I haven’t written about a UFC event in a long time.
Well, that’s about to change today, because UFC 126 features two mixed martial artists fighting for the Middleweight Championship title that bring a lot to the table.
The reigning UFC Middleweight Champ, Anderson “Spider” Silva, is currently considered by many the best pound-per-pound fighter, maybe even the best fighter of all time.
Silva will enter the Octagon at UFC 126 with 13 straight wins. His last win was last August at UFC 117 against Chael Sonnen whom he submitted with triangle choke in the fith round, after he was behind on the scorecards up till that point of the fight.
It ain’t over till it’s over!
The almost 36-year-old Silva has secured 20 of his 27 career wins by KO, TKO or submission. The Spider’s list of “victims” reads like at Who’s Who of UFC Middleweight Elite: Forrest Griffin, Rich Franklin, Nate Marquardt, Dan Henderson and Demian Mia.
“The Spider” has never been defeated (12-0) inside the Octagon.
Silva is a graduate of the Chute Boxe Academy that opened as a Muay Thai academy in 1978 in Curitiba, Brazil.
By 1995, the Chute Boxe team was considered a prime training ground for Vale Tudo fighters.
With an aggressive and physical style focused around their muay thai skills, Chute Boxe fighters are well-rounded fighters, able to use submissions, punches, kicks, and various grappling styles as needed.
You can clearly see these elements of Anderson Silva’s fighting style, even though he left Chute Boxe in 2003 to start MuayThai Dream Team.
Along Came The Spider:
But will it be enough when he faces this formidable opponent fromRio de Janeiro in UFC 126?
At the youthful age of 19, Vitor “Phenom”Belfort had his successful debut in the Octagon a whopping 14 years ago this month. He later went on to capture the light heavyweight championship.
The Carlson Gracie master student from Rio d Janeiro is truly blessed with some of the most stinging hand speed that will wreak havoc if he has his way.
Vitor has attained 13 of his 19 career wins either by KO or TKO. Like Anderson Silva, Vitor has accomplished some remarkable victories against a number of outstanding opponents such as Matt Lindland, Wanderlei Silva, UFC hall of famer Randy Couture and Bobby Southworth.
Should Vitor Belfort win against Anderson Silva, he would become the third fighter ever to UFC titles in multiple weight classes.
The other two fighters? Randy Couture and B.J. Penn.
Introducing Vitor “The Phenom” Belfort:
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I always enjoyed watching “The King Of Queens” starring Kevin James.
Even before I was able to briefly meet him and the rest of the cast after shooting one of their final episodes at Sony Picture Studios in L.A. several years ago.
Kevin James has been known to be a big supporter of mixed martials arts in general and UFC in specific.
He has been seen training with Randy “The Natural” Couture.
More and more media outlets are reporting that Kevin James will be starring and co-producing a MMA-related movie sometime next year.
In the meantime, I thought you might enjoy a video clip I found with him, Randy Couture, Dan Henderson, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson in a scene of “The King Of Queens”, in which he plays a IPS delivery driver, who picks a fight with the wrong group of guys.
Today, November 11, is Veterans Day which is an annual American holiday honoring military veterans.
It was declared an official holiday in 1919. One year after the end of World War I.
The original idea was to dedicate a day to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as ‘Armistice Day’.
Veterans Day was originally proclaimed to honor those who served in WWI. Later it was established to honor all who have served in the military.
Today, TheMartialArtsReporter.com joins in by honoring all military veterans and especially all martial artists who currently serve and who have served such as Dan Inosanto, Larry Hartsell, Joe Lewis, Chuck Norris, Randy Couture, Frank Cucci, …..
If you are at all interested in Ultimate Fighting, you might have also asked yourself the same question:
Who’s the next the UFC Hall Of Fame Inductee?
Let’s see who’s in there so far:
Dan “The Beast” Severn
Mark “The Hammer” Coleman
Ken “The World’s Most Dangerous Man” Shamrock
Randy “The Natural” Couture
Royce Gracie
Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell
Chris “Mask” Lewis, co-founder of TapouT
Now, that’s one heck of an impressive line-up of individuals who have competed at the highest level and in the case of Chris Lewis* who promoted UFC at the highest level.
I’m thinking maybe Matt “The Country Boy” Hughes. <
Or maybe even Pat "The Croatian Sensation" Miletich,
Tito “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” Ortiz
Frank “The Legend” Shamrock
Anybody else?
I’ll be sitting here in front of my computer waiting for your suggestions.
*Chris unfortunately died in a car crash last March. May he rest in peace.
You want this former UFC Champ in your corner during a bar fight.
And he even speaks Dutch just in case (oranje boven!).
Deep down, we all want to speak Dutch. Just admit it! I’m just kidding.
His name is ….. drumroll, please …. the amazing Bas “El Guapo” Rutten.
Years ago he started his martial arts career over in The Netherlands with
Tae Kwon Do, Oyama Karate and Muay Thai.
He can kick like a mule, so stay out of his way.
Later on he got involved in Pancrase and Ultimate Fighting. I guess you
could consider Bas Rutten one of the pioneers of UFC.
After an extremely successful UFC career this illlustrious Mixed Martial Artist
moved on to become an IFL coach and a highly sought-after fight commentator.
El Guapo is always up to some sort of crank and just loves to joke around.
Heck, he even cracked me up as a bouncer on the successful TV sit-com
“The King of Queens” with Kevin James. His real life experience as a bouncer
came in pretty handy.
Now, I am not entirely sure but I thought I just recently saw him in the movie
“Mall Cop” again with Kevin James (who has ben known to train with Randy
“The Natural” Couture). I believe he plays the drill sergeant at the beginning
of the movie.
It’s safe to say: You want this former UFC Champ in your corner during a bar fight.
Why? Just check out this clip (short version) and you’ll know why!
Viewer discretion is advised. This video is for informational purpose only.
Do not try any of this at home or your next bar visit!
As a running back playing for the Georgia Bulldogs, Herschel Walker,
won a coveted Heisman Trophy.
Even today, about 20 years later, Walker is still considered by many
in the college football fan community the best running back ever.
Except maybe by Tennessee fans.
Watch this short video to understand or remember why:
As a first-pick draft, Walker went on to play in the NFL for the Minnesota
Vikings and Dallas Cowboys. He retired from football in 1997.
Strikeforce recently signed a contract with the now 47-year-old Walker.
Supposedly, as a college student Walker used to train and compete as
a martial artist for several years.
Walker has been a MMA fan for years, but at the age of 47, does he
really have what it takes to compete with Strikeforce fighters?
And comparing him (because of his age) with 46-year-old UFC legend,
Hall of Famer and former world heavyweight champion Randy Couture,
come on, give me a break.
Is Strikeforce really serious about this contract or are they just giving
people like us something to talk about?
And if they are serious, can Hershel Walker really bring it or is he just
offering great inspiration for guys over 40?
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