Despite massive favorite status, UFC 111's St-Pierre isn't underestimating Hardy

Five-time Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre (19-2 MMA, 14-2 UFC) wants to right a career wrong when he meets Dan Hardy (23-6 MMA, 4-0 UFC) at UFC 111.

The last time St-Pierre faced a massive underdog, he lost his title. He bought into his own hype and underestimated "The Ultimate Fighter 4" winner Matt Serra. He ended up on the wrong end of a TKO at UFC 69.

Not this time. Or so he says.

"I have to tell you something; a lot of people underestimate Dan Hardy, and it's a big mistake," St-Pierre told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) on Tuesday during a conference call promoting his March 27 fight in Newark, N.J. "It's a big mistake that I'm not going to do. Dan Hardy is the most dangerous guy that I've fought so far."

Of course, these days, St-Pierre says that about nearly every opponent he's faced since the setback. Every fight is the most dangerous fight in his career. He's one mistake away from losing the title. What his opponent does is of no concern. It's what he's going to do that matters.

The sayings are rife with cliche, but he believes them – and they've done wonders for his career.

He's virtually cleaned out the 170-pound division with victories over Josh Koscheck, Serra, Jon Fitch, B.J. Penn and Thiago Alves. He hasn't just won – he's dominated. That's all thanks to what he learned from the Serra fight.

But as Hardy pointed out during the Spike TV special, "Countdown to UFC 111," the pressure is entirely on St-Pierre because he's the overwhelming favorite. Fans and pundits see the match-up as a slam-dunk for the champion; take Hardy to the mat, ground and pound, rinse and repeat.

The current betting line is -800 to +500 in favor of the champion, which means St-Pierre is being given an 80 to 90 percent chance of winning. The odds aren't as slanted as the line on St-Pierre vs. Serra 1 – oddsmakers learned their lesson after that fight – but they're close, and there's still time until the fight.

St-Pierre, though, said that pressure isn't the burden it once was.

"If you look at all my big fights, all the fights that I had a lot of pressure (with) B.J. Penn when I did the 'Primetime' (show), my revenge against Serra, Matt Hughes when I had the rematch," he said. "(With) all those great fights, I performed better when I'm under pressure.

"When I'm under pressure, I'm more nervous. I'm more awake, and my reaction time is better, so that's a good thing for me."

Hardy, an excellent promoter in his first time as a headliner, said St-Pierre doesn't like to get hit. He plans to test the champion's chin in exchanges.

But St-Pierre is skeptical of the bravado. He thinks the challenger is just trying to pump himself up.

"[Hardy] is a thinking fighter," St-Pierre said. "He's very technical in the way that he fights. He's a great counter-puncher."

And it's true; the British fighter has earned key octagon victories by making opponents pay on the rebound. Alhough most say that's a perfect opening for St-Pierre's wrestling, the champion won't allow himself to believe his skills outmatch his opponent's.

He's learned that lesson.

"My life will end March 27, and it's a chance for me also to redeem myself where I felt [like I was] in the same situation," St-Pierre said. "I never (have) been so pumped up in my life for a fight."

Juegos � How Traditional Martial Arts Discriminate Against Middle Aged Men & Women - Street Fighting Moves

Resource Author Francisco R. Higueras
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Walk into any traditional martial arts dojo, and just observe. Notice how many middle-aged men and women that you see there over the age of 50. I would dare say very few. Have you ever asked yourself why? If you say that martial arts is only for the very young, then how do you account for the fact that most of the teachers who consider themselves as masters are in their 50's and 60's?  (By the way, to reach your 50's and 60's in the mastery of a martial art usually means that you started maybe as a teenager and because you are a teacher, you get to continue to practice and maintain your skill level by practicing hours each day. The average everyday person has a life and families and cannot devote every waking hour to the perfection of a fighting art.)

This is so embarrassing, my first class sparing quickly taught me that the bench press did nothing for my ability to be tough. I decided then and there that I had to have a better routing for my chest. I refused to be humiliated so badly. After you read this article you'll have confidence to put together a workout that is much better for your chest as a martial artist.

Moving a weight from one point to the other in a straight line is not quite so effective if your opponent is coming at you from the side or behind.

Unlike choreographed actors in a film who throw beautiful spinning butterfly kicks to the head in slow motion, real fights in dangerous situations quite often begin with a few sloppy punches at best and quickly turn into a basic grappling competition. College wrestlers, for example, are often better able to survive a bar brawl or a cage fight better than a top-level Kung Fu master. Also, many people are learning martial arts to prepare for a hopeful career in the military or police, and Jiu Jitsu techniques will certainly be more adaptable and immediately useful to military or police training than most striking forms.

TMA (Karate, Kung Fu, Taekwondo, etc.) Emphasize And Glorify "High Kicks" - Due to most of the hoopla and fiction of what is portrayed in the movies, high kicks are emphasized and taught. The interesting thing is that for real life self protection, attempting high kicks is risky foolish, unwise and impractical. Trying to kick someone in the face makes as much sense as bending over to punch someone in the foot. High kicks require extreme hamstring and hip flexibility which begins to diminish rapidly after age 40.

An excellent routine for overall muscle endurance, same exercises as above

� Higher reps, 10-15 or more, so lighter weight of course.
� Follow this with as many pushups as you can do.
� Only rest for a maximum of 30 seconds, and repeat

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My advice is very direct and succinct. Forget about all of the Traditional Martial Arts programs, and enroll yourself in a Reality-Based Self Protection program which does not emphasize high kicks and extreme leg and hamstring flexibility, and instead of taking years to master can be taught and learned in a matter of a weekend

Flexibleness is Still a Major Advantage of Ultimate Fighting

Although there was little official background for ultimate fighting back in the early 90s, a group of enthusiasts have created the Ultimate Fighting Championship or UFC that has grown to become the most important mixed martial arts competition in the world. Ultimate fighting was initially planned as a single-event tournament for the best world fighters to try their skills no matter their combat styles. The first matches were critical and criticized because there was no regulation available, the injury cases were very numerous and ultimate fighting matches were considered incredibly violent and barbaric.

Even if flexibility is still a major advantage of ultimate fighting, stricter rules are presently imposed in competition under the close supervision of the State Athletic Commissions. The championship is a legitimate sports event advertised as mixed martial arts rather than as cage fighting. The increase in the fighters' security and safety has made this new kind of sports more acceptable from the social point of view, and matches are now broadcast by major television networks. The more fans, the higher the audience, and fifteen years after the first matches, the Ultimate Fighting Championship enjoys a reputation comparable to that of box matches.

There are reality shows and television series focusing on ultimate fighting, which only reflects the major appeal to wide market sectors. What used to be criticized at the beginning, has now started to appeal to the public as more and more people watch the up-and-coming ultimate fighting episodes. At first, no television agreed to produce the Ultimate Fighter, until Spike TV accepted the offer of the Fertitta brothers and launched the show. An instant success from the very beginning, the broadcasting of ultimate fighting matches on television has grow incredibly popular over the last four years, and we have definitely not seen all there is to mixed martial arts just yet.

As ultimate fighting fires imagination, lots of Internet sites provide training tips and teach amateurs how to develop their skills in mixed martial arts. There are courses, clubs and special programs sponsored by UFC and despite the violence of the matches, the popularity of mixed martial arts is far from decreasing. Back in 1996, fierce campaigns were organized against ultimate fighting, and although the virulence of the expression has decreased, there are still lots of people who consider mixed martial arts a threat to athletes and a social negative influence.

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Rich Franklin vs. Chuck Liddell on for UFC 115

Light heavyweights Rich Franklin and Chuck Liddell are penciled in for a June showdown.

MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) has learned from sources close to the promotion that the two have verbally agreed to face each other in June at UFC 115, though contracts have yet to be finalized.
The new matchup replaces a planned third meeting between Liddell and Tito Ortiz that had been expected for the promotion's first trip to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, and may have been arranged as a result of Franklin's unexpected involvement in "TUF 11."
The Franklin vs. Liddell matchup was first reported by Fighters Only magazine, though the U.K.-based publication pinned the fight to a rumored April 17 UFC Fight Night card that now seems increasingly unlikely to occur.
Liddell and Ortiz were announced this past December as opposing coaches on the soon-to-debut "The Ultimate Fighter 11" series. At that time, the UFC also announced plans for the legendary figures to meet for a third time at the conclusion of the series.
It was later learned that the matchup was intended to headline the as-yet-unannounced UFC 115 card in June.
With Ortiz no longer in the plans, the former champion's next move is currently unknown.
In February, with "The Ultimate Fighter 11" still filming in Las Vegas, the "Hunting Beach Bad Boy" posted a series of cryptic messages on his Twitter account the led to many to speculate something had run afoul with his role as a coach on the Spike TV series.
"If things couldn't get worse, they just did!" Ortiz stated on Feb. 24. "[Expletive]! "I want to thank all my fans for your support!
"I guess business is business."
Three days later, additional Ortiz comments led to further speculation.
"Thanks for all the support," Ortiz stated. "Thinking that life couldn't get any harder? It just did! Another challenge that god has given me! Wow.
"Many things that challenge us in lives will make us stronger. One thing I can say is don't ever quit. I'm strong because of my family and fans!"
MMAjunkie.com has been told from additional sources that Ortiz was not able to complete the filming of "The Ultimate Fighter 11," though the reasoning behind his absence wasn't immediately known.
Those same sources suggested that Franklin was possibly brought in as a replacement coach to finish out the season's filming, and "Ace" now meets Liddell as an opposing "TUF" coach.
The original announcement of a third matchup between Liddell and Ortiz was met with little fanfare. Many MMA fans felt the matchup was unnecessary with the "Iceman" already owning a pair of wins over Ortiz – a 2004 second-round knockout and a 2006 third-round TKO.
UFC president Dana White has publicly denied that any changes are taking place through multiple posts on his Twitter account.
"Not true!" White stated. "We are doing (Randy) Couture vs. (Rich) Franklin, not Chuck.
Nothing happened to Tito. Tito and I are cool."
MMAjunkie.com has been informed by additional sources close to the promotion that while a Couture vs. Franklin fight has been discussed, there are numerous obstacles that could potentially prevent the matchup from taking place, and bout agreements have not been distributed.
For more on "The Ultimate Fighter 11," which debuts March 31 following Spike TV's broadcast of UFC Fight Night 21, check out the UFC Rumors section of MMAjunkie.com.

Mixed Martial Arts News: Data about Ultimate Fighting Techniques and Many other Matters

Traditional and non-traditional tactics from all the known full contact combat sports meet in what we know as mixed martial arts or MMA. Mixed martial arts news on clubs, championships, ultimate fighting tactics and similar topics are available on many Internet sites dedicated to this modern form of sport. MMA popularity goes back to the early 90s when the Ultimate Fighting Championship was advertised as a 'no rules competition'. At first, 'no rules' was the main rule. The next ten years brought less mixed martial arts news about injuries due to the implementation of safety measures as part of official regulations.

Once there were distinct rules to apply to matches, the myth of 'fight-to-the-death' combat was debunked and MMA gained official recognition. These changed enhanced the health safety of the fighters and brought mixed martial arts news in a positive light. Equipment, techniques, weight classes and plenty of other details were added too, although flexibility and constant evolution remain major features of mixed martial arts. This is possible thanks to the combination of different fighting styles and the possibility to import any tactics and techniques without hindrance.

MMA events are now broadcast on many television channels owing to the high public demand and the Internet popularity of the matches. Some web sites even teach MMA techniques providing video files and quality articles to their visitors. Tips for amateurs from professionals are in fact the most web searched topic related to MMA besides the regular mixed martial arts news. The explanation for the popularity comes from the cool image associated with the fighters.

Statistics indicate that organized fighting and training releases negative vibes and eliminates tensions improving life quality. As long as the violence level does not increase outside the fighting cage, then, MMA remain just one other sport among the others. Hence, we should expect encouraging perspectives from mixed martial arts news in the sense that they should offer role models instead of bad conduct examples. Could we actually be witnessing the transition to a new dimension of violence or the taming of the animal instinct that has always been present with man?

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James Toney Says He Wants Brock Lesnar On Inside MMA

Tonight on HDNet's "Inside MMA," one of UFC's newest fighters, former heavyweight boxing champion James "Lights Out" Toney, who scored a major victory in 2003 over Evander Holyfield, tells Kenny and Bas he wants to fight Brock Lesnar. "I want Brock Lesnar," says Toney. "I'm the heavyweight champion of the world vs. the UFC champion. That'd be a hell of a match...I'll fight anybody you got."

Friday's panel also features another former heavyweight boxing champion and 1988 Olympic Gold Medalist, "Merciless" Ray Mercer, who has KO'd former UFC Heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia in an MMA bout. "Inside MMA" also announces Mercer's next bout will be broadcast live on HDNet as part of the network's upcoming "King of the Cage" event from Detroit, Mich.

Also joining tonight's panel is KJ Noons who will talk about his return to MMA after taking time off from the sport to box. Noons will also be featured in the coming weeks on HDNet in the DREAM 13 event, set for a live broadcast on March 22.

This week, renowned boxing trainer Freddie Roach enters Kruck's Korner to talk about working with BJ Penn, Anderson Silva and other MMA fighters. Freddie also tells Ron which boxer he believes would make the best mixed martial artist. And, tune in to find out which pro wrestling personality is set to mix it up on HDNet.

Jones, Vera focused on 205-pound division now, but heavyweight may be in future

Jon Jones (9-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) and Brandon Vera (11-4 MMA, 7-4 UFC) could be headed up a division around the same time.

The light heavyweight headliners of UFC on Versus 1 spoke Tuesday to media about their March 21 fight, and both said a trip to the heavyweight division is not out of the question in two years, give or take.

It would be Vera's second run in the weight class since June 2008, when the UFC urged him to drop to 205 pounds after losses to Tim Sylvia and Fabricio Werdrum. Jones has served his young career at light heavyweight but said his still-growing frame may support a move up.

Both fighters are coming off controversial losses in their most recent performances, but are still considered to be in the top echelon of UFC light heavyweights. The winner of the March 21 fight could be on the road to a fight for the next title contender spot in the division.

Vera, once a red-hot prospect in the heavyweight division, is tagged as the more experienced competitor, while Jones rides a wave of hype as the "next big thing" among 205-pound fighters.

Size-wise, they're equals, but that may not always be the case.

The 22-year-old Jones, an upstate New York native, is the smallest of his siblings. His older brother, Arthur Jones, walks around at 300-plus pounds and enters the NFL draft this year as a veteran of Syracuse University. His younger brother, Chandler, tips the scales in the 250-pound range and is set to begin his Syracuse football career this fall.

Although he's the middle sibling, Jon Jones could have some growing to do.

"If he fills out like those guys, yeah," Ryan Ciotoli, Jones' manager and trainer, said to MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) regarding a possible move to heavyweight. "Right now, he's skinny, but you see a lot of guys fill out in their late 20's early 30's. I could see him putting on 20 or 30 pounds."

Ciotoli said Jones walks around at 210 pounds between fights but adds 10 pounds in camp.

"I've always been really skinny, but I'm growing every day, and I see myself getting stronger and (I'm) realizing my balance and realize what I can do with my body," Jones said.

With Vera, Jones is focused on what could be the biggest test of his career. The light heavyweight division is the obvious priority, but if he catches up to his brothers, it might be a different story.

"It's definitely something that I'm not counting out, especially being 22," Jones said. "By the time I'm 24, who knows what my body is going to do."

Vera, meanwhile, sees a move to heavyweight means as the pursuit of a long-held dream in his fight career – to be the first UFC fighter to simultaneously hold two titles in two different weight classes.

"I'm still on track for that," Vera said, adding later, '"I'm not going to retire until I get to that goal where I reach for the stars."

Like Jones, Vera said he has a long way to go in the light heavyweight division before he can entertain thoughts of jumping weight classes, but it's in the back of his mind nonetheless.

And Vera isn't concerned about being an undersized heavyweight among the massive fighters who now populate the division. He'd bulk up with his diet and a weight training regimen.

"I don't give a damn how much weight they cut, or how big the guys get, or how strong they look," he said.

But before he does that, he has to derail the Jones hype train.

"I don't see that happening for at least another year or maybe two years," Vera said. "I still have a lot of work to do at the 205 division. I can't bounce back and forth; I know that now. There's no way I could bounce back and forth and perform the way I want to perform."