// History in the Making: Matt Hughes, Frank Trigg, and the best comeback you’ll ever see//

For two and a half years, Frank Trigg had to hear about how he squandered a chance at winning one of the most highly regarded prizes in the sport of mixed martial arts (MMA). He had to hear about how he could have beaten his opponent, taken the belt home, and woke up the next day as the world’s best welterweight.

For two and a half years, Matt Hughes heard his dominant win — a finish at that — undersold and devalued as a fluke by his rival. He had his submission loss to B.J. Penn thrown in his face as proof that his time had come and gone.

UFC 52: “Couture vs. Liddell 2” was one of the most important events in the promotion’s history. After the game changer that was Forrest Griffin’s bout with Stephan Bonnar at the first Ultimate Fighter Finale, the UFC needed a huge show to continue their newfound momentum.

The main event definitely delivered as “The Iceman” knocked out his opponent in the first round. But the most lasting memory for many fans stemmed from the welterweight title bout on the card.

This Saturday (Sept. 24), Hughes steps inside the cage against Josh Koscheck at UFC 135: “Jones vs. Rampage” in what could be the final bout of his storied career. Should the country boy hang it up this weekend, let’s pay our respects by taking a look back at his second tilt with “Twinkle Toes,” complete with one of the greatest comebacks you’ll ever see in the sport.

A Maniac will survive…

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// History in the Making: Jake Ellenberger debuts inside the Octagon and nearly hands Carlos Condit his second UFC loss//

In August 2009, Jake Ellenberger got the call he had been waiting years for.

Chris Lytle was injured and the UFC needed someone to fill in against Carlos Condit at a Fight Night in Oklahoma City the next month. Despite having fought in June for Bellator, he was relatively fresh since it took the wrestler less than a minute to viciously knock out his opponent.

After nearly five years and almost 25 bouts, “The Juggernaut” caught a lucky break and took full advantage of the opportunity.

This has eventually led to what will be his first headlining bout this Saturday (September 17) at UFC Fight Night: “Shields vs. Ellenberger” where he takes on former title contender Jake Shields.

We’ll take a look at that debut as we prepare for this weekend’s event.

Ready?

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// Ring of Honor (ROH): Death Before Dishonor IX preview and predictions//

Ring of Honor’s (ROH) Death Before Dishonor series has a long and storied history in the promotion. A mainstay since 2003, the event has played host to ROH World Championship title matches, hate-filled street fights, and a brutal Cage War which pitted the company against a band of outsiders.

Tomorrow (Sept. 17), Death Before Dishonor IX continues that great tradition with a fantastic card from top to bottom.

Not only will you get to see each member — Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin — of ROH World Tag Team Champions Wrestling’s Greatest Tag Team in singles action but you’ll also catch former Age of the Fall leader Jimmy Jacobs replacing Steve Corino to take on El Generico.

And that’s just part of the undercard that serves as the garnish to the delicious meal of the co-main events.

Roderick Strong and Eddie Edwards clash in a Ringmaster Challenge which is a best of three falls match. The first must be won by pinfall, the second by submission, and should be a third be necessary, a 15-minute Iron Man Match will determine the winner.

But it’s the main event that is sure to leave the ROH ring mat stained with blood.

The notorious Briscoe Brothers — Mark and Jay — take on The All Night Express — Rhett Titus and Kenny King — in what will be the company’s third Ladder War in almost 10 years.

You can, of course, purchase the internet pay-per-view (iPPV) from GFL.tv by click HERE to watch all the action live tomorrow starting at 7:30 PM ET.

So who should you expect to win? Well, keep reading and find out!

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// Jake Shields needs to move back up to middleweight to stay relevant//

Back in April at UFC 129, Jake Shields was beaten pretty handily by a one-eyed Georges St. Pierre. It was a typical performance from “Rush”; dominating but in no way risky, ensuring that the UFC welterweight strap stayed secure and safe around his trim French-Canadian waist.

Four and a half months later, Shields returns in the main event of tomorrow’s (Sept. 17) UFC Fight Night 25: “Shields vs. Ellenberger” card where he will take on the heavy-handed wrestler Jake Ellenberger who is looking to extend his Octagon winning streak to five.

A victory for either fighter puts them in prime real estate in the highly-regarded title contenders’ neighborhood (the school system is excellent, by the way), a situation that “The Juggernaut” would surely embrace. No one becomes a full-time fighter without the intention of someday fighting for the sport’s greatest prize.

The same opportunity that Ellenberger would immediately jump at isn’t as glimmering a prospect for Shields however. And it’s for that reason the former Strikeforce champion should return to the weight class where he originally won those 12 pounds of gold.

A return to 185-pounds is exactly what Jake Shields needs if he doesn’t want his career to stall out.

Why? Well, you got to keep reading to find out!

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