Chris Weidman: “Getting a win over Demian Maia will definitely change my life and my career.”
When UFC middleweight Mark Munoz was forced out of his number one contender’s fight with Chael Sonnen, the organization made the most logical choice they could by taking Michael Bisping out his bout with Demian Maia and inserting him into Munoz’s slot against Sonnen with the winner scheduled to face Anderson Silva sometime this summer. What to do with Maia was the question at hand. There was an... [Read More...]
Charlie Brenneman talks about fight on FX, “changing of the guard” at 170 pounds
It’s been a short, but extremely difficult ride to the top for Charlie Brenneman. After putting together a successful amateur wrestling career in high school and winning the first season of Pros vs. Joes in 2006, Brenneman entered MMA in 2007. He won eleven of his first twelve bouts before getting the call from the UFC. On June 26, 2011, “The Spaniard” went from relatively unknown welterweight... [Read More...]
Jessie Rafols talks upcoming bout at February ONE FC event
Bantamweight Jessie Rafols holds a 6-2 professional record and is popular in the Philippines for his non-stop, fan-friendly style of fighting. He is one of the most aggressive fighters in the history of the URCC and will be getting his chance to shine on the international stage for the first time at ONE FC 2 in Jakarta next month. Up until now he has done all of his fighting for the URCC, the most... [Read More...]
Mike Brown out of UFC on FX 1 with knee injury, expects to be back in April
The upcoming UFC on FX 1 took a hit recently as former WEC champion Mike Brown has been forced out of his fight with Vagner Rocha with a knee injury. While Brown did undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left knee to remove damaged cartilage and loose bone chips, the injury won’t keep him out of action long and he is expected to resume training in two to three weeks. UFC officials have confirmed... [Read More...]
Gabriel Gonzaga: “The UFC is my home…”
When heavyweight Gabriel Gonzaga returns to the Octagon next month at UFC 142 he will have been away from the infamous eight-sided cage for more than a year, opting to recompose himself after a pair of losses in 2010 led to his release by taking some time off to focus on his love of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. However, with his mind back on Mixed Martial Arts, the 32-year old Brazilian is ready to get back... [Read More...]
UFC’s Kyle Watson talks about the opening of his new gym, TUF, and training
Ultimate Fighter veteran Kyle Watson hasn’t been seen in the cage since April 2011, but that doesn’t mean he hasn’t been a busy man. After splitting with the HIT Squad, Watson opened his own gym, Watson Martial Arts, in St. Louis and has put the majority of his focus training the next generation of mixed martial artists. “The gym opening has been going really well. It’s been stressful in... [Read More...]
Jens Pulver talks about overcoming mental hurdles and getting back on track
When studying the history of MMA, it’s pretty hard not to come across the name Jens Pulver. A pioneer of the lightweight division and the first ever UFC lightweight champion, Pulver helped paved the way for the lighter weight classes that now regularly steal the show at UFC events. After falling on hard times and being released by Zuffa following seven losses in eight fights, Pulver took a long look... [Read More...]
The 5 OZ Submission: Matt Hamill Prize Pack (UPDATE)
The 5 OZ Submission is back with another great giveaway focused on hooking someone in our audience up with some free swag! This time around we have a Matt Hamill Prize Pack for one lucky reader including a shirt from TapouT and some additional material related to the recently released biography “The Hammer,” a movie receiving critical acclaim at numerous film festivals chronicling the highs and... [Read More...]
Krzysztof Soszynski talks fighting, fatherhood, and fans in Canada
Krzysztof Soszynski is heading back to Canada on December 10 when he meets Igor Pokrajac at UFC 140. Growing up in Canada, Soszynski is no stranger to our neighbors to the north. In fact, during his UFC career he’s pretty comfortable fighting in Canada as he’s 2-0 in the great white north, picking up a Submission of the Night bonus as well. “I love going back to Canada. I had a chance to fight... [Read More...]
Ryan Jimmo: “If I win this fight, UFC will be looking to sign me”
MFC light heavyweight champion Ryan Jimmo has one of the longest winning streaks in MMA at fifteen. However, because he fights only in Canada and hasn’t been facing opponents who are considered Top 10 (or even 20) in the world, Jimmo is often criticized for winning. “My last couple of opponents were Top 30 or 50 in the world and I maybe took five clean shots in those fights. So if that kind of... [Read More...]
MFC’s Mark Pavelich: “You actually think GSP is the one that made (MMA in Canada) big?”
The great country of Canada has played host to the Maximum Fighting Championship for more than a decade and has watched the promotion grow from its humble beginnings to a regular staple on HDNet’s regular cycle of live MMA programming. The company’s next show, MFC 31, comes on October 7 and boasts two particularly interesting pairings at the top of the card with undefeated finisher Dhiego Lima... [Read More...]
Kenny Florian: “I think I do everything well.”
Kenny Florian is one of the many faces who helped the UFC reached the level that it’s at today. While most fans and pundits credit Forrest Griffin vs. Stephan Bonnar 1 or the trio of Chuck Liddell, Tito Ortiz, and Randy Couture, rarely do they mention Florian, who competed on The Ultimate Fighter 1 and made it to the finals, has fought in multiple weight classes, has fought for the lightweight title... [Read More...]
Gil Martinez: “Mike Chandler is going to really test Eddie Alvarez…”
Mike Chandler came out of nowhere earlier this year to win the Bellator season four lightweight tournament. The tournament featured well-respected Patricky Freire, veteran Rob McCullough, highly-touted Marcin Held, and Bellator stand-out Toby Imada among others. In the end though, it was Chandler who stood tall by taking out Held, Lloyd Woodard, and Freire. By defeating those three men and winning... [Read More...]
Bam vs. Wild: A Great Win and The Great Wall
Back again after my Strikeforce fight last weekend with Maximo Blanco and, as you can see, even a bunch of illegal kicks to the face won’t keep me away from another edition of “Bam vs. Wild”. Before getting into last weekend’s bout, I want to also mention I’m extremely excited because I’m about to get on a flight and head to China for six weeks! More on that in a bit… I thought my performance... [Read More...]
Strikeforce 19 headliner Virgil Zwicker out with head injury
As the saying goes, “When it rains, it pours,” and in the case of Strikeforce at the moment it appears a dark cloud is currently positioned directly above the promotion and dropping down nothing but misfortune including lengthy health-related absences, former champions departing with regularity, and struggles with attendance/ratings. Adding to the list of the organization’s recent woes, Strikeforce... [Read More...]
Bam vs. Wild: Maximo and Mud Sliding
Pat Healy here, your friendly neighborhood Strikeforce lightweight. This is my first of what should be many blogs here at 5 OZ where I’ll give you all some insight on my life both a fighter and a lover of nature. As you probably know, I’m fighting Maximo Blanco tomorrow night on the Strikeforce Grand Prix card so I’m already on the ground in Cincinnati. It’s actually a pretty loose week though,... [Read More...]
(EXCLUSIVE) Sergio Pettis: “I want to make a highlight reel out of this guy.”
There is no question Sergio “Phenom” Pettis is a one-of-a-kind talent. However, as unique as his ascension to becoming one of MMA’s most intriguing prospects is, Pettis remains relatable on every level to most people outside of his intense dedication to training in hopes of meeting, if not surpassing, the standard set by his big brother, UFC lightweight star Anthony Pettis. The younger Pettis,... [Read More...]
(EXCLUSIVE) Kenny Florian defends his commentary during Barboza vs. Pearson
This past Saturday night at UFC 134 in Brazil, UFC veteran and current #1 contender to the featherweight title Kenny Florian sat in the commentary booth alongside Mike Goldberg while his usual play-by-play partner Joe Rogan remained in the US to film Fear Factor. No stranger to the headset having filled in for Rogan in the past, Florian provided insight and a perspective that only a fighter can. For... [Read More...]
(EXCLUSIVE) Brendan Schaub: “This fight is going to test me mentally”
Brendan Schaub is one of the fastest rising heavyweights in the sport today. He made a name for himself on the tenth season of The Ultimate Fighter, when he was the second pick of friend, training partner, and season-coach Rashad Evans. A former football tight end, Schaub finished all three of his opponents on the show and made it to the finals against Roy Nelson. Schaub came up short against the more-experienced... [Read More...]
(EXCLUSIVE) Pablo Garza: “Dustin Poirier is a tough guy. It’s going to be exciting.”
After yesterday’s big announcement that the first UFC event on FOX would be on November 12, many wondered when the card would start to come together. Wonder no more. Featherweights Dustin Poirier and Pablo Garza is the first fight scheduled for UFC on FOX. UFC officials confirmed the fight via the UFC website. FiveOuncesOfPain.com spoke with Garza earlier about the upcoming bout. When asked about... [Read More...]
