Beatdown: Boetsch, Zahabi, Cruickshank, "Showtime"

TJ De Santis and Jeff Sherwood returned to The Sherdog Radio Network Wednesday for a packed edition of "Beatdown." Joining them were fighters Tim Boetsch, Daron Cruickshank, Javier Vazquez, and coach Firas Zahabi.

Tim Boetsch is closing in on his final training sessions in preparation for his December 29th showdown with Constantinos Philippou. "The Barbarian" chats about the upcoming middleweight title, his status as top contender for Anderson Silva's title, and where the nickname "Barbarian" originated from. The Matt Hume trained fighter also talks about a potential showdown with his original opponent for the 155 card Chris Weidman.

Firas Zahabi was in the corner of Rory MacDonald Saturday night in Seattle for the UFC on Fox 5 card. Zahabi joined "Beatdown" to talk about his charge's impressive decision win over B.J. Penn. Firas breaks down the strategy that was implemented in dismantling a legend of the sport, MacDonald's future, and what's next for GSP. The coach considers what challenges Georges St. Pierre would have with guys like Johny Hendricks, Nick Diaz, and UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva.

"The Detroit Superstar" Daron Cruickshank was another fighter who impressed viewers of the UFC on Fox 5 card. Cruickshank stopped Henry Martiniez with a highlight reel head kick knockout. Daron joins the show to talk about his win, growing up in a fighting family, and the pride he has fighting out of "The Motor City." Javier "Showtime" Vazquez has always been one to speak his mind. The former King of the Cage and Gladiator Challenge championed joined De Santis and Sherwood looking for a fight. On January 19th and 20th in Los Angeles Javi's wife Rose Gracie will be promoting her Gracie U.S. Nationals event par of the LA Fitness Expo. Vazquez threw an invitation out there to world champion grapplers to join him in a four-man 155-pound tournament where you only advance if you can submit your opponent. "Showtime" breaksdown what he feels is wrong with sport jiu-jitsu and why he would like to compete with some of the world's best under his set of rules.

TJ and Jeff also take a look at the sport's current events. Including what fans thing of Benson Henderson being considered as fighter of the year for 2012.

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