"Critiquing the Cage" Who Are They: Oleg Taktarov

Oleg Taktarov is a Russian mixed martial artist, known for his style of Sambo and Judo. He competed in both the UFC and Pride fighting Championships, holding notable wins over Mark Kerr, Marco Ruas, David Abbott and many more. Taktarov has never been submitted in a MMA fight, a feat that many mixed martial artists never achieve, staying relaxed during fights and performing athletic sambo takedowns.

In April 1995, Oleg entered the UFC 5, and was coined the “Russian Bear.” Despite injuring his knee before the tournament, Taktarov competed in and won his first fight, but was defeated in the semi-finals. Holding the record for the fastest submission in UFC history against Anthony Macias, Taktarov submitted Macias in twelve seconds at UFC 6, becoming the tournament Champion.

Taktarov, being the reigning tournament champion, was set up to fight his friend and reigning UFC Champion Ken Shamrock in UFC 7 for the UFC Superfight Championship. The fight ended in a draw after an amazing performance put on by both men. In his most famous non-UFC fight, Taktarov faced Renzo Gracie in the MARS Reality Fighting event. He lost by KO, while trying to defeat Gracie by leg submission.

After temporarily retiring from mixed martial arts, Taktarov took on acting, starring in movies Bad Boys II, Air Force One, and many others. Prior to making a successful comeback to MMA in 2007, Taktarov's last bout was in 2001.

"Critiquing the Cage" Who Are They: Randy Couture

Randy Couture, a former three-time UFC Heavyweight Champion, two-time Light Heavyweight Champion and Interim Light Heavyweight Champion, is the oldest title holder in the UFC and all of MMA. Born in June 1963, Couture is best known for his ground and pound, take down and wrestling skills. During his high school years, Couture won a State Championship in wrestling and from 1982-1988, served in the U.S. Army, reaching the rank of Sergeant, also wrestling and boxing.
Couture made his first MMA debut at UFC 13 in 1997, defeating opponent Tony Halme with his signature ground and pound in under a minute in the first round. At UFC 15, Couture went up against Vitor Belfort to determine who would become the number one contender for the UFC Heavyweight Championship, with Belfort being the favorite to win. Couture dominated Belfort, and beat him in one the biggest upsets in MMA at the time. He then moved down to Light Heavyweight and fought Chuck Liddell, again being considered the underdog. Couture defeated Liddell for the Light heavyweight Championship, and went on to fight  and win against other big names, such as Tito Ortiz.
After a short retirement, and becoming a broadcast commentator for the UFC, Couture announced his comeback in January of 2007. He went head to head against Tim Sylvia, defeating him by unanimous decision, and successfully defended his title against Gaabriel Gonzago at UFC 74. In his bout with Lyoto Machida, he suffered a knockout loss and eventually retired indefinitely in 2011 at the age of 47.
Couture has competed in fifteen title fights and is the fourth member of the UFC Hall of Fame. He is the first fighter to hold two UFC Championship titles in two different divisions and most recently, has starred in movies such as, Expendables 1 and 2, Setup, alongside 50 cent and Bruce Willis and many others.

"Critiquing the Cage" Who Are They: B.J. Penn

B.J. Penn is a former Lightweight Champion in the UFC and is considered one of the best light and welterweights in the sport's history, having been a pioneer of mixed martial arts, helping to bring legitimacy to the sport. Born in 1978, Penn became an MMA and Jiu-Jitsu practitioner. Nicknamed the "Prodigy," Penn became a rising star in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, earning his black belt in under three years, and became the first American Gold Medalist of the World Jiu Jitsu Championship. He debuted and competed in the UFC, as well as a brief stretch in K-1.
In the UFC, Penn competed in the lightweight, welterweight, middleweight and light heavyweight divisions.  He was a former UFC Lightweight and Welterweight Champion, making UFC history, by winning titles in multiple weight classes. Penn ultimately unified the UFC Lightweight Championship against Sean Sherk, becoming the divisions first Undisputed Champion. Penn went undefeated for eight years, simultaneously holding the number one rank in lightweight and welterweight.
Renowned boxing coach Freddie Roach has described Penn as the best boxer in all of mixed martial arts. Penn's record at retirement stands at (16-9-2), holding notable victories over Matt Hughes, Kenny Florian, Matt Sera and Rodrigo Gracie.

"Critiquing the Cage" Who Are They: Gina Carano

Gina Carano is a former Middleweight MMA fighter. She began her training in Muay Thai, eventually crossing over to mixed martial arts. Born in Dallas County, Texas, Carano was always athletic, leading her high school girl's basketball team to a state title.
Carano started her career competing in Muay Thai events, and after going 12-1-1, was extended an invitation to the World Extreme Fighting, to face Leticia Pestova. She then faced Elaina Maxwell at Strikeforce Triple Threat on December 8, 2006, winning the bout by unanimous decision. This was the first female bout in Strikeforce's history. In February 2007, Carano defeated Julie Kedzie during a televised event on Showtime, the first of its kind. Her most notable bout came on August 15, 2009 at Strikeforce, going head to head against Chris "Cyborg" for the first Women's Middleweight Championship. Carano lost by TKO in the first round. Her MMA record stands at 7-1.

Gina Carano can be credited with being the face of women's MMA and has used her accomplishments to land on the cover of ESPN magazines' cover, and starring in films such as Haywire in 2009 and most recently, Fast and Furious 6.

"Critiquing the Cage" Who Are They: Chuck Liddell

Chuck Liddell is a former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, with a vast striking, kickboxing, and grappling background.  Along with Randy Couture, Liddell is widely credited for bringing mixed martial arts into the mainstream. 
Born on December 17, 1969 in Santa Barbra, California, Liddell was raised by a single mother, and his grandfather who taught him boxing techniques.  Liddell made his UFC debut in 1998 during UFC 17, with a decision over Noe Hernandez. In his next bout, he faced the Brazilian fighter, Jose "Pele" Landi-John, which was bare-knuckle. Liddell was the heavy underdog in the fight and won the match by decision.  Liddell began establishing his reputation as a top contender with victories over MMA greats Vitor Belfort and Tito Ortiz. Liddell was also the first UFC fighter to fight in Pride.
Liddell finished his career with the second most knockouts in UFC history, behind Anderson Silva, and in 2009, Liddell was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame and is currently an actor in advertising by Miller Light.

"Critiquing the Cage" UFC 165: Jon Jones vs Alexander Gustafsson

On Saturday, September 21, 2013 the reigning UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, Jon Jones (18-1), will defend his title against Alexander Gustafsson (15-1) at UFC 165.  Jones is currently the youngest UFC fighter to capture and defend a title.  He also holds the record for the longest winning streak in lightweight history.  With a win on Saturday, Jones will surpass Tito Ortiz with the most successful wins in the lightweight division.  So this match up promises to be a great one, with so much on the line for Jones.

Alexander Gustafsson is currently ranked as the number one contender for the light heavyweight division championship title.  Just like Jones, he has experienced only one loss and is looking to prove himself with a win, breaking Jones’ winning streak and catapulting him into the top echelon of MMA fighters. 

Jon Jones is a versatile fighter,using strikes, submissions and his ground game to overcome his opponents. Gustafsson uses his striking to dismantle his competitors, but he will need to have a well rounded game plan if he wants to get a win over Jones.

This bout promises to be action packed and exciting.  Both fighters are fighting for notariety, with Gustafsson taking on the taxing role of beating the unbeatable and becoming the new champ, and Jones, retaining his title and making UFC history.

"Critiquing the Cage" Henderson vs Pettis: Pre-Fight Pick

 Tonight, Ben Henderson defends his UFC Lightweight Championship against Anthony Pettis in a sensational match up of MMA proportions. After defending his title successfully, three consecutive fights, Henderson will have an enormous task of fending off Pettis, who already has a win over him. Pettis has a fantastic striking game, while Henderson is most comfortable on the ground, submitting many of his opponents.  

Let's just look at this match up realistically: Pettis becomes new UFC Lightweight Champion by either submission or knockout. His striking skills are far more superior than Henderson's, having a length and height advantage, so if Pettis can get Henderson to engage with him, he could possibly land a knockout. Henderson, on the other hand, has to take Pettis down hard and fast in order to have a chance to retain his Championship.

This match will surely be action packed, and we will see who comes out on top.

"A Way of Life" Sport Karate's Legitimacy

The sport of karate doesn't always get the respect and notoriety that is deserves compared to other combat sports.  Some of you reading this will think aloud, "Karate is a combat sport?" And the answer: It most certainly is! It may not be a hard hitting, ground and pound blood sport as in MMA and boxing, but it has aspects that those other sports can compare to.  In what other sport can your opponent get knocked out, awaken and regroup, to continue fighting and possibly win the match-up? In the world of the UFC and boxing, once your opponent is KO'd, the fight is over, but not in sport karate. 

Sport karate fighters can be considered the toughest athletes, and have to have a lasting endurance and consistency during their match-ups, because 100% of their fights are run tournament style. They enter into fights not knowing who they are matched up against, and fight up to TEN matches to win the tournaments grand championship.  Sport karate fighters also enter into other aspects of the tournament that includes katas and weapons, showing form and skill of a particular style.
Many people don't consider sport karate a professional sport, because the sport lacks professional organizations.  Sport karate fighters are not offered contracts or paid fights that big name MMA and boxing athletes receive, through the many organizations that those sports have established over the years.  Over time, sport karate fighters move on to boxing and MMA in order to receive contracts and endorsements, but you rarely see fighters that have fought in those organizations convert to sport karate for this particular reason.  Sport karate fighters confidence levels become obsolete in regards to this matter, they want to be taken serious as professional athletes and sport karate has not caught up to the professionalism of what makes boxing and mixed martial arts renowned worldwide.
Sport karate is a legitimate sport that can be compared to the likes of MMA, boxing and other combative sports.  For many, karate is not only a sport, but a way of life.  Fighters embrace the aspect of the sport, but understand that karate is in everything that they do.  It is time that sport karate be mentioned in the same breath as any other professional sport played around the world.  So consider this question after reading this article, Is sport karate real? It most certainly is!

 

"Critiquing the Cage" Ronda Rousey: Master of the Universe

So, by now you've all heard the name Ronda Rousey.  Get used to it, because she is arguably the best mixed martial artist in the business.  What Rousey has accomplished is nothing short of amazing.  Rousey was the Women's Strikeforce Champion and was inaugurated by the UFC as its first Women's Champion.  She has gone undefeated in both her amateur and professional careers, submitting all of her opponents by arm bar, something that is unheard of in the world of MMA.   

But what is it that makes her such an outstanding mixed martial artist?: Her mastery of judo and that infamousarm bar  submission.  Rousey's arm bar submission can be put on the same level as wrestling greats Hulk Hogan with his finishing "leg drop" or the Undertaker's signature "tombstone", moves that they used to finish each of their matches.  There are many times during a match-up when she seems as though she's been beaten or has to submit, but her drive and passion does not let her give up.  The Liz Carmouche match-up showed how Rousey was almost defeated, getting caught in a standing face crank.  She battled back and submitted Carmouche with an arm bar.  

Rousey's raw demeanor and no holds barred attitude, brings excitement to the sport.  Her grittiness and explosiveness in the cage can be compared to that of a superhero: Batman has his utility belt, Spiderman has his web, and Ronda Rousey has her Arm bar!        

"Critiquing the Cage" Fedor Emelianenko: "The Last Emperor"

Fedor Emelianenko can be considered the greatest heavyweight mixed martial artist off all time. With a record of 35-4-1, he began his career as a member of RTT (Russian Top Team), winning tournaments and acquiring accolades in MMA, sambist and judoka.

His greatest accomplishment came with his defeat of Antonio Nogueira, who was undefeated at the time, to become the second Pride Heavyweight Champion. A title he would never lose.

Emelianenko remained undefeated for nearly a decade, which is unheard of in the sport of MMA, suffering his first loss to Fabricio Werdum in June 2010.

Fedor Emelianenko is now retired and a politician in his home country of Russia. There have been some attempts to unretire Emelianenko, but to no avail. His legacy as the best pound for pound heavyweight will go down in history!

"Critiquing the Cage" UFC 162: Silva vs Weidman

The match-up between Anderson "The Spider Silva and Chris "The All American" Weidman, promises to be one for the ages! With both Silva and Weidman coming off hiatus, will the power and experience of Silva reign supreme, or will Weidman's youth and eagerness to defeat Silva, stun the champ?

Weidman is most certainly a worthy opponent, and a win over Silva will catapult him to MMA greatness. But let's look at the facts here: Weidman is new to  this game and Silva has performed and been victorious on this stage many times. Silva's ability to adjust in the ring is phenomenal, and his all around knowledge of hands, submissions and ground game makes him impossible to beat.

Compared to Weidman's previous foes, Silva is the same height as Weidman and cuts his reach advantage by 3 inches as opposed to his other opponents in which he had a bigger reach advantage. Weidman's wrestling background and his variety of techniques will certainly give Silva a run for his money. But can he manage Silva's almost identical physicality.

Weidman will be tested both physically and mentally by Silva, who is 9 years his senior, a factor that is irrelevant because he shows no sign of slowing down.

Ultimately, Silva will be victorious over Weidman through his ability to stay relaxed and making necessary adjustments to retain his title.