Luis Cane vs Steve Cantwell UFC 97 fight likely

by MMAmania.com on Jan 22, 2009 1:41 AM EST Comment 78 comments

Surging light heavyweight contender Luis Cane (9-1) will likely get to sink his chops into the last man to hold the World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) 205-pound title, Steve Cantwell (7-1), at UFC 97 from The Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, on April 18.

"Banha" was supposed to collide with Keith Jardine; however, "The Dean of Mean" now has bigger and better things to take care of, namely Quinton "Rampage" Jackson," after division champion Rashad Evans revealed he would not be ready in time for UFC 96 in March.

So it's Cane vs. Cantwell at UFC 97 and Jardine vs. Jackson at UFC 96.

Cane destroyed Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou via second round technical knockout at UFC 89: "Bisping vs. Leben" back in October. It was his second straight win — the Brazilian heel stopped Jason Lambert at UFC 85: "Bedlam" last June.

His only loss is to James Irvin, which was ruled a disqualification because of an errant knee to the face. The 27-year-old fighter is tough as nails and comes prepared to bang, which means that Cantwell ought to as well.

"Robot" finished Razak Al Hassan with a first round armbar in his Octagon debut at UFC Fight Night 16: "Fight for the Troops" in December 2008; however, the Iowa resident refused to tap, causing his elbow to buckle under the pressure.

It was a grisly scene made worse by the classless comments from Cantwell in wake of the win (he apologized to Al Hassan for the remarks shortly after their fight).

Cantwell is riding a four-fight win streak after suffering the first loss of his career to Brian Stann back in early 2007. He's stopped all four opponents on his current run, including a win against Stann in a rematch. In fact, Cantwell has never been the distance in eight professional mixed martial arts bouts, win or lose.

UFC 97 will likely feature middleweight champion Anderson Silva, defending his 185-pound strap against Thales Leites. Company President Dana White recently announced during the UFC 93 post-event press conference that Chuck "The Iceman" Liddell and Mauricio "Shogun" Rua would also square off in the co-main event.

To check out the latest UFC 97 fight card and rumors click here.

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I was kinda hoping they would put Banha up against a tougher opponent.

by c-war on Jan 22, 2009 1:48 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

i was aswell but i dont like cantwell. Running around the cage screaming i broke it, i broke it!

Hopefully Cane knocks him out round 1

by Braveheart on Jan 22, 2009 7:11 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree with you guys. I think Cantwell is a step down in the rankings from Soko, although maybe not a step down in skill level. I think Cane will take this one anyway though. He’s practically undefeated, and Cantwell has been knocked out before. I really like Banha, and I think he will make some waves in the UFC this year and emerge into title contention. Possibly a fight for the title in mid or late 2010.

by Synyster [[2009 Year of Gegard Mousasi]] on Jan 22, 2009 7:20 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Couldnt agree more! This is a step down for Banha who will have no problems knocking out Cantwell. Banha is a ruthless animal. If THiago Silva loses to Machida and Banha wins, I bet anything that the next fight booked is Banha vs. Tiago Silva. THose 2 hate each other from a feud in Brazil. THat would be an awesome fight!

by john on Jan 22, 2009 7:23 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Banha/Silva would be awesome. I’m riding high on T.Silva’s nuts, but Cane is a beast as well. I haven’t seen too many of Cane’s fights though.

How is he on the ground, compared to Silva?
Also, how is his composure?

Silva doesn’t always walk through his opponents, as I’ve seen, he usually takes a few shots to land his own, and (obviously) it always works out. The Mendes fight is a good one at showing that. The headkick drop and the leg kick takedown counter Mendes did. Silva was very calm there, and proceeded to pound away. But yeah, can you answer those questions anyone?

by Synyster [[2009 Year of Gegard Mousasi]] on Jan 22, 2009 7:34 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

sounds good to me :D id pick banha in that fight

by Jared on Jan 22, 2009 7:35 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

LIke Silva, Banha is also very composed. I am not sure about Banha’s ground game, but I think I read somewhere that its very good. Silva probably has the advantage on the ground. He gets to the mount very easily and his G n P is Brutal!

Also, I just read that Mark Coleman is open to fighting Cro Cop at UFC 99 in germany, but only if Mirko comes down to 205 lbs. Mark stated he is done at HW!

by john on Jan 22, 2009 7:40 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

My posts aren’t coming up…

by Synyster [[2009 Year of Gegard Mousasi]] on Jan 22, 2009 7:52 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I’ll just post again.

Most Brazilian guys have good jits, but half the time BJJ black belts can’t translate that to effective MMA jits.

And T.Silva’s Mount = DEATH

Pray he gets mount on Machida.

by Synyster [[2009 Year of Gegard Mousasi]] on Jan 22, 2009 7:57 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

THe song of the day (or should I say song of LAST NIGHT):

Gerard way: “why dont you come have dirty hot sex with me”! lmao! Good times! Why do I have to graduate?

by john on Jan 22, 2009 8:01 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

lol… college… are you in a fraternity?

by brendan on Jan 22, 2009 8:14 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

cane should have this 1 in the bag for sure i would’ve defo like to see him submit jardine but jackson can knock him out instead. this fight is definately too much for cantwell, banha so far looks to have a chin of steal and solid KO power

by ufcaddict on Jan 22, 2009 8:31 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Nah, Brendan…I dont do that Frat crap (Rent-a-friend lol).

I have to graduate in June and I dont want to! I am having way too much fun.

by john on Jan 22, 2009 8:51 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

OMG!!! I just saw the coolest Fedor interview EVER! I have never seen Fedor act like this.

Interviewer asked him about Tim Sylvia:

Fedor said “Tim sylvia” and then started busting out laughing!…Then Fedor said “It was over quickly”….“He didnt even get to hit me” and started laughing some more. I have never seen Fedor act that way and it was awesome to see. THat just made my day!

by john on Jan 22, 2009 8:55 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think the UFC is punishing Cantwell for the comments he made after the Al Hassan fight by feeding him to Banha. Cantwell’s strength plays right into Banha’s, and I see him finishing Cantwell late in the first round or early in the second.

by GregC on Jan 22, 2009 2:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

This fight sucks, Cantwell doesn’t belong in the UFC. Banha will send him packing. John – i think that was part of the hour show they did on him for FSN. It was a pretty awesome show, on par with primetime IMO.

by NameNotRequired on Jan 22, 2009 7:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Don’t count Cantwell short, he’s gonna be very well prepared for this fight. As far as calling him classless, its just a comment from people who don’t know him, he’s one the chillest most humble guys in the sport. What happened during the last fight was just a guy who got excited in his first UFC fight.

by exqueezme on Jan 23, 2009 3:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Cane shouldn’t have any problem beating Cantwell. I hope he f$&ks him up, Cantwell is a punk. Was hoping for a tougher opponent for Cane.

by allamerican on Jan 22, 2009 8:05 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

whats up with all u guys and the hate for cantwell. he’s a punk, your some computer nerd bithcing about a professional fighter. he seems like a nice guy, we all get carried away now and again

by denniskuderjr on Jan 22, 2009 8:10 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Nobody cared about him until he started dancing and celebrating after breaking that kid’s arm at the Fight for the Troops event in Dec. Plus, his voice sounds like mine when I hit puberty. You know, when it’s time to change then it’s time to chay-e-ange.

by PW on Jan 22, 2009 9:58 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

This fight is far closer than people are thinking.

by R/p on Jan 22, 2009 9:55 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

agreed R/P. Cane should win this fight but Cantwell is legit. Maybe the best import from WEC. Cantwell is not a likeable guy…his personality sucks and he’s got that look about him that makes u not like him, but I actually really like him as a fighter. If I hadn’t seen Cane just absorb everything Soko had and keep coming forward I would take Cantwell in this fight. However, I did see him walk thru some bombs like terminator or robo cop so i’m not convinced cantwell can hurt him. Cane 2nd rd tko

by Crowls on Jan 22, 2009 8:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Luis Cane, my mannnnn, is gonna knock out this WEC reject…this should be a cake walk…Banha deserves to fight a more notable contender..I much rather see him fight Brandon Vera.

by pride 4 ever on Jan 22, 2009 1:51 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I doubt that very much.

by mike on Jan 22, 2009 1:58 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Are you kidding me..Luis Cane’s standup is far superior than Cantwell..I retract my previous statement that it will be a cakewalk, but Banha is gonna beat this dude via strikes..He has a strong chin, in his last fight he took some powerful shots from Sokoudjou’s and couldn’t be finished..Banha all the way homeyy

by pride 4 ever on Jan 22, 2009 2:16 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I still doubt it very much.

by mike on Jan 22, 2009 2:35 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

just because he said cane is gonna destroy cantwell i say he gets ktfo..

james irvin stated his power was weak to begin with and cantwell has some serious power, cantwell wins this and drops to 185

by randy murders on Jan 22, 2009 3:01 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I totally agree.

by mike on Jan 22, 2009 3:25 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Cane took everything Soko could give him and was not even phazed. I am not saying Soko is in the same league as Cantwell, but he did knock out Arona and Nog, so that has say something about Canes’ jaw. I do not know that much about Cantwell, but by the way you seem to be completely dismissing Canes’ chances, he has to be pretty outsatnding. Cane looks like he can give anybody in that division some serious trouble.

by Ade on Jan 22, 2009 4:13 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I really like Cantwell and Cane and would prefer they didn’t match these two up and comers against each other so soon.

For anyone saying this will be easy for Cane hasn’t really seen Cantwell. I’d give Cane the advantage but Cantwell will not be giving up unless you make him.

by Ca$z on Jan 22, 2009 4:48 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

…Banha will make him

by Hero-Of-Time on Jan 22, 2009 9:53 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You all gonna be surprised at Cantwell during this fight, I’m telling you all he belongs in this division and can go toe to toe with anyone.

by exqueezme on Jan 23, 2009 3:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

If Vera gets by Mike Pat we could see that in the summer

by Braveheart on Jan 22, 2009 7:12 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

lol if he loses he might as well retire

by brendan on Jan 22, 2009 10:42 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

HAHA so true.. hes gone from exciting to more boring then machida

by randy murders on Jan 22, 2009 12:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

This will be a war, dont sleep on Cantwell.

by DirtyML on Jan 22, 2009 2:23 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Punishment for his no class post fight antics. He is gonna get demolished.

by Harry Triangle on Jan 22, 2009 2:30 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Amen to that Harry

by Braveheart on Jan 22, 2009 7:10 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

YES! BREAK HIS FACE CANE!

by Gankaho on Jan 22, 2009 10:27 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You are moderating that post? That is why I dont come here anymore.

by Harry Triangle on Jan 22, 2009 2:32 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

you aren’t missed

by randy murders on Jan 22, 2009 3:02 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Has the makings of an exciting fight. I really enjoy watching them both. I think it’s a good matchup

by the matt king on Jan 22, 2009 2:44 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I’m going with Cantwell. Cane is overrated right now. Both of his UFC victims are gone, and Soku fought a very undisciplined fight against him. Its going to be close but surely awesome.

by EazyEismydad on Jan 22, 2009 2:47 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Sokoudju has no cardio and Cane just waited him out until he was tired and then took advantage. Cane wont be so lucky with the other fighters at this level. Sokoudju isnt all that good anyway, he got knocked out by Glover Teixiera the same way.

by mike on Jan 22, 2009 3:29 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

both of his UFC victims are gone b/c they had to fight him.. the only problem when i see him fighting is that B.Buffer is pronouncing it Ban-ha instead of Banja..

by RoB on Jan 22, 2009 6:02 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I thought it was Ban-ha too… but I don’t know pronunciation in Portuguese either..

by Synyster [[2009 Year of Gegard Mousasi]] on Jan 22, 2009 7:23 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Banya its pronounced!

by john on Jan 22, 2009 7:25 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

exactly..

by RoB on Jan 22, 2009 7:55 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Cane was owning Irvin aswell untill the DQ. He might aswell be 3-0

by Braveheart on Jan 22, 2009 7:14 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

i actually think cantwell might pull it off, he has ko power as shown on stann, and he wants to show his ufc ability, but either way i think itll be awesome fight

by phenomenal angel on Jan 22, 2009 3:51 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Though Cantwell is tough, this is bad news for him.

by AA on Jan 22, 2009 5:28 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I wanted to see Cantwell get his ass kicked for his antics @ fight for the troops!

Cane vs The winner of Shogun vs Liddell in the September/October anyone?

by Braveheart on Jan 22, 2009 7:06 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

thiago silva vs luis cane. who you think will win?

by mad_drummer on Jan 22, 2009 7:24 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

This fight will happen, probably this summer as long as Machida beats Tiago. Dont know who will win, I give the early edge to Silva. THese 2 hate each other, the UFC is aware of that fact…..No doubt in my mind that we will see these 2 fight each other by the end of the summer.

Early advantage goes to Silva

by john on Jan 22, 2009 7:26 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Machida will not beat Tiago. They will have Evans vs Tiago for the belt UFC 100. Machida will face winner of cane/cantwell. Rampage will be #1 contender after whooping up on Jardine. Rampge vs Evens/tiago will be off the charts.

by Ralphie on Jan 22, 2009 9:24 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

WRONG!!!!! After Rampage destroys Jardine, he will be ready by UFC 100 to fight for the title. Next title fight is going to be Evans vs. Rampage….NO DOUBT about it!

by john on Jan 22, 2009 9:57 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Hey John doesn’t Rashad have to fight someone before this summer? That will be like 7 months off.

by jay on Jan 22, 2009 10:39 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

almost feel bad for cantwell…almost. this won’t be pretty.

by battery on Jan 22, 2009 7:58 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I hope Banha clobbers Cantwell. I like Cane’s style and I think Cantwell is a d-bag.

by Bill Maher on Jan 22, 2009 8:52 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I think I am the only one pulling for Cantwell. I respect Cane’s punching power, but other than that I havent been really impressed by him.

by subwayy2sallyy on Jan 22, 2009 9:35 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

good fight a step down from jardine but i think cane will knock him out

by bryant on Jan 22, 2009 11:26 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

His last fight against Sokoudjou was pretty good, honestly I dont like Sokoudjou and thought Cane should have taken him out sooner but Sokoudjou was bringing the rain and Cane took it all hung in there and won the fight, I was impressed with his toughness in that fight and believe that he will dismantle Cantwell quickly.

by Spyder on Jan 22, 2009 11:28 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I think Cantwell is very technical and this will not be an easy fight for Cane. Cantwell has precision striking and a well rounded ground game. I think this fight might go the distance and whoever has the stamina at the end will pull it off

by exqueezme on Jan 23, 2009 3:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Makes for a very interesting fight. i think Cantwell takes it and suprises the shit out of everyone.

by belfort_fan on Jan 22, 2009 12:25 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

i’m taking cantwell…by ko late 1st-early 2nd rnd…. if he somehow pulls that off where do u think he’d stand n the division …i’d say def nt fighting up and comers or tuf guyz..(excluding bader n maybe kryst)

by maxxwell99 on Jan 22, 2009 12:34 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I can’t believe how many people are picking Cantwell in this fight you people are really ignorant.
I understand Cantwell is no scrub but he’s in way over his head in this fight. He isn’t going against a Razak Al-Hussan or Brian Stann.
He isn’t going to get Cane on the ground and standing he’s going to get hurt badly.

by Tyler on Jan 22, 2009 2:03 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Ease up dude. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Who the hell do you think you are? What makes your opinion better than anyone elses? This is MMA and anything can happen. What will you have to say if Cantwell does win? You will either make some lame ass excuse for him or we wont even see you on here anymore because you will be in a corner somewhere curled up in the fetal position crying your eyes out.

by mike on Jan 22, 2009 5:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry, but I don’t make a habit of curling up in the fetal position or making excuses. What will I say if Cantwell pulls off a huge upset? I’d say I was shocked. What the hell do you think I’d say? Also no one making an intelligent pick in this potential match would pick Cantwell. He’s too green and doesn’t hit as hard as Cane and his strikes aren’t as sharp. That’s why my opinion is better than the moron’s who predicted a Cantwell win.

by Tyler on Jan 22, 2009 8:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

First of all Cane did not destroy soukoudjou, soukoudjou won round 1 and then gassed, which lead to his defeat.

And second of all Cantwell’s comments were not classless. He was in the heat of a moment and who gives a shit if he wants to armbar a guy?

by Jared on Jan 22, 2009 8:27 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Yah good call mike and jared i agree with you 100% ..this tyler guy seems to be on the “jock luis cane’s nuts” bandwagon….. he knocked out a gassed soko…. beat a really WASHED UP lambert…..and got a DQ against a pill poppin Irvin…..so all this talk bout him being a bad ass and the next big thing is a lil too much i think cuz he hasnt KO’d any rashad’s or thiago’s so dnt talk bout him like hes gonna destroy cantwell or that he aint in his league cuz garanteed this is one of those fights that will get ppl talkin bout cantwell in a positive way instead of bashing him 4 dislocating someones arm and talkin smack n the heat of da moment..so yah the underdog will come out on top watch n see

by mawell99 on Jan 22, 2009 9:41 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

You might want to watch some fighters who you don’t only see on Spike and Versus.
Cane has had a lot more than the three fights you seem to think he’s had also Cantwell was Tko’d by Brian Stann for christ sake.
Do you know what Cane will do to him if he connects with a left hook. He’ll blow up his jaw!

by Slug you in the walnuts on Jan 23, 2009 1:59 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Cantwell is stopping by in a few, I’ll talk to him about all this and post his comments in a couple of hours…let me know if you guys have specific questions for him.

by exqueezme on Jan 23, 2009 3:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe you didnt watch the fight on VS either…Stann hit Cantwell behind the ear and the fight was called almost instantly. In the rematch Cantwell stood up with Stann the entire match exchanging blow for blow. Ya know the same Brian Stann that EVERYONE knew was going to just rip through the LHWs. I agree this going to be a tough fight for Cantwell..but its not impossible for him to win..IMO.

by C.J. on Jan 23, 2009 2:55 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

hey walnut ..yah i kno cane has fought other guys outside the ufc….and there’s only one guy on there who had an 8-2 record thats even worth mentioning…next best had an outstanding 5-3 record and the rest barely have 3 fights even shown on record so i wouldnt say hes beat top caliber opponents besides the couple wins hes picked up lately so i wouldnt count cantwell out … al hussan was a pretty big 205er jus like cane is so if cantwell doesnt get caught with a solid punch or ten and makes somethin happen then maybe ppl will start givin him a lil more credit instead of bashing him 4 snapping a guys arm..and good points 2 by the way CJ bout the ear shot ..that was a fast stoppage

by mawell99 on Jan 23, 2009 8:48 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Steve Cantwell is a very dangerous fighter! Don’t laugh, but he reminds me of the NY Giants last year. He has a confidence about him and he’s peaking at the right time. He has really improved since his 1st fight with Brian Stann. The last four fights have shown no weaknesses. He has great technique (Brian Stann said that was why Steve beat him). He doesn’t just cover up and throw bombs. He sticks and moves with power. He really mixes it up with kicks, punches and knees too. He has good defense. The infamous arm bar obviously showed that he has some tricks up his sleeve on the ground and he ain’t afraid to use them. His fight with McKenzie (before Stann 2)was impressive…McKenzie’s no slouch. Steve definitely deserved the flogging he has received for his comments after his last fight, but I think he learned his lesson. I’m very curious to see his next fight and how he handles himself in public.

by Some guy on Jan 30, 2009 1:16 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

too many critics . anyone who knows anything about the fight game knows that in the in the ensuing minutes after a fight , the adrenaline is flowing . Steve spoke with Razak and apologized . As for his fight against Cane . Steve will shock you armchair quarterbacks . He’s training harder than you will ever know . Good fight , another victory for Cantwell !

by steve thompson on Feb 18, 2009 7:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

steve cantwell is a great fighter…the next up and coming big name fighter, whether in the UFC or the WEC…cantwell’s mission seems to be to “chew up 205 pounders all day long”…hope cane isn’t looking past cantwell, cause cane’s gonna get whooped!!..

by rich on Mar 1, 2009 11:05 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Cane is not looking past Cantwell, in fact he is training harder then ever. People are saying that Cantwell needs to get this to the ground because of Cane’s knockout power, but what about Cane growing up on the ground? The guy hasnt had to use his jujitsu because he keeps knocking people out. Dont get me wrong, Cantwell seems like a tough kid, but he is overmatched in this fight as Cane should be competing against top 5 fighters. I call Cane first round KO, then you will see Cane fight Thiago Silva this summer. That will be a great fight!

by SD on Mar 8, 2009 12:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs