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2007 Year In Review
2007-12-23 19:10:00 Here we go! With MMA gaining so much momentum over the past few years, UFC has debuted a three hour show of the UFC?s BEST of 2007,taking a look back at the most exciting fights of the past year. The UFC continues to be consistent by offering great PPVs, free events, and their blockbuster show, "The Ultimate Fighter." I will review the UFC?s BEST of 2007, giving you insight and my thoughts on the fights. Now let?s get to the knock down, drag out year that was 2007. An article by Don DavenportTyson Griffin vs. Frankie EdgarUFC 67: ALL OR NOTHING February 3, 2007 Both fighters exchanged punches early, feeling each other out and eventually leading to a clinch. Edgar faked a takedown and landed some punches which lead to a takedown of Griffin. Griffin attempted a guillotine choke which Edgar managed to escape and gain side control. Griffin got out of side control and slammed Edgar down hard. Both fighters wrestled back to the feet where Edgar dominated with strikes, and then Edgar got ...
By: The Irish Whip
IWF Exclusive: The Future Of The UFC
2007-11-11 06:18:00 Although we have a set title fight in our sights (Hughes vs. Serra), a slightly deeper look into the ranks of the UFC will give us a more accurate picture of how the sport should shape up over the next six months. While feuds and rivalries culminate in once-a-month events, the sport is built between those events as every member of the roster fights, bargains, and even pleads for a title shot. The following is a look at each division and who is fighting for the title.Heavyweights: With Andrei Arlovski missing his new contract, Cro Cop dropping fights like he was bought off, and Couture temporarily out of the fight game, the whole division is really up for grabs. It?s unlikely that White would simply award the belt to the winner of an upcoming fight as it wouldn?t make sense for Kongo or Nogueira to receive a title with very little UFC experience under their belts. He could justify giving it to Sylvia as he was the last guy to hold the belt and is fresh off a win, but I doubt he?d...
By: The Irish Whip
PRIDE Fighters At A Disadvantage
2007-10-23 23:37:00 With the past losses of Mirko Filipovic, the near loss of Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, and the current loss of Mauricio Rua, it is easy to see the pattern developing. For one reason or another (Quinton Jackson being the exception), these PRIDE guys are having trouble translating their skills to the Octagon. Are the PRIDE fighters overrated, are the UFC fighters better than we all thought, or is it something else entirely?It?s possible that the PRIDE fighters are overrated, but it?s hard to justify when you consider that they?re all world-class athletes who have been fighting their entire lives. Cro Cop doesn?t just knock out Wanderlei Silva, switch boats to the UFC, and then just forget how to fight. Similarly, Nogueira shouldn?t go from hanging with Fedor to barely beating journeyman Heath Herring. It just doesn?t make logical sense. And while Shogun looked absolutely brilliant at times against Griffin (with his rolls, submission attempts and strikes), he looked downright tentati...
By: The Irish Whip
Nogueira-Kongo Bumped To Early 08
2007-10-09 20:08:00 The winner of the Nogueira-Kongo fight is no longer in line for a title shot, as it's been bumped to early next year, but whoever leaves victorious should be guaranteed a shot down the line. Here's why:With Sylvia-Vera now the only real HW bout in the upcoming months, it's more than expected that the winner will take on Randy Couture early next year at UFC 81 or those whereabouts. For Vera, it would be a long time coming and could represent the passing of the torch from one marketable HW to another. If Sylvia gets the shot, it would represent the rematch clause in his contract. Either way, this seems like the only viable option.But who gets the winner of the Couture-Vera/Sylvia fight? For rest periods to coincide, the new #1 contender bout (after Sylvia-Vera) would have to take place early next year. Enter: Nogueira-Kongo. Initially scheduled to go down at UFC 79 in December, the fight has been bumped. It's not clear why, but it does provide perfect timing for both these...
By: The Irish Whip
The Transition From PRIDE To UFC
2007-07-31 20:33:00 As more and more PRIDE fighters continue to pour into the UFC organization, it has become apparent that the transition from PRIDE to the UFC is a much more difficult one then first suspected. When the deal was initially struck between the two organizations not much was made about how the fighters would respond to not only a different rule set, but a whole different environment. Much like any other top level athlete, fighters are creatures of habit. Any little change in environment can make a huge impact when it comes to a fighters performance. So why has the transition between the two organizations been such a tough one so far?From a fans perspective the differences between the two different organizations seems minimal. So what if theres an octagon instead of a ring? So what if the UFC has 3 x 5 minute rounds instead of PRIDES 20 minute fight which features a 10 minute first round with 2 subsequent 5 minute rounds? While these differences may seem insignificant for the fans the fact...
By: The Irish Whip
UFC 75 to Air FREE on Spike TV!
2007-07-17 05:11:00 So it looks like UFC president Dana White isn't as Satanic as he makes himself seem, he can do us some good deeds from time to time. White recently announced that UFC's next "stacked" card, UFC 75: Champion vs. Champion, will be aired for FREE on Spike TV via tape delay, as UFC 70 was.Spike TV will be airing UFC 75: Champion vs. Champion, scheduled for September 8 from the O2 Arena in London, English, free of charge at 9 P.M. E/T via tape delay.Official word and specifics regarding the free airing of UFC 75 can be found in this press release issued by the UFC.Last time a major UFC event was aired on television was of course UFC 70: Nations Collide in Manchester, England, where we all got to see Mirko "Cro Cop's" head ripped off my Gonzaga's foot.Nonetheless, we're going to get to see yet another UFC event without having to dish out fifty big ones. The card's main event includes a light heavyweight title fight with UFC light heavyweight champ Quinton "Rampage" Jackson and PRIDE...
By: The Irish Whip
Top Strikers of MMA Today
2007-06-28 05:34:00 5. Andrei "The Pitbull" ArlovskiThe Pitbull! Though Arlovski last few bouts can?t exactly be considered stellar, I still consider him as one of the greatest strikers in MMA today. Arlovski is quite the physical specimen, I mean he is absolutely shredded; he has muscles on top of his muscles. Arlovski?s immense power is complemented by his crisp and accurate strikes. Arlovski is no slouch on the ground. He's an avid practitioner of Sambo. Sambo is a combat spot and self defense system developed in the Soviet Union and greatly resembles mixed martial arts with its blend of judo, jiu-jitsu, and striking techniques. Arlovski has won a European Youth Sambo Championship and the World Youth Championship. He also took a silver medal at the Sambo World Cup and another silver medal at the World Sambo Championship. Arlovski holds a notable submission victory over former UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia and a stunning knockout victory of Vladimir Matsyushenko. Arlovski showed his domin...
By: The Irish Whip
UFC 75: Official Updates
2007-06-27 20:42:00 Dana White was featured on ESPN's "Hot List" yesterday and confirmed the rumors about Cro Cop facing Cheick Kongo at UFC 75.UFC 75: "Champion vs. Champion" is set to take place back in England, where the Croatian Sensation Mirko "Cro Cop" suffered his most recent and devastating knockout loss to Gabriel Gonzaga.In regards to Cro Cop's next fight, he had this to say:I am one of the most dangerous strikers in the world, but unfortunately, I did not prove that reputation in my last fight. It was a great shock for me and I believe for all my fans and I was very disappointed. But I am a true professional and fighting is my life so I?m training harder than ever. And in the next fight I will be better than ever so I hope you will all be there to see it. I am going to beat my opponent. As I already told you, it was a shock for me and many people ask me if I am okay, if I am injured ? it didn?t look good ? that my ankle twisted, that my knee was looking bad, but it?s okay now. I have...
By: The Irish Whip
Cro Cop's Comeback at UFC 75?
2007-06-12 06:08:00 After nearly going into cardiac arrest upon hearing the announcement of the 205 pound double-crown championship fight between Rampage and Dan Henderson, rumors have risen about ?Cro Cop?s? possible opponent on the same fight card. ?Cro Cop,? a former Croatian law enforcement officer, has been a wrecking machine in his professional career as a fighter, holding a hard-earned record of (16-7) in K1 and winning the PRIDE 2006 Open-weight Grand Prix with a MMA record of (22-5-2). After a less than stellar win over Eddie Sanchez and a devastating knockout loss against Gabriel Gonzaga, Mirko ?Cro Cop? Filipovic is in dire need of a strong comeback in the UFC. ?Cro Cop? lacks the heart and passion he had when he fought for Pride FC. With any luck, Cro Cop?s fire will be rekindled at UFC 75 as he squares off against Cheick Kongo (10-3-1) in London, England, on September 8. At least that?s what German website http://groundandpound.de is claiming to be the Croatian officer?s next opponent....
By: The Irish Whip
MMA Phenom Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic To Retire
2007-05-26 13:43:00 The Fight Network is reporting that UFC heavyweight Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic intends to retire from MMA after his contract with the UFC is up.Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic announced today on Croatian television his intentions to retire from mixed martial arts after his contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship expires, says Nikkan Sports.Cro Cop says he has four fights remaining on his contract with the Las Vegas-based promotion, beginning with his next fight he confirmed for September 8’s UFC 75 in London, England.Source: http://www.mmaontap.com/
Cro Cop's Retirement Plans
2007-05-25 14:25:00 By Gino MongelliMirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic announced today on Croatian television his intentions to retire from mixed martial arts after his contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship expires, says Nikkan Sports. Cro Cop says he has four fights remaining on his contract with the Las Vegas-based promotion, beginning with his next fight he confirmed for September 8’s UFC 75 in London, England.The former anti-terrorist policeman and current member of Parliament bested a staunch field of competitors to take PRIDE’s Open-Weight Grand Prix title in 2006, then left the ailing Japanese promotion for its American competitor that same year. Filipovic handily overcame Eddie Sanchez in his UFC debut on February 3, but lost by a blistering knockout kick from Gabriel Gonzaga at April 21’s UFC 70 in Manchester, England.In a recent interview, Filipovic, 32, had voiced his interest in revisiting his former trade with the special police. “It was a great time of my life,” he said. ...
Palmsize Micro Copter
2007-05-11 10:59:00 Do you remember our tiny R/C plane? Now we have similar thing here. Not as much light, but still very funny to use. It is a mircro copter for indoor use (don’t use it during windy weather outside, it won’t work). You will be amazed the first time you see this Palmsize Micro Copter take off from your hand. It’s like a tiny robotic hummingbird transported from a future society where all remote controlled toys are micro-sized and super cool. Source: thinkgeek.com copter, future society, robotic, thinkgeekShare This
By: Entity11
Medical doctor analyses Cro Cop's fall
2007-04-23 20:20:00 Those that watched Mirko Filopovic free fall after the right-footed kick Gabriel Napão subjected him to, at UFC 70, yesterday, were surely shocked – in every way. Cro Cop simply dropped, and his leg even twisted awkwardly as he fell, but shortly thereafter stood up and spoke with the team of UFC interviewers, after the second knockout of his MMA career. Apparently, the Croatian star is ok. But could he really be 100%, after what he went through? To the director of the department of medicine and physiotherapy of CBLA, Fabio Périssé....Read the entire article HERE.
[Other Sports] Cro Cop goes to sleep after getting blasted by Gonzaga
2007-04-23 18:34:00 The UFC brought Mirko Cro Cop over from Pride for one reason, and that was to be a top contender for the heavyweight title. Well, the hopes of having the newcomer match-up with current champ Randy Couture took a serious step back on Saturday night when Gabriel Gonzaga delivered a wicked right kick to ...
Cro Cop takes on Napao!
2007-04-17 12:35:00 Tuesday, April 17 2007 LIVE on Spike TV this Saturday!UFC 70 preview by Brady Crytzer The growth of the Ultimate Fighting Championship in 2007 has been a roller coaster ride of thrills that seems to be endless. Starting early, announcing the Octagon debuts of international superstars Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson in February, UFC one-upped themselves by acquiring their one and only true competitor to the title of the worlds best MMA organization by purchasing Pride FC in March. Now, with the world in their sights the UFC prepares to make its return to the UK as they present UFC 70: Nations Collide live Saturday April 21st from Manchester Evening News Arena . . . Click here for more------UFC 70: NATIONS COLLIDE is available LIVE on Spike TV on April 21. Check out 70.UFC.com for more info. Source
Keys to Victory: Cro Cop vs. Gonzaga
2007-04-11 18:39:00 Michael DiSanto, UFC - Unpredictability. That is what makes MMA such an amazing sport.Think about it for a moment. Baseball ends after nine innings, regardless of how many runs the visiting team scores in the top of the third inning. If the home team scores four touchdowns in the first quarter of an NFL game, the visiting team still has three full quarters to make up the deficit. A triple bogey on the opening hole at the US Open is painful, but 71 holes remain to make up for the mistake.MMA, by contrast, is vastly different. |
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