UFC 129 is going to be the largest MMA event in North America holding over 55,000+, and it’s going to be in Rogers Centra at Toronto, Canada. Being that there’s 10 Canadian MMA fighters on the UFC 129 card, I think it’s due to show what Canada has been able to produce for MMA. The following are the best Canadian MMA fighters of all-time:

10. Chris Horodecki — Lightweight (16-3)

Chris Horodecki is a young MMA fighter coming out of Canada who’s already made a big splash both in the IFL and the WEC. Look for him to do more damage in the future since he’s only 23 years old.

Notable Wins: Bart Palaszewski, Danny Downes, Ed Ratcliff

9. Jason MacDonald — Middleweight (24-14)

Jason MacDonald helped represent the Canadian flag during the early days of MMA in the MFC and the UFC. This MMA veteran has been able to keep himself relevant in the MMA game and will continue his second stint in the UFC.

Notable Wins: Bill Mahood, Joe Doerksen, Chris Leben, Vernon White

8. Denis Kang — Middleweight (34-12-2-2)

Denis Kang has built his MMA resume over seas in Japan. Considered one of the most underrated fighters coming out of Canada, he’s a Brazilian Jui-Jitsu blackbelt with heavy hands. He hasn’t been able to get the wild success he’s had in the past here in the States, but he continues to string along wins.

Notable Wins: Murilo Rua, Akihiro Gono, Marvin Eastman

7. Sam Stout — Lightweight (16-6-1)

Sam Stout always brings the fight, and never backs down to anyone. When you come to watch “Hands of Stone” he’s going to put on a show, where he’s won 5 UFC Fight of the Night bonuses. During his UFC career, he’s had some great wins over top contenders and looks to climb the mountain again.

Notable Wins: Matt Wiman, Joe Lauzon, Paul Taylor

6. Carlos Newton — Welterweight (15-14)

Carlos Newton is one of those MMA fighters who’s fought all the best fighters during his era and always put on a good fight. Newton has dubbed his personal fighting style— a combination of traditional Jujutsu, Judo and Wrestling —”Dragon Ball Jujutsu”. 

Notable Wins: Pat Militich, Renzo Gracie, Shonie Carter

Read more

Everyone needs a New Year’s resolution, so I’m happy to help some MMA fighters with a resolution that will bode well for them in 2011. Some are in need of some serious fitness classes, and others just need some nutrition help. Either way, they need to substitute some of their chubbiness with some toned muscle. I expect big things from these fighters if they do. Enjoy!

10. Tyson Griffin — A move down to Featherweight is needed

When the UFC absorbed the Featherweight Division from the WEC, Tyson Griffin should have been jumping for joy. He’s already lost three straight against Lightweights, and he’s definitely a smaller fighter than the Lightweight Division he’s been fighting in. Tyson needs to make the move and drop down to the Featherweight Division in order to challenge for the title.

9. Thiago Alves — Stay on diet or move up to Middleweight

Thiago Alves needs to continue to tone himself down when he fights. He’s a huge Welterweight, but would be a small Middleweight if he’s unable to make Welterweight. It seems like he’s got his stuff together in his last fight against John Howard, but there’s no time to slack now. When Dana White is eyeing your weight like a hawk, you better make weight.

8. Karo Parisyan — Take MMA seriously, or retire

If anyone needs to start taking their MMA career seriously, it’s Karo Parisyan. He has so much talent, but he’s been battling some harsh personal demons that’s preventing him to perform to his ability. He needs to move to Las Vegas, bring his family, and start taking this seriously by getting into condition. There was just too much flab when he fought Dennis Hallman.

7. Mayhem Miller - Cut the weight and face Nick Diaz

Nick Diaz vs. Mayhem Miller needs to happen. There’s been too much drama and smack talking both ways that these two fighters won’t fight each other. I think if Mayhem wants the fight, he needs to take the bullet and cut down to 170lbs to face the Strikeforce Welterweight Champion. His next fight should be in the Welterweight Division for a tune up fight, then on to the next one…Nick Diaz.

6. Josh Barnett — The Babyface Assassin could lose some baby fat

Josh Barnett always seemed to have a little bit of jelly around the waist when he fights, but he’s been able to pull through just from his shear skills and talent. Similar to Roy, but not to the extreme of losing over 30 pounds — Barnett should tone up to face the new crop of Heavyweights.

Read more

2010 was another awesome year of knockouts. With the evolution of mixed martial arts, you’re starting to see more and more improved striking from all of the fighters — but the ones that have impressed me are the pure strikers who have the skills to land that precise strike to end someones night. Here are the best from 2010:

10. Rich franklin short right hook on the button

UFC 115: Liddell vs. Franklin — Chuck Liddell was hoping to make a triumphant comeback, but Rich Franklin cut that short real quick. During the whole first round, Liddell looked like a new and fresh Iceman who mixed up his punches and kicks beautifully. He even broke Franklin’s arm during that round, which makes knockout even more amazing. Rich catches Chuck square on the jaw. Lights out.

9. Carlos Condit knockouts Hardy with a left hook

UFC 120: Bisping vs. Akiyama — All that smack talking by Dan Hardy was quickly put to rest once Carlos Condit knocked him out in the first round. He didn’t just knock him out, he delivered the KO with Hardy’s signature punch — the left hook. Condit’s landed just a second faster.

8. Mike Russow surprising comeback with two quick right hooks

UFC 114: Rampage vs. Evans — Who’s Mike Russow? He’s the guy who was losing the whole fight against Todd Duffee, and then miraculously came back with a short right hook twice to stop the prospect.

7. Gerald Harris backbreaking knockout via vicious slam

UFC 116: Lesnar vs. Carwin — Gerald Harris made it on ESPN Top Plays with this stunning slam against Dave Branch. This brought back the memories of Rampage Jackson against Ricardo Arona. Eyes rolled back, and say hello to the birdies!

6. Robbie Lawler and his vicious right hand from hell

Strikeforce: Miami — You can’t rest on Robbie Lawler. Melvin Manhoef was kicking the hell out of Lawler’s leg and it looked like he was winning the fight. That’s when it turned, when Melvin got careless and ran in — Lawler landed a right that would knock anyone out. Dynamite!

Read more

There have been some amazing submissions in 2010. I feel a ton of the best submissions had either a bit of creativity or drama surrounding the fight. Even some of the best Brazilian Jui-Jitsu artist fell victim to some of the best submissions this year — you got to love MMA.

10. Urijah Faber rear-naked choke over Takeya Mizugaki

WEC 52: Faber vs. Mizugaki — Urijah Faber went back to Bantamweight against Takaye Mizugaki and boy did he make a statement. He was able to grab Mizugaki’s back and eventually snap on a rear-naked choke which left Mizugaki looking dead for a split second. There definitely was a huge gasp in the building.  

9. Mark Bocek triangle choke over Dustin Hazelett

UFC 124: St. Pierre vs. Koscheck — Mark Boceck was able to snap on a sick triangle choke from mount position against one of the best Brazilian Jui-Jitsu practicioners in MMA, Dustin Hazelett. That’s definitely hard to do.

8. Matt Hughes arm-in headlock choke over Ricardo Almeida

UFC 117: Silva vs. Sonnen — Ricardo Almeida is a decorated Brazilian Jui-Jitsu black belt and he didn’t even see this coming. Matt Hughes brought back something he learned in wrestling, a straight headlock choke. That’s all power right there.

7. Chris Lytle reverse triangle straight armbar over Matt Brown

UFC 116: Lesnar vs. Carwin — Matt Brown was in all sorts of trouble when he was caught in an inverted triangle on the ground. Chris Lytle didn’t skip a beat and snapped on a straight armbar to end the fight.

6. Cole Miller modified kimura over Dan Lauzon

UFC 108: Evans vs. Silva — This is creativity at it’s best. Cole Miller in an inverted triangle position finds a way to grab the arm for a modified kimura. Dan Lauzon was oblivious of what was happening.

Read more

I am sitting right now like many MMA fans bamboozled and disappointed. I have backed Chael Sonnen from the beginning, especially when he was going against Anderson Silva and he does this to his fans. Along with cheating his fans, he’s cheated himself. I’m all for second chances, but he doesn’t deserve the rematch he was granted. Here are other fighters who have hurt their reputations and legacy in MMA:

1. Josh Barnett (tested positive in 4/22/02 and 7/21/09)

Josh Barnett is one of top MMA fighters I’d like to see back in the UFC. He was the youngest ever UFC Heavyweight Champion and he’s fought the best all over the world. The only setbacks he’s had is testing positive performance-enhancing drugs…TWICE! Once after winning the title against Randy Couture and right before the Fedor Emelianenko fight with Affliction. If he just played it straight, I think he would be regarded as one of the best MMA Heavyweights ever.

UPDATE (9/21/10): thaiguy pointed out that Josh Barnett tested positive not 2 but 3 times according to his Wikipedia page. Thanks for the tip.

2. Chael Sonnen (tested positive in 9/18/10)

Wow. After all the shit talking and showing proof against in a Middleweight Championship Title fight against Anderson Silva at UFC 117, it’s all down the drain. It may be worse for Chael Sonnen because we live in the time of Youtube and Twitter, so his reputation will be torn apart in real-time with video remixes of his sound bites. He had the attention of everyone and we always were eager to hear him talk — and oddly enough after the report, he’s been awkwardly silent.

Read more