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Top 5 Forum Threads of the Week
By: Jeff Sherwood
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Chris Weidman retained his title at UFC 175. | Photo: Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com
Chris Weidman withstood his first real brush with adversity.
Weidman kept his grasp on the Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight crown with a unanimous decision over Lyoto Machida in the UFC 175 headliner on July 5 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. All three judges scored it for the unbeaten Weidman: 49-45, 48-47 and 49-46.
Relentless forward movement, an active kicking game and multiple takedowns provided Weidman with the path to victory. He dictated much of the first 15 minutes, as he took away the Brazilian’s lateral movement with constant pressure and opened a cut near Machida’s right brow with a right hand in the third round. “The Dragon” made his move in the fourth, where he began to reap the rewards from his commitment to body kicks. The champion slowed just enough to afford Machida the opportunities he needed to get back in the fight.
In the fifth round, Weidman showed his mettle. The Serra-Longo Fight Team representative battled through fatigue, staggered Machida with a standing elbow and delivered his final takedown. Weidman briefly achieved mount before transitioning to the challenger’s back and applying some healthy ground-and-pound. A finish did not develop, but a hard-fought win was sealed. Machida’s last-second volley fell short, as he failed to become just the third man in UFC history to win championships in two weight classes.
The Weidman-Machida battle was a hot topic on the Sherdog.net forums:
EYE OF THE BEHOLDER
STANDING FIRM
CREDIBILITY ISSUE
MATTER OF RECORD
FIGHTING WORDS
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This Week’s MMA Birthdays: Jon Jones Turns 27
By: Brian Knapp
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Jon “Bones” Jones is 14-1 in the UFC. | Photo: Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com
Reigning Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight titleholder and pound-for-pound mainstay Jon Jones will celebrate his 27th birthday on July 19.
A winner of 11 consecutive bouts, Jones last competed at UFC 172 in April, when he took a unanimous decision from Glover Teixeira at the Baltimore Arena in Baltimore. The Jackson-Wink MMA representative has defended the 205-pound championship a record seven times, defeating Teixeira, Alexander Gustafsson, Chael Sonnen, Vitor Belfort, Rashad Evans, Lyoto Machida and Quinton Jackson. Jones has pieced together an outstanding 14-1 record since touching down in the UFC in August 2008, a disqualification loss to Matt Hamill at “The Ultimate Fighter 10” Finale the lone blemish.
“Bones” will put the light heavyweight crown on the line at UFC 178 on Sept. 28, when he faces Gustafsson in a highly anticipated rematch in Las Vegas.
Those in MMA celebrating a birthday during the week covering July 13-July 19:
JULY 13
Dave Strasser (45)
Hidehiko Hasegawa (36)
Jonathan Goulet (35)
Tom Watson (32)
Rina Tomita (30)
JULY 14
Kazushi Sakuraba (45)
Mostapha Al-Turk (41)
Falaniko Vitale (40)
Wagnney Fabiano (39)
Rolles Gracie (36)
Leonard Garcia (35)
Shane Roller (35)
JULY 15
Antony Rea (38)
Matt Mitrione (36)
Viktor Pesta (24)
JULY 16
Javier Vazquez (37)
Toby Imada (36)
Kazuhiro Nakamura (35)
Walel Watson (30)
JULY 17
Alexander Otsuka (43)
Yuki Kondo (39)
Ricardo Arona (36)
Mamed Khalidov (34)
Bruno Santos (27)
Mike Byrnes (24)
JULY 18
Crosley Gracie (35)
Hatsu Hioki (31)
Ben Askren (30)
JULY 19
Jeremiah Constant (40)
Raphael Assuncao (32)
Jon Jones (27) Read more -
Sherdog Rewind: Dave Meltzer
By: Jack Encarnacao
Another half-year is in the books in mixed martial arts, and the Sherdog Radio Network "Rewind" returned to render an assessment of what the numbers tell us.
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Host Jack Encarnacao welcomes MMA biz expert and Wrestling Observer editor Dave Meltzer for a 90-minute chat "Down To Business" about how the UFC has performed this year on pay-per-view, prospects for new stars, how Fox has changed the look, feel, and market positioning of the UFC, and the revolutionary promise of Fight Pass.
You won't find a more wide-ranging yet detailed-oriented audio plunge into the metrics behind the sport. Better know MMA by downloading the latest Rewind here.
Click here to check out the podcast on iTunes.
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Sunday MMA: A TV Viewer’s Guide
By: Jeff Sherwood
Sunday
5:30 a.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC 1 on 1
Welterweight champion Johny Hendricks.
6:00 a.m. ET Fox Sports 2: The Ultimate Fighter
Season 15 Episode 3: Old School vs. New School Teams react after Cruz picks two top fighters to face off early; Cruz trains number one pick Justin Lawrence as Faber prepares Brazilian jiu-jitsu veteran Cristiano Marcello for their clash.
7:00 a.m. ET Fox Sports 2: The Ultimate Fighter
Season 15 Episode 4: All the Pressure An injury in practice puts one fighter's future in doubt; Faber brings in a life coach to help the fighters be more positive; Al Iaquinta takes on Myles Fury Jury of Team Cruz in the third preliminary fight.
8:00 a.m. ET Fox Sports 2: The Ultimate Fighter
Season 15 Episode 5: That Miserable Feeling Sam Sicilia must decide whether to share information with his team about best friend, Mike Chiesa; after Andy Ogle struggles in practice, Urijah Faber sits him down for a heart to heart; Dominick gets fed up with Chris Tickle's complaining.
9:00 a.m. ET Fox Sports 2: The Ultimate Fighter
Season 15 Episode 6: Dog With no Bark Tempers flare between Mike Rio and Justin Lawrence during sparring; the teams enjoy a relaxing Easter Sunday; Chris Tickle faces tough guy Joe Proctor in the fifth preliminary fight.
10:00 a.m. ET Fox Sports 2: The Ultimate Fighter
Season 15 Episode 7: Weather the Storm Cruz gives Chris Tickle an earful following his loss; the coaches get into a heated exchange; Andy Ogle has an emotional breakdown during practice; Vinc Pichel and John Cofer face off in the sixth preliminary fight.
11:00 a.m. ET Fox Sports 2: The Ultimate Fighter
Season 15 Episode 8: The Lion's Den Ronda Rousey trains in the gym, then visits the TUF house; Cruz gets a surprise from Faber and his coaches; Chris Saunders faces Sam Sicilia.
12:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: The Ultimate Fighter
Season 15 Episode 9: Become That Hero Both teams head to a desert shooting range for an explosive coaches challenge; Andy Ogle takes on Mike Rio in the last preliminary fight; Dana announces the first two quarterfinal match-ups.
1:00 p.m. ET Sportsnet 360: TUF Nations Canada vs. Australia
1:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: The Ultimate Fighter
Season 15 Episode 10: So Real It's Unreal Dana makes a surprise visit to the gym for a shocking announcement; James Vick vs. Joe Proctor; Justin Lawrence vs. Michael Chiesa.
2:00 p.m. ET Sportsnet 360: UFC Unleashed
The best fights from the UFC archives
2:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: The Ultimate Fighter
Season 15 Episode 11: Like a Spartan Chris Saunders battles through emotional issues as he prepares to face Vinc Pichel; Faber teammates square off when Andy Ogle takes on Al Iaquinta.
3:00 p.m. ET Sportsnet 360: UFC Unleashed
The best fights from the UFC archives
3:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: The Ultimate Fighter
Season 15 Episode 12: EPISODE: 12 Tickle and Cruickshank get violent in the house; Dana makes a surprise announcement; Vick takes on Chiesa; Pichel faces Laquinta.
4:00 p.m. ET Sportsnet 360: UFC Wired
Joe Rogan hosts this UFC highlight show featuring some of the best bouts from years past.
4:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: Boxing
Golden Boy Live!: Alfonso Gomez vs. Ed Paredes Alfonso Gomez vs. Ed Paredes, junior middleweight bout. From Las Vegas.
5:00 p.m. ET Sportsnet 360: UFC Wired
Joe Rogan hosts this UFC highlight show featuring some of the best bouts from years past.
6:00 p.m. ET Sportsnet 360: UFC Ultimate Submissions
6:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Ultimate Knockouts
Fastest Knockouts Fastest finishes in MMA history.
6:30 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Ultimate Knockouts
Ultimate Fighter Alumni Exciting finishes examined.
8:00 p.m. ET Sportsnet 360: TUF Nations Canada vs. Australia
8:30 p.m. ET Fox Sports 1: UFC Ultimate Insider
Thomson & Johnson; McGregor; House Josh Thomson and Michael Johnson's relentless training for FOX UFC Saturday. Conor McGregor's mic is hot for Norman Parke's fight in Manchester and the hard hitting origins of UFC cutman Don House.
9:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 1: Best of WEC
Renan Barao vs. Anthony Leone Classic bantamweight and featherweight fights.
10:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 1: UFC Fight Flashback
Ronda Rousey vs. Miesha Tate Enhanced coverage of classic bout between female fighters.
10:30 p.m. ET Fox Sports 1: UFC Ultimate Knockouts
Ultimate Fighter Alumni Exciting finishes examined.
12:00 a.m. ET Sportsnet ONE: UFC Unleashed
The best fights from the UFC archives Read more -
Saturday MMA: A TV Viewer’s Guide
By: Jeff Sherwood
Saturday
4:00 a.m. ET AXS TV: Inside MMA
EPISODE: 346 Coverage on UFC 175, the TUF 19 Finale, WSOF 11 and Lion Fight 16.
5:00 a.m. ET AXS TV: The Voice Versus
Dan Gables discusses his 1972 gold medal and coaching the Iowa Hawkeyes through nine consecutive championships.
9:00 a.m. ET Fox Sports 2: The Ultimate Fighter
Season 15 Episode 1: EPISODE: 1 Dominick Cruz and Urijah Faber coach opposing teams of contestants competing for coveted UFC contracts, and the title of The Ultimate Fighter.
11:30 a.m. ET Fox Sports 2: The Ultimate Fighter
Season 15 Episode 2: Embrace the War Sixteen promising mixed martial artists move into The Ultimate Fighter house and join teams; one fighter receives bad news from home; two warriors face off.
12:00 p.m. ET CBS Sports Network: Boxing 2013
Canelo Alvarez vs. Austin Trout From April 20, 2013 in San Antonio.
12:30 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: The Ultimate Fighter
Season 15 Episode 3: Old School vs. New School Teams react after Cruz picks two top fighters to face off early; Cruz trains number one pick Justin Lawrence as Faber prepares Brazilian jiu-jitsu veteran Cristiano Marcello for their clash.
1:00 p.m. ET CBS Sports Network: Boxing 2014
Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez vs. Alfredo Angulo From March 8, 2014 in Las Vegas.
1:30 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: The Ultimate Fighter
Season 15 Episode 4: All the Pressure An injury in practice puts one fighter's future in doubt; Faber brings in a life coach to help the fighters be more positive; Al Iaquinta takes on Myles Jury of Team Cruz in the third preliminary fight.
2:00 p.m. ET CBs Sports Network: Boxing 2012
Erislandy Lara vs. Ronald Hearns From April 20, 2012 in Biloxi, Miss.
2:30 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: The Ultimate Fighter
Season 15 Episode 5: That Miserable Feeling Sam Sicilia must decide whether to share information with his team about best friend, Michael Chiesa; after Andy Ogle struggles in practice, Urijah Faber sits him down for a heart to heart; Dominick gets fed up with Chris Tickle's complaining.
3:00 p.m. ET CBS Sports Network: Boxing 2013
Erislandy Lara vs. Alfredo Angulo Interim WBA World light middleweight title. From June 8, 2013 in Carson, Calif.
3:30 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Ultimate Knockouts
Ultimate Fighter Alumni Exciting finishes examined.
4:00 p.m. ET CBS Sports Network: Boxing 2013
Abner Mares vs. Daniel Ponce de Leon From May 4, 2013.
4:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: Boxing
Iron Mike Productions: Argenis Mendez vs. Rances Barthelemy Mendez takes on Barthelemy in a rematch for the IBF junior lightweight title. From Miami.
5:00 p.m. ET CBS Sports Network: Boxing 2014
Danny Garcia vs. Mauricio Herrera Garcia takes on Herrera for the WBC/WBA junior welterweight title. From March 15, 2014 in Bayamon, Puerto Rico.
6:00 p.m. ET CBS Sports Network: Boxing 2013
Francisco Vargas vs. Brandon Bennett Vacant NABF super featherweight and vacant WBO Inter-Continental super featherweight titles. From Aug. 9, 2013 in Indio, Calif.
7:00 p.m. ET CBS Sports Network: Boxing 2014
Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez vs. Alfredo Angulo From March 8, 2014 in Las Vegas.
8:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 1: UFC Reloaded
UFC 166: Cain Velasquez vs. Junior dos Santos 3 The last fight in the Dos Santos/Velasquez trilogy.
11:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: Fox Sports 1 on 1
Retired boxer Floyd Mayweather, Jr.
11:30 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Ultimate Knockouts
Ultimate Fighter Alumni Exciting finishes examined. Read more -
Friday MMA: A TV Viewer’s Guide
By: Jeff Sherwood
Friday
3:30 a.m. ET Fox Sports 1: Boxing
Iron Mike Productions: Argenis Mendez vs. Rances Barthelemy Mendez takes on Barthelemy in a rematch for the IBF junior lightweight title. From Miami.
4:00 a.m. ET CBS Sports Network: Boxing 2012
Erislandy Lara vs. Ronald Hearns From April 20, 2012 in Biloxi, Miss.
5:00 a.m. ET CBS Sports Network: Boxing 2014
Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez vs. Alfredo Angulo From March 8, 2014 in Las Vegas.
5:30 a.m. ET Fox Sports 1: UFC Ultimate Knockouts
Ultimate Fighter Alumni Exciting finishes examined.
6:00 a.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC 175: Weidman vs. Machida: Prelims
Urijah Faber vs. Alex Caceres; Kenny Robertson vs. Ildemar Alcantara; Bruno Santos vs. Chris Camozzi; George Roop vs. Rob Font. From Las Vegas.
8:00 a.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Main Event
UFC 168: Heated rivals Ronda Rousey and Miesha Tate rematch in one of the most exciting fights in the women's bantamweight division.
9:00 a.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Tonight
UFC highlights, analysis and interviews.
4:00 p.m. ET CBS Sports Network: Boxing 2014
Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez vs. Alfredo Angulo From March 8, 2014 in Las Vegas.
6:00 p.m. ET CBS Sports Network: Canelo Alvarez vs. Erislandy Lara Weigh-In
6:30 p.m. ET CBS Sports Network: Boxing2014
Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez vs. Alfredo Angulo From March 8, 2014 in Las Vegas.
7:30 p.m. ET CBS Sports Network: Boxing 2014
Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez vs. Alfredo Angulo From March 8, 2014 in Las Vegas.
8:30 p.m. ET CBS Sports Network: All Access
Canelo vs. Lara, Episode 2 Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez and Erislandy Lara prepare to fight in Las Vegas on July 12, 2014.
9:00 p.m. ET CBS Sports Network: Boxing 2013
Abner Mares vs. Daniel Ponce de Leon From May 4, 2013.
9:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: Boxing Iron Mike Productions
Mendez vs. Barthelemy II From Miami.
9:00 p.m. ET AXS TV: Inside MMA
EPISODE: 346 Coverage on UFC 175, the TUF 19 Finale, WSOF 11 and Lion Fight 16.
10:00 p.m. ET AXS TV: The Voice Versus Dan Gable
Dan Gables discusses his 1972 gold medal and coaching the Iowa Hawkeyes through nine consecutive championships.
10:00 p.m. ET CBs Sports Network: Boxing 2013
Erislandy Lara vs. Alfredo Angulo Interim WBA World light middleweight title. From June 8, 2013 in Carson, Calif.
11:00 p.m. ET CBS Sports Network: Boxing 2014
Danny Garcia vs. Mauricio Herrera Garcia takes on Herrera for the WBC/WBA junior welterweight title. From March 15, 2014 in Bayamon, Puerto Rico.
11:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: Countdown to Canelo-Lara
Saul Alvarez and Erislandy Lara prepare for their fight. Read more -
Thursday MMA: A TV Viewer’s Guide
By: Jeff Sherwood
Thursday
3:00 a.m. ET Fox Sports 1: UFC Tonight
UFC highlights, analysis and interviews.
6:00 a.m. ET Fox Sports 2: The Ultimate Fighter 19 Finale
Frankie Edgar vs. B.J. Penn 3 From Las Vegas.
8:30 a.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Ultimate Knockouts
Ultimate Fighter Alumni Exciting finishes examined.
2:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Ultimate Knockouts
Ultimate Fighter Alumni Exciting finishes examined.
7:30 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: Boxing Golden Boy Live!
Alfonso Gomez vs. Ed Paredes, junior middleweight bout. From Las Vegas.
9:30 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: Countdown to Canelo-Lara
Saul Alvarez and Erislandy Lara prepare for their fight. Read more -
Radio Poll: Is Canceling UFC 176 The Right Decision?
By: TJ De Santis
Follow the jump for reader comments. Read more -
Wednesday MMA: A TV Viewer’s Guide
By: Jeff Sherwood
Wednesday
4:00 a.m. ET CBS Sports Network: Boxing 2013: Erislandy Lara vs. Alfredo Angulo
Interim WBA World light middleweight title. From June 8, 2013 in Carson, Calif.
5:00 a.m. ET CBS Sports Network: Boxing 2012: Erislandy Lara vs. Ronald Hearns
From April 20, 2012 in Biloxi, Miss.
5:00 a.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Ultimate Knockouts
Fastest Knockouts Fastest finishes in MMA history.
8:30 a.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Ultimate Knockouts
Fastest Knockouts Fastest finishes in MMA history.
10:00 a.m. ET Fox Sports 1: UFC 1 on 1
The career resurgence of Urijah Faber.
10:30 a.m. ET Fox Sports 2: The Ultimate Fighter 19 Finale
Frankie Edgar vs. B.J. Penn 3 From Las Vegas.
1:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Ultimate Knockouts
Ultimate Fighter Alumni Exciting finishes examined.
1:30 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Main Event
UFC 168: Heated rivals Ronda Rousey and Miesha Tate rematch in one of the most exciting fights in the women's bantamweight division.
2:30 p.m. ET Fox Sports 2: UFC Unleashed
Junior dos Santos defends his title for the first time against Frank Mir; Joe Lauzon and Jamie Varner; Donald Cerrone vs. Melvin Guillard, and Brian Stann vs. Alessio Sakara.
7:00 p.m. ET Fox sports 1: Countdown to Canelo-Angulo
Boxing superstar Canelo Alvarez is back to face Knockout artist Alfredo El Perro Angulo; exclusive analysis and commentary leading up to the big fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
7:30 p.m. ET Fox Sports 1: UFC Ultimate Knockouts
Ultimate Fighter Alumni Exciting finishes examined.
7:30 p.m. ET Sportsnet 360: UFC Central
Hosted by "Showdown" Joe Ferraro. UFC highlights and news.
8:00 p.m. ET Sportsnet 360: UFC Wired
Joe Rogan hosts this UFC highlight show featuring some of the best bouts from years past.
8:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 1: UFC Tonight
UFC highlights, analysis and interviews.
9:00 p.m. ET Sportsnet 360: UFC Unleashed
The best fights from the UFC archives
10:00 p.m. ET Fox Sports 1: Boxing
Golden Boy Live!: Alfonso Gomez vs. Ed Paredes Alfonso Gomez vs. Ed Paredes, junior middleweight bout. From Las Vegas.
10:00 p.m. ET Sportsnet 360: TUF Nations Canada vs. Australia
11:00 p.m. ET Sportsnet 360: UFC Central
Hosted by "Showdown" Joe Ferraro. UFC highlights and news. Read more -
Radio Poll: Is Ronda Rousey UFC's Biggest Star?
By: TJ De Santis
Follow the jump for reader comments. Read more
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