Around MMA: Schaub vs Big Nog, Jones Back No Opponent Yet, Cormier Vs Monson, Rampage Done In 2 years

Added on May 16, 2011 by John Petit in

UFC & MMA

Brendan Schaub Vs Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira Scheduled For Rio

In mid March Brendan Schaub started a campaign to face Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, and the UFC just granted him his wish. The UFC confirmed that Schaub will face Big ‘Nog at UFC 134 “Rio”on August 27. Schaub will have to face Nogueira in his back yard, and it will inevitably be Rio’s largest MMA event in history. The card is already stacked with Brazilian’s, but the main event between champion Anderson Silva and challenger Yushin Okami will certainly sell tickets. Schaub is still building his portfolio of win and is 8-1, and is coming off a loss to Roy Nelson. Big Nog is 32-6-1 (one no-contest), and the Pride veteran has only put together a 3-2 record in the UFC.

Jon Jones Not Having Surgery, No Opponent Yet

Jon Jones was supposed to defend his title against Rashad Evans, but a nagging thumb injury forced him off the card because he was going to have a surgery on it. It came out this past week that Jones saw a doctor, and the doctor told him he was fine to fight but one day would have to get his hand fixed. This has MMA fans clamoring for the fight they wanted as now Jones seems to be able to take the fight. However, Rashad already has a dance partner for UFC 13 with Phil Davis, but still fans and the media alike are being vocal about the UFC putting the fight back together. Most likely, the Davis vs Evans fight will still take place, and the winner will face Jon Jones.

Strikeforce: Daniel Cormier Vs Jeff Monson To Meet In Dallas

Strikefore has announced that Daniel Cormier and Jeff Monson will face off in Dallas on June 18. The event is to feature the continuation of the Heavyweight Grand Prix, and the card is shaping up to be a decent showing for Strikeforce. The undefeated Cormier will look to continue his 7 fight win streak against the 42-11 verteran Monson. Cormier was scheduled to fight Shane Del Rosario, but he was sidelined because of a car crash he was in-and must focus on his family.

“Strikeforce: Overeem Vs. Werdum” will feature Alistair Overeem vs. Fabricio Werdum, Josh Barnett vs. Brett Rogers, and the event will feature Gina Carano’s come back fight. There is also a lot of talk about a bout being set up between Gesias “JZ” Cavalcante and Justin Wilcox, but there is no bout agreement in place yet.

Rampage Jackson Still Planning on Retiring In 2 Years

Rampage said a long time ago that he was planning on retiring his MMA career when he hits the age of 35, but lets be honest Quinton Jackson says a lot of things. I’m not calling him a liar, but the Pride standout/legend says a lot of things. However, Jackson told ESPN(UK) that he still plans on calling it a day in two years.

Rampage said “I’ve always said I’ll retire when I’m 35. I don’t want to fight past 35. There are young guys coming in and doing good. I’ve been fighting for a long time and it’s no secret that I don’t fight the same way I used to. I’ve got a lot of injuries, one or two things that bother me. But when I’m fighting, the injuries don’t bother me, it’s the training that gets old. Going through each camp I go through all these pains and think, ‘Man I don’t want to do this anymore’. But after the fight I say, ‘OK, I’ll give it one more’. So who knows? But at 35 I’m done.”

Jackson was also quick to point out that he isn’t taking Matt Hammil lightly, and that now the fight was moved to the main event his focus hasn’t changed. He said “Matt Hamill’s a tough guy with good wrestling, and he moves forward. So hopefully it’ll be an exciting fight. That’s the most important thing to me. Styles make fights. I’m just gonna concentrate on my game and be exciting. I don’t care either way. It doesn’t bother me. It doesn’t change the outcome of the fight or the way I train or anything.”