(Somehow, even in these bleak economic times, this man still has a job.)
Houston Alexander has apparently heard internet rumors to the effect that he’s been dropped from the UFC or has fired his entire coaching staff or desperately needs to learn the ground game. Oh, wait. That last part’s not a rumor. Anyway, the point is, he’s sick of it. So to clear the air and talk directly to fans without the filter of the MMA media, he turned to the Fight Magazine MMA blog:
People keep asking me what my plans are, they have read things all over the internet about my future with the UFC and how I am firing my coaching staff. So I thought I would address the rumors and my upcoming plans.
NO – I have not lost my UFC contract.
NO – I have not fired my coaching staff.
NO – I am not going to step down and fight for smaller organizations.
The loss last month was tough, but life goes on. People need to remember that I have only been fighting professionally for a year and a half. I have made great strides during that time, as well as faced some setbacks. My training will continue and we are looking at visiting some of the larger camps for additional training and strategy for my next fight. I have a lot to learn and am hoping to have everything straightened out before I enter the cage next time.
Look Houston, you seem like a nice guy so it’s hard not to feel some sympathy for you, but maybe the part about firing your coaching staff isn’t so crazy. If three straight losses isn’t a sign that something needs to change, I don’t know what is. And as for strategy, it should probably include either getting really good at jiu-jitsu really fast, or at least developing a top notch takedown defense. After what we’ve all seen in your last few fights, you can bet that everyone you face will be intent on getting the fight to the ground until you prove that it’s a bad idea.
Written by admin on October 8th, 2008 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on fight magazine and blog and General and Houston Alexander and UFC and MMA.
(For those about to get knocked the eff out, we salute you. Photo courtesy of MMAWeekly.)
FUCKIN’ HUSKERS!!! Now that that’s out of the way, let’s get down to business. “Ultimate Fight Night: Diaz vs. Neer” is going down in Omaha as we speak. But since it’s airing on tape-delay in most of the country, there might be some spoilers after the jump; feel free to come back when it’s 8 p.m. in your time zone. And please leave plenty o’comments now that leaving comments on this site isn’t such a pain in the ass. Click the “More” link when you’re mentally prepared, and refresh the page every few minutes to get all the latest from the Omaha Civic Center.
(P.S.: Stockton, son. Stockton California.)
We open with a black and white shot of Evan Tanner, former UFC champion, with the tribute “You’ll be missed.” Keep him in mind tonight…
Some misguided fan proudly displays a “Dana White for President” sign, while — holy shit Joe Rogan hasn’t shaved in like 12 days!
Hometown boy of all hometown boys Houston Alexander is up first. Time to represent Omaha’s vibrant local ass-beating scene. Eric Schafer will be playing the role of bad guy.
At 8:12, Bruce Buffer finally tells us that we are live. Schafer is booed hard right off the bat, obviously.
Round 1: Houston clinches at his first opportunity and slams two big knees into Schafer’s face. They scramble to the ground, but Alexander wisely gets up when the finish doesn’t present itself. Schafer rushes in to clinch against the fence, and Houston reverses him. Schafer shoots again, and Alexander stuffs and clinches. They both throw knees and Houston separates. Schafer again with the takedown attempt and he gets it. Schafer passes to side control. Houston rolls out and Schafer tries for a guillotine. Houston escapes but Schafer gets the mount and starts throwing punches. Big elbows from Schafer. Alexander gives up his back briefly, then jerks around frantically to avoid blows. Schafer locks on an arm-triangle from the top and Houston taps with 9 seconds left. NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
Houston sucks on an oxygen mask. He, and the fans in attendance, are stunned. Joe Rogan asks Schafer to take us through the Star Wars: The Force Unleashed Replay. Ouch. Schafer dedicates his performance to Evan Tanner and they still boo him.
Ed Herman vs. Alan Belcher
Belcher is booed just because the fans are still pissed and need to boo at somebody. They dig Ed Herman, though. And Dan Miragliotta is back.
Round 1: Ed Herman tries for a takedown after getting his eye grazed by Belcher’s fingers. They clinch against the cage and are separated by Big Dan. Belcher’s striking is looking sharp early; he’s landing some nice leg and body kicks. Herman’s got nothin’ yet. Belcher lands a hard leg kick, and Herman grabs it and hauls him against the fence. Belcher reverses and starts throwing knees. Big Dan separates them again, a bit too early this time. Herman lands a solid right, but Belcher grabs him and works his clinch again. Herman scores a takedown and piles Herman against the fence, looking for a darce choke. Belcher gets up and Herman bulls him back to the ground, looking for another submission. Belcher gets up as the round ends.
Round 2: Belcher’s lip is bloodied. He sticks Herman with a sharp jab, then throws it again. Herman lands a couple punches of his own. Herman rushes in with a hook to the body and an elbow to the face. Belcher nails Herman with a nasty overhand right and clinches with him against the cage. They break. Herman looks a bit slowed down now. Belcher with a hard leg kick, then a body kick that’s caught. Herman takes Belcher down and works some short strikes from the top. Belcher tries to push Herman off, but Herman sticks on him. Belcher climbs to his feet. Belcher takes his eyes off Herman to draw him in then lands a superman punch. The bell rings as he loads up another one.
Round 3: Herman shoots and is stuffed. Belcher lands a clean right hand. Herman lands one of his own. Belcher popping the jab, then lands a body kick while his corner screams “no kicks Alan!” Herman clinches and they’re separated before anyone can get hurt. Good straight right from Belcher. Then a spinning backfist that grazes Herman, who responds by shooting. He clinches Belcher against the fence then gets the takedown and falls into half-guard. Herman nearly traps Belcher’s arm with his knee. Belcher gets to his feet, then throws a head kick and a right hook. Herman scores another takedown and gets the mount. Belcher nearly rolls into a rear-naked choke. Herman throws some fists into Belcher’s face from the top as the fight comes to an end. Very close fight. Will the judges give it to Belcher’s striking or Herman’s takedowns?
The scores: 29-28 Belcher, 29-28 Herman, 29-28 Belcher. The Talent gets the split. Happy birthday Alan’s mom.
Apparently, on the season premiere of Manswers (11 p.m. on Spike), they’re going to tell you what the #1 sex injury in America is. Pulled groin, maybe?
Mac Danzig vs. Clay Guida
Round 1: Danzig rushes in with a punch combo but doesn’t land. Danzig with a head kick; he wants to come out as the aggressor. Guida lands two leg kicks. Danzig misses a kick and almost gets taken down. Danzig clinches with Guida against the cage. They separate, and Danzig pops him with a punch, then a body kick. Danzig rushes forward with more punches and a kick but Guida grabs him and takes him down. They scramble and Danzig almost sets up a kimura. Danzig gets up, escaping damage on the ground. Danzig picks Guida up and slams him hard. Danzig thinking about a guillotine from the bottom. Danzig gets up, gets slammed again. This aint looking good. Danzig looks for a gogoplata for a second. Guida slugging the body and head on the ground. Danzig tries to get to his feet again and the bell rings.
Round 2: Guida with a sharp leg kick. Then a body kick. Danzig leaps in with a front kick to the face, but Guida punches him back and takes him down. As before, Danzig has no problem getting up. Now it’s Guidsa rushing in with punches. Guida shoots and pulls Danzig down against the fence. Danzig gets to his feet and lands a right hand. Guida with another takedown, and Danzig’s out quickly. Danzig tries to shoot and throws a knee in the clinch. Guida takes Danzig’s back and gets a takedown. Guida nearly gets an arm in for a rear-naked choke. And the bell. Guida is dominating. Danzig needs to wake up and make something happen.
Round 3: Danzig gets a punch combo, but Guida shoots and pushes him against the fence. Danzig gets an arm around Guida’s neck, but loses it. Danzig lands some punches in the clinch, then he shoots, takes Guida down and grabs his arm. Guida escapes and goes back to bulling him against the cage. Danzig is sucking air. Guida takes Danzig’s back and hangs on tight. Guida takes Danzig down and gets on top, but Danzig gets up. Guida seems happy just to clinch out the round. He takes Danzig down yet again and punches caveman-style as the round ends. Should be a unanimous decision for Guida.
During the fight, Mike mentioned that The Ultimate Fighter 9 will be U.S. vs. U.K.
30-27, and 29-28 twice, all for Clay Guida. Yep. Dude hugged Danzig to death.
Nate Diaz vs. Josh Neer
Joe Rogan says that Josh Neer has had over 100 amateur fights. But that counts bare-knuckle backyard boxing. And kickboxing smokers. And flag football games. Neer comes out to a seriously fruity-ass homo-rock ballad. No offense. Nate Diaz punches himself in the face repeatedly as he walks out to the cage. Brother Nick, as always, got his back. Nate warms up in the cage by throwing air-haymakers. A sign of things to come? Fowlkes writes: “Word is Arianny is working through the flu tonight. What a trooper.”
Round 1: Neer gets a leg kick in right away, throws some punches and clinches. He quickly takes Diaz down and looks for a darce choke. He switches to a guillotine but gives it up. Diaz tries to get up and Neer stuffs him back down. Diaz gets up again and Neer sticks on his back. Diaz reverses and tries for his own takedown. They’re up after a brief ground scramble. Diaz throwing punches in bunches, with Neer’s back against the fence. The momentum seems to have turned in Nate’s favor. Nate gets a huge judo throw and slams Neer on his back. Diaz goes to half guard and slugs Neer in the face. Then again from a standing position. Diaz dives back in, fakes the kneebar and takes Neer’s back looking for a choke. Neer spins out as the bell rings.
Round 2: Nate throwing hands to start the frame. Neer scoops him up and puts him on the ground. Diaz pops up and takes Neer down. Neer gets in a stiff upkick. Diaz is lured back down and Neer briefly threatens Diaz’s arm. Good upkick to the body from Neer, who then gets up and takes Diaz down. Neer takes Diaz’s back, looking for the choke. Diaz pops out, scrambles, and almost sets up a triangle. Diaz trying for an armbar, and Neer gets to his feet. Diaz shoots for Neer’s legs, pulls him back down. Neer dives in with an axe kick and an elbow. Diaz gets back to his feet, throwing strikes in the clinch. Somewhere, a horn sounds.
Round 3: Diaz comes out swinging. Neer lands a push kick. Diaz goes for the takedown, but Neer takes his back. Diaz reverses and takes Neer down. Neer lands a sharp elbow from the bottom. Diaz smothers Neer when he gets up and winds up on Neer’s back. Diaz moves to the mount but Neer gets out of it and kicks Diaz off of him. Neer has done a great job of avoiding damage on his back. Neer tries for the armbar but Neer gets up and grabs onto Diaz’s arm. Diaz with another judo toss in the last ten seconds and he finishes the round throwing down punches.
The scores for the main event: 29-28 Neer, 29-28 Diaz, and 29-28 Diaz. This split decision belongs to Stockton.
Nate Diaz’s “motherfucker” is bleeped in the post-fight interview, but they miss his “shit.” While giving Neer his props, Diaz says something about how jiu-jitsu black belts need to learn how to box, then says “some people” need to stop being bitches and fight his brother. Come on Nate, secrets are no fun!
So there y’go. Houston is headed back to the minors, Ed Herman can’t catch a break, Mac Danzig maybe isn’t the next big thing in the lightweight division, and Nate Diaz is still a foul-mouthed rascal. Thanks for reading…time to watch this motherfucking TUF 8 premiere!
Written by admin on September 17th, 2008 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on liveblog and Eric Shafer and Ultimate Fight Night 15 and Mac Danzig and Nate Diaz and UFC and Houston Alexander and Clay Guida and MMA.
(Photo courtesy of myspace.com/nathandiazmma.)
The UFC’s next “Fight Night” card on SpikeTV will reportedly go down September 17th at the Omaha Civic Auditorium in Omaha, Nebraska, and matchups are beginning to be sorted out. TUF 5 winner and Stockton-repper Nate Diaz has agreed to fight Josh “The Dentist” Neer in a lightweight bout on the main card; Diaz has gone 4-0 in the UFC since his reality show stint, including a legendary no-hands triangle choke victory over Kurt Pellegrino at UFN 13, while Neer (24-6-1, 3-3 UFC) last defeated Din Thomas by decision at the same event, and holds notable wins over Joe Stevenson and Melvin Guillard.
Omaha’s own Houston Alexander is also expected to appear, taking on Eric Schafer. The fight marks Schafer’s return to the Octagon after picking up a couple of wins in the Gladiators Fighting Series organization; he’d previously dropped two in a row to Michael Bisping and Stephan Bonnar. A middleweight fight between Ed Herman and Alan Belcher has been rumored as well.
In other UFC news…
— Dana White has denied that his mind-blowing announcement is related to New York MMA regulation. Epic Fail averted, for now.
— BloodyElbow is floating a rumor that Anderson Silva and Yushin Okami could fight in October, at the UFC’s next U.K. show. We’d rather see the Spider in a light-heavyweight super-fight, but sure, why not, clean out the division once and for all.
— French welterweight David Baron has reportedly signed with the UFC. Baron is the former 168-pound champion of Shooto Europe who most recently pulled off a huge upset at Shooto Tradition 1 by submitting Hayato Sakurai in the first round.
Written by admin on June 12th, 2008 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on Eric Schafer and Josh Neer and Rumors and David Baron and UFN14 and UFC Fight Night 14 and Nate Diaz and News and Anderson Silva and UFC and Yushin Okami and Dana White and Houston Alexander and MMA.
(Photo courtesy of Sherdog.)
We give the UFC props for not shredding Houston Alexander’s contract as soon as he took his second consecutive first-round knockout loss last month against James Irvin, but even the most compassionate among us would agree — if it happens again, he’ll be heading out the door. D-Day for “The Assassin” is now looking like September 17th; MMA Junkie reports that Alexander has agreed to a bout against Eric Schafer at UFC Fight Night 14. Schafer made his Octagon debut at UFC 62 with a submission win over Rob MacDonald, but lost his next two bouts via TKO to Michael Bisping and Stephan Bonnar. “Red” has since rallied in the Gladiators Fighting Series organization, where he’s posted back-to-back wins. Alexander had reportedly been offered several fights in August and September before settling on the Schafer matchup.
In other UFC fight-booking news, MMAMania passes along a rumor that a middleweight match between Ed Herman and Alan Belcher will also be on the UFN 14 card. Both men are coming off losses, to Demian Maia and Jason Day, respectively. And speaking of middleweights, a fight between Alessio Sakara and Rob Yundt has been added to the undercard of The Ultimate Fighter 7 finale on June 21st. Rob Yundt lost his Octagon debut to Ricardo Almeida at UFC 81 after taking the fight on very short notice. Sakara is 3-4 with one no-contest in the UFC, and was most recently dropped by Chris Leben at UFC 82.
Written by admin on May 23rd, 2008 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on Eric Schafer and Ed Herman and Rumors and Alan Belcher and News and UFC and Houston Alexander and MMA.
“He didn’t block any of the punches … when he hit the ground he wasn’t even looking at me. He had his hands down and he was looking out into the crowd…. He was bleeding out of both nostrils. He never looked at me or tried to block a single punch. Any longer and my best shot probably would have been the sixth one so I think they jumped right in. I think when people see it on TV again they’ll understand that he wasn’t even looking at me.”