Joe Stevenson to train with Greg Jackson and Co. for critical Nate Diaz TUF 9 Finale fight
by MMAmania.com on Apr 28, 2009 11:47 AM EDT
57 comments
"There is nothing wrong with change, if it is in the right direction"
Former number one lightweight contender Joe Stevenson is taking a page out of Winston Churchill’s book of wisdom, deciding to travel about 700 miles from his home in Victorville, Calif., to Albuquerque, N.M., to prepare with Team Jackson for his upcoming lightweight fight against Nate Diaz at The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 9 Finale on June 20.
"Daddy" is mired in a rare slump, losing back-to-back bouts and three of his last four. However, those three losses have come to UFC Lightweight Champion BJ Penn, the division’s current number one contender Kenny "KenFlo" Florian and, most recently, the new-look Diego "Nightmare" Sanchez.
That’s some stiff competition.
Nonetheless, The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 2 welterweight winner understands that consistently taking on the best the division has to offer is not going to cut it unless he can start adding "W’s" to his win column, which is the reason behind the temporary change of scenery.
Indeed, Stevenson is still very involved with his Cobra Kai gym in Victorville and there is no strain on his relationship with his head trainer there, Irvin Bounds. This move is all about mixing it up, getting new looks with new training partners to ensure that he leaves no stone unturned heading into his showdown with Diaz.
Losing, at this point, is simply no longer an option for the 25-year-old father of four (not that it ever really was). In short, he is prepared to do whatever it takes to ensure that no longer happens … even if it means being away from his family and normal day-to-day routine.
And the "direction" that he chose couldn’t be more right.
The newly-minted Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt will put his skills to the test against Greg Jackson’s dynamic roster of successful mixed martial artists, which includes some of the very best athletes in the business, including UFC champions Rashad Evans and Georges St. Pierre, as well as top contenders such as Nate Marquardt, Keith Jardine and Donald Cerrone (WEC).
Athletes is the operative word here: Stevenson needs to work on improving all areas of his game -- not just his effective ground attack that has gotten him this far -- if he intends to remain a legitimate contender and possible champion in the future.
And if there is anyone who can squeeze every ounce of skill out of Stevenson, as well as help him reach his true potential, it is Jackson -- widely considered the best trainer/gameplanner in the sport -- and his All Star crew.
Change, in this case, doesn’t get much better.
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+1. Alteast he knows he has to change. Some people never reach that point.
by BIll Maher on Apr 28, 2009 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
ya i tend to agree, alot of fighters stick with who they have- and never mix it up, Greg Jackson is by far the best trainer- i’d say Extreme Couture is second best out of all the camps- Big bear was up their at one point till that whole Drama happend with Rampage… Stevenson has lots of skills and i like him, BUT the fight against Sanchez just showed that he hasn’t evolved as a fighter standing their and not mixing it up doesn’t get you Wins anyone not at this level..
by ricky on Apr 28, 2009 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah kinda like the new and improved Chuck Liddell? lol It’s a fact if you don’t evolve, you get left in the dust.
by Dragon on Apr 28, 2009 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Joe is only in his mid 20’s, which gave him the benefit of not being an old dog, like Chuck
by BIll Maher on Apr 28, 2009 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah dragon chuck couldn’t change after nearly 25 years of that style, in karate,wrestling and mma you just don’t change, joe can
by randy murders on Apr 28, 2009 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
True, but you still gotta mix it up. Being great at just one thing and okay and everything else will only get you so far. You gotta be well rounded in mma 2day.
by Dragon on Apr 28, 2009 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I know murders, it would have been harder for chuck. But he was saying before the fight how he changed all this stuff but when the bell rang it was the same guy, with the same camp, and the same trainer that was with him in the 3 fights he lost before that. He could have mixed it up and went to another camp.
by Dragon on Apr 28, 2009 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
At the end of the day it takes a long time to break old habits. When they get in there they fall back on their old routine. It takes alot of time to incorporate new technique into your base fighting instincts.
by DSmith on Apr 28, 2009 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think this is a great idea for JOe…he seemed to have plateau recently. A change to a different and top notch camp may be just to think to jump start his career. HIs career def needed a boost and this might to the trick….TO bad Diaz is going to be a Tough SOB to try his new tricks against!
by john on Apr 28, 2009 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Mania: He was never the top welterweight contender, he was the top lightweight contender and the welterweight ultimate fighter.
by DB on Apr 28, 2009 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
its good to see that he knows he needs a change up in training, but i still dont think it is going to help him against the amazingly articulate diaz
by child on Apr 28, 2009 6:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
crazy thing is stevenson has been fighting almost as long as chuck. but i dont think itll make a difference and nate will whipe the floor with him
by Jared on Apr 28, 2009 7:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
A new camp that will teach him a new technique, greasing!
by Syd[a.k.a. "the Negation"] on Apr 29, 2009 12:24 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Anderson Silva vs. Forrest Griffin verbally agreed upon for UFC 101 August 8th in Philly…sick im gettin tickets.
by matt on Apr 28, 2009 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Great move on his part. He was fading very fast and getting left in the dust. I think he’ll need at least a full six months before he’ll be able to gel everything together. I remember Huerta saying that he learned so much while in training camp with them that he still needed time to put it all together. I’m looking forward to the “new” Joe Daddy. It’s nice that his old camp is supportive as well.
by DSmith on Apr 28, 2009 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Fighters out of the Jackson camp are always improving, mixing things up and they’re all well rounded. I think Stevenson is very good at the moment, but too one dimensional and this move could help him get to that truely elite level.
by BritishBulldog on Apr 28, 2009 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nice write up, Mania.
I saw the re-broadcast of the UFC event in London(?) with Diego v. Joe.
A very wise choice for Joe but I don’t think it will be enough against Diaz.
by OJR on Apr 28, 2009 11:52 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I don’t understand why they made this matchup. Two good fighters, marketable fighters, and one will either have 2 losses in a row or 3.
Diaz will win.
by Synyster on Apr 28, 2009 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Smart move Joe.
I hope he smashes Diaz’s face in. I dont love Joe but I cant stand Diaz.
by WB on Apr 28, 2009 12:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Off topic…How’s everyone finding the UFC game demo? I’m personally falling in love with the ground game, as I figured I would.
by Tom on Apr 28, 2009 12:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I agree ko’ing people is fun, but the ground game is where it’s at. I’m having trouble subbing the cpu, any pointers?
by Dragon on Apr 28, 2009 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i have yet to sub the computer but have subbed my friend with an arm bar. and i did end a fight with a spinning back kick, that was neat.
by Ted on Apr 28, 2009 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
to sub the computer you’ve gotta try sub attempts all the way through round 1 (even though you wont sub him) and then usually in round 2 (if you keep trying) you get the sub
i think it is good that you can be dominating all the way through the fight but then a head kick comes out of nowhere and you’ve lost the fight….. i think its great that you can lose the fight at any time….. it makes it that bit harder which is good because i hate when fighting games are too easy
by ufcaddict on Apr 28, 2009 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It’s very hard to sub the computer, I’ve done it twice now, but it took me untill late 2nd or 3rd round to do it. I think it’s easier if you can make him wear down with some transision blocking and working his body/legs first.
by Tom on Apr 28, 2009 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was shocked with the game.I thought it was going to be terrible, but it really surprised me as a decent fighting game…no,a decent MMA simulator. It’s much more than a fighting game.
by Sean M on Apr 28, 2009 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah i’ve done the submissions a few times. the only way i’ve been able to be successful with them is to land nothing but body punches and kicks until their stamina is almost completely depleted and they are getting “hurt” from the body shot. then i go into guard and pass to half guard and land another body shot to “hurt” them again and go for the submission from there. it normally takes until the end of the 2nd or sometime in the 3rd to get one off… i’ve read that playing against a human it is much easier to pull off as they don’t have the same stick swirl speed as the computer.
by newkoba on Apr 28, 2009 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah I think that’s about as close as it gets to simulating an MMA fight. It would be impossible to completely mimic every fighters different personallity and fighting behavior, but this game comes damn close. Flying armbar is always fun lol.
by Tom on Apr 28, 2009 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah that meakes since, I have subbed my buddy but not the cpu. Anyway whats your guys’ quickest ko? My buddy ko’d shogun in 13 seconds his first time playing!! I couldn’t beleive it my quickest is like a minute and a half.
by Dragon on Apr 28, 2009 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The game is really fun and definately duplicates a ufc pay per veiw well.
by Dragon on Apr 28, 2009 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
My buddy KO’d me in 4 seconds with Liddell. I ran across the octagon and he did a spinning back-elbow. BOOM! flash KO lol. He didn’t even have to take a step forward.
by Tom on Apr 28, 2009 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i don’t remember the time but the fight was two hits. i did a superman punch and then a right head kick and rua went out.
by newkoba on Apr 28, 2009 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I hope stevenson beats Diaz also. But, he has no chance. Joe Stevenson is the most overrated fighter with only one way to win and that is by guillotine choke. Any good fighter knows how to defend against this and that’s why he couldnt win his last few fights. He shouldve never been given a title shot against BJ. He is just an average Joe!
by horny for gina on Apr 28, 2009 12:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
He will be better this time around with his new training partners and he’s not overrated at all
by kingkong on Apr 28, 2009 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And off topic, is it official that Anderson Silva will be fighting Keith Jardine at LHW next?
by horny for gina on Apr 28, 2009 12:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
i thought it was with Forrest Griffin?? i don’t think they’ll give Keith Jardine to Silva- if they do i really feel bad for Keith poor guy has beatin two ex-champs and can’t catch a break if his life depended on him from Dana
by ricky on Apr 28, 2009 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just got news from my “inside” source, and the news is Anderson silva is going to switzerland to be cloned, and then face off at ufc 102, against himself!!! lol John is such a d bag.
by Dragon on Apr 28, 2009 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Joe may be bigger and stronger, but Nate is still going to win this fight. Nate is way more technical with his boxing, avoiding taking punishment, and although only a PB in BJJ, is probably more advanced than Joe’s BB. Nate wins this fight… not sure exactly how… but he wins for sure. If Nate doesn’t submit Joe, it’ll be a decision.
by DanaSwallows on Apr 28, 2009 12:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Anderson Silva can beat anyone in the UFC out of any weight class at this point…I would love for him to smash lesners face in with his shin and prove to everyone lesner is not a UFC fighter…
by What? on Apr 28, 2009 12:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Kinda Random- but i do tend to agree with you lol it wont’ happen but it would be nice to see that
by ricky on Apr 28, 2009 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
What are you smoking lesnar would just bearhug silva till his body exploded, and no he wouldn’t beat anyone in any weight class thats for sure what he beat jame irvin…lol let him fight a better lhw then maybe you can say he can beat any lhw
by kingkong on Apr 28, 2009 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good call Joe. Change is good. And after losing 3/4, I think it can only help. Evolution is key in this young sport.
by GodDamnMike on Apr 28, 2009 12:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
This guy is a 1 dimensional fighter. I take that back. This guy is a boxer and needs to leave MMA and become a boxer.
by Alex on Apr 28, 2009 12:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Actually he’s a wrestler just his corner guy is a moron for telling him to try and stand and trade
by kingkong on Apr 28, 2009 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Joe, with 4 kids and an overbearing old lady, you’re pussy whipped. Admit it. You got hitched too young if you wanted a fight career.
by Smarg on Apr 28, 2009 12:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Good move by Joe, Greg Jackson is the best MMA trainer out there at this time. Stevenson has looked awful in his recent fights, his stand up has been limited to mediocre boxing and his ground game is based around one submission move the guillotine choke. I know he is a black belt in BJJ but against ground specialists like BJ and Florian he got schooled and he was too scared of Diego’s ground game to take him down, despite being outclassed in the stand up.
Right now I think Nate Diaz is a much more well rounded fighter and I see him pulling off a decision. Jackson has his work cut out because right now Joe Daddy is one dimensional and hasn’t shown any improvement since winning TUF 2, but this is a step in the right direction.
I’m a big fan of the Diaz brothers and after Joe Daddy’s constant bitching, flat performances and daft attempts to get the crowd cheering for him, I hope Nate destroys him.
by David W-S on Apr 28, 2009 12:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The diaz brothers are a bunch of chumps nick is an ok fighter nate on the otherhand is a horrible fighter, name 1 good fighter he has beaten? you can’t because he hasn’t
by kingkong on Apr 28, 2009 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wow that was harsh, I think Nate’s a great lightweight, he’s beaten some decent lightweights like Josh Neer, Kurt Pellegrino, Gray Maynard (in TUF) and I think he did enough to get the decision over Clay Guida, as I think you have to do more than hug your opponent to win a fight but thats just my opinion. Nate’s still young and is getting better after every fight, which is something I can’t say about Joe Daddy. I accept that not everybody is going to like the attitude of the Diaz brothers (personally I find their antics entertaining and they are both great at hyping up fights) but you can’t dismiss fighters with as good jits as them two as being horrible fighters.
by David W-S on Apr 28, 2009 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Man, this goes to show everyone the true depth and talent of the UFC. Joe stevenson who had title shot not too long ago, is in danger of getting cut. Nate Diaz, who won the Ultimate fightr is also in Danger. He loses this one and that wil lbe 2 losses in a row putting him on the chopping block. I love fights like thsi because they knwo they are both i ndanger nd have to deliver. As far as the changing, good move by Joe daddy, i jsut see him getting submitted and off to Strikeforce he goes.
by Adam on Apr 28, 2009 1:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
For some reason I like Joe. It seems like the matchmaker hates him, though.
by Jon on Apr 28, 2009 1:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
it doesnt matter what fat daddy does hes in for an ass beating
dana white ur a genious but u need to bring back nick diaz,,and sign jake shields and gilbert m
by juggalomike on Apr 28, 2009 5:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I hate Joe he’s so one dimensional…he should train at H.I.T. SQUAD…LOL
by iamdanawhite on Apr 28, 2009 7:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I’m a student at Joe’s gym. I know people are always gonna have their opinions about him, whether they like him or hate him. But, the truth is, that Joe is a great fighter and a fantastic coach. He’s smart, tough and has a hugh heart. I have faith in my coach and I know that he’ll be back on top again, soon. And by the way, If he was “so one dimensional”, he wouldn’t have earned a title shot against the world’s best!
by cobra kai on May 9, 2009 8:57 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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