Tag Archives: alexander gustafsson
Ungenzi. 6 Light Heavyweight in the World Phil Davis joins Bellator MMA
Santa Monica, Calif. (April 15, 2015) – Bellator MMA is pleased to announce the signing of the sixth* ranked Light Heavyweight in the world, Phil “Mr. Wonderful” Davis (13-3, 1 NC), i okukhethekile, multi-impi deal.
“I can’t wait to be fighting in Bellator and wreck shop on everyone,"Kusho Davis. “I am the absolute best and most dominant grappler to ever fight in MMA and I’m excited to get in there and compete at my new home.”
Born and raised in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Phil attended college close to home at Penn State University, where he became a four-time NCAA Division I All-American wrestler for the Nittany Lions.
Davis had his first professional MMA fight in 2008 and accrued nine wins in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, including victories against the likes of Antônio Rogério Nogueira, Lyoto Machida, Alexander Gustafsson, Brian Stann and Glover Teixeira.
A member of Alliance MMA in San Diego, Calif., where he trains alongside Bellator stars like Michael Chandler and Joey Beltran, "Mr. Wonderful” joins the promotions Light Heavyweight division, which is currently upheld by champion Liam McGeary.
“Phil is a world class Mixed Martial Artist and we are very happy to be adding him to OUR roster of some of the best Light Heavyweights in the world,"Kusho umengameli ukukhuthazwa sika, Scott Coker. “Bellator remains fully committed to building its world-class roster by signing top free agents like Davis, as well as grooming up-and-coming stars. We’ve got some amazing matchups in mind for ‘Mr. Wonderful’ that we will be announcing in the weeks to come.”
Bellator’s Light Heavyweight division is one of the deepest in the promotion, with stars like McGeary, Tito Ortiz, "INkosi Mo" Lawal, Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, Emanuel Newton and Linton Vassell.
*Ranking according to www.sherdog.com
UFC Fight Night: The Swedish ziyeza!
Photo Credit: Esther Lin / MMA Fighting
Ezweni once yawenza in a Tom Green (khumbula kuye?) song – "Lonely Swedish (The Bum Bum Song)” – the Championship Ultimate Fighting uletha Night ikhadi Fight ukuthi ngeke ngethemba ukuletha ukunakekelwa ngaphezu ingoma imbongolo waseCanada sika.
The FOX ikhadi lokuqala onyakeni omusha, UFC Fight Night: Sweden, kuletha esiteji FOX kwezilwandle kazwelonke kanye unikeza America amazwibela ukwandiswa the UFC sika okuqhubekayo kwezilwandle. Kodwa ngokungafani UFC amakhadi kwezilwandle odlule, lena akuyona iDemo amandla star. Ake sibone uma ukusika ecacile-akukho. 1 Olwa isihloko wesibhakela ukukhanya Jon Jones 'kuzovela.
Akira Corassani (16-4-1) vs. Sam Sicilia (13-5) (Featherweight - 145 lbs.)
Lena matchup of The alumni Ultimate Fighter, kanye kokubili guys ephuma ukulahlekelwa futhi Corassani iza off emuva kuya emuva ukulahlekelwa Max Holloway futhi Dustin Poirier. Corassani’s also been finished early in both fights, while Sicilia is coming off a submission loss. In a crowded featherweight division, a knockout or submission victory would go a long way toward boosting either of these gentlemen’s stock. I like Sicilia to finish Corassani and possibly give him his walking papers after three straight losses.
Winner: Sicilia by second-round TKO
Phil “Mr. Wonderful” Davis (13-2) vs. Ryan “Darth” Bader (19-4) (Light Heavyweight – 205 lbs.)
Both of these guys are poised for another run at the top of the light heavyweight division. Both of these guys are coming off victories and actually faced each other in college when Davis wrestled for Penn State and Bader wrestled for Arizona State. Davis uses his wrestling to smother opponents and grind out unanimous decision victories, while Bader uses his wrestling when necessary but also has lethal knockout power.
I expect Davis to try and get this fight to the ground early, and if he succeeds I think he can use his reach advantage and athleticism to keep Bader down. Bader must keep this fight standing to have a chance, and I think he will avoid the temptation to avenge his college loss to Davis by engaging in another wrestling match. I like Bader to land more shots and score an upset victory.
Winner: Bader by unanimous decision
Dan “Hendo” Henderson (30-12) vs. Gegard Mousasi (35-5-2) (Middleweight - 185 lbs.)
Henderson returns to middleweight after a mostly ill-fated run at light heavyweight, including being tossed around like a rag doll and submitted by Daniel Cormier in his last fight. Simply put, if Henderson can’t land his patented “H-Bomb” right hand for a knockout, he’s easily susceptible to defeat.
I think the wars of years past are finally catching up to Henderson. He will go down as one of the greatest fighters ever not to hold a UFC title, but he simply can’t keep up with the sport’s elite any more. He will leave himself open when wanting to drop the H-Bomb, and Mousasi will take advantage.
Winner: Mousasi by third-round submission
Alexander “The Mauler” Gustafsson (16-2) vs. Anthony “Rumble” Johnson (18-4) (Light Heavyweight – 205 lbs.)
The winner of this fight will receive the next shot at light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, and it would represent a rematch for Gustafsson. He took Jones closer to defeat than anyone else has during their epic 2013 matchup. Depending on who ask, some people think the Swede actually won that fight.
Johnson is rapidly ascending the 205-pound ladder after knocking out Antonio Rogerio Nogueira and scoring an upset win over Phil Davis to begin his climb. Johnson also has devastating knockout power and if he lands one such shot on Gustafsson, the Swede’s road to redemption is derailed. But I think Gustafsson uses his reach advantage (which is nearly identical to Jones) to keep Johnson at bay and make Johnson go a full five rounds.
Gustafsson’s striking in the 205-pound division is second to none, and I like him to land enough of those to secure a rematch with Jones later this year.
Winner: Gustafsson by unanimous decision
Chris Huntemann ubhala kuxutshwe karate isimo Maryland. He also contributes his thoughts to our site on the UFC, Bellator, futhi World Series of Fighting. Hlola yakhe blog, ungamlandeleli on Twitter: mmamaryland.