Smokinacemma's Blog

New place

Smokinacemma — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 14:02:48 +0000

For anoyone that doesnt knowI will be writing for a different site now. mmatorturehouse.com is where you can get all my blog/articles and more from now on. Please come check us out we would love to hear what you think. Thank you all for reading and I hope you stay with me on this journy.

Alan Belcher’s career holding on by a string

Smokinacemma — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 16:20:04 +0000

The biggest news today is the fact that Alan “The Talent” Belcher’s career is on the line. Alan Belcher is had eye surgery,a detached retina, about a week ago after returning early from a trip to Brazil to train. Belcher said that the vision loss happened all of a sudden while in Brazil. In an interview Belcher revealed that he suffered irreparable vision loss as a result of the freak injury said that there is a chance he may never fight again. Timeframe is up in the air right now with at least a few months before he will know if the surgery was successful. Belcher thinks that he is going to have to have other surgeries on his eye. Belcher has no vision from far away and his peripheral vision in that eye is gone as of right now. Fighting is not even on the mind of Belcher at this point. He is only hoping for recovery. Belcher was very close to getting a title shot in most people’s eyes. A dominate win over Maia very well could have moved him into the number one or two spot. As a fan I hope to see him in the cage again but as a husband and father I just hope he gets better.

UFC 117 main card results

Smokinacemma — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 14:34:54 +0000

Another great card from the UFC. Anderson Silva is still the champion and without a doubt the pound for pound best. Matt Hughes showed that there is still plenty left in his tank. Junior Dos Santos couldn’t figure out how to stop Roy Nelson but did secure his title shot. So many great stories to talk about from last night. Here is a breakdown and results from the fights.

Junior Dos Santos wins via decision over Roy Nelson

Junior threw everything he had at Roy Nelson except the kitchen sink and could not drop him. Both fighters put on a show knocking each others brains in. Dos Santos got the better shots and stuffed Nelson’s takedown attempts. The win puts him next in line for a title shot to face either Brock Lesner or Cain Velasquez.

Matt Hughes wins by some crazy wrestling submission over Ricardo Almeida

Matt Hughes showed once again why he is still on of the best in the welterweight division. Hughes methodically stalked Almeida looking for an opening. Once he took the shot it rocked Almeida, Hughes then attacked and threw the submission in putting Almeida to sleep. I’m sure that most black belts don’t even know this submission. Which brings me to think. If Hughes wanted to see what belt he was in jiu-jitsu is there any doubt it would be a black belt?

Clay Guida gets a submission win by shoulder to jaw over Rafael Dos Anjos

It was another exciting action packed fight with Guida. He came out the victor in a fight that he was probably losing on the scorecards. apparently Guida had broken Dos Anjos’s jaw in the first round and he couldn’t take the pressure once Guida got him down. Big props to Dos Anjos for going through most of the fight with a broken jaw. Great win for the Carpenter.

Jon Fitch wins via decision over Thaigo Alves

Not to take anything away from Fitch and his dominate performance but Alves looked lethargic and slow. Fitch owned Alves taking him down at will. Now the questions that are looming are : Will Fitch fare any better with GSP if they meet? Will Fitch fight his training partner and friend Josh Koscheck?

Anderson Silva wins via triangle choke over Chael Sonnen

Chael backed up every word he said and brought the fight to Silva. Sonnen owned this fight for 22 and a half minutes. He dominated Silva taking him down time after time and round after round. Silva has never been dominated like this in a single round let alone four and a half rounds. As champions do Silva found a way to win through the adversity he was facing. I was listening to Sonnen after the fight at the presser and he mentioned about doing a reality show with Silva. As funny as it was I started thinking, maybe he could. We could put Chael and Anderson as coaches on TUF and make it a USA v Brazil. It would get great ratings with Sonnen’s trash talking and the young fighters could learn a thing or to from these great fighters. Besides who doesn’t love a USA versus anyone sporting event?

Main Event for UFC 117

Smokinacemma — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 14:11:37 +0000

Today’s main event in most people’s eyes isn’t going even be close, it’s hard to argue that. Anderson Silva v Chael Sonnen. Silva is 24-4 overall and 11-0 in the UFC. tonight’s fight will be he seventh title defense for Silva.

Silva has a black-belt is Tae Kwan Do, Judo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and holds a yellow rope in Capoeira. Silva is on most people’s pound for pound list as either number one or number two. Silva has fought and won in the light heavyweight class most recently destroying Forrest Griffin. Silva’s game plan will most likely consist of striking and trying to catch Sonnen as he comes in for a takedown.

Chael Sonnen is 24-10-1 over all and 7-4 in the UFC/WEC. Sonnen is a phenomenal wrestler who is a two-time NCAA champion and an alternate on the US Olympic Greco-Roman Wrestling team. In an interview I read yesterday Chris Leban said that Chael Sonnen has the toughest takedowns he has ever encountered. Sonnen has notable wins over Paulo Filho, Nate Marquardt and Yushin Okami. One negative spot in Sonnen’s game is that seven of his ten losses have come by way of submission. Sonnen will look to set up his takedowns and secure Silva on the ground trying to tire out Silva. Silva’s weakness has been his cardio so if Sonnen can push him against the cage or on the ground he may catch an advantage.

Sonnen has earned his black belt in trash talking leading up to this fight. Some say it was to pump himself up into thinking he can actually beat Silva, while others say it’s just Sonnen being Sonnen. Oddsmakers have Sonnen at or around +300 so just a $50 bet could make you some big bucks if Sonnen wins.

My prediction is…believe it or not with Chael Sonnen. I have been debating all week with everyone that Sonnen has the right tools to win the fight so I guess I have to stick by my word. If he can wear Silva down I really feel he can grind out a win. Here is a recap of my main card predictions:

185lbs championship fight: Sonnen over Silva

170lbs Alves over Fitch(even though I’m not so sure of this one, with Alves not making the proper weight)

155lbs Guida over Dos Anjos

170lbs Hughes over Almeida

235+lbs Nelson over Dos Santos

My review of Fight Caps

Smokinacemma — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 13:15:45 +0000

Todays topic is not about fighting opponents it’s about fighting the bulge. For the last ten days I have been taking Fight Caps to help me with my weight loss. Just like most of us as we get older we do not exercise like we did in college. I was the big dog on campus when I was in college and as college ended my weight slowly went up. Well early in this year I slowly crept to a number I never thought would happen, 291. I tried many different diet supplements and had the same problems, jitters, shakes, my heart would race some nights not being able to go to sleep for hours. The last product I tried did help me lose, 40 lbs, but when I tried to stop taking them I had migraine headaches.It was due to the caffeine and other stimulants in them. When I found out Fight Caps had no stimulants I was very intrigued. I had a bottle sent to me to try it and was amazed at how it took my hunger away. No other product had done that. I didn’t feel the need to eat all the time. I lost 5lbs and 2% body fat without exercise. To get the optimum weight loss you need a proper diet and exercise. The bottles come with 30 capsules so depending on how many a day you take they last 10-30 days. Believe me when I say that I have tried almost every diet product and this is the best one by far. Go to www.fightcaps.com to buy the product. If you go now they are having a sale, 39.95 plus shipping for three bottles instead of one. Thanks guys

UFC 117 Main Card breakdown 2

Smokinacemma — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 14:28:04 +0000

Today’s breakdown is going to be Clay Guida v Rafael Dos Anjos and Jon Fitch v Thiago Alves.

Clay Guida is 26-8 overall and 6-5 in the UFC. Most people would be cut with a record like that but win or lose Guida always puts on a show. Guida has a great chin, he is super flexible and has insane stamina. Guida has great takedowns and uses that to control and tyre his oponents.Dos Anjos is 14-4 overall and 3-2 in the UFC, winning his last three fights. Dos Anjos is a black belt in brazilian jiu-jitsu and is well versed in Muay Thai.

Clay Guida will probably look to stand and bang with Dos Anjos not wanting to get on the ground and get subbed. After Guida wears Dos Anjos down on the feet he will look for a takedown and try to control Dos Anjos. Rafael Dos Anjos will try to get Guida in the clinch and rain knees and elbows in the stand up. Dos Anjos will definitely want this fight on the ground and be on the top position working for the submission.

My prediction for this fight is Clay Guida by decision. Guida’s pressure is relentless and he usually dictates where the fight is.

Fight number two is the co-main event. Jon Fitch v Thiago Alves. This is the second time these two have fought, Fitch winning by upkick. Fitch is 22-3 with 1nc overall and 12-1 in the UFC. His only loss coming to Georges St.-Pierre. Fitch has a wrestling pedigree and a black belt in guerrilla jiu-jitsu(a form of brazilian jiu-jitsu) and a kickboxing background.

Thiago Alves is coming off of a pre-fight cat scan showing a arteriouenous malformation(vascular lesion) and he was pulled off of the 111 fight card. Alves is 16-6 overall and 9-3 in the UFC. Alves last fought Georges St-Pierre and lost by unanimous decision. Alves has a brown belt in brazilian jiu-jitsu and a muay thai background.Alves has great stand up and loves to T(KO) his opponents.

Fitch will probably look to takedown Alves and control him not wanting to stand up with him. Alves will probably try to stuff any takedown attempts and look to keep the fight n his feet. These two fighters have both only lost once since fighting each other and both have improved immensely. My prediction is Alves by T(KO).

UFC 117 Main card breakdown 1

Smokinacemma — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 15:15:18 +0000

With only three days until UFC 117 the breakdown format is going to change a little. Instead of one fight a day it is going to be two fights today, two fights tomorrow and the main event fight on saturday. Today’s breakdowns are Junior Dos Santos v Roy Nelson and Matt Hughes v Ricardo Almeida.

Dos Santos ha won 11 of his 12 fights overall and is 5-0 while in the UFC. Santos loves to stand and strike owning 8 T(KO) victories and one verbal submission due to strikes. Not only is he a striker but he also has a brown belt in brazilian jiu-jitsu under Big Nog. Santos is still a young fighter who gets better every time out. No hiding what game plan he will have, stand and look for a T(KO) victory.

Roy Nelson is 15-4 overall and 2-0 in the UFC. Nelson is the former IFL heavyweight champion and entered the UFC by winning season 10 of the ultimate fighter. Nelson is a black belt in brazilian jiu-jitsu under Renzo Gracie and also has a background in shaolin kung-fu. Roy can take this fight anywhere but will probably look to stand up and get a good shot on Santos. If he is losing the striking he will look for the takedown and work from there.

At first this prediction was easy, Dos Santos wins big. Now that I get more in-depth and talk to some people my prediction has been swayed.Dos Santos stands too straight, with his chin out,(@mmabeatdown). If you’re facing a guy like Nelson and you’re not tucking the your chin then your begging to get knocked out. Nelson looks more like a food eating competitor but he is a tough dude. Don’t let the belly fool ya.

Fight number two is Matt Hughes v Ricardo Almeida. Matt Hughes has a phenomenal wrestling pedigree and is a former 2 time champion. He is getting a bit older but is still a tough match up for anyone. Hughes is 45-7 overall and 17-5 in the UFC. Hughes is a good striker that has some of the best takedowns in the business. Hughes will do what he does best, strike until an opportunity arrises and look for the takedown. He will have to be careful not to get subbed.

Ricardo Almeida is 12-3 overall and 5-3 in the UFC. Almeida is a 3rd degree black belt under Renzo Gracie. Almeida’s game plan will probably be to get the fight on the ground anyway he can and sub. Hughes.

This fight was set up as a chance for Almeida to get revenge on Hughes and save the Gracie name. My prediction is going to be Hughes by strikes.

UFC on Versus 2 fight results

Smokinacemma — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 14:12:23 +0000

For those who didn’t see this night of fights, what were you thinking? Another great night of fights put on by the UFC. We had a quick KO, a few 1st round submissions, and even had a doctor stoppage. The night was capped off by Jon Jones demolishing Vladimir Matyushenko. Jones was patient for the first minute or so and then when the action started Jones took Matyushenko down and placed him in a crucifix raining down elbows until the referee stopped the fight. The question for Jones is who can they put in against him that won’t get crushed. The better compatition Jones faces he gets better and the fights end faster. Joe Silva you have your hands full with this one.

The Co-Main event was a back and forth 3 round war between Munoz and Okami, Okami winning by split decision. Munoz tried and tried to takedown Okami but could only land one quick one in the first round. Okami was methodical in his attacks, in and out stuffing takedown attempts and beating on Munoz while in the clinch. Jake Ellenberger pretty much owned John Howard in the cage in this one sided affair. Ellenberger got hit hard a few times but with stood the punchs and fired right back. Howards left eye was shut tight as the third round comenced and the doctor called it off. Takanori Gomi proved he is ready for top compitition with his KO of Tyson griffin. The fight started with the two fighters wanting to box and as Griffin missed his left hook Gomi landed a right hand on the button and Griffin went down hard. Griffin protested but it was a good stop. Here is the full result of the night.

205 lbs.: Jon Jones vs. Vladimir Matyushenko – Jones by 1^st rd. TKO
185 lbs.: Mark Munoz vs. Yushin Okami – Okami by Split Decision
170 lbs.: Jake Ellenberger vs. John Howard – Ellenberger by 3^rd rd. TKO
155 lbs.: Takanori Gomi vs. Tyson Griffin – Gomi by 1^st rd. TKO

170 lbs.: Paul Kelly vs. Jacob Volkmann – Volkmann by Unanimous Decision
205 lbs.: James Irvin vs. Igor Pokrajac – Pokrajac by 1^st rd. Submission
185 lbs.: Mike Massenzio vs. Brian Stann – Stann by 3^rd rd. Submission
170 lbs.: DaMarques Johnson vs. Matthew Riddle – Riddle by 2^nd rd. TKO
155 lbs.: Darren Elkins vs. Charles Oliveira – Oliveira by 1^strd. Submission
185 lbs.: Rob Kimmons vs. Steve Steinbeiss – Kimmons by Unanimous Decision

Main Event Jones v Matyushenko

Smokinacemma — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 14:33:58 +0000

It’s time for your main event of the evening. Jon “Bones” Jones v Vladimir “The Janitor” Matyushenko. Jones is a very young fighter who is well-rounded in all aspects of MMA but excels in Greco-Roman wrestling. In each fight out Jones seems to get better and better. Jones is 10-1 with his only loss coming by controversial DQ to Matt Hamill. Matyushenko is 24-4 with his four losses coming to Tito Ortiz, Big Nog, Andrei Arlovski and Vernon White. Matyushenko is a world-class wrestler with great strength.

Most fans are saying that this is not a good match-up and that Jones should be facing better competition. Matyushenko is the perfect opponent for Jones at this point. Jones game plan will probably be to wing it. Just do what feels natural and not get taken done by Matyushenko. Jones will try to set up his takedowns with his unorthodox striking and try to get the win. Matyushenko will probably set up his takedown attempts and keep Jones on the ground and control him. My prediction has to go to Jon “Bones” Jones. He has always had great game plans and usually attacks before his opponent can attack, staying one step ahead. So there it is UFC on Versus 2 fight by fight breakdown. Heres a quick recap of my picks

Brian Stann over Mike Massenzio

Igor Pokrajac over James Irvin

Matthew Riddle over DaMarques Johnson

Paul Kelly over Jacob Volkmann

Tyson Griffin over Takanori Gomi

Jake Ellenberger over John Howard

Mark Munoz over Yushin Okami

Jon Jones over Vladimir Matyushenko

Co-Main Event of the evening

Smokinacemma — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 18:02:27 +0000

Ladies and Gentlemen it’s your co-main event of the evening. In one corner we have Mark “The Filipino Wrecking Machine” Munoz v Yushin ” Thunder” Okami. Munoz is 8-1 overall and 5-1 in the UFC/WEC. He has a NCAA wrestling championship and a purple belt in brazilian jiu-jitsu, with a Muay Thai background. His lone loss is against Matt Hamill by vicious headkick. After his loss to Hamill he dropped to Middleweight. Munoz is a very tough young fighter with five TKO/KO’s in his career. Okami is 25-5 overall and has won eight of his ten fights in the UFC, his two losses coming by unanimous decision to Chael Sonnen and Rich Franklin. Okami is a southpaw with power and a good ground and pound game. Okami is a well-rounded fighter with wrestling, judo, and kickboxing backgrounds. Okami is a true mixed martial artist.

Both fighters are looking to leapfrog into the mix of contention at 185lbs. Munoz will probably look to stand for a while and then set up the takedown using his superior wrestling to control Okami. Okami will probably look to stand up and use his punching power and kicks to keep Munoz at bay. This fight is very close on paper but my prediction goes to Munoz by dominating with his wrestling. Stay tuned for tomorrows main event fight.