By Raphael Garcia 
Every fight is considered an important bout for the two fighters standing across the ring or cage from one another. However, this weekend, Josh Barnett may be taking part in the most important bout of his career when he takes on Daniel Cormier in the final of the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix. Either a win or a loss would have a great effect on his career and legacy within the sport.
May 17, 2012
The Warmaster Needs A Big Win In Order To Keep Fighting
May 16, 2012
Fights To Make After UFC On Fuel TV 3
By Raphael Garcia
UFC on Fuel TV 3 was a great Tuesday night card that brought sterling finishes along with some back and forth battles. These are the type of cards that the UFC can use to build some lesser known fighters into household names within the MMA community, and this event did just that. Going forward, the UFC’s matchmaking team, led by Joe Silva, has some solid bouts that can be created from the winners and losers of these fights. Here are some suggestions for what should come next for some of these combatants:
Strikeforce World Grand Prix Heavyweight Tournament
By Julie Romine
Why do I love Strikeforce? Because Strikeforce's fight cards are usually top notch, filled with great fighters matched in perfect fights -- for both male and female fighters! The matchups are really well thought out, and the superior and unbiased voices of Mauro Ranallo, Pat Miletich, and Frank Shamrock comprise the best commentary team in the sport, knowledgeable in all facets of MMA. This Saturday night's card is no exception. When you have top heavyweights that are also world class wrestlers, like Josh Barnett and Daniel Cormier, you simply must turn it on and watch. The same goes for Strikeforce's lightweight champion, Gilbert Melendez, and Strikeforce stars Josh Thomson, Ralphael "Feijao" Calvacante, and Mike Kyle. Another bonus, since Strikeforce is aired on Showtime (which I subscribe to), it is free with no commercials. Can’t beat that!
The Highs and Lows of UFC on FUEL 3
By Roy Billington
The UFC hit The Patriot Center in Fairfax , Virginia last night for a card that was headlined by 23-year old Louisiana native Dustin “The Diamond” Poirer and Korean Top Team standout Chan Sung Jung, aka “The Korean Zombie”.
May 15, 2012
Does MMA Need More TNA? Bellator & King Mo Hope So
By Raphael Garcia
Professional wrestling and mixed martial arts have once again been linked together. After being banished from Zuffa employ, Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal can be credited for continuing a conversation that some would like to see finally die. Last week it was announced that not only has the former Strikeforce champion signed with the number two MMA promotion in Bellator, but he has also inked a deal with their soon-to-be Spike TV network mate, the professional wrestling organization Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. This is a move that has the potential to truly change how mixed martial arts stars are created, as well as the way networks interact with mixed martial arts promotions in the future.
Welter Wait Division: How to Break the 170-Pound Bottleneck, and Stir Up the Contenders "Mix"
By Raphael Garcia
The UFC welterweight division has become something akin to a wild mustang that is running wild awaiting some brave cowboy to break it in and take the reins. Ok, so maybe not a great analogy, but the fact remains that the 170-pound division is muddled at the top, and there doesn’t seem to be a break in the cluster coming any time soon. A number of questions need to be answered at the top of the division to shape exactly what will happen for the rest of 2012, and potentially the start of 2013.
May 11, 2012
Rising Above the Fray While the Champion's Away: Dominick Cruz' Injury Gives the Bantamweight Division a Chance to Shine
By Raphael Garcia
You can now add Dominick Cruz to the list of fighters who have been afflicted by sudden knee injuries. The UFC’s current bantamweight king now has to face the fact that not only has he been forced out of an upcoming bout with his arch rival Urijah Faber, but he’s going to be out of commission for an extended period of time. Just that quickly, the whole division was thrown into turmoil, in an eerily similar fashion to that of the welterweight division. With what is going on at 170, this is an opportunity for the UFC to get out in front of the situation to make sure that the progress of the 135-pound weight class doesn’t slow down.
May 8, 2012
BJ Penn: Will The Prodigy Return To Greatness Or Be Sent Home Like The Prodigal Son?
By Raphael Garcia
The cheer you are hearing is that of a strong contingent of mixed martial arts fans around the world, especially in that of his native land Hawaii, as BJ Penn has ended his time on the shelf. ESPN’s Franklin McNeil reports that the former champion has held conversations with UFC President Dana White, and is ending his retirement. While the excitement surrounding the revelation will be monumental, you have to wonder what form of BJ Penn we will see in the Octagon, and if this is the best move for his career.
May 7, 2012
Fights To Make After UFC On Fox 3
By Raphael Garcia
This past Saturday the UFC presented its third offering of combat sports since establishing the monumental partnership in 2011. Brought to us from East Rutherford, New Jersey; UFC on Fox 3 was highly anticipated, as it carried some important bouts across multiple weight classes. Now that the night is over, we are left with two new potential title contenders in Nate Diaz and Johny Hendricks, along with a number of interesting matchups that can be made going forward. Here are a few suggestions as to what should be done next:
May 6, 2012
The Highs and Lows of UFC on FOX 3
By Roy Billington
The UFC hit New Jersey’s IZOD Center on Saturday night for a battle of two lightweight contenders. New Jersey’s own Jim Miller faced off against the mean-mugging Nate Diaz in one of the most anticipated fights in the lightweight division this year so far. Let's break down the highs and lows of the night's fights.
May 3, 2012
UFC On Fox 3 Set To Be A Dynamic Event For Free TV
By Raphael Garcia
This Saturday, the UFC will once again return to network television when it broadcasts UFC on Fox 3 from the Izod Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The card hosts a number of big fights, and when you look at the event docket as a whole, you can make the case that this may be the biggest event the UFC has put together for free television since its partnership with the Fox broadcast network.
April 30, 2012
Former Fighters As Judges Is A Major Step In Improving Mixed Martial Arts
By Raphael Garcia
It occurs at least one time an event. We watch two mixed martial artists step into the cage, and one imposes his will through wrestling or Jiu Jitsu, mixed in with some striking. While the win wasn’t dominant, there shouldn’t be a question as to who has won. However, as the judges’ score cards are read, a feeling of apprehension hits because we know what’s coming. Somehow the fighter who everyone believes lost is declared the winner. Yet another bad decision in the bag, and more cannon fodder against the current crop of MMA judges. As we watch UFC on Fox 3 which goes down this coming Saturday, we will be witnessing a major step towards the correction of this issue.
April 26, 2012
Lighting Will Strike The Octagon With Bellator's Middleweight Champion Hector Lombard Moving To The UFC
By Raphael Garcia
The UFC has picked up a free agent who knows how to back up his brash talk with violent action in the cage. Hector "Lightning" Lombard confirmed on Tuesday through his Twitter account that he is now a part of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Riding an undefeated streak that goes back to 2006, the former Bellator middleweight champion has now made it to the big stage of mixed martial arts, where many middleweights would welcome him to the fray. His unique personality and ability to stop opponents with one strike have given him the opportunity to perform in front of millions of UFC fans.
