MMA IN A NUTSHELL

MELENDEZ, ROCKHOLD, MARQUART AND CORMIER SET FOR JAN. 12

Whoa fight fans we have ourselves a super Strikeforce Card set for January 12, 2013 in Oklahoma City.

Because of the recent cancellation of 2 of Strikeforce's events, many people believe it was shaddowing an end to the company and now we will see if that is to still be decided.

Gilbert "El Nino" Melendez is set to face off against Pat "Bam Bam" Healy in a fight that was originally scheduled in 2012 and was cancelled because of an injury that Gilbert received in training. The 2 now have a date and will fight in the early part of 2013.

Luke Rockold now has a new date for his title fight with Lorenz Larkin. He will look to defend his Middleweight title for the 3rd time against the tough technical striker in Larkin. As you all know they were also scheduled to fight in 2012 but had to cancel because of injuries obtained by Rockhold. Will Luke defend his title for A 3rd time or will Larkins striking be to much for the AKA Protege.

Nate "The Great" Marquart set to face off against Tarec Saffiedine in his first title defense at the Stikeforce Welterweight Champion. Marquart is coming off a spectacular K.O. in capturing the vacant Welterweight over Tyron Woodley. He will defend his title against the tough and durable Saffiedine who is coming off a decision victory over Roger Bowling.

Finally Daniel "DC"Cormier will compete in his final Strikeforce fight against the native of the Netherlands Dion "The Soldier" Staring who is making his Strikeforce Debut. Daniel has been sitting and waiting after the fallout of his fight with Frank Mir and the cancellation of the Strikeforce Event. He now has a date for his final fight and we can all hope that none of these fighters have any sort of complications prior to this event.

This is looking to be one of the best Strikeforce Cards of all time!

WEIGHT ISSUE OVER! ANTHONY JOHNSON HAS A HOME AT 205

Since being released from the UFC Anthony Johnson has now found a weight class for him to stay. He has chosen Light Heavyweight as his new home. Johnson has won his last 4 fight and 3 of those wins have come via K.O. He has in many eyes earned his way back into the UFC. The question is now will they sign him again following his rocky release. If you remember Johnson lost his last fight in the UFC back in January of 2012 against Vitor Belfort. He missed weight by for the 4th time and this was enough for Dana to let him go. Although of the rough release Dana White did hint that he would re sign Johnson if he could find a way to make weight. Well fight fans he has and now we will see if he is indeed resigned to the UFC.

ARLOVSKI READY FOR UFC RETURN? NOT YET

A lot of talk has raised after Andrei Arlovski Saturday win over Devin Cole and I am here to tell you Lads its just not his time to return yet. Since losing to Sergei Kharitonov back at Strikeforce Fedor vs Silva in February of 2011 Andrei has won 4 straight fights via Tko. Although this is a great turn around following a 4 fight losing streak, this does not warrant a UFC Return.

Sorry to say he needs to still prove he can still hang with the UFC's Elite.

UFC MACAO BREAKDOWN!

Hello fight fans MMA IN A NUTSHELL is back and ready to set sail once again.

In 6 days mma fans will be treated to a FREE UFC On Fuel TV  fight featuring 2 of the best Middleweights the UFC has to offer. Lets break this main card down.

In the first fight on the Fuel TV main card features a debuting Lightweight mma fighter in Jon "Super Saiyen" Tuck. He hails from the island of Guam and met with a freak accident in his stint on the ultimate fighter 15 breaking his toe in his fight witch ultimately led to him losing the fight. He is 6-0 as a professional and has never gone to a decision. He now gets a second chance in the UFC and he will be facing no easy task in his first opponent. Tuck faces the native of Bejing, China Tiequan "The Mongolian Wolf" Zhang. Zhang has shown promise in his fights but has lost his last 2 outings in the UFC. His back could very much be up against the wall in this fight and we will look to see the man who looked extremely impressive at UFC 127.

MMA IN A NUTSHELL PREDICTION - Zhang via submission

Up next in the Bantam weight division is the durable Alex "Bruce LeeRoy" Caceres fresh off a July win over Damacio Page facing another newcomer to the UFC in Motonobu Tezuka. Tezuka is 19-4 as a perfessional and has gone to decision 13 times in his career. Tezuka is coming off a decision win over Shunichi Shimizu back in April and will look to make a statement in his UFC debut.

MMA IN A NUTSHELL PREDICTION - Carceres via submission

In the 3rd main card bout features a pair of Lightweights that know the meaning of finising their opponent. Japanese superstar Takanori Gomi will face The U.S's own Mac Danzig. Fresh of a Tko victory over Eiji Mitsuoka at UFC 144 Gomi will look to rise up the Lightweight rankings in defeating Danzing. Gomi has thus far met some hurdle in rising the ranks but now has a chance to stake his claim as a top Lightweight fighter. Danzig has always been a solid contender in the Lightweight division but has yet to have his big break. Being one of the winners of The Ultimate Fighter has thus shadowed Danzig and he will look now to break out and make a name for himself in his division. Danzig is coming off a decision win in April over Efrain Escudero and will look to continue winning.

MMA IN A NUTSHELL PREDICTION - GOMI VIA DECISION

In the fourth main card fight features a set of Welterweights Dong Hyun Kim vs Paulo Thiago. Both men are coming off quick Tko Or K.O losses and will look to rebound quickly. Kim injured his rib in his fighter against Damain Maia at UFC 148 witch cost him the fight. Kim is 6-2-1 in the UFC and has been talked about several times as being a top contender for the Welterweight Title.  Thiago is coming off a vicious knockout loss to Siyar Bahadurzada at UFC Sweden and will look to rebound with a win over Kim. Thiago has always been a fan favorite due to his wild nature in his fights.

MMA IN A NUTSHELL PREDICTION - KIM VIA DECISION

Up next is a pair of heavy handed Light Heavyweights. Thiago Silva faces off against the undefeated Stanislav Nedkov. Silva is coming off a decision loss to Alexander Gustafsson and did not seem to have much ring rust following a year long layoff in witch his was suspended by the NSAC for failing a drug test. He will look to come back and make a statement in China by defeating a up and coming undefeated fighter in Nedkov. Nedkov has not fought since August of 2011 in a fight where he Tkod the always tough Luiz Cane. He has since been plauged with injury and will look to continue his undefeated streak by defeating Thiago Silva.

MMA IN A NUTSHELL PREDICTION - SILVA VIA TKO

In our main Event features a pair of two of the best Middleweights the UFC has to offer in Rich Franklin and Cung Lee. Both men were scheduled to fight at UFC 148 but Franklin was taken off the card to face Wanderlei Silva for the second time in Brazil in replacement for Vitor Belfort. Rich faced some early trouble in that fight but ultimately won it again. He now faces Cung Lee who is coming off a win over Patrick Cote. Lee has shown nothing but amazing striking ability since joining the UFC roster. He now faces the biggest fight of his career and will look to solidify that at 40 years old he is still a threat to the Middleweight division.

MMA IN A NUTSHELL PREDICTION - LEE VIA TKO

JAKE SHIELDS LOOKING TO CALL OUT WINNER OF BISPING VS STANN

The last time we saw Jake Shields was a somewhat lack luster win over Ed Herman in his UFC Middleweight debut. Although not what many expected it was indeed a great victory for Jake.

After asking Jake about his next time we will see him at Middleweight, he responded with "I'm Looking to fight in January".

He also stated "there are no good fights at Middleweight currently" and that he wants to wait and see what happens.

He is not at all shy to say that he wants to call out the winner of Brian Stann vs Michael Bisping this weekend after UFC 152.

This could be a right move considering that Anderson will most likely not face a Middleweight for some time.

Is this the right move for Jake?

MMA IN A NUTSHELL - 1ST DAY OF TORONTO

Upon arriving in Toronto, Ontario, Canada I initially noticed the lack of Advertising for the fight compared to the last time they came to this beautiful city.

This could be for many reasons but from what the locals have been saying its because of the lack of Canadian fighters.

Is this true though? Do they really believe the UFC has not done all it can to promote this very intriguing main event.

After attending the UFC 152 Pre Fight Press Conference, the excitement from the local fans was very prevalent. These great fans have been blessed with not 1 but 2 title fights. This excitement was also in fellow Canadian David from Brampton, Canada. He believes that this main card is one the strongest that the UFC has put on in a while.

His predictions for the fight are as follows: Jones via K.O

He states "im not sure with what but he will K.O. Vitor"

For this Saturdays co main event, he believes that Benavidez size will win him this fight.

For Stann vs Bisping he believes that Bisping "is the more technical fighter and will pick him apart"("him" in reference to Brian Stann).

This was one of many fans that agreed with David.

More to come on the second day!

MMA IN A NUTSHELL - UFC 152 PRESS CONFERENCE - RELIGION

MMA IN A NUTSHELL UFC 152 UPDATE

Hay guys sorry for the lack of Blogs. It has been very busy for me but after this action packed weekend expect exclusive videos, interviews, and fight videos following UFC 152.

I will be also attending the Alistair Overeem UFC 152 After Party.

Here we come Toronto, Ontario, Canada!

UFC FEATHERWEIGHT CONTENDERS? WHO DESERVES TITLE SHOT

The UFC Featherweight division is in some what of a slump with a challenger for Jose Aldo's Featherweight Title. There are many contenders but not 1 solid challenger for his title. Lets brake down who he could face.

Erick Koch - 13-1 and 2-0 in the UFC, Erick has not fought since September of 2011 and was scheduled to fight Jose Aldo twice. Both Times fell through and now Koch might be in need of another fight before he is to challenge Aldo.

Chan Sung Jung - 13-3 and 3-0 in the UFC, Jung is the most suitable opponent for Aldo currently. He has yet to lose in the UFC and he has defeated the likes of Lenard Garcia, Mark Homminick in 7 seconds, and most recently a dominating victory over top 5 contender Dustin Poier. Jung can make a claim that he truly is the number 1 contender.

Chad Mendes - 12-1 and is 3-1 in the UFC. Mendes lost recently to Jose Aldo back In January of 2012. He re bounded with a quick K.O victory over Cody McKenzie back at UFC 148 in January. He will most likely need 1 more fight before he is to fight for the title.

Frankie Edgar - 14-3 and 9-3-1 in the UFC. He is the former UFC Lightweight Champion. He most recently lost a split decision victory in a rematch with the current UFC Lightweight Champion Benson Henderson back UFC 150 in August of 2012. He is a prime contender for Aldo but must first see where he stands as a Featherweight in the division. He might need 1 fight before he is to challenge Aldo.

Ricardo Llamas - 12-2 and is 3-0 in the UFC. Llamas has flown under the UFC Title Contention Radar but with a recent victory over former number 2 ranked Hatsu Hioki he is now in a prime position to fight for the title. Llamas holds UFC wins over Matt Grice, Cub Swanson, and Hatsu Hioki. One more win will likely place him in line for a title shot.

Idealy this is how it should play out since it seems as if Aldo wants to face Edgar first.

Edgar gets the Title shot

Korean Zombie vs Koch for a number 1 contender ship fight.

and next up after that would be the winner of

Llamas vs Mendes

SILVA VS BONNAR, TEIXEIRA VS MALDONADO UFC 153?

Mma Fans we have ourselves a SUPER FIGHT!

Recently The Featherweight Champion Jose aldo was sidelined by a injury to his foot when he was hit by a car In his native Brazil. He was forced to withdraw from his title fight with Frankie Edgar witch left UFC 153 with no main event.

Anderson Silva the current UFC Middleweight Champion received a call as did Stephan Bonnar to fight in the Main Event for UFC 153. Silva is coming off a second round tko win over Chael Sonnen back in July and was planning on taking his time off until early 2013. Bonnar who recently stated that he would retire as long as there were no big name fight now has a reason to return.

Also on the card Glover Teixeira will face Fabio Maldonado in the co main event. Originally slated to face Quinton Rampage Jackson, Glover Teixeira rise to fame will be a little bit halted as he will now face his fellow Brazilian. Maldonado is coming off 2 consecutive decision loses and will most likely be fighting for his UFC contract. Teixeira is coming off a Submission win over Kyle Kingsbury at UFC 146.

What do you think of the changes?