Benson Henderson (pictured) will defend his lightweight title against T.J. Grant at UFC 164. Photo: Josh Hedges / Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Recently awarded a black belt in Jiu-Jitsu, UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson will have great reasons to put his level in the gentle art in practice.

The UFC confirmed late Tuesday that the champion will put his belt on the line against T.J. Grant at UFC 164, an event to be held on Aug. 31 in Milwaukee. The news was first reported on “UFC Tonight.”

Grant (21-5) is an athletic finisher. A brown belt in Jiu-Jitsu, he has beaten 13 opponents by submission. Grant is facing “Bendo” coming off five straight wins in the UFC, the last over Gray Maynard at UFC 160, the fight that earned him a shot at the lightweight belt.

Henderson (19-2), beyond being a black belt in Jiu-Jitsu, also boasts a belt of the same color in Taekwondo. He is unbeaten in the UFC (seven fights) and has defended the 155-pound belt three times. In his last trip in the Octagon, Bendo had to overcome the tough Gilbert Melendez in a split decision to continue with the highest rank in the UFC’s lightweight division.

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

Challenger to local fighter Georges St.-Pierre for the welterweight title Josh Koscheck was handily booed by the crowd but didn’t lose his usual poise.

“I’m going to put him to sleep.”

To applause, GSP fired back: “I’m going to kick his butt.”

Check out how it went in the video and photos below, and check back with GRACIEMAG.com for complete coverage later on.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNzQ02TCdwY

[flickr set=72157625575620302]

UFC 124
Montreal, Canada
December 11, 2010

Georges St-Pierre vs. Josh Koscheck

Sean McCorkle vs. Stefan Struve

Jim Miller vs. Charles Oliveira

Mac Danzig vs. Joe Stevenson

Thiago Alves vs. John Howard

Mark Bocek vs. Dustin Hazelett

Joe Doerksen vs. Dan Miller

Sean Pierson vs. Matthew Riddle

Jesse Bongfeldt vs. Rafael Natal

Ricardo Almeida vs. T.J. Grant

Pat Audinwood vs. John Makdessi

Desafiante do lutador local Georges St. Pierre pelo título de meio-médios, Josh Koscheck foi vaiado pela platéia, mas não perdeu a habitual postura.

“Vou botar ele para dormir”.

Aplaudido, GSP respondeu: “Vou chutar a bunda dele.”

Confira como foi tudo no vídeo e fotos abaixo e confira, mais tarde, a cobertura no GRACIEMAG.com.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNzQ02TCdwY

[flickr set=72157625575620302]

UFC 124
Montreal, Canadá
Dia 11 de dezembro de 2010

Georges St-Pierre x Josh Koscheck
Sean McCorkle x Stefan Struve
Jim Miller x Charles Oliveira
Mac Danzig x Joe Stevenson
Thiago Alves x John Howard
Mark Bocek x Dustin Hazelett
Joe Doerksen x Dan Miller
Sean Pierson x Matthew Riddle
Jesse Bongfeldt x Rafael Natal
Ricardo Almeida x T.J. Grant
Pat Audinwood x John Makdessi

UFC 119 this Saturday in Indianapolis wasn’t the most exciting ever fare offered up by the promotion. The fights on the main card left something to be desired, mainly the main event between Frank Mir and Mirko Cro Cop. Proof of that was in the constant booing from the crowd hoping for something more to stir their appetites.

The headliner between Frank Mir and Mirko Cro Cop was one of the most monotonous, but did pan out with an unexpected outcome. After much clinch work in the first two rounds, during which he took a slight advantage, Mir used his opponent’s weapon to prevail. In the third, all signs pointed to the fight lasting till the final bell, but the Jiu-Jitsu black belt threw a spot-on knee. Cro Cop, best known for his precision striking game, crumpled to the ground with fifty-eight seconds remaining.

Using his wrestling prowess, Ryan Bader took Rogério Minotouro down in the first, working the ground-and-pound to take an advantageous lead on the score cards. In the second, Minotouro found his distance and landed solid strikes in the standup department, but Bader managed the takedown again. In the final round, Mintouro went all out trying to land strikes and knees. At the end of the final round, Bader landed yet another takedown to consolidate his dominance, winning by unanimous decision. Bader notches his twelfth MMA win in a row, while Rogério tastes defeat in the UFC for the first time.

Chris Lytle used his striking well to subdue Matt Serra, conquering his fourth win in a row. In the second round, the crowd went wild during a frenetic exchange of punches, when Serra looked like he wouldn’t be able to hold out. But the veteran forged ahead till the final bell, but lost the fight by unanimous decision.

In the early broadcast, Sean Sherk had his work cut out for him against Evan Dunham, and after three rounds, won by split decision. Now the seasoned Melvin Guillard notched his third win in a row, against Jeremy Stephens – another split decision. In the preliminary fights, kudos to Thiago Tavares for his win over Audinwood. The Jiu-Jitsu black belt landed a guillotine choke while still in the first round.

Check out the complete results:

UFC 119

Indianapolis, EUA

September 25, 2010

Frank Mir defeated Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic via KO at 4:02 min of R3
Ryan Bader defeated Antonio Rogerio Nogueira via unanimous decision
Chris Lytle defeated Matt Serra via unanimous decision
Sean Sherk defeated Evan Dunham via split decision
Melvin Guillard defeated Jeremy Stephens via split decision
C.B. Dollaway submitted Joe Doerksen via guillotine at 2:13 min of R1
Matt Mitrione defeated Joey Beltran via unanimous decision
Thiago Tavares submitted Pat Audinwood via guillotine at 3:47 min of R1
Waylon Lowe defeated Steve Lopez via split decision
T.J. Grant defeated Julio Paulino via unanimous decision
Sean McCorkle submitted Mark Hunt via armbar at 1:03 min of R1

O UFC 119 não trouxe lutas tão emocionantes em Indianápolis, na noite deste sábado. Os combates do card principal deixaram um pouco a dever, principalmente a luta principal, entre Frank Mir e Mirko Cro Cop. A prova foi a vaia constante da torcida, impaciente, à espera de mais emoção.  

Uma das lutas mais monótonas da noite, o combate entre Frank Mir e Mirko Cro Cop terminou de forma inesperada. Depois de trabalhar no clinch nos dois primeiros rounds, quando levou ligeira vantagem, Mir usou a arma do oponente para vencer. Na terceira parcial, quando tudo indicava que a luta iria até o gongo final, o faixa-preta de Jiu-Jitsu desferiu uma joelhada certeira. Cro Cop, conhecido pela trocação afiada, se desmantelou ao chão. O nocaute foi aos 4min2s.

Dono de um wrestling afiado, Ryan Bader tratou de quedar Rogério Minotouro na primeira parcial, de onde trabalhou bem no ground and pound e abriu vantagem. No segundo assalto, Minoto encontrou a distância, investiu na trocação e conectou bons golpes, mas Bader também conseguiu derrubar. No último round, Minotouro partiu com tudo para cima, tentando conectar socos e joelhadas. No fim da parcial, Bader derrubou mais uma vez para consolidar o triunfo, por decisão unânime.  Bader Chega à 12ª vitória no MMA e segue invicto. Já Rogério sentiu pela primeira vez o gosto da derrota no UFC.

Chris Lytle usou bem a trocação para bater Matt Serra e alcançar o quarto triunfo seguido. No segundo round, o público foi à loucura numa troca frenética de socos, quando Serra deu indícios de que não ia aguentar. Mas o veterano prosseguiu até o último gongo, embora tenha sido derrotado por decisão unânime.

Nos primeiros combates televisionados, Sean Sherk não teve moleza contra Evan Dunham e, depois de três rounds, venceu por decisão dividida. Já o experiente Melvin Guillard chegou à terceira vitória seguida contra Jeremy Stephens, também por decisão dividida. Nas lutas preliminares, destaque ao triunfo de Thiago Tavares sobre Audinwood. O faixa-preta de Jiu-Jitsu definiu com uma guilhotina ainda no primeiro round.  

Confira os resultados:

UFC 119

Indianápolis, EUA

Dia 25 de setembro de 2010

Frank Mir venceu Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic por KO aos 4min2s do R3
Ryan Bader venceu Antonio Rogerio Nogueira por decisão unânime  
Chris Lytle venceu Matt Serra por decisão unânime
Sean Sherk venceu Evan Dunham por decisão dividida
Melvin Guillard venceu Jeremy Stephens por decisão dividida
C.B. Dollaway finalizou Joe Doerksen by com uma guilhotina aos 2min13s do R1
Matt Mitrione venceu Joey Beltran por decisão unânime
Thiago Tavares finalizou Pat Audinwood com uma guilhotina aos 3min47s do R1
Waylon Lowe venceu Steve Lopez por decisão dividida
T.J. Grant venceu Julio Paulino por decisão unânime
Sean McCorkle finalizou Mark Hunt com uma chave de braço aos 1min3s do R1

“Belcher is super strong, has good Jiu-Jitsu and sharp muay thai. I trained a lot and, God willing, everything will go well for me,” he is quoted as saying on the UFC website.

“I feel this will be a good fight because our styles are similar. But the fact that we are both coming off losses is further motivation,” he adds.

Gouveia in pursure of seventh UFC win. Photo: Josh Hedges

Anderson is the champion because he’s the best, period” Wilson Gouveia

A former light heavyweight, Gouveia will fight at middleweight. The change of division could set him up to face Anderson Silva. Nevertheless, the American Top Team representative discards a confrontation with the current champ. At least for the time being.

“I’m conscious of the fact I’m not ready to face a guy of the caliber of Anderson Silva. For that reason I’m trying to improve as a fighter, not just technically, but psychologically as well,” remarks the Brazilian, who spares no praise for the current champion.

“It’s one thing for someone to think he can beat the champion, but to win is completely different. Anderson is the champion because he’s the best, period. Of course one day he’ll lose the belt, but by the time that happens a lot of competitors will show confidence they can beat him and, when fight time comes, they won’t be able to accomplish what they promised to,” he says in finishing.

Check out the card for UFC 107, headlined by BJ Penn’s title defense against Diego Sanchez.

UFC 107

December 12

Memphis, Tennessee

MAIN CARD

– B.J. Penn vs Diego Sanchez

– Cheick Kongo vs Frank Mir

– Jon Fitch vs Mike Pierce

– Kenny Florian vs Clay Guida

– Paul Buentello vs Stefan Struve

PRELIMINARY FIGHTS

– Alan Belcher vs Wilson Gouveia

– Shane Nelson vs Matt Wiman

– Ricardo Funch vs Johny Hendricks

– Lucio Linhares vs Rousimar Palhares

– Edgar Garcia vs DaMarques Johnson

– Kevin Burns vs T.J. Grant