A week in MMA: Mitrione and Kongo go menstrual; The incredible shrinking Country; Cerrone saddles up his... pony?

28 October, 2011

Mitrione and Kongo go menstrual

After his unbelievable comeback against Pat Barry in what many MMA fans consider the fight of the year, Cheick Kongo need do little to hype his next appearance in the Octagon – against Matt Mitrione.

And it’s probably a good thing, judging by the bizarre pre-fight jibes both have made this week. 

Mitrione, who so impressed everyone with his dominant KO of Christian Morecraft last time out, suggested in an interview that he was going to “get Kongo pregnant”.

It was a puzzling comment, and perhaps one that Kongo ought to have ignored, but the Frenchman doesn’t duck a fight – whether it’s physical or verbal. He responded by saying that he was going to “give Mitrione his period”.

To his credit the always-unflappable interviewer, Ariel Helwani, managed to safely negotiate the choppy waters of MMA menstrual cycles and reach the safer ground of Saturday night’s co-main event at UFC 137.

This will be Mitrione’s first appearance at the top of the card and his performance against Kongo will determine quite how far the Ultimate Fighter alumnus has progressed. 

His big-punching style, coupled with Kongo’s willingness to swing for the fence should ensure a spectacular encounter.


The incredible Shrinking Country

He’s been the subject of stinging criticism by no less than UFC supremo Dana White about his appearance, but Roy “Big Country” Nelson has always maintained that his rotund physique is here to stay.

Indeed, he recently launched a passionate defence against his many detractors, stating:

“It’s just because people are mean. I look in the mirror every day, my wife thinks I’m beautiful. Looks are in the eye of the beholder.”

However, there was a ripple of excitement this week when a seemingly trimmer Nelson was pictured next to Forrest Griffin. Has Nelson secretly been dieting? Are we going to see a leaner and meaner version of the Las Vegas slugger?

The 35 year-old is facing probably the most important night of his career when he takes on Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic this weekend. After two defeats in succession, the MMA vultures are circling and many speculate that a loss for Nelson could lead to his removal from the UFC roster.

His opponent is in an eerily similar situation. After recent losses to Brendan Schaub and Frank Mir, “Cro Cop” has admitted that it’s win or bust for him:

“To lose three times in a row will be a disaster for me, but even if that happens, I’ll survive. I have two kids. I have to live for them. But it’ll be a disaster.”

Two bruising fighters, both with a point to prove. Diet or no diet: this is a recipe for a great fight in Vegas.



Don “Cowboy” Cerrone saddles up his… pony?

There’s an old saying that goes “be careful what you wish for” and one that UFC featherweight Nam Phan may do well to heed.

After his spectacular decision victory over Leonard Garcia at UFC 136, which earned both a “Fight of the Night” bonus, Phan allegedly criticised Garcia’s coaches for making him a “one-trick pony”.

This angered Garcia’s friend and stablemate lightweight contender Don Cerrone. The “Cowboy” is on a five-fight winning streak and faces Denis Siver this weekend. However, he’s already set his sights on Phan, even if it means dropping to a lower weight class.


“Kong” aims to bounce back

Injuries are an unfortunate reality of any pro fighter’s career. For many, the punishment of being away from the sport - and their means of paying the bills - is far more hurtful than anything they receive in combat.

For British star Tom “Kong” Watson, the experience has been particularly painful. In his honest and thoughtful blog, Watson spoke of his frustration at being laid up with a back injury at a crucial time in his career.

Watson was on the brink of one of the biggest fights of his life against ex-UFC veteran Frank Trigg when the injury struck. He’d earned a reputation as one of the most dangerous fighters outside of Zuffa-owned organisations and was spearheading BAMMA’s rise on the UK scene.

We all wish him a speedy recovery.

Ralph Welch
@ralphwelch

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