The GRACIEMAG.com Choke MMA Podcast is back for Episode 2! This week, Erik and ESK talk UFC 159, Jon Jones, Chael Sonnen, Wanderlei Silva and the week in MMA news. Additionally, MMAjunkie.com and USA Today writer Steven Marrocco joins the gang to talk about the weird happenings that took place during the UFC 159 broadcast. Check it out!

All music by Erik Fontanez, ©2007.

Do Bronx, back in UFC for the greatest challenge of his career. Photo: Disclosed

The last week has been busy for the UFC’s Charles “Do Bronx” Oliveira. The fighter had his contract renewed for another four fights and received the announcement that he will face former lightweight champion Frankie Edgar on July 6, in UFC 162 in Las Vegas. The fighter will be the second opponent for Frankie Edgar at featherweight.

Without fighting since September 2012, when he suffered a knee injury minutes before facing Cub Swanson in a UFC 152 fight, in which he was defeated, OIiveira returns to the UFC against the most renowned opponent of his whole career.

“I was caught by surprise with this fight,” said the Brazilian. “Edgar is the second best in the category and it is an honor to be chosen to face him. This duel will be the biggest challenge of my life and I am very happy with it. There are many people saying that I will lose, but I’ll prove otherwise. On July 6, I will show that I can beat anyone in the UFC.”

Do Bronx, who debuted in the UFC in 2010 and has three bonuses for Submissions of the Night, has had no easy career in the organization. He has faced names like Efrain Escudero, Jim Miller, Donald Cerrone and Cub Swanson.

“In my first interview when I entered the UFC, I made it clear that I would always like to face the best, because winning only by defeating the top names is how you can become the best, he said. “I’m a fan of Edgar and I’ll train like I never trained before. I’m ready for a war.”

The main event of the evening will be the fight between the middleweight champion Anderson Silva facing the young challenger Chris Weidman. Check out the partial card of the event.

UFC 162
Las Vegas, Nevada
July 6, 2013

Anderson Silva vs Chris Weidman
Mark Muñoz vs Tim Boetsch
Roger Gracie vs Tim Kennedy
Chris Leben vs Andrew Craig
Ricardo Lamas vs Chan Sung Jung
Seth Baczynski vs Brian Melancon
Charles Do Bronx vs Frankie Edgar
Cub Swanson vs Dennis Siver

GRACIEMAG.com caught up with Ronda Rousey’s mom, and she shared stories about moments in Rousey’s past where the UFC women’s champ admits to being overzealous. Check out the video in the player above.

For more UFC and MMA coverage,
visit GRACIEMAG.com’s Choke MMA section

Anthony “Showtime” Pettis talks with GRACIEMAG.com contributor Nalty Junior and discusses his upcoming fight with Jose Aldo, jiu-jitsu, the UFC and more. Check it out.

For more UFC and MMA coverage,
visit GRACIEMAG.com’s Choke MMA section

The longtime cornerman discussed returning to Brazil to help Fabricio Werdum coach The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 2, and shared his thoughts on his fighter rematching Antonio Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira later this year.

Check out the exclusive video interview below.

For more UFC and MMA coverage,

visit GRACIEMAG.com’s Choke MMA section

Photo by Mike Poeschle for www.peshphoto.com

GRACIEMAG.com recently caught up with former UFC light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida at Black House MMA in Los Angeles. “The Dragon” shared his thoughts on his upcoming fight with Dan Henderson reportedly scheduled for UFC 157 in Anaheim. Also, the fighter shared his thoughts on offers to fight Jon Jones, Alexander Gustafsson’s last performance, and the transition from living in Brazil to settling down in Los Angeles.

For more UFC and MMA coverage,

visit GRACIEMAG.com’s Choke MMA section

Nick Diaz is one of the headliner's at the UFC this Saturday in Las Vegas. Photo: UFC/Publicity.

In the wake of a lukewarm show in Chicago, expectations for UFC 143 on Saturday are high—at least, to our trainee.

“Boss, I predict an array of different finishes, a night Jiu-Jitsu fans won’t be forgetting anytime soon! There will be triangles, back attacks, and even never-before-seen subs—even picking “Submission of the Night” will be tough, you can count on it,” he said, flapping his arms like a seal.

Now what about you, who do you think will be the big standout of the night? Do you agree with the predictions below? Comment and let us know.

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

UFC 143
Mandala Bay Events Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
February 4, 2012

Nick Diaz vs Carlos Condit – Pick: Nick Diaz
Roy Nelson vs Fabricio Werdum – Pick: Fabricio Werdum
Josh Koscheck vs Mike Pierce – Pick: Josh Koscheck
Renan Barão vs Scott Jorgensen – Pick: Renan Barão
Ed Herman vs Clifford Starks – Pick: Ed Herman

Card preliminar

Max Holloway vs Dustin Poirier – Pick: Dustin Poirier
Alex Caceres vs Edwin Figueroa – Pick: Edwin Figueroa
Matt Brown vs Chris Cope – Pick: Matt Brown
Matthew Riddle vs Henry Martinez – Matthew Riddle

Preliminary card (Facebook)

Rafael Natal vs Michael Kuiper – Pick: Rafael Sapo
Dan Stittgen vs Stephen Thompson – Pick: Dan Stittgen

Phillipe Nover received his black belt from our GMA Alexandre Soca at the same time he reached the finale of the Ultimate Fighter. A couple of fights later and some tough, close matches that resulted in losses, he was cut from the UFC. To add to the bad luck, a neck injury continued to become aggravated and although he continued working as a registered nurse, training and teaching Jiu-Jitsu, the neck discomfort became such that he had to see a doctor who recommended surgery.

Like any procedure, particularly involving the neck, it is always a source for concern. Nover was given two surgical options one more conservative and a second one more modern but also more aggressive and riskier. He opted to go with the second procedure.

Thankfully the surgery was a total success and Phillipe almost immediately returned to the mats and the ring and is now more convinced than ever that this successful procedure was the first step to his comeback to MMA.

The second step to his return was his first professional Muay Thai fight in NYC this Friday, June 10th.

But this Friday the 4^th, in Canada, the Brazilian returned to his winning ways. In the first of his two-fight contract with Maximum Fighting Championship, the country’s biggest event, Thales faced the rugged Dean Lister, another former UFC fighter who, like Thales, is a ground specialist – and ADCC champion in 2003 and 2005.

Thales against Marquardt in the UFC. Photo: Josh Hedges

After the three-round dispute, Thales overcame the American by unanimous judges’ decision. It was the Brazilian’s 15^th win in his 18-fight career.

MFC 23 – Unstoppable
River Cree Resort and Casino, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
December 4, 2009

Billy Hua defeated Kenny Hamilton by TKO 20 seconds into round 2

Ryan Machan submitted Kajan Johnson by rear-naked choke at 3:30min of R3

Nick Penner submitted Ryan Fortin by rear-naked choke at 3:31 min of R2

Jesse Juarez defeated Joe Christopher by unanimous judges’ decision

Dwayne Lewis knocked out Marvin Eastman at 4:58min of R1

Bryan Baker defeated Art Santore by unanimous judges’ decision

Ryan Jimmo defeated Emanuel Newton by unanimous judges’ decision

Jason MacDonald defeated Solomon Hutcherson by split decision

Thales Leites defeated Dean Lister by unanimous judges’ decision

Thales Leites is getting ready for his first big fight after exiting the UFC, where he went as far as challenging champion Anderson Silva for the title.

The black belt fights on December 4 at MFC, in Canada. His opponent is former ADCC champion Dean Lister, who also spent time in the UFC.

For the challenge, beyond his usual training at Nova Uniao, Thales counted on help from Coach Josuel Distak. The fighter feels all set to put on a great performance this next bout.

“I’m feeling really good, confident and, mainly, happy to have the opportunity. It’s a big event in Canada and I’ll fight a big-name fighter, Dean Lister. I did a lot of preparation work, you can be sure of that. Now I’m just waiting for the fight to happen and I can promise you that I will be more aggressive and versatile, as I have been in training,” he says to GRACIEMAG.com.

Lister is known for his ground skills, as is Leites. Nevertheless, the Brazilian prepares himself for whatever is to come.

“I have to cover all my bases, because it’s MMA. There’s nothing to stop him from knocking me out or submitting me or me doing the same with him. Before the end of the fight each side has a 50% chance to win. Let’s wait and see, but I’m confident, looking to get over there and win this fight,” he says in finishing.

Leites faces Marquardt at UFC 85