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With UFC 166 win, Daniel Cormier to stump for immediate light-heavyweight title

BAD MMA News — Wed, 24 Jul 2013 18:00:00 +0000

If Daniel Cormier (12-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) defeats fellow heavyweight Roy Nelson (19-8 MMA, 6-4 UFC) in UFC 166′s co-main event, he’s planning to ask for a title shot at light heavyweight. Cormier, who confirmed the plans with FUEL TV’s Ariel Helwani on “UFC Tonight,” will ask to “cut the line” to get an immediate shot at the 205-pound belt. UFC 166, which takes place Oct. 19 at Houston’s Toyota Center, marks Cormier’s final fight at heavyweight, a division in which he won a Strikeforce world grand prix before topping ex-champ Frank Mir in his UFC debut earlier this year. Cormier has long discussed his planned move down to light heavyweight, and he started a gradual weight cut even before the bout with Mir, which marked the two-time Olympian’s 12th consecutive MMA win. It also moved him to No. 3 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie.com MMA heavyweight rankings (as well as No

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With UFC 166 win, Daniel Cormier to stump for immediate light-heavyweight title – MMA Junkie

Fabricio Werdum wants Daniel Cormier? ‘DC’ says it’s perfect heavyweight finale

BAD MMA News — Sat, 06 Jul 2013 18:00:00 +0000

If Fabricio Werdum (17-5-1 MMA, 5-2 UFC) wants a fight with Daniel Cormier (12-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC), “DC” said he’s in. In fact, other than teammate and current UFC champion Cain Velasquez , he’s willing to fight anybody the organization throws at him. Cormier, a former Strikeforce grand prix winner who recently made his UFC debut with a victory over Frank Mir , is awaiting his next assignment. He’s cutting down to about 220 pounds for a final fight in his current division before a planned drop to light heavyweight. Currently, many of the fighters in the USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie.com MMA heavyweight rankings are booked for other bouts.

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Fabricio Werdum wants Daniel Cormier? ‘DC’ says it’s perfect heavyweight finale – MMA Junkie

UFC’s Glover Teixeira anticipates September return, expects assignment soon

BAD MMA News — Sat, 22 Jun 2013 22:55:00 +0000

Brazilian slugger Glover Teixeira (21-2 MMA, 4-0 UFC) expects to resume his assault of the UFC’s light heavyweight division later this year, and the fast-rising contender said he could return to action as soon as September. “I want to know what’s next for me, too,” Teixeira told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com). “I think I might be fighting in September. They asked me if I’d be ready. We’ll probably hear soon who I’m going to fight, and I’m sure it will be great.” The 33-year-old Teixeira is one of the UFC’s brightest prospects at 205 pounds, boasting an incredible 19-fight win streak that includes UFC victories over James Te Huna , Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Fabio Maldonado and Kyle Kingsbury . Teixeira currently sits at No. 7 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie.com light heavyweight rankings , but he lacks a signature win to bring him to the very top of division’s ladder. But Teixeira doesn’t blame the UFC for potentially slow-playing his rise to the top.

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UFC’s Glover Teixeira anticipates September return, expects assignment soon – MMA Junkie

Video: A look ahead at MMA’s top 10 light heavyweights following UFC 161

BAD MMA News — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 16:30:00 +0000

Following this past weekend’s UFC 161 event, the USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie.com MMA light-heavyweight rankings saw some shuffling. Most of it was the result of Rashad Evans ‘ split-decision victory over Dan Henderson in the June 15 pay-per-view event’s headliner. With the win, the former champ bumped up a spot to No. 3. Additionally, with his second straight defeat, Henderson dropped from No. 3 to No.

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Video: A look ahead at MMA’s top 10 light heavyweights following UFC 161 – MMA Junkie

UFC’s Teixeira: Yes to Jones, Bader, Henderson, Evans – no to Machida, Sonnen

BAD MMA News — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 01:15:00 +0000

Glover Teixeira likes his odds against UFC light-heavyweight champion Jon Jones . (In fact, you may be surprised just how heavily he favors himself if they were to fight.) But knowing the champ is likely to fight Alexander Gustafsson next, Teixeira discussed what other matchups pique his interest. Teixeira, who’s won 19 consecutive fights overall and four straight since joining the UFC, awaits his next challenge following a first-round submission victory over James Te Huna this past month at UFC 160. Teixeira (21-2 MMA, 4-0 UFC), who’s ranked No. 7 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie.com MMA light-heavyweight rankings , knows he probably needs another win or two to get a crack at the belt, but if a Jones fight actually materialized? “I am very confident,” he said this past weekend in Brazil. “If my next fight was against Jones, for sure I would go in to win. I give myself a 99 percent chance (of winning).” But with fellow contender Gustafsson all but assured the bout, Teixeira is focusing elsewhere

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UFC’s Teixeira: Yes to Jones, Bader, Henderson, Evans – no to Machida, Sonnen – MMA Junkie

Fabricio Werdum wants UFC champ Cain Velasquez, ‘TUF: Mexico’ coaching gig

BAD MMA News — Sun, 09 Jun 2013 17:00:00 +0000

FORTALEZA, BRAZIL – If things go as Fabricio Werdum wants them to, he’ll go from one coaching gig on “The Ultimate Fighter” to another one – and then onto a title fight with reigning UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez . Werdum laid out the ambitious plans following Saturday’s UFC on FUEL TV 10 victory over Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira at Paulo Sarasate Arena in Fortaleza, Ceara, Brazil. Werdum submitted “Big Nog,” his rival coach on “The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 2,” in the night’s main event. After the show, Werdum (17-5-1 MMA, 5-2 UFC) discussed what’s next. The Brazilian has won three straight fights since his return to the organization, and overall, he’s 6-1 since ending his first UFC run in 2008. He’s ranked No. 5 in the USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie.com MMA heavyweight rankings and is likely to move up a spot or two on Monday thanks to his win over No. 11 Nogueira (34-8-1 MMA, 5-4 UFC)

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Fabricio Werdum wants UFC champ Cain Velasquez, ‘TUF: Mexico’ coaching gig – MMA Junkie