Antonio Silva begins his knockout assault at the UFC yesterday. UFC publicity photo.

There was no shortage of excitement at UFC on FX 5 this Friday in Minneapolis, USA.

In the evening’s main event, Brazil’s Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva put a brutal end to Travis Browne’s 14-fight unbeaten streak. Launching an on-foot onslaught in the first round, Silva landed a cross that crumpled Browne to the ground, where he followed up with a flurry of strikes that ended the fight. Click here to watch it on the ESPN website..

In the flyweight fight on the main card, John Dodson overcame team Nova União product Jussier Formiga with a second-round knockout.

Now the one who managed to right his ship at the event was Diego Nunes, who took a well-deserved unanimous decision over the dangerous Bart Palaszewski. The effort earned the two of them an extra 40,000 dollars apiece for “Fight of the Night”, but it came close to being worthy of a “Come-from-Behind Win of the Night” prize.

In the fight between Michael Johnson and Danny Castillo, Johnson managed quite a feat: he was nearly knocked out in the first round, nearly tapped out thereafter, and in the second round he got his bearings back and took Castillo out, earning the “Knockout of the Night” prize.

Attacking Jiu-Jitsu was present in the octagon, especially when it came to Darren Uyenoyama, who clamped on to Phil Harris’s back and ended the action with a snug rear-naked choke. The same move worked just as well for Jacob Volkmann, who used it to take out Shane Roller in the first round.

The “Submission of the Night” award went to a different move, though: Justin Edwards caught Josh Neer off guard with solid strikes before going to the clinch, where he sunk a guillotine, fastened his legs around Neer’s waist and squeezed out the choke hold. It was almost just like what Brazil’s Carlo Prater tried in his fight but to no avail—and without the win.

Justin Edwards against Josh Neer at UFC on FX 5 / UFC publicity photo

UFC ON FX 5
MINNESOTA, USA
OCTOBER 5, 2012

Antonio Silva defeated Travis Browne via TKO in R1;
Jake Ellenberger defeated Jay Hieron via unanimous judges’ decision;
John Dodson defeated Jussier “Formiga” da Silva via TKO in R2;
Justin Edwards tapped out Josh Neer via guillotine in R1;
Michael Johnson defeated Danny Castillo via KO in R2;
Jacob Volkmann tapped out Shane Roller via rear-naked choke in R2;
Diego Nunes defeated Bart Palaszewski via unanimous decision;
Darren Uyenoyama tapped out Phil Harris via rear-naked choke in R2;
Marcus LeVesseur defeated Carlo Prater via split decision;
Mike Pierce defeated Aaron Simpson via TKO in R2.

A patada de Pezão, na luta principal do UFC de ontem. Foto: UFC/Divulgação

O UFC on FX 5 rolou na sexta-feira, em Minneapolis, Estados Unidos, e não economizou no quesito emoção.

Na luta principal, o paraibano Antonio “Pezão” Silva foi brutal e quebrou a sequência de 13 vitórias do havaiano Travis Browne. Ao partir para a trocação no primeiro assalto, Pezão acertou um cruzado que fez Travis desabar. No chão, poucas pancadas encerraram o duelo. Clique aqui para rever, no site da ESPN.

Na luta dos moscas, John Dodson mostrou que era mesmo superior ao potiguar Jussier Formiga, e nocauteou o atleta da Nova União no segundo assalto.

Quem se recuperou no UFC foi Diego Nunes, que foi mais perigoso do que Bart Palaszewski e venceu por decisão unânime. O confere rendeu 40 mil dólares, bônus oferecido à melhor luta da noite, mas o UFC poderia ter premiado uma virada eletrizante.

Na luta de Michael Johnson contra Danny Castillo, Johnson conseguiu um feito: quase foi nocauteado no primeiro assalto, quase foi finalizado na sequência, e na segunda etapa sacudiu a poeira e derrubou Castillo. Nocautaço, premiado como melhor da noite.

O Jiu-Jitsu ofensivo marcou presença no octógono, em especial com Darren Uyenoyama, que grampeou as costas de Phil Harris e definiu a peleja com um justo mata-leão. O mesmo golpe foi utilizado por Jacob Volkmann, obrigando Shane Roller a desistir no primeiro assalto.

A finalização da noite foi outra, no entanto: Justin Edwards surpreendeu Josh Neer ao encaixar bons golpes e, no clinche, arrochou a guilhotina, fechou a guarda e deu o aperto fatal no pescoço. Quase o que o brasileiro Carlo Prater tentou na luta dele, mas sem efeito, e sem a vitória.

Justin Edwards contra Josh Neer no UFC on FX 5. Foto: UFC/Divulgação

O nocaute do evento foi para Michael Jonhson, que despejou um direto em Danny Castilho na segunda etapa.

UFC on FX 5
Minnesota, Estados Unidos
5 de outubro de 2012

Antonio “Pezão” Silva venceu Travis Browne por TKO no R1
Jake Ellenberger venceu Jay Hieron por decisão unânime dos jurados
John Dodson  venceu Jussier “Formiga” da Silva por TKO no R2
Justin Edwards finalizou Josh Neer  com uma guilhotina no R1
Michael Johnson venceu Danny Castillo por KO no R2
Jacob Volkmann finalizou Shane Roller com um mata-leão no R2
Diego Nunes venceu Bart Palaszewski por decisão unânime dos jurados
Darren Uyenoyama finalizou Phil Harris com um mata-leão no R2
Marcus LeVesseur venceu Carlo Prater por decisão dividida dos jurados
Mike Pierce venceu Aaron Simpson por TKO no R2

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Gleison Tibau contra Josh Neer, durante o UFC 104. Foto: Josh Hedges/Zuffa/UFC

Dia 7 de julho, em Las Vegas, o UFC 148 promete ouriçar os fãs com a revanche mais esperada dos últimos tempos, entre o campeão Anderson Silva e o provocador Chael Sonnen.

No mesmo evento, no entanto, há outras lutas que prometem agradar o praticante de Jiu-Jitsu, que deve ficar de olho em Demian Maia, Fabricio Morango e Mike Easton.

Outro confere interessante é entre Gleison Tibau e o invicto Khabib Nurmagomedov, ainda pelo card preliminar. Em entrevista ao GRACIEMAG.com, o potiguar disse estar na pilha para quebrar a hegemonia do russo.

“É uma luta muito boa para mim, na verdade. Ele está invicto em 17 lutas, sempre dá a vontade de quebrar a escrita, colocar meu nome ali na primeira derrota dele”, disse Tibau, que completou deixando um punhado de lições para nosso leitor/praticante finalizar da guarda.

“O macete para evoluir no armlock é prestar atenção no quadril. Subir o quadril, ajustar bem e puxar, e não querer apenas fazer força e puxar o braço sem estar justo”, ensina o casca-grossa. Confira e comente.

UFC 148
Las Vegas, Nevada, EUA
7 de julho de 2012

Anderson Silva vs Chael Sonnen
Tito Ortiz vs Forrest Griffin
Cung Le vs Patrick Côté
Demian Maia vs Dong Hyun Kim
Ivan Menjivar vs Mike Easton
Chad Mendes vs Cody McKenzie
Gleison Tibau vs Khabib Nurmagomedov
Melvin Guillard vs Fabrício “Morango” Camões
Riki Fukuda vs Costa Philippou
John Alessio vs Shane Roller
Yoislandy Izquierdo vs Rafaello Oliveira

Gleison Tibau against Josh Neer at UFC 104 / Photo: Josh Hedges/Zuffa/UFC

On the coming 7th of July in Las Vegas, UFC 148 will treat fans to the most heavily anticipated rematch of recent times, between middleweight kingpin Anderson Silva and the firebrand Chael Sonnen.

At the same event there will also be some other matchups that look sure to please Jiu-Jitsu practitioners, though, with Demian Maia, Fabricio Morango and Mike Easton all in the mix.

And another intriguing bout has Gleison Tibau taking on the undefeated Khabib Nurmagomedov on the under card. In an interview with GRACIEMAG.com, the Brazilian said he’s dying to put the first blemish on his Russian opponent’s perfect record.

“It’s a good fight for me, to tell you the truth. He’s undefeated in 17 fights, so that will always make you want to put an end to his roll; makes me want to get my name on there as his first loss,” said Tibau, who wrapped up the interview with a few lessons for our readers/practitioners to finish from guard.

“The trick to doing the armbar right is to pay attention to the hips. Bring up the hips, adjust them properly and pull, and not go trying to force it out without having the arm locked in tight,” teaches the burly black belt.

UFC 148
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
July 7, 2012

Anderson Silva vs Chael Sonnen
Tito Ortiz vs Forrest Griffin
Cung Le vs Patrick Côté
Demian Maia vs Dong Hyun Kim
Ivan Menjivar vs Mike Easton
Chad Mendes vs Cody McKenzie
Gleison Tibau vs Khabib Nurmagomedov
Melvin Guillard vs Fabrício “Morango” Camões
Riki Fukuda vs Costa Philippou
John Alessio vs Shane Roller
Yoislandy Izquierdo vs Rafaello Oliveira

Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen at the pre-UFC 148 press conference in Rio de Janeiro / Photo: Wander Braga/UFC

The mood in Las Vegas is one of anticipation of yet another “fight of the century,” when middleweight champion Anderson Silva defends his title from the big-talking Chael Sonnen this coming July 7, right after the United States Independence Day holiday.

In a video released by the UFC, Sonnen restated how his confidence and desire will be enough to overwhelm the champion’s capabilities—and wherever the action may be: standing, striking or in Jiu-Jitsu.

“Make it a boxing bout, I’ll find a way to win. Make it a kickboxing match, I’ll find a way to win. I’m not going to play a dance-off with him, but if he wants to make it a combative, man’s sport, I’ll do it. Make it a Jiu-Jitsu match, make it a wrestling match, make it an MMA fight—it doesn’t matter; he doesn’t have anything that I as an athlete won’t conquer. I am a competitor. I will find a way to win, as I always do,” says Sonnen, who has been brushing up on his Jiu-Jitsu skills with ADCC heavyweight champion Vinny Magalhães of team Gracie Tijuca.

“It has nothing to do with skills. Commentators love to make it about skills, but it’s not. It’s about who’s tougher, who wants it more,” adds Sonnen, who in their first encounter ended up losing via armbar from within a triangle.

UFC 148
Las Vegas, United States
July 7, 2012

Anderson Silva vs Chael Sonnen
Tito Ortiz vs Forrest Griffin
Cung Le vs Patrick Côté
Demian Maia vs Dong Hyun Kim
Ivan Menjivar vs Mike Easton
Chad Mendes vs Cody McKenzie
Gleison Tibau vs Khabib Nurmagomedov
Melvin Guillard vs Fabrício “Morango” Camões
Riki Fukuda vs Costa Philippou
John Alessio vs Shane Roller
Yoislandy Izquierdo vs Rafaello Oliveira

Anderson Silva e Chael Sonnen na conferência de imprensa do UFC 148, no Rio de Janeiro. Foto: Wander Braga/UFC

Las Vegas já vive o clima de mais uma “luta do século”, entre o campeão dos médios Anderson Silva e o desafiante falastrão Chael Sonnen, marcada para o dia 7 de julho, logo depois do feriado da Independência nos EUA.

Em vídeo divulgado pelo UFC, Sonnen afirmou que a confiança e a vontade serão sim capazes de surpreender as habilidades do campeão, e no campo que for, em pé, na trocação ou no Jiu-Jitsu.

“Torne isso uma luta de boxe, e vou achar uma maneira de vencer. Torne isso uma luta de kickboxing, e vou achar uma maneira de vencer. Não vou jogar uma competição de dança com ele, mas se ele quiser fazer um esporte masculino de combate, eu farei. Faça uma luta de Jiu-Jitsu, uma luta de wrestling, uma luta de MMA. Não importa. Ele não tem nada que eu, como competidor, não possa conquistar. Sou um competidor. Vou achar um jeito de vencer, como eu sempre faço”, disse Sonnen, que vem afiando seu Jiu-Jitsu com o atual campeão dos pesados do ADCC, Vinny Magalhães (Gracie Tijuca).

“Não tem nada a ver com habilidades. Comentaristas adoram dizer que é sobre habilidades, mas não é. É sobre quem é mais durão, quem quer mais”, completou Chael Sonnen, que no primeiro encontro entre ambos acabou derrotado por obra de um armlock de dentro do triângulo.

Veja o vídeo com as declarações do americano, abaixo, e o card completo do evento a seguir.

UFC 148
Las Vegas, Estados Unidos
7 de julho de 2012

Anderson Silva vs Chael Sonnen
Tito Ortiz vs Forrest Griffin
Cung Le vs Patrick Côté
Demian Maia vs Dong Hyun Kim
Ivan Menjivar vs Mike Easton
Chad Mendes vs Cody McKenzie
Gleison Tibau vs Khabib Nurmagomedov
Melvin Guillard vs Fabrício “Morango” Camões
Riki Fukuda vs Costa Philippou
John Alessio vs Shane Roller
Yoislandy Izquierdo vs Rafaello Oliveira

Check it all out in the videos and photos and take a look at the card at the bottom of the page:

Wanderlei Silva vs. Chris Leben

Dominick Cruz vs. Urijah Faber

Ryan Bader vs. Tito Ortiz

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Check out the card:

UFC 132
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
July 2, 2011

Dominick Cruz vs. Urijah Faber
Wanderlei Silva vs. Chris Leben
Ryan Bader vs. Tito Ortiz
Carlos Condit vs. Dong Hyun Kim
Dennis Siver vs. Matt Wiman
Melvin Guillard vs. Shane Roller
Rafael dos Anjos vs. George Sotiropoulos
Brian Bowles vs. Takeya Mizugaki
Aaron Simpson vs. Brad Tavares
Anthony Njokuani vs. Andre Winner
Jeff Hougland vs. Donny Walker

Confira tudo nos vídeos e fotos e veja todo o card mais abaixo:

Wanderlei Silva x Chris Leben

Dominick Cruz x Urijah Faber

Ryan Bader x Tito Ortiz

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Confira o card:

UFC 132
Las Vegas, Nevada, EUA
Dia 2 de julho de 2011

Dominick Cruz x Urijah Faber
Wanderlei Silva x Chris Leben
Ryan Bader x Tito Ortiz
Carlos Condit x Dong Hyun Kim
Dennis Siver x Matt Wiman
Melvin Guillard x Shane Roller
Rafael dos Anjos x George Sotiropoulos
Brian Bowles x Takeya Mizugaki
Aaron Simpson x Brad Tavares
Anthony Njokuani x Andre Winner
Jeff Hougland x Donny Walker

Thiago volta com tudo ao UFC / Foto: Josh Hedges

Faixa-preta de Jiu-Jitsu da Ataque Duplo, em Florianópolis, Thiago Tavares encara Shane Roller no próximo desafio. A luta acontece no UFC On Versus 3, no dia 3 de março. Em conversa com o GRACIEMAG.com, o peso leve fala sobre o combate e analisa a chegada da tropa do WEC no Ultimate, depois da fusão entre as organizações, além das acrobacias do campeão Anthony Pettis.

Confira:

Fale do seu adversário, o Shane Roller…

É um cara bom, vem do wrestling e foi três vezes All American. Além disso, tem títulos na luta de chão, como no Grapplers Quest. Isso dá também uma experiência de Jiu-Jitsu para ele. Em pé, acho que ele oscila muito. Ele me impressionou contra o Ben Henderson, mas depois o vi deixando a desejar contra outros caras. Então, nesse quesito fica uma incógnita para mim: ele troca em pé como contra o Henderson ou como nas outras lutas que vi? Mas, na verdade, ele busca levar a luta para o chão, pela sua qualidade em derrubar. Isso também não significa nada. Não sei qual a qualificação que usam, mas parece que todo wrestler já foi All American. Enfim, acho que ele vai buscar a luta no chão e já enfrentei outros bons wrestlers.

Como analisa a chegada de tantos novos atletas no peso leve, com a fusão com o WEC?

Vejo o nível cada vez mais competitivo. No WEC era um pouco abaixo do UFC, mas com exceções, lutadores como Ben Henderson, Anthony Pettis, Donald Cerrone e o próprio Shane Roller. São caras que têm o que dar. Então vai complicar cada vez mais. Jamie Varner ia lutar no UFC e não vai mais… Acho que agora o leve tem uma lista no UFC de 64 pessoas, então muita gente vai dançar. Espero que não seja eu!

Thiaguinho em ação. Foto: Josh Hedges.

O Pettis chega como campeão de leves do WEC e vai ter a chance pelo cinturão do UFC na primeira oportunidade. Ele tem chance? O que achou daquele chute incrível dele contra o Henderson (veja aqui)?

O Pettis, assim como o Ben Henderson, vai chegar forte no UFC. Eles têm condições de pegar o cinturão. O Pettis tem muitas qualidades. Essas coisas de acrobacia dependem da ocasião. Percebo que o Pettis, nos últimos segundos de cada round, apronta alguma. Ele pode até tentar fazer isso no UFC, mas, por mais que ele seja um grande lutador, não vai conseguir fazer com tanta frequência.

Como seguir nessa dura categoria e chegar perto do cinturão?

Tenho que dar o meu melhor. Fiz lutas que me apresentei bem, outras não. Tenho que me concentrar. Me sinto muito forte nessa categoria e tenho muitas qualidades. O que interessa é ficar ali dentro e vou me focar para fazer o melhor.

Thiago is heading back to UFC at full steam / Photo: Josh Hedges

A Jiu-Jitsu black belt on team Ataque Duplo in Florianópolis, Brazil, Thiago Tavares has Shane Roller ahead of him as his next challenge, coming up at UFC Versus 3 on March 3. In a conversation with GRACIEMAG.com, the lightweight speaks of the matchup and offers his breakdown of the new troop coming into the UFC from the WEC following the fusion of the two events and discusses the acrobatics of Anthony Pettis, the champion of the now-defunct event.

Here’s what he had to say:

Tell us about your opponent, Shane Roller…

He’s good, comes from a wrestling background and is a three-time All American. Besides that, he holds Grapplers Quest titles. That means he’s also seasoned in Jiu-Jitsu. Standing, I feel he’s inconsistent. He impressed me against Ben Henderson, but after that I felt he was lacking against other guys. So I don’t know what to expect from him there: will he fight standing like he did against Henderson or like he did against the other guys I saw him against? But the truth is I feel he’ll look to take it to the ground, given the quality of his takedowns. That doesn’t mean anything either. I don’t know what qualifiers they use, but it seems like all the wrestlers were All American. So I figure he’ll try to take it to the ground and I’ve faced other good wrestlers before.

What are your thoughts on the new lightweights coming into the UFC from the WEC?

The level is just getting more and more competitive. The WEC was a little below the UFC, with some exceptions, like Ben Henderson, Anthony Pettis, Donald Cerrone, and Shane Roller himself. Those guys bring it on. So things will get even more complicated. Jamie Varner was going to fight in the UFC but isn’t anymore… I think the UFC has a roster of sixty-four lightweights now, so there will be a lot of heads rolling. I hope I won’t be one of them!

Thiago in action. Photo: Josh Hedges.

Pettis joins the fray as the champion of the WEC and will get a shot at the UFC belt in his next outing. Does he have a chance? What did you think of that incredible kick he landed on Henderson (watch here)?

Pettis, like Ben Henderson, is coming into the UFC strong. He has what it takes to snatch the belt. Pettis has a lot of quality about him. These acrobatics depend on the occasion. I’ve noticed that Pettis goes for things in the final seconds of each round. He may very well try that in the UFC, but as great a fighter as he is, he won’t be able to land those too often.

What will it take to move up the ranks in such a stacked division and get near a title shot?

I have to give it my best. I had fights were I had good showings, others where I didn’t. I have to concentrate. I feel really strong in this division and I have a lot of qualities. What matters is staying in the mix, and I’m going to focus on doing my best.

Renan Barão. Photo: Josh Hedges.

An historic night in Arizona, WEC 53 marked the farewell to the promotion that now folds its roster and weight divisions into the UFC.

The fight that brought the WEC to an end after fifty-three shows could not have been more spectacular. In the lightweight title fight, Ben Henderson started out well against Anthony Pettis and dominated the first round. However, starting in the second the challenger took charge. He brought danger from back mount and landed solid strikes. The fight went back and forth, but Pettis always ended with the advantage. In the final round came the most striking moment. Anthony jumped against the cage and on his return three a spot-on kick to Henderson’s face. A well-deserved win for Pettis, who in the UFC will have a shot at the title against the winner of the fight between Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard.

(Watch Anthony Pettis’s insane kick)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3auQkXTj5t8

The fight between Dominick Cruz and challenger Scott Jorgensen was worth the bantamweight belt, but the UFC’s. The WEC champion dominated five rounds. Throwing all kinds of boxing combinations, Cruz mixed in knees and takedowns as well as defending well when on the receiving end. The new UFC champion holds a record of 17 wins and only one loss.

In the preliminary-card action, two Brazilian up-and-comers in the organization had their day. Renan Barão finished Chris Cariaso with a rear-naked choke in the opening round, notching his second win in the event in two fights. Promotional first-timer Yuri Marajó knocked out Ricardo Lamas also in the firs round. Now both go on to a career in the UFC.

Check out the results:

WEC 53
Glendale, Arizona, USA
December 16, 2010

Anthony Pettis defeated Benson Henderson via unanimous decision

Dominick Cruz defeated Scott Jorgensen via unanimous decision

Donald Cerrone submitted Chris Horodecki via triangle at 2:43 min of R2

Kamal Shalorus defeated Bart Palaszewski via unanimous decision

Danny Downes defeated Tiequan Zhang via unanimous decision

Shane Roller submitted Jamie Varner via a rear-naked choke at 3:55 min of R1

Brad Pickett defeated Ivan Menjivar via unanimous decision

Eddie Wineland defeated Ken Stone at 2:11 min of R1

Danny Castillo defeated Will Kerr via KO at 1:25 min of R1

Yuri Marajó defeated Ricardo Lamas via KO at 3:26 min of R1

Renan Barão submitted Chris Cariaso via a rear-naked choke at 3:47 min of R1