UFC vs MMA

ASSOCIATED PRESS Defending featherweight champion Jose Aldo, from Brazil, celebrates with fans after defeating Chad Mendes, from the US, in the first round during their featherweight title bout at UFC 142 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday Jan. 15, 2012. By Case Keefer (contact) Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012 | 10 p.m. ASSOCIATED PRESS Edson Barboza, from Brazil, celebrates after defeating Terry Etim, from the UK, during their lightweight mixed martial arts bout at UFC 142 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012. Some UFC events come and go without a single knockout worth remembering. The first card of 2012, Saturday’s UFC 142 in Rio de Janeiro, featured two vicious finishes that surely will find themselves in the discussion for Knockout of the Year next December. Jose Aldo and Edson Barboza, two 25-year old Brazilian phenoms, showcased their one-strike knockout power in front of their hometown fans. Aldo kept his featherweight belt and put an end to the night in an abrupt fashion,...

by Jason Probst on Jan 1, 2012 8:01 AM EST in UFC Results It was a grim tableau. Slumped against the cage after absorbing a frightful assault to the body, Brock Lesnar wore the dejected look of a fighter done with the sport. Imagine realizing your career in a given vocation was obviously something you suddenly no longer wanted to pursue, with the impetus for that decision being a public beating like the one Alistair Overeem delivered at UFC 141 this past Fri., Dec. 30, 2011, in Las Vegas. It was one of the most poignant moments you'll see, yet painfully public at the same time. His post-fight retirement announcement wasn't a surprise. In moments of adversity, you find out what a fighter is about, and Lesnar handled his interview with Joe Rogan very well. Brevity goes a long way when making an announcement that will change the short-term landscape of the sport; he's done with MMA, and he did one hell of a lot to bump the game up to the next level in a mere eight fights, f...

Sam Morris Alistair Overeem lands a kick to Brock Lesnar’s midsection during their heavyweight bout at UFC 141 Friday, Dec. 30, 2011 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Overeem won by TKO in the first round and Lesnar announced his retirement immediately after the fight. By Case Keefer (contact) Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011 | 1:30 a.m. Conflicted is the best word to describe the mood after the UFC 141 main event. Conflicted as to whether the more pressing issue was putting a eulogy on Brock Lesnar’s UFC career or a coronation on Alistair Overeem’s time in the world’s biggest mixed martial arts promotion. Overeem beat Lesnar worse than anyone ever had before Friday night, leading to a TKO victory at 2:26 of the first round and a retirement announcement from the former UFC heavyweight champion. “I think he shouldn’t walk away,” Overeem said of Lesnar. “He’s a guy who goes for it. I think he achieved a lot in a short span. It would be a shame if he stopped now. I still think there’s more to gain ...

by Adam Guillen Jr. on Dec 31, 2011 10:00 PM EST in UFC Results Ouch! After receiving a devastating left kick to the mid-section from heavy hitting heavyweight Alistair Overeem last night (Dec. 30, 2011) at UFC 141: "Lesnar vs. Overeem," the 6‘3" 265-pound Brock Lesnar crumbled to the mat, wincing in visible pain. Following up with a few strikes to the downed behemoth, Overeem delivered one final body blow that forced referee Mario Yamasaki to step in and save the former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) heavyweight champion from further damage in the opening frame of a scheduled five round main event. The dominating performance not only kick-started "The Demolition Man's" UFC career in impressive fashion; it also marked the end of Lesnar's career with the world's largest mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion. Contrary to the belief of the WWE's Chris Jericho, Lesnar wasn't simply looking for a way out by "taking a dive." Accord...