Why Roy will never be Big Champion Nelson!

Firstly I would like to say I’m a huge big country Roy nelson fan. So this really does hurt me to say but
you can knockout as many second string heavy weights you want Roy but you will never be the Heavyweight champion. It’s not because he doesn’t have the knockout power, he does but so did tank Abbott and we all know that if he didn’t knockout his opponent out in the first 3 minute’s he would gas and it was the end of him.

Just look at Roy record all his losses have always been the ones that have gone the distance and his
opponents have worked him over and won. Add the rumours that he is difficult to work with,  why would  the power to swing be given a chance.
In saying that he does have a fan base and yes we love him because he looks like the average guy with big bushy beards (my favorite) and a gut.
Even though he is losing some weight (See Skinny Roy Nelson Here) and hinted at a drop to 205 but let’s face it Roy even then you just would have DC waiting for you, a guy that just beat you.
Even if he did make it to the big dance in the HW division I just can’t see him beating the likes of Cardio Cain or soon to be Heavyweight champions either Werdum/Browne (Champions Kryptonite).
Let’s face it big Nelson your
enemy is the guy you look at in the mirror you have been given chance after chance but just when you
get that shot you don’t deliver.

I want to see the guy I saw in the TUF house
the guy who actually used his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu,
his ground game wouldn’t let the opponent get a chance.
Roy you have only ever had one fight of the night and that was with Werdum,  yes four knockouts of the night but that’s what you have become a knockout artist a bit of a one trick pony!
You have so much more to give and I want to see it.
After the lost to DC I just don’t see where you go now, maybe Overeem you guys can just slug it out, actually I probably would like to see that.
You will never be Heavyweight Champ. Prove me wrong………GO

UFC Manchester; The DRAGON has Entered

The main event of the card was the debut of former LHW Champion Lyoto 'The Dragon' Machida at MW.

Opposing him in the GON,friend and training partner Mark Munoz.

For years Machida had shunned away from dropping down to MW, with obvious success, no weight cut & long time friend Anderson Silva reigning supremacy on the division there was no backing support for the move.

With majority of circumstances changing, the perfect stomping ground for Machida displayed it's tagline against Munoz.

"I'm looking to change my attack, I want to finish every fight", Machida in a pre fight interview.

Finish he did, after the general stalk from "The Dragon" early in the fight, a lightning snap head kick shut down Munoz, Even blocking the kick the glove couldn't prevent the speed & power of Machida.


Showing incredible sportsmanship, Machida followed up to finish a dazed Munoz but held back the right hand realising the kick had put the lights out!



The Dragon has been released on the MW division, the win see's him open at 5th on the overall rankings!
 With Bisping, & Souza just above him is a fight against either the lone pillar between the Dragon and the GOLD!

 

UFC Manchester Main Card Review

UFC Manchester Main card began with Flyweights John Lineker Vs Phil Harris.
The Brazilian Lineker missed weight for the 3rd time which should evidently force a move to Bantamweight 135 pound Division. The fight still proceeded with Harris accepting to fight at a 128 catchweight bout.

"Hands of Stone" Lineker played out his fight name to a T, in the opening exchanges landing consistently on Harris, whom elected to stand a trade.
Surviving 3 or 4 heavy shots to the jaw with jelly leg's Harris  eventually couped up into a ball from a vicious strike to the body, clutching his stomach on the way down, the fight was over within the first 3 minutes.

4 in a row in the Flyweight division = no.1 Contender, but "Hands of Stone" weight issue will no way land him the respect and trust from UFC Matchmakers to put him in a title fight.


Nicholas Musoke Vs Alessio Sakara.

A late replacement call up against UFC veteran Alessio Sakara was a  priceless opportunity that the debuting Sweedish Musoke grabbed and arm and ran with.

When Joe Rogan's vocals reach the 'Grunge' setting, you know it's a FIGHT! The pro boxer Sakara opened up swinging but was equally met from the Sweden.
A brawl that landed on the mat, Sakara fell into the long limbs of Musoke, enabling a quick swift Arm bar to make a successful debut for an exited Nicholas Musoke!


Norman Parke Vs Jon Tuck 
A lightweight fight featuring home town favourite Norman Parke, played out a technical trade on their feet. With Parke landing a Unanimous Decision Win.

Warning from the ref to keep their fingers in came early, Tuck landed a jab that Parke felt as an eye poke which clearly rattled the socket from knuckles only,
a close first round with even strikes closed with a suplex takedown from Parke.

an unusual approach from Tuck whose cleaner work is on the ground saw Norman take the 2nd with quicker and efficient strikes.

A Mirror round for the 3rd closed out the 9th straight Victory for the TUF Smashes Lightweight winner Parke, 3 in the UFC.

Jimi Manuwa Vs Ryan Jimmo

2 Muscle machine LightHeavyweights graced the 'GON' with all expecting a finish within the 15 minutes of actions.

Jimi Manuwa the dangerous English native whose only been in MMA since 2008 was searching for his 14th straight finish due to his Power punches or Injury, found just that in an awkward way.

After a clear plan from Jimmo to work Manuwa  through the clinch was split apart numerous times from the ref, a late knee in the 2nd  landed flush to the head of Jimmo causing him to back up and jump awkwardly on his right causing a ? leg injury stopping the fight. Officialy announcing another TKO win for Manuwa.

UFC History Repeated Re-Written.

The first previews released by the UFC for 166 Velasquez Vs JDS the trilogy, stated the slogan "History will be written by the winner". 
 

It seems the UFC created an ultimatum for Cain & JDS, that landed into the 4 oz. gloves of Diego Sanchez & Gilbert Melendez.
Although Cain and JDS delivered a powerful performance, it was the co-main event that inevitably stole the show!
April 9th 2005, The finale of the first ever Ultimate Fighter series saw Forest Griffin & Stephan Bonnar define the sport.
A 3 round war of sheer grit and determination, throwing every ounce of energy in each strike to show their arsenal of skills where the best in the world.
Disbelief & smiles from a standing ovation who had just witnessed HISTORY.
A looser on the judges card but the UFC awarded both men a contract on the night that raised the bar and went on to shape the company what it is today

8 years 6 months an 11 days later, October 20, 2013.
UFC 166 co-main event Gilbert Melendez & Diego Sanchez grace the Gon!
Over the first 5 mintues they both landed consistently with Melendez getting the upper hand.
The opening up of Diego's forehead in the 2nd showed a war was unfolding,( prompting a doctor's observation during the round as his head became a fountain).
But in typical Sanchez fashion with every strike absorbed
he somewhat grew stronger, begging for more!
Dana White's word "Diego has balls of steel, and a chin to match", The crowd was ecstatic, as over the next 8 minutes Melendez/Sanchez would engage face to face and swing for the fences.
Blood, sweat and tears (from the eyes that where still open) where laid out as Fight of the night pick was settled and the debate of Fight of the year/ Fight of all time had begun.

Before Griffin & Bonnar entered the cage On April 9th 05, the bout prior saw a 23 Year old make his UFC debut to crown the first ever Ultimate Fighter. Winning by TKO in Round 1 Diego Sanchez finished Kenny Florian to set the scene for a new breed of fighter and take the UFC MMA world to new levels, yet the succeeding bout claimed all the glory!

18 fights on with 7 FOTN performances the 'Nightmare' the 'Dream' is in the spotlight of the mainstream sport in which he paved the way for years ago!

Did Melendez/Sanchez re live Griffin/Bonnar in the new Mainstream UFC or did they write there own HISTORY and the UFC is on the cusp of shooting for new heights?

BRACE 23 TUF Nations build up

Brace MMA the only Australian MMA

event to run in 4 states, lands in

Townsville Queensland on the 26th October.
Headlining the show and starting the rivalry of  UFC TUF Nartions Canada Vs Australia comes an explosive Brace Lightweight fight between Winnipeg, Canada's Kevin "Mongoose" Manderson Vs Australian Gokhan ''Pitbull" Turkyilmaz.

The vicious "Pitbull" enters the Brace cage  looking to make it 3 wins from 3 fights within 3 months!
A statement to say the least, the team Tiger Muay Thai fighter along with Integrated MMA is on track to take his career to all new heights and kick things of for Team Australia!

Manderson a veteran of the sport in the Canadian scene, is coming of his successful BRACE debut in December 2012 where he submitted Jon Leven with a Kimura.

Having fought UFC fighters Jordan Mein & T.J Grant a total of 30 Pro fights spells priceless experience for the Mongoose.

A win for the Canadian native will highlight his name across the Australian MMA scene, however the value in victory is far greater for Gokhan! By defeating Manderson it will be hard not to notice the rise of Pitbull.

The night will also host Bantamweights
Edwin Arana vs Zack Hook,
Luke Hume vs Jamie Mullarkey at Featherweight.

Lightweights
Talea Kelly vs Mick Bosworth
Ben Games vs Craig Callaghan.
185 Pound James Fa’ aoso faces Matt Eland.Welterweight
Paul Cavacus vs Eddie Trewin.
Brace 23 Will be live on PPV at www.epicentre.tv for only $14.95.
Tickets are still available at www.bracemma.com

UFC 166 Live Blog

JOHN DODSON vs DARREL MONTAGUE
Flyweights underway. Dodson comes out quick as expected, landing hard early leg kicks to keep Montague at distance. Both guys begin to relax and start to throw, it's Dodson that lands the better blows and he swamps Darrel, getting him to the mat and landing clean shots, Montague is rocked but somehow recovers. Back to their feet they go, BOOM! A huge left cross from John Dodson turns Montagues legs to jelly, he falls flat on his face and the referee jumps in to save Darrell from more punishment.

John Dodson wins by KNOCKOUT

GABRIEL 'KA POW' GONZAGA vs SHAWN JORDAN
2 big boys, that prize themselves on finishing fights quickly, touch gloves and we're on. Neither guy moves in quick as they both look to get a feel for the tempo. Gonzaga lands the first blow with a right cross that definitely caught Shawn's attention. Jordan then moves forward with a jab cross combo, but on his way in Gonzaga throws quick right hook that flattens Jordan. Gonzaga jumps on him landing two hammer fists before the ref can get in to stop the fight. Huge power from Gabriel Gonzaga lands him the 'W'

Gabriel 'KaPow' Gonzaga wins by KNOCKOUT

GILBERT MELENDEZ vs DIEGO SANCHEZ
Melendez begins with a leg kick, he throws another and Diego catches it and takes him down, he switches to back mount and goes for the rear naked, Gilbert is able to fight him off however and it's back to the feet. Huge shots landed from both guys, they are not holding back at all. Diego is cut early from a right cross from Melendez but continues to push forward. Sanchez lands some good body kicks as we head to the second. Not before the last 10 seconds when both guys stand toe to toe and swing. Diego gets rocked but were going to the second. Awesome start
Sanchez begins round 2 standing back and calling Gilbert towards him, Melendez obliges and pushes forward. Both guys now seem to relax for a period. Diego moves in with a sweet right, left, knee and Gilbert follows up with a hard right hook. These guys are standing and banging! Sanchez is continuously looking to get in and out quickly, while Melendez is looking to pick him off with the left jab, right cross combo. Still they throw wild kicks and punches. End of the second and Melendez should be up 2 rounds to nil.
Early in the 3rd Melendez pushes forward and Diego catches him on the way in. Gilberts fine though. That's it, Diego says let's go and they do! For a good 30 seconds they stand and exchange, both landed big shots but kept going. Huge uppercut! Diego send Gilbert crashing, he goes in for the kill, somehow Melendez recovered. Down to the last 10 seconds and yep you guessed it, they stood and threw, both guys were hurt but kept going. What a war and a major contender for fight of the year. Amazing stuff from both guys

Gilbert Melendez wins by UNANIMOUS DECISION (30-27,29-28,29-28)

DANIEL CORMIER vs ROY 'BIG COUNTRY' NELSON
We begin with both guys very hesitant to push forward, it isn't long though before Cormier gets the takedown and looks to control Roy. Nelson does well to get back to his feet, but Daniel holds him in the clinch. Roy looks to break away but Cormier holds him in again. DC lands a knee that goes beneath the belt line, Roy is given time to recover and were back to standing. Cormier started to land better blows on the feet, but in typical Nelson style he kept pushing forward looking for that 'home run' punch. Cormier's round.
Clean jabs from Daniel start us off in the second. Nelson throws a jab of his own, but Cormier is definitely having the better of the exchanges. Cormier pushes for the takedown again and were back to a slow paced fight, with Daniel just holding onto Roy in the clinch. Nelson escapes and were standing in the center of the octagon again. Cormier continues to easily have the better of the exchanges, landing 4 punches to Roy's 1. End of round 2 and DC looks to have this wrapped up.
Cormier starts us off with a front kick and 2 leg kicks in the 3rd, but the pace has definitely slowed now. Huge front kick to the face of Nelson, from Daniel, but Roy doesn't seem fazed at all. Body kicks and left jabs are the theme for Cormier now and he's got Roy well in control. Roy tries to bait Daniel by dropping his hands and calling him in, Nelson tries to catch Cormier off guard with a massive attempted uppercut, it misses and the round peters out to a close. Bit of a disappointment in this one, with not a whole heap of action.

Daniel Cormier wins by UNANIMOUS DECISION (30-27 all round)

CAIN VELASQUEZ vs JUNIOR 'CIGANO' DOS SANTOS
The crowd is pumping, both guys are so intense coming into this one, to the point were Junior walks all the way up to Cain as his name is announced. Here we go! Ohhhh, huge shots landed straight away by Dos Santos, it looks to have rocked Cain, but he recovers well and pushes Junior into the clinch. Dos Santos escapes briefly but Cain finds his way back to the clinch and gets the takedown, he takes back mount briefly on Junior, but he's quickly back to his feet and yet again Velasquez presses JDS into the fence and clinches. The fight stays there until the end of the round. Cain's round
Round 2 and Cain is landing the better of the blows, Junior is able to land the odd jab, but Cain is well in control. Back to the clinch we go, Velasquez is landing good body kicks from the position. Dos Santos escapes a couple of times from there but Cain is relentless in his attack, he repeatedly puts Junior against the fence and controls him. Cain is well in control.
2 Rounds to nil
The same again from Velasquez early in Round 3, he lands a good overhand right and presses JDS against the cage. Cain is exhausting him from this position, Dos Santos lands a good short elbow, but not a lot else. Bang, Cain finally opens up and sits Junior on his backside he keeps landing, but miraculously Dos Santos gets back to his feet and we continue. Again! Velasquez with huge shots. Junior is almost out on his feet as we end the round. It was an overhand right that rocked JDS to begin with, he's in big trouble now. Cain has all the momentum
Junior goes for the first strike, but Cain is the first to connect with a big right. More combos from Velasquez, but still JDS stands and refuses to go down. Cain holds him in the clinch and continues to wear him down, Junior gets a little break and tries to land a big right, Velasquez easily dodges it. Cain backs off and on the way back in Junior lands a left jab, right uppercut combo that doesn't slow down Cain at all. A short elbow from Velasquez opened up a big cut on Junior and the doctor is called to have a look. We continue with the all clear. Junior lands better blows as the round closes, but again it's all Cain. 4 rounds to zip
Dos Santos runs at Cain and throws a right upper cut, he's much more active now, Cain quickly puts an end to that though, by getting the double leg takedown. Junior works his way back to his feet, but it's yet again Cain in control in the clinch. Junior still keeps throwing, a short elbow, a left hook, Velasquez still well in control. Junior tries to go for a choke and in doing so is pulled to the ground and falls on his head, he turtles up and Herb Dean runs in to stop the fight. In the end it was Junior that finished the fight for himself, but Cain Velasquez made a mess of Junior Dos Santos again, completely dominant from start to finish.

Cain Velasquez wins by TKO

UFC 166 Sots 2.0 Lombard 170

Lombard and George training at ATT

Australia UFC Pioneer better yet EMPORER!
George Sotiropolous heads in to the Toyota Centre in Houston, Texas alongside his ATT
(American Top Team) Training partner and fellow Australian (Adopted) Hector Lombard.


Athletes exuberant for their country colours having played significant roles in putting Australian MMA on the map

Lombard, in his last training before fight day. Looking slim/healthy.

This sunday at UFC 166 Sots & Lombard find themselves in similar situations with the support of each other, teams and fans.
George will fight Strikeforce import KJ Noons, being out of the W column for a short time is all in the past as Sots 2.0 debuts this sunday, extensive time put in to evolving his all round skills and a coach in place for each area, such as striking, wrestling & grappling have been pivotal to the re birth. His CORE Jui Jitsu game has reaped the most rewards from these changes and George believes will all see a much different fighter this Sunday.
"My focus is executing my strategy and what I’ve been doing in training, and that’s really all that’s important." Hence Sots 2.0!

A Force at 185 around the world, but being smothered by lay & pray fighters such as Yushin Okami has Hector Lombard cutting down to 170 Pounds! Hard to believe that a muscle machine could make that cut, but Hector is out to prove that he belongs amongst the elite and this Sunday will be confirmation!
 Remaining with ATT and his coaches makes perfect sense as they know him best, standing firm that the power and danger in his right & left remains regardless of dropping down.
Lombard faces another muscle machine, and former middleweight Nate Marquardt who had quick and impressive success in his initial step to a lower weight.

A short term goal for Hector at 170; first round KO Finish at theToyota Centre!
Mid term goal, a spot on the UFC Brisbane card, being 7 weeks away.
Long term goal,  GOLD! Prove/Deliver the hype of LIGHTING Lombard.

UFC 166 is live on PPV Main Event from 1pm, Both George and Lombard are on the preliminary card which starts from 9am on FUEL TV.

Be sure to stay with MMA AUS for LIVE BLOGING every second of action on the main card, and follow our twitter @MmaAus.

UFC Brisbane Women, Tristar, Bruce Lee closing out STACKED Card

UFC Brisbane fans will be the first to see a UFC women's bantamweight match-up on Australian turf.
Julie Kedzie will welcome the debut of Aleksandra Albu.

Kedzie, who was pushed to the wrong end of a split decision in her UFC debut back in July, flies down under to meet 23yr old  Russian Albu, a team mate of lightweight Khabib Nurmagomedov, the karate black belt is 5-0 in her pro career.
On the back of 3 losses Kedzie is adamant on getting back into the 'W' column.

2 Welterweights will make there debuts in the Gon against each other, as undefeated Swedish Andreas Stahl 9-0 faces up against dangerous Tri-Star Gym prospect Alex Garcia.
As Tri-Star lightweight Mike Ricci was cut from the UFC, a tag has been made to Garcia, who is on a 4 fight win streak with 3 being 1st round finishes.

An exciting Bantamweight match up of TUF 12 favourite Alex Caceres (Bruce Lee-Roy) taking on Mitch Gagnon finalises the Brisbane card.
Gagnon, who is 2-1 in the UFC and already accustomed to post fight bonuses with a SOTN and FOTN, matches up well against the stylistic Bruce Lee-Roy. Arguably on a 7 fight win streak, with a split decision win overturned to NC and point deduction in another fight, they are the only kinks in the chain for Caceres.

UFC Brisbane Bantam Welter & Middleweights, Exiting trio added

The no 1 Australian UFC event taking place on December 7 has added 3 exiting fights, taking the card to 8 finalised bouts so far.

Rapid rising Aussie Welterweight Robert Whittaker will face up against strikeforce import Brian Melancon.Whittaker who grinded to a split decision loss to Court Mcgee, heads home with priceless lessons learned, continuing his journey to enter the Gon for the 4th time within 12 months.

Melancon who may have had the luck of the strickeforce debut spirits when he finished Seth Baczynski at UFC 162, was quickly deflated by the youngest fighter on the UFC roster Kelvin Gastelum 3 months after his successful debut.


MMA Veteran and fan favourite Nam Phan lands down under to take on Japanese pioneer Takeya Mizugaki. Phan whose been punching around the globe since 2001, fights for the first time at Bantamweight after 6 UFC appearances at featherweight tallying 2-4, a result not very appealing on paper but 2 FOTN performances, an all going the distance Phan knows how to put on a show.

Mizugaki currently on a 3 fight win streak, a win in Brisbane will cement and bolster his newly crowned position in the top 10 rankings. 2 split decision win's creates a hesitant climb that gathers little notice, a finish is what Takeya needs, however edging his way through the division seems to be the goal for the Japanese fighter.

Middleweight Nick Ring shapes up to Caio Magalhaes. Magalhaes returns to the Gon on the back of his memorable come from behind victory over Karlos Vemola in June, where rallied from a 10-8 judges score first round to submit Vemola in the 2nd.
Facing Ring who is 10 years ahead on the clock will be an excellent opportunity for Magalhaes to have his name upheld in the growing list of Brazilian talent.


Ring whose 13-2 record is impressive needs a decisive win in Brisbane to keep him safe from being on a possible cut list. A exiting an high quality striker Ring has come to 4 Decisions in his 5 fight UFC Career, a dangerous striker is what get's attention, is Nick a dangerous striker? December 7 will give us the answer.

The Decemeber 7 Card.
Mark Hunt Vs Anotnio Silva Main Event.
James Te Huna Vs Maruico Shogun Rua Co-Main
Soa PaleleiVs Pat Barry
Anthony Perosh Vs Ryan Bader
Dylan Andrews Vs Clint Hestar
Robert Whittaker Vs Brian Melancon
Nam Phan Vs Takeya Mizugaki
Nick Ring Vs Caio Magalhaes.Stay tuned at MMA Aus for ticket info and event times!

http://mmaaus.blogspot.com.au/2013/09/ufc-brisbane-fn-33-all-australia.html?view=snapshot

'Big Country' Little State? UFC 166

All that is missing from this picture is the caption (Journo finds Roy Nelson's twin slim brother)
Could it be?

Is it the fantastic work of technology once again with a Photoshop touch up.

Is the cameraman an experienced veteran finding the right angle to 'Vanish' the elephant in the room.

Or has UFC Heavyweight Roy Nelson gutted down, literally! and the iconic 'Big Country' is now just a little state.
Whatever it may be a picture paints 1000 words.

Nelson who is weeks away from his UFC 166 bout with Daniel Cormier has showed the beard remains but the cargo has departed.
'Big Country's' previous slim down a couple of years ago came after criticism from Dana White, this time it looks to be his own accord.
After hitting 3 home runs in less than a year, finishing Dave Herman, Matt Mitrione & Cheick Kongo, a push for a title shot was on the agenda "im just learning this combo game with my strikes so look out" (Nelson after his finish of Cheick Kongo).

Strikeout! Stipe Miocic halted Roy's rise at UFC 161 with the home run hitter unable to put bat to ball.
Is the loss so commonly for many fighters a blessing in disguise, which has driven him to slim down and refresh his origins on the ground, an incredible black belt Jui Jitsu game to go hand in hand with his new found talent of Combinations!

Has the unexplainable hype train of Daniel 'Bear hugging" Cormier put a little fire into Nelson to burn down the weight, with DC carrying a little of his own but showing a high level of aerobic capacity, the bragging rights of the 6 pack underneath fighters is up for grabs.
  
Nelson states his weight has never been an issue but is the Cormier fight on a new plan?
Is it doubt in Nelson's head or is it a focus on a new level? the trunk has been chopped, so will the home run swing only hit 1st base?
Or is it just a case of, Don't judge a book by it's cover!