From Humble Athletic Beginnings, Rick Story an Unlikely UFC Contender

Filed under:

The story of Rick Story is a testament to persistence. Unlike most fighters who make it into his division's top 10, he wasn't a superstar athlete right from the beginning. In fact, in Story's freshman year of wrestling at Pacific Lutheran University, he competed in 17 matches. And he lost all 17.

When he moved into the MMA world, Story promptly lost his first fight.

When he was signed into the UFC, he was defeated in his debut.

So how did Story get from there to here? How about some good, old-fashioned hard work? After an 0-17 season, most would be downright devastated. Many would simply quit. But not Story. By the time he was a senior, he was good enough to win 33 matches and make it to the national championship match in his weight class. Guess what? He lost.

That's a lot of losing for someone who is, quite obviously, a winner, because when it comes to his UFC career, Story has handled every challenge that's come his way since his opening defeat, a judges' decision at the hands of John Hathaway in June 2009.

At UFC 130, the 26-year-old southpaw earned the biggest win of his still young career, outworking former welterweight No. 1 contender Thiago Alves in a decision win. That's no small feat when you consider that over the last five years, here's the list of guys who have beaten Alves: Jon Fitch and Georges St-Pierre. That's it.

The outcome came as a surprise not only for the result itself (Alves had been more than a 2-to-1 favorite), but for the way it came about. Though Story has earned a reputation as a solid all-around fighter, most thought his wrestling would be the key to beating Alves, a Muay Thai stylist who loves to fire off his hands and kicks. Instead, Story stayed standing with Alves for 13:39 of the 15-minute match, and outstruck him by a 101-67 margin during that time, according to Compustrike.

As has become his custom, Story showed a nice variety of standing strikes to go with his ability to take an opponent down and grind him against the cage. The result was a decision by a trio of 29-28 scores.

Afterward, Story said that he is hoping to fight one of the two men to recently beat Alves, the aforementioned Fitch. The fight, though, seems unlikely given that Fitch just underwent shoulder surgery in early May and is likely to be out of action for several months. So what should Story do in the meantime?

Well, an attempt to raise his profile wouldn't be a bad idea, because while he doesn't have a credibility problem, he does have a visibility problem.

Even though he was in one of UFC 130's featured fights, the quiet kid from Washington probably didn't get the attention he deserved. While he was invited to open workouts during fight week, he was upstaged by the presence of main event participant Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, and later essentially booted out of a question-and-answer session with the media when Jackson joined the fray.

At the post-fight press conference, Story received all of one single question. What's an upstart underdog have to do to get a little attention around here?

Well, some of the lack of awareness is his own doing. Just have a look at his Twitter page. Social media is a big focus for the UFC, and Story's avatar is a photo of him, but it cuts off at his neck, making him faceless.

If that isn't a symbol for a fighter toiling in anonymity, I don't know what is.

Winning, though, is the cure for a lot of problems. What usually follows is the athletic trifecta: increased pay, better opportunities and more exposure. On the heels of a six-fight win streak, all of those should be coming his way. But here's another thing that comes with winning: pressure. With bigger stakes come bigger risks.

Don't be surprised if Story continues to prove himself up to the task. Nothing is harder than digging your way out of a hole you made for yourself, and he's done that throughout his athletic career. Whatever you think of his game is OK. Just think something, anything about it. This is a kid who no longer deserves to be ignored.

It's easy to be good when things are always going good, but the kid who started collegiate wrestling losing 17 straight matches has repeatedly shown the ability to battle through adversity. That's an invaluable trait for a professional athlete, and it's not quite as common as you might expect at high levels of sports.

Story still has many questions to answer about his fight game as he moves into the highest echelon of his division. But one question about it has been answered for good. Despite his relative anonymity, and despite his rocky beginnings in athletics, Rick Story is a winner.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Source: http://mmafighting.com/2011/05/29/from-humble-athletic-beginnings-rick-story-an-unlikely-ufc-cont/

Shane The Engineer Carwin  Jason Hollywood Chambers Ryo Piranha Chonan  Dan The Sandman Christison 

Dana White believes Chael Sonnen's been treated unfairly by the CSAC, says he has "paid his dues"

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

WhiteDana_WK150_135.jpg

One running theme for Chael Sonnen's supporters in his troubles with the California State Athletic Commission is the notion that he has "paid his dues" and that his second suspension from the CSAC was unfair. Count UFC President Dana White among those in that camp.

"I'm pretty bummed out about the Chael Sonnen thing and the way it was handled," White said in an interview with HeavyMMA. "I don't think there's ever been a penalty [like this]. When Mike Tyson bit [Evander Holyfield's] ear I think he only got a year."

During his most recent hearing to combat the indefinite suspension handed down, Sonnen claimed to the Commission members that White told him he'd be forced to retire if he couldn't gain his license. White admits that's the not the case, but clarified what he tried to convey to Sonnen.

"It's not that he'd have to retire, but right now was his opportunity," White said. "[He] had the opportunity to coach The Ultimate Fighter... he had a big fight set up. Should he win that fight, everybody knows what happened with Anderson Silva. This was a key moment in this kid's career.

"You've heard me say it for the last eleven years, we always support whatever the athletic commission says. This kid got it stuck to him, man. He paid his dues in every way, shape and form and I think he's been treated a bit unfairly."

Regardless, Sonnen's suspension runs until the expiration of his license on June 29, at which time the UFC will likely do what they can to get him back into the cage.

Penick's Analysis: This notion that Sonnen "paid his dues" is ridiculously untrue when it comes to this situation. Not only that, but White's example here doesn't hold up, as Sonnen will not have even been suspended a full year when all is said and done. Were it not for him lying to the commission in December and presenting false evidence, his suspension never would have been reduced to six months and he'd be out the original length until September. As it stands, he's still getting off light. With this latest ruling, his suspension is still over a full two months earlier than it would have been initially, and had the commission upheld the original suspension in December. And again, the reason they didn't is because of lies and false testimony given in December to confuse the commission and sway their decision.

Having a license to fight is not a right, and if you break the rules of those that offer you the privilege to fight there will be consequences. Sonnen broke the rules, plain and simple, that's what happened. He took a banned substance that he didn't have clearance to take, no matter who he claimed to have spoken to and regardless of what medical condition he's claimed to be taking it for. He deceived the commission and committed perjury under oath, and because of all of that they commission suspended him again and upheld it.

And still he can fight again quicker than he would have had they simply upheld his initial suspension in December. So no, Sonnen hasn't paid his dues in "every way, shape and form," and he's not being wrongly persecuted. At the end of the day, he's going to be able to fight again, he just won't be rewarded with the lucrative spot on the Ultimate Fighter prior to his next fight.

Topic Question: Is White ridiculously off-base in saying Sonnen has paid his dues? Or has he? Web visitors, comment below in our new Reader Comment Area (linked to Facebook). App users, send us your thoughts at mmatorch@gmail.com or visit our desktop website to comment.

Source: http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/UFC_2/article_9408.shtml

Jonathan Goulet Wilson Gouveia Jason Grace Crosley Gracie

QUOTABLES: Thiago Alves to UFC 130 opponent Rick Story - "Be careful what you wish for"

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

thiago_alves_180.jpeg

"That's not my style, I don't call anybody out. If you want to be the best, you've got to fight the best, but I feel flattered in a way that I know he wants to become the champion one day. He wants to fight the best competition out there. But in the same way there's a little bitter taste in my mouth. Like is this kid for real? He wants to fight me, calling me out like that? Be careful what you wish for. I'm training like a maniac, I'm training like I've never trained before. He's going to get the best Thiago Alves ever, so I hope he's training his ass off...

I'm better with more upgrades than before, but with the experience that I have and everything I've learned throughout this process throughout my career, I'm a new Thiago right now. I truly feel like I'm just getting started again. I'm just 27 years old. I've got I'd say at least eight years ahead of me, so I'm very, very excited. I feel like a little kid again. He says he wants to stand up with me. Let's see if he can back up the talk. It's going to be a very early night for him."

-Thiago Alves talks to MMAWeekly.com about his UFC 130 opponent Rick Story calling him out for this fight and where he feels he's at in his career.

Penick's Analysis: I don't think we've seen Alves look better than he did against John Howard in December, and with another solid training camp behind him I'm expecting to see an even better version again. Story has been increasingly impressive in his performances, but he's taking a major step up in competition going from a fight with fellow prospect Johny Hendricks to this fight with Alves. I think Alves might be out to prove a point in this fight and not allow himself to be a stepping stone for Story. I'm really looking forward to this fight, and both guys will be out to prove their respective non-believers wrong.

Source: http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/UFC_2/article_9421.shtml

Takashi Sugiura Jung Chan Sung Minoru Suzuki Tim Sylvia

Bellator 46 Features Summer Series Featherweight Tournament Quarterfinals

The Bellator Fighting Championships travel to the Hard Rock Resort and Casio on June 25th to begin their Summer Series Featherweight Tournament. The main card of the Bellator 46 event will feature the four quarterfinal bouts which include the Bellator debut of former Sengoku champion Marlon Sandro. Plus, Pat Curran will be moving down from [...]

Bellator 46 Features Summer Series Featherweight Tournament Quarterfinals is a post from: MMA Interplay UFC News

Source: http://www.mmainterplay.com/bellator-news/bellator-46-features-summer-series-featherweight-tournament-quarterfinals-54655/

Kendall Grove Clay Guida Jason Guida Melvin Guillard

Chael Sonnen Suspended Indefinitely... I Finally Have Some Sympathy For Chael Sonnen

In news that is sweeping the internet, it has recently been confirmed that the California State Athletic Commission has decided to uphold the indefinite suspension of former UFC Middleweight Championship contender Chael Sonnen. With a vote of 4-1, the CSAC voted to uphold its suspension of Sonnen?s fighting license until it expires in June of [...]

Source: http://www.fighters.com/05/18/chael-sonnen-suspended-indefinitely-i-finally-have-some-sympathy-for-chael-sonnen

Aaron Riley Joe Riggs Pedro Rizzo Colin Robinson

‘Bigfoot’ says Barnett is rude and a butt kisser

Josh Barnett is outspoken and brash. It rubs a lot of people the wrong way. That included Dana White. Say what you want about Barnett, but he's not stupid, so when Zuffa purchased Strikeforce, the former UFC heavyweight champ swallowed his pride and finally worked to bury the hatchet with MMA's leading man.

That and just about everything else about Barnett seems to bother fellow heavyweight Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva.

"[...] when [Barnett] sees Fedor, [UFC President] Dana White or [UFC Chairman and CEO Lorenzo] Fertitta, he runs to them and stays by their side all the time. He makes me sick. He's the classic kiss-ass, a rude man …" [Silva told Sherdog]. "I really want to face Barnett and I've already said I consider him a filthy person, even though he is a great fighter, and that I'll beat him up and close both of his eyes."

Silva suggested Barnett is rude and snooty when it comes to Brazilian fighters.

"I've been fighting since 2004 and have never had any issues with another athlete, even the most stuck-up," explained Silva. "Friendship, for me, is everything, but Josh is a weird guy, a guy who doesn't greet you when you enter the elevator, doesn't even say 'good morning.' It's how he treats Brazilian fighters especially. It's the same thing with [Barnett and] Werdum."

Barnett faces Brett Rogers on June 18 in Dallas. With a win over Fedor Emelianenko, Silva advances to the semifinals of the Strikeforce heavyweight Grand Prix. Silva is awaiting the winner of Alistair Overeem and Werdum on that same card.

Tip via Larry Brown Sports

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/-Bigfoot-says-Barnett-is-rude-and-a-butt-kisser?urn=mma-wp2322

Renato Babalu Sobral Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou Joe Son Chael Sonnen