Welterweight Chuck “Cold Steel” O’ Neil has trained with some of the biggest names in MMA today, and it shows. Chuck is no stranger to the cameras having most recently taking part in TUF Season 13: Team Lesnar vs. Dos Santos. As a part of Team Lesnar, O’ Neil’s shining moment was his impressive D’arce choke victory over Team Dos Santos Javier Torres as the fight was coming to a close.
First of all, it’s freaking awesome to be one of the first 16 chosen to represent the featherweight division on TUF, I FINALLY feel like all the hard work has started to pay off. To be honest, I still haven’t watched anyone else’s fights but my own so I’ll give you my take on my fight and the whole experience.
The Strikeforce Challengers series is where the up and comers look to shine and earn a ticket to the “big show”. Tonight’s Strikeforce Challengers 19 is no different as three MMA prospects / up and comers look to get a win and take one step closer to that big show.
Everyday people in all walks of life put on an alter ego or a different persona. Average Joe’s turn into ruthless business men, quiet athletics become fiery competitors and in the case of Mixed Martial Artist Nick “The Headhunter” Chapman, the nice guy becomes a calculated lunatic when he steps into the cage.
Anyone who has watched one MMA event in their lives has seen the following: technical martial arts training and skill and tattoos. A once “taboo” brand of self-expression, tattooing has developed into a mainstream sensation over the last few years, much like MMA given its negative early connotations and now is the fastest growing sport in the world.
Strikeforce’s world heavyweight grand prix has come to the final match and what began as a chance to generate buzz and viewers has delivered in every aspect, watching a legend crumble, a champion be removed, another former champion get a chance at redemption and a young wrestler prove to everyone why he is not to be counted short.
The Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix Semi-finals last night wasn’t just about the big boys, but about the disproportionately large amount of prospects making promotional debuts. Some of these fighters brought nothing more than a record, while others came in with extraordinary expectations upon them. The beauty of the fight game though, is that a hype train can be knocked off the tracks and burst into flames at any time, and we certainly saw plenty of that.
Coming off back to back wins, MMA veteran Pat “Bam Bam” Healy returns to action this Saturday at Strikeforce World Grand Prix: Barnett vs. Kharitonov. Stepping onto the card in place of the injured Josh Thomson, Healy will open the night’s main card on Showtime against the Venezuelan Maximo Blanco.
UFC on FOX 7: Henderson vs. Melendez Weigh-in Pictures
Due to a previously scheduled Arena Football game at the HP Pavilion, today’s UFC on FOX 7 weigh-ins were held less than a mile away at the California Theater. The small theater was completely filled with cheering fans and all the fighters they came to see made weight.
The Ultimate Fighter 16 Finale Weigh-in Pictures
Amidst everything else going on, the UFC has themselves a busy day today with the UFC on FX 6 taking place in Australia and The Ultimate Fighter 16 finale weigh-ins. All 24 fighters made weight today for tomorrow’s event that will crown The Ultimate Fighter 16 welterweight winner.
UFC on FUEL TV 4 Weigh-in Results and Photos
SAN JOSE, Cal. – Still recovering from Saturday’s UFC 148, MMAValor.com was inside the HP Pavilion for today’s UFC on FUEL TV 4 weigh-ins. A few of the fighters would need to step onto the scale behind a towel but all 22 fighters on the UFC on FUEL TV 4 fight card made weight.
TUF Live Finale Live Results and Event Pictures
The long grind of the first live version of The Ultimate Fighter ends tonight at the TUF Live Finale in Las Vegas. Featuring 12 of the 16 TUF Live contestants, the 10 bout card will be headlined by an important match-up in the welterweight division between Jake Ellenberger and Martin Kampmann.
TUF Live Finale Weigh-in Results and Pictures
All the fighters for tomorrow’s TUF Live Finale were on weight as they stepped onto the scales inside the Pearl at the Palms. The 20 fighters, including 12 of the 16 TUF Live fighters will begin entering the Octagon tomorrow starting at 2:45pm PT / 5:45pm ET.
