UFC on FUEL TV 10 Recap

UFC on FUEL TV 10 Recap


Main Card:

Main Event: Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Fabricio Werdum

ROUND 1

The main event is underway in Brazil. Nogueira quickly takes the center of the Octagon. Werdum attacks with leg kicks as the crowd begins to chant. Werdum puts Nogueira against the cage and scores a takedown. They transition well on the ground- these are two highly-skilled ground fighters. Werdum in half-guard. Werdum looks to move into side control. Werdum with a hammerfist. Werdum looking to set up a choke. Both looking to create a scramble. Nogueira looking for a leg and Werdum is pounding away. They get back to the feet and Nogueira eats a knee from Werdum. Werdum with a stiff jab followed by a leg kick. Nogueira lands a combination and pushes Werdum against the cage. Both battling in the clinch. Werdum with a leg kick after they break. Nogueira lands some short punches. They clinch and Nogueira attacks the body. They move against the cage in a clinch with Werdum pressed against the fence. Nogueira attacks the body with dirty boxing. Werdum with a Thai plumb and lands a big knee. They break and Werdum lands a jab. Nogueira lands a short elbow and Werdum is against the cage. Nogueira looks for a takedown. They battle for underhooks and both land right hands as the round concludes.

Score: 10-9 Werdum

ROUND 2

Both beginning to show signs of fatigue, especially Werdum. Werdum lands a leg kick followed by a jab. Werdum with a big right leg kick. Werdum with a big right hand. Nogueira looks to land but Werdum shows good head movement but an uppercut gets in. They clinch and Nogueira pushes Werdum against the cage. Nogueira with some dirty boxing. They switch and Werdum goes for a takedown. Nogueira drops into a guillotine but Werdum ends up on top. Werdum in side control. Werdum looks for an arm but can't get it as he goes back into half-guard. Werdum passes into side control and moves to Nogueira's back with one hook in. Werdum looking to set up an armbar. The fight is suddenly stopped as a tap was not seen. Nogueira seems to be favoring his arm. Werdum picks up the win! Replay shows an armbar was locked in, but it does not appear if it was a tapout or a verbal submission, but it is confirmed to be a verbal submission. Werdum scores his third straight win since returning to the UFC.

Official Result: Fabricio Werdum def. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira by verbal submission (armbar) at 2:41 of Round 2

TUF Brazil Finals: William Patolino vs. Leonardo Santos

ROUND 1

This is the finals of season two of "The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil". Touch of gloves to start as Marc Goddard resides over the action. Patolino starts with a leg kick. They quickly tie up but break. Santos misses a big right hand. They clinch and go against the cage with Santos' back against the cage. Both fighting for underhooks as Santos is looking for a takedown. Patolino goes for a trip but can't get it and they split up. Santos lands a left hand. Patolino lands a combination and they tie-up again. Patolino with the takedown on Santos and is in his guard. Santos tries to escape but Patolino lands an elbow. Patolino gets to his feet and keeps Santos on the ground. Patolino goes back to the ground and lands an elbow on the inside. Santos trying to improve position but Patolino is holding him down. Patolino postures up and goes briefly back into guard. Patolino lands some punches and again with hard punches. Patolino goes back into Santos' guard. Patolino lands some punches as Santos gets the fight back to the feet. Patolino pushes Santos against the cage. They break away from each other. Santos with a leg kick. Patolino misses a trip takedown. Santos drops to the ground and Patolino takes advantage. They scramble on the ground as the round ends.

Score: 10-9 Patolino

ROUND 2

Santos misses a big head kick to start the round. Santos goes for a takedown but Patolino shows good takedown defense. They exchange right hands. Santos lands a big right hand as they are tied up. Santos pushes Patolino against the cage. They switch and Santos is against the cage before they split. Both miss on right hands and Santos lands an inside knee. Patolino is fighting with his hands low and Santos is taking advantage. They clinch and Patolino lands a knee. Patolino scores a takedown and they are working on the ground. Patolino in Santos' guard and the crowd begins to slightly boo. Both beginning to look exhausted out there. Santos tries to push off but to no avail. Patolino in half-guard and has Santos against the cage. They get back to the feet and Patolino misses an uppercut. They clinch and both battle for position. Santos goes for a takedown but Patolino grabs the fence to block it and uses it to get into top position. Marc Goddard halts the fight to give Patolino a warning and starts the fight on the feet. They exchange and tie up. Patolino pushes Santos against the cage. Santos with a trip takedown and is in side control and moves to mount. Patolino surviving on the bottom. Santos fighting for a submission and landing ground-and-pound. Both men are very tired. Santos locks in an arm-triangle and it is in deep. Patolino is surviving. Patolino finally taps out! Santos is The Ultimate Fighter for season two in Brazil! Santos also breaks the modern record for most submissions in a UFC event. Santos celebrates by going into the crowd to embrance UFC Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo.

Official Result: Leonardo Santos def. William Patolino by submission (arm-triangle choke) at 4:43 of Round 2

Thiago Silva vs. Rafael Feijao

ROUND 1

After the record for most submissions in a UFC event was tied in the last fight, these two are ready to provide a potential knockout. Feijao with a leg kick to start off. Silva then lands a body kick. Feijao rushes in with a punch followed by a head kick. Silva blocks a big right hand thrown by Feijao. Feijao throws a big right hand again. Silva with a right hand to the body and Feijao counters with his own and follows it with a combination. Silva with a head kick. Silva misses a leg kick. Feijao lands a combo as Silva covers up. Both miss on wild swings. Silva with a body kick. Feijao with a body punch. Silva backs Feijao up with a big right hand. Silva attacking with both punches and kicks to the leg. Feijao gets a left hand in as Silva is covering up. Feijao with a big overhand right. Silva lands some punches to the body. Feijao backs Silva up with a spinning back elbow that lands flush. Silva backs Feijao up and lands a knee. Silva lands a combination. Silva lands some leg kicks. Feijao lands a soft right hand and is beginning to tire. Silva lands with more punches and kicks. Silva urges the crowd to chant. Silva attacks Feijao as he puts Feijao against the cage. Silva drops Feijao with a big right hand and finishes him off with some punches on the ground as Dan Miragliotta steps in to stop the fight. Silva with the big knockout win!

Official Result: Thiago Silva def. Rafael Feijao by knockout (punches) at 4:29 of Round 1

Erick Silva vs. Jason High

ROUND 1

Touch of gloves to start as the fighters enter the center of the Octagon. High misses two kicks and backs Silva up with a left hand. High lands a kick and Silva misses a punch and a scramble on the ground erupts. Silva takes the back of High on the ground and is looking to transition with an arm. Silva has High's arm but High looks to escape. Silva forces High to suddenly tap out! Silva with the submission from what looks to be an armbar! Replays show it was a modified triangle-armbar as High is submitted for the first time in his career.

Official Result: Erick Silva def. Jason High by submission (armbar) at 1:11 of Round 1

Daniel Sarafian vs. Eddie Mendez

ROUND 1

Sarafian quickly takes the center of the Octagon. Mendez attacks with a combo to start off. Sarafian lands a hard one-two combination that gets the crowd going. Sarafian misses on an overhand right and Mendez pushes him against the cage. Sarafian has a Thai-plumb but lets it go then gets it back. Sarafian trips Mendez to the ground and Sarafian gets on top and is looking to move into side control. Sarafian looking to pass half-guard. Sarafian with some body punches from the top. Sarafian looks to be trying to set up the arm-triangle. Sarafian has it locked up in half-guard and Mendez is struggling to hang on. Sarafian gets Mendez to tap out! Sarafian scores the fifth submission win on the night, tough competition for "Submission Of The Night" on this card.

Official Result: Daniel Sarafian def. Eddie Mendez by submission (side choke) at 2:20 of Round 1

Rony Jason vs. Mike Wilkinson

ROUND 1

Wilkinson shakes off the offer to touch gloves by Jason as we kick off the main card. The crowd chanting early for Jason, a big fan favorite in Brazil. Jason starts off with an overhand right and Wilkinson goes for the takedown and gets it. Wilkinson working from top landing elbows. Jason landing punches from the bottom as he looks for a triangle choke. Jason has it locked it and it is deep. Wilkinson in trouble as Jason lands some elbows. Wilkinson is not tapping but referee Marc Goddard steps in as Wilkinson has passed out from the triangle choke! Jason with the big submission win and the crowd goes wild!

Official Result: Rony Jason def. Mike Wilkinson by technical submission (triangle choke) at 1:24 of Round 1

Prelims:

Raphael Assuncao vs. Vaughan Lee

ROUND 1

Touch of gloves to start the final preliminary fight. Assuncao misses with some kicks and Lee lands his own leg kick. Assuncao backs Lee up with a striking attack and lands a head kick. Assuncao puts Lee against the cage and goes for a takedown. Lee defends nicely and they break. Assuncao lands a left hand and Lee is forced to circle back to the center of the Octagon. Assuncao pressures and lands a combo. Assuncao misses a flying knee. Lee misses on a combination and misses a big head kick. Lee lands a jab as Assuncao looked for a takedown opportunity. Assuncao backs Lee up with a combo. Lee gets a leg kick. They tie up and Assuncao pushes Lee against the cage and gets a trip takedown. They get back to the feet but Assuncao has Lee against the cage. They break. Lee goes for a leg kick but Assuncao counters with a punch. Assuncao backs Lee back up and picks him up and delivers a huge slam on Lee. Assuncao is in half-guard and lands body punches. Assuncao trying to cause separation on the ground as he passes to side control. Assuncao lands an elbow and goes into mount. Assuncao starts to pour on ground-and-pound but Lee is able to get it up. Mario Yamasaki warns about a knee as the round ends.

Score: 10-9 Assuncao

ROUND 2

Assuncao misses a superman punch to start the round. Lee lands a head kick. Assuncao lands his own leg kick and presses forward. Lee misses on a front kick. Both fighting as a southpaw and they tie up after both miss on punches. Assuncao is bleeding from his left eye. Assuncao presses Lee against the cage and is looking for the takedown. Lee's coaches urge him to not get taken down but he does. Assuncao falls right into mount and grabs an arm. Assuncao looking for an armbar as he transitions on the mat but Lee is blocking it. Assuncao rolls him over and is trying to separate the arm. Assuncao gets the armbar locked in and Lee taps out! Assuncao with the submission victory!

Official Result: Raphael Assuncao def. Vaughan Lee by submission (armbar) at 1:51 of Round 2

Felipe Arantes vs Godofredo Pepey

ROUND 1

The crowd goes crazy for Pepey. Pepey backs Arantes up with some punches and is looking to take the fight to the mat. Pepey takes the back of Arantes and takes the fight to the ground. They switch and Arantes ends up on top. Pepey very active from the bottom as both land shots. Arantes with a big right hand and Pepey lands soft body punches. Arantes with a left hand and Pepey lands big elbows from the bottom. Pepey very active still from the bottom as he lands more. Arantes is active as well but he has to block some elbows. Pepey looking to use his legs to set up a submission but Arantes begins to land some ground-and-pound. Pepey grabs Arantes' arm and sweeps and ends up on top of Arantes. Pepey in mount and is landing some body punches as the crowd begins to chant. Pepey with some ground-and-pound but Arantes causes a switch and is on top. Arantes is landing some big elbows as Arantes pours it on. Arantes with some hard ground-and-pound and Pepey is in trouble. Dan Miragliotta steps in and stops the fight as Pepey eats tons of elbows and punches. Arantes with the TKO victory!

Official Result: Felipe Arantes def. Godofredo Pepey by TKO (strikes) at 3:32 of Round 1

Ildemar Alcantara vs Leandro Silva

ROUND 1

Alcantara has Silva against the cage to start and lands a left body kick. Alcantara lands some punches as Silva has his back against the cage. Alcantara lands a knee and Silva goes for a takedown but misses. Alcantara backs Silva up against the cage again. Alcantara slips on a punch and Silva jumps into his guard. Alcantara tries to cause separation as Silva goes to his feet. Alcantara looks to grab Silva's leg and uses that to get back to his feet. Silva looking for a takedown as he has Alcantara against the cage. They break. Both men in a southpaw stance. Silva lands a nice combination but Alcantara continues to back Silva up. Silva goes for a single-leg takedown but Alcantara keeps it upright. Silva has him against the cage. Alcantara switches it and scores a takedown and is on top. Alcantara looks to posture up as Silva goes for a leg attack. Alcantara back into half-guard. Alcantara lands some punches from the top. Alcantara is bleeding. Not much happening as the crowd begins to boo. Both landing shots on the ground. Alcantara stands up and referee Marc Goddard orders Silva up. Alcantara bleeding big from under his right eye. Silva misses with a spinning roundhouse kick. Alcantara backs Silva against the cage and Silva goes for a takedown as the round ends.

Score: 10-9 Alcantara

ROUND 2

Silva tries to get the crowd going to start the round. Silva lands a combination ending with a kick. Silva with another front leg kick. Both switching stances. Alcantara backs Silva against the cage with a combo. Alcantara lands some nice right hands and backs Silva up. Silva with some leg kicks and is attacking with his legs. Alcantara with a body kick. Silva backs Alcantara up with a combination. Silva with a nice right jab as the crowd begins to boo again. Alcantara lands a knee against the cage as he switches stances. Silva with a leg kick. Alcantara misses on an uppercut against the cage. Silva circles around and looks for a takedown. Alcantara stuffs it though. Alcantara with a leg kick. Silva misses on a front kick. Both utilizing stance switches. Silva tries to attack the body but Alcantara is showing good defense. The pace has slowed and both circle looking to land. Alcantara lands a spinning kick but Silva shakes it off. Silva lands a punch-kick combo. Alcantara applies pressure. Silva looks for a takedown but nothing. Silva misses a spin kick and Alcantara punches him to end the round.

Score: 10-9 Alcantara, 20-18 Alcantara

ROUND 3

They touch gloves to start and both land left hands. Silva lands a leg kick and Alcantara misses on a head kick. Silva with a leg kick as he starts to be a little aggressive. Alcantara bleeding from below the right eye again. Alcantara backs Silva against the cage with a combo. Silva goes for a running takedown but Alcantara steps away from it. Alcantara with an outside leg kick. Silva with a leg kick. The crowd is restless again as they start to boo. Silva goes for a takedown but Alcantara keeps it on the feet. Silva has a leg and Alcantara gives him some elbows. Alcantara with a trip takedown. and is on top. Alcantara gets to his feet as Silva stays on his back. Alcantara goes back to the ground with a big right hand landing on the way down. Silva looking for separation but Alcantara is working nicely from the top. Alcantara stands and comes down with some right hands. Silva lands an illegal upkick but it was accidental. They get back to the feet and both start to fire away with punches. Silva pressuring big and backing Alcantara up. Silva misses a right hand and Alcantara gets a takedown and is on top. Silva scrambles from the bottom and they get back to the feet. Alcantara with a kick to the body. Silva with his own leg kick. They look to land to end the fight.

Score: 10-9 Alcantara, 30-27 Alcantara

Official Result: Ildemar Alcantara def. Leandro Silva by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Rodrigo Damm vs Mizuto Hirota

ROUND 1

They touch gloves to start the fight. Hirota lands two nice left hands to start out. Hirota lands a left hand but Damm counters with a nice fight hand. Damm changing stances and is throwing Hirota off balance. Hirota is holding his left hand low looking to land the jab and he stuns Damm with it. Damm backs up and looks for a takedown but it is stuffed. Damm knocks Hirota down and they scramble against the cage. Damm has a body lock with Hirota's back and is looking to drag it to the ground, which he briefly does. Damm with a knee to the thigh of Hirota. Hirota lands short punches as Damm looks to pressure the fight to the ground. Hirota with a knee to Damm before the separate. Hirota lands a nice left hand that backs Damm up. Damm with two kicks that get checked. Both looking to land a nice punch and Damm lands a right hand then misses a big right hand. Hirota lands a left hook. Damm misses on a combination. Damm with a leg kick followed by another. Big right hand landed by Damm. Damm lands a nice combo to end the round.

Score: 10-9 Damm

ROUND 2

They feel each other out to start the middle round. Damm with a left leg kick. Hirota backs Damm up with a one-two combo. Hirota looks to land the left hand but Damm uses his reach to keep it from landing. Damm with good head movement that is not allowing Hirota to land his left jab. Damm with a big right hand followed by a solid left hand. Hirota lands a big leg kick. Damm switches stances and lands a leg kick but Hirota counters with his own. Both land the left hand. Hiorta continues to attempt to land the left hand but Damm knows it is coming. Hirota does land that left jab though. Hirota continues to look for the left and Damm is countering nicely. Hirota with a leg kick and is starting to back Damm up. Damm with a big left kick to the head of Hirota. Hirota lands an overhand right. Damm misses a big right hand. Both land left hands. Damm looks for the takedown but Hirota escapes. Hirota lands a jab followed by a leg kick. Damm lands a left of his own. They both land again. They trade again as the round ends.

Score: 10-9 Damm, 20-18 Damm

ROUND 3

Close action headed to the final round. Both land left hands and Damm lands a big right hand. Hirota lands the jab. Hirota looking to mix it up as he lands to the body. Damm goes for the takedown but Hirota stuffs it. Both land the left hand which is what they've been using for most of the fight. Hirota with a leg kick. Damm lands a right hand but Hirota isn't fazed. Damm misses with a lunging left hook. Hirota lands a nice combination. He backs Damm up and blocks a takedown attempt from Damm. Hirota again attacks the body. Both begin to trade and Damm starts to pick up the pace. Damm goes southpaw but back to orthodox. Hirota lands the lead left hand again. They tie up for a moment but break and Damm lands a leg kick. Hirota attacks the body once again. Damm grabs Hirota and gets a takedown and then lands a big suplex. They get back to the feet and Hirota goes on the attack with his punches. Hirota backs Damm up. They trade to end the fight. May come down to the second round.

Score: 10-9 Hirota, 29-28 Damm

Official Result: Rodrigo Damm def. Mizuto Hirota by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

Karlos Vemola vs. Caio Magalhaes

ROUND 1

They touch gloves to start the fight. Magalhaes immediately goes for a takedown but Vemola sprawls and lands punches. Vemola then looks for a takedown of his own and puts Magalhaes against the cage. Vemola drops down for a double-leg but Magalhaes locks in a guillotine. Vemola escapes and slams Magalhaes down and starts to unload with ground-and-pound. He is pounding away as Magalhaes looks for a submission. Vemola working a blitzing pace but Magalhaes is surviving the onslaught. Magalhaes looking for a triangle choke but can't get it in. Vemola with short elbows to the face of Magalhaes. The pace begins to slow a bit as Magalhaes locks in an armlock but Vemola gets out of it. Vemola back in full guard and lands some punches. Vemola back on the attack with ground-and-pound that is hurting Magalhaes. Magalhaes is tired as Vemola continues to land. Vemola again lands with more short elbows and Magalhaes is in survival mode. They get back to the feet but Vemola looks to get it back down and he does. Back to the feet and Vemola has him against the cage. Magalhaes lands some short punches as Vemola looks for another takedown. Magalhaes has a standing guillotine locked in and Vemola slams him to the mat but it is in deep. Vemola escapes and ends the fight on top.

Score: 10-9 Vemola

ROUND 2

They come out slowly and Magalhaes lands a big right hand and they get pushed against the cage. Magalhaes looks for a takedown but Vemola switches positions against the cage and is looking to take it to the ground. They switch again with both wrestling for position. Magalhaes takes it to the ground and he is on top. Vemola looks really tired as Magalhaes is looking to set up an arm-triangle choke. Magalhaes in half-guard but transitions to side control. Vemola moves and Magalhaes takes the back of Vemola. Magalhaes with some punches and looks for the rear-naked choke but lets go. Magalhaes with more punches to Vemola's head. They move around and Magalhaes ends up back in side control. They get back to the feet for a moment and Magalhaes is attacking with punches. Vemola is super tired. Magalhaes gets the back of Vemola again and has a deep rear-naked choke and Vemola taps out! A big comeback from Magalhaes as he picks up the win by submission after being dominated in the first round.

Official Result: Caio Magalhaes def. Karlos Vemola by submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:49 of Round 2

Antonio Braga Neto vs. Anthony Smith

ROUND 1

Marc Goddard is the referee as we get things kicked off. Neto rushes to the center of the Octagon. Neto misses with a huge right hand. Neto presses forward looking for the takedown but Smith lands a knee. Neto with a left hook that lands. They feel each other out for a moment. Both miss on some punches. Neto lands a combination but misses a knee to finish it out. Neto grabs Smith and scores a takedown and is taking the back with one hook in. Neto looking for the rear-naked choke but switches into half-guard. Neto goes for a heel hook, but moves to a kneebar and he gets it! Smith forced to tap out to the kneebar and Neto picks up the win. Smith limps at the end and seems to have a knee injury.

Official Result: Antonio Braga Neto def. Anthony Smith by submission (kneebar) at 1:52 of Round 1



Fabricio Werdum taps out ex-UFC champ Nogueira

Fabricio Werdum continued his rise up the heavyweight ranks while also proving that he hasn't abandoned his jiu-jitsu roots, and he used an armbar to submit former UFC interim heavyweight champion Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira at at the 2:41 mark of Round 2.

The heavyweight bout headlined Saturday's UFC on FUEL TV 10 event at Paulo Sarasate Arena. It aired on FUEL TV following prelims on Facebook.

If there was any doubt as to where Werdum wanted the fight, it was eliminated when he nabbed the first takedown moments into the opening round of the scheduled five-rounder. At first Nogueira managed to hold his own on the mat with the former jiu-jitsu world champion, but by the second frame Werdum seemed to be one step ahead in the grappling exchanges. After taking Nogueira's back after escaping a failed guillotine-choke attempt, Werdum locked up the armbar and forced a verbal tap from Nogueira.

"He is, in fact, an idol for all Brazilians," Werdum said of Nogueira via a translator after the bout. "It's my second fight with him, and it was a tough fight. ... I was able to get onto his back and get the armbar, and then I was able to make him submit. That made me very happy."

Werdum suffered a decision loss to Nogueira at a 2006 PRIDE event but got his revenge in the rematch.

Werdum is ranked No. 5 and Nogueira No. 11 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie.com MMA heavyweight rankings, but those numbers may very well change as a result of their bout. For his part, Werdum followed up the victory by making his case for a title shot, saying, "I just want the UFC to give me the chance to show I'm the best in the world."

Werdum (17-5-1 MMA, 5-2 UFC) has now won three straight in the UFC, and he's undefeated since returning to the UFC in February 2012. Nogueira (34-8-1, 5-4) loses for the first time since December of 2011, when he had his arm broken in a submission loss to Frank Mir at UFC 140.

In the night's co-headliner, Leonardo Santos (12-3, 1-0) won "The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 2" reality show by tapping out fellow tournament finalist William Macario (6-1, 0-1) with a second-round arm-triangle choke.

Full UFC on FUEL TV 10 results included:

- Fabricio Werdum def. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira via verbal submission (armbar) - Round 2, 2:41

- Leonardo Santos def. William Macario via submission (arm-triangle choke) - Round 2, 4:43 - to win "TUF: Brazil 2" tournament

- Thiago Silva def. Rafael Cavalcante via KO (punches) - Round 1, 4:29

- Erick Silva def. Jason High via submission (armbar) - Round 1, 1:11

- Daniel Sarafian def. Eddie Mendez via submission (arm-triangle choke) - Round 1, 2:20

- Rony Jason def. Mike Wilkinson via technical submission (triangle choke) - Round 1, 1:24

- Raphael Assucano def. Vaughan Lee via submission (armbar) - Round 2, 1:51

- Felipe Arantes def. Godofredo Castro via TKO (strikes) - Round 1, 3:32

- Ildemar Alcantara def. Leandro Silva via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

- Rodrigo Damm def. Mizuto Hirota via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

- Caio Magalhaes def. Karlos Vemola via submission (rear-naked choke) - Round 2, 2:49

- Antonio Braga Neto def. Anthony Smith via submission (kneebar) - Round 1, 1:52


UFC on Fuel TV 10 Results: Thiago Silva Knocks Out former Strikeforce Champ Feijao Cavalcante

Since losing to Lyoto Machida at UFC 94 in 2009, UFC light heavyweight Thiago Silva had managed only one win in the UFC.  With two banned substance suspensions to his credit, the Brazilian has seen two UFC wins overturned and ruled “No Contest’ over the past two years.
On Saturday night in Fortaleza, Brazil, after six months of inactivity due to an aforementioned suspension, Silva defeated former Strikeforce light heavyweight champion Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante via first round knockout, effectively rejuvenating his career.
Round one saw the Sao Paulo natives meet in the Octagon without touching gloves.  Silva had his usual stone-faced look of determination, as UFC newcomer Feijao stood with a postured look of calm confidence.
The opening bell sounded and Cavalcante pressured early looking to land a powerful right hand.  Silva backed away, and in the opening seconds looked rigid and slow.
As the frame wore on, however, Cavalcante’s pressure began to slow, and Silva’s momentum increased.  Silva peppered Feijao with an assortment of jabs and distracting leg kicks.
In a moment of pure resilience, Feijao landed a wicked spinning-elbow that had Silva dazed and on the retreat.  Silva composed himself after the elbow, and began working his range with a steady jab.
As Cavalcante became increasingly winded, Silva upped the pressure on the 32-year-old.  With only a couple minutes left, Silva breaming with confidence motioned toward Cavalante to “bring it,” as he stalked him to the back of the cage.
With a flurry of partially blocked hooks, and one crushing right hand lead uppercut, Silva dropped an exhausted Feijao to the canvas at 4:29 of the round, scoring his first knockout victory since beating journeyman Keith Jardine at UFC 102 in 2009.
After the fight, an elated Silva proclaimed his love for the hometown fans. Something he had not been able to do since last fighting in Brazil in 2006, a year before making his UFC debut.
“I’m very happy after six years to be fighting in Brazil again with all this crowd around me,” said the 30-year-old.
When asked about the vicious lead uppercut that ended the fight, Silva thanked his trainers for giving him the confidence to succeed, “I have a great camp, I have a great manager, and when I saw the opportunity, I just took it.” (Source)


UFC 161 weigh-ins set for June 14 in Winnipeg, T.J. Grant hosts Q&A

Official fighter weigh-ins for "UFC 161: Evans vs. Henderson" are slated for June 14 at MTS Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

The same venue then hosts the following night's pay-per-view event, which features a light heavyweight fight between former UFC champion Rashad Evans (17-3-1 MMA, 12-3-1 UFC) and former PRIDE champ Dan Henderson (29-9 MMA, 6-3 UFC) in the main event.

The first fighter steps on the scale at 4 p.m. CT local time, and doors open to the public at 3 p.m. The weigh-ins are free and open to the public.

Prior to the weigh-ins, UFC Fight Club members are invited to a Q&A session with top UFC lightweight contender T.J. Grant (21-5 MMA, 8-3 UFC), who is coming off a win this past month against two-time title challenger Gray Maynard. That first-round TKO at UFC 160 earned him a shot at champion Benson Henderson (19-2 MMA, 7-0 UFC), which will take place as the headliner of UFC 164 in August. Grant takes the stage at 2 p.m. CT, and doors open to members of the UFC's official fan club one hour earlier.

In addition to Evans vs. Henderson, UFC 161, the promotion's first trip to Winnipeg, features heavyweight bouts between Roy Nelson (19-7 MMA, 6-3 UFC) and Stipe Miocic (9-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) and Pat Barry (8-5 MMA, 5-5 UFC) vs. Shawn Jordan (14-4 MMA, 2-1 UFC); a light heavyweight bout between Ryan Jimmo (17-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC) and Igor Pokrajac (25-10 MMA, 4-5 UFC); and a women's bantamweight bout featuring Alexis Davis (13-5 MMA, 0-0 UFC) vs. Rosi Sexton (13-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC).

The latest UFC 161 card includes:

MAIN CARD (Pay-per-view, 10 p.m. ET)

    Rashad Evans vs. Dan Henderson
    Stipe Miocic vs. Roy Nelson
    Alexis Davis vs. Rosi Sexton
    Pat Barry vs. Shawn Jordan
    Ryan Jimmo vs. Igor Pokrajac

PRELIMINARY CARD (FX, 8 p.m. ET)

    Jake Shields vs. Tyron Woodley
    James Krause vs. Sam Stout
    Sean Pierson vs. Kenny Robertson
    Roland Delorme vs. Edwin Figueroa

PRELIMINARY CARD (Facebook, 7 p.m. ET)

    Mitch Clarke vs. John Maguire
    Yves Jabouin vs. Dustin Pague

For the latest on UFC 161, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site. (Source)


Boxing legend Roy Jones, Jr. would love to fight UFC champ Anderson Silva

UFC Middleweight champ Anderson Silva has been speaking of his desire to face boxing legend Roy Jones, Jr. for a long time. Now the boxing great is saying he'd love to fight Silva.
The UFC has re-signed their Middleweight champ Anderson Silva to a new 10 fight contract but they don't seem to have signed his heart. He recently told the New York Post his real dream:


    Silva, the undisputed pound-for-pound best MMA fighter in the world, told The Post in a phone interview Wednesday that he would want to get into a ring or a cage with Jones Jr. "much, much more" than engage in a UFC champion vs. champion superfight with Jon Jones or Georges St-Pierre.

    "I think everyone's got something they're focused on and that's my own desire, something I'd like to do," Silva said through a translator. "Maybe one day when I'm done my UFC career I will box Roy Jones."

    Silva said he'd be interested in taking on Jones Jr. twice - once in a bout with MMA rules and another in a boxing ring. He said he knows Jones Jr. and calls him "a great champion."

Now Roy Jones, Jr. is telling TMZ he's down for a throw down with Silva, "I would love it ... Call me and we'll make that happen," he told the tabloid.

Anderson Silva next fights at UFC 162 against Chris Weidman on July 6. (Source)


Smithville’s Virgil Hill entering International Boxing Hall of Fame today

Smithville resident Virgil Hill will be rewarded for his longevity, consistency and success in boxing today when he is inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, N.Y.
The 49-year-old enjoyed a 25-year professional career that included a 50-7 record with 23 knockouts, five world championships in two weight classes and a record 20 title defenses during his light-heavyweight reigns before he retired in 2007.
Not bad for someone who thought his future would be in a different sport.
“I really wanted to be a football player,” Hill said with a laugh. “I was a running back and defensive back (at Red River High School in Grand Forks, N.D.). I also wrestled, ran track and played baseball. I honestly didn’t like boxing all that much. But once I started, I made a lot progress so I decided to stick with it.”
Hill came upon boxing almost by accident. As a 7 year old, he had just finished his chores on the family farm in Reynolds, N.D., and went inside to watch TV.
He got up to flip through the channels - there were no TV remotes in those days - and stopped when he saw two guys punching each other.
“My father (Bob) came home from work while it was on,” Hill said. “I said, ‘Dad, if we ever move to the big city, I’d like to try boxing.’ The next year, we moved to Grand Forks and he asked me if I still wanted to try it. I said yes and he took me to the local gym.
“That’s how I got my start.”
Hill remembered losing his first amateur fight but didn’t suffer many more defeats. He compiled a 288-11 amateur record and earned a silver medal in the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles as a member of the most successful U.S. boxing team in history.
He was part of a team that won nine gold medals, a silver and a bronze. The group included future pro world champions Mark Breland, Frank Tate, Meldrick Taylor and fellow Hall of Famer Pernell Whitaker, plus former heavyweight contender Tyrell Briggs.
“I thought I had won a gold just like those guys,” Hill said. “I actually beat a South Korean fighter 3-2, but in those days all close decisions went to a jury and they overturned the win and gave it to the other guy.”
He turned pro later that year - his second fight was at Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City - and wound up winning his first world title on the Boardwalk in 1987 with a fourth-round TKO over Leslie Stewart at Trump Plaza.
The late Eddie Futch was his trainer at the time. His cutman was a quiet guy named Mike Hall, who was also training young fighters such as Pleasantville middleweight Kevin Watts at the Pleasantville Rec.
After Hill suffered his first loss on a decision to Thomas Hearns in 1991, he vacationed in Australia. When he returned to the United States, he moved first to Pleasantville and then to the Smithville section of Galloway Township and Hall became his trainer. Hall was in his corner for the rest of his bouts, including when he won the WBA cruiserweight crown in 2006 over Valery Brudov at Tropicana Casino and Resort.
“I was really hoping Mike could be with us at the Hall of Fame,” Hill said. “But he just got into a serious car accident and he also has diabetes, so he’s not going to be able to join me. I’m sure he would really enjoy it, just like my dad would have. My father died (in 2011) from cancer. This would mean the world to him.”
Hill will be joined by his wife, Pleasantville native Carla Hill, as well as his two sisters, five children and other friends and family members. His mother, Leona, lives in Joplin, Mo., and is too ill to attend, he said.
After the ceremony, he plans to resume training athletes while also guiding his oldest son, Virgil Hill, Jr., into a new sport.
Virgil Jr., 23, has decided to try boxing after playing professional baseball for four seasons in the St. Louis Cardinals organization. The outfielder, who was the Cardinals’ ninth-round draft pick in 2009, opted to switch sports after getting released at the end of spring training in March.
“I had some other offers (from Milwaukee and Cincinnati) to keep going in baseball,” Hill Jr. said last week while accompanying his father at the Atlantic City Boxing Legends Gala at Resorts Casino Hotel. “But I got to the point where I didn’t enjoy playing baseball anymore. My dad wasn’t real thrilled about my decision to try boxing at first, but he’s been real supportive.”
Hill has been dividing his time between Smithville and his son’s home in Santa Clarita, Calif., located about 35 miles northwest of Los Angeles. As soon as he’s ready, his son will make his pro debut rather than compete first as an amateur.
Hill Sr. also hopes to fight one more time, probably in his native North Dakota.
“I wouldn’t mind fighting in Atlantic City, but I won my first world championship there and my last world championship there, so I feel like I’ve gone full circle there,” Hill said. “I honestly believe I could still compete because of the caliber of fighters. There are very few top fighters out there now. But I know I’m done. I just want one more sendoff fight, one more fight to say thank you and goodbye to boxing.” (Source)

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