Fighters Only

Issue 120

October 2014

All the head-turning information every MMA fan needs to know.

Fans abuzz as Diaz returns to face Anderson at 185lb

After just 18 months of quasi retirement, Nick Diaz put pen to paper on a new, three-fight UFC deal in July. Less than a week later, his first opponent was announced, prompting slack jaws across the MMA world.

Former long-time middleweight champion and pound-for-pound king Anderson Silva will be the man on the opposite side of the Octagon at UFC 183 on January 31st 2015 in Las Vegas. The 185lb scrap will also be ‘The Spider’s first fight back after more than a year on the sidelines. The Brazilian was recovering from a broken leg suffered against Chris Weidman in December.

Both fighters hinted at their desire for this contest in the past and UFC president Dana White revealed he would book it if that was what it took to get the Stockton bad boy to fight again. Sure enough, Diaz jumped at the chance to get back into action.

As if the announcement alone was not enough to whet the appetite of the discerning combat connoisseur, it sounds like we’re set for a stand-up war between two of the sport’s best strikers. Though both possess BJJ black belts, Diaz’s head coach Cesar Gracie thinks it will play out on the feet.

“I believe it’s going to be a stand-up fight the entire time,” he told mmafighting.com. “Nick is better on the ground, his jiu-jitsu is better, but I believe it’s going to be a standup fight and it won’t last five rounds. I think it will be over before five rounds, someone will get knocked out.”

FO SCORE: Will Diaz be able to make the step up in weight and take out the greatest 185lb fighter of all time? Will Silva’s leg hold up after a year on the sidelines or will he just sell ‘wolf tickets’? One thing is for sure, this is a fight to move the needle.

65.78 million

In the first month of EA Sports UFC being released exactly 65,782,029 fights took place, with Bruce Lee the most popular character (3.41m plays) despite the fact he never competed inside the UFC’s Octagon.

39

Should he decide to return to competition, Chael Sonnen will be 39 years old when his NSAC two-year ban for consecutive positive drug tests is complete.

Gus’ out, ‘DC’ in, jones delighted

After months of diligently holding onto his right to challenge for the UFC light heavyweight title, number-one contender Alexander Gustafsson was forced out of his rematch with Jon Jones due to injury in July.

The Swedish star required surgery to the meniscus in his right knee, forcing him to bow out of his title rematch and heal up on the sidelines.

Two-time Olympic wrestler and former heavyweight, Daniel Cormier took ‘The Mauler’s spot and will face off against Jones in Las Vegas at UFC 178 on September 27th. The champ was delighted despite the late switch.

“This was the fight I was pushing for in the first place,” Jones said, ahead of the pairs ugly scuffle in the first pre-event presser. “Nothing like fresh meat.”

Cormier, who last fought in May, added: “We’ve had nine weeks, which is sufficient time to prepare... This (quick turnaround) is going to be a blessing. Being out of the cage too long can be bad for me.”