Thursday, December 30, 2010

Get Fit for the New Year w/ Arianny Celeste



Are you carrying around some extra pounds from all the holiday treats?

Start off the new year right with a one-year subscription to TapouTVTC.com.

TapouTVTC.com is the best source for MMA fitness on the internet. You'll train side by side with the best MMA fighters and coaches, all ready to give you their secrets.

Sign up HERE and take advantage of our 20%-off special.

Playboy cover girl Arianny Celeste trains at TapouTVTC.com. Why don't you?

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Fresh Faces: UFC 125 edition

UFC 125 rings in the New Year with a lightweight title match between champion Frankie Edgar and undefeated challenger Gray Maynard.

The card also features four fighters making their UFC debuts, including three WEC standouts. Meet them in this edition of Fresh Faces.

Name: Josh Grispi
Weight class: Featherweight
Fighting: Dustin Poirier
Record: 14-1 (6 (T)KOs, 7 submissions) for the WEC and various U.S. promotions
Recent body of work: Submitted LC Davis by first-round guillotine choke at "WEC 49: Varner vs. Shalorus" in June
Who he is: Grispi enters his UFC debut riding a 10-fight winning streak, including eight straight first-round finishes and a 4-0 mark in the WEC. Originally, Grispi was scheduled to face Erik Koch at WEC 52, but the UFC decided to grant Grispi a shot at the newly-crowned UFC featherweight champion, Jose Aldo instead. After Aldo was forced to withdraw from the bout with a back injury, Poirier became Grispi's new opponent.

Name: Dustin Poirier
Weight class: Featherweight
Fighting: Josh Grispi
Record: 8-1 (5 (T)KOs, 3 submissions) for the WEC and various promotions in the United States and Canada
Recent body of work: Defeated Zach Micklewright by TKO in just 0:53 at "WEC 52: Faber vs. Mizugaki" in November
Who he is: Poirier will step in to face Grispi after Grispi's original opponent, UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo, was forced to withdraw due to an injury. A Louisiana native, Poirier rebounded from his first career loss -- a decision to Danny Castillo -- with a 53-second TKO win over Micklewright in November, and will drop from lightweight to featherweight for the first time in his career.

Name: Diego Nunes
Weight class: Featherweight
Fighting: Mike Brown
Record: 15-1 (5 (T)KOs, 6 submissions) for the WEC and various Brazilian promotions
Recent body of work: Defeated Tyler Toner by unanimous decision at "WEC 51: Aldo vs. Gamburyan" in September
Who he is: Hailing from Brazil, Nunes entered the WEC having finished all 11 of his professional fights. After suffering his first career loss to LC Davis, Nunes rebounded with back-to-back victories in 2010 to run his WEC record to 4-1. Since entering the WEC, all five of Nunes' fights have gone to decision.

Name: Antonio McKee
Weight class: Lightweight
Fighting: Jacob Volkmann
Record: 25-3-2 (3 (T)KOs, 4 submissions) for various promotions in the United States, Canada and Mexico
Recent body of work: TKO'd Luciano Azevedo in the first round at "MFC 26: Retribution" in September
Who he is: The 40-year-old McKee has not lost a fight since dropping a decision to Karo Parisyan in 2003, a span that has lasted 15 fights (14-0-1). Long criticized for being a boring fighter (18 of his 25 wins have come by decision), McKee has finished his last two fights in the first round. In his most recent bout against Luciano, McKee stated that he would retire if he failed to finish the fight. He made good on his guarantee, blasting Luciano with elbows that forced a doctor stoppage.

Also, remember to click HERE to sign up for the best MMA training, fitness, nutrition and entertainment, only on TapouTVTC.com.

Mirko Cro Cop vs. Brendan Schaub in the Works for UFC 128

A heavyweight match between Mirko 'Cro Cop' Filipovic and Brendan Schaub is in the works for UFC 128, which is expected to take place on March 19 in Newark, NJ.

'Cro Cop' (27-8-2 (1 NC), 4-4 UFC) will look to rebound from a tepid loss to Frank Mir in the headlining bout of UFC 119 that had many questioning whether or not the Croatian would retire. Prior to the loss, 'Cro Cop' had won two straight.

Schaub (7-1, 3-1 UFC) has won three straight UFC bouts since losing to Roy Nelson in the finals of "The Ultimate Fighter 10." This is Schaub's third suspected opponent, after previous reports have had him fighting Frank Mir and Stefan Struve.

'Cro Cop' last three fights:
Loss (KO - Knee) Frank Mir - UFC 119: Mir vs. Cro Cop (09/25/2010)
Win (Submission - Rear-Naked Choke) Pat Barry - UFC 115: Liddell vs. Franklin (06/12/2010)
Win (TKO - Doctor Stoppage) Anthony Perosh - UFC 110: Nogueira vs. Velasquez (02/21/2010)

Schaub last three fights:
Win (Unanimous Decision) Gabriel Gonzaga - UFC 121: Lesnar vs. Velasquez (10/23/2010)
Win (TKO - Punches) Chris Tuchscherer - UFC 116: Lesnar vs. Carwin (07/03/2010)
Win (TKO - Punches) Chase Gormley - UFC Live on Versus: Vera vs. Jones (03/21/2010)

Props: Fighters Only

Sean McCorkle vs. Christian Morecraft in the Works for UFC Fight Night 24

A heavyweight bout between Sean McCorkle and Christian Morecraft is in the works for UFC Fight Night 24, which is expected to take place on March 26 in Seattle, WA.

McCorkle (10-1, 1-1 UFC) has emerged as one of the best trash talkers in MMA, taking to forums and his Twitter to blast his opponents. In his most recent outing, McCorkle lost by first-round TKO to Stefan Struve at UFC 124. The loss marked the first of McCorkle's career.

Morecraft (6-1, 0-1 UFC) also suffered his first career loss at the hands of Struve, this time at UFC 117. Prior to that loss, Morecraft had won all six of his professional fights in the first round.

McCorkle last three fights:
Loss (TKO - Punches) Stefan Struve - UFC 124: St-Pierre vs. Koscheck 2 (12/11/2010)
Win (Submission - Kimura) Mark Hunt - UFC 119: Mir vs. Cro Cop (09/25/2010)
Win (TKO - Punches) Johnathan Ivey - Legends of Fighting 39 (05/28/2010)

Morecraft last three fights:
Loss (KO - Punches) Stefan Struve - UFC 117: Silva vs. Sonnen (08/07/2010)
Win (Submission - Punches) Lee Beane - Cage Fighting Xtreme 9: Finally (05/28/2010)
Win (TKO - Punches) Jason Dolloff - Cage Fighting Xtreme 8: Rumble in the Jungle 3 (02/20/2010)

Props: MMA Fighting

Shane Roller vs. Thiago Tavares in the Works for UFC on Versus 3

A lightweight bout between Shane Roller and Thiago Tavares is in the works for UFC on Versus 3, which is expected to take place on March 3 in Louisville, KY.

Roller (9-3, 0-0 UFC) will make his UFC debut after a 6-2 run in the WEC. A powerful wrestler, Roller capped off his WEC career by submitting former WEC champion Jamie Varner in the first round at WEC 53.

Tavares (15-3-1, 5-3-1 UFC) is undefeated in his last three fights (2-0-1) after dropping three of four from 2007-2008. Most recently, Tavares submitted Pat Audinwood by first-round guillotine choke at UFC 119.

Roller last three fights:
Win (Submission - Rear-Naked Choke) Jamie Varner - WEC 53: Henderson vs. Pettis (12/16/2010)
Loss (Submission - Triangle Choke) Anthony Pettis - WEC 50: Cruz vs. Benavidez (08/18/2010)
Win (Submission - Rear-Naked Choke) Anthony Njokuani - WEC 48: Aldo vs. Faber (04/24/2010)

Tavares last three fights:
Win (Submission - Guillotine Choke) Pat Audinwood - UFC 119: Mir vs. Cro Cop (09/25/2010)
Draw (Majority) Nik Lentz - UFC Fight Night 20: Maynard vs. Diaz (01/11/2010)
Win (Unanimous Decision) Manvel Gamburyan - UFC 94: St-Pierre vs. Penn 2 (01/31/2009)

Props: MMA Junkie

Pro Training Preview: Greg Jackson



If you are an MMA fan, Greg Jackson needs little introduction.

Jackson has become one of the most successful coaches in MMA, leading fighters like Georges St-Pierre and Rashad Evans to world titles. His is known for creating the perfect game plan, and for having the best-prepared fighters in the business.

Now, you don't have to live in New Mexico to train with Greg Jackson. Sign up on TapouTVTC.com and you can find Jackson's exclusive Pro Training modules.

This is your chance to train with the best coach there is. Sign up HERE on TapouTVTC.com today!

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

A Holiday Message from Brittney Palmer and TapouTVTC.com



If you know a guy that is hard to buy for, Brittney Palmer and TapouTVTC.com have your Christmas solution.

Buy him a one-year subscription to TapouTVTC.com and he will get hours of the best MMA training, fitness, nutrition and entertainment videos on the internet, and we add more every month!

Look, it's cold outside. The stores are crowded. Save yourself a headache (and 20%) by ordering a one-year subscription to TapouTVTC.com today.

Sign up HERE!

Friday, December 17, 2010

Fitness Expert James Ellis on TapouTVTC.com



Give your man the perfect gift this holiday season with a one-year subscription to TapouTVTC.com.

The TapouT Virtual Training Center is your ultimate source for the best MMA training, fitness, nutrition and entertainment on the internet.

Fitness expert James Ellis knows what it takes to keep his body in peak physical condition. His recommendation? TapouTVTC.com.

WEC 53: Henderson vs. Pettis post-fight thoughts and analysis

The WEC finished its farewell tour Thursday night, in front of 6,348 fans in Glendale, Arizona. In fitting WEC fashion, the night ended with a Fight-of-the-Year candidate.

Benson Henderson vs. Anthony Pettis

- I'd be remiss in talking about this fight without first commenting on the ridiculous, video-game-esque kick that Pettis landed on Henderson late in the fifth round to seal the fight. I, like two of the three judges ringside, had the fight 38-38 heading into the final frame. Pettis put an emphatic exclamation point on his performance with that kick, winning over a pro-Henderson crowd to the point that he received the loudest ovation of the night. That kick summarizes what I love most about MMA; you never know when you're going to see something truly original.

- Pettis fans are familiar with his wide array of flashy strikes, but he has become a very well-rounded fighter. In his last fight, Pettis kept a good wrestler in Shane Roller from taking him down. On Thursday, Pettis was able to survive with Henderson on his back before eventually reversing position. This win gives Pettis a shot at the UFC lightweight title against the winner of Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard. Either fighter presents a unique challenge, but I think that Pettis will be able to hang.

- Henderson is an imposing 155-er physically, with legs that look like they belong on a horse. However, his overall game is still very raw. He rarely throws more than two-punch combination and doesn't use his kicks in conjunction with his punches. He has the physical tools to survive in the shark tank of the UFC lightweight division, but Henderson will need to continue evolving to climb to the top.

- To learn some of the unorthodox striking that Duke Roufus-coached fighters like Pettis use, check out Pat Barry and Matt Mitrione's Pro Training modules on TapouTVTC.com.

- This fight was the perfect sendoff to the WEC. It was a back-and-forth battle, a Fight-of-the-Year candidate, featuring excitement and a move that literally left our jaws hanging open. Like so many other WEC fights, it ended in a standing ovation, seen by too few but appreciated by those who did.

Dominick Cruz vs. Scott Jorgensen

- Cruz is a nightmare matchup for anyone in the bantamweight division. He possesses size, speed and unlimited cardio. How exactly do you beat Cruz? If you force him to come to you and look to counterpunch, he can out-quick you. If you try to bully him in the clinch, he can out-strength you. Jorgensen had no answers for Cruz's elusive style, and Cruz dominated from bell to bell.

- When ranking the most frustrating fighters to face, Cruz ranks at the top with Lyoto Machida and Anderson Silva. Any time Jorgensen looked to brawl on the feet, he ended up swinging at air.

- Cruz's biggest asset is his footwork, which is quick and disciplined. Whether he is moving in to attack or out after attacking, Cruz always works his angles. It's disheartening as an opponent when you absorb three punches and a leg kick from Cruz, only to have him disappear from your sight when you look to return fire.

Donald Cerrone vs. Chris Horodecki

- Cerrone did a great job of submission chaining on the ground, transitioning from a triangle to an omoplata before switching to a triangle again for the finish. This is a preaching of Cerrone's coach, Greg Jackson, who likes to see his fighters swing directly from submission to submission, rather than retreating to guard after one missed attempt.

- Cerrone might have finished the fight earlier, had he chosen to rotate forward on the omoplata attempt instead of reaching for a crossface and pulling Horodecki backwards. It looked like a move out of pro wrestling, but rolling back actually took pressure off of Horodecki's shoulder. Instead, Cerrone should have looked to flatten Horodecki onto his stomach, then rolled his hips forward to apply the submission.

- To see Greg Jackson demonstrate the triangle, omoplata, and submission training, sign up for Jackson's Pro Training modules on TapouTVTC.com

WEC 53: Henderson vs. Pettis results

Main Card:
Anthony Pettis def. Ben Henderson by unanimous decision (48-47, 49-46, 48-47) to become the final WEC Lightweight Champion
Dominick Cruz def. Scott Jorgensen by unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45) to retain the WEC Bantamweight Championship and become the first UFC Bantamweight Champion
Donald Cerrone def. Chris Horodecki by submission (triangle choke) at 2:43 of round 2
Kamal Shalorus def. Bart Palaszewski by split decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)

Preliminary Card:
Danny Downes def. Zhang Tie Quan by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)
Shane Roller def. Jamie Varner by submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:55 of round 1
Brad Pickett def. Ivan Menjivar by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Eddie Wineland def. Ken Stone by KO (slam) at 2:11 of round 1
Danny Castillo def. Will Kerr by KO (punches) at 1:25 of round 1
Yuri Alcantara def. Ricardo Lamas by KO (punches) at 3:26 of round 1
Renan Barao def. Chris Cariaso by submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:47 of round 1


$10,000 Bonuses:
Fight of the Night: Ben Henderson vs. Anthony Pettis
Knockout of the Night: Eddie Wineland
Submission of the Night: Shane Roller