From Writer to Fighter: The Matthew Polly Story
Typically Mixed Martial Arts journalists are labeled as little more than “keyboard warriors” – individuals who talk about the sport without having any real understanding of what fighters go through in and out of the cage. While in many if not most cases that may be true but when it comes to writer Matthew Polly such a label couldn’t be further from the truth. Polly, an accomplished author,... [Read More...]
Liz Carmouche ready to show off improved skill-set tonight at Invicta FC against Ashleigh Curry
Tonight in Kansas City, Invicta Fighting Championships will hold an all-female mixed martial arts card featuring some of the world’s best female fighters. Two of the most notable fighters are former Strikeforce bantamweight champ Marloes Coenen and the lady who gave the Golden Glory fighter all she could handle when the two met in March of last year, Liz Carmouche. No one gave the 28-year-old Carmouche... [Read More...]
Lex McMahon shares the secrets of Alchemist Managment’s success
Alchemist President Lex McMahon has an extensive background that includes time spent four years in the US Marines with two tours of duty in Somalia in the early 1990s. McMahon, who holds a B.A. in English, a J.D. from the California School of Law, and an MBA from Pepperdine, has taken the reigns of Alchemist with the same passion and approach that he has done throughout his life. Whenever McMahon does... [Read More...]
Bam vs. Wild: Wrapping Up
Pat Healy here, checking in once more for the final edition of this chapter of the Bam vs. Wild series. In it I’ll talk a little bit about my fight with Caros Fodor, then update you on where I’ve been and what I’ve been doing since the fight. Caros was a really powerful and strong, compacted puncher, and his ground and pound showed that too. That surprised me, but I probably should... [Read More...]
Rashad Evans: “A lot of the back and forth and a lot of the drama is so old.”
Former UFC light heavyweight champ Rashad Evans has come a long way since winning The Ultimate Fighter 2 back in 2005. Since then he has turned into one of the more recognizable athletes in the UFC today and has elevated his game from that of just a wrestler to a well-rounded Mixed Martial Artist who can beat anyone put before him in the cage. “Sugar” ‘Shad has proven time and time... [Read More...]
Brittney Palmer: “I plan on being in the UFC for many years to come and riding this wave.”
Octagon girl, aspiring artist, and now Playboy model – is there anything Brittney Palmer isn’t capable of? She’s as talented as she is beautiful and has been entertaining MMA fans since her days as a WEC ring girl. She began her career in entertainment as a Magician’s Assistant and Dance Captain for the Ultimate Variety Show in 2006. From 2007-2010 she was an Ensemble Dancer for X Burlesque... [Read More...]
Bam vs. Wild: The Birth of “Bam Bam”
It’s Friday, the morning of the weigh-ins, and I thought I’d let you know about the day ahead leading into my fight with Caros Fodor tomorrow. The fighters are right downtown and there’s not much to offer here. It’s just office buildings, some State stuff. Most of the cafes and restaurants are just open for lunch or close at 5:00-6:00. So far it seems like everything’s... [Read More...]
Bam vs. Wild: The Road to Columbus
After a break including a huge trip to China I’m glad to be back at Five Ounces of Pain blogging, this time leading into my fight against Caros Fodor at this weekend’s Strikeforce event. Knowing Strikeforce is back for 2012 is a big weight off my shoulders due to the job security. By having Zuffa come in and take Strikeforce over, and seeing how they run an organization, it’s obvious... [Read More...]
Alex Morono ready to smash Rashon Lewis at Legacy FC 10
The beautiful thing about writing about MMA is not only do I get to talk to some of the biggest stars in the sport I am also presented with numerous opportunities to talk to guys just getting their start. For instance, when I first spoke to Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson he had yet to fight in the UFC. Then lo and behold I had five conversations with him in a month and now he could very well be on... [Read More...]
Benson Henderson: “This fight is going to be good. It’ll be like two cats trapped inside of a bag.”
15-2 lightweight Benson Henderson has yet to step into the Octagon with champion Frankie Edgar yet he’s already seen their fight play out countless times in his mind. Not only is visualization a part of his training but he also has a great deal of respect for Edgar, understanding how much concentration is needed on the talented title-holder to find the answer to “The Answer.” Edgar is coming... [Read More...]
Johny Hendricks: “The bigger the fight the better I come out.”
Anyone who follows the UFC undoubtedly remembers where they were when rising welterweight start Johny Hendricks knocked Jon Fitch out. If not just for the actual fight, but for the true show of emotion Hendricks had afterwards. The Oklahoma State product has never been one to to hold in his emotions and has had some real entertaining post-fight actions as a result. The bottom line is, Hendricks immediately... [Read More...]
Johny Hendricks looking for stand-up success against Josh Koscheck
Bryan Levick Contributed to this Report UFC welterweight Johny Hendricks went from talented prospect to title-contender in December after knocking out the seemingly unstoppable Jon Fitch. The win improved his overall record to 12-1 and earned him a recently announced rumble with Josh Koscheck later this year at UFC on FOX 3. When asked for his take on the future match-up, Hendricks embraced the opportunity... [Read More...]
Joe Palooka: Where Marvel Meets MMA
A “palooka” is defined as an inept fighter or otherwise un-special individual. In the case of MMA-oriented comic book Joe Palooka, the two-issue introductory series does not live up to the main character’s last name, being much more than simply average. Created by longtime fight announcer Joe Antonacci, Joe Palooka was released in digital form last year and is on the cusp of getting the full-fledged... [Read More...]
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...]
