Por Juan José Palomo / @JJPalomo19

Para FOX Deportes

Cuando sabes que vas a enfrentarte a un rival mucho mejor que tu, o que ya te ha vencido, y a pesar de ver una y otra vez el video no encuentras las debilidades físicas, la desesperación te lleva a creer que en lo mental lo vencerás.

Y Sonnen comenzó el juego desde hace muchos meses atrás, cuando en una conferencia de prensa mostró un cinto que según el, pertenecía a Anderson Silva. Al pasar de los días, Sonnen continuaba con el ‘ataque psicológico’ y el invicto campeón, Silva, estuvo al borde del precipicio en la ceremonia de pesaje, cuando dio un golpe con su hombro a su retador.

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By Simon Samano

For FOX Deportes

It’s hard to believe, but this is it for Tito Ortiz.

The “Huntington Beach Bad Boy” will step into the octagon for the final time on Saturday night at UFC 148 to take on Forrest Griffin.

They’ve done this twice before, with each one earning a hard-fought victory by split decision. And if the first two fights between two of the most popular fighters in UFC history are any indication, you can pretty much guarantee this final battle to the settle the score will be close.

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By Simon Samano/@sjsamano
For FOX Deportes
 
Back in 2001, when he reigned as one of the most dominant light heavyweight champions in UFC history, Tito Ortiz took a trip to Mexico City, one you might call life changing.
 
Ortiz remembers visiting the Aztecs’ Pyramid of the Sun and Pyramid of the Moon in Teotihuacán, and the connection he felt, then and there, to his Mexican heritage. It was this experience that prompted a change to Ortiz’s octagon entrance that has become his trademark ever since.
 
“I said, why do I just come out with the American flag?” Ortiz recently told FOX Deportes. “I’m Mexican-American, I’ve got Mexican sangre all through me, let’s put a Mexican-American flag together. I’m Mexican-American, I’m going to represent. I’m going to show our worth with hard work and dedication, no matter what job we do.
 

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By Simon Samano/@sjsamano
For FOX Deportes

 

Holy sh*t, Chael Sonnen has really done it this time.

 

His trash talk has done more than just anger Anderson Silva. This time, Sonnen has unleashed a fury from Silva we’ve never seen before. That’s what happens when you speak ill of Silva’s wife and insult his home country.

 

To know that, you only had to be on the fighters’ media conference call earlier this week. Even without knowing Portuguese, the rage in Silva’s voice registered loud and clear.

 

“Well, first of all, Chael is a criminal,” Silva said through his translator. “He’s been convicted of crimes, he doesn’t deserve to be in the Octagon, and when the time comes and the time is right, I’m going to break his face, and break every one of his teeth in his mouth.”

 

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By Simon Samano/@sjsamano
For FOX Deportes
 
For Tito Ortiz, his upcoming encounter next week at UFC 148 against Forrest Griffin has been business as usual.

Even though the “Huntington Beach Bad Boy” will retire after this fight, he isn’t just going through the motions. He wants to win.
 
“I just want to dominate this fight,” Ortiz recently told FOX Deportes at his home and training camp in Big Bear, Calif. “I want to show how good I truly am with my hand raised and walking away on my own terms.”
 

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By Simon Samano
For Fox Deportes
 
Ever since bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz was forced out of UFC 148 last week because of a torn anterior cruciate ligament, rumors have swirled about who will face Urijah Faber at the July 7 event in Las Vegas.
 
Well, now we know for sure.
 

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