(EXCLUSIVE) Razak Al-Hassan: “I feel pretty good in all phases of the fight whereas Alexander is only comfortable in one.”
Known by many as the guy who suffered a nasty arm injury after refusing to submit to Steve Cantwell at a UFC Fight for the Troops event in 2008, there is a lot more to Razak Al-Hassan than the moment including four finishes since parting ways with the promotion and a controversial decision loss that even surprised his opponent. Al-Hassan’s latest challenge comes tonight at “MMA Fight Pit: Genesis”... [Read More...]
(EXCLUSIVE) Jared Hamman: “Dollaway is not a lay-and-pray type wrestler. He’s a fighter. And I like guys like that.”
The term “must win” is often attached to fights in the UFC where one of the competitors is coming off a loss or looking at a negative record in the Octagon. Though both factors may apply to middleweight Jared Hamman, simply having an opportunity to compete in the ring at all takes precedence over the outcome of his bouts or his future in the UFC. Hamman recently spoke with Five Ounces of Pain... [Read More...]
(EXCLUSIVE) Pat Healy: “He hasn’t been finished in twenty two fights and I definitely want to be the first guy to do that.”
Few fighters in MMA exemplify the timeless saying in relation to judging a book by its cover more than Strikeforce lightweight Pat Healy. Though the Team Quest grappler only boasts an overall record of 24-16, further examination shows success against a number of well-known, larger opponents including stoppages against Dan Hardy, Paul Daley, and Carlos Condit. Digging even deeper also reveals a man... [Read More...]
(EXCLUSIVE) Jorge Rivera: “I don’t put pressure on myself to knock a guy out – I just do what I do and the knockout will come.”
Whether you were a MMA fan before the sport showed up on Spike TV or became one shortly after Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar opened the world’s eyes, chances are you’ve been entertained by Jorge Rivera on numerous occasions. Never known for a boring fight or backing down from a challenge, the Massachusetts native has put together an impressive resume over the past decade en route to a 19-8... [Read More...]
ATT’s Ailton Barbosa joins Bellator roster after successful tryout in June
Submission specialist Ailton Barbosa recently referred to his upcoming opportunity at Bellator 50 as a “dream come true”. Now it appears the American Top Team product can hit the “Snooze” button and enjoy the pleasantries a little longer. According to a source with intimate knowledge of the situation, Five Ounces of Pain has confirmed an agreement is in place for Barbosa to compete under the... [Read More...]
(EXCLUSIVE) Nam Phan says Mike Brown is the biggest fight of his career
A fast-rising fan favorite, Nam Phan hasn’t had the best cards dealt to him since entering the UFC on the heels of his impressive stint on The Ultimate Fighter 12, where he made it to the semifinals of the lightweight bracket. The quirky Vietnamese fighter was matched up with former world title challenger Leonard Garcia last December for the Ultimate Fighter 12 Finale in what turned out to be... [Read More...]
Loser of Fedor Emelianenko’s fight with Dan Henderson likely sent packing
When PRIDE icon Fedor Emelianenko and current Strikeforce light heavyweight champ Dan Henderson meet in a Chicago area cage a little less than two weeks from today it will likely be the last time one of them competes under the promotion’s banner. According to multiple sources with knowledge of the situation, Five Ounces of Pain has confirmed one of the core components of the matchmaking process... [Read More...]
Sam Stout scrap with Dennis Siver in the works for UFC 137
It looks like the UFC could be giving fans another early Halloween treat this October after already announcing a handful of “sweet” match-ups for their October 29 return to Las Vegas. According to a source close to the situation, FiveOuncesofPain.com has confirmed a brawl between scintillating strikers Sam Stout and Dennis Siver is planned for UFC 137 though nothing official has been... [Read More...]
From Striking Out to Striking Others: The Journey of Shah Bobonis
When referring to the past sporting endeavors of Mixed Martial Artists the discussion usually involves amateur wrestling success or perhaps past glory on the gridiron. However, in the case of rising bantamweight Shah Bobonis the baseball diamond played host to his athletic aspirations at an early age with his abilities even leading to a stint in the Seattle Mariners’ minor league system out of high... [Read More...]
Jessica Aguilar: “I train with the guys so when I go in there and fight with the girls it’s easy.”
Tomorrow night, ATT’s Jessica Aguilar will make her 2011 debut at Bellator 46 against 5-1 Carla Esparza. However, by this point last year the submission savvy 115-pounder had fought twice before a solid showing in Bellator’s Season 3 women’s tournament and a subsequent November win. Rather than let the sudden break in activity allow frustration to fester as some might, the 29-year old has... [Read More...]
Rising bantamweight Alex Soto talks life’s “crazy ride” and fulfilling a dream in Japan
27-year old Alex Soto does not have a nickname yet but if he chooses one he may want to consider “The Perfect Storm” given the unique path his life has taken towards what seems to be an eventual spot among the top bantamweights in Mixed Martial Arts. The latest stop in the 6-0 Soto’s journey comes this Friday against Seiji Akao as part of the DEEP organization’s “54 Impact” event in Tokyo... [Read More...]
Conor Heun holds on to earn win despite broken arm
“He’s certainly not going to finish me with an Armbar. I mean he can take it off and mail it to me COD if he wants. I’m not tapping to an Armbar, that’s for damn sure!” – Conor Heun When Strikeforce lightweight Conor Heun spoke to Five Ounces of Pain last week about his intention to weather out any Armbar attempts opponent Magno Almeida might throw at him over the weekend at “Strikeforce:... [Read More...]
Conor Heun: “If I’m not going to drop when you break my jaw I’m certainly not getting knocked out by a kid with no knockouts.”
The Conor Heun competing in the cage this weekend in Dallas at “Strikeforce: Overeem vs. Werdum” may physically resemble the 8-4 lightweight who was last seen going toe-to-toe with K.J. Noons a year ago but ask Heun and you’ll find out appearance and attitude are where the similarities stop. A long-time staple at Legends MMA and 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu in Los Angeles, the 32-year old recently... [Read More...]
Sarah Kaufman vs. Liz Carmouche locked for July 22 Challengers event
Former female welterweight champ Sarah Kaufman appears poised for a return to the Strikeforce cage after an April win outside of the organization with a major obstacle standing in the way of her hopes of reclaiming the divisional belt – Liz Carmouche. Assuming things go as planned the fight will take place on July 22 at Strikeforce Challengers 17 in Las Vegas. News of the likely pairing was first... [Read More...]
Dhiego Lima: “I’m there to win a fight; I’m going to be mean. I’m not going to laugh at you; I’m not going to be your little buddy.”
One of the newest additions to Five Ounces of Pain, writer Eric Bullock sits down to talk with rising star Dhiego Lima who fights in a few weeks at MFC 30. Read head as Lima talks about unbeaten streak, his approach to competition, and much more… — I recently had the pleasure of talking with up and coming fighter, Dhiego Lima. Dhiego is the younger brother of former MFC welterweight champion... [Read More...]
Pablo Garza reflects on path leading him to spectacular submission
Every Mixed Martial Artist’s course through the sport is unique though many share common traits outside of technique. Some grow up with an intense desire to duke it out regardless of their environment. Others stumble into martial arts, eventually finding an unexpected passion for the competition and discipline coming with the territory. So, while rising UFC featherweight Pablo Garza may be among... [Read More...]
Chad Robichaux set for summer rematch with Humberto DeLeon
The city of Houston will play host for a second time to a battle between area favorites Chad Robichaux and Humberto DeLeon when they meet as a featured part of Legacy Fighting Championship’s upcoming event on July 16 at the Houston Arena Theater. The two talented Texans previously fought to an exciting, extremely close Split Decision on the preliminary portion of “Strikeforce: Houston” this... [Read More...]
Danny Downes: “If I wanted to play it safe I’d be doing something else.”
When the lights dim tomorrow night at “NAFC: Mayhem” in Milwaukee fans will be treated to a unique opportunity, as UFC lightweight Danny Downes will take to the cage in a headlining tilt against 12-7 Tory Bogguess rather than sit on the sidelines while waiting for a bout in the world’s foremost MMA promotion to materialize. While it is extremely rare to see a Zuffa-contracted fighter in action... [Read More...]
“The 5 OZ Submission: Ultimate Gracie” Winner
Though May 1 will go down in history for reasons entirely unrelated to Mixed Martial Arts based on the long due removal of Osama Bin Laden from this planet, yesterday also marked the anniversary of one of the most important events since the sport was conceived – Royce Gracie’s epic 90 minute encounter with Kazushi Sakuraba on a PRIDE card in 2000. In conjunction with the date’s significance,... [Read More...]
The 5 OZ Submission: Ultimate Gracie
While the MMA world may have its collective sights set squarely on Toronto for the fervor surrounding UFC 129, the day after Georges St. Pierre’s title defense against Jake Shields actually marks an important anniversary for many fans of the sport. Eleven years ago, on May 1, 2000, legendary submission specialist Royce Gracie went to war against Japanese icon Kazushi Sakuraba in PRIDE for ninety... [Read More...]
