Introducing UFC Flyweights Ian McCall and Yasuhiro Urushitani
by Josh Nason on Dec 12, 2011 12:19 PM EST
in UFC News
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While Joseph Benavidez and Demetrious Johnson are familiar names because of their exposure in both the Octagon and the WEC, their respective opponents at March's UFC on FX 2 -- Yasuhiro Urushitani and Ian McCall -- are UFC newcomers. So who are these guys that may be competing for UFC gold in 2012?
Ian McCall
Regarded as one of the top flyweights in the world, "Uncle Creepy" is coming up on his 10th year as a professional. Before his recent stint in the 125-pound haven known as Tachi Palace Fights, the 27-year-old McCall (11-2) spent time in the WEC as a bantamweight, going 1-2 with losses to Dominick Cruz and Charlie Valencia.
He's won four in a row and last was seen winning the Tachi flyweight gold with a third round submission win over Darrell Montague in August. In this current run, he also picked up wins over top flyweight Jussier da Silva and Dustin Ortiz, giving both their first career loss. He was set to defend his title for the first time but pulled out of a December 2nd fight with Josh Rave due to injury.
The Californian is also married, is a dad and has been known to sport as a very cool Rollie Fingers-style mustache.
Yasuhiro Urushitani
The 35-year-old has never competed outside of Japan and has been a fixture in Shooto nearly his entire 10-year career. The reigning Shooto bantamweight (123 pounds) champ has won five in a row with three out of the five coming via TKO. Mainly a decision fighter with 20 bouts going the distance, Urushitani (19-4-6) had a win over recent TUF winner and likely future flyweight John Dodson back in 2004.
Following UFC 140, Dana White announced that Urushitani will face Benavidez and McCall will fight Johnson at UFC on FX 2 with the winners competing for the first-ever UFC flyweight title.
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I'm curious to see Ian
I do think that Joe and Mighty Mouse are gonna advance though. Between them I have no clue.
yeah I don’t know how these guys will manage with someone like Benevidez and Johnson. Best flyweights in the world right now, but what happens with someone who has good takedowns and top submissions, not to mention size and power. Ian Maccall is the man but this is going to be a rude awakening for “the best flyweight in the world”
Good opponents for DJ and Benavidez.
"Hi. I don't know you." - me
"Cigano punch my face...all the time." - Anderson Silva
If you wanna pick up a bit more on McCall
head over to the UG and do a search, he posts there somewhat frequently
The artful muppet formerly known as KrmtDfrog.
Please read my sardonic wit and over-blown sense of self over at headkicklegend.com
by Cory Braiterman on Dec 12, 2011 12:17 PM EST reply actions
I'll be curious to see where the betting lines fall.
Both McCall and Urushitani are consensus top three at 125. But, will Johnson and Benevedez’ Octagon experience and dominance at 135 give them the perceived edge.
Personally, I think Joe B-Wan Kenobi is the favorite here.
by Steve W on Dec 12, 2011 12:25 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Man I am HYPE for this only thing is I don't know how McCall stops JoeB takedowns
I think he might get past Mighty Mouse but Benavidez man is a machine
Twitter @MaZZM
http://www.mazzznet.com/
I really hate the arguments of "Don't add flyweights, it'll clear out bantamweight!"
In the short term, there may be a small exodus. But in the long term, you get to see more of the greatest fighters in the world ply their trade.
Plus, “Uncle Creepy” is easily the best fighter name out there.
"It's an odd thing, but anyone who disappears is said to be seen in San Francisco.
It must be a delightful city and possess all the attractions of the next world" - Oscar Wylde
by SanFranpsycho on Dec 12, 2011 12:27 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
I’m also hoping for John Dodson vs Jussier De Silva in a reserve bout.
by Steve W on Dec 12, 2011 12:29 PM EST via mobile reply actions
I'm stoked
UFC Flyweight Tournament ? Yes please! Wish it was an 8 man though.
The bottom line is Georges is being a little bitch. He didn’t step up and say anything when the UFC pulled me out of this fight. I understand sometimes you have to do what you’re told, but why wouldn’t you tell the media you still want to fight me? If I was Georges, I would want to fight the best. I would have asked for the Anderson Silva fight. I would have asked to fight the Strikeforce champ. But he sits there like a robot and doesn’t say anything at all, just like he’s not going to say anything about me calling him a bitch now. If I saw BJ Penn walking down the street and called him a bitch, we would be fighting right there on the spot. — Nick Diaz
Joesph Benavidez is probably going to use Urushitani’s neck as an executive stress toy. Mighty Mouse is going to put on a wrestling clinic. Benavidez will probably walk this tournament.
Don't follow in my footsteps I walk into walls
Yeah Benavidez was the first guy I thought of two
He has been absolutely nasty at 135, despite always being the smaller man. With his wrestling, I think he’ll be a brutal challenge for any 125 pounder.
Tatum: I think he's a good man. I like him. I got nothing against him, but I'm definitely gonna make orphans of his children.
by Dave Strummer on Dec 12, 2011 12:52 PM EST up reply actions
DJ can challenge him.
Benavidez is a killer, but I could see Johnson outpointing him on the feet.
"Hi. I don't know you." - me
"Cigano punch my face...all the time." - Anderson Silva
Speed vs power
I can see MM outpointing Benavidez but Joseph has tons more power in his hands, and I’d argue he is overall the stronger fighter. It all comes down toi speed, which Joseph certainly doesn’t lack
Dear audio diary: Today I may have accidentally registered myself as a sex offender! WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY LIFE
- T-Rex
by sitnam90 on Dec 12, 2011 2:04 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
It's a great matchup.
DJ matched up better with Cruz, but I do think Benavidez wins. Not without a very tough fight though.
"Hi. I don't know you." - me
"Cigano punch my face...all the time." - Anderson Silva
I can't believe I wrote "two" instead of "too"
SMH
Tatum: I think he's a good man. I like him. I got nothing against him, but I'm definitely gonna make orphans of his children.
by Dave Strummer on Dec 12, 2011 2:21 PM EST up reply actions
any chance the new guys win either fight?
havent seen enough of mccall or urushitani to think they could challenge benavidez or mighty mouse
"I have smoked weed with alot of UFC champions" - Joe Rogan
"Você ta fudido. Se vai levar muita porrada, ta ligado?" - Anderson Silva
I saw McCall on a Tachi card. Forget who he was fighting, but he looked very skilled.
"It's an odd thing, but anyone who disappears is said to be seen in San Francisco.
It must be a delightful city and possess all the attractions of the next world" - Oscar Wylde
by SanFranpsycho on Dec 12, 2011 1:24 PM EST up reply actions
McCall is a brilliant fighter.
KEMvP
"You know Joe, if Keith Jardines last name was Johnson, the nickname 'The Dean of Mean' wouldn't work at all."
by T.C. Engel on Dec 12, 2011 2:37 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I'd give McCall the best shot.
Perhaps it partially because of my familiarity with him. But, also I think Benavidez is a comfortable favorite here.
by Steve W on Dec 12, 2011 3:20 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
besides Johnson and Benavidez
Dodson and the Green Hair dude who might we see from the bantamweight division come down.
"There are no atheists in foxholes" isn't an argument against atheism, it's an argument against foxholes. ~James Morrow
"There is a fine line between fishing and just standing on the shore like an idiot."-Steven Wright
by F'n Clownshoes on Dec 12, 2011 12:44 PM EST reply actions
most likely anyone who can make it there
by benten20 on Dec 12, 2011 12:46 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Charlie Valencia is basically a lock to make the move down.
Its a tournament to crown a champ that has the linear flyweight champion in it. Nothing to complain about whatsoever. In the long term I’d like to see guys like Mamoru, BJ Kojima, and M-16 get contracts, but honestly that’s secondary to the fact that now the flyweight division will have a world of money it didn’t have access to even 6 months ago and with it, anyone who can drop from 135 (where there isn’t going to be any more money than 125) will make the drop and completely remake the standings there.
The title isn’t legit unless Mamoru Yamaguchi is in the tournament.
Zuffa needs the Illest Fro In Asia
Andre's Posse
Good call
There are a ton of flyweights like Yamaguchi I would love to see in the UFC.
by discoandherpes on Dec 12, 2011 1:21 PM EST up reply actions
He's coming off a loss, though.
One or two regional wins and he’ll get the call up.
"Hi. I don't know you." - me
"Cigano punch my face...all the time." - Anderson Silva
Shouldn’t matter since the loss was to the #2 flyweight and he looked pretty good against him.
Andre's Posse
this is true.
but has the UFC ever signed somebody coming off a loss? i can’t recall an example.
"Hi. I don't know you." - me
"Cigano punch my face...all the time." - Anderson Silva
McCall tried out for TUF 14
wonder why they didn’t take him
I'm not impressed by your performance......
probably to put him in this tournament
pretty cool card to put on the first fx card
the new fx audience will be intrigued by a tournament concept
"I have smoked weed with alot of UFC champions" - Joe Rogan
"Você ta fudido. Se vai levar muita porrada, ta ligado?" - Anderson Silva
its the second fx card...i don't think that the finals will be on the same card
although it is in australia…where anything goes
I enjoy MMA, but I am no Michael Bisping
by Andy Anderson on Dec 12, 2011 3:10 PM EST up reply actions
He would’ve been what they want McKenzie to be.
KEMvP
"You know Joe, if Keith Jardines last name was Johnson, the nickname 'The Dean of Mean' wouldn't work at all."
by T.C. Engel on Dec 12, 2011 2:38 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Not awful?
Spinning Fishes: WE SPINNIN' SO FAST WE LOOK LIKE REGULAR MOTHERFUCKIN' FISHES.
by Paulo Filho's Psychiatrist on Dec 12, 2011 2:47 PM EST up reply actions
A guy with a personality and a sick moustache that can be a contender.
KEMvP
"You know Joe, if Keith Jardines last name was Johnson, the nickname 'The Dean of Mean' wouldn't work at all."
from what ive read in a Jordan Breen piece
he was basically in but decied against it since flyweight was his niche and he was small be easier to come in as a top flyweight than locked into a tuf contract
Twitter @MaZZM
http://www.mazzznet.com/
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