Archive for the ‘UFC 101 : Declaration’ Category
You are currently browsing the archives for the UFC 101 : Declaration category.
8
Aug
2009
Welcome to UFC Fight Night! // UFC 101 : Declaration // Philadelphia, PA
So, our road to UFC 101 : Declaration has come to a close. Fight night is here and the festivities are already underway in Philadelphia @ The Wachovia Center.
In the spirit of the city of brotherly love, I’m leaving you with a video. There needs no introduction. If this doesn’t get any male between the ages of 18 – 75 fired up, I don’t know what will.
UFC fight night is here! Have a great time tonight, and fellas, leave the fighting to the guys that are getting paid.
8
Aug
2009
UFC 101 : Declaration // Fighter Profile // B.J. Penn
Bio by Dave Peze, contributing writer for Fightline.com
B.J. Penn
B.J. Penn (13-5-1) has one of the most incredible stories in mixed martial arts. Penn is known as “the Prodigy” because he earned his black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in just three years when it 
requires most recipients at least ten years. On top of earning his black belt, Penn went on to become the first non-Brazilian winner of the black-belt division of the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship in in 2000 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Penn, a native of Hawaii, caught the attention of UFC president Dana White who convinced him to compete in mixed martial arts in the UFC. In May of 2001, B.J. Penn made his UFC and professional MMA debut against Joey Gilbert and earned a TKO victory in the first round. Penn has made himself a name in the UFC with his elite grappling skills, freakish flexibility and outstanding standup game.
requires most recipients at least ten years. On top of earning his black belt, Penn went on to become the first non-Brazilian winner of the black-belt division of the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship in in 2000 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Penn, a native of Hawaii, caught the attention of UFC president Dana White who convinced him to compete in mixed martial arts in the UFC. In May of 2001, B.J. Penn made his UFC and professional MMA debut against Joey Gilbert and earned a TKO victory in the first round. Penn has made himself a name in the UFC with his elite grappling skills, freakish flexibility and outstanding standup game.
After starting his MMA career with a 6-1-1 record and compiling wins over such notables as Takanori Gomi and Matt Serra, Penn shocked the MMA community with a stunning victory over welterweight champion Matt Hughes by submitting him with a rear naked choke with twenty seconds left in the first round. Prior to that loss, Hughes had been riding a six fight winning streak and beat every top contender at 170 pounds. A contract dispute with the UFC caused Penn to leave the UFC in 2004 after his win over Hughes. During his UFC hiatus, he defeated Renzo and Rodrigo Gracie and lost a decision to current light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida.
Penn returned to the UFC in 2006 and fought Georges St. Pierre and Matt Hughes in his first two fights but lost both matches. With Penn’s natural fighting weight at 155 pounds, he has challenged much heavier fighters throughout his career including GSP, Hughes and Machida. After his two UFC losses in 2006, Penn returned to the lightweight division to make a run at the title. He first avenged a 2002 loss to Jens Pulver with a submission victory. He then disposed of Joe Stevenson to earn a title shot against champion Sean Sherk. He dominated the Sherk fight finishing with a TKO at the end of the third round.
B.J. Penn will defend his title for the first time against Kenny Florian on August 8th at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia.
8
Aug
2009
UFC 101 : Declaration // Fighter Profile // Kenny Florian
Bio by Dave Peze, contributing writer for Fightline.com
Kenny Florian
Kenny “KenFlo” Florian (11-3) was an accomplished athlete from an early age. He started playing tennis and martial arts training at a young age but eventually focused on soccer where he earned a
scholarship to Boston College. After graduating from BC with a degree in Communications, Florian started to train more seriously in the art of Jiu Jitsu. He would compete in tournaments wherever and whenever he could which led to his eventual pursuit of a career as a profession mixed martial artist in 2003. Florian would go 2-1 in his first three fights before eventually getting a call to appear in The Ultimate Fighter television series.
Along with Forrest Griffin, Diego Sanchez, Mike Swick and other top UFC fighters, Florian was another byproduct of the hugely successful first season of the groundbreaking series of TUF. Kenny fought on Team Couture in the 185 pound division. After defeating Chris Leben with a nasty elbow that resulted in a doctor’s stoppage in their semifinal match, Florian advanced to the finals to meet Diego Sanchez. Although Florian was stopped by Sanchez in just the first round, he established himself as a dangerous opponent once dropping down to the lightweight division.
Since the loss to Sanchez, Florian has gone 9-1 in the lightweight division of the UFC with his only defeat against Sean Sherk in a five round decision for the lightweight total. Since the Sherk loss, KenFlo has won six straight fights and is now prepared to fight for the lightweight title for a second time. Florian has established himself as a top contender in the UFC’s lightweight division with his elite jiu jitsu skills and his sharp muay thai striking. His three most recent fights were also his most impressive victories. He defeated Joe Lauzon by a TKO in the second round, dominated Roger Huerta in a decision victory and stopped Joe Stevenson with a rear naked choke submission in the first round of their fight last November.
Florian will look to earn UFC gold in his second fight for the title as he faces off against lightweight champion BJ Penn at UFC 101 in Philadelphia on August 8th.
8
Aug
2009
UFC 101 : Declaration // Fighter Profile // Anderson “The Spider” Silva
Bio by Dave Peze, contributing writer for Fightline.com
Anderson Silva
Anderson “the Spider” Silva is often considered the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. This certainly wasn’t the case just a few years back. Prior to joining the UFC, Silva was considered a 
tough fighter but hardly a world beater compared to the likes of fellow Brazilian fighters Wanderlei Silva, Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. The Spider fought in the famed PRIDE fighting organization in Japan and earned some notable victories over Carlos Newton and others. He also suffered defeats to Ryo Chonan and Daije Takase that prevented him from being an upper echelon fighter. Prior to his UFC debut, Silva sported a strong 15-4 record but few could guess that Silva would soon be widely considered the best in the sport prior to his arrival.
At an Ultimate Fight Night event in June 2006, Anderson Silva made his debut against the heavy-handed Chris Leben. Leben was 5-0 in the UFC and had a reputation for his iron chin. In just 49 seconds, Anderson Silva demolished Leben with a series of punches, kicks and knees that ended the fight abruptly and announced the arrival of the Spider into the UFC. Silva’s win was so decisive and impressive that he was awarded a title shot in his next fight to Rich “Ace” Franklin. In his second UFC fight, Silva dominated Franklin with knees and kicks and finished the champion off just under three minutes into the first round to claim the UFC’s 185 pound title.
Since winning the UFC middleweight crown, Silva has dominated the division by defeating every top fighter in the division. Silva’s victims include Dan Henderson, Nate Marquardt, Rich Franklin (twice), Travis Lutter and others. Silva has been so dominant that he has also flirted with competing in the 205 pound division. In July of 2008, Silva fought a tough striker in James Irvin at 205 pounds for the first time in the UFC and promptly knocked him out just over one minute into the first round. Silva’s dominance has led the UFC to up the stakes and quality of opponent.
Anderson Silva will next square off against former light heavyweight champion Forrest Griffin at UFC 101 in Philadelphia on August 8th.
8
Aug
2009
UFC 101 : Declaration // Fighter Profile // Forrest Griffin
Bio by Dave Peze, contributing writer for Fightline.com
Forrest Griffin
Forrest Griffin (16-5) is one of the most popular fighters in the sport of mixed martial arts. His fight against Stephan Bonnar at the very first Ultimate Fighter Finale on Spike TV in April of 2005 is 
often viewed as the fight that brought the UFC to the mainstream audience. Forrest gained national exposure as a member of the first cast of The Ultimate Fighter. As a member of Team Liddell, Griffin outlasted the other 205 pounds competitors on the show and earned the six-figure UFC contract and the adoration of millions of fans with his sarcastic humor and go-for-broke style of brawling in the cage.
Griffin’s fighting career nearly ended prematurely. Before his breakthrough on the first TUF series, Griffin was planning to walk away from the sport and pursue a career as a police officer with the Athens Police Department. UFC president Dana White had to talk Griffin into participating in the show.
Forrest Griffin was chosen to welcome Mauricio “Shogun” Rua to the UFC in September of 2007. At the time, Rua was ranked by most industry insiders as the best 205 pound fighter in the world. He owned wins over some of the top fighters in the world including then light heavyweight champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson. In a surprising upset, Griffin dominated Rua and submitted him with a rear naked choke in the third round. This win earned Griffin the chance to coach in the seventh season of The Ultimate Fighter against Jackson. After the show aired, Griffin and Jackson would meet in a title bout in July of 2008.
Griffin and Jackson fought to a tough, five round decision at UFC 86. The fight was a back and forth war with both fighters coming close to defeating their opponent. In the end, Griffin earned the unanimous decision victory by controlling the fight with thumping leg kicks and his overall aggression. Griffin would lose the title months later to Rashad Evans after suffering a TKO in the third round of their title bout. Griffin sustained a hand injury in the fight but is now fully healed and prepared for the biggest test of his career.
On August 8th, at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Griffin will square off against the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world Anderson “the Spider” Silva.
Fightline.com writer Dave Peze with Forrest Griffin
6
Aug
2009
Watch UFC 101 : Declaration @ these New Jersey bars!
The time is almost upon us….
UFC 101 : Declaration in Philadelphia is this Saturday, August 8th…first time UFC has visited Philly.
Featured Fights
BJ Penn vs. Kenny Florian
Anderson Silva vs. Forest Griffin
The fight card is sick, and there are plenty of viewing parties @ New Jersey bars that are going to be off the hook!
Here are my picks to go see all the action!
* The Cornerstone in Hillsdale, NJ
* Pub 66 in Dover, NJ
* Tiffany’s in Pequannock, NJ
* The Arena Lounge in Newark, NJ
* Big Shots in Woodbridge, NJ
* Legends in Hazlet, NJ
* Taylor’s in Cherry Hill, NJ
* Game On! In Atlantic City, NJ
3
Aug
2009
UFC 101 : Declaration // Fighter Profiles // Thales Leites Vs. Alessio Sakara
Thales Leites Vs. Alessio Sakara
Alessio “Legionarius” Sakara (13-7, 1 NC) is a 27 year old former boxer from Rome, Italy. After a solid early boxing career, Sakara decided he wanted to take a run at mixed martial arts. His striking was solid due to his boxing experience but he needed to learn grappling and submissions. Sakara visited the birthplace of jiu jitsu to hone his skills on the mat. After learning the new jiu jitsu aspects of his new profession, Sakara went on and to win two of his first three pro fights with submissions (an armbar and kimura) en route to winning all three fights.
“Legionarius” will look to build a winning record in the UFC against submission specialist Thales Leites at UFC 101 at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia on August 8th.
Thales Leites (14-2) is a 27 year old submission ace from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Leites was inspired as a youth in Brazil by the Karate Kid and practiced judo and karate at a young age. Leites started training in jiu jitsu at the age of 17 and quickly became hooked. By age 19 he was winning competitions in a nation known for its elite jiu jitsu fighters. By 2003, Leites was ready to test his mettle in the professional fighting arena. He won his first nine fights with six wins coming via submission. With his 9-0 start, the UFC decided he was ready to take the next step and join their ranks.
Leites will square off against journeyman striker Alessio Sakara in a middleweight bout at UFC 101 at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia on August 8th.
27
Jul
2009
UFC 101 : Declaration // Fighter Profile // Matt Riddle
Matt Riddle
Born: Allentown, PA, USA
Fighting out of: Las Vegas, NV
Age: 23
Height: 6’ 1” (185 cm)
Weight: 170 lbs. (77 kg)
Overall MMA Record: 2-0-0
Stengths: Wrestling, Fighting
Next Fight: UFC 101 : Declaration Dan Cramer
Bio by Dave Peze, contributing writer for Fightline.com
Matt Riddle (2-0) has an unusual path to the UFC. Riddle fell in love with mixed martial arts as a teen after seeing a UFC pay-per-view event at a friend’s house with a bootlegged
cable connection. He was a solid wrestler in high school and earned a partial scholarship to a small school as a result of his wrestling skills. After two years of college, Riddle lost his scholarship and found himself at a crossroads. A friend suggested they move in together to an apartment so they could pursue a career in MMA and train together. Their two-bedroom apartment became their training sanctuary and they learned by practicing what they saw on TV and reading BJ Penn’s book, “Mixed Martial Arts: the Book of Knowledge”. Riddle relied on his wrestling and natural athleticism to make his way early on.
Matt Riddle burst on the national scene as a cocky, young wrestler competing on The Ultimate Fighter season seven. This was the first season that fighters had to win a fight before they could move into the TUF house. In Riddle’s fight to gain entry into the house he broke the jaw of Dan Simmler with a devastating right hook that was followed up with three ground strikes before the referee came in to stop the contest. Riddle’s KO was one of the most brutal knockout in the history of the show. Riddle’s run on the show ended when he lost to Tim Credeur by an armbar submission in the second round.
Prior to his appearance on TUF, Riddle did not have an official pro fight. He made his debut as a professional fighter at The Ultimate Fighter finale and won a unanimous decision over fellow castmate Dante Rivera. His second fight would be against American Top Team fighter Steve Bruno at UFC Fight Night 17 in February. Riddle was able to grind out a second unanimous decision and improve his mark to 2-0. He is a still a very young, inexperienced fighter. But now he trains at Arizona Combat Sports with a host of talented fighters that will help him get caught up quickly.
Riddle will be fighting his former TUF teammate, Dan Cramer, at UFC 101 at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia on August 9th.
Brutal K.O. on Ultimate Fighter 7 – Watch more Funny Videos
23
Jul
2009
UFC 101 : Declaration // Fighter Profile // Dan Cramer
Dan Cramer
Born: Danbury, CT, USA
Fighting out of: Bethel, CT, Coconut Creek, FL
Age: 23
Height: 6’ 2” (188 cm)
Weight: 170 lbs. (77 kg)
Overall MMA Record: 1-0
Stengths: Agressive, Competitive, Versatile
Next Fight: UFC 101 : Declaration Matt Riddle
Bio by Dave Peze, contributing writer for Fightline.com
Dan Cramer (1-0) is as unlikely as a UFC fighter as you will find. Far from the stereotypical tough, tattooed look that many fighters sport, Cramer looks more like a J.Crew model then a professional
fighter. He played ice hockey and rugby while attending the University of Connecticut. After earning his bachelor’s degree in economics, he worked as a manager at a country club. Cramer started learning Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at the age of 15 and developed a passion for martial arts since that time. Now this 23 year old from the affluent Connecticut town of Bethel, spends his days striking, grappling and sweating with some of the best and most intense mixed martial artists in the world at American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Florida.
Dan Cramer is another of the former cast members from The Ultimate Fighter reality show fighting at UFC 101. Despite his appearance on TUF, Cramer did not have an official pro fight until long after the show was over. In UFC 94, Cramer battled Matt Arroyo and earned a close split decision victory by controlling the fight on the ground to earn his first win.
Cramer is looking to build upon that win as he next faces his former TUF teammate, Matt Riddle, at UFC 101 at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia on August 9th.
22
Jul
2009
UFC 101 : Declaration // Fighter Profile // George Sotiropoulos
George Sotiropoulos
Born: Geelong, Victoria, Australia
Fighting out of: Las Vegas, NV
Age: 32
Height: 5’ 10” (178 cm)
Weight: 155 lbs. (70 kg)
Overall MMA Record: 9-2
Stengths: Well Rounded, Good Cardio/Stamina/Work Ethic
Next Fight: UFC 101 : Declaration Rob Emerson
Bio by Dave Peze, contributing writer for Fightline.com
George Sotiropoulos (9-2) is a 32 year old Australian fighting out of the Xtreme Couture camp in Las Vegas. Sotiropoulos began training in Brazilian Ju Jitsu in 1997. Throughout his twenties he was
competing in submission wrestling tournaments and also trained as an amateur and professional boxer. He has fought and trained throughout the world including stints in Brazil, Japan, Korea and Guam before settling in Las Vegas. After starting his professional mixed martial arts career with three straight submission victories, Sotiropoulos lost a decision to the late Steve Irwin’s former bodyguard, Kyle Noke. His only other professional loss came from a disqualification after an accidental groin strike to the world class Japanese fighter, Shinya Aoki.
Sotiropoulos is best known as a cast member from The Ultimate Fighter season six. Since the show ended, Sotiropoulos has gone 2-0 in the UFC.
Sotiropoulos will make his lightweight debut (155 pounds) against a tough opponent in Rob Emerson at UFC 101 at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia on August 9th. He previously fought as a welterweight (170 pounds).
