UFC welterweight Josh Koscheck has called himself a “moneyweight” in the past before, expressing a willingness to fight at 170 pounds or 185 pounds depending on how big the fight was in terms of a potential payday. While Koscheck’s bout tomorrow night against Mike Pierce at UFC 143 may not be the highest profile pairing he’s been involved in, it’s certainly one with a significant paycheck attached to it, and in the end it appears that’s all he ultimately cares about.
“I get paid the same whether I am fighting Mike Pierce or Carlos Condit, so I don’t care who I fight,” Koscheck explained in comments at the open workouts. “I am a gold digger, I fight for money. You’d be a dumb SOB to fight for free but I do enjoy my job and I fight my ass off. I have a big mouth and I don’t want to lose and I want to look good out there.”
Tweet
An aggravating aspect of the hype surrounding tomorrow night’s interim title tilt between Carlos Condit and Nick Diaz has been the shadow of welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre looming over the match-up, particularly in the case of the UFC trying to build up an eventual bout with Diaz despite Condit having an equally good chance at earning the spot.
However, what may have annoyed fans has been motivation for Condit who is excited about the prospect of throwing the MMA world a curve ball by taking out the Stockton scrapper and spoiling any anticipated action between St. Pierre-Diaz.
Tweet
A bout that could shake up the Strikeforce middleweight division has been signed for Strikeforce: Tate vs. Rousey, as Derek Brunson will meet Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza.
Brunson is an undefeated prospect in Strikeforce, as the ex-Division II wrestling All-American has gone 9-0 in his brief MMA career. The 28-year old is a perfect 3-0 since joining Strikeforce.
Tweet
One of the brightest stars in the 145 pound division is set to shine tomorrow night at UFC 143: Condit vs. Diaz, as Dustin Poirier will put his 11-1 record on the line against newcomer Max Holloway on the evening’s undercard.
In this MMATraining Technique of the Day, Poirier demonstrates a few Muay Thai drills viewers can practice with their training partners. The quality of the video may not be great but that of the instruction is top notch!
Tweet
It’s only the first weekend of February and already one of the year’s most anticipated fights has arrived in the form of UFC 143’s main event between Nick Diaz vs. Carlos Condit. While welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre may have been originally slotted to face Diaz in a super-fight of sorts, Condit is a more than adequate replacement and makes for an equally entertaining adversary given his substance/style.
Below you’ll find some quick picks for the evening’s earlier fights followed by a more detailed breakdown of the evening’s tripleheader of tilts between Josh Koscheck-Mike Pierce, Fabricio Werdum-Roy Nelson, and of course Diaz-Condit.
Tweet
Just when it appeared War Machine (i.e. The Artist Formerly Known as Jon Koppenhaver) had his life back on track it appears the 30-year old will be heading back to the big house after received a year behind bars for a previous case. Machine finished a similar sentence attached to an unrelated case in July 2011 and returned to victory in the ring last November in a bout against Roger Huerta.
News of the 12-4Machine’s predicament surfaced earlier today on the fighter’s Twitter account where he wrote, “Seems my year in jail wasnt enough. Just got sentenced to another year in Vegas for some old bullsh*t. Nevermind I’m rehabilitated. Nevermind I’ve been out for over 6 months now and doing great and am finally back on my feet. Nevermind all my students that will miss me. Do another year and rot n waste time. Make no money, pay no taxes.”
Tweet
The UFC has added what should be nothing short of a thrilling heavyweight war, as Pat Barry and Lavar Johnson will tangle at UFC on FOX 3. UFC officials reported the bout late Wednesday night.
UFC on FOX 3 takes place May 5 from the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The main event for the card will pit Jim Miller against Nate Diaz in a five-round affair. Barry-Johnson is slated for the main card of the show.
Tweet
When Brandon Vera (12-5) squared off against Thiago Silva (14-2) on New Year’s Eve weekend last year he found himself outmuscled throughout their bout, absorbing a ton of damage and ultimately earning a decision loss that cost him his spot on the UFC roster. However, shortly after the win it was revealed Silva had doctored his urine sample in order to avoid testing positive for steroid use and would be suspended for a year as a result.
The circumstances surrounding the loss led to Vera being re-signed who then went on to win his follow-up bout against Eliot Marshall this past October. With Silva’s suspension now up, Vera expressed his interest in a fair fight against the Brazilian and will apparently get what he wants as the UFC has announced the two will mix it up on May 15 in Fairfax, Virginia. Though not official, it is believed the show will serve as UFC on FX 3.
Tweet
Interested in having your MMA training facility profiled on MMATraining.com? Visit our gym addition contact form to get in touch with us to get the ball rolling.
List your gym with us now!