UFC on FOX Experiences Ratings Decline

It’s been a tough week for MMA in the New York metropolitan area. The stretch began Saturday night at the IZOD Center when New Jersey’s Jim Miller suffered the first submission loss of his seven-year career once Nate Diaz made him tap to a guillotine choke in Round 2 of their main event. Days later, the crusty clowns in the New York State Assembly yet again didn’t bother to put the bill to sanction the sport up for a vote.

Then the Nielsen ratings for UFC on Fox 3 were released, and it indicated a significant dive from the debut show on November 12, 2011, when the heavyweight championship bout between Cain Velasquez and Junior dos Santos drew 5.675 million viewers. The second show, headlined by Rashad Evans vs. Phil Davis, did 4.661 million. Last Saturday, UFC on Fox 3 had 2.418 million total viewers and finished last in its time slot.

One can spin this all he or she wants — the event won its primary demographic (people 18-49), yet the 1.471 viewers was well below the 3.776 and 3.072 of UFC on Fox 1 and 2, respectively — but UFC co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta is anything but worried. The two sides are in this deal for the long haul and the education is ongoing.

"Would we like to see the numbers be trending differently? Yes, of course," Fertitta told Yahoo Sports’ Kevin Iole. "But we’re not concerned and we don’t think it’s an overall reflection of our business.

"There are reasons for it. If you think about it, for the first [Fox] fight we had a massive amount of promotion within the NFL on Fox. And we led with our big show, the heavyweight championship, so of course, we were going to draw a much broader range of viewers."

Upcoming fights for the locals:
Gian Villante, a Wantagh, N.Y., resident and teammate of Chris Weidman at the Serra-Longo Academy, will meet Derrick Mehmen on the undercard of Strikeforce: Bartlett vs. Cormier Saturday, May 19, in San Jose, Calf.

Raised in Phoenix but relocated to Whippany, N.J., former WEC lightweight champion Jamie Varner competes in the Octagon for the first time since UFC 68 in 2007 against Edson Barboza at UFC 146 Memorial Day weekend. Varner was named as an injury replacement for Evan Dunham.

The UFC returns to Atlantic City for the first time in seven years June 22 at Revel. Gray Maynard fights Clay Guida in the main event.

Former UFC lightweight king Frankie Edgar’s rematch with Benson Henderson is official for UFC 150 August 11 in Denver. UFC president Dana White made the official announcement on FUEL TV’s UFC Tonight.

Follow Jon Lane on Twitter: @JonLaneNYC

UFC On FOX 3: Dana White Says 'These Guys Delivered'

Dana White stood strong at the podium in the bowels of the IZOD Center nearly an hour after Nate Diaz wiped out Jim Miller in the main event of UFC on FOX 3. Defiant to begin with, White had just cause in addressing a certain segment of the populace that’s never happy.

What We Learned From UFC On FOX 3

Fight of the Night: Louis Gaudinot-John Lineker

Submission of the Night: Nate Diaz

Knockout of the Night: Lavar Johnson

No. 1 contender at lightweight: Nate Diaz, who will await the winner of Ben Henderson vs. Frankie Edgar and not take a fight with Anthony Pettis.

Per Dana White, Alan Belcher "definitely in the top-five" for No. 1 contender consideration at middleweight.

UFC on FOX 3 Results: Louis Gaudinot Submits John Lineker

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – When it was mentioned to Louis Gaudinot that he has an opportunity to not only become a champion, but to be remembered in MMA annals as the pioneer of the flyweight division, he took one of his few deep breaths of the evening.

Fresh off his second-round submission of John Lineker – and $66,000 richer by earning Fight of the Night honors and Lineker missing weight – Gaudinot reflected over the future of the newly-minted flyweight class, and the idea of whoever captures and sustains excellence will be viewed in similar reverence of Jens Pulver and B.J. Penn.

"That’s amazing," Gaudinot told SBNation NY. "I wanna show the UFC it’s about time [they put together] the flyweights and show the fans that we belong here. Some of the fans are like, ‘Ah, I only want to see the heavyweights, these little midgets.’ But we were going at it. Who knows how things play out? Two fights down the road I could be fighting for a title. I don’t want to look too far ahead, I have less than 10 pro fights so I’ll take it slow and whatever the UFC wants to give me."

Following 15 weeks of prep time, Gaudinot arrived to New Jersey in the best shape of his life. A big part of his revamped regimen was his work with In Motion Meals, a Fairfield, N.J., based company that distributes 500,000 prepackaged healthy foods throughout the East Coast. The new diet helped keep Gaudinot’s weight down without the stress of serious weight cuts or starvation. The night before the weigh-ins, Gaudinot enjoyed a steak dinner. Throughout his training he treated himself to three meals a day.

"Easiest cut ever, Gaudinot said. "I think I woke up the day of the weigh-ins at 129. I didn’t even have to go in the sauna. I could have gone five rounds tonight."

A month before the fight Gaudinot stressed the importance of improving his cardio entering the Lineker fight, which cost him against featherweight Johnny Bedford at The Ultimate Finale (Season 14). Between rounds, Gaudinot considered telling his corner to not bother with the stool. He wanted to bounce around to get in the head of his opponent, because by the time the second and final round started the writing was on the all. While Gaudinot was at his natural weight, Lineker was lost in the forest having to travel from Brazil and cut enough pounds to compete in a new division.

The weight cut failed Lineker, opening the door for the newly-calibrated Gaudinot to move in for the kill.

"For me it’s easy, I’ve been to 125 before," Gaudinot said. "He’s never been there. Even if he made 25 it was going to affect his cardio. And lo and behold he didn’t make 25."

One can expect more changes in Gaudinot’s game to help him reach the next level in evolution, one of which may end up pretty drastic. During the first round his long, green and curly hair obstructed his vision. For superstitious reasons he won’t wear cornrows, the style he carried into the Bedford fight, so he’s considering a shorter ‘do by his next fight. But don’t sweat any Samson effect. That light green tint he added in college is going nowhere.

"No matter what, short or long, it’s going to be green!" he said. "It’s become my trademark and I’m not going to let it go."

Dana White may not be too crazy about the hair -- he teased him about cutting it and Gaudinot retorted that he sounded like his girlfriend -- but the UFC president has big plans in store for potentially one of the great flyweights.

“Louis looked great tonight, he has a great chin,” White said. “We’ll see what the next test for him.”

Follow Jon Lane on Twitter: @JonLaneNYC

UFC on FOX 3 Results: Nate Diaz Submits Jim Miller

To put it bluntly, Nate Diaz took Jim Miller to school.

Diaz dominated the fight from start to finish, which ended 4:09 into the second round when Diaz rolled his opponent into a guillotine forcing the Whippany, N.J., native to tap for the first time in his professional career.

"Nate controlled the fight from bell to bell," Miller said. "He fought a beautiful fight. He had my number."

Most impressive about Diaz is his confidence. He was in total control, keeping the fight on the feet and stuffing Miller’s takedown attempts and even daring him to bring some more. When the end came, Miller’s nose was bloodied and Diaz’s game reached new heights.

All before a pro-Miller crowd.

"I had to work behind enemy lines," Diaz said. "I’m going home to California, baby."

UFC on FOX 3 Results: Johny Hendricks Earns Split Decision Win Over Josh Koscheck

Johny Hendricks is one step closer to a potential welterweight title shot. If the day comes when he’s proclaimed champion, he’ll look back at his three-round test of character against Josh Koscheck as his baptism to elite status. After going toe-to-toe for the full 15 minutes – during which Hendricks closed Koscheck’s right eye shut – Hendricks walked away with a split decision victory, his fourth straight, while Koscheck fell to 2-2 in his last four.

UFC on FOX 3 Results: Alan Belcher stops Rousimar Palahares

Alan Belcher wants a middleweight title shot. The winner of Chris Weidman vs. Mark Munoz will have something to say about that, but considering the tear the Talent is on, it may be hard to deny him.

In just his second fight since recovering from eye surgeries, Belcher staked his claim on the No. 1 contender’s position with arguably the finest performance of his career by stopping Rousimar Palahares at 4:18 of the first round. He spent a good two minutes Belcher rolled to survive Palhares’ trump card, the heel hook. Once Belcher escaped, he mounted Palhares to unleash a flurry of elbows that doomed the submission specialist.

A winner of four straight, Belcher improved to 18-6 and 9-4 in the UFC. After the fight he told Joe Rogan he belongs in the top spot at 185.

UFC on FOX 3 Results: Lavar Johnson TKOs Pat Barry in Round 1

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Two of the UFC’s big boys kicked off the FOX telecast with a heavyweight explosion. Many in attendance at the IZOD Center booed some of the undercard bouts, notably Michael Johnson’s win over Tony Ferguson, and were hungry for action by the time the main card was aired over national TV.

Lavar Johnson and Pat Barry provided a jolt to those here and watching over the airwaves. The two heavyweights traded punches and Barry actually nearly finished the fight looking for a kimura.

Once back on the feet, Johnson backed Barry against the cage and unloaded a series of unanswered blows before a cross to the top of Barry’s head planted “HD” to the canvas and earned a thrilling TKO victory at 4:38 of the first round. It’s the immediate contender for “Fight of the Night,” and the battle Fox executives lusted for since the curtain jerker last November.

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UFC on FOX 3 Results: Dennis Bermudez defeats Pablo Garza

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Dennis Bermudez’s superior wrestling – and a chin made of granite – helped him overcome a game Pablo Garza to win his first official UFC fight to open the FUEL telecast of the UFC on FOX 3 undercard. The Lindenhurst, N.Y., resident and runner up in The Ultimate Fighter Season 14’s flyweight bracket scored four takedowns in the first two rounds and nearly finished Garza with a rear-naked choke in the final minute of the third to earn a unanimous decision victory (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).

Besides the ‘W’ Bermudez (9-3) took home stitches in his bottom lip as a souvenir. Garza panted Bermudez with two kicks to the face that would have turned out a lesser opponent’s lights.

“I was thinking, ‘What just happened? Can I get up? Am I OK? I’ve got this ability you can say just to get knocked down or black out and just keep moving, just keep going whether I know what’s going on or not,” Bermudez told SBNation New York. “That got showcased tonight – unfortunately!”

Bermudez escaped a triangle choke in the first and later shook off two swift kicks to the face to take control of the bout with his smothering wrestling ability.

With nearly a minute left in the second, Bermudez executed a bodyslam that stunned Garza (12-3). While growing up, Bermudez studied Quinton “Rampage” Jackson’s vicious slams and wondered why it was a part of his game. To get the lanky 6-1 Garza off his vertical base, driving him down hard was a critical component to his strategy.

“We’re trying to take his air away and do a little ground and pound,” Bermudez said.

Following the loss to Diego Brando in The Ultimate Finale, Bermudez was tempted to take some time off. Instead, he returned to to Island MMA and hit the weights hard. He came back bigger and leaner for the weight class. “I might have been in the best shape of my life in terms of vascular, definition and strength,” he said. Until the next fight, Bermudez plans on spending the summer boogie boarding at Jones Beach and Long Beach. Once he signs off on a new opponent, the new goal is to not let him see the judges, and use another win to set himself up for redemption and a rematch with Brando.

“I’ll see him down the road, for sure,” Bermudez said.

Follow Jon Lane on Twitter: @JonLaneNYC

UFC on FOX 3 Results: Karlos Vemola def. Mike Massenzio

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Mike Massenzio (Paterson, N.J.) opened the preliminary card of UFC on Fox 3 at the IZOD Center essentially knowing another loss would place his UFC career on thin ice. Despite fighting gamely, Karlos Vemola’s power was too much to handle.

Making his debut at middleweight, Vemola took Massenzio’s back, fired unanswered punches and applied a rear-naked choke to secure the victory at 1:07 of the second round.

The "Master of Disaster" is 3-6 in his past nine fights, including matches in the IFL and an independent show last April.

"I fought well and felt like I was controlling it, but I could feel myself start gassing in the second," Massenzio said. "I felt fatigued and started losing position and he got me. I was happy to fight in front of my fans and just wish it hard turned out a little differently."

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UFC on Fox 3 Predictions

Before a national television audience, in front of a fan base that will include many from a city and state starving for legally sanctioned Mixed Martial Arts action, eight main card fighters will put nearly everything on the line.

For Jim Miller and Nate Diaz, one will be in position to reportedly fight Anthony Pettis for the right to be called No. 1 contender in the lightweight division. The other will experience a steep fall down to the middle of the pack with no telling when he’ll taste a shot at gold again.

For Josh Koscheck, who saluted those who ran the age vs. youth angle to hype his fight with Johny Hendricks with a rain of expletives, there’s a determination to prove he’s still got it and his new Dethrone Base Camp will add youth to his years. For Hendricks, a win would be the biggest of his career and in all likelihood secure a welterweight title shot at the winner of champion Georges St. Pierre vs. Carlos Condit.

Risking it all is old hat to Alan Belcher, who’s made it all the way back from eye surgery and may be crowned top middleweight contender if he can get past deadly submission expert Rousimar Palhares in just his second fight after an 18-month layoff.

For the UFC, the mission to sanction MMA eight miles from the IZOD Center and invade Madison Square Garden continues. FOX gives them the platform to make the biggest case yet. Will it be Miller time in the Garden State? Or will Diaz ruin the homecoming? And who out of Pat Barry or Lavar Johnson will march up the heavyweight ladder?

MMA Fighting’s Luke Thomas shares his take. I analyze and predict the Fox Four here:

Jim Miller vs. Nate Diaz
The classic irresistible force (Diaz) versus immovable object (Miller) matchup. Miller may have been schooled by eventual lightweight champion Benson Henderson, but at the press conference announcing the Diaz bout he admitted to competing at less than 100 percent. Miller returned to form with a wipeout of Melvin Guillard and is a winner of 16 of his last 18. No health issues are plaguing the native of Sparta, N.J., who brings his Spartan approach to the main event in an attempt to slow down the surging Diaz. The last three opponents to grind it out against Diaz (Rory MacDonald, Dong-Hyun Kim and Gray Maynard) emerged victorious. After being peppered early, Miller gets inside and takes the fight to the mat, where Diaz is completely neutralized. Miller unanimous decision.

Josh Koscheck vs. Johny Hendricks
Koscheck has had a good career – a very good career – and it’s far from over. In fact, his departure from AKA coming off a lethargic win over Mike Pierce appears to have given him second life. But whenever Koscheck is about to reach to grab the star, he’s slipped and fell down the mountain. Hendricks faces his greatest challenge, one who has competed in big fights and won many of them. Though Pierce provided Hendricks with similar headaches, Hendricks pulverized Jon Fitch in 12 seconds in his next contest. Perhaps that ends up as his career’s launch point. He earns his check on Saturday, and then some. Hendricks unanimous decision.

Alan Belcher vs. Rousimar Palhares
On intimidation and psychology alone, Palhares has won many battles before they were fought. His next opponent, Belcher, stared down a cruel twist of fate – and won. Arguably, Belcher was screwed out of a win at UFC 100. He responded by winning his next three, the last a blitzkrieg of Jason MacDonald in his first fight in 16 months. There’s nothing that scares Belcher, not even the middleweight division’s answer to Frank Mir. Belcher TKO 2.

Pat Barry vs. Lavar Johnson
The first time I saw Johnson compete was last February in the same IZOD Center that hosted the opening bracket of the Heavyweight Grand Prix. The slugger failed to make it out of Round 1, tapping to Shane del Rosario. Johnson’s first-round knockout of Joey Beltran scored him an extra bonus and made a dynamite first impression with the UFC. Barry has experienced both highs and lows. The time is now for him to make his move in an open heavyweight division. He’ll avoid Johnson’s wicked power long enough to cash in on the one opening he needs. Barry KO 3.

Undercard picks: Mike Massenzio, Roland Delorme, Dennis Bermudez, Danny Castillo, Louis Gaudinot, John Hathaway, John Dodson, Tony Ferguson.

Follow Jon Lane on Twitter: @JonLaneNYC

UFC on Fox 3 Official Weigh-In Results

All fighters made weight Friday afternoon at the IZOD Center, that is except one. MMAJunkie.com received confirmation from the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board that John Lineker was fined $1,200 for weight 127 pounds for his flyweight bount against Louis Gaudinot. The bout will go on as scheduled with the fine being added to Gaudinot’s check.

The results:

MAIN CARD (FOX)
Nate Diaz (156) vs. Jim Miller (156)
Johny Hendricks (170.5) vs. Josh Koscheck (170.5)
Alan Belcher (186) vs. Rousimar Palhares (186)
Pat Barry (244) vs. Lavar Johnson (253)

PRELIMINARY CARD (FUEL TV)
Tony Ferguson (154.5) vs. Michael Johnson (156)
John Dodson (126) vs. Tim Elliott (125)
John Hathaway (169) vs. Pascal Krauss (169)
Louis Gaudinot (126) vs. John Lineker (127)*
Danny Castillo (155) vs. John Cholish (155.5)
Dennis Bermudez (145.5) vs. Pablo Garza (145)

PRELIMINARY CARD (Facebook)
Roland Delorme (135) vs. Nick Denis (135)
Mike Massenzio (184) vs. Karlos Vemola (185)

Follow Jon Lane on Twitter: @JonLaneNYC

UFC on Fox 3: Fight Card, TV Schedule And More

An overview of Saturday night at the IZOD Center.

What: UFC on Fox 3: Miller vs. Diaz

Where: IZOD Center, East Rutherford, N.J.

When: Fight card starts with two dark matches at 4 p.m. ET, the six-fight Fuel card starts at 5 and the four-fight televised card starts at 8 on FOX.

What's at stake
Nate Diaz (15-7, 10-5 UFC): A win earns him a title shot at either current champion Ben Henderson or Frankie Edgar.

Jim Miller (21-3, 10-2 UFC): Because he was defeated by Henderson last August, Miller needs victories over Diaz and another top contender before getting his shot. However, he's 9-1 in his past 10 fights and very relevant in the 155-pound title picture. A big win over a fighter off two of his best performances (Takanori Gomi, Donald Cerrone) reinforces his standing.

Josh Koscheck (17-5 MMA, 15-5 UFC): The former top welterweight contender lashed out at reporters during Tuesday’s open workouts regarding doubts that he remains viable at age 34. "A lot of you people write all these stories," he said. "'Youth versus age.' Bull [expletive]. You guys are all [expletive] retards. Retards." A win over young rising star Johny Hendricks won’t earn Koscheck another title shot, but it will silence any doubters.

Johny Hendricks (12-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC): Like Diaz, Hendricks becomes a No. 1 contender with a victory.

Rousimar Palhares (14–3, 7-2 UFC): A chance to become part of the new blood of middleweights (Chris Weidman, Mark Munoz) poised to reign in the post Anderson Silva era, whenever it ends.

Alan Belcher (17-6, 8-4 UFC): A win over the dangerous Palhares in just his second fight post eye surgery will open a ton of eyes and maybe move "The Talent" atop the middleweight list.

Pat Barry (7-4 MMA, 4-4 UFC): A move into the upper echelon ranks at heavyweight. "HD" snapped a two-fight losing streak by smashing Christian Morecraft in January.

Lavar Johnson (16-5 MMA, 1-0 UFC): Dana White disassembled the Strikeforce heavyweight division. Johnson is one carryover looking to prove he has what it takes to compete for Zuffa.

The local fighters
Miller (Sparta, NJ)
Louis Gaudinot (Hoboken, NJ)
Dennis Bermudez (Lindenhurst, NY)
Mike Massenzio (Paterson, NJ)

Saturday’s schedule
3 p.m. EST Doors Open to the Public
4 p.m. EST First Bout (Approximately)
8 p.m. EST Fox goes on the air
10:30 p.m. EST (approx) Post Fight Press Conference

Follow Jon Lane on Twitter: @JonLaneNYC

Georges St-Pierre: UFC Welterweight Champion (via sbnation)

UFC On Fox 3: Alan Belcher Ready To Stare Down His Most Dangerous Opponent

Presented with Rousimar Palhares for UFC on Fox 3, Alan Belcher didn't hesitate to accept the challenge.

UFC On Fox 3 Combatant Mike Massenzio’s Rocky Inspiration

To a certain extent, Mike Massenzio is the latest real-life Rocky Balboa.

It’s an easy formula, the tale of a down-and-out underdog given a one-in-a-million chance at fortune and glory. Massenzio won’t be fighting Anderson Silva anytime soon, but Saturday night at the IZOD Center, on the undercard of UFC on FOX 3, his opponent is six-time Czech Republic National Wrestling Champion Karlos Vemola represents an opportunity to begin his first serious run.

Consider Massenzio’s Sisyphean MMA career:

• Massenzio, fighting out of Paterson, N.J., had to work his way back into the UFC. He was released in 2010 following a third-round submission loss to Brian Stann. It earned Massenzio "Fight of the Night" honors, but also a pink slip.
• Massenzio, 29, owns a UFC record of 2-4. His last bout was particularly damaging, a heel-hook loss to Rousimar Palhares at 1:03 of the first round.
• The "Master of Disaster" is 3-5 in his past eight fights, including matches in the IFL and an independent show last April.

The resume isn’t exactly Apollo Creed stature, but Massenzio has taken the hits. He was sidelined 18 months recovering from multiple knee surgeries and in his first fight back he provided Stann with a stiff challenge. He was invited back to the UFC after agreeing to fight Krzysztof Soszynski – moving up to light heavyweight and on three days’ notice – and lasted all three rounds en route to losing a unanimous decision. The biggest win of his career is one over Steve Cantwell, a former WEC light heavyweight champion.

Given every reason to want to quit, all the motivation to stay down, Massenzio has figured out how to survive.

"I joke around a lot that I’m a living Rocky," Massenzio said. "My whole life hasn’t been easy. My parents were divorced and I came from nothing. My only way out to be able to feed my family is to compete and keep pushing forward. Everything was always an obstacle. No matter what it took, if you do right, you’re going to get right. It makes you stronger. It’s motivated me. And I’m still here."

The Rocky inspiration stems from the Sylvester Stallone character as someone nobody believed in, and he didn’t care. Even when facing the indestructible and unbeatable Ivan Drago in Rocky IV, Massenzio favorite film in the series, Rocky put it all on the line.

"A lot of times you find out who a real man, a real champion, is by either they cower away or they push through it," Massenzio said. "Even when getting ready for fights, I watch Rocky. It’s about never giving up."

Roughly 30 minutes from Paterson’s rough streets, and a short drive from the high school where he won high school state championships at 160 and 171 pounds, Massenzio will stare down Vemola, who despite his credentials as a Czech national wrestling champion comes off a bad decision loss to Ronny Markes last August. Vermola is 1-2 in the UFC, which means like Massenzio he could be facing a must-win.

For Massenzio the mindset is a combination of business as usual and win or else.

"You obviously want to go out there and perform the best you can," Massenzio said. "You have to be able to win even when you’re at your worst. Beating Cantwell was a big step. A lot of people didn’t think I was going to win and I went out there and won big. Then I took a fight with Rousimar, one of the top 10 guys in the world. It was a great opportunity and if it came up again I’d do it again."

Massenzio, fighting in Palhares’ backyard, barely lasted a minute against a top-five middleweight. But the experience just may turn out to be what he needs to propel himself on a winning streak, one step at a time.

"Sometimes a loss is better than a win – you learn a lot from a loss," Massenzio said. "I knew what I was getting myself into and I still feel in my heart I’m at that level with him. It was a silly mistake, but you get knocked down you have to get back up and keep moving forward. That’s what a true champion does.

"Going into this fight, I’m taking it like another fight, but I’m going out there to show everyone who I am and that this is where I belong."

The son of a former professional boxer, fighting is Massenzio’s life and there’s no turning back. It’s helped him overcome a harsh upbringing and go in the right direction in life. Win or lose, setbacks or setups, Massenzio has ultimately found a way. In addition to Rocky, a quote from NFL Hall of Famer Jerry Rice is embedded in his fighting spirit: "Today I will do what others won't, so tomorrow I can accomplish what others can't."

"People talk the talk but don’t walk the walk," Massenzio said. "I coach college and tell kids it’s not doing what you’re expected to do, but you do what no one expects you to do."

The lesson is simple. Don’t bother telling Massenzio the odds, because, frankly, he doesn’t care. Like Rocky Balboa, he’s come back from much worse.

-- Follow Jon Lane on Twitter: @JonLaneNYC

Louis Gaudinot Ready To Make His Move At Flyweight

He won’t be fighting for the title anytime soon, but Louis Gaudinot has a bout on the undercard of the promotion’s third appearance before a national television audience – and he’s home for this weekend's fight on the UFC on FOX 3 card