MMA Explosion in 2009 Part I

by Wayne Squibbs MMA Staff Writer

Many people think fight fans who were disillusioned with the lame bouts, plethora of 'world' champions, and corrupt internal politics associated with boxing, have noticed something else going on - a new sport which produces fierce, watchable, hand-to-hand combat.

'They' are talking, as they always do, and they're saying that MMA has seduced those fans, and in so doing, raised the last nail for the coffin of boxing, ready to give the final hammering.

Maybe. But maybe not. In the sports section of regional and national newspapers, world class boxing still commands full-page features, whereas MMA generally doesn't feature at all. Televised news broadcasts retain a similar format.

Of course, MMA and boxing are not mutually exclusive, and a good number of fight fans are happy to watch either. Indeed, part of the reason for the surge in popularity of MMA could well be because boxing fans were already disillusioned even before the first Ultimate Fighting Championship back in November 1993

read rest of part 1 of this article at

http://www.fighting-mma.com/articles/2009/mma-explosion-affliction-part-1.php

Wheres Kimbo Slice Been?

By MMA Writer Brian Church

My feeling is that Kimbo came in, made his millions, got embarrassed, came back to reality and then got smart and disappeared. I would like to think he has gone back to his birth name, crawled in a cave and is eating a big slice of humble pie. But that doesn’t fit his personality. I’ll give him credit as a business man. He made a lot of money in a short time by doing very little. Some of it was a bit uncalled for, but when there is a demand you may as well supply the merchandise. As a fighter…..he was pathetic. SO, may questions still remains….where is Kimbo?

read full article

http://www.fighting-mma.com/articles/2009/wheres-kimbo.php

To bet on UFC 95 go to BetUS.com

The Sustainable Olympics 2010 Games

The Sustainable Olympics

The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Games (VANOC) has set out six corporate-wide sustainability performance objectives based on its winning bid commitments, the best management practices of other Organizing Committees and leading sustainability firms, and from input from sustainability experts, key partners and stakeholders. The six objectives relate to:

1. Accountability
2. Environmental Stewardship and Impact Reduction
3. Social Inclusion and Responsibility
4. Aboriginal Participation and Collaboration
5. Economic Benefits
6. Sport for Sustainable Living

A notable feature of the Environmental Stewardship and Impact Reduction goal involves designing and building the physical venues where the games will unfold. Through smart site selection, venue design and sustainable procurement, VANOC is raising the bar on "eco-efficiency" operations. By minimizing consumption of energy, water and construction materials and minimizing waste and emissions, the games organizers are seeking to eliminate negative environmental impacts. Those that cannot be avoided will be rehabilitated or offset.

read full article

http://www.globe-net.com/other_news/listing.cfm?type=2&newsID=4011

Josh Koscheck vs Paulo Thiago UFC 95 Fight

Josh Koscheck (-410) vs Paulo Thiago (+330)

Josh Koscheck has been on a tear in the UFC and this will be his fourth fight in the 10 months. So even if he wanted to take time off he can’t because he fights so soon after one another. He hasn’t even the time to take Thiago lightly.

Most UFC bettors would think of laying a small amount on the underdog in this fight but there are better dog picks to wager on for this UFC fight card. Koscheck is always in shape and because he fights so frequently he has stayed at a high level for a while. There is not much that can hurt Koscheck and his wrestling game nullifies a lot good grapplers.


The best bet to make for this fight is a UFC prop bet for this fight to go the distance. Five of Koscheck’s last seven fights have come by decision. He is a great fighter but will try to avoid the clinch and stay on the outside against Thiago to score points because Koscheck does not want to get into a grappling fight with Thiago because he has very good leg locks. The best bet would be to find a UFC sportsbook that will take UFC props and Parlay bets.

Bet on UFC 96 at BetCRIS.com

To read full matchup report go to

http://www.fighting-mma.com/mma-matchups/2009/ufc-95-betting-josh-koscheck-paulo-thiago.php

UFC 95 Fight Prediciton Marquardt vs Gouveia

Nate “The Great” Marquardt (-260) vs. Wilson Gouveia (+210)

The problem is that Marquardt has never fought someone as big and strong as Gouveia. His ground game is very finesse and but both guys are BJJ Black Belts so they cancel each other out on the ground. If Marquardt tries to a fancy sweep or tries to pull guard Gouveia will either posture or post out and get out. He will also have a big strength advantage. Is Marquardt’s ground game better? Yes but Gouveia has enough to neutralize whatever Greg Jackson has in store for him.

Wilson Gouveia is now in shape from all reports and he has upped his fighting at American Top Team. This was a question in the past but not from all scouting reports. Gouveia has been training hard for almost 4 months now and he will surprise many. The odds are too good and as a UFC sports bettor this underdos fight is too good to pass up. At +210 this is great UFC underdog bet to make. Bettors are getting good value for a powerful striker.

Bet on UFC 96 at BetCRIS.com

To read full matchup report go to

http://www.fighting-mma.com/mma-matchups/2009/ufc-95-betting-demian-maia-chael-sonnen.php

UFC 95 Demian Maia vs Chael Sonnen Anaylsis

Josh Koscheck (-410) vs Paulo Thiago (+330)

Striking wise Chael Sonnen is a very good striker and he will be able to keep his distance by backing up Maia who is not a very good striker at all. Up against the cage is where Sonnen fights the best. He will be able to use his size and power to hold Maia on the cage and land punches. Chael Sonnen has superior wrestling power but he will not use his wrestling for takedowns, He will instead use his power to keep the fight standing

Bottom Line: I see Sonnen being able to stuff Maia’s shot attempts and being able to land punches on Maia. Sonnen is a fighter that can test Maia and he can pressure him to making him make a mistake in the standup. We have yet to see Maia’s chin tested and Sonnen is a person that can KO the smaller less powerful fighter. Maia is not a strong or big fighter, he relies mostly on technique.


If Sonnen can take him off his game plan I can see an upset. He is no joke as he is the current WEC middleweight champion. To me, at +215 it is worth the risk to bet on the underdog in this fight. I love Maia as a fighter but to me he is still unproven and I see a big upset.

Bet on UFC 96 at BetCRIS.com

To read full matchup report go to

http://www.fighting-mma.com/mma-matchups/2009/ufc-95-betting-demian-maia-chael-sonnen.php

UFC 95 Sanchez vs. Stevenson Fight Preivew

UFC 96 main event fight preview

I like Stevenson as a fighter but he will be outmatched in this fight by a bigger stronger fighter. I see this fight being dominated by Sanchez from the start of the bell to the very end. My best bet is for this fight to go to a three round decision.

I would be all over this UFC prop bet. I would also do a UFC parlay bet for the fight to go all three rounds and for Sanchez to win the fight by a three round decision. UFC sports betting wise Sanchez at -300 is not worth the price but he will win this fight. If you have money to bet I would be all over this bet. I really don’t see Stevenson beating Sanchez at all.

Bet on UFC 96 at BetCRIS.com

To read full matchup report go to

http://www.fighting-mma.com/mma-matchups/2009/ufc-95-betting-diego-sanchez-joe-stevenson.php

Affliction Betting Preview Analysis

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Bet on Affliction at BetCRIS.com

Fedor Emelianenko(-390) vs. Andrei Arlovski (+350)

The main event at Affliction 2 will pit former Ultimate Fighting Championship heavy weight champion Andrei “Pitbull" Arlovski against the man many consider to be the greatest ever to compete in the sport of mixed martial arts, Fedor “The Last Emperor” Emelianenko...read more

Josh “The Baby Face Assassin” (-550) Barnett vs. Gilbert Yvel (+400)

Josh “The Baby Face Assassin” Barnett is a large betting favorite over Gilbert “The Hurricane” Yvel and it’s not hard to see why considering the strengths and weaknesses of both Affliction fighters...read more

Matt "The Law" Lindland (-165) vs. Vitor " The Phenom" Belfort (+135)

In one of the hardest to call fights at “Affliction 2: Day Of Reckoning”, Matt “The Law” Lindland comes in as a small betting favorite over Vitor “The Phenom” Belfort but we at fighting-mma.com will be happy to steer your bet...read more

Paul "The Head Hunter" Buentello (-145) vs. Kirill Sidelnikov (+115)

The best action-packed standup battle of the night will be between Paul “The Headhunter” Buentello and Russian Affliction newcomer Kirill Sidelnikov...read more

Renato “Babalu” Sobral (-160) vs. Rameau Thierry “The African Assassin”Sokoudjou (+130)

The best underdog bet of the night is going to be in the fight between Renato “Babalu” Sobral and Rameau Thierry “The African Assassin” Sokoudjou in what should be a fun fight that likely won’t make it to the judge’s scorecards...read more

Vladimir Matyushenko (Even) vs. Antônio Rogério Nogueira (-130)

According to the betting odds at BetCRIS.com, the hardest fight to pick a winner on the entire “Affliction 2: Day of Reckoning” card will be between Antonio Rogerio Nogueira and Vladimir “The Janitor” Matyushenko in a rematch...read more

UFC 93Mark Coleman vs Shogun Fight Preview

Bet UFC 93 at BetCRIS

Mark Coleman (+300) vs Mauricio “Shogun” Rua (-370)

UFC bettors might take the betting underdog in this fight because the octagon favors wrestlers but don’t waste your money, as Shogun has the stand up advantage and the grappling advantage by a large margin. Remember you can’t win a fight by wrestling. Out of his 8 loses he has lost to good submission fighters and to very good strikers and Shogun is both. Coleman is just too old, injured and is still just a one dimensional fighter in a mixed martial arts world. He will not able to leverage his wrestling skills to score enough points in this fight.

UFC betting wise Shogun is a huge betting favorite at -370 at most online sportsbooks and the price might not be worth the bet but Coleman is an old fighter and I don’t give him much of a chance in this fight. So if you have the funds to spare this is a very safe bet to wager on.

read preview at

http://www.fighting-mma.com/mma-matchups/2009/ufc-93-betting-mark-coleman-mauricio-shogun-rua.php

Dynamite!! 2008 Preview

Bet on Dynamite!! 2008 at BetCRIS.com

The biggest year end mixed martial arts event in Japan will take place with Dynamite!! 2008 that will feature kickboxing and mixed martial arts as it combines bouts from FEG's K-1 World Grand Prix, K-1 World Max, K-1 Koshien and DREAM brands.

Dec 31 the best MMA event in Japan that will rival the UFC 92 is set

great fights on the card that combines fights from all the major japanese leagues

FEG's K-1 World Grand Prix, K-1 World Max, K-1 Koshien and DREAM

read the

betting predictions for the MMA fights

http://www.fighting-mma.com/articles/2008/dynamite-2008.php

Fight card

MMA bouts

Featherweight bout:
Hideo Tokoro vs. Daisuke Nakamura

Lightweight bout:

Joachim Hansen vs. Gesias Calvancante
Eddie Alvarez vs. Shinya Aoki

Middleweight bout:

Kazushi Sakuraba vs. Kiyoshi Tamura

Heavyweight bouts:

Mighty Mo vs. Semmy Schilt
Mark Hunt vs. Jerome Le Banner
Mirko Filipović vs. Hong Man Choi
Bob Sapp vs. Akihito Tanaka

K-1 bouts
Lightweight bouts:

Tatsuya Kawajiri vs. Kozo Takeda
Yoshihiro Sato vs. Artur Kyshenko

Middleweight bout:
Musashi vs. Gegard Mousasi

K-1 Under 18 Tournament
Semi-final bouts

Hiroya vs. Shota Shimada
Kusakabe Ryuya vs. Koya Urabe

Bet on Dynamite!! 2008 at BetCRIS.com

UFC Preview Wanderlei Silva vs. Quinton Jackson

Jackson is basically a one dimensional fighter. Yes he can strike and has a lot of power but so does Silva. If he can not out strike Silva he has no other way to win. Wanderlei Silva is a better fighter now than he was in Pride, and the question is out if Jackson is mentally prepared to fight again after this loss to Forrest Griffin at UFC 86 - Jackson vs. Griffin. With a history of depression Jackson has not been acting like a fighter. If Silva is smart he will try to take Jackson to the ground and either submit him or ground and pound him out. If the fight goes this way, and I highly doubt it will, Silva will win this battle.

All UFC bettors should lay a lot of money on Silva as all sportsbook have very soft betting lines and bettors should take advantage of this fight. Silva is a better fighter with more experience, more power, a better technically striker, can kick, has better elbows, has a better clinch and is a way better grappler. Jackson is not mentally prepared and will be out of shape and can only strike.

To read full matchup report go to

http://www.fighting-mma.com/mma-matchups/2008/ufc-92-betting-wanderlei-silva-quinton-jackson.php

UFC 92: The Ultimate Okami vs The Boogeyman

UFC 92: The Ultimate Okami vs The Boogeyman: "Okami will start off slow and slowly start to dominate in the second and third rounds of the fight for a decision. Either way he is going to win this fight"

Okami is too big and too strong for Lister. Sports betting wise the UFC betting lines will open up with Okami as the favorite and I would lay a fair amount on an Okami victory. Does Lister have the skill to submit Okami? Yes but not as great as many people think. This will be a standup battle and Lister has not submitted anyone past the first round since his 5th pro fight.

Do I want The Boogeyman to win? Yes. Will He? I’m afraid not. Yushin Okami is not a world beater either but he has very good all round skills. He is a notoriously slow starter when he fights, but always turns it on in the end. If he can start out fast and overwhelm Lister with his power and strikes he should easily win in the first round. Otherwise he will start off slow and slowly start to dominate in the second and third rounds of the fight for a decision. Either way he is going to win this fight.

read full preview

http://www.fighting-mma.com/mma-matchups/2008/ufc-92-wagering-dean-lister-yushin-okami.php

UFC 92: The Ultimate, Forrest Griffin vs Sugar Rashad Evans

UFC 92: The Ultimate, Forrest Griffin vs Sugar Rashad Evans:

Evans will have insight to Griffins fighting style from Keith Jardine and that will be the factor that gives Evans the advantage. This fight will be a very tactical fight on the part of Evans and he will wait for him chances, but since he attacks he will catch Forrest and will be able to ground and pound for a victory"

Evans is not the best fighter coming into this fight but he is the most disciplined and well coached fighter. He is a more calculating fighter and will wait for his chances and wait for Forrest to make a mistake. He is not a fighter that does things overly well but he pulls out victories. Forrest on the other hand, has is not very disciplined and is not well coached, He likes to fight wildly and will try to put on a good show. In most of Griffins fights if he can win the stand up he will shoot in to score points. He will not be able to do that will Rashad.

Evans will have insight to Griffins fighting style from Keith Jardine and that will be the factor that gives Evans the advantage. This fight will be a very tactical fight on the part of Evans and he will wait for him chances, but since he attacks he will catch Forrest and will be able to ground and pound for a victory. Forest will not be able to use his size in this fight as Evans is use to fighting larger opponents. He will not be thrown off by Griffin’s size as Evans has fought most of his fights as the smaller fighter in the past.

read full preview at

http://www.fighting-mma.com/mma-matchups/2008/ufc-92-betting-forrest-griffin-rashad-evans.php

Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira (-375) vs. Frank Mir (+305)

UFC 92 The Ultimate, Nogueira vs Mir Preview: "The two Ultimate Fighter Season 8 coaches will square off and the winner will fight the newly crowned UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar to unify the UFC heavyweight division."

Bottom Line: Nogueira also wins the intangible category as well. Nogueira is a fighter that never gives up. He was rocked by Heath Herring at UFC 73: Stacked and still survived. If you look on the coaches challenge in the Ultimate fighter show, Nogueira was going for and diving for every soccer ball while Mir did not. This shows that Nogueira has a better work ethic and will fight until you can fight no more. Mir does not have the desire, drive and heart that Nogueira has. Combined with his work ethic and talent there is no way Mir will be able to beat Nogueira.

read full UFC handicapping report at http://www.fighting-mma.com/mma-matchups/2008/ufc-92-betting-antonio-nogueira-frank-mir.php

UFC Fight for the Troops Main Fight Card Preview

UFC Fight for the Troops Main Fight Card Preview: "UFC Fight for the Troops main fight card preview for all televised fights on Spike TV"

UFC Welterweight fight: Josh Koscheck vs. Yoshiyuki Yoshida

I look forward to seeing Koscheck set a pace, drive and will that Yoshida has never experienced from a very wounded and backed up animal who has showed grit and toughness against very sounded opponents such as Alves and GSP. Koscheck takes this on a combination of athleticism and heart; he takes this fight for his career, UFC survival and for the troops.

UFC Welterweight fight: Mike Swick vs. Jonathan Goulet

Mike Swick has more size, power, speed, endurance and discipline than his opponent. He has fought much deeper competition and has shown great composure and willingness to stick to a fight plan. This fight is a perfect fit for Swick and I cannot see him dropping this one.

UFC Middleweight fight: Tim Credeur vs. Nate Loughran

note, the TUF exposure may have this line heavy on Credeur, and if that’s he case wagering Nate may be a safer value play

UFC Light heavyweight fight: Steve Cantwell vs. Razak Al-Hassan

Cantwell should be able to prevent Al-Hassan from getting any control at all times and take the win.

UFC lightweight fight: Jim Miller vs. Matt Wiman

I see Miller slowing this fight down and grinding out a round or 2. With it being a very short noticed fight we should have healthy odds on our side for an upset victory

To read full matchup0 reports go to

http://www.fighting-mma.com/articles/2008/ufc-fight-for-the-troops-preview.php

To bet on any of these fight go to BetUS.com

UFC Fight for the Troops Fight Preview

UFC Fight for the Troops Fight Preview: "UFC Fight for the Troops fight preview for the Hollywood Steve Bruno vs. The Hater Hurter Johnny Rees"

Hollywood Steve Bruno (11-4-0) is one of American Top Team's five dozen or so active professional fighters. Don't let his record fool you though, the average level of his opponents is rather low. There are plenty of cans in his history, including two of his losses.


Johnny "The Hater Hurter" Rees (10-1-0) has one of the most stupid nicknames in mixed martial arts. However, he's a good fighter. The average quality of his opponents has been fairly high, much higher than Bruno's. Like his opponent, he lost his UFC debut. But what most people don't know is: Johnny was fighting up a weight class, at 185, in his debut. He was the UFL 170 lb champ

Bottom Line: This is a bad match up for Steve. His nagging injuries won't help against a seasoned BJJ fighter with a passion for ground and pound. He'll be hard pressed to find the right combination of distance and agility to keep this one standing against the dangerous Rees.

Rees will lock in a choke in round two, for the win

Bet this fight at BetCRIS.com

to read full MMA UFC match up report got to

http://www.fighting-mma.com/mma-matchups/2008/ufc-fight-for-the-troops-steve-bruno-johnny-rees.php

TUF 8 Finale Fight Card is Set

TUF 8 Finale UFC sports betting and UFC betting predictions with Phillipe Nover fighting Efrain Escudero and Ryan Bader versus Vinicius Magalhaes for the UFC six figure mixed martial arts contact"

The fight has has been announced

Main Card:

Phillipe Nover vs. Efrain Escudero
Ryan Bader vs. Vinicius Magalhaes
Jason MacDonald vs. Wilson Gouveia
Kevin Burns vs. Anthony Johnson
Junie Allen Browning vs. Dave Kaplan

Prelims:

Krzysztof Soszynski vs. Shane Primm
Kyle Kingsbury vs. Tom Lawlor
Jules Bruchez vs. Eliot Marshall
Shane Nelson vs. George Roop
Roli Delgado vs. John Polakowski

No online UFC betting lines have been set but Phillipe Nover who Dana White calls the next big thing in MMA will definitely be the favorite. The New York City nurse has great stand up and even better grappling is what Dana White calls Dana White as “one of the most talented kids I’ve seen on ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ ever,”.

Bet on the TUF 8 Finale at BetCRIS.com

to read more go to
http://www.fighting-mma.com/ufc-betting-information/ufc-betting-matchups/tuf-8-finale-set-with-fight-card/

UFC Puts The Squeeze On Jon Fitch

Has UFC president Dana White gone too far this time in his totalitarian ways to control UFC fighters? Dana White can squeeze water from a rock but have his cheap way hurt they organization he so proudly built?

The UFC and Dana White have always had a tight control on their fighters which is starting to have drastic effects on the company. Despite record profits, the organization continues to underpay their fighters as the organization wants to control every aspect of the fighter lives outside the octagon

Cutting Jon Fitch from his UFC contract says the UFC might have stepped over the line this time with their controlling ways.

Read full story http://www.fighting-mma.com/articles/2008/big-brother-is-the-ufc.php

MMA Handicapping Prediction Jorge Gurgel versus Aaron Riley

UFC 91 prediction for Jorge Gurgel versus Aaron Riley MMA lightweight fight.

Gurgel does not have the power in the stand up to hurt Riley who is a very aggressive and powerful striker and he will put a TKO in the first or second round on Gurgel. Bet heavily on a Riley KO in this fight. Put it this way; are you scared of Jorge Gurgel? I didn’t think so.

Betting wise Gurgel always comes into the fight as a favorite and he ends up losing. He is not a good fighter and has no business being in the UFC. Take advantage of betting against him before his UFC contract is taken away.

Once the betting lines come out for this fight I would bet everything I have on this fight for a Aaron Riley win

To read full matchup report got to

http://www.fighting-mma.com/mma-matchups/2008/ufc-91-betting-jorge-gurgel-aaron-riley.php

to bet on this fight go to

UFC 91 Demian Maia versus Nate Quarry Fight Preview

UFC 91 Demian Maia versus Nate Quarry Fight Preview:

UFC 91 Demian Maia versus Nate Quarry fight preview in the UFC 185 pound middleweight division

The current lines have Maia as a huge betting favorite at -245 which is a good bet considering he is facing an average fighter in Nate Quarry who has beaten no real competition in his MMA career.

Quarry is a +175 sports betting sportsbook underdog who has decent hands but will be very over matched on the ground against a former grappling world champion.

Te read full preview and UFC handicapping prediction for this fight go to

http://www.fighting-mma.com/mma-matchups/2008/ufc-91-betting-demian-maia-nate-quarry.php

also go to www.fighting-mma.com for all other UFC 91 predictions

To place a sports betting wager on hte UFC 91 go to