Renan Barão Photo: UFC

On Wednesday afternoon, April 10, a press conference promoted the start of ticket sales of UFC 161, which will be held on June 15, in Winnipeg, Canada.

With the presence of Renan Barão, current holder of the interim bantamweight title, and his opponent, Eddie Wineland, the UFC champ spoke about the event, the city selection and fights for this card. The Brazilian hasn’t escaped being asked about Dominick Cruz, but focused on his next opponent.

“I want the fight against Dominick Cruz to happen,” he said. “It will be a big challenge, but I’m focused on Wineland. UFC has done well choosing Eddie to challenge for this belt. He’s a tough guy, and now he is my goal.”

Showing how, as a great champion, he values Jiu-Jitsu within the Octagon, Barão said his day always starts with the gentle art.

“I wake up really early and start the training with Jiu-Jitsu,” he explained. “It’s something that I don’t give up. Then I go to boxing, Muay Thai, but the first preparation of my day is Jiu-Jitsu.”

Alexis Davis also attended the conference in Winnipeg. Her opponent, Rosi Sexton, couldn’t be present. This will be the first UFC women fight in Canada. The homegrown fighter was asked about the case of transsexual Fallon Fox, who was allowed to compete against women. Davis replied, but dodged.

“I must not talk about it,” she said. “I would face her. I train with men every day, but I can’t say when the body changes. It’s a difficult question to answer”.

Here’s the video of the press conference:

At UFC 161, Barão makes his second title defense and can become the category’s definitive champion if Cruz takes much longer to return to action.

Also scheduled for the event is a great rematch between former PRIDE fighters, Rogério Nogueira and Shogun Rua.

Tickets go on sale this Friday, April 12, through Ticketmaster.

See the card below:

UFC 161
Winnipeg, Canada
June 15, 2013

Renan Barão vs Eddie Wineland
Alexis Davis vs Rosi Sexton
Rashad Evans vs Dan Henderson
Rogério Minotouro vs Maurício Shogun
Jake Shields vs Tyron Woodley
Stipe Miocic vs Soa Palelei
Pat Barry vs Shawn Jordan
Sam Stout vs Isaac Vallie-Flagg
Sean Pierson vs TJ Waldburger
Ryan Jimmo vs Igor Pokrajac
Mitch Clarke vs John Maguire
Roland Delorme vs Edwin Figueroa
Dustin Pague vs Yves Jabouin

Caros Fodor (L) raises his arms in celebration after three rounds with James Terry on June 24, 2011 in Kent, Washington. (Photo by Esther Lin/Forza LLC/Forza LLC via Getty Images)

Caros Fodor is the latest fighter to leave Strikeforce, and will be welcomed to the UFC by Sam Stout at the company’s February Pay-Per-View, UFC officials confirmed on Friday.

Fodor and Stout will face each other at UFC 157 in Anaheim, Calif., on Feb. 23 in a lightweight match-up.

Fodor (7-2) last fought at Strikeforce: Tate vs. Rousey in March, when he lost to Pat Healy by submission in the third round of their contest. The loss to Healy brought a stop to Fodor’s six-fight win streak, which was mounted all under the Strikeforce banner.

Stout (18-8) is veteran of the UFC’s lightweight ranks since 2006. He last saw action at UFC 154 in November, when he dropped a unanimous decision to John Makdessi.

The announcement that Fodor will transition to the UFC comes on the same day it was reported fellow Strikeforce fighter Bobby Voelker will make his debut at UFC 158. Both announcements came just a day after Strikeforce confirmed their last show on Showtime will be the Jan. 12 card that takes place in Oklahoma City, Okla.

UFC 157 is headlined by the first-ever UFC women’s title fight between champion Ronda Rousey and challenger Liz Carmouche. The card also features a co-main event between former Strikeforce light heavyweight champ Dan Henderson and former UFC 205-pound champ Lyoto Machida.

For more UFC and MMA coverage,

visit GRACIEMAG.com’s Choke MMA section

Cyrille Diabaté contra Chad Griggs. Foto: UFC/Divulgação.

Confira abaixo as melhores fotos do emocionante UFC 154, pela lente marcante de Josh Hedges, presente nesse sábado, em Montreal, no Canadá.

Dos atletas escalados a Anderson Silva na plateia, você não perde nada.

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UFC 154
Bell Centre, Montreal, Canadá
17 de novembro de 2012

Georges St-Pierre venceu Carlos Condit por decisão unânime dos jurados
Johny Hendricks nocauteou Martin Kampmann aos 46s do R1
Francis Carmont venceu Tom Lawlor por decisão dividida
Rafael dos Anjos venceu Mark Bocek por decisão unânime
Pablo Garza venceu Mark Hominick por decisão unânime dos jurados

Card Preliminar
Patrick Côté venceu Alessio Sakara por desclassificação (socos na nuca) a 1min26s do R1
Cyrille Diabaté finalizou Chad Griggs no mata-leão aos 2min24s do R1
John Makdessi venceu Sam Stout na decisão unânime
Antonio Carvalho venceu Rodrigo Damm na decisão dividida
Matthew Riddle venceu John Maguire na decisão unânime
Ivan Menjivar finalizou Azamat Gashimov no armlock aos 2min44s do R1
Darren Elkins venceu Steven Siler na decisão unânime

GSP and Condit during traditional staredown following UFC 154 press conference last Wednesday / UFC publicity photo

This Saturday, the UFC will be in Quebec, in the French-speaking part of Canada, to set the Bell Centre alight from the excitement surrounding the main event, a welterweight-title tilt pitting hometown king Georges Saint-Pierre against interim champion Carlos Condit.

But that isn’t the only match-up of interest on the UFC 154 card. GRACIEMAG.com took a look at the four fights that may bear lessons for alert Jiu-Jitsu fans. Watch the weigh-ins here, and be sure to tune in to the following five match-ups tomorrow:

1. Georges Saint-Pierre vs. Carlos Condit

It’s not the main event for nothing. Undefeated in five years, Canada’s GSP returns to the octagon after a long layoff due to two injured knees—and against one of the burliest fighters of the new generation right off the bat. Trained in MMA by Greg Jackson and in Jiu-Jitsu by Caio Terra, Carlos Condit will want to keep the fight standing and pick away at GSP throughout, to shock the world with a win. “GSP is the true champion. An interim belt doesn’t mean anything,” Condit tends to humbly say. Now at last Wednesday’s press conference, Saint-Pierre reminded everyone that it’s a simple question: “Condit’s the best in the division at the moment. I need to prove that I’m still the best in the world, it’s that simple.” Condit has promised to test every facet of GSP’s game. Will or won’t this fight catch fire?

Our prediction: GSP by decision

2. Ivan Menjivar vs. Azamat Gashimov

Curious that the UFC 154 card brings Canada’s Ivan Menjivar. After all, the slugger now holding a record of 24w and 9l was the first opponent of GSP’s career, back in June 2002 at UCC 7. Ivan has been around the block, entered and left the UFC, and returned again in April 2011, facing Charlie Valencia at UFC 129, in Toronto, Canada. The result was a spectacular knockout and the start of a three-fight winning streak, until losing to Mike Easton last July. The Jiu-Jitsu brown belt with the savvy Thai boxing skills will be taking on Azamat “Tough Guy” Cashimov (7w, 1l), a sambo fighter, this Saturday.

Our prediction: Ivan Menjivar

3. Rafael dos Anjos vs. Mark Bocek

With back-to-back wins, the black belt Rafael dos Anjos has been causing excitement among the fans—knockouts, a healthy arsenal of takedowns and his first-rate Jiu-Jitsu make for good entertainment. This time around he’ll be taking on local boy Mark Bocek, also a Jiu-Jitsu black belt, who in 15 fights has come up with seven finishes. Ready for a riveting affair? That’s what we’re expecting too.

Our prediction: Rafael dos Anjos

4. Sam Stout vs. John Makdessi

Here’s a promising lightweight scrap. Sam Stout is coming off a win over Spencer Fisher, while John Makdessi has suffered back-to-back losses and will need to unleash his fists and knees. Don’t blink.

Our prediction: Sam Stout

5. Antonio Carvalho vs. Rodrigo Damm

A Canadian-born featherweight and black belt, Antonio “Pato” Carvalho is coming off a win over Daniel Pineda, but he has the warrior Rodrigo Damm ahead of him. A wrestler and top-tier Jiu-Jitsu black belt, Damm is looking to make some noise in the UFC.

Our prediction: Rodrigo Damm

Now, who’ve you got winning? Got a hunch as to who will be winning Submission of the Night honors? Comment below.

UFC 154
Bell Centre, Montreal, Canada
November 17, 2012

Georges St-Pierre vs Carlos Condit
Martin Kampmann vs Johny Hendricks
Rafael dos Anjos vs Mark Bocek
Patrick Côté vs Alessio Sakara
Nick Ring vs Costa Philippou

Under card:

Mark Hominick vs Pablo Garza
Francis Carmont vs Tom Lawlor
Sam Stout vs John Makdessi
Rodrigo Damm vs Antonio Carvalho
Cyrille Diabate vs Chad Griggs
Stephen Thompson vs Besam Yousef
Ivan Menjivar vs Azamat Gashimov

Passeio completo: GSP e Condt na tradicional encarada pós coletiva de imprensa, no UFC 154, quarta-feira. Foto: UFC

Neste sábado, o UFC vai estacionar em Quebec, na parte “francesa” do Canadá, e o ginásio do Bell Centre promete pegar fogo durante a disputa de cinturão dos meio-médios, entre o rei local Georges St-Pierre e o campeão interino Carlos Condit.

Mas essa não será a única luta interessante no card do UFC 154. GRACIEMAG.com analisou outras quatro lutas em que o fã de Jiu-Jitsu pode aprender algo, se estiver atento. Veja a pesagem aqui, logo mais, e fique atento nestas cinco lutas:

1. Georges St-Pierre vs Carlos Condit

Não é a luta principal à toa. Invicto há cinco anos, o canadense GSP volta a pisar no octógono após contundir os dois joelhos, e logo contra uma das pedreiras da nova geração. Treinado por Greg Jackson e Caio Terra (Jiu-Jitsu), Carlos Condit quer se manter em pé e castigar GSP durante a luta, para chocar o mundo. “GSP é o verdadeiro campeão. Cinturão interino não vale nada”, costuma dizer Condit, na humildade. Já o canadense lembrou, na coletiva de quarta-feira, que é uma questão simples: “Condit hoje é o melhor da categoria no momento. Eu preciso provar que ainda sou o melhor do mundo, simples assim”. Condit prometeu que vai testar o jogo de GSP em todos os aspectos. Vai ou não pegar fogo? Confira se GSP e Condit estã mesmo na melhor forma, a partir de 19h, na pesagem (abaixo).

Nosso palpite: GSP na decisão

2 . Ivan Menjivar vs Azamat Gashimov

Curioso que o card do UFC 154 traga o canadense Ivan Menjivar. Afinal, a fera hoje com 24v e 9d foi o primeiro oponente da carreira de GSP, em junho de 2002, pelo UCC 7. Bem rodado, Ivan lutou em tudo que é canto, entrou e saiu no UFC, e retornou de vez em abril de 2011, enfrentando Charlie Valencia no UFC 129, em Toronto. O resultado foi um belo nocaute e o início de uma série de três vitórias consecutivas, até perder para Mike Easton, em julho. O faixa-marrom de Jiu-Jitsu e fera do muay thai vai encarar no sábado Azamat “Tough Guy” Cashimov (7 v,1d), lutador de sambo.

Nosso palpite: Ivan Menjivar

3 . Rafael dos Anjos vs Mark Bocek

Com duas vitórias consecutivas, o faixa-preta Rafael dos Anjos vem conseguindo empolgar os fãs – nocautes, belo arsenal de quedas e seu Jiu-Jitsu de primeira linha estão sempre no cardápio. A luta agora é com o local Mark Bocek, também faixa-preta de Jiu-Jitsu, que em 15 lutas obteve sete finalizações. Prontos para uma luta de chão eletrizante? É o que nós esperamos também.

Nosso palpite: Rafael dos Anjos

4 . Sam Stout vs John Makdessi

O duelo dos pesos leves canadenses promete. Sam Stout vem de vitória em cima de Spencer Fisher, enquanto John Makdessi vem de duas derrotas consecutivas e vai precisar soltar os punhos e joelhadas. Será uma batalha de desesperados? Não pisquem.

Nosso palpite: Sam Stout

5 . Antonio Carvalho vs Rodrigo Damm

Peso-pena nascido no Canadá, o faixa-preta Antonio “Pato” Carvalho vem de nocaute sobre Daniel Pineda, mas tem o guerrilheiro Rodrigo Damm pela frente. Wrester e faixa-preta de primeiro time, Damm quer embalar no UFC, doa a quem doer.

Nosso palpite: Rodrigo Damm

E você, aposta em alguém diferente? Já tem na ponta da língua quem vai aplicar a finalização da noite? Comente!

UFC 154

Bell Centre, Montreal, Canadá

17 de novembro de 2012

Georges St-Pierre vs Carlos Condit

Martin Kampmann vs Johny Hendricks

Rafael dos Anjos vs Mark Bocek

Patrick Côté vs Alessio Sakara

Nick Ring vs Costa Philippou

Card preliminar:

Mark Hominick vs Pablo Garza

Francis Carmont vs Tom Lawlor

Sam Stout vs John Makdessi

Rodrigo Damm vs Antonio Carvalho

Cyrille Diabate vs Chad Griggs

Stephen Thompson vs Besam Yousef

Ivan Menjivar vs Azamat Gashimov

Lightweight star Clay Guida behind the scenes at the UFC / UFC publicity photo

Será um fim de semana com o cardápio variado para o fã de MMA. Nesta sexta-feira, há o UFC on FX 4, em Atlantic City, Nova Jersey, e no sábado o UFC BH com Wanderlei, Rich Franklin e os novos talentos do Jiu-Jitsu e MMA brasileiros.

No card em Atlantic City, o selvagem Clay Guida encara Gray Mainard na luta principal, enquanto Spencer Fisher enfrentará Sam Stout e Ross Pearson terá Cub Swanson pela frente. Um dos conferes mais interessantes será entre a revelação japonesa Hatsu Hioki contra Ricardo Lamas. Quem será que leva a finalização da noite, fiel leitor?

Em outras lutas de rico Jiu-Jitsu, Matt Brown vai tentar despachar brasileiro da Nova União Luis Beição, enquanto Ricardo Funch e Dan Miller medem forças.

O que podemos aprender com o “Homem das Cavernas” Guida? Muito, pelo vídeo abaixo, onde ele e Urijah Faber mostram o básico do Jiu-Jitsu.

UFC on FX 4
Atlantic City, Estados Unidos
22 de junho de 2012

Gray Maynard vs Clay Guida
Sam Stout vs Spencer Fisher
Brian Ebersole vs T.J. Waldburger
Ross Pearson vs Cub Swanson
Hatsu Hioki vs Ricardo Lamas
Ramsey Nijem vs C.J. Keith
Joey Gambino vs Steven Siler
Rick Story vs Brock Jardine
Luis Beição vs Matt Brown
Ricardo Funch vs Dan Miller
Ken Stone vs Francisco Rivera
Chris Camozzi vs Nick Catone

O astro do peso leve Clay Guida, nos bastidores do Ultimate. Foto: Divulgação/UFC

Será um fim de semana com o cardápio variado para o fã de MMA. Nesta sexta-feira, há o UFC on FX 4, em Atlantic City, Nova Jersey, e no sábado o UFC BH com Wanderlei, Rich Franklin e os novos talentos do Jiu-Jitsu e MMA brasileiros.

No card em Atlantic City, o selvagem Clay Guida encara Gray Mainard na luta principal, enquanto Spencer Fisher enfrentará Sam Stout e Ross Pearson terá Cub Swanson pela frente. Um dos conferes mais interessantes será entre a revelação japonesa Hatsu Hioki contra Ricardo Lamas. Quem será que leva a finalização da noite, fiel leitor?

Em outras lutas de rico Jiu-Jitsu, Matt Brown vai tentar despachar brasileiro da Nova União Luis Beição, enquanto Ricardo Funch e Dan Miller medem forças.

O que podemos aprender com o “Homem das Cavernas” Guida? Muito, pelo vídeo abaixo, onde ele e Urijah Faber mostram o básico do Jiu-Jitsu.

UFC on FX 4
Atlantic City, Estados Unidos
22 de junho de 2012

Gray Maynard vs Clay Guida
Sam Stout vs Spencer Fisher
Brian Ebersole vs T.J. Waldburger
Ross Pearson vs Cub Swanson
Hatsu Hioki vs Ricardo Lamas
Ramsey Nijem vs C.J. Keith
Joey Gambino vs Steven Siler
Rick Story vs Brock Jardine
Luis Beição vs Matt Brown
Ricardo Funch vs Dan Miller
Ken Stone vs Francisco Rivera
Chris Camozzi vs Nick Catone

Terry Etim vibra com a vitória em 17 segundos no UFC 138, em cima de Eddie Faaloloto. Foto: Josh Hedges/UFC.

O UFC.com confirmou hoje mais duas lutas para o UFC Rio de 14 de janeiro, o provável UFC 142. Dois brasileiros que venceram na Cidade Maravilhosa em agosto estão de volta.

Após finalizar mais uma vez rapidamente no UFC 138, sábado, o inglês Terry Etim (15, 3d) vai botar sua fama de rei da guilhotina em jogo contra os chutes de Edson Barboza Junior (9v, 0d), em luta que deverá ser na HSBC Arena novamente, na Barra. Edson, de Nova Friburgo, é faixa-roxa de Jiu-Jitsu. O vencedor fica bem na fita para disputar o cinturão de Frankie Edgar.

Outra luta confirmada, tão bem casada quanto, é entre o também peso leve Thiago Tavares (16v, 4d, 1e) e o canadense Sam Stout (17v, 6v, 1e), vencedor do nocaute da noite em sua última apresentação, no UFC 131. O catarinense Thiago e Sam estão acostumados a faturar o bônus de luta da noite.

Confira o card oficial atualizado:

UFC Rio 142

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Sábado, 14 de janeiro de 2012

José Aldo vs Chad Mendes

Vitor Belfort vs Anthony Johnson

Terry Etim vs Edson Junior

Sam Stout vs Thiago Tavares

Terry Etim rejoices after 17-second win over Eddie Faaloloto at UFC 138. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC.

Today UFC.com confirmed two more fights for the January 14 UFC Rio Card. Two of the Brazilians who won at the August show in Rio will be back.

After getting another quick sub in his fight at UFC 138 last Saturday, England’s Terry Etim (15w, 3l) will be putting his reputation as the king of the guillotine on the line against Edson Barboza Junior (9w, 0l). Edson, a native of the town of Nova Friburgo in Rio de Janeiro state, is a purple belt in Jiu-Jitsu. The winner will be a good deal closer to challenging Frankie Edgar for his belt.

Another fight announced that is just as well matched has the lightweight Thiago Tavares (16w, 4l, 1d) taking on Canada’s Sam Stout (17w, 6l, 1d), winner of the knockout of the night award in his last appearance, at UFC 131. Thiago and Sam are no strangers to fight of the night bonuses.

Check out the card so far:

UFC Rio 142
Rio de Janeiro, RJ
Saturday, January 14, 2012

José Aldo vs Chad Mendes
Vitor Belfort vs Anthony Johnson
Terry Etim vs Edson Junior
Sam Stout vs Thiago Tavares

Check out the action in the photos below:

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Confira tudo isso nas fotos abaixo:

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Cigano staredown with Carwin in photo by Josh Hedges

UFC 131 took the goods to Vancouver, Canada, this Saturday night. In the main event, Junior Cigano notched his seventh-straight win, his sixth in the UFC, and now he’ll get his shot at the heavyweight belt. Check out the rundown of the main card:

Junior Cigano vs. Shane Carwin

Early on, it seemed clear Carwin would rather not risk dealing with his opponent’s boxing skills, opting to try to take it to the ground. In the opening round, Cigano landed strikes handily and nearly ended it, with Shane taking an onslaught of strikes while on all fours, going into the second-round break showing heavy damage to his face. After a lukewarm second, Cigano again dominated the action in the third round, even successfully shooting for takedowns. It was the first time Carwin went a whole three rounds, but the unanimous decision win was Junior’s, and now the winner will get his shot at Cain Velasquez for the heavyweight belt.

Kenny Florian vs. Diego Nunes

Diego Nunes had a good first round and managed a knockdown in the waning moments. In the second, Florian found his rhythm and took the lead with takedowns. In the third, with a steady stream of blood flowing from his head, Nunes seemed to have worn out. Kenny forged ahead with the takedowns and took the unanimous decision. It was Florian’s debut as a featherweight.

Demian Maia and Mark Munoz

Demian Maia had the better start. In the first round he landed more potent strikes in the standup exchanges. In the second, the black belt seemed to have run out of gas, mainly with his takedown attempts. Munoz went on to control the fight both with takedowns and strikes. Demian tried a few attacks on the ground but to no avail. Munoz took the unanimous decisions.

Jon Olav Einemo vs. Dave Herman

Olav came on strong in the first round with solid takedowns and strikes. It looked like Olav was sure to win in the second, but Herman landed a knee that set off a sequence of fight-ending strikes, taking the win by technical knockout.

Donald Cerrone vs. Vagner Rocha

Vagner had a promising start with a nice takedown. He was swimming upstream from there on out, though, as Cerrone took control of the fight with leg kicks. Pablo Popovitch black belt Rocha didn’t get to put any of his Jiu-Jitsu to work during the three rounds. Keeping out of danger with his potent leg kicks, Cerrone took the well-deserved unanimous decision.

Complete results:

UFC 131
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
June 11, 2011

Junior Cigano defeated Shane Carwin via unanimous decision;
Kenny Florian defeated Diego Nunes via unanimous decision;
Mark Munoz defeated Demian Maia via unanimous decision;
Dave Herman defeated Jon Olav Einemo via TKO at 3:19 min of R2;
Donald Cerrone defeated Vagner Rocha via unanimous decision;
Sam Stout defeated Yves Edwards via KO at 3:52 min of R1;
Chris Weidman submitted Jesse Bongfeldt via guillotine at 4:54 of R1;
Krzysztof Soszynski defeated Mike Massenzio via unanimous decision;
Nick Ring submitted James Head via rear-naked choke at 3:33 of R3;
Dustin Poirier defeated Jason Young via unanimous decision;
Joey Beltran defeated Aaron Rosa via TKO at 1:26 min of R3;
Darren Elkins defeated Michihiro Omigawa via unanimous decision.