The aftermath of the Nick Diaz saga has led to a lot of confusion in the welterweight division. Will Carlos Condit defend his UFC interim welterweight title before Georges St. Pierre comes back? Who are the top contenders for that bout if it does happen? Well, one piece of the welterweight puzzle was revealed today by UFC president Dana White. Josh Koscheck will face Johny Hendricks at UFC on Fox 3 on May 5th. Here's what he said on twitter:
@danawhite
Dana White Koscheck vs Johnny Hendricks is on for FOX!!!
Favorite Retweet
This bout makes all sorts of sense. Hendricks is coming off of a 12 second knockout of Kos's former teammate and good friend Jon Fitch. Koscheck defeated Mike Pierce via close split decision at UFC 143, while Hendricks did the same at UFC 133. Koscheck is a natural talker who is a good fit for a Fox show, and the winner of the bout will be a clear option for Condit if he does choose to defend before GSP returns. The only bad part is that this will be a three-rounder.
In short, excellent booking as usual from Joe Silva.
1 recs | 240 comments
I see Kos getting TKO’d, haymakers everywhere
IRodC - February 12, 2012
Not even haymakers
Watch all of Hendricks’ fights and as soon as he gets the clinch he uppercuts the shit out of you. The guy has sick power and has excellent uppercuts, I honestly think they’re one of the best in MMA.
It’s uppercuts that he used to drop Sadollah, brutalize Ricardo Funch, and drop Brenneman the 3rd or 4th time around (1st time was a temple shot on a hook).
SSreporters - February 12, 2012
This would be better as the main event
Diaz vs Miller can co-headline.
KJ Gould - February 12, 2012
I don't know
Koscheck seems to be starting the twilight of his career, I’d rather have 2 exciting title contenders as the ME
IRodC - February 12, 2012
No way.. you want to rob us of two rounds of Miller – Diaz?
Horselover Fat - February 12, 2012
No, not at all
In terms of having a bigger name to bring casuals in – crucial for the ongoing success on Fox – , well, Koscheck is more well known.
I really want Edgar vs Henderson on Fox, but we can’t always get what we want.
KJ Gould - February 12, 2012
BTW, Diaz vs Miller is a perfect 5 round main event for FX, rather than FOX
Just saying.
KJ Gould - February 12, 2012
5 Rounders are exclusive to PPV and big Fox
All other headliners are 3 rounders
AfroSamurai - February 12, 2012 via iPhone app
I doubt this is set in concrete
UFC generally are savvy enough to know what match ups work best as 3 round or 5 round headliners (for television entertainment purposes).
KJ Gould - February 12, 2012
Very Savvy indeed however
I think for this reason they will match up all those that need to be 5 rounders on FOX or PPV. Otherwise i think they should have done Bisping Vs. Sonnen.
However only time will tell if they break what they said…wont be the first time
AfroSamurai - February 12, 2012
You can't tell guys 11 days away from their fight
That you’re changing it from 3 rounds to 5.
YPG - February 13, 2012
Okay, yeah, I get what you’re saying. I was a little surprised as well that Diaz – Miller was to headline FOX, but I really really love that fight being five rounds so I’m not going to suggest otherwise.
Horselover Fat - February 12, 2012
hendricks. Kos just doesnt look hungry any more since GSP put some muffins on him
mattsterguy - February 12, 2012
koscheck is going to sleep in this one
TheDreadedMarco - February 12, 2012 via mobile
oh god please let him KO Koscheck in 12 seconds!
benten20 - February 12, 2012
Oh shit!
I had a feeling they were gonna put this match up together
Rolandando - February 12, 2012
I think Hendricks is going to win but I like Koscheck's chances.
He said that motivation was a problem in his fight with Pierce but I don’t think that’ll be the case this time. Kos is going to come in wanting to avenge Fitch’s loss.
awesomefightgreatjob - February 12, 2012
Hendricks should win this one. His combination of improved striking, power, and strong wrestling should get him the victory. Koscheck looked pretty bad in my opinion against Pierce. Koscheck looks to have peaked, and Hendricks is just getting better.
chrisbboy82 - February 12, 2012
Wow this could be the turning point towards the endgame for Koschecks career. Great match though.
Jeremy Couturier - February 12, 2012
Let's see if Kos still thinks he's a striker
sun yue - February 12, 2012
Kos Right hand vs. Johnny Left hand
There is only room for one 1-Dimensional wrestle boxer in the Welter Weight top 5.
There can be only one!
Snatchl - February 13, 2012
I hope Kos goes nighty night in violent fashion
attgnp - February 12, 2012
Who thinks he's going to retire after he gets kyo'd?
That seems to be the trend nowadays, or at least a move up to middle weight?
.5man.5bear.5pig - February 12, 2012
KYOOOO!
TheDreadedMarco - February 13, 2012
its the dave chappelle of ko
Body Triangle - February 13, 2012
hahhaa. BAM! Kyo’d bitches!
TheDreadedMarco - February 13, 2012
Both men lost to pierce by split-decision
very interesting, very close fight. My prediction: Koscheck wins by repeated eye pokes. works every time
MuyThaiGroinAssault - February 12, 2012
Kosh won
he should have lost
T.P. Grant - February 12, 2012
yeah he def should have gotten a point deduction for the eye gouging
he gets a lot of preferential treatment in my opinion
MuyThaiGroinAssault - February 12, 2012
lol when speaking of Kos eye pokes
you have to be specific, there have been too many
T.P. Grant - February 12, 2012
That’s the thing, he received an official warning from Herb in the second round, as well as several other “informal” verbal warnings during the fight. Then in the third when they halted the action after another eyepoke that affected Pierce, he should have gotten a point deduction (since he had already been warned). Instead he got another warning..
Also never mind that Pierce pretty clearly won the first two rounds in my opinion
Horselover Fat - February 12, 2012
in everyone's opinion beside the judges sitting cageside
the true robbery of the night
T.P. Grant - February 12, 2012
I thought Pierce outstruck him for two rounds.
discoandherpes - February 12, 2012
He did
I think Pierce’s cut (caused by an accidental headbutt) + takedown = STOLE THE 2ND ROUND
SSreporters - February 12, 2012
I agree
discoandherpes - February 12, 2012
Both guys beat pierce by split dec.
Hendricks lost to Story.
Sweet Scientist - February 12, 2012
Koscheck won that fight. Granted, it was a terrible decision.
Richard Wade - February 12, 2012
fun match up
Hendricks gets him I think
T.P. Grant - February 12, 2012
Smells like
A vicious KO to me. Kos will try to wrestle, won’t be able to get/keep Hendricks down, and will eat big punches in an exchange.
Patrick Wyman - February 12, 2012
Hendricks is going to rearrange Koscheck’s face
Pyrgz Krum - February 12, 2012
D-1 wrestling champs, when is the last time this happened in high level MMA?
I thought Couture vs. Van Arsdale but Couture was a runner up, not a champ. Carwin was Div II, not Div I. Don’t think Randleman ever fought another NCAA champ. Neither did Kerr, although he showed up old and washed up to fight King Mo (who never won an NCAA Div I title anyways). Rosholt hasn’t fought another champ.
Anybody got an example of two NCAA Div I champs in MMA?
pdl - February 12, 2012
Don’t think there has been one before. Good call.
Tim Burke - February 12, 2012
Was Tom Erickson a D-1 champ?
I know he fought Randleman.
VenusBlue - February 12, 2012
Nah, 2- time All American, though.
ElliotMatheny - February 12, 2012
Thanks. That's all I got.
Guess this is a first so.
VenusBlue - February 12, 2012
Your post made me curious, so i looked up all the NCAA champs and here is what i came up with
As far as i know there have only been 12 NCAA champs that fought in MMA
- Cole Konrad (HW) – 2006, 2007
- Brock Lesnar (HW) – 2000
- Phil Davis (197lbs) – 2008
- Jake Rosholt (184lbs, & 197lbs) – 2003, 2005, 2006
- Mark Munoz (197lbs) – 2001
- Mark Kerr (190lbs) – 1992
- Mark Coleman (190lbs) – 1988
- Kevin Randleman (177lbs) – 1992, 1993
- Ben Askern (174lbs) – 2006, 2007
- Josh Koscheck (174lbs) – 2001
- Mike Van Arsdale (167lbs) – 1988
- Johny Hendricks (165lbs) – 2005, 2006
So i guess this is the first time that two NCAA champs fight in MMA. Also, am i the only one that thinks its crazy that both Coleman, and Kerr wrestled at 190lbs even though they both fought at HW (didn’t Kerr weigh in at like 260lbs?) Also how the hell did Kevin Randleman make 177lbs, and Mike Van Arsdale 167lbs? Randleman fought at HW and LHW, and Van Arsdale fought at 205lbs his entire career.
darkotto23 - February 12, 2012
This is also Mark Ellis and Bubba Jenkins, but the list was probably made before they debuted in MMA.
Tim Burke - February 12, 2012
*There
Tim Burke - February 12, 2012
i know Bubba has only had 1 fight, i don't know about Ellis
darkotto23 - February 12, 2012
Ellis
Has had two fights, both in the new ProElite. He won the first and lost the second, and looked terrible in the loss.
Patrick Wyman - February 12, 2012
Anyway you slice it, that’s a list of some tough fucking dudes.
( . Y . ) - February 12, 2012
i was wondering the same thing about their weights wth
benten20 - February 12, 2012
I’m amazed Kerr and Coleman never fought. That’s really a testament to how short Kerr’s run was.
Ben Thapa - February 13, 2012
if i remember correctly Coleman and Kerr were actually close firends
I got this from Kerr’s wiki page:
So i guess that might be the reason why they never fought.
darkotto23 - February 13, 2012
They would have if Kerr had beat Fujita in the 2000 Openweight GP.
They agreed to if it came to it, but Fujita won then threw the towel against Coleman.
pdl - February 13, 2012
evey time I think of Fujita or Kerr i remember Seanbaby's hilarious article
http://www.cracked.com/blog/worst-life-ever-the-story-of-kazuyuki-fujitas-skull/
darkotto23 - February 13, 2012
1993 Sylvester Terkay, North Carolina St. (HW)
you forgot that mma fighter and former WWE Wrestler ;)
Chris Kamro - February 13, 2012
Haha
Yup. Huge dude and one of my mma coaches
Andy Anderson - February 13, 2012
Oh my god
You’ve pulled an Earl.
discoandherpes - February 13, 2012
Yeah I did!
I am awesome!
Andy Anderson - February 13, 2012
btw this is where i found the list of champs:
http://www.hickoksports.com/history/ncaawrestl.shtml
darkotto23 - February 12, 2012
Another rec
Great catch
SteamboatWillie - February 13, 2012
this will be a UD for kos.
both have KO power, but i think kos will try and gnp his way out.
carmine99 - February 12, 2012
nighty night Kos
Earl Montclair - February 12, 2012 via iPhone app
oooo goody Kos is getting KO'd
MaZZacare - February 12, 2012
boring decision.
mcgriff - February 12, 2012
had the pleasure of meeting hendricks at the fox card.
down to earth guy, and i just thanked him repeatedly for the fitch ko
blumpkins - February 12, 2012
same
awesome dude. he was jealous of my beard because he had just trimmed his, haha.
Violent Newt - February 12, 2012
He is a very chill guy.
He was always working with Gil Martinez around the same time that I took Muay Thai at Xtreme Couture, and the few times I talked to him he was very cool.
ElliotMatheny - February 12, 2012
...
…
Zachary Kater - February 12, 2012
This gon be a dawg fight
RandyCouture'sDivorceLawyer - February 12, 2012 via mobile
Anyone else ready for a KO?
chavez_26 - February 12, 2012
I see one rec here
Must be from zakkree
Chris Hall - February 12, 2012
Lol Wikipedia
jason18 - February 12, 2012
I read that in Joe Rogan's voice. Damn it.
Zachary Kater - February 13, 2012
Sigh
That Fitch one breaks my heart every time. Insane recovery time though.
Quick Ben - February 13, 2012
Breaks your heart?
Do you root for Klitschko, the Spurs, The Redskins, The Yankees, etc?
ElliotMatheny - February 13, 2012
I'm not sure who the Spurs or Redskins are
but I don’t follow boxing and base ball is boring. Besides if one of my favourite fighters is getting knocked out then usually it’s Mir. Fitch was a shock.
Quick Ben - February 13, 2012
All those parties I mentioned are good fundamentally, and get wins-
but are boring as all get out. Why anyone would be heartbroken about a guy like Fitch getting KO’d is beyond me. The guy has gamed the system for years
ElliotMatheny - February 13, 2012
He seems like a really good guy.
Tons of fighters have dispositions I’m not fond of.
Plus he just screwed up majorly. He left his hands too low against a guy that was known to throw hammers. He could have done better.
Zachary Kater - February 13, 2012
More or less this
It helps that I don’t find his fights boring too.
Quick Ben - February 13, 2012
I don't hate him as a fighter,
but I certainly don’t like him that much. And yeah, he seems like a good guy, but that’s a very small consideration for me, unless I actually know the fighter.
ElliotMatheny - February 13, 2012
The Spurs are fun as fuck. Also the requisite:
LINSANITY
sun yue - February 13, 2012
Wladimir Klitschko - 49 KO's in 56 wins
“Boring”
YPG - February 13, 2012
I actually don't dislike Wlad
but c’mon dude. He’s not exactly thrilling to watch these days. He’s similar to GSP in that way.
ElliotMatheny - February 13, 2012
Just because he finishes the fight early
Doesn’t mean his fights don’t suck. I’ve had a ton of bad experiences that have ended prematurely.
discoandherpes - February 13, 2012
First Fitch wins a close fight with Pierce, then gets knocked out by Hendricks
Then Koscheck wins a close fight (even though I think he clearly lost) with Pierce. If Hendricks knocks out Fitch I’m going to find a beautiful poetry to this situation.
discoandherpes - February 12, 2012
Johny “The AKA Hunter” Hendricks
RonSwanson - February 12, 2012
If he beats Kos
He has to fight Paulo Thiago for the right to that name.
VenusBlue - February 12, 2012
They actually wanted to set up Hendricks vs. Thiago at UFC on Versus 3
But they both got injured
SSreporters - February 12, 2012
Really? I missed that.
That would have been a good fight. I’d probably go for Hendricks were it to happen, but Paulo is a crafty one.
VenusBlue - February 12, 2012
Paulo's gas tank is miserable
I think Hendricks would’ve handled Thiago in the 2nd and 3rd.
SSreporters - February 12, 2012
Agreed. Basically a more efficient version of the 3rd round between Diego and Thiago.
RonSwanson - February 12, 2012
The Sanchez gassing out
came because of a broken nose sustained at the very end of the first.
Thiago went three rounds with Fitch, Volkmann, Kampmann and Sanchez. Only the third round of Sanchez was really bad.
Ben Thapa - February 13, 2012
Three rounds with Mitchell too
Although admittedly he was in cruise control for most of that.
VenusBlue - February 13, 2012
Going three rounds doesn't mean good cardio
He gassed in the Kampmann fight but he was already getting dominated anyway.
SSreporters - February 13, 2012
*If Hendricks knocks out Kos*
discoandherpes - February 12, 2012
Wow, lots of people taking Hendricks here
I’m glad to see people have finally stopped sleeping on his talent (I picked him to beat Fitch) but Koscheck is a talented veteran, in no way in this a gimme for anyone.
Stiff Jab - February 12, 2012
I think people are just high on the Fitch KO
and low on Kos’ last outing
Cunny - February 12, 2012
I think if Kos comes in and fights like he did against Pierce, there’s a real good chance Hendricks can lay him out.
Horselover Fat - February 12, 2012
kos has more smarts than that.
carmine99 - February 13, 2012
Somehow I doubt it.
Horselover Fat - February 13, 2012
Koscheck hasn't looked dominant against anyone relevant since Paul Daley
And dominant was dull.
SSreporters - February 12, 2012
I didn't think that fight was boring
Koscheck was passing guard, tagging Daley, and going for subs. It wasn’t as bad as everyone made it out to be.
discoandherpes - February 12, 2012
Aside from the 3rd round where Kos really was riding out the decision, I totally agree
At the end of the first two rounds Kos was very close to finishing with an RNC
Chris Hall - February 12, 2012
Koscheck just became my new favorite fighter.
Zachary Kater - February 12, 2012
What'd Hendricks ever do to you?
ElliotMatheny - February 12, 2012
He knocked out Fitch.
Tim Burke - February 12, 2012
And he'll knock out Koscheck
SSreporters - February 12, 2012
Oh yeah, I forgot ZK was a Fitch fan.
ElliotMatheny - February 12, 2012
Oh yeah, I forgot ZK was
athe Fitch fan.Earl Montclair - February 12, 2012
There are 3, actually. Him, me, and Jon’s wife.
Tim Burke - February 12, 2012
I would make fun of that but Fitch has 3 more fans than I do
Earl Montclair - February 12, 2012
I got Fitch as well. Don’t really understand all the hate. He’s really active and up until the Hendricks fight the most consistent fighter in the toughest division in the sport.
castleeb - February 12, 2012
How do you mean "active"?
Earl Montclair - February 12, 2012
He fights at least twice a year
SSreporters - February 12, 2012
Oh
I thought he was a beast on Wii Fit or something
Earl Montclair - February 12, 2012
Kinect
UFC Trainer
cletusvandam - February 12, 2012
I think his take downs are exciting. He looks to pass guard fairly often. His punches are damaging but that doesn’t stop him from throwing a bunch of them. It seems a lot of people want to hate him just because he’s got position before submission on his mind.
I bet he is beast at wii fit.
castleeb - February 12, 2012
People hate him because he has position and zero attempts at a finish
Throwing 1500 pitty-pat punches is what people criticize Fitch for. He does that to stay active.
SSreporters - February 12, 2012
I don’t think it would be hard to make that argument. I feel like Fitch is fighting for a finish. He says he is, he doesn’t have any reason to lie about it. He’s probably pretty bad at that aspect of the game. If finishes are important to you, he’s not your horse.
castleeb - February 12, 2012
He doesn't try to finish
He rarely postures up in guard. Makes minimal attempts to pass. And almost never works to set up submissions. I don’t know what would make you think he’s “trying” to finish.
Chris Hall - February 12, 2012
It looked like he was trying to finish BJ. However 3/5 sentences I wrote concerning Fitch’s vain (and to some frustrating) attempts to finish indicated that his finishing abilities were poor, an argument could be made that he doesn’t even try, and that if you liked finishes you should stay far away from Fitch.
With that said reasons that I DO like Fitch are a little south of this comment.
castleeb - February 12, 2012
I dunno, he was definitely throwing harder than usual against Penn, but he never attempted to pass guard and it’s very difficult to finish with GnP from the guard.
Chris Hall - February 12, 2012
hmm
Full Mount - February 13, 2012
You just insulted Jones with that implicit Fitch comparison.
The Lethal Haze - February 13, 2012
name anyone but jones and jorgensen who finish from the guard at this level
Cunny - February 13, 2012
Jon Fitch has attempted 11 submissions in 16 UFC fights
That’s not trying to finish.
SSreporters - February 12, 2012
so he attempts a submission in 80% of his fights.
nice.
Earl Montclair - February 12, 2012
Nope
Fitch has attempted submissions 11 times but in in only 7 of 16 fights, so not even half.
According to FightMetric he passed to a better position 40 times, and passed guard at least once 13 of 16 fights.
SSreporters - February 12, 2012
Okay, so it's not that he doesn't try
he just can’t.
Chris Groves - February 13, 2012
I completely forgot the 80% reference
Shame on me.
SSreporters - February 12, 2012
How many of those fights occured in the North of England?
That is what is important.
Andy Anderson - February 12, 2012
I also like watching the grind game. Stand up or on the ground. It’s subtle but there are moments in fights like Condit vs. Diaz where you can tell Diaz doesn’t want to be in the ring with Condit, he was broken. He stopped throwing as many punches, stopped taunting and became complacent.
Fitch did the same thing to BJ Penn. It’s pretty crazy to see a multi-time champion like BJ Penn laying on the ground accepting 149 strikes while only offering 2 in return!
castleeb - February 12, 2012
Because he takes people down (exciting)
And then stops being exciting.
Not that you shouldn’t be a Fitch fan, but I don’t understand the argument of “Watching Fitch hold grown men down is so exciting” and probably never will.
SSreporters - February 12, 2012
Mazzagati could have guillotined him as well but blew it.
Zachary Kater - February 12, 2012
I would have forgiven all of the stupid shit Hot Tub has done over the years if he would have just pulled guard and wrapped Fitch up with an arm in guillotine.
Worst case scenario, Fitch just lays on him for another four and a half minutes so no big whoop.
Earl Montclair - February 12, 2012
So once Hendricks KO's Koscheck
I’ll consider that Hendricks 2 AKA members 0 even though Kos left.
It’d be Hendricks and Paulo Thiago who own the shit out of AKA fighters.
SSreporters - February 12, 2012
Fitch beat Thiago.
Tim Burke - February 12, 2012
Yeah but he subbed Swick so he's 2-1 with AKA.
Sweet Scientist - February 12, 2012
Yes, but Thiago took the 1st and had a deep RNC on him but couldn't finish it
Also, Thiago is 2-1 vs. AKA!
SSreporters - February 12, 2012
Going 2-1 against something or someone isn’t “owning the shit out of them”.
Just sayin’.
And it was a guillotine.
Tim Burke - February 12, 2012
When you're an underdog in all three fights
You’ve more than proven your point.
Thiago was brought in pretty much to build Koscheck back up as a contender and that failed. Then he fought Fitch which was ill-advised but competitive. Took on Swick and was a +175 underdog and dominated him.
SSreporters - February 12, 2012
Kos is still an AKA member
just not the original one. He’s training out of one of the AKA gyms he built.
av1o3 - February 13, 2012
It's getting renamed
I’m pretty sure Kos has no more affiliation with AKA at all anymore.
discoandherpes - February 13, 2012
By the way, having guys like Phil Davis and Johny Hendricks on these cards
Are exactly the type of thing the UFC should be doing as far as showing their up-and-comers.
SSreporters - February 12, 2012
except putting Phil Davis up against Rashad was the opposite of a showcase
Earl Montclair - February 12, 2012
yee go hendricks
the AKA killa
Gouken - February 12, 2012
Give me a job, Joe Silva!
http://www.sbnation.com/users/SSreporters/search?advanced_search=true&all_these_words=Koscheck+vs.Hendricks&btn=Search&order=date&q=Koscheckvs.+Hendricks&scope=network&search_user[username]=SSreporters&type=Comment
SSreporters - February 12, 2012
you are probably too tall to work alongside him
people will think he is your pet.
Earl Montclair - February 12, 2012
I'm 5'11
Which to him means I might as well be Manute Bol.
SSreporters - February 12, 2012
He could be your Billy Crystal
Earl Montclair - February 12, 2012
Nice.
Richard Wade - February 12, 2012
koscheck gettin KTFO if....
he shows up like he did against Pierce, Hendricks is hungry…and he looks like a terrorist with legit dynamite in his left hand….
JGaLaXY - February 12, 2012
Koscheck's striking is vastly overrated
Offensively and defensively. He only outstrikes guys who are hopeless at striking like Dustin Hazelett, Yoshida, and Trigg. Then you pair him up with elite strikers or boxers like GSP and Alves and he gets his ass kicked. Defensively, Hughes was landing his jab often, Paulo Thiago isn’t a good striker and he still KO’d him with an uppercut, and Alves lit him up. It was two weeks notice, but Alves would beat him healthy, too.
I think Hendricks keeps this standing and wrecks him.
SSreporters - February 12, 2012
welcome aboard
yall probably thought Jon Fitch would win at UFC 141, still welcome aboard all the new members of the Johny Hendricks bandwagon. there’s room for everyone and plenty of Wendy’s baconator burgers and Jack’s Bacon Milkshakes for all
Full steam ahead for the (interim?) welterweight title in 2012.
Ben Bauman - February 12, 2012
I picked Hendricks!
Just not by stoppage :(
SSreporters - February 12, 2012
Same. The underdog bonus was sweet though.
Sweet Scientist - February 12, 2012
Of course my entire night was ruined by Donald Cerrone vs. Nate Diaz
I had Cerrone by dec. If I had Diaz I would’ve been 10-0.
SSreporters - February 12, 2012
Same again.
Although I picked Nam Phan to beat Hettes so ended up 8-2.
Sweet Scientist - February 12, 2012
Nam Phan?????
damn dude, I think even subbevil picked Hettes in that one.
Earl Montclair - February 12, 2012
I know, I know... I got blinded by my disdain of Caceres.
Bah, aside from that, I’m doing pretty good overall in the civil war.
Sweet Scientist - February 12, 2012
I'm happy for you
I am god awful this season.
Earl Montclair - February 12, 2012
I was leaning toward Hendricks for the upset, then I rewatched the Story fight...
Chris Hall - February 12, 2012
In an unrelated story
I am hanging at the University right now waiting for my gf to get done with some group project for her Masters and these med students are studying near me. The dude is blowing it, he could have totally smashed this chick, closed casket funeral status and he just said bye and let her walk off. I feel like I should help him since I am so old and wise.
Earl Montclair - February 12, 2012
Or you could laugh at his failure
Whatever makes you feel better
Chris Hall - February 12, 2012
i have been, don't worry
Earl Montclair - February 12, 2012
maybe he's playing a longer game
to tease her
Cunny - February 13, 2012
This Fight Should Make Hendricks a Star
He’s got a good personality, and some main stream exposure here would go a long way in cultivating interest and a following for him. He’s been an outspoken athlete since his college days, and will be a natural in the build up. The obvious storyline of the Kos/Fitch/Pierce/Hendricks quadrangle of MMAth makes for an easy sell for the UFC and the fighters. As for the fight, Kos’ last performance is obviously a red flag. He’s never looked comfortable after that GSP fight, and I’d imagine that’ll make him mighty cautious of Hendricks’ left hand. I see Hendricks by TKO after Kos turtles up after a haymaker and followed strikes by Hendricks.
GogoPlatter - February 12, 2012
throw in Rick Story and you have a Pentagonal Clusterfuck
Earl Montclair - February 12, 2012
More importantly
He’s got a beard, which I like.
WAR FRANCO HARRIS!
SSreporters - February 12, 2012
for Condit?
how is a fight that takes place 3 months after Condit’s win over Diaz a “clear option” for Condit….there would have to be at minimum a two month layover from that fight so proly sometime in July, and what if the winner comes out hurt and then GSP is ready and doesn’t have an opponent
JT123 - February 12, 2012
Well, if Condit does choose to defend it likely wouldn’t be until July/August anyway. If GSP is out until November, as some believe, it might make sense.
Tim Burke - February 12, 2012
If Ellenberger crushes Diego, would you give him the shot at Condit?
Earl Montclair - February 12, 2012
I would
No hesitation.
And there will be no “if” for Ellenberger, just simply “how long will it take?”
SSreporters - February 12, 2012
I would too.
Earl Montclair - February 12, 2012
As I said in my HKL post
There’s no reason to have an interim title if your not going to keep the division moving in the meantime.
Chris Hall - February 12, 2012
Plus
Both Ellenberger and Condit have historically been fighters who like to stay busy; assuming Ellenberger comes out of the Sanchez fight with no injuries, we could be looking at June for a potential fight.
Patrick Wyman - February 12, 2012
June would be perfect and give plenty of time for the winner to prepare for GSP's return at the end of the year
Even if Ellenberger loses, the UFC could probably push Sanchez to challenge Condit as well.
Chris Hall - February 12, 2012
Sanchez is viable, or they could just pull Hendricks from the Koscheck fight.
Patrick Wyman - February 12, 2012
Yeah, I was going to suggest Hendricks, but with the one announced I discounted him as a possibility
I supposed they could pull him, but it seems unlikely.
Chris Hall - February 12, 2012
Hendricks needs one more win.
That is really all there is to it, and since Georges is coming back, probably two. Maybe the winner of Kampmann v. Alves if Big Rig beats Kos
Earl Montclair - February 12, 2012
I agree
But a win over Condit qualifies him to face GSP. I don’t think he’s the best 1st choice, but I could see it happening if there’s an unfortunate rash of injuries.
Chris Hall - February 12, 2012
or any other kind of unfortunate rash
Earl Montclair - February 12, 2012
They should consult TheFilt in that case
I’m pretty sure he’s an expert on those kinds of rashes.
Chris Hall - February 12, 2012
dude, no lie
I once came down with some kind of odd…….occurrence and The Filt told me to mix Coppertone SPF 45, beeswax and 3 ground up porcupine quills as a salve and it cleared me up in 14 hours.
Earl Montclair - February 12, 2012
Where do you acquire porcupine quills?
Chris Hall - February 12, 2012
Native American Shamans
Earl Montclair - February 12, 2012
Did someone ask for me?
Andy Anderson - February 12, 2012
Andy Anderson...is that a Cherokee name?
Chris Hall - February 12, 2012
Nah
My great grandpa Jimmy was named James Anderson when he was sent to a Jesuit Boarding School that the Gov’t sent him to after he was born on the Seneca Iroquois reservation. He had a Native father and a Black mother, and interestingly enough the boarding school is also somehow the reason that my family is Roman Catholic.
Andy Anderson - February 12, 2012
that whole story you told should be your nickname. I can hear Bruce Buffer now......
FIGHTIIIIIIIING out of the blue corner, this man is a keyboard warrior weighing in at X pounds, From BloodyElbowDOTCOM…..Andy “My great grandpa Jimmy was named James Anderson when he was sent to a Jesuit Boarding School that the Gov’t sent him to after he was born on the Seneca Iroquois reservation. He had a Native father and a Black mother, and interestingly enough the boarding school is also somehow the reason that my family is Roman Catholiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiic” ANDERSAAAAAAAHNNNNNNNNNNN!
Earl Montclair - February 12, 2012
So much awesome
Chris Hall - February 12, 2012
Buffer is rediculous enough already
As short of a nickname as possible would be best. “Andy” is a nickname I got a month before I was born after all.
Andy Anderson - February 12, 2012
What is your real first name then???
Earl Montclair?
Obsidian?
Cantaloupe?
Earl Montclair - February 12, 2012
Roger
Andy Anderson - February 12, 2012
I was pretty close
Earl Montclair - February 12, 2012
I will give you that
Andy Anderson - February 12, 2012
I would. I'd like to see him in a 5 rounder with Condit.
Sweet Scientist - February 12, 2012
and on full notice, unlike the first fight.
yes please
Earl Montclair - February 12, 2012
I don't think GSP should fight as soon as November
Knee injuries are serious stuff. Just because the knee feels good, doesn’t mean it actually is.
discoandherpes - February 13, 2012
Jake Cheeseburger in paradise
will not beat condit.
inthepipes - February 12, 2012
Why do you say that?
Patrick Wyman - February 12, 2012
Furthermore, why the Jimmy Buffett reference?
SSreporters - February 12, 2012
Yeah, that was a pretty terrible attempt at a nickname
Chris Hall - February 12, 2012
.
Earl Montclair - February 12, 2012
Did the story ever come out about why he did this?
Chris Hall - February 12, 2012
I am pretty sure the story was "Cause fuck em, that's why."
Earl Montclair - February 12, 2012
That makes the most sense
Chris Hall - February 12, 2012
Giants and Giants fans are assholes
I would know, I’m one of them.
discoandherpes - February 13, 2012
The loss to Rick Story scares me a little, but I think Hendricks take this. I need to rewatch that fight.
Tim Bernier - February 12, 2012 via mobile
Story can shut down a lot of people with his body focused attack.
it’s really kind of nuts how he did that to Alves, Hendricks and to a lesser extent Hazelett.
Earl Montclair - February 12, 2012
lesser ability-wise I mean in regards to Hazelett
Earl Montclair - February 12, 2012
Rick Story is such a party pooper.
He ruins all these streaks, then loses to Brenneman on a day’s notice. Can’t even take us streak-ruining to the top.
Koscheck is a really, really good MMA wrestler when he wants to be. Only person to really give GSP ANY sort of trouble. Hendricks has looked fantastic lately. I wish the Fitch fight went on a bit longer before the KO, just to see how he looks against that wrestling. He blasted Fitch’s consciousness to kingdom come before he could even think about a takedown.
Tim Bernier - February 12, 2012 via mobile
I just think that anyone who has solid striking defense, good movement and can throw punches to Kos's eye has a huge advantage over him
Dude is panicky as shit when he gets in the eye. Georges really screwed him up mentally.
Earl Montclair - February 12, 2012
He's a guy who has a very good particular skillset
He’s an all offense fighter. He likes to push you up against the fence, throw to the body and and head, then take you down and beat you up.
Fun to watch, but his lack of defense (despite his toughness) is going get him beat by fighters who can take him down or counter punch with good footwork. That said, if someone doesn’t plan accordingly, he has a good shot of beating anyone as long as they fall into his game. .
discoandherpes - February 13, 2012
He's essentially a bully
He comes after you and keeps coming. His strength is utterly ridiculous; what’s more, he knows how strong he is, he trusts it, and his game plans are predicated on him having it. He choked out Brian Foster from inside his half guard, for crying out loud.
Patrick Wyman - February 13, 2012
That's pretty accurate
And him choking out Foster was pretty nuts as well.
I so want to see Pierce vs. Story. I’m really hoping Silva puts that together.
discoandherpes - February 13, 2012
It's a fight
That makes total sense right now, since they’re both coming off losses to top-10 opponents. Like you said, that would be a really fun fight, especially given their history.
Patrick Wyman - February 13, 2012
My favorite aspect of this potential fight is the style match up
A slick defensive counter wrestleboxer like Pierce against a super aggressive offensive wrestleboxer in Story. Plus the UFC can play up the their history pretty nicely.
discoandherpes - February 13, 2012
It's pretty bad. Looks like a fitching.
I don’t know if Story’s strategy was a surprise to him or what. But he definitely became hesitant when pressured with the takedown and clinch.
Chris Hall - February 12, 2012
Yeah we’ll see how he looks against Kos. He did a lot of clinching against the cage against Pierce much the same way Story does against most people. Hopefully Hendricks has solved that problem and he can put those fists to his chin.
Tim Bernier - February 12, 2012 via mobile
Absolutely
A win over Kos would be huge for him, and since Koschek is pretty much out of the title picture for the foreseeable future and is in the second half of his career, I have to root for the up and comer here.
Chris Hall - February 12, 2012
Agreed.
It’d be nice to have Ellenberger and Hendricks as the clear cut top of the division behind GSP and Condit. Hopefully they both pull off the win.
Tim Bernier - February 12, 2012 via mobile
First Fitch, now Koschck, this is the way of things
Beat Pierce by competitive decision, get KO’d by Hendricks later.
Chris Groves - February 12, 2012
Great fight by Joe Silva
Koscheck looked nervous and tentative against Pierce, If he comes into this fight looking even slightly like that he is getting rolled.
Maybe Rick Story can give Kos a few tips on how to grind Hendricks down, Worked for him… barely lol
Chin Check - February 12, 2012
this is a good matchup
But I don’t want to think about any scenario that could lead to another GSP vs kosh fight already
Dreaded - February 12, 2012 via mobile
I really doubt that GSP vs Koscheck III will happen. Koscheck honestly looks like he’s in limbo in the UFC Welterweight division.
chrisbboy82 - February 13, 2012
my prediction
Kos hangs his right as its his new love, he trys to bang with JHex and takes a nap. Johny KO round 2
Bloodsport - February 12, 2012 via mobile
i like how J hendricks has become...
KO sensation in a matter of days, short term memory and MMA fans, they are inseparable.
carmine99 - February 13, 2012
Hendricks is a good up and coming UFC Welterweight prospect
he does have some good KO/TKO finishes
Charlie
Fitch
Amir
and this has happened to Koscheck
I’d say picking Johny would be a reasonable prediction
Elitex10x - February 13, 2012
That Paulo KO gif
is why you shouldn’t lunge forward with your jab, kids. Especially don’t do that while looking at the floor.
ElliotMatheny - February 13, 2012
Yeah, Koscheck really needs to work on snapping that jab out there instead of lingering and lunging
And eye poking of course.
discoandherpes - February 13, 2012
The eye poking actually seems to work quite well for him
ElliotMatheny - February 13, 2012
the only person i've ever seen the lunging jab work for
was Miguel Cotto, and he’s a boxer.
He was also picked apart recently.
les rallizes denudes - February 13, 2012
If you always leap forward with the jab
it becomes easy to counter. It’s alright to do every once in a while, GSP does it well, but he also doesn’t stare at the mat while he’s throwing.
ElliotMatheny - February 13, 2012
Seeing the gif of Koscheck vs Thiago, it is pretty clear that Koscheck was KO’d on the feet. I remember there was some controversy that the ref jumped in too quickly.
chrisbboy82 - February 13, 2012
I think he kind of recovered a bit once he hit the floor
I would have liked to see it go a bit further just so that there was no question.
discoandherpes - February 13, 2012
Yeah, he was out and the floor woke him up.
Don’t have any issue with the stoppage, but I wouldn’t have complained if the ref gave him a chance to recover although I don’t think the outcome would have changed.
Sweet Scientist - February 13, 2012
koscheck will be knocked out cold!
he gets outboxed by some fighters with no good boxing, how much more if johny hits him with his heavy hands
rx queen - February 13, 2012
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