Is Roy Nelson what the UFC needs?

He was public enemy number 1 in the eyes of most casual UFC fans in October of 2009, but now is he slowly becoming a superstar? The man that I'm speaking of is Roy "Big Country" Nelson.  In October of last year the pot bellied heavyweight entered into the homes of millions on The Ultimate Fighter 10 Heavyweights, and he was matched up in the preliminary round against internet street fighting sensation Kimbo Slice.  In the lead-up to this fight Roy came off as cocky, but I will plead the other side that he was just confident that his well-rounded MMA skills could overcome Slice's brawling ability, but this made most fans of the sport including UFC president Dana White hate him a little more and say why did Nelson a full fat 265 pound heavyweight feel this way.  Well honestly Nelson proved his worth in not only the Kimbo fight, but also in his fights against Justin Wren, James McSweeny finally impressing White in the McSweeny fight.
After these two wins he was in the finale fight against a man who looked like a wrecking machine on the show that man being Brendan "The Hybrid" Schaub who had ko'd or submitted all his competition on the show. Most pundits thought that Nelson would take down Schaub, but were they wrong as he stood in Schaub's line of power and traded bombs eventually dimming the lights of The Hybrid.
Now before I discuss Big Country's most recent fight I'll take a look into why I believe that the MMA community has shunned him.  My theory is pretty simple look at Nelson, he's as fat as you will see anyone in MMA, and possibly the fact that he doesn't train at a big camp erks people the wrong way. The fact of the matter is even though Nelson may have the worst physique in MMA or pro sports for that matter his cardio is amazing for a heavyweight.  Secondly to be honest Roy Nelson if you take him for what he is which is a fun loving big guy is hilarious.  I mean look at the guy he trains out of his house that he calls the "Country Club" which has weight equipment, grappling mats and punching bags, but he also brings a BJJ blackbelt into the mix which is dangerous for a guy his size. When he's in an interview he says funny things like saying in advance of his upcoming fight for Stefan Struve who is 6ft 11in tall that he was trying to get into touch with NBA star Shaq or that to get used to the height he would spar with guys standing on chairs. Truly if you watch or read an interview with him and at least not crack a smile.
Now this brings up his most recent fight against the aforementioned Struve a tall rangy heavyweight who is working his way up heavyweight rankings despite only being 22 years of age. As the two co main evented UFC Fight Night on SPIKE everyone expected a battle of attrition between these two, but Big Country had other plans using his punching power to KO Struve in only 39 seconds.  This fight brings me to think maybe Nelson is what the UFC needs a funny guy to to the routine that Forrest Griffin did before Keith Jardine rape choked him into being serious. Roy can provide comedy, but also deliver in the octagon with KO's or his suffocating ground control in the end Roy Nelson is a complete fighter and the real deal in my humble opinion and I cant wait for him to take the step up in competition which could be in his next fight against the likes of Gabriel Gonzaga or Junior Dos Santos.

Sorry for the Delay

Sorry for an almost 2 week break in-between news. I was caught up with school and other things, but now will be back and posting not only news but articles so stay tunned and remember to follow yell tap on twitter.

Demacio Page out vs Antonio Banuelos at WEC 48 Scott Jorgensen in

Once again Demacio Page has had to pull out of a fight. This time it comes against Antonio Banuelos, but the WEC had an ace waiting in the wings in Scott Jorgensen. Jorgensen is fresh off his 31 second submission of Chad Geroges in Columbus at WEC Bowles vs Cruz. This fight is going to be a rematch of Banuelos and Jorgensen's meeting at WEC Brown vs Faber 2 last June. The fight was closely contested and the victory went to Banuelos in a controversial split-decision. In my opinion the winner of this fight could possibly get the next crack at the WEC Bantamweight Championship as WEC matchmaker Sean Shelby said he's not 100% sold on a rematch between Joseph Benavidez and new divisional champion Dominic Cruz. This leaves Page now open for a different fight and in my opinion and should fight Miguel Torres once his cut is healed.

The UFC wil NOT counter Strikeforce April 17

Bloodyelbow.com is reporting that the UFC will now not counter Strikeforce's second CBS show on April 17. This can really be attributed to the lack of a big name main event and in reality after the loss of the Swick vs Serra fight the UFC had almost no reason to continue the attempt at this show because there were no truly intriguing fights that could be put together on such short notice.

Roger Gracie to make May 15 Strikeforce Debut vs Kevin Randleman

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Champion Roger Gracie will make his long awaited Strikeforce debut May 15 in St. Louis against wrestling power Kevin Randleman.  Gracie is the latest grappling phenom from the long family of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners, but unlike his cousin Rolles Gracie who failed miserably during his UFC debut Roger has been tested and may have some of the best grappling credentials of any Gracie these include being a 2 time Abu Dhabi  Combat Club Champion, 5 time Pan Am Jiu-Jitsu Champion and the list could continue. In this fight he will take on a man people once hearlded as the future in Kevin Randleman, but after early problems Randleman's MMA career never recovered and he is at about a .500 record now. Randleman who usually depends on his world class wrestling may  have to leave that on the back burner against a jiu-jitsu player like Gracie. The fight will take place at the May 15 Strikeforce event headlined by a heavyweight title fight between Allistar Overeem and Brett Rogers.

Chris Lozano vs Jason Dent to Headline NAAFS Fight Night in the Flats 6

Every June Northeast Ohio gets one of the best MMA shows in the nation as the NAAFS puts on their annual Fight Night in the Flats card, but this year the main event is personal. Chris Lozano the NAAFS Pro Series Middleweight Champion is a proud member of Strong Style Fight Team and Jason Dent the NAAFS Pro Series Lightweight Champion is a proud member of Griffonrawl Fight Team and both of these men will look to defend the honor of their teams as they lock horns in June at Fight Night in the Flats VI. The fight will take place in the welterweight division as Dent will move up and a division and Lozano will move down a division for the headline fight which should be a barn-burner which will heat up the Flats in Cleveland in June.

Bellator adds Roger Huerta to Seson 2 Lightweight Tournament

After his UFC contract expired lightweight Roger Huerta was one of the most sought after free agents in mixed martial arts. He is a free agent no longer as he has signed with Bellator to join their season 2 lightweight tournament with the winner getting a shot at Lightweight Champion Eddie Alvarez after he comes off his super-fight with Josh Neer at Bellator 17 on May 6.

WEC 48 Matchmaking News

The WEC is shaping up its preliminary card for their first pay-per-view effort. Among the fights added to the card are Takeya Mizugaki vs Rani Yahya, Brad Pickett vs Demetrious Johnson both of which taking place in the bantamweight division, Alex Karalexis vs Anthony Pettis in the lightweight division, and hooking up in featherweight bouts will be Tyler Toner vs Brandon Visher, Cub Swanson vs. Chan Sung Jung and Anthony Morrisonvs Mackens Semerzier. All bouts mentioned are on the preliminary card.

James Irvin vs Alessio Sakara to take last televised spot onf UFC on Versus card

A fight between heavy hitters has now been offically added to the UFC on Versus main card as Alessio Sakara will take on James Irvin in a middleweight clash. This fight will bring more hand to hand combat to an already stacked main card. You can bet this one doesn't go the distance.

Paulo Thiago vs Martin Kampman in the works for UFC 115

Mmajunkie is reporting that surging welterweight contenders Paulo Thiago and Martin Kampman will meet in a showdown at UFC 115. This is a great fight pitting two contenders up against each other in what essentially will be a title eliminator. Thiago comes into the fight riding steam after choking Mike Swick unconscious at UFC 109 while Kampman comes off a submission win over Jacob Volkman at UFC 108, but is also coming off a deep laceration that forced him to pull of his scheduled fight with Ben Saunders at UFC 111.

Kimbo vs Mitrione offical for UFC 113 not counter-programing effort on April 17

It's now official that Kimbo Slice's next fight will be a part of the UFC 113 pay-per-view as he will take on fellow TUF 10 alumni Matt Mitrione. This announcement comes as sort of a surprise as it was thought that the UFC would use this fight as the feature on their card that will counter Strikeforce.  The main event for that card is not known, and now we must wonder if the UFC will go on with the counter-programing effort on April 17.

It's offical UFC to counter-program Strikeforce April 17

Today Dana White confirmed a story that we at yelltapmma broke yesterday that the UFC will indeed counter-program Strikeforce on April 17. The event will most likely take place on Spike TV. No fights have been announced yet although it is thought that Wanderlei Silva will meet Yoshihiro Akiyama on the card and another rumored fight for the card is Mike Swick taking on Matt Serra in a welterweight tilt.

Kimbo vs Mitrione off UFC 113?

If you go to the UFC's website ufc.com the Kimbo Slice vs Matt Mitrione fight from UFC 113 has been removed. What does this mean? Most people like myself believe the UFC is planning on Kimbo vs James Toney now with the signing of the former World Champion boxer yesterday. Also the man training Toney, Juanito Ibarra said that they want to fight Kimbo. If this is the case Dana White isn't keeping true to his word that Toney wouldn't be used in a freakshow fight. More on this as we get more information.

Bonnar Soszynski rematch likely for TUF 11 finale

It looks as if though Stephan Bonnar will look to get some revenge for the headbutt that gave him a loss. According to mma mania a rematch between Krystoff Soszynski and Stephan Bonnar will likely take place at the Ultimate Fighter 11 Finale. Like myself most fans called for a rematch of these men's slugfest from UFC 110 after an accidental headbutt ended the fight and the nod went to Sosynzki by TKO.

Kamal Shalorus of WEC 48 PPV card

A hit that the WEC didn't need just occured as undefeated lightweight fighter and former Olympian Kamal Shalorus has been forced off their first pay-per-view card with an undisclosed injury. It is not known yet whether his opponent former Lightweight Champion Jamie Varner will have a new opponent. We will try to keep you updated on this story.

WEC to go north of the border?

It looks as if though the WEC's global expansion will continue this year as in June the UFC's sister promotion will make a trip to Calgary.  The event is tenatively scheduled for June 20, but the event is not a lock yet, but the WEC is attempting to secure a location in the city. An expected main event could be the winners of the two main events of this weekends WEC show between Brian Bowles and Dominic Cruz and Miguel Torres and Josepeh Benavidez facing off for the Bantamweight Championship.

UFC to counter Strikeforce on CBS?

According to a report on the very popular underground mma forum the UFC will in fact counter-program Strikeforce on CBS, but this time not with some old pay-per-view.  Instead they will counter it with a Fight Night on Spike with the main event of Wanderlei Silva vs Yoshihiro Akiyama in a middleweight showdown.  More on this to follow.

James Toney signs with the UFC

Sadly folks it has happened and the boxing big mouth that is James Toney has signed with the UFC according to fiveouncesofpain.com. It's official Dana has sold out to do a freakshow fight. Does anyone besides me smell James Toney vs Kimbo coming soon to PPV near you?

Strikeforce makes 3 huge fights

The long awaited bouts between Gegard Mousasi and Mo Lawl will take place at Strikeforce on CBS April 17 for the Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Championship along with Gilbert Melendez vs Shinya Aoki for the Strikeforce Lightweight Championship.  Both of these title fights are extremely intriguing and will be awesome fights for fans of the sport and great exposure for the fighters on CBS. Both fights will be on the main card and will be 5 round affairs. After the disappointing news of no Fedor on this card this takes the sting away. Lastly Allistar Overeem will make his return to America, but he will not fight Fedor instead the man who Fedor fought last. That man being Brett Rogers in what will be a striking showdown. With the addition of this fight it makes the new found May 15 Strikeforce card as a showdown for heavyweights as joining these two will be Fedor vs Fabricio Werdum and Andrei Arlovski vs Antonio Silva.

Arlovski back with Strikeforce to fight "Bigfoot" Silva May 15

Andrei Arlovski has signed with Strikeforce and will be apart of their May 15 show in St. Louis. Arlovski was last seen fighting for Strikeforce last June when Brett Rogers knocked him out in 30 seconds. Arlovski was a sought after free agent and will now make his return to the cage. His opponent Antonio "Big Foot" Silva lost his last fight for Strikeforce on their first CBS card to Fabricio Werdum. The winner of this fight sure seems to be in line for the very unstacked Strikeforce Heavyweight Division.

Dan Miller vs Michael Bisping planned for UFC 114

According to mmajunkie.com middleweights Dan Miller and Michael "The Count" Bisping are set to face off at UFC 114 in Las Vegas.  Both of these fighters are coming off losses Miller to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ace Damian Maia and Bisping to Wanderlei Silva. This is a must win fight for Miller who has lost his last two fights, and in reality this is a relevance fight for Bisping as he has lost 2 out of 3 and most fans now question whether or not he is a viable title challenger after losing in his two biggest steps up in competition. Also sorry for the lack of posts over the weekend as I was out of town.