UFC 197: Rumored to Feature McGregor/RDA and Holm/Tate

Who wins in a potential fight?

Rafael dos Anjos

Conor McGreggor

polling

Who wins in a potential fight?

Holly Holm

Miesha Tate

Quiz Maker

The MMA world is buzzing about the news of a possible headliner and co-headliner between some of the UFC's biggest stars.  It has been rumored that the UFC soon be announcing title fights between UFC Lightweight Champion, Rafael do Anjos, and UFC Featherweight Champion, Conor McGregor at UFC 197 in March.  Rumors are also spreading that Holly Holm will be defending her UFC Womens' Bantamweight Championship against longtime contender and former Strikeforce Champion, Miesha Tate.  The fight has yet to be confirmed by the UFC, but sources are confident that these two title fights will be happening.  Stay posted to Tough Spar MMA for the latest news regarding this fight on our Facebook Page Tough Spar MMA and our Twitter @Toughsparmma.

Donald Cerrone Moves Up to Welterweight for UFN 82

Recent UFC Lightweight challenger and perennial contender, Donald Cerrone, will be making his UFC Welterweight debut against tough Welterweight stand-out, Tim Means, in Pittsburgh in the main event of UFC Fight Night 82. Donald Cerrone has had great success in the lightweight division, both in the UFC and the WEC. It is unsure as to whether this is a permanent move or a temporary move to get back in the cage sooner.

Benson Henderson debuted in the 170 lb weight class last year and was able to get a win. I believe that Donald Cerrone posses to defeat "larger" opponents with his tremendous Muay Thai and submission talents. I don't think it would benefit him to permanently move to welterweight, but one fight won't hurt.  I still believe that Cerrone has the tools to be a UFC champion at some point before his career is over.  He gets so close to the title then has some setback. Recently he finally got his title shot, but suffered a TKO loss to the champion, dos Anjos. This should be an interesting match to see what Cerrone is capable of.

Gray Maynard Moving to Featherweight

Former UFC Lightweight title challenger, Gray Maynard has had a rough few years following his TKO loss to former UFC Lightweight Champion and #2 ranked featherweight, Frankie Edgar, in their third clash.  Since that fight he has been unable to produce a win streak in the lightweight division.  He won a split decision win against Clay Guida, but has taken four straight losses since that win.  Previously, Maynard was on an eight fight win streak before he and Edgar fought to a draw before they fought a third time.

Recently, Maynard has stated that he has been walking around smaller than normal, due to more running and cardio in place of weight training.  He now would like to try his hand at the UFC's featherweight division.  Maynard believes he will have no trouble making the weight despite rumors in the past of him having trouble making weight in the past.  Maynard denies the rumors and has stated that he never had issues making weight in the past.

Maynard will be doing what many fighters have done when they have had trouble in their original weight class.  It has worked for a few other fighters in the past.  BJ Penn moved up to Welterweight after a failed attempt at the UFC Lightweight Championship against Jens Pulver.  He would go on to defeat Matt Hughes to win the title.  He would later move back down to his natural weight class and gain the Lightweight title.  Sean Sherk began his UFC career in the welterweight division, but would find championship success in the UFC's Lightweight Division. Clay Guida moved down to Featherweight and done pretty well for himself there.  Maynard's former nemesis, Frankie Edgar moved to featherweight after being unable to recover his UFC title from Ben Henderson.  Edgar is currently on a five fight win streak and it could be debated that he is the next in line at a title shot against Conor McGregor.

Many other fighters have renewed their careers in different weight classes, such as Demetrius Johnson, Denis Siver, Dominick Cruz and Uriah Faber.  A move to 145 lbs, just might be what Maynard needs to get back in the winners' circle.

Edgar-Penn III Set for July 6th

A few months ago, we announced that former UFC Lightweight Champions, Frankie Edgar and BJ Penn would be cast as the coaches of the nineteenth season of the hit reality show the Ultimate Fighter.  Now we have received word that a date has been set for the two men to meet for the third match of their trilogy.  Edgar and Penn will be going to war at the TUF 19 Finale at the end of the season on July 6th.  The two men first faced each other in the Lightweight Division in which Edgar defeated Penn for the UFC Lightweight Championship at UFC 112.  He later defended the title against Penn in an instant rematch at UFC 118.  The two will now face each other in the UFC's Featherweight Division where Frankie Edgar has found a new home in the UFC.  BJ Penn has never fought at Featherweight in his career, but wanted the fight with Edgar so bad that he was willing to make the weight cut.

This certainly could be a barn burner between the two fighters.  In the first two fights, we saw Edgar outclass Penn.  Though Penn has never fought at Featherweight I predict that Penn will take this fight due to the fact that he has flew down to Brazil to train with Nova Uniao and Anthony Pedernieras whom he trained with early in his career.  With guys like Jose Aldo, Diego Nunes and Renan Barao to train with, I think it gives him just enough to defeat Edgar in their third fight.

Ben Henderson Meets Rustam Khabilov in Albuquerque

The UFC will be heading to Albuquerque, NM for the first time in it's 20 year existence, June 7th.  The event will be a Fight Night Card headlined by former UFC/WEC Lightweight Champion, Benson "Smooth"  Henderson taking on Russian standout Rustam Khabliov in a 5-round fight.

Former champ, Benson Henderson, wants to prove himself against the rising contender, Khabilov, so that he can prove that his controversial decision win over Josh Thomson was not a fluke.  A win for Khabilov will get him the respect that he deserves and join the league of contenders vying for a shot at the title.  It will not be an easy fight for either man.  It is sure to be an entertaining fight and definitely main event worthy on a Fight Night card.  It will be interesting to see if we see any of Greg Jackson's fighters on the card.  Many of the UFC's top stars fight out of Jackson's MMA in Albuquerque.  UFC FLyweight John Dodson has already began to petition for a spot on the card:

Post by John "Magician" Dodson.

Eddie Alvarez Accuses Gilbert Melendez of Dodging Him

Bellator Lightweight Champion, Eddie Alvarez was excited when the news broke that Bellator had come to an agreement with former Strikeforce Champion Gilbert Melendez.  He had hopes that he would face a man that he felt has intentionally eluded him for years.  Eddie Alvarez has long awaited a fight with Melendez and felt that the signing of Melendez was going to get him the match he has wantes for years. When he heard that Melendez was going to be staying with the UFC, he felt like Melendez was finding another way to dodge him.  He feels that Melendez is scared to face him and will always try to avoid a possible clash.

As entertaining as a fight between Alvarez and Melendez would be, Gilbert Melendez belongs in the UFC amongst the best fighters in the world.  Melendez didn't truly want to go to Bellator, but the negotiations with Bellator eventually got the UFC to come to an agreement on contract terms with him.  Eddie Alvarez was almost signed to the UFC a year ago, but was pulled back into Bellator due to contract terms that allowed Bellator to match the UFC's contract.  I think that after his contract with Bellator is over that Alvarez should try to make a second attempt at getting in the UFC so that he can have his showdown that he claims to strongly want.  

GIlbert Melendez Renews UFC Contract Plus More!!!

The UFC has just announced today that former Strikeforce Champion, Gilbert Melendez, will be staying with the UFC after the company has decided to match Bellator MMA's contract offer to the Melendez.  Also along with the resigning of the MMA vet, the UFC has decided to give Melendez a coaching spot on the twentieth season of the Ultimate Fighter reality series, which will feature the UFC's introduction to the female Atomweight Division.  He will be coaching along side current UFC Lightweight Champion Anthony Pettis.  After the conclusion of the Ultimate Fighter Finale, the two men will square off against each other for the UFC Lightweight Championship.

This is exciting news for any fan of Gilbert Melendez.  Melendez belongs in the UFC amongst the possible competition for him.  I feel talking with Bellator was a great idea for Melendez as it led to the UFC matching his deal with Bellator and also giving him a title shot in his next fight.  The title fight was a bittersweet announcement as many were looking forward to seeing UFC Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo move up to Lightweight to fight Anthony Pettis, but I feel that Melendez is the most deserving challenger in the division.  I look forward to seeing how Melendez will handle the unorthodox striking of the champion when they finally clash.

Gilbert Melendez Signs with Bellator

It seems that former Strikeforce and WEC Lightweight Champion, Gilbert Melendez has decided take matters into his own hands in regards to his UFC contract issue as he has been signed to Bellator.  UFC Lightweight contender Melendez has been battling with the UFC to come to contract agreements for a while now. Michael Chandler the former Bellator Lightweight Champion had already called out the UFC star before anythung was finalized with Bellator. With Melendez signing a multifight contract is is possible that the two of them might clash.

As a die-hard UFC follower I am sad to hear that Melendez will no longer be in the UFC, but I am glad that he is going to Bellator and not a smaller organization. I hate to think of such a great talent like Melendez leaving the UFC over a contract dispute,  but I think that he will surely be tested as Bellator has the nest lightweight division outside the UFC. I wish him luck and I hope that we will see him again in the UFC. The UFC still has the ability to match Bellator's offer by way of Gilbert Melendez's current contract under the UFC.

Chandler Wants Melendez in Bellator

Former Bellator Lightweight Champion, Michael Chandler, has expressed an interest in facing Gilbert Melendez if he jumps the UFC ship and heads over to Bellator MMA.  Chandler tweeted:

Seeing this news about @GilbertMelendez has me excited. Who wants to see me welcome him to @BellatorMMA after I beat Eddie?
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) February 13, 2014

 I would be heavily interested in seeing a clash between Chandler and Melendez, but as much as I would love to see this, I'd prefer to see Gilbert stay in the UFC and eventually fight for the belt.  If Melendez does decide to leave the UFC I would love to see him face Chandler or Eddie Alvarez for the title.  If Melendez were to move to Bellator and beat one or both of these men, it would further solidify his top 5 status in the world at 155 lbs.  The Lightweight division is the most talented division in all of MMA and Bellator has the second best Lightweight division after the UFC.

Melendez May Be Leaving the UFC

UFC President Dana White, has publicly come out about the status of former Strikeforce Lightweight Champion Gilbert Melendez and his relationship with the UFC.   White has stated that he has a good relationship Gilbert Melendez, but is frustrated with the management team of Melendez. White says that Melendez may need to start looking at other organizations for employment hinting at fhe fact that he might not get re-signed by the UFC. Melendez's last fight with the UFC and Zuffa on his contract was against Diego Sanchez at UFC 166 in Houston, Texas.

I really hope that Melendez is able to come to terms with the UFC so that we can continue to seem him fight amongst the best fighters in the world in his weight class. Melendez has the potential to be the UFC Lightweight Champion and some feel that he should've been the current UFC Lightweight Champion as some felt he beat Henderson when they squared off for the title. Melendez is a real gem in the UFC and represents the best of the best at 155 lbs.

Khabib Nurmagomedov Finally Has an Opponent

After hearing that the news of a possible Gilbert Melendez and Khabib Nurmagomedov showdown being pulled from UFC 170, the MMA community has been waiting around for a while now to get a replacement for Melendez. It has been announced that Rafael dos Anjos has been scheduled to face Nurmagomedov at UFC on Fox 11.

Aldo/Pettis Could Be on the Horizon

It appears that UFC President Dana White is getting closer to putting together a clash between current UFC Champions Jose Aldo and Anthony Pettis.  Jose Aldo is the current Featherweight Champion (145 lbs) and Anthony Pettis is the current Lightweight Champion (155 lbs).  Earlier this week, it was revealed that both champions were not able to come to an agreement as to which weight class the fight was going to take place.  Neither man wanted to go to the other man's weight class.  Aldo's camp insisted on meeting in the middle at 150 lbs, but Aldo's camp only wanted to meet at 155lbs and if the fight couldn't happen at Lightweight, Pettis would move on.  With White's intervention it looks like the fight will be occurring at 155lbs with Aldo moving up in weight to fight Pettis.  If the fight goes through, Aldo will have to vacate his title, but if Aldo loses to Pettis he will be granted an immediate rematch against whoever picks up his vacant title.  Dana White is thinking that a match between Cub Swanson and Chad Mendes would make for the best match for the vacant title.

Cerrone and Barboza Set for Battle

Two of the UFC's best finishers in the Lightweight division have agreed to go to war at UFC on Fox 11.  Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone and Edson Barboza will be having what will likely be a stand-up war.

Duhnam and Bocek Meet at TUF Nations Finale

A clash in the UFC's Lightweight Division has been added to the TUF Nations Finale card as it has been reported that Evan Dunham and Mark Bocek have been scheduled to fight each other.  Both men are great talents in the UFC that have been unable to find success against top ten opponents in the UFC.  This fight should be pretty entertaining with their individual skill sets coming together in this clash.

White Thinking Aldo and Pettis

UFC President, Dana White has publicly stated that upon a successful title defense against Ricardo Lamas, Jose Aldo will likely be moving up to 155 lbs to challenge Anthony Pettis for the title.  Thomson was originally set to face Anthony Pettis for the title at UFC on Fox 9 before he pulled out due to an injury.  With Thomson losing to Henderson in their five round clash at UFC on Fox 10. With Thomson and TJ Grant out of the running, there is no one else left in the UFC Lightweight Division is in the running for a title. Jose Aldo and Anthony Pettis were originally scheduled to fight for Aldo's Featherweight title at UFC 163 before Anthony Pettis got "injured" only to become healthy enough to return to action a few weeks later at UFC 164 where he earned the Lightweight title from Henderson. After Pettis won the title Aldo still wanted to face Pettis, but it will just be a matter of time before it will happen.

UFC on Fox 10: Could This Be the End for Thomson

After coming up short to Ben Henderson in a split decision victory, that many feel that he won, Josh Thomson has not come out and said that he is retiring, but he has hinted towards it.  At the post-fight conference Josh Thomson said that he will need to think about things before proceeding with the rest of his career. Josh Thomson stated that "this may be it" when referring to his loss to Benson Henderson.

I feel that Thomson may still be able to make a run for the title, but only if he wants to.  Sure he is 35-years-old, but Randy Couture win the UFC Heavyweight Championship for the third time at the age of 43?  Thomson is a spectacular fighter with all the tools to get to the top.  Thomson just needs to press forward with his career despite his disputable loss to the former champion on Saturday.  Thomson just needs another impressive dominate win such as the one over Nate Diaz to elevate him back to the top.

Cerrone Wants Six Fights in 2014

Donald Cerrone looked impressive as he landed a head kick to Adriano Martins at UFC on Fox 10 this weekend and earned the Knockout of the Night.  Cerrone is now looking to set a UFC record by fighting five more times this year.  Cerrone has stated that he wants to break this record and stay very busy this year.

If Cerrone is able to be as sharp as he has been since November, I think that this might benefit his career.  He could potentially work his way back to the spot he was in January 2013 when he and Pettis were fighting to see who was next in line for the title.  If he can get wins over some top ten guys such as Khabib Nurmagomedov or Gilbert Melendez, he might be able to get another shot in late 2014 or early 2015.  Cerrone has it in him to be the future UFC Lightweight Champion, but he needs to tweek his style a little and be a shoot-first fighter instead of getting off to a slow start as he has a habit of doing.  We predict big things for Cerrone who has competed for the WEC on three occasions and has impressive wins over big name competition.

UFC on Fox 10 Results

Main Card:

Benson Henderson def. Josh Thomson via split decision
Stipe Miocic def. Gabriel Gonzaga via unanimous decision
Donald Cerrone def. Adriano Martins via first-round KO
Jeremy Stephens def. Darren Elkins via unanimous decision

Preliminary Card:

Alex Caceres def. Sergio Pettis via submission (rear-naked choke)
Eddie Wineland def. Yves Jabouin via second-round TKO
Chico Camus def. Yaotzin Meza via unanimous decision
Hugo Viana def. Junior Hernandez via unanimous decision
Daron Cruickshank def. Mike Rio via second-round TKO
George Sullivan def. Mike Rhodes via unanimous decision
Nikita Kyrlov def. Walt Harris via first-round TKO

UFC on Fox 10 Weigh-in Results

Main Card:

Josh Thomson (155) VS Benson Henderson (156)
Gabriel Gonzaga (258) VS Stipe Miocic (245)
Adriano Martins (155) VS Donald Cerrone (155)
Jeremy Stephens (146) VS Darren Elkins (145)

Preliminary Card:

Sergio Pettis (135) VS Alex Caceres (135)
Yves Jabouin (135) VS Eddie Wineland (135)
Yaotzin Meza (135) VS Chico Camus (135)
Hugo Viana (136) VS Junior Hernandez (136)
Mike Rio (155) VS Daron Cruickshank (155)
Mike Rhodes (171) VS George Sullivan (170)
Nikita Krylov (218) VS Walt Harris (241)

Michael Johnson Fills in for Ross Pearson in London

A knee injury has put Ross Pearson out from the fight game indefinitely. With Pearson injured, Michael Johnson has stepped up to face Melvin Guillard at UFC 37 in London. Guillard and Pearson originally met at UFC Fight Night 30, but the fight was stopped in the first round due to an illegal knee by Melvin guillard. The fight was ruled a no contest and a rematch was announced almost immediately.

Michael johnson is coming off of a KO win over Gleison Tibau at UFC 168. Not long after that fight, he called out Diaz as the man he wanted next and then also offered to face Khabib Nurmagomedov when it was announced that Gilbert Melendez and Nurmagomedov would not be facing each other. Though both of those fights are exciting options for Johnson, perhaps the Guillard fight may be an even more exciting fight despite Guillard not being a top 10 opponent.  It will be huge if Johnson is able to defeat Guillard but it looks doable considering Johnson stopped a durable Gleison Tibau.  This isn't a fight that is between two rising contenders in the UFC Lightweight Division, but it is a big name fight for Johnson and the fight could potentially move Johnson up a spot or two in the UFC Rankings.