase is what drives me every single day, and it’s what I try to instill in my students.
Longevity is another key piece. That lesson was passed down to me by my mentor, Master Pedro Sauer. He taught me that the true measure of a martial artist isn’t just how they perform in their prime, but how long they can stay on the mat, learning and sharing. He always uses the term “Multiply yourself” onto others. I want to be training when I’m an old man, like Grandmaster Hélio Gracie and so many of the great masters who spent their late years still on the mat. It is amazing to me and I’m inspired always by that. At my academy, I’m trying to build a Jiu-Jitsu for life mindset in my students, one that keeps them on the mats, growing, and loving the art for as long as possible.

Who is your biggest idol in your career, the person who serves as a guideline in your major decisions?
There have been several people who’ve shaped who I am, but two stand at the center of my Jiu-Jitsu journey: Master Pedro Sauer (on the left in the photo below) and my Muay Thai instructor, Mr. Frank Cucci (who won purple belt worlds in 2000 as well). Mr. Cucci taught me more about the business side than anyone and was the one who introduced me to Master Sauer. From there, Pedro became my greatest mentor, teaching me Jiu-Jitsu on and off the mat, and showing me the path.
Outside the mat, my wife Sarah believed in me since day one, literally since my very first fight week in 1997, and she’s supported every dream, every crazy idea, and every goal I’ve chased. She’s been behind me through my MMA career, my coaching, and now through JCI. I also owe a lot to my mom and dad. My dad, who passed away almost 30 years ago when I was 18, my uncle Ken, and my boxing coach, Doug Mango. My mom did her best to raise myself and my two siblings with practically nothing. We were poor, she was in a bad relationship after divorcing my dad when I was eight. She was a fighter long before me. My dad taught me to work for everything I want and to handle as much as I can on my own. Don’t put off til tomorrow what can be done today type mindset. My uncle showed me the value of independence, how to build a business for yourself rather than rely on others. And coach Mango gave me the confidence and power in my hands that let me stand with anyone in the world. All of them, along with some others important role models, helped shape the person I am today.

What are the plans for the future of the JCI?
The future of the Jeff Curran Invitational is about growth with purpose. I’m not trying to make it the biggest event in the world overnight, I want to make it one of the best. Every JCI is an opportunity to raise the standard, learn from experience, and make the next one even more special for the athletes and fans. Rather than one big payout to the winner of a tournament, I want athletes to have consistency and realistic goals. Sure one person wins a 16 man tournament and gets life changing money. Maybe silver and bronze get something but these are not repeated experiences. This may happen here and there on my show to deserving competitors, however I am more about keeping realistic payouts and repeating the experience multiple times per year for each person. Win or lose. I built this from the ground up with myself and a few key team members who believe in and see my vision. It’s something I take a lot of pride in.
Starting in January 2026, or possibly sooner, we’ll be launching a new project called JCI Revealed, a series of mini documentaries releasing one or two per month on our YOUTUBE channel. These will tell the real stories behind the athletes who step on our stage. The first episode, JCI Revealed: Kai Saturno, will release around mid to late December. It highlights Kai, a blue belt who shocked the crowd at JCI 1 by submitting a seasoned black belt with a flying triangle.
The purpose of JCI Revealed isn’t just to showcase the biggest names or the future champions, it’s to tell the stories of regular people who take a chance, step onto the JCI stage, and show what Jiu-Jitsu can do for their lives. That’s what inspires me, the transformation, the courage, and the heart behind every competitor. Ten years from now, I see JCI as a globally respected platform, known for its professionalism, production, and heart — but still grounded in the same mission I started with: Athletes First. Always. That will never change.

Caio Terra wants you to join GRACIEMAG’s VIP Area

The World Jiu-Jitsu Expo is announcing new attractions daily.

The latest addition to its roster is a superfight between two-time world champion Caio Terra and MMA star and third degree black belt Jeff Curran.

The match will be 15 minutes long, in the gi and under IBJJF rules.

Both fighters agreed to a 150lb weigh limit.

The World Jiu-Jitsu Expo takes place October 18-19, at the Long Beach Convention Center.

The event has the following attraction already confirmed.

Marcus Buchecha, Leo Veira, the Mendes Bros, Rodrigo Cavaca & Robert Drysdale, Augusto Tanquinho & Mackenzie Dern and Roberto Cyborg will also be teaching seminars.

All seminars at the WJJE will be in the gi.

Three IBJJF events will take place during the Expo: IBJJF Pro League, the American Nationals Kids and the Long Beach Open.

Five superfights are also already confirmed – Gianni Grippo vs. Augusto Tanquinho, Nino Schembri vs. Vitor Shaolin, Robson Moura vs. Marcos Parrumpinha, Tim Spriggs vs. Leo Nogueira,  João Assis vs. Rolles Gracie (no-gi).

For more info, go to worldjiujitsuexpo.com

Go to ibjjf.com to register for the tournaments.

Caio Terra no Pan 2013. Foto: Ivan Trindade

Bicampeão mundial pela IBJJF na faixa-preta, Caio Terra foi convocado pela Jiu-Jitsu Expo novamente para uma superluta. Caio vai encarar Jeff Curran, veterano atleta de MMA e faixa-preta de Jiu-Jitsu. O torneio está marcado para os próximos dias 18 e 19 de outubro, na Califórnia. A luta será de 15 minutos nas regras da IBJJF.

“Jeff é considerado um dos alunos mais técnicos de Pedro Sauer. Isso vai ser divertido”, postou Caio em sua rede social. Curran, que competiu nos primeiros ADCCs, lutou no UFC em 2004 e 2011.

Além das lutas casadas, o torneio de Renzo Gracie vai brindar os fãs com seminários gratuitos de atletas renomados. Feras como os irmãos Mendes, Marcus Buchecha, Roberto Cyborg, Leozinho Vieira, Augusto Tanquinho e Mackenzie Dern, Rodrigo Cavaca e Robert Drysdale já estão confirmados.

Três torneios da IBJJF também vão rolar durante a Expo 2014: a disputa profissional valendo 5 mil dólares da IBJJF Pro League e os torneios amadores Long Beach Open e o campeonato americano infantil, o American Nationals Kids.

Para saber mais sobre a Expo, acesse o site oficial, aqui.

Jiu-Jitsu Expo 2014

Long Beach Convention Center, Califórnia

18 e 19 de outubro de 2014

Robson Moura x Marcus Parrumpinha

Vitor Shaolin x Nino Schembri

Caio Terra x Jeff Curran

Rolles Gracie x João Assis

Léo Nogueira x Tim Spriggs

Gianni Grippo x Augusto Tanquinho

Chang Sun Jung and his arm-triangle: submission and fight of the night bonuses / UFC publicity photo

As GRACIEMAG.com predicted, the South Korean Chang Sun Jung proved the power of his Jiu-Jitsu last night in Fairfax, Virginia, during the main event at UFC on Fuel 3.

The “Korean Zombie” didn’t just do that, he also put on a standup clinic against Dustin Poirier in the octagon. In the second round, Chang slapped on armbars, omoplatas, triangles—all duly defended by his American opponent. But the merit in Jiu-Jitsu comes from being patient and undermining the opponent with double attacks, and the Korean ultimately came up with the finish in the fourth round.

Following a flurry of solid strikes and a big flying knee, the contender for José Aldo’s belt finished up in grand style, sinking a suffocatingly snug arm-triangle.

THE BELLY’S ROLE IN THE MOVE

“He did everything just right. He sunk the triangle and thrust his belly over the opponent’s head,” noted professor of Jiu-Jitsu Elinor Batista, the leader of Garra Fight team. “The American didn’t tap in time and ended up passing out. There really was a lot of pressure behind it.”

The fight and the finish netted “Fight of the Night” and “Submission of the Night” honors for the stalwart Korean. Now “Knockout of the Night” went to Tom Lawlor, who took just 50 seconds in downing the veteran Jason MacDonald.

Check out the video below to see how to sink the arm-triangle in the gi. Pay attention to how getting a tight hold and the direction the body is placed over the opponent’s head are key in getting the move to work right.

UFC on Fuel 3
Patriot Center, Virginia
May 15, 2012

Chang Sun Jung subbed Dustin Poirier via arm-triangle in R4;
Amir Sadollah defeated Jorge Lopez via split decision;
Donald Cerrone defeated Jeremy Stephens via unanimous decision;
Yves Jabouin defeated Jeff Hougland via unanimous decision;
Igor Prokrajac defeated Fabio Maldonado via unanimous decision;
Tom Lawlor defeated Jason MacDonald via KO in R1;
Brad Tavares defeated Dongi Yang via unanimous decision;
Cody Mackenzie defeated Marcus Levesseur via guillotine in R1;
TJ Grant defeated Carlo Prater via unanimous decision;
Rafael dos Anjos subbed Kamal Shalorous via rear-naked choke in R1;
Johnny Eduardo defeated Jeff Curran via unanimous decision;
Francisco Ribera defeated Alex Soto via unanimous decision.

Chang Sun Jung e seu triângulo de mão no UFC: finalização da noite e bônus. Foto: Divulgação/UFC

Como o GRACIEMAG.com havia previsto, o sul-coreano Chang Sun Jung comprovou a força de seu Jiu-Jitsu na noite de ontem, em Fairfax, pelo UFC on Fuel 3.

O “Zumbi Coreano” encarou Dustin Poirier não ficou apenas nisso, e deu uma aula em pé e no chão no Octagon. No segundo assalto, Chang encaixou armlocks, omoplatas e triângulos, todos muito bem defendidos pelo americano. Mas o mérito do Jiu-Jitsu é ter paciência e ir minando o oponente com ataques duplos, e o lutador asiático alcançou a finalização no quarto round.

Depois de acertar bons golpes e uma joelhada voadora, o candidato ao cinturão de José Aldo enfim encerrou a luta, e em grande estilo, com um justíssimo estrangulamento de mão.

O papel do abdome no golpe

“Ele fez tudo certinho. Encaixou o triângulo e jogou o abdome para cima da cabeça do adversário”, reparou o professor de Jiu-Jitsu Elinor Batista, que é líder da equipe cearense Garra Fight. “O americano não bateu e acabou apagando, realmente é muita pressão”.

O combate e seu desfecho valeram o bônus de melhor luta e melhor finalização da noite. Já o nocaute da edição foi para Tom Lawlor, que precisou de parcos 50 segundos para levar o veterano Jason MacDonald à lona.

Confira, no vídeo abaixo, como finalizar de forma parecida com o kimono. Repare que o cadeado bem fechado e a direção do seu tronco contra a cabeça do oponente são importantes para o golpe dar certo.

UFC on Fuel 3

Patriot Center, Estados Unidos

15 de maio de 2012

Chang Sun Jung finalizou Dustin Piorer com um estrangulamento no R4
Amir Sadollah venceu Jorge Lopez na decisão dividida dos jurados
Donald Cerrone venceu Jeremy Stephens por decisão unânime dos jurados
Yves Jabouin venceu Jeff Hougland por decisão unânime dos jurados
Igor Prokrajac venceu Fabio Maldonado por decisão unânime dos jurados
Tom Lawor venceu Jason MacDonald por nocaute no R1
Brad Tavares venceu Dongi Yang na decisão unânime
Cody Mackenzie finalizou Marcus Levesseur com uma guilhotina no R1
T.J Grant venceu Carlo Prater por decisão unânime
Rafael dos Ajos finalizou Kamal Shalorous com um mata-leão no R1
Johnny Eduardo venceu Jeff Curran por decisão unânime
Francisco Rivera venceu Alex Soto por decisão unânime

Donald Cerrone in staredown with Jeremy Stephens at UFC on Fuel TV 3 weigh-ins / UFC publicity photo

Tuesday is UFC day. The most famous cage in MMA makes its way to the Patriot Center in Fairfax, Virginia, with a number of promising bouts featuring on the card for UFC on Fuel TV 3. Who’s the biggest star on the card? Probably Jiu-Jitsu.

The 12-fight card is headlined by South Korea’s Chan Sung Jung, the “Korean Zombie,” who will be locking horns with Dustin Poirier. Among the other matchups, there’s Jiu-Jitsu black belt Rafael dos Anjos taking on Kamal Shalorus, and seasoned Nova União/Boxe Thai ace Johnny Eduard facing the plenty experienced Jeff Curran.

On the main card, Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone will do battle with Jeremy Stephens. Both fighters are trying to get back on the winning track, with the former having lost to Nate Diaz at UFC 141 and Stephens losing to Anthony Pettis at UFC 136.

Despite his fearsome reputation as a knockout artist, Cerrone took to the UFC website to demonstrate his favorite move—the triangle, a position that’s yielded the American six of his 17 career wins. “It’s important not to let your opponent posture up,” he teaches.

Click here to get the ins and outs of Donald Cerrone’s favorite move.

UFC on Fuel TV 3
Fairfax, Virginia, USA
May 15, 2012

Dustin Poirier vs Chan Sung Jung
Jorge Lopez vs Amir Sadollah
Donald Cerrone vs Jeremy Stephens
Jeff Hougland vs Yves Jabouin
Fabio Maldonado vs Igor Pokrajac
Tom Lawlor vs Jason MacDonald
Marcus LeVesseur vs Cody McKenzie
Brad Tavares vs Dongi Yang
T.J. Grant vs Carlo Prater
Rafael Dos Anjos vs Kamal Shalorus
Jeff Curran vs Johnny Eduardo
Francisco Rivera vs Alex Soto

Donald Cerrone de frente para Jeremy Stephens, durante a pesagem do UFC on Fuel TV 3. Foto: Divulgação/UFC

Terça-feira também é dia de lutas no Ultimate. A gaiola mais famosa do MMA aterrissa hoje no Patriot Center, em Fairfax, nos Estados Unidos, e traz combates promissores pelo UFC on Fuel TV 3. O maior astro do card? Provavelmente o Jiu-Jitsu.

O evento vem com 12 combates, e a fera de chão coreana Chan Sung Jung, o “Zumbi Coreano”, faz a luta principal contra Dustin Poirier. Entre outras feras, o faixa-preta de Jiu-Jitsu Rafael dos Anjos terá Kamal Shalorus pela frente. Já Johnny Eduardo, da Nova União/Boxe Thai, cai para dentro do experiente Jeff Curran.

No card principal, Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone encara Jeremy Stephens. Ambos buscam reencontrar o caminho da vitória, já que o duro vaqueiro foi superado por Nate Diaz no UFC 141, e Stephens perdeu para Anthony Pettis na edição 136.

Apesar de ser um temido nocauteador, Cerrone demonstrou ao site do UFC o seu golpe preferido, o triângulo – posição em que o americano terminou seis das 17 vitórias. “O importante é não deixar o adversário fazer postura”, ensina.

Clique aqui para saber mais sobre o golpe favorito de Donald Cerrone.

O canal Combate transmite hoje o UFC on Fuel TV 3 ao vivo, a partir de 19h30.

UFC on Fuel TV 3
Fairfax, Estados Unidos
15 de maio de 2012

Dustin Poirier vs Chan Sung Jung
Jorge Lopez vs Amir Sadollah
Donald Cerrone vs Jeremy Stephens
Jeff Hougland vs Yves Jabouin
Fabio Maldonado vs Igor Pokrajac
Tom Lawlor vs Jason MacDonald
Marcus LeVesseur vs Cody McKenzie
Brad Tavares vs Dongi Yang
T.J. Grant vs Carlo Prater
Rafael Dos Anjos vs Kamal Shalorus
Jeff Curran vs Johnny Eduardo
Francisco Rivera vs Alex Soto

Our keen compadres at MiddleEasy.com and MMA Recap were on the beat and witnessed blonde bombshell Felice “Lil Bulldog” Herrig and brunnette knockout Nicdali Rivera-Calanoc raise the roof in what was possibly the staredown of the year, but you be the judge of that, dear reader.

The excitement carried through to the ring come fight time, with Felice seeing the better of the action and getting the nod from the judges by unanimous decision.

Check out the complete results form the show:

XFO 39
Hoffman Estates, Illinois, USA
May 13, 2011

Hector Garcia knocked out Nick Scotti 13 seconds into the fight
Will Brooks submitted Bobby Reardanz via armbar at 3:22 min of R3
Kent Rexford submitted P.J. Cajigas via rear-naked choke at 4:47 min
Amanda LaVoy defeated Michele Gutierrez via technical knockout at 0.24 min of R2
Daniel Stittgen submitted Jason Graves via armbar at 1:10 min
Lucas Gwaltney defeated Jonathan Murphy via judges’ decision
Dan Aguirre submitted Terrance Kinney via triangle at 2:20 min
Mike Stumpf defeated Dan Bolden via unanimous decision
Felice Herrig defeated Nicdali Rivera-Calanoc via unanimous decision
Jamie Varner submitted Tyler Combs by north-south choke at 1:30 min
Jeff Curran defeated Billy Vaughan via unanimous decision

A lourinha Felice “Lil Bulldog” Herrig e a morena Nicdali Rivera-Calanoc levantaram os fãs com possivelmente a encarada do ano, mas você julga leitor.

Na hora do pega, a luta continuou boa, com domínio das ações e vitória de Felice por decisão dos jurados.

Confira os resultados completos:

XFO 39
Hoffman Estates, Illinois, EUA
13 de maio de 2011

Hector Garcia nocauteou Nick Scotti aos 13s de luta
Will Brooks finalizou Bobby Reardanz no braço aos 3min22s do 3R
Kent Rexford finalizou P.J. Cajigas no mata-leão aos 4min47s
Amanda LaVoy venceu Michele Gutierrez por nocaute técnico aos 24s do 2R
Daniel Stittgen finalizou Jason Graves no braço a 1min10s
Lucas Gwaltney venceu Jonathan Murphy por decisão unânime dos jurados
Dan Aguirre finalizou Terrance Kinney no triângulo aos 2min20s
Mike Stumpf venceu Dan Bolden por decisão unânime
Felice Herrig venceu Nicdali Rivera-Calanoc por decisão unânime
Jamie Varner finalizou Tyler Combs no estrangulamento norte-sul a 1min30s
Jeff Curran venceu Billy Vaughan na decisão unânime