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[kickass32]

Jeff Monson:

Jeff Monson: “This is how I am and that’s the way it is.”
Posted by Brendhan Conlan

When talking about the top heavyweights in MMA it seems one man is often overlooked in the discussion though not for lack of accomplishment on his part. He is a former title-contender in the UFC who has gone 17-5 since parting ways with the organization in late 2006 including victories over a Strikeforce World Grand Prix semi-finalist and Ultimate Fighter winner during the span. He’s also only been finished once in the last nine years while submitting the last five opponents he’s faced.

The afore-mentioned individual, as indicated by the headline, is of course Jeff Monson.

Monson’s run since a less-than memorable loss to Tim Sylvia at UFC 65 has been one of the more successful of any heavyweight not currently calling a major organization home and features notable victories over individuals like Kazuyuki Fujita, Ricco Rodriguez, Sergei Kharitonov, and Roy Nelson.

The 40-year grappler will look to continue his winning ways Friday night in the Sunshine State at Fight Time 4 against Tony Lopez, a 23-5 King of the Cage champ who has avoided the judges’ scorecards en route to victory twenty of twenty-three times.

“I like fighting for different organizations, travelling and that kind of thing, but I mean I think as this point it would be nice to settle down with an organization and fight for them,” the 40-year old explained of his decision to remain a free agent of sorts. “I have a good relationship with the UFC and am looking to get back at some point.”


“I’m definitely looking at the possibility of competing at 205. At this point I think you have to look at your career. I’m fighting and I want to be champion, I want to be the best. Is it going to happen at heavyweight? It’s gonna be tough. These guys are, like me, pretty quick and good except they’re like forty pounds heavier,” said the 5’9” American Top Teamer.

“So light heavyweight is definitely a thing I can make given my wrestling background and cutting weight, so making the weight isn’t a problem,” he continued. “It’s just finding the right opportunity. I’m not gonna just cut to 205, fight this guy here and this guy there and this guy here – I want to get established with an organization. That would go a long ways towards securing (the drop) in my head.”

Regardless of what his future may hold in terms of employment, opponents, or weight-class, Monson’s focus is clearly on his April 1 appearance in Fort Lauderdale against Lopez who fits the bill in terms of a larger foe given the Californian’s eight-inch height advantage.

“I think my grappling is really good and he’s got a reputation on the ground too so it’s exciting. He’s a tall guy and I’ve had some difficulty with tall guys in the past too so he obviously presents a few problems, he’s a tough guy,” Monson began. “But the motivation comes from the fact I like to win, I like to compete. You have a tough guy in front of you and you have to take the fight very seriously, and I’m training really hard for it. He presents a challenge and that makes it exciting for me.”

As far as Monson’s approach to dealing with Lopez’s size, “The Snowman” cited some improved Muay Thai skills enabling him to close the distance, saying, “There’s no secret about it – I’ve gotta get in. So (I’m) working on a lot of striking to get inside. I think I have an advantage inside, working my dirty boxing, so you could see a lot of that.”

In closing the 40-11 veteran with twenty-six submission victories gave thanks to his training partners at ATT, offering gratitude for the gym being there throughout his ups and downs.

“They’ve been there for a lot of hard times so especially them.”

As per usuall....link...full article

[Leucoethiops]

I always like watching Monson fight and would love to see him back in the UFC; dude's a beast.

[KevoOnTheRadio]

LHW or HW. UFC or SF. Please, just do something!

[beau420]

I wish he were back in the UFC, but I don't see him coming back unless their are a couple injuries in the UFC at HW or some sort of catch weight. Or maybe if there is an up and coming guy they want to try and put over (use him a la Mark Coleman)

Tony Lopez would be big win...always enjoy that guy.

Two very experienced guys going at it usually means it's going to be either a very entertaining fight or a stalemate of some type.

I don't see it going good for Lopez....Tony is a good boxer, decent low kicks and loves going for the clinch and if it goes to the ground, he gets put on his back a lot, but has great defence and likes to throw submission attempts. Monson is so big and powerful, I don't see him being put on his back (which because of is size and stalky build, can work against him sometimes)

The only way I could see Lopez winning is by staying on his feet and trying to tire Monson (or absorb the damage) get him tired and then unleash a barrage of combinations to have the fight stopped.

But Monson has been in great shape and looked good so...gotta go Monson.

As for any future in the UFC....very very doubtful. The UFC doesn't like old people, they don't like people who were in the UFC and then got arrested which looked bad in the headlines not good for the sport, and the UFC doesn't like hiring admitted roid users who admit what he has. He has a couple strikes against him...more so than Tim Sylvia I think (although Sylvia is probably done after that last fight) he has less strikes against him than Monson.

He is the wrong size too....it sucks. I think it would be a wise idea for him to try and work his way to Strikeforce. Imagine Valentijn Overeem vs Monson or some other smaller HWs...although Valentijn has bulked up, not as much as his bro....maybe Arlovski if he is still hell bent on fighting....or Shane Del Rosario....Daniel Cormier.

One way I could see Monson getting into a UFC Brazil or UFC Australia...some LHW or HW gets injured and they can't find any Brazilian or Australian to replace him, then Monson comes in..even with his arrest problem in the States he gets around the world a lot.

[Y2JUBAE]

I have no idea why UFC or SF haven't picked him up.

[Rumble]

Originally Posted by Leucoethiops

I always like watching Monson fight and would love to see him back in the UFC; dude's a beast.

Yea, dude is a monster.

I saw him at the airport back in November. He was like 5 or 6 people behind me in the security line. The dude is huge for his height, but what was really funny was seeing this huge dude covered in tattoos, wearing a black shirt and converse with a shaved head carrying a tiny baby girl dressed in all pink in his arms. It was for that sole reason I didn't want to bug him to get an autograph, but it took all my restraint haha.

[WileyThaOne]

Originally Posted by Leucoethiops

I always like watching Monson fight and would love to see him back in the UFC; dude's a beast.

i agree he has always been one of my favorites

[W.Silva>C.Norris]

monson at 205 is a scary concept.

[TheKidInside]

I'm certain he's announced his drop to 205 exclusively on Low Kick a few months back and I'd personally love to see him in the Bellator 205 tourney. Since, Daniel Gracie is out, he'd totally be the fave...besides watching those two grapple = Winning (what the heck that means...)

[fuzzrocks5285]

always liked the snowman