UFC on FOX 2: Evans vs Davis – Preview and Predictions

Without so much as a pause for breath, the heavy 2012 schedule for the UFC continues unabated with UFC on Fox 2. This is an event with some BIG fights that have real meaning on the title picture in the 185lbs and 205lbs divisi,ons. The UK’s own Michael Bisping could finally get the UFC title shot he has dreamt of with a strong showing on Saturday night. He will have it all to do however, if he is to get past the outstanding wrestling of Chael Sonnen. Bisping was bumped up to fight Sonnen after the unfortunate withdrawal of Mark Munoz due to injury. Bisping is a heavy underdog in this match but ‘Count’* him out at your peril. With only 3 defeats in 25 fights and a long and successful UFC career behind him he is a legit opponent for Sonnen. Sonnen has lobbied for a rematch with Anderson Silva ever since the Spiders amazing come comeback snatched the title back from under Chael’s nose. With a win here, Sonnen is the out-and-out #1 contender and Dana White has stated that Silva WILL rematch him for the title in the summer.

UFC on FX 1: Guillard vs Miller – Preview and Predictions (Main Card only)

As MMA fans are still discussing the fireworks of last Saturdays event in Rio, the Zuffa train keeps on rolling. Business as usual for Dana & Co as the UFC puts on its inaugural UFC on FX event this Saturday. The event takes place in Nashville, Tennessee and is headlined by a lightweight clash between Melvin Guillard and Jim Miller, with both men look to get back on track following losses. In the stacked 155lb division, two losses in a row push you way back down the title shot ladder so there is a lot at stake for both fighters, who prior to their losses were looking like potential contenders for a title shot.

UFC 142: Aldo vs Mendes – Preview and Predictions

The UFC’s domination of World MMA continues at a breathtaking pace. With the “main” UFC numbered events now being followed with UFC on FX, UFC on Fox and UFC on Fuel, as well as the first ever TUF Brazil, 2012 is set to be another huge year for the promotion. Kicking things off at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro Brazil, UFC 142 gives us the first title fight of the year with Jose Aldo taking on the undefeated Chad Mendes. Is this going to be the biggest test yet for Aldo, or just another step on his path to greatness? Will 2012 kick off with a major upset? Read on for my take on how it all goes down.

Grahams Gi Adventures: 2 stripes to start 2012

Happy new year! I am back online as I had an extra week off work just to bed myself into 2012 properly. Spent some extra time with my gorgeous wife and youngest kids while the others were back to school and although the little-ones got sick, it was awesome none-the-less. Did a bit of digging at the allotment as well just to confirm that I am fully embracing middle-age

Although I haven’t done a gi adventures update in quite some time, please don’t think that means I haven’t been training. I have – although not as regularly as I intended to! As of Jan 3rd though, I am no longer a pay as you go member of my BJJ gym, but a paid up train anytime member. I am aiming to get to the gym at least twice a week for BJJ, if not 3 times. If it was closer to home I would definitely train more often and it wouldn’t be so haphazard – but since it is a 30mile drive, twice a week training means a 120mile round trip each week. In a month that means I do the best part of 500 miles just driving to training. So my monthly membership is £45 but my mileage is essentially a full tank of diesel which costs around £80 for my car. That means I am actually paying £125 a month to train BJJ – with a large family to support and a very finely balanced budget to operate under, it is often difficult to justify that expense. But I am confident it is worth it. I’m not sure if my wife feels the same, but at least she doesn’t bash my ears about it too much

UFC 141 – Lesnar vs Overeem: Preview and Predictions

A belated Happy Christmas to those of you taking the time to read this. I hope Santa brought you all the gifts you wanted and you are firmly making your new years resolutions to get straight to the gym as soon as the last of the Turkey and the festive booze supply has been exhausted. If you are one of those people who are kid free (or fortunate enough to get a baby sitter) and will be seeing in the new year in style – fear not. You are not missing out on the last UFC of the year, as the show is taking place on Friday 30th and not on the big day. That’s right, on New years eve-eve, the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Vegas plays host to the last UFC event of the year, and the big show is closing 2011 with not so much of a bang as a sonic boom. Despite the lack of marquee names, there are some fantastic fights lined up right through the card, culminating in the much anticipated return of Brock Lesnar. Lesnar will face elite K1 striker Alistair Overeem, the first of the strikeforce heavyweight roster to make the jump over to a UFC event. With the best part of 600lbs of man mountain colliding in the Octagon for the headline fight, fans can be sure that they are in for a treat on the penultimate night of the year and the last big MMA event of 2011.