Author: Jeffrey McKinney

Ultimate Fighter Finale: Why Travis Lutter Is the Worst TUF Winner of All Time

Since its creation in 2005, The Ultimate Fighter has given up and coming MMA fighters a chance to win a UFC contract and $100,000. Season four of the show added an extra bonus. Because it featured UFC vets who had not won a championship, the winners wo…

Since its creation in 2005, The Ultimate Fighter has given up and coming MMA fighters a chance to win a UFC contract and $100,000.

Season four of the show added an extra bonus. Because it featured UFC vets who had not won a championship, the winners would get a chance to compete for a title.

Matt Serra and Travis Lutter would go on to win the show in their respective weight classes. Serra went on to score the biggest upset in UFC history, beating Georges St-Pierre for the welterweight title.

Lutter on the other hand blew his title chances against Anderson Silva before he even stepped foot in the cage, coming into the fight overweight.

A visibly tired and disappointed Lutter walked into the match with the crowd booing. After taking Silva down a few times and threatening to stop him with ground and pound in the first round, Lutter was submitted in the second by triangle and elbows.

Lutter had just one more UFC fight against Rich Franklin before becoming the first Ultimate Fighter winner to be cut from the UFC. He has only had two fights since, going 1-1.

Some may argue that fighters like Kendall Grove and Efrain Escudero have been worse TUF winners. Grove has gone 6-6 since winning TUF back in 2006 while Escudero was cut after going 2-2 and failing to make weight in his last UFC bout. He has since gone 3-1.

What sets these guys apart from Lutter is that they have continued to fight consistently. Lutter has only had four fights since winning the show back in 2006.

Another thing that makes Lutter a special case is he was promised a title shot after winning the show. Something other winners, besides Serra, had to work their way up to. This was the opportunity of a life time and he blew it.

Lutter is now 38 and possibly on the tail end of his career. What was once a promising MMA career after winning the Ultimate Fighter, has now become a thing of the past.

Do you believe Lutter is the worst TUF winner of all time? Share your thoughts and check out why I believe Rashad Evans is the Best TUF winner of all time. 

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UFC 130 Fight Card: Why Brian Stann-Jorge Santiago Will Win Fight of the Night

Brian Stann and Jorge Santiago are two fighters who will be looking for respect at UFC 130. Stann (10-3) is looking to prove he is a top contender at 185 pounds. Santiago, on the other hand, is looking to prove he belongs in the UFC again. Santiago had…

Brian Stann and Jorge Santiago are two fighters who will be looking for respect at UFC 130.

Stann (10-3) is looking to prove he is a top contender at 185 pounds. Santiago, on the other hand, is looking to prove he belongs in the UFC again.

Santiago had his chance once before, going just 1-2.

After his loses to Alan Belcher and Chris Leben, Santiago went on a tear going 11-1, becoming the Sengoku middleweight champion, and having what some saw as MMA fight of the year when he faced Kazuo Misaki in a hard-fought battle.

Santiago has made a name for himself overseas, and is now hoping to continue on the biggest stage of them all. He’s been here once before, and he does not want to blow the opportunity a second time.

Stann, on the other hand, is becoming one of the most popular fighters in the UFC today.

His military background has automatically made him a fan favorite. Fighting on Memorial Day weekend brings added pressure for Stann to put on a great show.

Both fighters have a chance to make a huge statement. Stann made one in his last fight when he became just the second guy to TKO Chris Leben. Santiago, on the other hand, will have to find a way to beat a highly motivated former Marine.

Although this fight is not getting the attention that Rampage vs. Hamill is, I expect it to be just as exciting, if not more. Both guys are willing to stand and bang, and both are capable of putting on exciting fights.

Although Stann may be extra motivated this weekend, Santiago could be on that same level of motivation. Both guys will put on a great show. 

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UFC 130 Fight Card: Does a Win Put Matt Hamill in the Title Picture?

At UFC 130, Matt “The Hammer” Hamill will headline a PPV for the first time in his career against Quinton “Rampage” Jackson. Despite being born deaf, Hamill has become a star in of the world’s most difficult and dangerous sports, MMA….

At UFC 130, Matt “The Hammer” Hamill will headline a PPV for the first time in his career against Quinton “Rampage” Jackson.

Despite being born deaf, Hamill has become a star in of the world’s most difficult and dangerous sports, MMA.

Hamill is riding a five-fight winning streak that dates back to 2008.

Despite this, the odds are against Hamill. Although he has not had a KO victory since 2008, Jackson is still a dangerous striker and considered one of the top five light heavyweights in the world.

This is a fight Hamill had to take in order to prove he wants to make a serious title run.

But Hamill will need to do more than just win this fight to be seriously considered a top contender.

While he has wins over impressive fighters, Hamill’s 11-2 record may not be as impressive as it seems.

For starters, he was completely dominated by current UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones in their fight. Hamill was well on his way to being TKO’d before the referee disqualified Jones.

Hamill’s next fight was a close battle with Keith Jardine. Jardine was deducted a point in the fight leading the judges’ scorecard to give the fight to Hamill by majority decision.

Although Hamill dominated Tito Ortiz in his most recent fight, Ortiz is far removed from the fighter he was when he was light heavyweight champion.

Hamill is a good fighter who has overcome a lot. But he’ll have to win out against top competition if he wants a title push.

That competition will not be easy to get through. The light heavyweight division features the likes of former champions Rashad Evans, Lyoto Machida, Forrest Griffin, and Shogun Rua fighting for position. Also in the division is up-and-comer Phil Davis, who is a perfect 9-0.

MMA is a sport where anything can go. And with the way things have gone in the UFC lately, a top contender could be moved out of position due to injury.

In any case, Hamill will have some work to do if he wants to be considered a legit title contender. Beating Rampage would be a good start.

What do the Bleachers think? Is Matt Hamill on his way to being a title contender with a win?

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UFC 130 Fight Card: Can Frank Mir Ever Be a Heavyweight Contender Again?

When referee Herb Dean stopped the fight between Frank Mir and Tim Sylvia at UFC 48, the stunned live crowd booed. Mir had Sylvia in an armbar. Sylvia did not tap, and showed no signs of being hurt. When the replay showed though, it left one of the mos…

When referee Herb Dean stopped the fight between Frank Mir and Tim Sylvia at UFC 48, the stunned live crowd booed.

Mir had Sylvia in an armbar. Sylvia did not tap, and showed no signs of being hurt.

When the replay showed though, it left one of the most shocking images in MMA history. Mir had snapped Sylvia’s arm, breaking it in four places.

Mir won the UFC heavyweight title that night, and looked to have a promising title run.

Mir’s run was cut short due to a motorcycle accident that occurred three months after winning the title. The accident caused Mir to be stripped of his title after being unable to defend it.

Mir struggled to be the fighter he once was when he returned, going just 1-2 in his first three fights back.

It was not until Mir faced Antoni Hardonk that he looked like the champion he once was.

Mir would go to make Brock Lesnar tap in his first UFC fight, and become the first person to make beat Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira by TKO.

The Nogueira fight was the first of three championship fights that Mir has been featured in within the last three years.

Whether he’s in the right place at the right time or he truly deserves it, Frank Mir seemed like the go to guy for the heavyweight championship.

But after he lost to both Lesnar and Shane Carwin in championship matches, and beating an aging Mirko Cro Cop in a lackluster fight, you have to wonder if Mir will ever reach championship from again.

MIr is only 32 years old and has proved he can be a threat on the ground or on the feet. But with younger fighters like UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez and Junior Dos Santos taking over the top spots of the division, the door of championship opportunity may be closing on Mir.

Add the fact that Mir has been inconsistent in his last five fights and was panned by Dana White after the Cro Cop fight, and Mir could be looking at a permanent division gatekeeper job.

If Mir is to become a heavyweight contender again he must start by getting past Roy Nelson at UFC 130.

Nelson, the Ultimate Fighter heavyweights winner, one of the heavyweight division’s most well-rounded and toughest fighters, despite looking like he’s out of shape.

The two fighters faced each other once before in a grappling tournament. A much slimmer Nelson got the better of Mir.

Mir will have to get past Nelson and put on an exciting fight if he wants to get back in the good graces of Dana White.

Mir will also have to prove he can back up all of his prefight hype he usually does against the top fighters in the division for future fights.

Nothing is impossible in this sport. But if Mir loses, his UFC title hopes could be done. 

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UFC News: Shogun Claims Jon Jones Was the Best Fighter He’s Faced

Mauricio “Shogun” Rua has faced many top fighters in his MMA career. But the former UFC light heavyweight champion considers Jon Jones the best. Rua fought Jones at UFC 128 in March. Rua was dominated the entire fight, losing by TKO in the …

Mauricio “Shogun” Rua has faced many top fighters in his MMA career.

But the former UFC light heavyweight champion considers Jon Jones the best.

Rua fought Jones at UFC 128 in March. Rua was dominated the entire fight, losing by TKO in the third round.

Shogun has beat UFC greats Mark Coleman, Chuck Liddell, Lyoto Machida and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson. Rua has also defeated current Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion Alistair Overeem twice.

But Rua told ESPN that Jones was the toughest.

“After the Jon Jones fight I gave it a lot of thought, I reflected a lot, I thought about my training…everything. I came to some conclusions, but I don’t want to take anything away from Jones, he’s a good fighter.

I have given it a lot of thought because I hope to fight him again one day.”

Despite beating both Lyoto Machida and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson in the past, Rua will have to wait in line for a title shot.

Although it’s something he doesn’t want to do, he knows it is “a part of the game.” Rua’s climb to the top begins with the first man he ever faced in the UFC, Forrest Griffin.

Despite being heavily favored to win, Rua lost the fight by rear naked choke.

Rua will have a chance to avenge that lost and get back on top in his home country of Brazil, at UFC 134.

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UFC 132 Fight Card: Mayhem Looking for All 3 "Fight of the Night" Bonuses

Jason “Mayhem” Miller is one of MMA’s most recognizable and notorious characters. Known for his over the top entrances, being the host of MTV’s Bully Beatdown, and the infamous Strikeforce Brawl in Nashville last April…

Jason “Mayhem” Miller is one of MMA’s most recognizable and notorious characters.

Known for his over the top entrances, being the host of MTV’s Bully Beatdown, and the infamous Strikeforce Brawl in Nashville last April,  Miller will be making his UFC return at UFC 132.

The July 2nd bout will be Miller’s first fight in the UFC since he lost to current welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre at UFC 52.

During an Interview on Sherdog Radio Network’s “Savage Dog Show”, Miller discussed his upcoming fight against Aaron Simpson.

“They gave a list of guys and there were probably guys I could have beat easier, but screw that, man,” Miller said. “They’re giving out ‘Fight of the Night’ bonuses. They’re giving out ‘Submission of the Night’ bonuses. They’re giving out ‘Knock out of the Night’ bonuses. I’d like to be the first to get all three.”

While winning all three fight bonuses may not be possible, Miller is hoping to put on an exciting fight with Simpson.

Known for his aggressive style, Simpson has won six of his eight wins by (T)KO, including a “Knock Out of the Night” performance in his first UFC fight.

Miller expects him to come out with that same style in their fight.

“I expect him to try to come in and try to hit me with that [big] right hand,” Miller said. “Luckily I’ve sparred with Dan Henderson for years, so I’m pretty good with not getting hit with the right hand. He can throw that thing. He’s a strong dude. He’s well rounded. He can wrestle and everything. He’s good at everything. I’m expecting a fantastic fight.” 

Whether or not Mayhem can get any or all three fight bonuses, expect this fight to be exciting. 

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