MMA News Forums » MMA Forums » Noob Jack City

[trustkill]

Brian Stann likely to meet Jorge Santiago, not Wanderlei Silva, at UFC 130 | MMAjunkie.com

After recent reports of a potential return to the UFC, Sengoku middleweight champion Jorge Santiago (23-8 MMA, 1-2 UFC) appears to have an opponent: Brian Stann (10-3 MMA, 4-2 UFC).

Sources close to the organization today told MMAjunkie.com (UFC blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps | MMAjunkie.com) the two middleweight are expected to fight at UFC 130.

Stann initially was slated to Wanderlei Silva (33-10-1 MMA 3-5 UFC) at the May 28 event, though Silva repeatedly has voiced a preference not to fight the fan favorite and military hero.

Currently, bout agreements have not been signed. Additionally, Santiago's agent, Malki Kawa of Authentic Sports Management, said he couldn't confirm the fight or even if the veteran officially has signed with the UFC. Stann's rep also declined to comment.

ESPN.com initially reported Santiago's return to the UFC on Friday, though an opponent wasn't known at the time.

If the Santiago vs. Stann fight is signed, Silva likely will be shifted to another matchup, possibly against Vitor Belfort, whom he recently has been feuding via a series of interviews in the Brazilian media. Belfort recently lost a title fight with middleweight champion Anderson Silva at UFC 126.

U.S. fans likely best remember Santiago for a three-fight stint under the UFC banner in 2006. The Brazilian defeated Justin Levens but was then defeated by Chris Leben and Alan Belcher, which lead to his release.

Since that time, Santiago has racked up an impressive 11-1 record, which includes a 2007 single-night Strikeforce middleweight grand-prix championship via wins over Trevor Prangley and Sean Salmon. Santiago's current win streak also includes two memorable World Victory Road/Sengoku wins over Kazuo Misaki, as well as victories over MMA notables Siyar Bahadurzada, Logan Clark, Jeremy Horn, Mamed Khalidov, Kazuhiro Nakamura and Andrei Semenov, among others.

Stann, meanwhile, has won four of his past five fights, including a recent TKO victory over surging Leben. The former WEC light-heavyweight champ recently has stepped up his game under the tutelage of famed trainer Greg Jackson and his stable of fighters. His recent wins have come over the likes of light heavyweights Steve Cantwell and Rodney Wallace, and after a drop to middleweight, over Mike Massenzio. The lone defeat during his recent stretch came via decision to fast-rising Phil Davis.

UFC 130 takes place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The pay-per-view main card features a third meeting between UFC lightweight champ Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard.

Despite what Dana the salesman said at UFC126, I think we could all tell that Wanderlei was not enthusiastic about matching up with Stann. I'm not so familiar with Santiago, so what are peoples' predictions on how he matches up with Stann?

[IceCold48]

brian stann is a fan favorite?

[Eric T Smith]

Originally Posted by IceCold48

brian stann is a fan favorite?

He's a decorated war hero. No matter where he fights in the U.S. he will be cheered. I think Wandy was mistaken though by thinking he would be the automatic villain in that situation though. I think both guys would be cheered and we would see a good fight. I also like the new pairings. If Santiago is going to make it in the UFC this time, he will have to be able to beat guys like Stann. For Stann, a win here continues his climb up the ladder. Wandy-Belfort should be exciting. I see the same outcome as last time they fought(maybe not as quickly though), but it will be entertaining.

[Fedorlei Gomipierre]

Massive step up in competition for Stann and I think he'll be out of his league wherever this fight goes. I dunno, part of me thinks that the Leban win is more of an expression of Leban's instability than Stann being anywhere near a top ten challenger(or at least yet).

[CHAEL fan]

Originally Posted by IceCold48

brian stann is a fan favorite?

Absolutely.

[mattc25]

I was just about to post this. Why is this in noob jack ?? In regards to this fight I really like the matchup. It's definitely a tough first fight Santiago. Wand just wasn't ready to fight yet. Dana needs to let Wands knee heal so does this does not turn into a Shogun type of situation.

Massive step up in competition for Stann and I think he'll be out of his league wherever this fight goes. I dunno, part of me thinks that the Leban win is more of an expression of Leban's instability than Stann being anywhere near a top ten challenger(or at least yet).

This is definitely a step up in competition for Stann,but Santiago was not exactly fighting world beater's in WVR. I know Misaki and Khalidov are top 15 to 20 fighter's,but imo I think Stann makes this fight interesting.

As far as Stann's win over Leben ?? Who knows?....I do think Chris is taking his training seriously as of late. He just didn't look like right or like he was into it at all that night and imo that came from his illness. I couldn't imagine fighting on a stomach virus. I know when I had it felt like death has warmed over me. .........BTW If Jorge wins they should rematch him with Leben.

wake n bake grammar edit.

[Diegonightmare]

Originally Posted by IceCold48

brian stann is a fan favorite?

Fail. I'm not only unimpressed but speechless at the classlessness of your performanz.

Regarding the fight itself - man this is tough. Santiago has long been one of my favorite non-UFC fighters, but rooting against Stann is as tough as IceCold apparently finds supporting him to be. Pretty crappy matchup if you're a Santiago fan.

Santiago is often a slow starter and Brian Stann is not. That, combined with the Octagon jitters Jorge will have in returning to the big show, should favor Stann early. Stann should jump on him out of the gate.

[mattc25]

Can a mod please move this to the main forum ? Thanks.

[IceCold48]

Originally Posted by Diegonightmare

Fail. I'm not only unimpressed but speechless at the classlessness of your performanz.

Regarding the fight itself - man this is tough. Santiago has long been one of my favorite non-UFC fighters, but rooting against Stann is as tough as IceCold apparently finds supporting him to be. Pretty crappy matchup if you're a Santiago fan.

Santiago is often a slow starter and Brian Stann is not. That, combined with the Octagon jitters Jorge will have in returning to the big show, should favor Stann early. Stann should jump on him out of the gate.

i didnt know he was a fan favorite because a bunch of people on here were saying how much they didnt like him before the leben fight