Nam Phan prepares to take on Tiequan Zhang at UFC 144 in Japan, substitutes Leonard Garcia

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is finalising the bouts for its upcoming pay-per-view, UFC 144: Edgar vs. Henderson. According to the latest update, Nam Phan, UFC’s 38th ranked featherweight, has decided to substitute the injured Leonard Garcia to clash with the Chinese mixed martial art sensation Tiequan Zhang.

This is for the very first time that UFC has entered Japan since its last presence in December 2000, when it organised the UFC 29 pay-per-view. The special edition will take place at Saitama Super Arena situated in the Saitama City of Japan, a heaven of mixed martial art brawlers. Nam Phan and Tiequan Zhang both are considered as fighters who have created havoc in the featherweight division of UFC.

The records, statistics and their impressive ability and agility to take on their opponents is quiet startling especially when it comes to Zhang, the Mongolian Wolf. Zhang currently ranks at 45th in UFC and has entered the brutal octagonal ring a total 20 times. Zhang has emphatically collected a total 18 wins and most of them by making his opponents submit, 10 to be specific. Though the knockout percentage and capability of the 33-year-old Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu specialist lacks a bit, yet this scenario does not give Nam Phan, the American who originally hails from Vietnam, an upper hand over his current opponent.

Nam Phan has more experience no doubt in that. He has thrown himself in the messy and bloody UFC ring a total 28 times. Out of all those competitors he was able to pin 17 opponents and got brutally beaten by 11. His losses gave him a huge experience and insight as compared to his wins.

If we take a look at the fighting strategy and capability of both men, a clear cut throat competition is visible. Nam heavily relies on his striking and hence knockout attribute that is 80%. On the other hand his submission ability and the efficiency to take down the opponents are extremely low, 13% and 7% respectively.

On the contrary, the Mongolian Wolf, who idolises Genghis Khan, is a master of submission manoeuvres and tactics. He strives hard, approximately 78%, to grab his opponent in any of his submitting move whether its armbar, neck crank, guillotine choke, or ankle lock, one cannot unlock his grip or absorb the deep pain inflicted by Zhang’s grip. It is this reason why the Chinese proud is being considered as a lethal opponent and is being denoted as the favourite in UFC 144 bout.

The bout is scheduled to take place on February 25, 2012 and will definitely put forth the Japanese MMA fanatics a great show who have awaited the apex organisation’s return.

via Nam Phan prepares to take on Tiequan Zhang at UFC 144, substitutes Leonard Garcia – UFC news | bettor.com.

UFC 141 Results: Jim Hettes takes decision win over Nam Phan

LAS VEGAS – No one doubted Jim Hettes‘ skills, but many openly questioned whether he could show the same promise against proven big-show talent. Those doubters likely will be silenced following the youngster’s unanimous-decision victory over veteran featherweight and “The Ultimate Fighter 12″ semifinalist Nam Phan. The fight kicked off the pay-per-view main card of UFC 141 and followed prelims on Facebook and Spike TV. It took place at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

The 24-year-old jumped out to an early lead after slamming Phan to the mat and then dazing him with a dizzying barrage of punches from the top. Phan attempted to escape, but each time he created distance, Hettes poured on the punishment. Halfway through the round, though, Phan got to his feet, reset and regained his composure. The reprieve was short-lived, though. Hettes took him back to the mat and unloaded a barrage of punches to the head and body before trying an armbar that was cut short by the end of the round.

Badly bloodied from the lopsided first round, Phan was taken to the mat again early in the second. The onslaught then continued, and Phan took more heavy shots. He escaped to his feet a few times, but Hettes quickly closed the distance and continually put himself in dominant positions.

The third round offered little new. Hettes dominated the action from the top and continually poured on punishment with punches and elbows between submission attempts. Phan survived for the final horn, but he took a beating in the process.

In the end, the judges scored the lopsided fight 30-25, 30-25 and 30-26 for Hettes.

For UFC 141′s low-key Nam Phan, MMA stardom admittedly has its perks

UFC ring girl Arianny Celeste - who is 1/4 asian

Spend 10 minutes talking to Nam Phan, and it’s clear the UFC featherweight is in a good place.

The California-based fighter has trained in multiple disciplines, boxed professionally, plied his MMA skills across the globe, and after years of hard work, he’s now cemented his place in the sport’s big show.

Now, just days before a UFC 141 fight with undefeated Jim Hettes (9-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC), Phan (17-9 MMA, 1-2 UFC) admits life is pretty damn good.

“For me, making it to the UFC is like making the NFL,” the featherweight recently told MMAjunkie.com Radio (www.mmajunkie.com/radio). “All the years, all the shows – I fought in Sengoku in Japan, and I fought K-1 – all the shows, all these years, it’s all been worth it. I finally made it.”

Phan, who first joined the UFC after a semifinal finish on “The Ultimate Fighter 12,” now gets a pay-per-view main-card slot at Friday’s UFC 141 event, which takes place at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena. Phan clashes with fast-rising jiu-jitsu ace Hettes, who tapped out Alex Cacaeres at UFC on Versus 6 for his ninth submission win in nine career victories.

For Phan, who recently topped Leonard Garcia in a rematch at UFC 136, it’s a quick turnaround and marks his third fight in fewer than six months. But when the UFC comes calling, he said, you have to answer.

“I was going to take a little bit of a break and planned to fight next year,” he said. “But then the UFC called me. I was like, ‘OK, if you want me to fight, I’m going to fight then.’ There are guys in the UFC who want fights who aren’t getting fights. So when the UFC calls, you’ve got to answer. So here I am.”

Besides, simply being at this point – in the world’s top MMA promotion and with a little bit of job security – is still somewhat surreal for a fighter who takes pride in his Vietnamese heritage.

“(But) now I’ve got to win,” he said. “But I get bonuses. I fight all over the world. I’m living the dream. It’s like, ‘Wow, Asians can fight. We’re not just accountants.’

“Still, I was a little tired because I fought only six weeks ago. But I’m ready.”

(Phan actually fought 12 weeks ago, so yeah, so much for that accounting thing.)

Still, for a fighter who’s slow to embrace his celebrity status and would rather use his notoriety to benefit his Ma Du Academy in Garden Grove, Calif., being a UFC fighter has paid dividends.

“It definitely helps me out financially with my academy,” he said. “It’s helped out with the popularity, which is always a good thing. And I get to do things like come on MMAjunkie.com Radio, which is pretty cool.”

That’s why Phan’s one extravagance has been a new Honda Civic. There’s no booming sound system, no flashy rims, no sooped-up engine. He’s adorned his base-model sedan with just one thing: a vanity license plate promoting his academy: “MADU 1.”

And as for the ladies? He’s admittedly no stud, but he’s picked up a few tricks along the way.

“I don’t even use my name,” he joked. “I’m like, ‘You’ve heard of the UFC, right?’ They’re like, ‘Oh, you’re much more attractive now.’ I’ll go on dates and have my students come up and act like they’re fans. That sometimes works.”

In all seriousness, though, Phan couldn’t be more content. The life he envisioned for himself has come to fruition. Sure, it could be set back by a single bad performance in the octagon, but for now, he’s thankful for what the year 2011 has brought him.

“I feel pretty good,” he said. “Actually, I feel great. I feel good in the morning. I eat clean. I work hard.

“Life is pretty good right now.”

by Dann Stupp on Dec 28, 2011 at 10:05 am ET

Nam Phan highlights and music video,

UFC 141: In-Depth Preview, Nam Phan vs Jimy Hettes

Nam Phan

Phan entered the TUF household as one of the most experienced fighters on the show, and was nearly able to ride that experience to the finals. Unfortunately for Phan, he came out on the wrong side of a split-decision in the show’s semi-final round. The bout would not mark the last time Phan was hard-done by the judging on a TUF-related event.

Recent Fights

Following his run through the TUF house, Phan made his official UFC debut at the finale when he squared off against Leonard Garcia. Phan appeared to control the striking throughout the bout, while Garcia showed a truly shocking level of disdain for any air residing in the general vicinity of Phan, pounding the poor molecules relentlessly with power strikes. Despite the clear edge to Phan, it was sadly unsurprising when the decision came down for Garcia. Phan’s next bout came against former featherweight champ Mike Brown, where Phan again dropped a judge’s call, setting the table for a rematch with Garcia. Despite what were no-doubt some nervous moments after the bout and before cards were read, Phan got vindication in the form of a unanimous decision win.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Phan’s career has spanned more than a decade, and he has the well-rounded skill set which comes with spending such a long time fighting in mixed martial arts. Although Phan has competed in boxing, his grappling is nothing to scoff at and could prove frustrating for Hettes. On the feet, Phan should have a technical edge over Hettes, and has shown a penchant for landing absolutely devastating body shots which can sap his opponent’s will in an instant.

Fantasy Impact

Phan is a solid betting favorite in this bout with good reason, making him a smart play for your fantasy picks. With the ground chops to hang on the mat with Hettes, and the strong edge on the feet, look for Phan to wear down his opponent over the course of the fight. If he can’t keep it standing it will be on Phan to scramble or sweep into top to earn the decision, but with some successful sprawling Phan should wear down Hettes en route to a round two TKO win. On the betting front, Phan is a -255 favorite. While it’s not an appealing line for a straight bet, fantasy riches come with successful investment of your available parlay money, and Phan provides a decent option as a safe add-on to your parlay to up its payoff without a massive risk of killing the parlay.

Jimy Hettes

Hettes is considered one of the brightest grappling-based prospects in the UFC’s lighter weights, having won all of his professional and amateur bouts by way of submission. An unblemished record, with the added bonus of all his bouts being finished, was enough to earn Hettes a call to the UFC when the promotion required a late replacement for the injured Leonard Garcia, allowing Hettes to make his UFC debut at UFC Live: Hardy vs. Lytle this past August.

Strengths and Weaknesses

As you’ve likely figured out by now, Hettes’ strength inside the cage lies in his ground work. Any time you step into the cage with an opponent who has never failed to elicit a tap from his adversary you have to mind your P’s-and-Q’s on the mat and be sure that your positional awareness doesn’t falter for even a second. Unfortunately, Hettes’ debut also seemed to show a fighter who was green and not used to facing fighters who belonged in the cage with him, as he struggled early with Alex Caceres, losing the first round to a fighter who needed three tries and two weight drops to notch his first UFC win. Against a seasoned opponent like Phan who has never been tapped, Hettes may struggle to secure a sub, and his willingness to concede position to attack a submission could be costly.

via UFC 141 In-Depth Preview: Jimy Hettes vs. Nam Phan – FakeTeams.

UFC 141: Nam Phan Tries to Keep the Losing to a Minimum

When Bruce Buffer announced the verdict for Nam Phan’s match against Leonard Garcia at UFC 136, Phan was admittedly feeling uneasy in the center of the Octagon. “I was very scared,” Phan, 28, recently admitted to Bleacher Report. “I was worried about my job, definitely.” Perhaps, as those familiar with the UFC’s past practices will argue, Phan had good reason to be a bit anxious.

Two months prior to that moment, Phan dropped a three-round unanimous decision to Mike Brown at UFC 133. Before that, Phan—in one of the most controversial decisions of recent memory—lost an extremely close split decision to Leonard Garcia in late-2010. “I was kind of worried that they might not give me the decision,” Phan recalled. “I was just crossing my fingers.” Fortunately for Phan—and his crossed fingers—the judges unanimously declared him the match’s victor. According to Phan, it was one of the best moments of his young life. “I felt like my head was going to explode,” Phan said with a laugh. “When I beat Leonard Garcia, I didn’t sleep all night—I stayed up the whole night! It felt great. It was like prom night, again…There’s really nothing that’s that exciting.”

Moving forward, Phan—not surprisingly—is determined to once again have his hand raised in the Octagon. Phan’s next opportunity to pick up a victory on the biggest stage of the sport is to come at UFC 141 on Dec. 30, when the former The Ultimate Fighter contender is to take on Jim Hettes. Hettes, who is to make his second appearance in the Octagon, has recorded nine submission victories in his first nine outings as a professional mixed martial artist. Most recently, Hettes, 24, claimed a second-round rear-naked choke victory over Alex “Bruce Leeroy” Caceres in August.

Despite Hettes’ long list of submission wins, Phan, who made his professional mixed martial arts debut more than a decade ago, is confident that a victory to cap off 2011 is within his reach. Or, as per his philosophy as an athlete—“confident mind, humble words,” he told Bleacher Report earlier this year—he emphasized that he will do everything he can to have his hand raised. Looking past Phan’s match against Hettes on the 30th, the California product is hoping to once again—again, not surprisingly—experience the thrill of victory a few more times in the UFC’s Octagon in 2012. “Anytime you win in the UFC is amazing,” Phan explained. “I can’t describe how good it feels…It’s an amazing feeling.” “I always try to keep the losing to a minimum,” he said with a laugh. “I just hope (2012 holds) more wins. I’m going to do my best for every fight.”

via UFC 141: Nam Phan Tries to Keep the Losing to a Minimum | Bleacher Report.

UFC 141: Vietnamese Nam Phan vs Jim Hettes

In a featherweight battle, Nam Phan will be looking to gain some traction in the talent-laden division while top prospect Jim Hettes will look to procure a signature victory over a well respected veteran. Phan is recently coming off of a Fight of the Night worthy battle with rival Leonard Garcia, earning the just decision victory over the “Bad Boy,” avenging an earlier and controversial defeat, whilst snapping a two-fight skid inside the Octagon.

Jim Hettes will be looking to build upon the strength of his UFC debut, which came at the expense of The Ultimate Fighter veteran Alex Caceres, submitting the wily fighter with a second-round rear-naked choke.

The winner will move themselves one step closer towards contender status in the burgeoning 145-pound class, which is currently ruled by UFC champion Jose Aldo. 

via Nam Phan vs. Jim Hettes | UFC 141: Brock Lesnar vs. Alistair Overeem and Ranking Every Main-Card Fight | Bleacher Report.

Nam Phan vs Jim Hettes Added to UFC 141 Main Card

Nam Phan, comedian Dat Phan, and Miss Asia Jennifer Pham

Nam Phan will take on undefeated Jim Hettes in Las Vegas on December 30th.  The bout will be the first main card fight shown on pay per view.

Hettes defeated Alex Caceres via submission in his UFC debut, marking his ninth submission in as many fights.  It will be a tough task to submit Nam Phan who is a black belt in jiu jitsu.  Phan, who will be fighting for the third time in five months, will likely try to keep the fight on its feet where he can use his superior boxing skills.

UFC 141 is of course headlined by the behemoth match up between Brock Lesnar and Alistair Overeem.

Also on the preliminary card is Dong Hyun Kim vs. Sean Pierson

MAIN BOUTS:

Brock Lesnar vs. Alistair Overeem
Donald Cerrone vs. Nate Diaz
Jon Fitch vs. Johny Hendricks
Alexander Gustafsson vs. Vladimir Matyushenko
Jim Hettes vs. Nam Phan

PRELIMINARY BOUTS:
Junior Assuncao vs. Ross Pearson
Ramsey Nijem vs. Anthony Njokuani
Dong Hyun Kim vs. Sean Pierson
via Nam Phan vs Jim Hettes Added to UFC 141 Main Card | mmainterviews.tv | Your trusted source for MMA / UFC & Up to date news.