Author: Kyle Symes

UFC Wants B.J. Penn to Headline Future Card in Hawaii

The UFC will still be going to Hawaii, but they’d like to make the trip with a special guest. MMAWeekly.com asked Dana White about the promotion’s plan to make an event happen at the Aloha Bowl. “We’re still working on that, but we want to d…

The UFC will still be going to Hawaii, but they’d like to make the trip with a special guest.

MMAWeekly.com asked Dana White about the promotion’s plan to make an event happen at the Aloha Bowl.

“We’re still working on that, but we want to do it. I was kind of hoping to go to Hawaii again and do a B.J. (Penn) fight at the Aloha Bowl, but B.J. wants to take some time off. He’s going to relax for a while,” White revealed about the UFC going to Hawaii (MMAWeekly).

MMA is still a big sport in the Hawaiian islands, and there’s no danger of interest in MMA going down as a result of Penn’s retirement.

The UFC likes to bring in hometown talent when travelling outside Las Vegas, and having Penn headline an event in his native land would’ve made for a sellout crowd.

Having an event at the Aloha Bowl would be one of the few times the UFC has gone to an outdoor stadium, and they would likely fill up to the 50,000 seat capacity.

Although many fans felt Penn’s retirement speech at UFC 137 was heartfelt and sincere, a comeback may be in the works.

Penn made headlines after calling out Nick Diaz following their bout and expressed interest in a rematch. With Diaz’s failed drug test, Penn could get the time off he wants and return in time should Diaz get suspended.

Even if Penn never steps foot back inside the Octagon, White reassures Hawaiian fans that they will still get their UFC fix.

“We’re coming regardless,” said White (MMAWeekly).

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

MMA: Victor Valimaki Blazes the Comeback Trail; Attempts to Prove How Good He Is

Ask any old lion in the sport of MMA and they’ll tell you they wish they had known what they know now back when they were younger. The same could be said of Canadian fighter, Victor Valimaki. Being from a military family, Valimaki moved across Ca…

Ask any old lion in the sport of MMA and they’ll tell you they wish they had known what they know now back when they were younger.

The same could be said of Canadian fighter, Victor Valimaki.

Being from a military family, Valimaki moved across Canada, never finding a place to settle in. When asked if his upbringing influenced him getting into the sport of MMA, the Canadian fighter credits it as being part of his initial curiosity.

“I moved all across Canada but it’s not like I didn’t have friends. I just liked the individual sports better so that’s probably why I got into the sport,” said Valimaki.

Relying on himself, Valimaki made it to the grandest stage of the sport at just 23. As with any younger fighter, the physical talents couldn’t help overshadow the lack of mental ability.

In an exclusive with Bleacher Report MMA, Valimaki explained how much he’s grown as a fighter since his early years.

“I wasn’t ready when I made it to the UFC,” said Valimaki.

Prior to stepping foot inside the Octagon, Valimaki had quite the up and down trip to the ultimate stage.

 

After going 3-2 to start his career, Valimaki disappeared from the sport for three years.

“I went back to school and had my first daughter. I also had a knee injury and couldn’t train like I wanted to,” said Valimaki.

Instead of getting a “gimme fight” in his return to MMA, he faced off against MMA legend Dan Severn on short notice no less. Although squaring off against a legend in the sport left him in awe, Valimkai explained how he moved past it.

“You know standing across the cage from someone like him, you just have to get in there and once you hit him in the face once you realize he’s a human being just like you,” said Valimaki.

Using the Severn win to gain momentum, Valimaki rattled off five straight wins, including victories over notable fighters like Jason Day and Vernon “Tiger” White.

A UFC career simply wasn’t in the cards for Valimaki at the time.

The Canadian made an unsuccessful UFC debut, losing by split decision to David Heath but returned after picking up a win in the MFC promotion. Valimaki earned a shot at redemption and faced off against Italian boxer, Alessio Sakara.

“That fight him (Sakara); I lost it before I even stepped foot into the cage,” said Valimaki.

 

After being sent back to the regional circuit, Valimaki struggled and lost back-to-back fights for the first time in his career.

Valimaki turned the corner and won seven-straight fights with only one going to a decision. His run of success was cut short by a pair of matches against Martin Desilets.

The first meeting with them was filled with controversy as Desilets landed multiple low blows, some that were included in the fight ending flurry. When Valimaki asked referee Yves Lavigne for his time out, Lavigne instead called for the fight to be over.

Although Valimaki acknowledges he lost the rematch fair and square, he’s not ready to give up on another fight with Desilets.

“If there’s one fight I could do again it would definitely be that one,” said Valimaki.

I asked him if there was some sort of rivalry with Desilets and Valimaki acknowledged the two don’t get along.

“I’m not the only one he’s had issues with. He’s just a cocky guy. I’d love to get in there and smash his f—— head into the mat,” said Valimaki.

Being focused on fixing his mistakes from his career seems to be the main motivation for Valimaki as he’s lost three straight bouts.

 

He will have the opportunity to right the wrongs when he takes on Tim Chemelli (8-1) at the AMMA event on February 11th.

“We’ve known each other for a while and he’s a pretty decent fighter, but he’s not on the same skill level as me. I’m going to go in there and show him what a real fight is,” said Valimaki.

It will be Valimaki’s first fight in over a year as the fighter is moving past some personal demons and returning from completely destroying his shoulder in an injury. Most fighters would tap out after three straight losses and those kinds of issues, but Valimaki refuses to go quietly.

“I know I’m better than that.” Valimaki continues, “I feel better than ever. I’m only 30 years old and I feel like I’m the best fighter I’ve ever been. I’m definitely looking to make it back to the UFC.”

His prior history certainly shows that he’s better than what he looked like in 2010 and with new-found confidence in his abilities; Valimaki certainly seems to be on the right path to proving to us just how good he really is.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Jose Aldo Cuts Ties with Manager Ed Soares and Black House

Earlier today, TATAME reported that Jose Aldo had cut ties with Ed Soares and the Black House team. It was a decision made between Aldo and his coach, Andre Pederneiras. Pederneiras explained the situation regarding Aldo and Soares: “I’m his only…

Earlier today, TATAME reported that Jose Aldo had cut ties with Ed Soares and the Black House team. It was a decision made between Aldo and his coach, Andre Pederneiras.

Pederneiras explained the situation regarding Aldo and Soares:

“I’m his only manager now. We’ve sat down, talked and found it was the best way to go. Since things are happening in Brazil now, we thought it was the best call.” (TATAME.com)

A fighter leaving his manager isn’t unheard of, but this move is particularly interesting given the fact that UFC heavyweight champion, Junior dos Santos, cut ties with Soares six months ago.

Pederneiras also spoke about the other Nova Uniao fighters that Soares currently manages like Diego Nunes, Johnny Eduardo, and Luis Ramos. He said Soares will still manage them.

“They helped us to get these guys there [in the UFC], I wasn’t fair firing them.” (TATAME.com)

FightersOnly caught up with Soares to discuss the situation. Soares explained that the break up didn’t occur on bad terms.

“I wouldn’t say anything went wrong as such, other than Andre feels he doesn’t need our services as management any more. And that’s fine, it wasn’t like we were together since the beginning, we managed him once he became champion.” (FightersOnly.com)

Soares also said he doesn’t feel he did anything wrong and did his job as a manager.

“We were there to try and enhance his life, I believe that we did. Maybe we weren’t able to enhance his life the way that they would have liked us to, I don’t know, but if they can do a better job then be my guest, go for it.” (FightersOnly.com)

With dos Santos and now Aldo leaving, it certainly hurts Soares’ credibility a little. The public disagreement with his most high-profile client, Anderson Silva, also doesn’t help the situation.

But Soares doesn’t seem to think there’s a problem. When asked about whether or not there’s any issues in the Black House family, he responded in typical Soares fashion.

“We’ve lost two guys in eight years.” (FightersOnly.com)

The only problem Mr. Soares is both of those departures happened within the past year.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

UFC 143: Why Carlos Condit Is the Fighter with the Most to Lose

As with any match-up in MMA, each fighter has a considerable amount to gain and to lose. In some cases, a fighter will have much more on the line than his opponent.That is the case with Carlos Condit at UFC 143.Condit, who was originally scheduled to f…

As with any match-up in MMA, each fighter has a considerable amount to gain and to lose. In some cases, a fighter will have much more on the line than his opponent.

That is the case with Carlos Condit at UFC 143.

Condit, who was originally scheduled to face B.J. Penn at UFC 137 before the entire Nick Diaz debacle happened, was bumped into main event status, and was challenging for the UFC Welterweight title.

Then Georges St-Pierre was injured and Condit wanted to hold out for his title opportunity. Waiting would prove to be the wrong choice, as Diaz went out and put on a stellar showing against Penn. This warranted Dana White to make the move to throw together Diaz-GSP for a second time.

Condit, forced into another title eliminator fight, was again bumped to title contention following GSP’s successive injury.

Now, after not fighting since July of 2011, Condit will finally step inside the Octagon against Diaz for the interim title.

One would think Condit is in a pretty good place right now—too good of a place if you ask me.

When “The Natural Born Killer” made his debut in the UFC, it wasn’t in the impressive fashion we pictured. He lost his UFC debut to Martin Kampmann, and followed that up with a split-decision win against Jake Ellenberger.

His come-from-behind win against Rory MacDonald, although memorable, completely overshadowed the fact that Condit was down on the scorecards going into the final frame.

Condit finally showed glimpses of the special fighter we saw in the WEC, when he defeated Dong Hyun Kim in impressive fashion.

Wins over MacDonald and Kim certainly aren’t the names you’d like to see on a title contenders resume, and there’s no doubting that Condit wouldn’t be in this position if it weren’t for some timely injuries and no-shows.

If Condit loses to Diaz, he’ll be forced back into the scrap heap and will be at least three fights away from getting another title shot.

Given the fact that Diaz doesn’t simply go out to win on points, a Condit loss is likely to look ugly for the Jackson’s MMA fighter.

Condit was gift wrapped a title shot and if he can’t capitalize on this opportunity, the chance for a belt may pass him by depending on how GSP-Diaz plays out.

Even though there’s always a “next fight” for most guys, Condit is in a must-win situation at UFC 143.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

10 Reasons MMA Needs Brock Lesnar More Than Brock Lesnar Needs MMA

Brock Lesnar’s MMA career may have been short, but it sure was sweet. The former collegiate wrestling champion made a big splash in the MMA scene following a successful career in professional wrestling. Lesnar used his celebrity status to obtain the UF…

Brock Lesnar‘s MMA career may have been short, but it sure was sweet.

The former collegiate wrestling champion made a big splash in the MMA scene following a successful career in professional wrestling.

Lesnar used his celebrity status to obtain the UFC Heavyweight strap in just his fourth MMA fight.

As quick as his rise was, so too was his downfall. Highlighted by some serious beatings at the hands of Cain Velasquez and Alistair Overeem, Lesnar retired from MMA following his UFC 141 loss.

With his retirement, Lesnar left a huge void not only in the heavyweight division, but in all of MMA and the UFC as well. Dana White may not say it publicly, but there’s no doubt he’d love to have Lesnar back under the UFC banner.

The only problem with that is MMA needs Lesnar more than he needs MMA. Look beyond his poor showings in his final three fights and realize what Lesnar brought to MMA was much more than what occurred once the cage door closed.

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King Mo vs. Rampage and the Best Journeyman Fights to Be Made Right Now

Not every fight on a MMA card features an important matchup. There are some fights that are made for the pure enjoyment of watching two entertaining guys face off inside a cage. However, these bouts are often the most exciting bouts on the card. With a…

Not every fight on a MMA card features an important matchup. There are some fights that are made for the pure enjoyment of watching two entertaining guys face off inside a cage.

However, these bouts are often the most exciting bouts on the card. With a high-profile fight where a fighter may play it safe if up on the scorecards, a bout between two journeymen features two guys with nothing to lose.

Like an animal backed into a corner, these fighters don’t hold anything back and scrap for their livelihood.

Not every fighter will go on to win titles or have a Hall of Fame career. The people on this list certainly have or had the talent to win a title; some even had achieved great things in their career. At this point in their careers, most, if not all of these fighters are considered journeymen.

Matching them up may not mean a whole lot as far as rankings go, but they sure would be fun to watch.

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