MMA Nation - UFC On Fox 2: Mark Munoz Out, Michael Bisping In Against Chael Sonnen

Dana White UFC On Fox 2 Video Blog: Day Two

2012-01-27T20:14:39Z

A war against internet hackers wasn't enough to stop UFC President Dana White from releasing the second edition of his UFC on Fox 2 video blog.

This time we skip the usual housekeeping fanfare and jump right into White touching down in Chicago, where he promptly heads to a PR spot on Good Day Chicago.

Afterward, the action moves to a behind-the-scenes look at Thursday's pre-fight press conference at the W Hotel. White is adamant that he doesn't like to keep the media waiting, so the presser starts up once the fighters arrive, but not before Chael Sonnen can greet the UFC boss with this nugget, "You made fun of me at the last press conference for my shoes, and I got new shoes, and I'm determined that you see that they match my outfit this time."

Just before everybody walks out, Chris Weidman remarks that White looks "jacked," which he is obviously pleased to hear as he responds, "everybody calls me fatboy." Someone in the back promptly shouts, "it's just a small shirt!", eliciting laughter throughout the hallway.

Finally we revisit Thursday's action as Phil Davis and Rashad Evans get heated about collegiate wrestling and Sonnen rhymes his way into a thousand articles for the collected media. Everything wraps up with the staredowns, and we catch a look at Davis' failed attempt to punk Evans.

Rashad Evans: 'Go Ahead And Try To Wrestle Me For 25 Minutes'

2012-01-27T19:35:53Z

If you could get past the Chael P. Sonnen Show at Thursday's UFC on Fox 2 press conference, you likely witnessed Rashad Evans and Phil Davis going toe-to-toe in another explosive round of trash-talk. Only this time the subject was not their upcoming network clash, but instead, Davis' collegiate wrestling credentials.

Afterward a fired-up "Suga" took to his video blog, challenging Davis to put his money where his mouth is.

Said Evans:

"I'm pumped up for this fight, because I think Phil's drinking the Kool-Aid, man. He's sipping the Kool-Aid a little hard, you know. I mean, he's getting caught up in the whole ‘oh this is wrestling,' and stuff like that, and he's a better wrestler. I mean, go ahead and try to wrestle me for 25 minutes. You know how tired you'd be if you try to wrestle me for 25 minutes. I mean, come on, that's ridiculous. You can't wrestle for seven minutes or six minutes straight without getting tired. 25 minutes? (Shakes head.) Ridiculous. But if he tries to wrestle, he's going to be done.

UFC On Fox 2: Johnny Bedford Vs. Mitch Gagnon Scratched From Card

2012-01-26T18:02:11Z

A bantamweight bout between Mitch Gagnon and Johnny Bedford is the latest casualty of UFC on Fox 2.

The undercard contest was scratched earlier this week after Gagnon, a native Canadian, was reportedly denied entrance into the United States.

As such, Lavar Johnson's heavyweight tilt against Joey Beltran has been promoted to the Fuel TV preliminaries. UFC officials confirmed the switch.

Notably, the 135-pound tilt was initially slated to feature Demetrious Johnson vs. Eddie Wineland, however Bedford was quickly tapped as a replacement once Johnson withdrew to complete in the UFC's inaugural flyweight tournament. A subsequent Wineland injury led to Gagnon's inclusion.

A 27-year-old prospect out of Ontario, Gagnon (8-1) entered the UFC fresh from a six-fight tear through regional promotions. All eight of the Team Shredder-product's wins have come by way of submission, with five arriving via guillotine choke. He last fought in October, where he finished David Harris with a guillotine two minutes into the first round.

Meanwhile, the match-up marked a quick turnaround for Bedford (18-9-1), a 28-year-old veteran who recently competed on The Ultimate Fighter 14. "Brutal" suffered a devastating knockout loss to eventual season winner John Dodson in the show's semi-finals, but rebounded with a destruction of Louis Gaudinot at The Ultimate Fighter 14 Finale.

UFC on Fox 2 takes place January 28, 2012 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. A light heavyweight battle between Rashad Evans and Phil Davis headlines the network broadcast.

UFC on Fox 2 fight card:

Main card (Fox):
Light heavyweight: Rashad Evans vs. Phil Davis
Middleweight: Chael Sonnen vs. Michael Bisping
Middleweight: Demian Maia vs. Chris Weidman

Preliminary card (Fuel TV):
Lightweight: Evan Dunham vs. Nik Lentz
Heavyweight: John Olav Einemo vs. Mike Russow
Featherweight: George Roop vs. Cub Swanson
Featherweight: Charles Oliveira vs. Eric Wisely
Lightweight: Michael Johnson vs. Shane Roller
Heavyweight: Lavar Johnson vs. Joey Beltran

Preliminary card (Facebook):
Middleweight: Chris Camozzi vs. Dustin Jacoby

Dana White UFC on Fox 2 Video Blog: Day 1

2012-01-24T16:20:00Z

Dana White released the first of what he promises will be many video blogs this week, as part of the lead-up to the UFC's mammoth sophomore effort on network television, UFC on Fox 2.

The scene opens with a seemingly innocent shot of Chael Sonnen and Michael Bisping speaking at the press conference before they were matched up. When asked about Dan Henderson, the Brit starts off, "Well he's just another person that had his shot."

But then things gets interesting. "I seem to remember him getting tapped out just like Chael did," Bisping continues, before staring directly at Sonnen. "Both these guys have a problem with submission defense." Nothing but a wry smile from Senor Chael, but you can tell he's seething inside.

Next we move to White as he runs through the usual housekeeping agenda (behind a rather interesting poster) before taking us to the behind-the-scenes footage of Friday night's UFC on FX debut.

What ensues is a run through a quartet of UFC newcomers after their Octagon debut, as Joseph Sandoval is beside himself after lasting just 22 seconds, while Nick Denis is rightfully ecstatic across from him. A disappointed Tom Hayden then goes through what went wrong, while a joyous Khabib Nurmagomedov shouts "Thank you Dana White! Thank you!"

Then we transition to the veterans, taking a look a Jorge Rivera pre- and post-retirement, as well as a different angle at Mike Easton, who clearly isn't playing. Somewhat disturbingly, Christian Morecraft still seems off after being starched by Pat Barry, though the mood is lightened a bit because you can still hear Easton not playing in the background.

Finally we move on to the main event, as Melvin Guillard generously stops his pre-fight focus to pose backstage with a passing fan and her cell-phone camera. After the loss, Guillard explains what went wrong to his team before congratulating Miller on his win.

UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones sends us off with his prediction for Rashad Evans vs. Phil Davis. "I could see Phil Davis winning by knockout," Jones says, clearly at the expense of his rival. "I mean, really, Rashad's chin sucks."

Despite the slight, Jones makes it clear he hopes Evans wins so he can beat Rashad and "just get it over with."

Demian Maia Didn't Want To Fight Palhares Because 'The Brazilians Shouldn't Face Each Other'

2012-01-19T18:09:56Z

Immediately after Mark Munoz's injury forced Michael Bisping into a bout with Chael Sonnen at UFC on Fox 2, fight fans began to call for Rousimar Palhares to fill the vacant spot opposite Demian Maia.

Fresh off a 63-second win at UFC 142, "Paul Harris" ultimately turned down the opportunity due to fatigue, leading to Chris Weidman getting the nod. As it turns out, that's just fine with Maia.

In the wake of the primetime switch, Maia explained to SporTV why he prefers fighting the American as opposed to his countryman. (via Bloody Elbow)

"It was rumored (a fight with Palhares), but I thought there would not be any possibilities (of it happening), because he just fought, it doesn't make sense for him to throw himself into another fight right now. "Toquinho" trained a few months for this fight. Just because it was fast doesn't mean there were no wear and tears. But I don't even think about that. To be honest, the Brazilian fans should be more worried about seeing us fighting foreigners. There are (only) a few Brazilian fighters in the division and I think that, aside of the title, since it's Anderson who is the champion, the Brazilians should not face each other."

UFC On Fox 2: Chris Weidman Replaces Michael Bisping Against Demian Maia

2012-01-19T16:33:21Z

With less than two weeks to prepare, Chris Weidman has signed on for the biggest fight of his life.

The undefeated middleweight prospect agreed to step in and fight Demian Maia on network television as part of UFC on Fox 2's main card.

Weidman replaces Michael Bisping, who was relocated to a number-one contender bout against Chael Sonnen due to a last-second injury to Mark Munoz. UFC officials confirmed the switch earlier this week.

A Matt Serra protégé and former NCAA standout wrestler, Weidman (7-0) has thus far lived up to his billing as one of MMA's top prospects. The 27-year-old is a perfect 3-0 inside the UFC, with dominating victories over Alessio Sakara, Jesse Bongfeldt and Tom Lawlor. Notably, "All-American" won "Submission of the Night" honors for his first-round standing guillotine choke finish of Bongfeldt at UFC 131.

Across the cage, top-10 middleweight Maia (15-3) hopes to continue a push into title contention after winning three of his last four contests, capped by a unanimous decision victory against former Sengoku champion Jorge Santiago at UFC 136. With eight submission wins and four "Submission of Night" bonuses to his credit, the 34-year-old maintains a reputation as one of MMA's foremost grappling virtuosos.

UFC on Fox 2 takes place January 28, 2012 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. A light heavyweight battle between Rashad Evans and Phil Davis headlines the network broadcast.

UFC on Fox 2 fight card:

Main card:
Light heavyweight: Rashad Evans vs. Phil Davis
Middleweight: Chael Sonnen vs. Michael Bisping
Middleweight: Demian Maia vs. Chris Weidman

Preliminary card (Fuel TV):
Bantamweight: Johnny Bedford vs. Mitch Gagnon
Lightweight: Evan Dunham vs. Nik Lentz
Heavyweight: John Olav Einemo vs. Mike Russow
Lightweight: Michael Johnson vs. Shane Roller
Featherweight: George Roop vs. Cub Swanson
Featherweight: Charles Oliveira vs. Eric Wisely
Middleweight: Chris Camozzi vs. Dustin Jacoby
Heavyweight: Lavar Johnson vs. Joey Beltran

UFC On Fox 2: Mark Munoz Out, Michael Bisping In Against Chael Sonnen

2012-01-17T22:26:52Z

Less than two weeks out from the UFC's sophomore effort on Fox, the injury train has derailed once again.

Middleweight co-headliner Mark Munoz has been scratched from the UFC on Fox 2 fight card due to an undisclosed arm injury. Polarizing contender Michael Bisping will now duel Chael Sonnen on the Fox broadcast, with the winner receiving the next shot at UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva.

No word has been issued regarding the fate of Bisping's prior opponent, Demian Maia.

UFC President Dana White announced the news via Twitter on Tuesday afternoon.

Sonnen (26-11-1) cruises into the bout after a hard push for a rematch with Silva failed to come to fruition due to several injury complications. The self-proclaimed "people's champion" last fought at UFC 136, where he thoroughly dominated rising contender Brian Stann en route to a second-round arm triangle choke.

"I am going to knock the teeth out of this snot nosed Brit who calls himself royalty, who calls himself a Count," Sonnen wasted no time in declaring. "I am MMA royalty and America will tune into the Chael Sonnen show next Saturday on Fox."

Bisping (22-3), meanwhile, leaps into the spotlight after punctuating his stint on "The Ultimate Fighter 14" by crushing Jason "Mayhem" Miller in December. The one-sided victory pushed the 32-year-old's win streak to four straight. Four years into his middleweight run, Bisping has now racked up notable wins over Jorge Rivera, Yoshihiro Akiyama, Dan Miller, Denis Kang and Chris Leben.

"Chael Sonnen's best weapon is his mouth, and that's something that's going to be absolutely useless in this fight," Bisping shot back. "I see a very bright future for Chael Sonnen as a used car salesman, very soon.

"He's been kicked out of politics, kicked out of real estate, and I am going to kick him out of the middleweight division."

UFC on Fox 2 is slated for January 28, 2012 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. A light heavyweight battle between Rashad Evans and Phil Davis headlines the network broadcast.

UFC on Fox 2 fight card:

Main card:
Light heavyweight: Rashad Evans vs. Phil Davis
Middleweight: Chael Sonnen vs. Michael Bisping
Middleweight: Demian Maia vs. TBA

UFC On Fox 2 Fight Card: Cody McKenzie Out, Shane Roller In Against Michael Johnson

2012-01-06T15:58:45Z

Guillotine specialist Cody McKenzie (12-2) has been scratched from the undercard of UFC on FOX 2 after suffering an undisclosed injury in training camp.

WEC veteran Shane Roller (10-5) has been tapped as a replacement for a lightweight tilt against "The Ultimate Fighter 12" runner-up Michael Johnson (9-6). UFC officials confirmed the switch on Friday.

A 32-year-old former Division I wrestler, Roller may be fighting for his job after being finished in consecutive contests against T.J. Grant and Melvin Guillard. Previously the Team Takedown product earned "Knockout of the Night" honors for a second-round KO of Thiago Tavares in his UFC debut.

Meanwhile, Johnson, a 25-year-old knockout artist from Missouri, has undergone his own Octagon struggles. Following the conclusion of the TUF 12, "The Menace" sandwiched a TKO victory over Eddie Faaloloto between tough losses to TUF 12 winner Jonathan Brookins and British submission ace Paul Sass.

UFC on Fox 2 takes place January 28, 2012 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Three high-profile contender matches headline the network broadcast -- Rashad Evans vs. Phil Davis, Mark Munoz vs. Chael Sonnen, and Michael Bisping vs. Demian Maia.

UFC on Fox 2 fight card:

Main card:
Light heavyweight: Rashad Evans vs. Phil Davis
Middleweight: Chael Sonnen vs. Mark Munoz
Middleweight: Michael Bisping vs. Demian Maia