UFC 160 Results: Looks like we're getting Velasquez vs Dos Santos III
(video via FoxSports.com)
Everybody loves an underdog story but Cain Velasquez and Junior dos Santos proved they are still the top dogs in the heavyweight division and put an end to the cinderella-like runs from their respective challengers. Mark Hunt and Antonio Silva were coming off impressive wins and crushing everyone in their path but proved no match against the top 2 heavyweights in the world. Cain Velasquez needed only 1:21 to once again finish Antonio SIlva in their rematch. While "Bigfoot" was able to stuff Velasquez's takedown attempts early he succumbed to a crushing right cross that brought him to one knee allowing Velasquez to take his back and pummel him until the referee put an end to the fight. Silva later protested that the fight was stopped too early, but that's a tough argument to sell when he was in the fetal position not doing anything to defend himself. Silva clearly earned his way to contention but in their 2 fights Silva has landed only 5 strikes against Velasquez proving that the gap between contender and champion are still miles apart.
Mark Hunt overcame last minute visa issues and faced Junior dos Santos for the right to challenge for the heavyweight belt but in the end had no answer to solve Cigano's boxing and hand speed. Hunt's feared punching power got him to this point but dos Santos constantly denied him any opportunity to mount any offense and floored him early in the fight with a huge overhand punch. Hunt proved he has the heart of a warrior and kept going, taking punishment throughout the fight but it was clear that he was out matched and started fading. The end came at 4:18 in the third round as dos Santos scored his most impressive knockout of his career via spinning heel kick flooring Hunt and finishing him off with a crushing punch to the jaw while he was on the ground.
UFC 160 ends with dos Santos once again set to face off against Cain Velasquez for the heavyweight title. Both men have a win against the other. However Velasquez owned their last outing with a dominating unanimous decision victory. If dos Santos hopes to wear UFC gold at heavyweight he has to find a different game plan to beat Velasquez for their third match up. As UFC 160 showed, Velasquez has the skills to make the most fearsome of heavyweights look mortal but dos Santos has the one thing no other fighter has on their resume…a knock out win over Velasquez. Whatever the result Velasquez vs dos Santos III has all the makings of a classic and can't come soon enough.
Full results after the jump.
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Behind the scenes of UFC 360's Swimsuit Issue
(video via FuelTV)
Like we really need a reason to post more vids of the UFC Octagon girls. Well thanks thanks to UFC 360 who decided to put out a their summer swimsuit issue Brittney Palmer, Arianny Celeste, and Kenda Perez are putting on some sexy skimpy bikinis and taking you behind the scenes of their exclusive photoshoot. Check out the vid and get your online copy of the swimsuit issue right here.
Guess who's back? Josh Barnett announces official UFC comeback
(Yea can we not talk about Affliction…thanks)
Is it just us or does it feel like the old school MMA guys are making a comeback? Josh Barnett is making his way back to the Octagon after more than a decade away. The "Baby Faced Assassin" as he was known back then was most famous for beating Randy Couture and winning the UFC Heavyweight title in 2002, only to have the belt stripped away from him after failing the post fight drug test.
After spending the majority of the decade abroad bouncing around between various promotions like Pancrase, PRIDE, Sengoku, and pro wrestling, he came back front and center to the MMA scene when he was signed in 2008 to Affliction who back then was vying to be serious competitor with the UFC and spending top dollar on the sport's top free agents. He was set up for a heavyweight main event with Fedor Emelianenko who was still in his prime. The much anticipated match was never to be though as he once again failed a pre fight drug test forcing him off the fight and Affliction to cancel the event. It would prove to be Affliction's undoing as well as they never had another fight after that.
Never seeing eye to eye with Dana White, there seemed little chance of Barnett making his way back to the UFC but he found himself fighting in Strikeforce who was later purchased by Zuffa, While under the Strikeforce banner he defeated Brett Rogers and Sergei Kharitonov, only to lose to Daniel Cormier in the final of the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix. He managed one more win in Strikeforce's last event by easily beating Nandor Guelmino.
Now calling himself "The War Master" Barnett is set to make an impact in the UFC heavyweight scene. How well he do against the current UFC heavyweight roster remains to be seen. He will undoubtedly be a factor provided he stays clean on the drug testing. The heavyweight division is the shallowest division in the organization and there will be several interesting match ups for Barnett, particularly a rematch with Daniel Cormier. With a few wins Barnett might find himself in line for a title fight, just like in 2002. It time to break out our Nelly CD because old school seems to be in again.
Model Spotlight: Nicole Ferreira
(photos via: Lady Lux Productions/Hair and Make-Up: Chingching Ng)
When beauty and brains come together they make one hell of a combination. Take Nicole Ferreira for example, this sexy brunette has a Master's degree and has graced the pages of Playboy, American Curves, and countless other publications. Originally hailing from Fairhaven, Massachusetts, Nicole was discovered during a fitness competition and embarked on a modelng career that spanned several years with no signs of slowing down. We caught up with her and had to share some of her latest pics. She had plenty to talk about and her photos gave us PLENTY to look at! Be sure to keep up with her on her official website NicoleFerreira.com.
Join us after the jump for more!