Bleacher Report - Articles by James Hizona

"The Phenom" Vitor Belfort Makes a Phenomenal Return

James Hizona — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 04:24:54 -0400

On Saturday night at UFC 103, "The Phenom" Vitor Belfort made his return to the octagon a successful one. By knocking out former UFC Middleweight Champion, Rich "Ace" Franklin in the first round, Belfort has shown viewers that he is definitely back.

Now, Belfort is setting his sights on the Middleweight Division, a division that is ruled by a "Spider" in Anderson Silva.

Finishing off a fighter with the caliber of Rich Franklin in the first round is amazing. Franklin is very good fighter. The former UFC Middleweight Champion is still considered one of the top ranking fighters in MMA.

What makes this interesting is that the only fighter to take out Franklin in the first round is fellow Brazilian and current UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva. Could this be a sign for what is to come?

Right now, the Middleweight division is full of fighters that has either been beaten by Silva or will soon be beaten by Silva. The guy is that good. But with the addition of Belfort and Wanderlei Silva, it will be very interesting to see just how much these fighters can shake up a division that desperately needs to be shaken up.

Hardcore MMA fans know that Anderson and Wanderlei have had classic sparring sessions that has resulted in knockouts to concussions. This being said, a match between those two would be very nice.

With Belfort, Silva will end up facing a fighter with striking power that is either as good, if not, better than his. On the ground those two would most likely cancel each other out since both are at a high level of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

This being said, a match-up between these two fighters must happen. Especially if Silva keeps steam rolling through the competition like he is doing now. Maybe Belfort has the tools to stop the UFC Juggernaut.

Well those are my thoughts, now I'd like to hear yours. Do you think that Belfort has what it takes to hold his own at 185? if so, who should be his next opponent before he gets a title shot? Until then, this is Balistik signing out.

Peace Out,

"MMA ALL THE WAY!!"

After UFC 101, Who Is Next for Anderson Silva?

James Hizona — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 10:28:36 -0400

Without a shadow of a doubt, Anderson Silva will go down as one of the greatest fighters to ever compete in Mixed Martial Arts. Many people assumed that Silva would leave the Wachovia Center with a blemish on his perfect UFC record. Those people were obviously wrong.

At UFC 101, Silva knocked out former Light Heavyweight Champion Forrest Griffin three minutes and 23 seconds in the very first round. Not only did he knock Griffin out, Silva knocked Griffin out while retreating and with a jab!

Forrest Griffin is as tough as they come. If you were to knock out a fighter with the type of caliber like Forrest Griffin, you are either extremely lucky or you are that damn good! After winning an unprecedented 10th consecutive victory in the octagon, Silva does not have luck, but skill and talent on his side.

Like Forrest said in the pre-show, "...the guy beats very, very tough fighters and he makes it look so easy.." Griffin could have never been more truthful. Silva redeemed himself from back to back sub-par performances in his last two fights.

Granted, Silva's previous fight against fellow Brazilian, Thales Leites, was considered unimpressive and boring buy many viewers.

However, the Leites fight still showed just how smart a fighter Silva is. Silva wanted to entertain the fans and give them a show at Leites' expense. Silva did not want to mix it up on the ground with a Jiu Jitsu master.

Instead, Silva would rather knock his block off. Unfortunately, Leites thought otherwise and decided to lay on the ground most of the fight. Silva easily won via unanimous decision.

The other fight that received a lot of heat from many people was the fight against Middleweight Contender, Patrick Cote. What happened in that fight was a "freak" accident. Nobody expected Cote to blow out his knee in that fight, causing Silva to win by referee stoppage 39 seconds in the third round. Nobody expected that one bit.

Now the quest for another challenge will start, once again, to give the UFC Middleweight Champion a run for his money. Here are some possible fighters that do carry the necessary tools to put a blemish on the perfect UFC record of Silva.

Let's start with the Welterweight Division.

Dan Henderson

The former PRIDE Champion has earned his spot back into contendership for the Middleweight crown. After a spectacular knockout of British sensation and TUF 3 winner, Michael Bisping, at UFC 100, Henderson showed the world that he still has that hunger inside of him.

Quite frankly, that hunger never really left the former Olympian. That hunger just needed to be fueled.

Maybe it was the hype that was built up between Henderson and Bisping that made "Hendo" train like a demon possessed. Maybe that is what he needs if he were to face Anderson Silva one more time. Maybe Hendo has to be pissed off at his opponent in order for him to elevate his game to the next level.

Everybody knows the knockout power behind the hands of the California native. Everybody knows that if Henderson wants to take you down, he will take you down. Silva knows that, considering that Henderson is the sole person to actually win a round against Silva back in UFC 82.

It was Henderson's ability to take down the champion in the first round and hold a dominant position, landing some successful strikes on Silva. Unfortunately for Dan, Silva decided to just finish Dan on the ground, choking out the challenger in the second round.

With that victory in hand, Silva already has a psychological advantage over Henderson. Since he easily (as usual) beat Henderson in that kind of a fashion. Henderson may not want to suffer another loss like that again. Silva really has nothing to prove against Henderson, but Henderson does. Maybe he can use the loss to Silva to fuel that hunger once again.

Demian Maia

With a perfect 11-0 record, Demian Maia is quickly turning heads every time he steps into the octagon. This guy's Jiu-Jitsu is out of this world! He truly is a master at art of Jiu-Jitsu. What separates him from fellow Brazilian and another Jiu-Jitsu phenom in Thales Leites is that Maia finishes his fights. He has choked out everybody that has gone toe to toe with him in the UFC so far.

The only problem is that his striking has to be tested. Silva is vicious when it comes to the striking game and will have a huge advantage if the fight were to stay on the feet. But, then again, Maia really never had to utilize his striking.

He just uses his striking to set up his sick ground game. But Silva's takedown defense is very, very good. It would be interesting to see those two go at it.

UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St. Pierre

When you think of fighters that are pound-for-pound the best, you can't argue that Georges St. Pierre is one of them. The UFC Welterweight Champion has been steam rolling over everybody since his shocking defeat to Matt Serra in UFC 69. Each victory St. Pierre has won his fights convincingly, just like Silva. He has showed great well-rounded skills in each of his fights, just like Silva.

Both Silva ad St. Pierre are cleaning house in there respected division. Silva stepped up to find challenges in a higher weight class. St. Pierre is running out of competition or he is running out of fighters that can push him to the very limit. Maybe it is time for St. Pierre to seek challenges elsewhere. Why not?

He is already considered a huge Welterweight and he already walks around 185 lbs. when he is not defending his title. But as far as size goes, if he were to jump up to Middleweight he would just be an average Middleweight. "GSP" is not your average fighter. But neither is Silva. If this fight were to happen, it could very well possibly be one of the greatest fights ever.

Vitor Belfort

Recently I wrote an article about the return of Vitor Belfort. After UFC 103 we will see if "The Phenom" has what it takes to claim his status once again as one of the best fighters in the world. This time he is targeting the Middleweight division. And from his recent performances he looks very, very good. Belfort looks like the Belfort of old.

In the Light Heavyweight Division, Belfort had to rely on his speed more than his strength when fighting. Now since he has dropped to Middleweight, he has both speed and power. With that in mind, Belfort is even more dangerous than ever. His ground game is still very good and his cardio is unparalleled.

Seeing those two go at it would definitely be exciting. A classic stand up war! But we have to see what happens at UFC 103 first.

Lyota Machida

If Silva wants to fight the best. Why not fight the absolute best in the Light-Heavyweight division? Why not consider taking on fellow Brazilian and current UFC Light-Heavyweight Champion in Lyota Machida.

This kid is the kind of fighter that is extremely difficult to train for. Not only do you have to train with the all-around aspects of MMA like wrestling, Jiu-Jitsu, and Muy Thai, you have to train to solve the Karate background of Machida.

So far, no fighter has found a solution. Machida's Karate background not only makes him extremely elusive (he is the least hit fighter in MMA history), he is able to see openings in his opponents that most MMA fighters cannot see. Not only that, Machida's MMA skills is also at a very high level. So you do have to train extra, extra hard to prepare for him.

Maybe Anderson Silva has that solution.

Well those are my thoughts, now it is time to hear yours. Who do you think is the one man that will hand Anderson his first loss? and will it be by decision? or will we see Silva get knocked out? or, dare I say, a tapout from the champ? Or will Silva just walk over everybody like he usually does? Until then this is Balistik signing out.

Peace Out!

"MMA ALL THE WAY!!"

Vitor "The Phenom" Belfort Returns to the UFC

James Hizona — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 10:15:22 -0400

At UFC 103, the UFC will welcome back one of its most exciting fighters, Vitor "The Phenom" Belfort.

On July 31, UFC President Dana White announced that the former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion will be facing former UFC Middleweight Champion Rich "Ace" Franklin in the 205 division.

With the UFC and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) world rising at a meteoric pace, why not bring in a fighter that is not just a veteran, but a veteran that is still young and very dangerous?

Belfort burst onto the scene at UFC 12 when he walked right through the crafty fighter Scott Ferrozzo in just 43 seconds of the first round. That very same night, he blasted through a very tough Tra Telligman in 77 seconds in the first round.

Three months later, he took on one of the strongest and most controversial fighters in MMA history in Tank Abbott. Belfort knocked him out in 53 seconds, once again in the first round. That was in 1997. Belfort was barely 20 years old.

Now take a fighter like that and give him experience, knowledge, seven more knockout victories (most of them in the first round), including former PRIDE Champion Wanderlei Silva, and what do you get? You get a fighter that is very, very talented and a fighter that is very, very hungry.

This guy, when focused, has all the tools to beat the best of the best.

Personally, when I heard that many people say that this kid has one of the fastest, if not the fastest, punching speeds in the world, I thought it was bullsh*t. After sparring with him and watching him train and fight, I couldn't have been more wrong. Not only is his striking fast, it is wickedly accurate, and it hurts! It is like getting shot by a sniper rifle with the speed of an Uzi. Each strike is a kill shot.

It will be very interesting to see how Rich Franklin will hang with "The Phenom." Will the former UFC Middleweight Champion dare strike with him? Or will he want to go to the ground with someone who has an excellent and very underrated ground game (he's from Brazil, where an excellent ground game is a way of life)?

You can never shrug off Franklin, though. He is one of the best fighters in the UFC. Before the arrival of a juggernaut named Anderson Silva, Franklin was considered one of the most dominant fighters in all of MMA.

With an unorthodox style of striking, Franklin loves to keep the fight standing, but he does not mind going to the ground at all. His cardio is known to be unparalleled, and he seems to be finding his niche in the Light Heavyweight division. All of those skills will be pushed to their limit at UFC 103.

After all of these years, you figured someone who has been competing at an MMA level would lose some step. Nope. Earlier this year, Belfort knocked out Matt Lindland in the now-bankrupt Affliction organization. That match also ended in the first round.

It's very clear and very safe to say that "The Phenom" is back.

Well, those are my thoughts; now I'd like to hear yours. Will Vitor bring back the dominance that he once had when he first came into the UFC? Or will Franklin give him an unwelcome greeting back in the octagon?

Until then, this is Balistik signing out.

"MMA ALL THE WAY!!"

BJ Penn Versus Kenny Florian, Forrest Griffin Versus Anderson Silva at UFC 101

James Hizona — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 15:17:07 -0400

On Aug. 8 at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Penn., the Ultimate Fighting Championship visits the "City of Brotherly Love" with UFC 101: Declaration.

Today's topic of discussion is the two main events of the card, so let's get to it.

The BJ Penn vs. Kenny Florian fight is one of the most anticipated fights in the lightweight division of the UFC to date.

Florian has not lost a fight since his title loss to Sean Sherk three years ago, and the kid keeps on getting better with every match.

The Boston native is on a six-fight winning streak since the Sherk loss, and he has finished five of his last six matches either by submission or knockout. The other win was a dominating performance over lightweight contender Roger Huerta.

But it was his next match against former No. 1 contender in the lightweight division, Joe Stevenson, in which Florian opened up a lot of eyes, when he choked out the TUF 2 winner in the first round.

The Stevenson victory showed the MMA world just how much "K-Flo" has grown as a fighter since coming off of season one of The Ultimate Fighter. His striking game has gone to another level since he went under the training of fellow Bostonian Mark Dellagrotte, and it is the perfect setup for his always solid ground game.

But is Florian confident enough to put away a fighter like BJ Penn on the ground?

There is a reason why Penn is the lightweight champion. Everybody knows that Penn's ground game is second to none, but it was his striking that won him the undisputed UFC Lightweight Title when he TKO'd Sean Sherk at the end of the third round at UFC 84. That victory showed the world that Penn has knockout power not only in his hands, but in his legs as well.

After suffering a devestating yet controversial loss to Welterweight Champion Georges St. Pierre, Penn is now refocused and rededicated to becoming a legend in his division. The Lightweight Division is where Penn belongs, and he has all the tools to become the most dominant 155-pounder in UFC history.

But the road to becoming a legend starts with Florian. True, Penn has knockout power in his stand-up game, but if Penn wants to beat Florian, he will have to utilize his sick ground game to take him out. Florian is no joke on the ground, but Penn has that unbelievable flexability that basically transforms his legs into another set of arms.

Florian's Muy Thai is very good, and his razor sharp elbows can cut a fighter, making the referee stop the fight. Penn does not want to lose his title because of a nasty cut, which Florian is known to hand out.

Florian has to make sure he does not give his back to Penn, because it will be only a matter of time until Penn will snake out a submission.

It is very hard to pick a winner out of these two fighters. If the fight goes to the ground, Penn will win. If the fight stays on the feet, Florian will have the edge and could very well leave the octagon with the "W."

Now, onto the Anderson Silva versus Forrest Griffin fight. To quote UFC President Dana White, "This fight has all the elements of taking 'Fight of The Year' honors."

Anderson is jumping up to the Light Heavyweight Division once again to take on literally his biggest challenge in Former Light Heavyweight Champion Forrest Griffin.

Silva is one of those fighters that shows a dominance that is rarely seen, not only in the UFC, but in the entire MMA world as well. The Middle Weight Champion has beaten the best of the best in his division, and now he wants to test his dominance in another weight class, where fighters are naturally bigger than him.

It has been about a year since Silva fought at 205. He made quick work of James Irvin one minute into the first round, and the scary thing is that he made it look too easy. Irvin is a very tough fighter, and Silva walked right through him.

Silva is not going to that to Griffin.

The former Light Heavyweight Champion wants to be the first person to hand Silva his first loss in the octagon, and Griffin has all the tools necessary to do just that. The guy is a huge 205-pounder, he has great overall skills, and he does not know the meaning of the word "quit." He will naturally be stronger than Silva, which means he will be able to take the "Spider" to the ground.

But will he be able to maintain a dominant position?

The only round that Silva ever lost in the octagon was the first round against Dan Henderson. Henderson was able to take Silva down and stay on top landing descent shots, but Silva just got mad and choked out the former Olympian later on in the fight.

Forrest is bigger and stronger than Henderson, and he seems to perform better when he is the underdog in the fight. Nobody expected him to choke out Shogan Rua in UFC 76. And nobody expected him to take out Rampage Jackson in a five-round war, in which he won the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship.

But will Griffin be the underdog in this fight? It will be very interesting to see if he will utilize his size and strength to his advantage.

How awesome would it be if Griffin knocked out Silva? That could be possible on Aug. 8.

Silva is a man that really has no weaknesses. His striking is sick, and his ground game is just as good.

He really is looking forward to this fight, since he had to go five full rounds in his last match against Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ace, Thales Leites. That match was literally Silva waiting for Leites to stand back up so he can kick his head off, but it never happened. Silva won the match unaminously, but it was a lackluster performance for the Middleweight Champion.

Rest assured, this fight will be anything but lackluster. Both fighters know how to put on a show and please the fans. Both fighters are at the top of their game and will be entering that fight with the intention to win on their own terms, not the judges.

Well, those are my thoughts for the main events for UFC 101. Now, it is time to hear your thoughts.

Do you think Penn will be able defend his title successfully? Or will we see a new champion in Kenny Florian? Will Silva continue his dominance in the octagon? Or will Griffin finally be the one to hand the Middleweight Champion his first ever loss in the UFC?

Until then, this is Balistik signing out.

Peace Out

"MMA ALL THE WAY!!"

After Brock Lesnar's UFC 100 Victory, What Can the Critics Say Now?

James Hizona — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 01:39:08 -0400

Well, the UFC now has an undisputed heavyweight champion in Brock Lesnar. Sure, he did perform in a manner that others, including UFC President Dana White, would consider to be "unprofessional," but Brock will be Brock.

He did "man" up and publicly apologized for his antics during the post-fight press conference, especially to Bud Light (I was hoping he'd still stick with Coors though).

Brock was not the only one who was talking trash before the fight. Frank Mir still wanted a piece of Brock after referee Herb Dean called the fight because Frank could not intelligently defend himself, as he was pinned up against the cage and getting his face caved in by Lesnar's fists (or as White likes to refer Lesnar's fists, his "lunch boxes").

Mir did stir up a lot of heat between the two, and he is just as responsible. Mir should have thought twice before he considered pissing off the former NCAA wrestling champion.

Lesnar is one of those people that if you beat him, you better be prepared to lose. The man will consume himself with the obsession of not just beating you, but beating you to a pulp. Just take a look at Mir's face after the first round.

This match showed just how quickly and easily Lesnar is able to adapt with the transition to MMA. What is still scary is that the guy is still learning and will only get better.

Mir came into this match in the best shape of his career and was coming off a career performance against former Interim Heavyweight Champion Antonio Nogueira. Mir opened up a lot of eyes when he gave the former Pride Champion his first knockout defeat.

That being said, even the new and improved Frank Mir was not able to stop Lesnar, and this was only Brock's fifth ever MMA fight! This just goes to show you that Lesnar is for real.

What can the critics say about the Minnesota native now? Can the guy bang with the best? Yes! Can the guy beat the best? Hell to the Yes! Is he just another Kimbo Slice? Hell to the NO!

With this dominating win on his record, who is next in line to take on this "Juggernaut?" Whoever steps up for the challenge, may the gods have mercy on him—because Brock won't.

Until then, this is "Balistik" signing out.

Peace out.

"MMA ALL THE WAY!!"

UFC Comes Full Circle with 100

James Hizona — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 23:58:27 -0400

Hello MMA fans and fighters! I am "Balistik" and this is "MMA ALL THE WAY!" Today's topic of discussion is about the 100th UFC PPV show that will happen on Saturday, June 11th live in Las Vegas.

Before I jump into the UFC card, I just want to thank everybody who enjoys MMA as a viewer or as a participant. As a former MMA competitor and an eternal fan of the sport. UFC 100 is something that makes me proud of all the blood, sweat, and tears that so many people shed to in order to reach such a feat.

I just started Jiu-Jitsu in '93 and no one had a clue what this Ultimate Fighting Championship was all about. That was 16 years ago, now the UFC and the MMA World is quickly escalating into one of the biggest sports ever worldwide. Lets see what this historical day has in store for us.

Lets start with the Heavyweight Championship match up between Brock Lesnar and Frank Mir. I am huge fans of both of these fighters and the fact that it is for the undisputed heavyweight championship makes it that much sweeter.

Brock is still learning the game, but his raw talent and the fact that he is a freaking beast is quickly carving a path of destruction where ever he goes. Brock's striking has stepped up and his octagon composure is becoming more and more evident.

When he beat Randy Couture for the Heavyweight Championship, it just solidified the fact that he is for real and that if you underestimate him, you are either suicidal or lived in a cave. It will be very interesting to see if Brock will take Mir down early.

True, "Ground and Pound" is very effective to win a match, and it is even more effective when you are half human/ half bear. But Brock has to remember that Mir is most dangerous on his back.

But will we see a ground game from Brock that can neutralize Mir's ground game? Every match that Brock has been in since he lost his UFC debut match to Mir, he has shown vast improvements in his game. But are those improvements enough to stop Frank Mir?

Mir looked fantastic against Antonio Nogueira when they fought for the interim title back in December at UFC 92. I thought we were going to see a display of Jiu-Jitsu chess between Mir and Nogueira.

Instead for the first time, I saw "Big Nog" get his "noggin" knocked out by superb striking from Mir. To me I thought that the stand up game of Mir was just average. After that match, I was like "holy @#$%"! Now he has a sick stand up game to go with a sick ground game?! Uh oh. Look out heavyweights! This is a new and improved Frank Mir.

I am not sure if Mir's will want to bang with Brock on the feet, but after his match with Nogueira, I wouldn't be surprised. Many critics were writing Mir off when he started his comeback from a career threatening motorcycle accident.

It wasn't until he made a beast called Brock Lesnar tap out to a knee bar for those same critics to silence themselves. Now Mir must prove to the world that he is the best in his division.

In my opinion, this match up can go either way. Brock can rely on his brute strength and his natural killer instinct to literally beat up Mir into submission. Mir can use his experience along with his new and improved striking to set up his dangerous ground game to make the former collegiate wrestling phenom tap out again.

The only flaw about Mir is his conditioning. If that is the case then he has to finish the fight quick or Brock will eat him alive.

Now the next match up is for the UFC Welterweight Championship between champion Georges St. Pierre and challenger Thiago Alves.

St. Pierre is out to prove that his last title defense against B.J. Penn was not because of questionable grease agents, but because of the fact that he is the future of the sport. Alves is out to prove to the world that there is a reason why he should be the next welterweight champion.

For Georges St. Pierre, beating Alves would eliminate the questions about his dominant, yet controversial victory over B.J. Penn. St. Pierre has quickly rose as one of the fighters to bring the UFC into the next decade.

His style of fighting is a pure testament of his training and discipline. His striking is to notch and his wrestling is outstanding. Georges' ground game is also a threat. He is about as "Ultimate" as an ultimate fighter can be.

As for Thiago Alves, the kid is on a seven fight winning streak which include top notch contenders such as Josh Koshcheck, Karo Parysian and welterweight legend Matt Hughes.

So far with his explosive style of fighting combined with the confidence fueled by the winning streak, we may have a match up that could be potentially nominated for fight of the year.

This match up is going to be explosive! Both guys love to bang and both like to put on a show. Now both of these fighters are not your average welterweights. Both fighters can easily fight at middleweight because they are so huge for their weight-class. Both fighters have one punch knockout power.

Both fighters are very well with submissions as well as wrestling. The only edge that I would give is to St. Pierre on the ground. Alves ground game has yet to be put to the test and Georges is the perfect man to do the just that.

On to "The Ultimate Fighter" Season 10 match up pitting the Team USA Coach Dan Henderson against Team U.K. Coach Michael Bisping. This is an interesting match up. Bisping has had tremendous success since he dropped down to Middleweight.

He has literally walked through each of his opponents in his new division. He has great striking and his ground game has always been sound. A win over Henderson should put him directly into title contention.

Dan Henderson is known for his unbelievable wrestling skills and that sick left hand of his that acts as a concrete block that he swings towards his opponent's head. Plus I would like to see Bisping get his clock rung.

Don't get me wrong, I truly respect Bisping as a fighter and as a person, but I would just like to see him get "KTFO" for once. Dan may have the best chance than any other fighter would.

Finally I would like to give some shout outs to my hometown favorites, Indiana's own Jon Fitch and Jake O'brien. Fitch has the heart of a true warrior it is only a matter of time until there is a championship belt around his waist.

As for Jake O'brien, the Purdue college standout in wrestling has the potential to be one of the top heavyweights in the UFC. Good luck to both you! Make Indiana proud!

Well those are my thoughts for the Main Cards at UFC 100. Now comes the time to let me know your thoughts. Can Brock get avenge his only loss against Mir and officially start the "Lesnar Era"? Or will Frank once again beat Brock by knocking him out this time or making the beast tap out for a second time?

Can Georges St. Pierre put on another dominating performance silencing the his controversies? Or will we see another Welterweight Champion in Thiago Alves? Can Dan Henderson finally shut up Bisping in the octagon like he said he would during the show? Or is Bisping on a mission to get a title shot? Until then this is "Balistik" signing out.

Peace Out

"MMA ALL THE WAY!!"

Georges St. Pierre: Champion or Cheater?!

James Hizona — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 16:05:51 -0400

Hello MMA fans and fighters!! I am Balistik and welcome back "MMA ALL THE WAY!!"

Today's topic of discussion is the controversy surrounding the issue between UFC Lightweight Champion B.J. Penn and Welterweight Champion Georges St. Pierre.

It seems that the camp of Penn filed a complaint against St. Pierre stating that his cornermen used illegal greasing substances that had a direct effect to the outcome of their title fight back in the end of January at UFC 94.

Apparently, Penn had major difficulties trying to secure a firm hold on St. Pierre which nullified his legendary ground game to nothing.

Granted, I watched the fight numerous times and I did notice that St. Pierre was having no difficulty passing Penn's guard, which is known to be almost inescapable by both Penn's opponents and peers.

Never have I seen someone pass Penn's guard so easily and never have I seen a B.J. Penn fight so lopsided that Penn was on the losing side.

It seemed that every time Penn went for a High Guard position his legs dropped as almost as if they were sliding downward. Between the rounds you can see St. Pierre's corner man rubbing down Georges' chest and back.

You can also see NSAC (Nevada State Athletic Commission) officials wiping down St. Pierre with a towel before the start of each round. By wiping St. Pierre down with a dry towel would indicate that St. Pierre would be dried by the time the bell rang.

Then again, Penn camp also stated that St. Pierre's camp also ingested a substance into the Welterweight Champion that would cause him to be unnaturally sweaty during the fight.

Then again you have to consider that Georges is not just any MMA artist to step into the octagon. The guy is truly a super freak! He is the complete fighter and what is scary is that he is still getting better.

True, when St. Pierre was in Penn's High Guard position, Penn's legs seem to slide downward. But the way St. Pierre was positioned, he was posturing up while in the High Guard.

And yes, when you are in an MMA match you will start to sweat as soon as the second round starts and your body will start to get slippery no matter what.

St. Pierre did have a game plan. Do a single leg but hold it and make Penn gas out on one leg and then take him down. That is exactly what I saw. After the third round, Penn looked exhausted.

Plus, Penn was being outstruck by St. Pierre as well. Penn could not utilize his dangerous jab on St. Pierre like he would use on other opponents. If this complaint were to go through, that would be extremely unfortunate for the Welterweight Champion and the image of Georges St. Pierre would be forever tarnished.

Well those are my thought, now I would like to hear yours! Do you think Georges St. Pierre is guilty of cheating? Is B.J.'s Camp just trying to search for excuses? or was St. Pierre's dominance over Penn truly a testament of the desire, training and work ethic of a true champion? Until then, this is Balistik, signing out!

Peace Out

"MMA ALL THE WAY!!"

*Note: I want to send my condolences to the friends and family of Charles "Mask" Lewis, Jr.!! We Love you and Miss you!! Tapout and the rest of the MMA world will continue to make you Proud!!!!

My Thoughts and Emotions of UFC 92

James Hizona — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 13:56:13 -0500

Hello MMA fans and fighters! I am Balistik and this is "MMA ALL THE WAY!!". Today's topic of discussion is going to be about the results of UFC 92. Let the thoughts begin.

Not since Randy Couture beat Tim Sylvia for the Heavyweight Championship did I succumb to all the elements of emotion in a Pay-Per-View. I was shocked as I witnessed the abrupt fall of Wanderlei Silva from a left hook by "Rampage" Jackson. "The Axe Murderer" is now 1-2 since his return to the UFC.

Now, as a former fighter, there does come a point when you have to accept the fact that the human body can only take so much damage. No matter how hard you train and how great your conditioning is, there is a limit that once it has been reached there is no going back. I do believe that Wanderlei is in that situation now. Yes, he lost the match, but he still owns two memorable victories over Jackson. Not many people can say that.

Wanderlei Silva will always be one of my heroes. He is one of the reasons why I started MMA. There is nothing that this future Hall of Fame fighter has to prove. I just hope he makes the right decision of what he tends to do with his career. Yes, it would be a loss to the MMA world if he decides to leave competition, but the MMA world needs to make room for fighters that want to make Wanderlei proud.

The Mir versus Nogueira fight made me extremely anxious for the next fight which will determine who is the absolute best in Heavyweight Division in the UFC. I wanted Mir to win the fight because I, like many others, would love to see Lesnar and Mir go at it one more time.

I love Nogueira, I love his work ethic and I love all the obstacles that he has overcome, not just in the ring, but outside as well. Frank is on a mission, though, and that mission will come full circle when he steps into the octagon against the current Heavyweight Champion. What I enjoyed most is when Mir looked right at Brock after he won and yelled the words, "YOU HAVE MY BELT!!" That being said, we are going to see another great battle between those two gladiators.

The Griffin/ Evans fight was a fight that, not only pissed me off, but it also made me interested to see just how Griffin improves with this loss. It pissed me off because I wanted to see Evans get his bell rung so he can experience what it feels like to eat a loss. I wanted him to look back at the fight and see where he needs improvements and how he bounces back from a defeat.

With my wrestling background, I usually cheer for the wrestler in an MMA fight. Rashad is different. When I saw the way he acted in Season Two of The Ultimate Fighter, I quickly disliked the former Spartan from Michigan State. I saw a fighter that has yet to respect others and a fighter that has yet to respect the sport. That was three years ago. Now it seems that nothing has changed.

True, the guy is blessed with unbelievable athleticism and his striking has evolved him into a knockout artist, but since I saw him on that show, I am still waiting for the one fighter that will give him a beating. The only problem is which fighter will want to set their sights on Rashad and actually be able to pull it through?

For Griffin, I know that he will become an even better fighter than before. After the loss to Keith Jardine at UFC 66, Forrest saw the holes in his game and improved on it dramatically. Those improvements were noticeable when he racked up wins over "Shogun" Rua and then champion "Rampage" Jackson. It is only a matter of time when Forrest gets another title shot and it is only a matter of time when his passion for the sport makes him a champion once again.

Well those are my thoughts, now I'd like to hear yours. Which fighter will make Evans taste the bitterness of defeat for the first time? Should "The Axe Murderer" hang up his "Axe"? Should it have been Nogueria versus Brock? or would you like to see the rematch between Frank and Brock? Until then, this is Balistik signing out.

Peace out,

"MMA ALL THE WAY!!"

BARACK WILL LEAD THE USA, WILL BROCK LEAD THE UFC?

James Hizona — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 17:38:24 -0500

First off, I would like to give props to our new president elect, Barack Obama. I surely hope he does a good job and not mess things up!

Hello MMA fans and fighters! I am Balistik and this is "MMA ALL THE WAY!!". Today's topic for discussion is the main event of UFC 91 in which the challenger Brock Lesnar will face the UFC Heavyweight Champion Randy "The Natural" Couture. Let's get to it.

It is about to happen. UFC 91 is coming up and it is coming up fast. Are you ready?! I know that Brock and Randy better be ready because this is going down as one of the most highly anticipated cards in UFC history.

On one side you have a man that is entering in just his third ever MMA match, but shows potential of truly becoming "The Next Big Thing". And on the other side, you have a man that is making his legendary return to the octagon after almost a year from successfully defending his heavyweight title against Gabriel Gonzaga.

The Brock Lesnar/ Randy Couture fight is one of those fights that you must see, even if you are not a fan or a fighter. It is one of those fights that is like a shooting star, very rarely does it happen.

When I found out about the fight back in September, I was all excited. Fast-forward two months and I still am excited! Now comes the part where I break down the fight predictions and chose a winner. The only problem I'm having is the same problem I had when I heard the news. I really cannot pick a winner!

I am absolutely amazed how Couture is able to break down a fighter and expose their weaknesses. It is very hard to come up with a strategy for some fighters when they enter the octagon. Once that bell rings, there is no turning back. It is you and the guy across from you.

If you do not have a plan, then you panic and then you are looking at the lights from your back because you just tapped out or KTFO!

Randy Couture is one of those fighters that always has a plan and always sticks to it. Forget about the fact that he is 45-years old. It is evident that Couture has proved that it is only a number.

The way he trains, eats and, most of all, how he takes care of his body should be emulated by all athletes, not just fighters. He is the UFC Heavyweight Champion because at this moment he is the best.

It will be interesting to see what kind of weaknesses he will expose on Brock.

For Brock, this is the opportunity of a lifetime. Never has someone with the attributes of Brock has stepped into the UFC. And never has someone become a force to be reckoned with after only three fights, two of them in the UFC.

Brock has all the tools to become the most dominant heavyweight in the UFC. Dare I say in all of MMA! The guy is freakishly athletic and abnormally quick for a heavyweight. He also posseses strength that probably cannot be equaled by anyone in the UFC.

What is really scary is the fact that he is soaking up MMA like a sponge. Put that ability with the fact that he is a genetic freak and you have a very, very dangerous opponent.

His last fight against Heath Herring was a 15 minute beat down of a well prepared and experienced Heath Herring. Brock made it look easy. Who knows what would happen if the Brock from the Herring fight showed up at the Lesnar/Mir fight.

Anybody that wears a 4XL gloves to fight with should be not underestimated. When Couture fights he uses his speed and his wrestling ability to grind down an opponent to the point where they simply just tap out or get knocked out.

I do not think he is going to have that advantage against Lesnar. It will be interesting who will revert back to their natural wrestling ability first when a game plan goes south. If that does not happen, then we will see who is the better MMA fighter.

All in all, I still cannot pick a winner, but you can. Who will reign supreme at UFC 91? Can Randy stop "The Next Big Thing" and solidify his immortality? Or will Brock naturally take out "The Natural" and become the new face of the UFC?

"Remember, remember / The fifteenth of November / A major battle will be fought. / I know of no reason / Of this fight we've been dreamin'/ Should ever be forgot!" -BALISTIK

Peace out!

"MMA ALL THE WAY!!"

Have We Seen the Last of "The Assassin?"

James Hizona — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 16:50:45 -0400

Hello, MMA fans and fighters! I am Balistik and this is "MMA ALL THE WAY!!" Today's topic of discussion is about UFC light heavyweight fighter Houston Alexander.

UFC Fight Night is over. The season premiere of TUF Eight is over. And, from the looks of the fight between Eric Schafer and Houston Alexander, the days of "The Assassin" in the UFC may be over, as well.

That fight was a classic striker vs. grappler fight. Eric with the Jiu-Jitsu and Alexander with the knockout power. What made the difference of the fight was the inexperience Houston showed as soon as he was taken to the ground. You can be the best striker on the planet, but if you do not improve your all around game, especially, the ground game, you will not last long in the MMA world.

In the UFC, three losses in a row will definitely reduce your stay at the UFC to almost zero. Granted, Houston's KO wins over Keith Jardine and Allessio Sakara were impressive, but those guys like to keep the fight on the feet; yes, they do have a ground game, but it was not part of the game plan going into those fights.

Scafer did have a very good ground game, and it was a major part of his game plan, that is why he was not wanting to beat Alexander at the striking game. He knows if he gets caught he will go down, and he did, but it was his Jiu-Jitsu that saved him from annihilation.

For Houston, this loss was not only his third consecutive loss, but it was a loss in his hometown of Omaha, Nebraska. To make it worst, there were seven seconds left in the first round. Who knows what would happen if the fight went to a third.

Houston has to go back and work on his ground game a lot. He already has the striking down, but that ground game is so important in MMA, not only for offense, but for defense, as well. Maybe, in the future, we will see a more well-rounded Houston Alexander, or maybe not.

Well, those are my thoughts; now I'd like to hear yours. Is this it for "The Assassin?" or should he have another fight in the UFC? Until then, this is Balistik signing out.

Peace Out,

"MMA ALL THE WAY!!"

Rashad Evans Ices "THE ICEMAN"

James Hizona — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 18:16:48 -0400

Hello MMA fans and fighters! I am Balistik and this is "MMA ALL THE WAY!!"

Today's topic of discussion is going to be about the main even of UFC 88, Chuck Liddell versus Rashad Evans.

Let's get to it.

All I can say is WOW! TUF 2 winner Rashad Evans not only beat former light-heavyweight Champion Chuck Liddell, he knocked him out! I was expecting Chuck to be in a highlight reel at UFC 88, but not at the receiving end of an overhand right by Evans.

Now the critics can say that Evans is for real. I can say Evans is for real. I previously wrote an article a few days ago about how Rashad is in over his head, facing a monster like Chuck. Boy, did he prove me and the rest of the MMA world wrong.

As much as I'd hate to say it, Rashad Evans is now right up there in the title contention. I am still in shock. I honestly thought that Chuck would hand Rashad his first loss in the octagon. Personally, I cannot stand Evans. He has a cockiness to him that really annoys me. But, I do respect him as a fighter, and the light-heavyweight division should be aware of what Evans is capable of doing.

Now, with this huge victory, lots of questions are now in the mix. This is where you come in. Does Rashad deserve a title shot? If not, then who is next? What does this mean for "The Iceman?" Will Chuck be able to bounce back from a defeat like this?

Until then, this is Balistik signing out.

Peace Out.

"MMA ALL THE WAY!!"

Brock Lesnar vs. Randy Couture: Are You Kidding Me!?

James Hizona — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 17:12:16 -0400

Hello MMA fans and fighters! I am Balistik and this is "MMA ALL THE WAY!!". Today's topic of discussion is the announcement made earlier today by UFC President Dana White. On November 15th Randy "The Natural" Couture will be making his return to the octagon as he defends his title against none other than Brock Lesnar! Now let's get to it.

It was about 3pm today when Dana White decided to shock the MMA world with this announcement and I am still in shock! Not only do I get to see my idol fight again, I get to see my idol fight against, who I think, is the future of the heavyweight division. It is always said that the sport of wrestling is to be one of the major tools to compete in MMA and at UFC 91 we are going to see just how important it is.

Both of these men are the elite when it comes to wrestling. Both of these men are psychotic competitors. This fight is going to be big! It is going to be the crafty veteranship of Couture versus the raw talent of Lesnar. Isn't it ironic what Brock said about Tim Sylvia when he first came into the UFC. He said, "when a 200 lb man not only beats you, but makes you look like an ass, there is something wrong." On November 15th, Brock will have to back up those words because he is going to face a legend.

Even at the ripe age of 45, Couture has proven to the world that age does not matter. His work ethic and his passion for the sport are unparalleled. Randy does have a knack for making shocking moments. I was heart broken when he lost to Chuck Liddell for the second time and said that he would retire. Then I was rejuvenated to find out he was coming back to face Tim Sylvia. Then he takes out Gabriel Gonzaga only to leave the company over contract disputes. Then he teases his fans by flirting with a possible "AFFLICITION" match up with Fedor Emelianenko. And now this. All I can say is WELCOME BACK RANDY! WE SURE DID MISS YOU!

For me, picking between Brock and Randy is like picking between Ali and Frazier. I have so much respect for these fighters it is insane! Not only have I been following them since their MMA debuts, I have been following them during their wrestling careers. It makes me proud to be a wrestler turned MMA fighter when I see fighters as gifted as these guys perform. I cannot wait to see these two titans go to war!

Well, those are my thoughts, now I'd like to hear yours. Who do you think will win this clash of the titans? How and why? Does Randy still have it or will Brock take the torch and bring the UFC to the next level? Until then, this is Balistik signing out.

Peace Out

"MMA ALL THE WAY!!"

Will The Iceman Give Rashad Evans His First Loss?

James Hizona — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 14:34:58 -0400

Hello, MMA fans and fighters! I am Balistik and this is MMA ALL THE WAY!. Today's topic for discussion is the main event of UFC 88: Breakthrough. Former light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell will take on TUF 2 winner, the undefeated Rashad Evans. Let's get to it.

This fight is going to be an interesting one for both fighters. Evans is a very good wrestler. With the exception of the TUF 2 finale, Rashad has been able to take his opponent down in every fight that he has been in.

Chuck, on the other hand, has a wrestling sprawl that is legendary. His ability to keep the fight on his feet is second to none.

Both fighters are in a position that means a win would result in title contention. Both are coming off impressive performances: Liddell over my mentor Wanderlei Silva at UFC 79 and Rashad over Michael Bisping at UFC 78.

What separates the fighters is that Liddell is known to finish his fights in spectacular fashion. Evans has been known to take the fight to the distance, winning through judges' decisions.

Of the seven fights that Evans has been in, he has finished just two. Knocking out a knockout master in Chuck would be a huge step for Evans. The key for Evans is to get inside and take Liddell down and try to ground and pound on Liddell.

For Chuck, this fight could bring him one step closer to regaining his title after losing it to Rampage Jackson.

I do not think that Evans should try to out-strike Liddell or he will pay. The problem for Evans is if he does take Liddell down he has to keep him down. Liddell does not mind taking a few shots in order to get to his feet.

Evans should take advantage of this. Pound on Chuck as he tries to take the fight to feet. If Rashad fails at this, it will be a long night for Sugar. I see this fight going no longer than the second, with Chuck getting the win through referee stoppage. I say it is a little too early for Rashad to take on the elite, but who knows?

Every fighter has a puncher's chance, especially The Iceman. Plus, I would love to see Forrest versus Chuck! That would be nice. Teacher versus the former student.

Well, those are my thoughts. Now I'd like to hear yours. Do you think Rashad Evans has what it takes to cool off The Iceman? Or will Chuck get back on the road to the title?

Until then, this is Balistik signing out.

Peace Out.

MMA ALL THE WAY!

MMA All the Way: Can Rich Franklin Hang at 205?

James Hizona — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 12:19:17 -0400

Hello MMA fans and fighters! I am James "Balistik" Hizona and this is "MMA ALL THE WAY!!" Today's topic of discussion is former UFC Middleweight Champion Rich "Ace" Franklin.

It has been almost three years since Franklin has competed in the light heavyweight division. He did manage to leave the division undefeated, taking out such fighters as Edwin Dewees, Evan Tanner, Jorge Rivera, and UFC Hall Of Famer Ken Shamrock.

Now, on Sept. 6 in Atlanta, GA, Franklin will make his return to the light heavyweight division as he takes on wrestling beast, and TUF 3 alum, Matt "The Hammer" Hamill at UFC 88: Breakthrough.

This is going to be a true test to see if Franklin can hold his own against a 205 class that has totally changed since he left the division in '05. Now, the division is really stacked! But it also opens up matchups that the fans want to see.

Moving down to middleweight did work out great for Franklin, as he won the Middleweight title until he ran into a "Spider".

The 205 class not only has a "Spider", but an "Iceman" and an "Axe Murderer". Those are just a few of the great fighters that roam the division. And you cannot forget the new UFC Light Heavyweight Champ Forrest Griffin, who is willing to take on anybody right now!

As far as overall ability and work ethic, Franklin is one of the best! Matt Hamill is no slouch, either. The cow-tipping, wrestling standout from Utica, NY is looking forward to putting a win over Franklin on his resume, and that would be a major accomplishment for "The Hammer".

This fight is going to be a great one!

It will definitely show how Franklin fights against opponents who are just as strong, or, dare I say, stronger than him. I do believe that Franklin is seeking another challenge in his career. Maybe he sees an opportunity at Light Heavyweight that we do not see. The match against Hamill is perfect for testing the waters of 205, and hopefully he does not sink.

Now comes the time for you, the fans and fighters, to give me your thoughts. Is the 205 class already filled with too much talent? Or should Franklin stay at 185 and continue to pursue the middleweight crown again? If Franklin should stay at 205, what kind of matches would you like to see? Until then, this is Balistik signing out.

Peace Out.

"MMA ALL THE WAY!!"

"MMA ALL THE WAY!!" PREDICTIONS FOR REMAINING FIGHTS FOR UFC 87

James Hizona — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 12:13:13 -0400

Hello MMA fans and fighters! I am James "Balistik" Hizona and this is "MMA ALL THE WAY!!".

Today's topic for discussion is going to be the predictions for the remaining fights for UFC 87: Seek and Destroy.

It is only fair to analyze these fights because you never know. The Knockout, Submission, or even Fight of the Night could be here in these fights so lets break 'em down.

The first fight is going to be TUF 5 alums Manny "The Anvil" Gamburyan against Rob "The Saint" Emerson in the lightweight division.

To the world, Manny has shown that, even though he is small in stature, he makes up in extreme aggressiveness and heart. Literally this guy is like a pit bull who is very hungry. Many say that if it wasn't for his shoulder giving out in the TUF Finale, he would have won the show.

I am looking forward to his rematch against TUF 5 winner, Nate Diaz. His opponent Rob "The Saint" Emerson has yet to show that he belongs in the 155 class. A win over "The Anvil" will prove just that.

Emerson will have his hand full with Manny. He has to watch out for Manny's judo throws which are world class and be even more cautious about Manny's ground game. He has sick submissions, just ask Nate Mohr.

If Rob Emerson wants to win, I do believe that he has to keep the fight standing up and utilize his size and reach to his advantage. But he has to watch out for Manny's striking because they are dangerous too!

All in all, I see "The Anvil" winning this in the first, either by TKO or submission. If Emerson can whether the 1st round storm, he could out last Manny, since his conditioning has yet to be tested.

Next, in the middleweight division, we have Jason "The Athlete" MacDonald against Jiu-Jitsu practitioner Demian Maia.

This is a big one for both fighters. A win here could propel them into the title hunt. Both are coming off impressive victories in UFC 83.MacDonald with a TKO over UFC veteran Joe Doerksona and Maia with a submission win over TUF 3 Finalist Ed "Short Fuse" Herman.

If the fight stays on the feet, MacDonald has a good chance of winning. I do not think he wants to go to the ground on this one considering Maia's Jiu-Jitsu is very dangerous. Maia likes to utilize the choke on his opponents, so MacDonald should be wary of exposing that neck of his.

I still see MacDonald winning this one, but I do believe this fight may go the distance. MacDonald by unanimous decision.

In the welterweights, we have TUF finalist Luke Cummo versus Tamdan McCory. This is a must win for both fighters, since both are coming off a loss.

For Cummo, this would put him in a bad spot in the division if he loses. He needs this win very badly. For Tamdan, this is his chance to showcase his talents. Now that he has shaken off the UFC jitters, he needs to step up his game if he wants to go far in the UFC.

For me, I say Cummo in the first by TKO. Cummo's overall game will be too much for McCory. Cummo does not want to suffer his fourth loss in seven fights. That is why he will impose his will and get the "W".

Next up, TUF 6 alums Ben "Killa B" Saunders against Jared "J-Rock" Rollins in the welterweight division.

I see Saunders using his aggressiveness to snatch a win in this fight.

True, Rollins is a very explosive fighter and the fact that he has a lot of grappling experience makes him dangerous on the ground. But I have yet to see a killer instinct in Rollins.

Physically, he is a gifted athlete, but he needs to be more aggressive in his fights. Saunders has that killer instinct. If "J-Rock" can match Saunders aggressiveness, then he might have a chance. I do not see that happening, but who knows.

I will be looking forward to see how Chris Wilson does against Steve Bruno in the final welterweight match for the evening.

For Bruno, this will see be his debut into the UFC. For Wilson, this will be an interesting to see how he bounces back from the Jon Fitch loss. Both fighters like to bang, so I don't this fight going to the ground much. I choose Wilson in the second by TKO.

The last two remaining remaining fights set to include Chiek Kongo versus Dan Evensen in the heavyweight division and Tomasz Drwal against Andre Guasmo.

Unfortunately, due to lack of information on Evensen Guasmo, I really can not analyze these fights. But if you have any specs on them, please let me know.

Those are my remaining predictions for UFC: 87. Now comes your part whether you agree or disagree. Any comments are more than welcome. Until then this is Balistik signing out.

Peace Out,

"MMA ALL THE WAY!!"

"MMA ALL THE WAY!!" K-FLO VS. EL MATADOR , FIGHT OF THE NIGHT? MAYBE

James Hizona — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 14:44:38 -0400

Hello MMA fans and fighters! I am James "Balistik" Hizona, and this is "MMA ALL THE WAY!!". The topic for discussion is the fight between Roger "El Matador" Huerta against Kenny "K-Flo" Florian.

This fight very well could be the dark horse for fight of the night. This is quite a bold statement considering the GSP and the Brock fight will take place the very same night.

These guys are the elite in an already elite division. Plus, this lightweight division is one of the most explosive out there. I am a huge fan of both of these fighters and for the first time, in a very long time, I really cannot pick a winner.

These guys match up so perfectly, it is ridiculous! Both are great on their feet, both are great on the ground, both are cardio freaks and both have hearts the size of Texas!

Huerta has yet to be beaten in the octagon, and Florian has started another winning streak since the Sean Sherk loss.

Florian has made a habit of finishing his fights whether it is a submission or TKO. Huerta has never had a boring fight. If there was a hairline chance of an edge I could give, I would give it to Kenny on the ground.

Again, I say a hairline edge. All I can say is that I would hate to be a judge for this fight because I can only see this going to a split decision. As far as a winner, both have an equal chance.

Those are my thoughts. This is where you come into play. Who do you think will win this battle? TUF Season 1 alum Kenny Florian? Or unbeaten Roger Huerta? Until the next predictions, this is Balistik signing out.

Peace out.

"MMA ALL THE WAY!!"

"MMA ALL THE WAY!!" UFC 87 PREDICTIONS FOR BROCK LESNAR VS. HEATH HERRING FIGHT

James Hizona — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 04:41:23 -0400

Hello MMA fans and fighters! I am James "Balistik" Hizona, and this is "MMA ALL THE WAY!!" Today's topic for discussion is the Brock Lesnar vs. Heath Herring fight at UFC 87: Seek and Destroy.

This fight is going to answer a lot of questions for both fighters. Now, for whoever saw the Brock Lesnar/ Frank Mir fight, you know that, even though Brock lost the fight, he answered the question of "Can he fight?"

Personally to me that fight was a controversial one. All he needs is the experience and that will come in due time.

The man simply hates to lose, and I am sure that after the Mir fight, I do believe that he went straight to the gym train harder and started to study films longer. The man is an insane competitor who will not stop until he gets the results he wants and he usually does.

He did show signs of potential of becoming one of the best heavyweights in a long time. Can't you tell that I am a huge fan of this guy?

I have been watching him since his college days at the University of Minnesota, and I told myself and pretty much all who know me, that if he ever got into the octagon, he could make a huge impact there.

Now Heath Herring is one of my favorite fighters to come from the PRIDE world. He is a very good striker with a very good ground game.

When you have faced the likes of Mirko Cro Cop, Wanderlai Silva, "Minotauro" Nogeira, and Fedor Emelianenko, and you are only 30 years old, you are either crazy or really good.

I think Herring is both (Hence the nickname of "The Texas Crazy Horse"). Now that he has totally rededicated himself not only to training, but he is now watching what he eats now, thanks to a nutritionist he acquired after the "Minotauro" loss.

With that in mind, you are looking at a more dangerous Heath Herring.

All in all, I see Brock pulling out a victory with a TKO in the first. If that does not happen, I see a TKO in the second.

Brock has too much brute force and now he has the knowledge. I do believe he will be ready. Especially since it is being held in his hometown!

Now comes the time when I hear your thoughts. Do you agree or disagree? Your thoughts are more than welcome here. Until I write my next predictions for UFC 87, this is Balistik signing out.

Peace out!

"MMA ALL THE WAY!!"

Note: Just wanted to say thanks to Editor Michael Bair for editing my article. I am very new to this, and I am eager to get better!

"MMA ALL THE WAY!!": MY PREDICTIONS OF UFC 87 STARTING WITH........

James Hizona — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 15:40:40 -0400

Hello MMA fans and fighters! I am James "Balistik" Hizona and this is "MMA ALL THE WAY!!". Today's topic of discussion is the main event of UFC 87: Seek and Destroy. Georges "Rush" St. Pierre against Jon Fitch for the UFC Welterweight Championship. In the words of "BIG" John McCarthy, "LETS GET IT ON!!!!" (miss you much John!)

For me, I think that both these guys match up really well as far as styles, conditioning, and heart go.

Both fighters are on a win streak and both fighters are at the top of their game. Unfortunately, one of these winning streaks will end on August 9th. I am going to have to go with Georges on this one.

Usually, I root for the wrestler in the fight, especially since this wrestler is from my home state of Indiana! But Georges' ability to adapt and excel against his opponent's strengths is second to none.

Georges has a "Who's Who" list of victories over Mixed Martial Artists that have an outstanding wrestling background. Josh Koshcheck, Sean Sherk, Matt Hughes just to name a few!

What makes this even more scary is that St. Pierre does not even have an outstanding wrestling background! That is really scary! Because of that, that is why I say Georges wins in the third by TKO.

Now, if Fitch does not get knocked out by the third, Georges will win via unanimous decision. Don't get me wrong, Jon Fitch is no joke! The guy has the longest UFC winning streak right now with eight straight wins (which is a remarkable feat in MMA). And some of those victories were against top fighters in the division. And he has yet to lose in the octagon.

Jon Fitch will be ready. If Georges does not take this fight seriously like he did the last, it is going to be a long night for GSP. I'm sure he will be ready.

Well, that is my prediction for the main event at UFC 87. Now I'd like to know yours. Do you agree or disagree? Until then, this is Balistik signing out.

Peace out!

"MMA ALL THE WAY!!"

Article #2 "AFFLICTION", MY NEWEST ADDICTION!

James Hizona — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 18:44:41 -0400

Hello MMA fans and fighters! I am James "Balistik" Hizona and this is "MMA ALL THE WAY". My first article was about UFC Fight Night. This one is about "Affliction:Banned".

What did you think? Did you enjoy the fights? Do you think that Affliction can go toe-to-toe with the Goliath called Ultimate Fighting Championship? Just how good is Fedor Emelianenko?

Before Affliction, I thought that he was one of the best overall heavyweights in the world. Now, I personally think that he is the BEST fighter, period! No offense to UFC Middleweight Champion and now Light Heavyweight beast, Anderson Silva, Fedor is simply a machine that seems to walk on all comers as if they are a daily door mat of a gas station!

The man simply man-handled Tim Sylvia like a veteran schooling a rookie! Tim Sylvia is not the type of guy you just walk through and Fedor did it in less than 40 seconds!

All I can say is WOW!! I am very happy that MMA fans that are relatively new to the sport and fighters as well, now have the chance to see Fedor in the U.S. The man is getting the recognition he truly deserves! Major Props to "The Last Emperor"! Hope your reign continues!!!!

It is great to see "The Pitbull" Andrei Arlovski back in action! He is one of my favorite fighters, because of his relentless attacks and his natural ability as a fighter. Arlovski made a very good move when he acquired boxing trainer Freddie Roach. His performance against Ben Rothwell reminded me of his dominant days when he eating up opponents as the heavyweight champion. Now we'll see who his next opponent will be.

Another fighter that was good to see again was "The Phenom" Vitor Belfort. When I sparred with this guy I never knew how fast he was until he hit me with about 15 punches and a couple of knees in a matter of seconds!! That was in 1998! 10 years later nothing has changed. He isn't called "The Phenom" for nothing! After knocking out UFC fighter Terry Martin, I actually thought that his striking has improved even better (if that is possible). I still can't get Martin getting clocked by James Irvin's knee a few years ago. Anyway, Now that Belfort is in middleweight, I do believe that we will probably see the best Vitor Belfort ever!

A rematch between two former UFC champions manifested at Affliction. Josh "The Baby Faced Assassin" Barnett avenged his loss against Pedro "The Rock" Rizzo. 2001 was when Rizzo and Barnett collided for the first time and in my view that was a very impressive fight for both fighters. This time, Barnett was the one to make the knockout hit when he caught Rizzo with a left hook that sent the former UFC champion down and early in the second. Once Rizzo fell, "The Assassin" struck again on the ground and that was it. Now I would love to see Barnett and Fedor, just because the two have never met and I think that would be an epic battle!

Former UFC fighter Renato "Babalu" Sobral clashed with TUF season 2 alum Mike Whitehead. Babalu scored the win in a unanimous decision. Whitehead looked good in taking Sobral down, but he never did captilize on the situation. Babalu showed much improved striking and good take down defense to get the "W".

Other fights included Mark Hominick against Savant Young. Mark Hominick showed a lot of persistence when he submitted Savant Young in their match. Hominick kept throwing triangle after triangle after triangle and even was able to narrowly escape a Young power bomb that pretty much would have ended the fight. Hominick decided to make a transition from his last triangle attempt into an armbar that resulted in a Young tap. That was a very cool ground fight!

Paul "The Head Hunter" Buentello won a unanimous decision over PRIDE veteran Gary "Big Daddy" Goodridge. It was Buentello being the aggressor through out most of the fight that gave him the win. (Remember when Buentello fought Arlovski for the UFC title? It seemed like it was a long time ago, but it really wasn't)

Matt "The Law" Lindland was another fighter that used his aggressiveness to earn a unanimous decision over Fabio Nascimento. Being a former wrestler , I had to cheer for Lindland, the conditioning you have to endure in Greco-Roman training combined with a an aggressive ground game is a very good tool in MMA. Lindland was able to out last Nascimento.

What about Nogueira? Not UFC Heavyweight Champion "Minotauro" Nogueira, but "Minotoro" in Antonio Rogerio Nogueira the smaller of the Nogueira twins. He looked very impressive showing excellent striking as he forced the ref to call it while he was throwing bombs on the face of Edwin "Baby Face" Dewees.

Last, but not least. Mike Pyle made short work of J.J. Ambrose in their fight. As Pyle took Ambrose down, Ambrose gave Pyle his back. And after several solid punches that led to an Abrose exposing his neck Pyle cinched in a choke that led to his win.

Well, those are my thoughts about Affliction, I liked it a lot and am very looking forward to what they have in store in the future. The UFC needs some type of competition! Now I want to hear your thoughts! What did you think of Affliction? Who should be next to stand against Fedor? Did Belfort make a good move dropping to Middleweight? Is there still a lot of bite left in "The Pitbull"? Let me know! Until next time, this is Balistik signing out.

Remember, "MMA ALL THE WAY!"

Article #1 Anderson Silva dominates! Is there no one else?!

James Hizona — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 06:33:07 -0400

Hello, MMA fans! welcome to my first article about the MMA world! Did you see UFC Fight Night or Affliction Banned? Let me know and tell me your thoughts!

Well here are my thoughts.

First, lets go to UFC Fight night. I must say that Anderson "The Spider" Silva is a freak! Not only did he move up a weight class he dominated James "The Sandman" Irvin the same exact way he dominated the rest of his opponents, with pin-point accuracy in his striking. The man truly defines what MMA is all about! James Irvin is a very good fighter and Silva walked right through him.

Now that he has shown his dominance I personally would like to see him move to the light heavyweight full-time. The only fighter in the middleweight division that can hold his own for a short time is Yoshin Okami. We will see if that fight ever happens. Now if Okami and Silva does happen he walks through Okami, then there would be no one else in that division.

Next is "The Truth" Brandon Vera against newcomer Reese Andy. For Brandon, if he lost this fight he would have to re-think his career in not only in the UFC, but in the world of MMA. Luckily for Brandon he won, but it was not the win that he wanted as he was given the "W" via unanimous decision. It seemed that the weight cutting for Vera showed as he started to look gassed mid-way through the second round. He showed a few exciting knees, but was unable to finish Andy, who was able to hold his own despite giving up a lot of height and reach to Vera. Hopefully, Vera will look to improve and maintain the weight at 205. I will be looking forward to his next fight and I will be expecting answers from "The Truth"!

I was very looking forward to the Frankie "The Answer" Edgar vs. Hermes Franca in the lightweight division. The fight ended up with Frankie imposing his dominance on the ground as he was able to take down the jiu-jitsu master at will. Franca did show some signs by landing some clean shots on the feet and exploded, but could not finish, with an array of submission attempts, but Edgar was able to show great submission defense and was the aggressor though out the fight.

My hometown buddy from Carmel, Indiana Jake "Irish" O'Brien got his bell rung by Cain Velasquez. I was a little shocked. O'Brien is one mean dude and for Velasquez to take him down and pin both his arms while he used O'Brien's face like a basketball pummeling him with punches, was very impressive. Credits to Jake for hanging in there and almost getting out, but it was too much for "Irish". He still is a force to be reckoned with.

The Anthony "Rumble" Johnson vs. Kevin Burns Match was not what I expected. I was expecting to see Johnson come out the same explosive way he did against Tommy Spears. But NOPE!, he didn't. Instead he let Burns take him down and unfortunately the fight was stopped by Referee Mario Yamasaki, when it looked like Johnson was rocked by a punch by Burns, but it was a poke in the eye. Too late though, Yamasaki stopped the fight and Burns was given the "W" instead of being disqualified, even though the poke was not that serious, but Johnson was milking it a little too much, Lets cry about it! WAAAAHHHHH. Oh well, looks like "Rumble" took a tumble.

The next fight between Jesse "JT Money" and CB Dolloway was nice. This could have very well been the finale of TUF season 7, but Amire Sadallah, proved them wrong! Anyway, these two wrestlers duked it out in the first round until CB was able to show his technical superiority by snatching Taylor in a Peruvian Necktie! Now that was very nice! I haven't seen that move successfully executed in a very, very, long time! Props to CB on the win.

The next fight was the last fight to be televised, but it was a great one between Brodie Farber and Rory Markham. That fight started with Farber rocking Markham with a flurry of punches and started to pursue Markham until Markham blasted Farber with a high kick to the head that put Farberto sleep! Dare I say, that was one of the best kicks in UFC history!!!!

Other resuts from the prelims are as follows:

TUF 7 alums Tim Credeur and Cale Yarbrough squared off with Tim Credeur Winning by Technical Knock Out in the first round.

Nate Loughran Wins by Submission (Choke) over Johnney Reese in the first round by triangle.

Brad Blackburn Wins by Technical Knock Out over James Giboo in the second round. (Sucks for fighters named "James" that night)

Shannon Gugerty Wins by Submission (Choke) over Dale Hartt in the first round by rear naked choke.

That does it for UFC Fight Night. Personally to me it was a very good show even though there were a lot a newcomers, but I still enjoyed it.

Let me know your thoughts on UFC Fight Night. Did you like it or not? Next will be my thoughts about "Affliction" Banned! Until then, my name is James Hizona, and this is the debut of my creation "MMA ALL THE WAY". Peace out!