Jon Jones Defends His Title Against Vitor Belfort

Jon Jones will defend his UFC Light Heavyweight title against Vitor Belfort picture belongs to http://www.mmaweekly.com

After running away from a fight Vs Chael Sonnen on 8 days notice the UFC Light Heavyweight champion Jon "Bones" Jones is set to defend his title against Vitor Belfort tomorrow night in Toronto, Canada.

It has been discussed that UFC president Dana White has a meeting with Jon Jones before the weigh ins, of course Jon Jones is finding a way to complain about that.

Jon Jones is paid to fight by the UFC, if the UFC president wants a meeting with you then you shut your mouth and do what he says.

This guy acts more and more like a spoiled brat, you would think he would have some kind of mental toughness to him especially if you look at the way he fights in the octagon.

He may be one of the most talented fighters in UFC history, he may be young but he seems to make a lot of mistakes whenever he addresses the media which could turn a lot of his fans against him.

Everyone deep down knows the real reason Jon Jones didn't defend his title against Chael Sonnen was because he was afraid he would lose his title, I wish he would just say that instead of giving us multiple excuses that contradict each other.

One minute you say you will take some of the blame for UFC 151 being canceled, now your saying point the finger at the UFC executives, why don't the guy just stick to his word for once?

You made a point to say you would fight anyone at any time after you fought 4 times in a year, I just don't understand why he has to open up his mouth at all.

He should just let his trainer Greg Jackson speak for him until he matures a little, Jon Jones is only going to hurt his own reputation and its really sad because we all know the guy is a great fighter.

Sorry to sound like a broken record here but it pisses me off that this guy doesn't respect the UFC fans.

It pisses me off that one of our champions doesn't have the confidence to fight on 8 days when the other fighter had the same amount of time to mentally prepare.

When I first heard about Jones agreeing to defend his title against Vitor, I was seriously disappointed.

I kept thinking this would be an easy win for Jon Jones, the more and more I check tape I see that Vitor might be able to exploit Jon Jones weaknesses.

Jon Jones needs to be tested, Vitor has the strength to push him up against the cage and wear him down with dirty boxing.

If Vitor was able to tire Jon Jones out I could see him taking him apart from the standup, I look at Jon Jones as great as he is his standup is very overrated.

Vitor Belfort is going to have to just go in attack mode the moment he steps in there, I think his aggressive style might get in the mind of Jones. 

Jon Jones to be effective in this fight will have to find a way to ground Vitor and just come down with elbows.

Everyone knows Jon Jones has a great ground and pound, the only thing you have to worry about there is you don't want Vitor to submit you.

Vitor is not young anymore we all know this, that could be his advantage in the fight because he is a crafty veteran who can beat you in many ways.

 I predict Jon Jones retaining his title but personally deep down I hope Vitor Belfort knocks him out and teaches that spoiled brat a lesson.

Eli Manning Throws For 510 Yards In 41-34 Win

Giants QB 2 Time Superbowl MVP #10 Eli Manning threw for 3 interceptions but managed to end the day 31 for 51 for a career high 510 passing yards and touchdowns. Picture belongs to ESPN.com

If you were watching the first half as a Giants fan you were probably in disbelief at how poorly Eli Manning was throwing the ball.

By the end of the first half Eli had managed to be picked for 3 interceptions by the Buccaneers defense.

I could already sense critics heads turning, their eyes lighting up at the thought of another chance to rip one of the biggest winners in the entire NFL.

I will always be a loyal fan to the man for all he has done for the game, I think already at this point if he hasn't proved himself to be an elite QB then he never will.

There is not much more you can do than what hes done for the Giants organization, still at the end of everything there is still people out there who thrive on his mistakes.

You know heading into the second half that the chance of the Giants coming back were not very good, but there is always a part of you that should know in the back of your head that with this team there is always a chance.

Eli began taking the Buccaneers secondary apart from that point on, he managed to turn one of the worst starts of his career into one of his best.

For a Quarterback who has proven to be a winner in the clutch, Eli lived up to all of that as he put together another 4th quarter comeback to help his team to a 41-34 win.

Going into the 4th quarter the Giants trailed 27-16, Eli Manning would take the ball knowing what he had to do in order to win, he knew he had to be even better than hes been in the past.

The first drive of the 4th quarter would end in a Giants field goal by #9 Lawerence Tynes, many fans were disappointed at another drive resulting in anything less than a touchdown.

Earlier in the game Eli made some terrible decisions with good offensive field position, he managed to throw a pick in a spot where the Giants could have ended the 1st half with a better chance to win.

Eli threw an interception toward the end of the first half that resulted in Tampa Bay running it back for a touchdown, fans were expecting Eli to threat the needle in those situations.

The defense would step up like it has in the past, they definitely redeemed themselves after last weeks horrific performance.

Eli would get the ball back and the real Eli Manning would return, with 7:41 remaining in the game he would put together a drive that gave the Giants all the momentum they needed.

Suddenly the Giant fans came alive, all of a sudden Eli couldn't miss his target on each throw, everything was clicking and he managed to find #80 Victor Cruz for an 80 yard Touchdown pass.

Victor Cruz was another player who came up in the clutch, promising to tear it up after a bad 1st game Victor finished the day with 11 receptions for 179 yards and 1 Touchdown.

Eli Manning found some help from another wide receiver #88 Hakeem Nicks who caught 10 passes for 199 yards and 1 Touchdown.

Still the game belonged to Eli Manning who would then hand the ball off to #35 Andre Brown who would run it in for the two point conversion to tie the game at 27-27.

Once again the Giants were fueled by the defense who managed to send the Buccaneers three and out to get the ball back to their offense.

Again Eli would come through and continue dominating the Buccaneers secondary, the 1st play of the drive would have resulted in a big play if the Buccaneers didn't get away with another hold.

Hakeem Nicks would injure his ankle on the play after being stepped on, he would show his heart to stay in as he managed to make some big plays.

Hakeem caught a big 20 yard pass during the drive that led to a 33 yard Touchdown pass to #85 Martellus Bennett.

The Giants now led the game 34-27, somehow the Buccaneers would now make a comeback as they tied the game with a big touchdown pass.

The game would be tied at 34-34 Eli Manning would take the ball back with 1:58 left in the game.

Eli and the Giants offense continued moving the ball through the air, Eli would start the drive by firing a 24 yard pass to #13 Ramses Barden.

He would put the game into the hands of his running game as he moved the ball downfield with a 50 yard pass to Hakeem Nicks.

Andre was extremely smart in killing the clock on his first run of the drive, he ran for 9 yards and sat down with less than a minute to go.

The Giants would now take the ball into Andre Brown's hands who ran the ball in to regain the lead at 41-34.

The Giants defense would top off the comeback with an interception by  #59 Michael Boley.  The Giants would then kneel down and end the game with the win even after a cheap shot on Eli Manning.

Eli would dust himself off as a winner always does, he would then walk across the field to show the class hes shown since day one.

This guy doesn't rub it in, he gets the job done then he walks around like anyone else, there has never been a time where Eli Manning wasn't a class act.

People can continue to rant to me how there is better QB's than Eli Manning in the NFL, maybe you can find a QB who is more talented but you will never find a QB with his heart.

There is something about the man that just won't quit, after having a humiliating 1st half he reached down and showed why he is a 2 time Superbowl MVP.

Eli is not far from passing Phil Simms for career passing yards, he has actually managed to become the #1 Quarterback in franchise history.

Phil Simms was great but I really doubt you could name one QB in Giants history who has put together the type of big games Eli Manning has.

Lets not forget Eli already has the franchise record for most passing yards in a season with 4,933 over one thousand more yards than Kerry Collins who is 2nd on the list with 3,764.

Although the referees called a horrible game, the Giants found a way to take control of the game and bounce back from a loss to even their record at 1-1.

Hopefully this is a sign of the season we can expect from Eli Manning and his offense.

Anderson Silva Steps Up As The UFC's #1 Guy

UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson "The Spider" Silva picture belongs to http://www.allwrestlingsuperstars.com

During a tough time for the UFC due to the aftermath of cancelling its first event ever when they were forced to cancel UFC 151.

Jon "Bones" Jones let down a lot of fans when he refused to fight Chael Sonnen on 8 days notice, many fans have not only felt it as a slap in the face but they also saw it as a sign of what kind of man Jon Jones really is.

Jon Jones in many ways threw out the fact hes been a fighter willing to fight four times in a year, he threw out the fact hes the youngest Light Heavyweight champion in UFC history.

At a time when the UFC needed great fighters to step up they got the ultimate contribution from the #! pound for pound fighter the Middleweight champion Anderson "The Spider" Silva.

Its no secret I've voiced my hate for him over time, its no secret I never liked the way UFC 148 ended in such a controversial fashion, its also no secret that I'm a huge Chael Sonnen fan.

You have to respect the fact that out of all the fighters in the UFC Anderson Silva proved hes ready to step up whenever he is needed, he showed the entire world he is a fighting champion who earned his place in the world of MMA. 

After offering to fight on the UFC 151 card in order to save it Anderson has agreed to face Stephan Bonnar in a Light Heavyweight fight at 205 pounds at UFC 153..

Obviously this will not be for his Middleweight title, but what more can you say about a guy who is willing to give us a good show because Jose Aldo had to pull out of the event due to a foot injury?

This is a champion who has stepped up twice in key situations for the UFC, his loyalty toward the company has always been questioned but I don't think you can doubt that anymore.

Lets not forget this is a fighter who has never been defeated in the UFC, even though this is a non title fight there is still a lot at stake for the guy.

Stephan Bonnar is a warrior much like Chael Sonnen and Forrest Griffin, what shocked me is to see what a proud fighter Anderson Silva really is deep down.

I still meant everything I said about his UFC 148 antics, I still meant everything I said about him not having much of a personality but I'll never call him out as a fighter ever again.

I will always look at Anderson Silva from this day on as one of the greatest MMA fighters who ever lived, I will always look at him as one of the best champions in UFC history.

I hope this trend continues and someone like Jon Jones can take notes on how to conduct yourself like a true champion.

Greed Has Dominated The Sport Of Boxing For Too Long

Greed Has Dominated The Sport Of Boxing For Too Long picture belongs to http://proboxinginsider.com

The need to make the most money has completely washed away the times of watching a fighter go out there and fight for self respect.

So many fighters are protected with hand picked opponents, lighter training regimes and false propaganda in order to gain popularity.

I'm going to take the top two names in the sport and talk about why I think they are the most responsible for what is going on now.

I grew up watching fighters who fought whoever was in front of them, I also remember if there was two opponents who were said to be evenly matched they seemed to always give us what we wanted to see.

I don't remember fighters ducking fights for years, I don't remember fighters taking fights with less talented opponents because it made the most money.

Its really confusing to see Boxing has come down to Manny Pacquaio taking a 4th fight with Juan Marquel Marquez because he in his own words basically said he was looking to take the bigger payday.

I could understand not taking a rematch with Timothy Bradley, those of you who saw the 1st fight between them know Manny won that fight so a rematch with him would be irrelevant.

Here you are center of the Boxing world, you have the chance to give the fans a fight they would want to see and your best choice is some over the hill fighter who you already beat more than once.

For those of you who actually think Juan Marquel Marquez beat Manny Pacquaio there last fight, you cannot win a fight when your gassed out for the last 4 rounds.

Juan Marquez landed some nice counter shots, but Manny Pacquaio was picking him apart as the fight went out.

Its not a knock on Juan Marquez but his time has passed, its time to give the opportunity to a young fighter trying to make their name in the sport.

You look throughout the ranks in Boxing, there is many fighters who have unbeaten records that would make a more entertaining fight than a fighter on his way out.

Now were going to take a look at Floyd "Money" Mayweather, the one thing I'll say about him at the least is at least he is upfront about being all about the money.

Never has there been a time where I myself as a boxing fan ever got it twisted about this guy, anyone who has seen Boxing over the last few years know what this man is all about.

Floyd may be one of the most talented boxers to ever step in a ring, with that being said you have to acknowledge the fact hes an arrogant jerk.

You have to give him credit for the hard fought win he had recently over Miguel Cotto, that fight was an absolute war and the better fighter came out on top.

Lets be honest now because I'm not knocking Shane Mosley, Victor Ortiz or Juan Manuel Marquez, but since when were any of those three fighters on the level of Floyd Mayweather?

Now take in the fact I'm talking about a worn down beaten Shane Mosley as opposed to what he was at one time, take the fact Victor Ortiz and Juan Marquez were nothing more than tune up fights.

Lets think about it now the last time he really fought a real opponent other than Miguel Cotto was Ricky Hatton in 2007.

To me there is no excuse for why the #1 pound for pound fighter in boxing has fought two relevant fights for the last 5 years.

Taking a look back at Manny Pacquaio hes not much different, for two fighters who are said to be so much above other fighters they don't seem to have the urge to prove it.

I look at the Klitschko brothers those are the real #1 and 2 pound for pound fighters, those are two champions who fight the best ranked heavyweights in the world.

They prove themselves time in and time out, never have either one of them with the exception of fighting each other ever backed down from a fight.

I think at the end of the day what really annoys me about a Manny Pacquaio, every time you listened to a boxing analyst they want you to love him.

I remember I was really behind the guy after he was screwed over after he dominated Timothy Bradley, from that point on he dropped the ball.

Manny could have kept boxing alive and showed hes the best in the world, instead he chose to do what his promoter Bob Arum said would make him the most money.

Again what makes Manny Pacquaio even worse than Floyd Mayweather, Manny pretends to be an honest man whos true to god when hes really all about whats best for him.

Us the fans have the power to stop giving money into a sport thats content on continuously ripping us off, its time we stop letting fighters like Manny Pacquaio and Floyd Mayweather take money out of our pockets.

The Battle Between Two Warriors Sonnen Vs Griffin

Forrest Griffin Vs Chael Sonnen at UFC 155 picture belongs to bleacherreport.com

Watching guys like these two fighters is what really drew me into becoming the UFC fan I am today.

Over the years growing up I never watched the sport as much as I wanted to because I was too busy following sports in New York.

At UFC 155 Forrest Griffin and Chael Sonnen will bring back the respect for American MMA fighters.

Even with Americans holding championships in the UFC, somehow all you ever hear about is the amount of talent that comes from Brazil.

I wish people would look at UFC history because most of the fighters in the UFC hall of fame come from America.

In almost every weight class thats ever been in the UFC American fighters were the first to hold the title.

If you also look by how many fighters from each country won titles in the UFC, there has been 73 American champions with Brazil at 17 champions way behind in 2nd place. 

So many Brazilian fighters want to take their fights in their own country instead of giving back to the fans who are responsible for most of the money these fighters make.

Finally were going to realize in the MMA world what the U.S.A is all about, were going to send two of our toughest guys in there to wreck each other.

There is no titles to be won, I don't even think the winner will earn a title shot next this fight is all about pride.

When Forrest Griffin {18-7} became the 1st fighter to ever win the Ultimate Fighter show it changed the UFC forever.

They will probably continue showing the program on Fuel TV, but it was truly remarkable how his fight would be the only Ultimate Fighter finale to give contracts to both participants.

Forrest had an all out war with Stephen Bonnar, this fight to this day is remembered as one of the best fights to ever take place in the world of MMA.

Although Forrest edged out the win by decision, it was awesome to see Stephen Bonnar rewarded for fighting such a hard fight.

Forrest has been the type of fighter who seems to never get the respect he deserves, when he was set to take on Rampage Jackson not too many people gave him much of a chance.

At UFC 86 Forrest shocked the world and defeated Rampage Jackson by way of decision to capture the UFC Light Heavyweight title.

What makes Forrest a warrior is he doesn't have the most talent, but after defeating Rampage he went on to face two of the best pound for pound fighters in the UFC Rashad Evans and Anderson Silva.

UFC 92 would be thee end of Forrest's title reign as he was defeated by "Sugar" Rashad Evans by way of TKO in the 3rd round.

Most fighters would take the time after that to face opponents who are not as good just to get back in the swing of things.

Forrest would then take on the #1 pound for pound fighter in the UFC today Anderson Silva at UFC 101.

Anderson Silva knocked Forrest Griffin out in the 1st round, but the fact this man was willing to step in there with anyone shows what kind of man he is.

He would later go on to win 3 out of his next 4 fights defeating Tito Ortiz by way of decision in 2 of those fights.

Now coming off his UFC 148 victory over the great Tito Ortiz, Forrest has been swept under the carpet as someone to mention in the title picture.

Now on the other hand you look at his UFC 155 opponent former Middleweight contender Chael Sonnen {27-12-1}.

Chael seems to have all the attention wherever he goes, this is a fighter who knows how to promote himself and does it as well as anyone.

Chael unlike Forrest lost his fight at UFC 148, but he lost against Anderson Silva who has never been defeated in the UFC.

I'm not going to count out either fighter because they couldn't defeat Anderson Silva, I think we should applaud these fighters for having the courage to take on anyone at any time.

Recently Chael was asked to face Jon Jones on 8 days notice for the Light Heavyweight title in order to save the Main Event for UFC 151.

The show would go on to be canceled because Jon Jones refused to fight Chael on 8 days like that, like I've said many times although Jon Jones holds the title the pressure would have been on Chael Sonnen.

UFC president Dana White seemed floored by the all situation, Jon Jones would later go on to give a bunch of different reasons why he said no, but real MMA fans know whats what.

You might be able to fool some members of the media, but you cannot pull the shades over the eyes of the UFC fans.

Now were back to expecting a great battle between Forrest Griffin and Chael Sonnen, two fighters I've always supported.

As a fan its really hard for me to say who is going to win this fight, I want to say Chael is going to take it but if you remember back in 2003 Forrest Griffin defeated Chael Sonnen by making him tap out to the triangle choke in the IFC Global Promotion.

Lets also think back to UFC 117, Chael seems to be very vulnerable to the triangle choke which is said by many MMA fighters to be a pretty basic move.

I'm sure Chael Sonnen has worked on making a lot of adjustments to his Jiu Jitsu so I expect the kinks to be worked out,  but you also have to keep in mind that Forrest is not afraid to keep it standing either.

I could see this two slugging it out, I'm sure Chael is going to try and take this fight to the ground in order to tire out Griffin, but I don't see this being a one sided fight.

I think your going to see two fighters fighting to the death in there, Chael seemed like his striking has really improved over the last 2 to 3 years.

Like I said earlier this fight will bring back the name for American fighters in the UFC considering Jon "Bones" Jones proved hes not a fighter who will fight for self respect.

People can undersell Forrest Griffin all they want at least he and Chael Sonnen are willing to throw down, at least there men.

At UFC 155 get ready for a war because this wont be two guys trying to hug each other for 15 minutes, there going to punch each others faces in, and its going to be great.

I want Chael Sonnen to win because you have to go with your #1 favorite fighter, but whatever happens I won't be disappointed because these are two fighters I will always support.

Jon "Bones" Jones Running Out Of Excuses

UFC Light Heavyweight champion Jon "Bones" Jones picture belongs to http://sp-thefightking.blogspot.com

UFC Light Heavyweight champion Jon "Bones" Jones, has been one of the main topics in the UFC for a long time now.

You have to always keep in mind when your at his level of fighting, your actions and words always seem to come up with a response.

There has always been a debate between Boxing and MMA, what made the world of MMA stand out at the end of every argument, was the fact that nobody really turned down a fight before.

I think having that edge over Boxing was something that really drew a lot of fans in, whenever a champion of the sport takes it upon himself to think of himself first it shows a lack of respect for everyone spending their hard earned money to watch fights.

Jon Jones took that edge over Boxing and completely threw it out the window, you have to hope this doesn't start a trend for fighters in the UFC.

I really wish Jon Jones would be a champion who sticks to his word, hes said in so many words in the past that he would want anyone anytime. Jon Jones also has said he took responsibility for why UFC 151 was cancelled.

According to ESPN.com Jon Jones recently gave an interview with Ariel Helwani where he tells his side of what happened. Throughout the interview he said many things that seemed to be excuses for why UFC 151 was cancelled.

He claimed he had no idea that the event was depending on his decision to fight Chael Sonnen on 8 days notice, when your pretty much the main draw of the show why would you think your presence doesn't mean the difference between fans buying tickets or not?

Fans were buying tickets to see him defend his title against Dan Henderson, now when he was removed with an injury people would have went crazy for a Jon Jones Vs Chael Sonnen fight.

When Jon Jones rejected the fight he told UFC president Dana White that his trainer Greg Jackson said fighting Chael Sonnen on 8 days notice would be the biggest mistake of his career.

During the interview he was trying to clear things up he is now taking the side of saying Chael Sonnen is a racist thug who didn't deserve the opportunity.

I don't get how your opinion on the whole matter changes from your trainer advised you not to fight because he basically didn't believe in you to Chael being beneath you.

Lets also not forget the same guy calling Chael Sonnen a thug is the same guy who got a DWI in the last year.

I'm not saying getting a DWI makes you a bad person, but how are you going to call someone a thug when you been in handcuffs yourself?
 
Jon Jones may be able to fool curtain people but not me, I see through everything he has been trying to do.

I'm not going to cheer on for a fighter who simply doesn't feel its his job to give back to the fans who invested to watch him fight at UFC 151.

I'm not going to deny the amount of talent Jon Jones has, I'm also not going to deny the fact he may be one of the better fighters in the UFC, but there comes a time in a fighters career where he has to show what hes made of.

I know there will still be many supporters, I also know for a fighter who worked so hard to achieve greatness he has thrown that away with the other half of UFC fans.

This is a man who fought 4 times within the same year, this is the youngest Light Heavyweight champion in UFC history, so many great accomplishments during his UFC career.

I'm just trying to find a reason why a fighter at the level he is at would have no confidence in himself fighting someone on 8 days notice.

No matter what the turnout is between Jon Jones Vs Vitor Belfort, there is still going to be many fans who feel cheated out of a great fight.

I find it really disgusting how he is all of a sudden trying to turn the blame on the UFC for putting out a weak card, he basically put down everyone else who was on the card as well as the promotion that pays him to fight.

Jon managed to find more time to rip Lyoto Machida, he is saying he doesn't understand why all the hate is going to him and not guys like that.

That to me is a fighter looking for every excuse he can find, how are you going to call yourself a champion and talk like that?

A real champion is a champion that can admit his failures because they take pride in what they do, they don't look to point fingers or duck opponents.

At the end of everything I'm sure Jon Jones will destroy Vitor Belfort, I just hope he finds a more worthy contender next time.

Jon Jones has run out of excuses its time to just go out there and do what he does best. I really feel Jon Jones made a selfish decision, but the UFC is the UFC it will always live on.

The American Soldier John Ferrara

The sign of respect for John Ferrara 

To this day John Ferrara continues to serve his time for our great country.

There is very few people who could go through the battles he had to survive.

It would be wrong on my part to try and explain what he went through, unless your a part of it you could never fully understand how tough it is.

You could listen to a few stories, each time you hear something that makes you wonder how bad things could get in the drop of a hat.

What makes my friend John Ferrara so strong is the fact that he never ever felt the need to brag about the heoric things he did while fighting for our freedom.

Here and there I've heard stories, from what I do know I will say this is someone we should all give respect to, for anyone that reads this that knows him make sure if you pass him somewhere you shake his hand.

Years ago before he joined I remember him telling people he was going to join the US Army, I was stunned and told him it would be a huge mistake.

As we continued talking during that conversation, John looked me dead in the eyes and said "Quinn I'm doing it".

From that point on I knew he meant business, never was there a time where I ever saw him look that focused.

Ever since that time hes grown into a man to be proud of, I'm proud to be his friend and I know for a fact that many other people feel the same about him.

When I think back at all the time he was off serving his time for the US, I felt at so many times like I didn't have my best friend.

You know we all have a group of friends that all feel like family to us, even when we have to go our own ways for a while, you never forget where you came from. 

I always felt for John because like I wrote in another blog he got the shaft when it came to High School Baseball, to this day if you bring him around to play Softball or Baseball hes an absolute monster.

Now your adding a military background into his skills along with being in awesome shape, right now if I was him I would be trying to play Baseball again.

When I look back at our friendship, I don't think there was a ever a time where I didn't look at him like a brother.

I'm sure if you think back you can remember times we may have been angry at each other, there is a saying in my family, once you have your first argument with someone close there instantly initiated into the family.

If you look at the picture of the tribute to his contributions to our country, I was driving past it the other day and had to take a picture of it.

It reminded me of all he accomplished in a short time, if you think about it 3 and a half years is not as long as we think.

It feels like yesterday when he called me while he was about to get on the train to leave for the first time, I think I was more scared than he was, he sounded fearless.

Like I said I won't get into the details of what he did, I will say if you have never served time as a soldier then you would be grateful that you didn't have to overcome the obstacles he had to.

See no matter what we hear we will never fully understand, thats why I think the best thing to do as Americans is to just make sure we show every bit of respect we can.

When I talk about showing respect not just for my friend John Ferrara but for all of the troops who have served us.

John Ferrara just stands out to me as someone who really made his bones in the US Army, for the ones who told him he wasn't going to make it I'm glad he made everyone of you eat your words.

For all of time he will go on as an American hero, what makes this such a great success story is the fact he continues to work for our freedom and our way of life.

We watch these stupid speeches from politicians, what they should really be doing is talking about how much the troops have done for us.

They should be talking about ways to bring the rest of our boys and girls back home, I don't understand how there not the #1 priority right now.

Based on what I've heard from men who have served our country, Barrack Obama doesn't care, he cuts funds basically making it harder for our troops to defend themselves.

John Ferrara himself never complained, thats the thing about him he didn't fight for Barrack Obama he fought for survival.

John was put into situations that most men don't walk out of, the fact he made it through the battles of war shows what kind of man he has become.

John and his wife are expecting their first child, that baby has no idea that he or she will have a father who fought through some of the most evil terrorists in the country just to make it back to his family.

Again I know John will not brag so its going to have to be the people around him that remind his family just how special he is.

I'll never forget when I lost my uncle Jimmy at age 42, I remember everyday for the next month it seemed like, I got a call from John to come over.

He always had my back, when he left I felt like we would never be close again but nothing will ever take away how much his friendship means to me.

For so long I didn't do much with my life, I was ashamed to be around people who were, I remember I saw John after he went through a pretty rough mission.

I should have been there for him, I wasn't because I was so focused on trying to be a good uncle, I wish I was a better friend to him when he needed me.

What makes him such a good person is that fact he doesn't let that come between us, he understood I was lost myself, I had no idea what I was going to do with my life.

I'm still lost at times, seeing John do as well as he has and seeing a former Marine from the same High School I went to Bradley Desir becoming a professional MMA fighter inspired me to want more with my life.

I don't know if I could ever be anything great like what they have worked to be, I just know with hard work someday I will find my place.

Again its people like that who make those opportunities even possible for people like me, I thank god we have people like this in this world.

At the end of everything I want to say to everyone that John Ferrara overcame a lot, as he continues to serve he is still someone who has displayed acts of true bravery in the fields of battle.

He obviously comes home for visits, but when the time comes where hes officially home then its up to all of us to make sure he gets the proper welcome.

At the end of everything not just as a close friend but as an American I want to say thank you to John Ferrara.