UFC 159: Jones vs. Sonnen

[Kemal]

Davis vs. Magalhaes, Kongo vs. Nelson added to UFC 159

A pair of new matchups has been added to April's UFC 159 event as Phil Davis (10-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) meets Vinny Magalhaes (10-5 MMA, 1-2 UFC) in a light heavyweight affair, while Cheick Kongo (18-7-2 MMA, 11-5-1 UFC) faces Roy Nelson (18-7 MMA, 5-3 UFC) in a heavyweight contest.

UFC officials announced the two bouts on Tuesday's new edition of "UFC Tonight."

UFC 159, which features a title fight between light-heavyweight champion Jon Jones and "The Ultimate Fighter 17" fellow head coach Chael Sonnen, takes place April 27 at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. The evening's main card airs on pay-per-view, and while UFC officials did not reveal where the new matchups would appear on the evening's lineup, both appear worthy of main-card consideration.

The Davis vs. Magalhaes matchup was booked after both fighters openly lobbied for the matchup. Magalhaes started the talk on Twitter, and "Mr. Wonderful" was quick to accept the challenge.

Davis looks to build on the success of a second-round submission win over Wagner Prado in a rematch of the pair's August 2012 meeting that ended in a no contest after the Brazilian couldn't continue after an accidental eyepoke.

Meanwhile, Magalhaes currently boasts a six-fight win streak that includes a September 2012 win over Igor Pokrajac at UFC 152. That bout represented Magalhaes' first win in the octagon after a 2008 run on "The Ultimate Fighter 8" ended with two official UFC losses.

Kongo fights for the first time since a July win over Shawn Jordan at UFC 149. While the fight proved a lackluster affair, it did allow the French striker to rebound from a surprising UFC 144 loss to Mark Hunt. With the result, Kongo is 4-1-1 in his past six fights.

Meanwhile, Nelson looks to build on the strength of back-to-back first-round knockouts of Matt Mitrione and Dave Herman. While "Big Country" had struggled through a 1-3 run that left some wondering if he might consider a move to light heavyweight, Nelson has now reversed courses and is 3-1 in his past four outings.

[Turboknecht]

Ik hoop dat ze Hunt vs. Nelson nog eens maken en dat Hunt Nelson dan diep dromenland in slaat. Kongo vs. Nelson kan me niet heel erg bekoren eerlijk gezegd, al hoop ik natuurlijk altijd dat Fat Country verliest.

[Kemal]

Jim Miller vs. Strikeforce import Pat Healy booked for UFC 159 in New Jersey

And the crossovers continue.

Officials on Tuesday night announced the forthcoming octagon debut of Pat Healy (29-16 MMA, 0-1 UFC), who will square off with top-shelf lightweight Jim Miller (22-4 MMA, 11-3 UFC) at UFC 159.

UFC 159 takes place April 27 at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.

It's not yet known whether Miller vs. Healy will air on the event's pay-per-view main card, which follows prelims on FX and Facebook.

Healy's most recent appearance came earlier this month at "Strikeforce: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine," which served as the promotion's final event. After lightweight champ Gilbert Melendez was unable to make a rescheduled meeting due to injury, Healy took on the unheralded Kurt Holobaugh and earned a unanimous-decision win.

It was the sixth straight win for Healy, who originally was scheduled to vie for Melendez's belt this past September at a Strikeforce event that officials later canceled.

Miller also makes a quick turnaround after a triumphant win over Joe Lauzon, which took place at UFC 155 this past. The bout emerged as a "Fight of the Year" candidate. The bloody and grueling bout saved what was up until that point a lagging PPV card.

It was a much-needed turnaround for Miller, who lost a shot at the lightweight belt when Nate Diaz submitted him at UFC on FOX 3.

Following his recent win, Miller called out two-time lightweight title challenger Gray Maynard in an interview with MMAjunkie Radio.

For now, the UFC has other plans.

The latest UFC 159 card now includes:

• Jon Jones vs. Chael Sonnen - for light-heavyweight title
• Phil Davis vs. Vinny Magalhaes
• Pat Healy vs. Jim Miller
• Cheick Kongo vs. Roy Nelson

[Kemal]

Michael Bisping vs. Alan Belcher co-headlines UFC 159 in New Jersey

A middleweight bout between Michael Bisping (23-5 MMA, 13-5 UFC) and Alan Belcher (18-7 MMA, 9-5 UFC) will serve as the co-headliner of April's UFC 159 event.

MMAjunkie.com today confirmed the bout with UFC officials following an initial report from ESPN.com.

UFC 159 takes place April 27 at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. The main card, including a headliner between light-heavyweight champion Jon Jones and Chael Sonnen, airs on pay-per-view following prelims on FX and Facebook.

Bisping and Belcher both look to rebound from recent high-profile losses that hurt their title chances.

Bisping headlined UFC on FX 7 earlier this month and suffered a second-round TKO loss to Vitor Belfort. The Brit was on a 5-1 run before the setback, and UFC President Dana White had promised him a title shot if victorious. Although "The Ultimate Fighter 3" winner has proven one of the best 185-pounders in the sport today, the Belfort loss marked his second defeat in a title eliminator.

Belcher, meanwhile, was on a four-fight win streak (with four stoppages) before a unanimous-decision loss to former title challenger Yushin Okami at UFC 155. The well-rounded fighter had picked up wins over the likes of Rousimar Palhares and Patrick Cote before the lopsided unanimous-decision defeat to Okami. It was his first loss since UFC 100 in 2009.

The latest UFC 159 card includes:

• Champ Jon Jones vs. Chael Sonnen - for light-heavyweight title
• Alan Belcher vs. Michael Bisping
• Phil Davis vs. Vinny Magalhaes
• Pat Healy vs. Jim Miller
• Cheick Kongo vs. Roy Nelson

[Kemal]

Nick Catone vs. James Head added to April's UFC 159 event

The lineup for April's UFC 159 event is quickly filling, and a welterweight matchup between Nick Catone (9-4 MMA, 3-4 UFC) and James Head (9-3 MMA, 2-2 UFC( is the latest addition to the lineup.

MMAjunkie.com today confirmed the bout with sources close to the event.

UFC 159 takes place April 27 at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. The main card, including a headliner between light-heavyweight champion Jon Jones and Chael Sonnen, airs on pay-per-view following prelims on FX and Facebook.

Catone vs. Head is expected to take place on the evening's preliminary card.

New Jersey native Catone fights in a UFC event in his home state for the third time. He's in need of a win after dropping back-to-back losses to T.J. Waldburger and Chris Camozzi. The most recent loss, which took place this past December, was the former middleweight's first appearance at 170 pounds.

Meanwhile, Head hopes to bounce back from a first-round TKO loss to mike Pyle at this past December's The Ultimate Fighter 16 Finale event. Also a former middleweight, Head had been 2-0 in the division prior to the setback with wins over Brian Ebersole and Papy Abedi.

The current UFC 159 lineup includes:

• Jon Jones vs. Chael Sonnen - for light-heavyweight title
• Alan Belcher vs. Michael Bisping
• Phil Davis vs. Vinny Magalhaes
• Pat Healy vs. Jim Miller
• Cheick Kongo vs. Roy Nelson
• Nick Catone vs. James Head

[Kemal]

Ovince St. Preux meets Gian Villante in battle of Strikeforce vets at UFC 159

A pair of Strikeforce vets will make their UFC debuts in April at UFC 159.

Ovince St. Preux (12-5 MMA, 0-0 UFC) will meet Gian Villante (10-3 MMA, 0-0 UFC) in a light heavyweight bout when the UFC returns to New Jersey. UFC officials passed on word of the fight overnight, citing news first reported by Newsday.

UFC 159 takes place April 27 at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. The main card, including a headliner between light heavyweight champion Jon Jones and Chael Sonnen, airs on pay-per-view following prelims on FX and Facebook.

St. Preux went 6-1 under the Strikeforce banner with his lone loss coming against former 205-pound champion Gegard Mousasi. In August, he got back in the win column with a third-round knockout of T.J. Cook in San Diego. Before his loss to Mousasi, St. Preux had an eight-fight win streak with five stoppages.

Villante will get to fight in his home area for the first time in more than two years. The New Yorker, a former heavyweight champion for the New Jersey-based Ring of Combat promotion, went 3-2 for Strikeforce. But he won three straight to close out his career there. His two losses in the promotion came to Chad Griggs and Lorenz Larkin.

The latest UFC 159 lineup includes:

• Champ Jon Jones vs. Chael Sonnen - for light heavyweight title
• Alan Belcher vs. Michael Bisping
• Phil Davis vs. Vinny Magalhaes
• Pat Healy vs. Jim Miller
• Cheick Kongo vs. Roy Nelson
• Nick Catone vs. James Head
• Al Iaquinta vs. Joe Proctor
• Rustam Khabilov vs. Yancy Medeiros
• Ovince St. Preux vs. Gian Villante

[smike]

Met deze card sla ik dit event over, zwaar tegenvallend.

[Turboknecht]

Ik vind het wel een leuke card.

[kruikenstad goes bjj]

ten opzichte vd laatste event is het een stuk minder idd,verwacht wel veel van de main event.

[SuzukiGsxr]

Hoor iedereen van Jones gaat dit makelijk winnen,
Jones is een geweldige vechter, maar Sonnen heeft ook zijn goeie momenten
Mensen dachten we dit ook niet van Overeem tegen Bigfoot!!

[pronk]

Het interview met Rickey Henderson waarin hij over zichzelf verteld in de 3de persoon.
Het weigeren van een handtekening zetten op replica-belts van fans omdat hij vindt dat de fans een belt niet verdienen.
Geen respect voor zijn tegestanders: Nadat hij Machida in een guillotine had, kwakt hij zijn lichaam tegen het canvas aan. Loopt naar zijn hoek. Waarop Jackson roept: "“Go check on Lyoto, get some fans.”

Dit vind ik nu niet echt een teken van zijn 'humble personality'.

Ben ik mee eens , ik vondt zelf altijd vechters zoals fedor emelianenko ,randy couture , Matt huges een goed voorbeeld van een ware Kampioen.

[Kemal]

Olympic medalist Sara McMann vs. Sheila Gaff joins UFC 159 lineup

The UFC has its third women's bout as Olympian Sara McMann (6-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) and fellow bantamweight Sheila Gaff (10-4-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) have agreed to meet in April at UFC 159.

MMAjunkie today confirmed the planned matchup, which groundandpound.de initially reported.

UFC 159 takes place April 27 at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. The main card, including a headliner between light-heavyweight champion Jon Jones and Chael Sonnen, airs on pay-per-view following prelims on FX and Facebook.

It's not clear if McMann vs. Gaff will be part of the main card.

Like current champ Ronda Rousey, McMann owns an Olympic medal. Before launching her MMA career, she represented the U.S. and picked up a silver medal in wrestling at the 2004 Summer Olympics. The 32-year-old moved to MMA in 2011, and she's since won all six of her pro bouts, including three via stoppage. Most recently, she scored a decision victory over Shayna Baszler at Invicta FC 2.

Gaff, a 23-year-old German fighter, carries a three-fight win streak into her UFC debut. All of the wins have come via knockout, including recent Cage Warriors victories over Aisling Daly and Jennifer Maia. In fact, all of her pro wins come via stoppage, which includes six knockouts and four submissions. She'll fight for the first time in 13 months.

The latest UFC 159 card includes:

• Champ Jon Jones vs. Chael Sonnen - for light-heavyweight title
• Alan Belcher vs. Michael Bisping
• Phil Davis vs. Vinny Magalhaes
• Pat Healy vs. Jim Miller
• Cheick Kongo vs. Roy Nelson
• Sheila Gaff vs. Sara McMann
• Nick Catone vs. James Head
• Jimy Hettes vs. Steven Siler
• Al Iaquinta vs. Joe Proctor
• Rustam Khabilov vs. Yancy Medeiros

[mmacentral]

Zeer benieuwd naar hoe Sonnen dit denkt klaar te spelen. Zou schitterend zijn als het hem ook echt lukt.
Daarnaast lijkt Kongo versus Nelson me ook semi intrigerend. Als zijn gevecht tegen Hunt echter een barometer is dan kan Nelson met zijn vergelijkbare stijl nog wel eens voor problemen zorgen voor Kongo.

[Pansier]

Ik snap niet dat mensen zo erg klagen om de arrogantie van een persoon. Dit wordt puur gedaan om het gevecht te hypen als je dat nog niet door mocht hebben... Zolang ze in de ring/octagon maar respect tonen en het puur bij trash talk blijft.

Chael wordt nog steeds onderschat ondanks zijn partij tegen Anderson Silva. Ik persoonlijk ben fan van Chael zijn fightheart en pressure. Ik geef hem een goede kans. Ik zeg War Sonnen!

[Anderson]

goede kans? I don't think so

[Kemal]

Leonard Garcia vs. Cody McKenzie slotted for UFC 159 on April 27

A featherweight bout between slugger Leonard Garcia (15-10-1 MMA, 2-6 UFC) and submission specialist Cody McKenzie (13-3 MMA, 2-3 UFC) is slotted for next month's UFC 159 event.

Garcia recently announced the fight on Twitter, though UFC officials haven't made a formal announcement.

UFC 159 takes place April 27 at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. The main card, including a headliner between light heavyweight champion Jon Jones and Chael Sonnen, airs on pay-per-view following prelims on FX and Facebook.

Garcia vs. McKenzie, which initially was slated for UFC 155 until McKenzie suffered an injury, is likely to be part of the prelims.

Garcia, presumedly, is in a must-win situation. Since his return to the UFC after a stint in the WEC, he's just 1-4, which includes four consecutive losses heading into UFC 159. The most recent loss came via split decision to Max Holloway at UFC 155. Garcia's most recent non-split-decision win came way back in November 2008, when he knocked out Jens Pulver at WEC 36.

The six-time Zuffa "Fight of the Night" winner now meets McKenzie, a cast member on "The Ultimate Fighter 12" who beat Aaron Wilkinson at the show's live finale. He earned the win with his 10th consecutive guillotine choke. However, he's just 1-3 since then, which included a body-punch KO loss to Chad Mendes in his most recent bout, at UFC 148 in July 2012.

The latest UFC 159 card includes:

• Champ Jon Jones vs. Chael Sonnen - for light-heavyweight title
• Alan Belcher vs. Michael Bisping
• Phil Davis vs. Vinny Magalhaes
• Pat Healy vs. Jim Miller
• Cheick Kongo vs. Roy Nelson
• Sheila Gaff vs. Sara McMann
• Nick Catone vs. James Head
• Jimy Hettes vs. Steven Siler
• Leonard Garcia vs. Cody McKenzie
• Al Iaquinta vs. Joe Proctor
• Ovince St. Preux vs. Gian Villante
• Rustam Khabilov vs. Yancy Medeiros

[Kemal]

Four fights now official for UFC 159, including McMann-Gaff, Garcia-McKenzie

Four previously reported fights for next month's UFC 159 pay-per-view have been made official, including another bout in the UFC's fledgling women's bantamweight division.

Olympian Sara McMann (6-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) takes on Sheila Gaff (10-4-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC); Leonard Garcia (15-10-1 MMA, 2-6 UFC) meets Cody McKenzie (13-3 MMA, 2-3 UFC) at featherweight; Steven Siler (21-10 MMA, 3-1 UFC) takes on Jimy Hettes (10-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) at 145 pounds; and Strikeforce vets Ovince St. Preux (12-5 MMA, 0-0 UFC) and Gian Villante (10-3 MMA, 0-0 UFC) will clash at light heavyweight.

UFC officials on Monday night made the four bouts official.

UFC 159 takes place April 27 at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. The main card, including a main event between light heavyweight champion Jon Jones and Chael Sonnen, airs on pay-per-view following prelims on FX and Facebook.

McMann and Gaff will be just the third women's fight in UFC history. Bantamweight champ Ronda Rousey this past month defended her inaugural title against Liz Carmouche. And former Strikeforce champ Miesha Tate meets Cat Zingano two weeks prior to the McMann-Gaff bout. McMann won silver in wrestling at the 2004 Olympics and thus far is unbeaten in MMA. Gaff, like McMann, will be making her UFC debut. The German brings a three-fight win streak into the promotion, but fights for the first time in more than a year.

Garcia and McKenzie meet in a bout that was booked for UFC 155 in December before McKenzie had to withdraw from the card with an injury. Garcia instead fought Max Holloway and dropped a split decision to fall to 1-4 in his past five fights. But Garcia has been a mainstay under the Zuffa banner in part thanks to six "Fight of the Night" wins in the UFC and WEC. McKenzie has been out of action since this past July, when he was knocked out by Chad Mendes at UFC 148 to fall to 1-3 in his past four fights.

Siler and Hettes also meet in a bout that was previously scheduled. The two were booked for a meeting this past June at UFC on FX 4, but Hettes was forced out with an injury. "TUF 14" semifinalist Siler in November dropped his first fight in the UFC with a unanimous decision loss to Darren Elkins. Before that, he had started 3-0 in the promotion. Hettes started his UFC career with back-to-back wins, but in September he dropped a decision to Marcus Brimage for the first loss of his career.

St. Preux went 6-1 for Strikeforce with just a loss to former champ Gegard Mousasi keeping him from perfection in the promotion. He knocked out T.J. Cook this past August. Villante gets to fight in front of his home area fans. The New York native and former champ for the New Jersey-based Ring of Combat closed out his Strikeforce career with three straight wins.

The latest UFC 159 card includes:

• Champ Jon Jones vs. Chael Sonnen - for light-heavyweight title
• Alan Belcher vs. Michael Bisping
• Phil Davis vs. Vinny Magalhaes
• Pat Healy vs. Jim Miller
• Cheick Kongo vs. Roy Nelson
• Sheila Gaff vs. Sara McMann
• Nick Catone vs. James Head
• Jimy Hettes vs. Steven Siler
• Leonard Garcia vs. Cody McKenzie
• Al Iaquinta vs. Joe Proctor
• Ovince St. Preux vs. Gian Villante
• Rustam Khabilov vs. Yancy Medeiros

[mmacentral]

Ik snap niet dat mensen zo erg klagen om de arrogantie van een persoon. Dit wordt puur gedaan om het gevecht te hypen als je dat nog niet door mocht hebben... Zolang ze in de ring/octagon maar respect tonen en het puur bij trash talk blijft.

Chael wordt nog steeds onderschat ondanks zijn partij tegen Anderson Silva. Ik persoonlijk ben fan van Chael zijn fightheart en pressure. Ik geef hem een goede kans. Ik zeg War Sonnen!

Inderdaad. Daarnaast is zijn trash talking ook van een ander level, dit maakt gevechten nou eenmaal intrigerender. Was het niet Frank Shamrock die ooit zei (tijdens zijn latere dagen in zijn carriere) dat ie een "story" wilde "sellen"? Uiteraard moet dit niet de basis zijn van alle gevechten maar het maakte Chael vs Anderson in ieder geval een stuk interessanter; het verhaal en de emotionele betrokkenheid die hierdoor wordt gecreëerd.

[ChingChong]

Rustam Khabilov weer op suplex KO

[Turboknecht]

Rustam Khabilov weer op suplex KO

Goed dat je het zegt. Ik had er helemaal overheen gelezen dat hij op de card stond. Ben benieuwd of hij dat weer voor elkaar krijgt.

[Bromios]

Rustam Khabilov weer op suplex KO

Als dat diezelfde flapdrol is als van die youtube filmpjes dan hoop ik dat ze hem invalide slaan.

[Turboknecht]

Als dat diezelfde flapdrol is als van die youtube filmpjes dan hoop ik dat ze hem invalide slaan.

Dat is nooit opgehelderd hè. Daar was best wat ophef over, maar uiteindelijk hoorde je er niets meer van.

[Kemal]

Unbeaten 135-pounders Johnny Bedford and Erik Perez meet at UFC 159

Two fighters unbeaten in the UFC's bantamweight division will meet in April when Johnny Bedford (19-9-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) takes on Erik Perez (13-4 MMA, 3-0 UFC) at UFC 159.

Bedford today announced the fight via Twitter.

UFC 159 takes place April 27 at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. The main card, including a main event between light heavyweight champion Jon Jones and Chael Sonnen, airs on pay-per-view following prelims on FX and Facebook.

It's not clear where Bedford vs. Perez will be placed on the lineup.

Bedford, a semifinalist on "The Ultimate Fighter 14," has posted back-to-back knockout wins over Louis Gaudinot and Marcos Vinicius since his time on the show. He now owns 15 stoppages in 19 career wins. The former NCAA Division I wrestler and Fitness Fight Factory team member is 8-1 over his past nine fights.

Perez, a Mexican fighter now based out of Team Jackson-Winkeljohn, is riding an eight-fight win streak. After wins over James Brum and Paul McVeigh for the BAMMA promotion, he joined the UFC and has posted first-round stoppage victories over John Albert, Ken Stone and Byron Bloodworth.

The latest UFC 159 card includes:

• Champ Jon Jones vs. Chael Sonnen - for light-heavyweight title
• Alan Belcher vs. Michael Bisping
• Phil Davis vs. Vinny Magalhaes
• Pat Healy vs. Jim Miller
• Cheick Kongo vs. Roy Nelson
• Sheila Gaff vs. Sara McMann
• Johnny Bedford vs. Erik Perez
• Nick Catone vs. James Head
• Jimy Hettes vs. Steven Siler
• Leonard Garcia vs. Cody McKenzie
• Al Iaquinta vs. Joe Proctor
• Ovince St. Preux vs. Gian Villante
• Rustam Khabilov vs. Yancy Medeiros

[Kemal]

[Kemal]

With Jim Hettes out, Kurt Holobaugh steps in to face Steven Siler at UFC 159

Jim Hettes (10-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) has been forced out a planned UFC 159 matchup with Steven Siler (21-10 MMA, 3-1 UFC), and Strikeforce import Kurt Holobaugh (9-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) has agreed to take his place.

UFC officials revealed the switch during Tuesday's new edition of "UFC Tonight."

UFC 159 takes place April 27 at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. The main card, including a main event between light heavyweight champion Jon Jones and Chael Sonnen, airs on pay-per-view following prelims on FX and Facebook. Holobaugh vs. Siler is expected to take place on the evening's preliminary portion.

Holobaugh makes his UFC debut hoping to rebound from his first professional loss. The Louisianan was a late-notice replacement against Pat Healy at Strikeforce's final event this past January and put up a game effort in defeat. in his first nine career outings, Holobaugh earned eight stoppage wins.

Siler, a semifinalist on "The Ultimate Fighter 14," won his first three UFC fights, including decision wins over Josh Clopton and Cole Miller, as well as a submission victory over Joey Gambino. However, in his most recent bout, he suffered a decision loss to Darren Elkins to UFC 154.

Hettes, meanwhile, opened his career with a 10-0 mark, which included UFC wins over Alex Caceres and Nam Phan (he also won his first nine fights via submission). However, the Pennsylvania-based fighter then suffered a decision loss to Marcus Brimage back in September, which marks his most recent appearance. A timetable for Hettes' return wasn't immediately available.