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Thiago Alves plans to put hotter heat on Karo Parisyan at UFN 13 Posted: 01 Apr 2008 08:00 AM CDT Props: MMAWeekly.com Quoteworthy: “I'm looking for ‘Knockout Of The Night’ and the ‘Fight Of The Night’ … both…. I'll try to knock him out, like always. Pressure, I know he's going to bring 'The Heat,' I'm going to be even hotter. So, it's going to be really fun. I can't wait. I'm really excited. The game plan is going to be to stay in his face the whole fight … and knock him out.” An excited and pumped up Thiago Alves talks about his fight tomorrow night (April 2) against Karo Parisyan at UFC Fight Night 13 in Broomfield, Colo., at the Broomfield Event Center. The American Top Team (ATT)-trained product has an opportunity to vault himself to the top of the 170-pound division with a win over the “Heat” — widely considered the top 170-pound title contender.

Fedor Emelianenko nets $1.6 million payday … Posted: 31 Mar 2008 11:08 PM CDT … because this fraudulent honey commercial does “not fit his powerful image:” It’s honestly impossible to make this stuff up.

Happy to be back: MMAmania.com exclusive chat with UFCs Josh Koscheck Posted: 31 Mar 2008 10:30 PM CDT UFC welterweight fighter Josh Koscheck recently signed a new multi-fight contract that ensures he will remain on the 170-pound roster for the near future. It’s a deal more than three years in the making after the former NCAA wrestling champion recently satisfied his three-year, 10-fight contract following a stint on The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 1 mixed martial arts reality series. “I’m really happy to be with the UFC,” Koscheck recently told MMAmania.com. “It was an easy decision. There was no shopping around or anything like that. It was just a matter of getting a good deal that works out for me and for the organization.” While fighting under his old contract, “Kos” compiled an impressive record (8-2) and could have earned serious consideration as a title challenger if he defeated Georges St. Pierre at UFC 74: “Respect” back in August 2007. He didn’t, losing via unanimous decision to the Canadian. The defeat has now lit a fire under the Pennsylvania native and he’s eager to climb back up to the top of the ladder rung by rung. “I feel I still have a lot to prove to the fans,” Koscheck said. “That's my plan. I want to prove to everyone that I'm evolving as a fighter and work my way back up to that title shot.” Dustin Hazelett was his first victim, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu player who Koscheck took out in an action-packed stand up fight that ended with his hand raised after two rounds at UFC 82: “Pride of a Champion” last month. Next up is grizzled veteran Chris Lytle at UFC 86 in July — a very underrated and dangerous fighter who has 45 professional bouts to his credit. “I'm happy to be back and I want that title shot, but there’s no way I’m looking past Chris Lytle,” Koscheck said. “He's a very tough opponent and this is going to be a big test for both of us. It’s just that I’m set on being a world champion in 2008 and I have to go through Chris Lytle to achieve that goal.” It’s an ambitious plan, considering that his good friend and training partner at American Kickboxing Academy (AKA), Jon Fitch, is perhaps next in line to fight the winner of the UFC 83 fight between Matt Serra and Georges St. Pierre later on this year. And if that happens, and Fitch and Koscheck continue to win, would we ever see a fight between the two stable mates? “This is a business and Jon and I both want the same thing — a world title,” said Koscheck. “If we’re the last men standing in the welterweight division then it’s possible we could fight. Anything can happen for the right amount of money. But there’s no need to worry about that right now.” Pressed to elaborate on how that far-fetched (for now) match up might go down, Koscheck provided a potential scenario. “I guess we flip a coin and he picks coaches and I pick coaches,” said Koscheck. “But knowing us — we’re competitors who love to compete — we’d more than likely train together right up until fight time. For us it would just be a competition and we'd still be the best of friends once the fight is over.” For now Koscheck is just happy to be with the UFC because as he puts it, the Octagon is where he “belongs.” He now has the opportunity to continue proving that to all the fans, critics and more importantly himself, thanks to his new fight deal. Let’s see what he’s got, starting with Lytle. That’s a darn tough scrap.

UFC Quick Quote: Shogun Rua eyes return as soon as September Posted: 31 Mar 2008 08:52 PM CDT “The surgery was very quick, lasted 50 minutes, was quiet. Now I hope for healing and I think here in about two months I can return to training slowly, very cautiously…. Depending on my recovery, I think that I can fight again in September or October. We always talked with Dana White and also would like to thank him because the UFC offered me a doctor, a physical therapist — all to get me help. They have been very attentive with me.” – Mauricio “Shogun” Rua tells Sherdog.com that his knee surgery was successful and that he hopes to return as soon as September if all things go according to plan. Rua disclosed a knee injury after his submission loss to Forrest Griffin in the Brazilian’s Octagon debut at UFC 76: “Knockout” in September 2007. He had it fixed after that fight, but reinjured the knee while training for Chuck Liddell at UFC 85 in June. Rashad Evans was tapped as Rua’s replacement.

Cung Le next fight? Fill in the blanks Posted: 31 Mar 2008 01:48 PM CDT Newly crowned Strikeforce Middleweight Champion Cung Le has suddenly found himself to be the toast of the town. And why not? His stand-up clinic on Frank Shamrock has earned him his 15 minutes. How much fame he has after that is entirely up to him. If his performance on Saturday night is any indication of his progress, we may be seeing a lot more of the San Shou master in the months to come. And with a Strikeforce/NBC late night television deal in place, we could also be looking at another leap in mainstream exposure. Yet as with any “new” player in mixed martial arts, fantasy matchmaking goes from intelligent and plausible to midnight madness in 10 posts or less. Let’s first get the obvious out of the way: Unless something cataclysmic happens to the UFC business model, Cung Le is not going to face Anderson Silva anytime soon, if ever. And Phil Baroni would go from New York Badass to New York Cheesecake after a few of Le’s kicks find their mark. At the press conference immediately following Strikeforce: “Shamrock vs. Cung Le,” the undefeated middleweight was given the obligatory questions about who he’ll fight next. Le didn’t really have an answer. Nor should he have, since he was only an hour removed from the biggest win of his career. Now reporters would be remiss in their duties if they didn’t do some matchmaking of their own. Names like Kazuo Misaki (PRIDE’s 2006 Middleweight Grand Prix Champion and latest Strikeforce acquistion) and Robbie Lawler (Elite XC Middleweight Champion) were offered up to which Le seemed genuinely interested — especially Lawler, who Le praised as a talented veteran. Of course those opponents were offered more as available talent rather than serious contenders. Especially Lawler, who has an upcoming fight with Scott Smith already booked for May 31 and he’s not even a Strikeforce fighter. However, a match up could be made if desired (and agreed upon) for another Strikeforce/EliteXC copromotion. It’s my opinion that after Kimbo Slice has his turn in the spotlight for the upcoming CBS event on May 31, the non-UFC focus will again return to Le, who may find himself fighting a middleweight gatekeeper while Shammy gets his arm in order. Yes, Shamrock vs. Le II will happen. And why shouldn’t it? Was anyone who witnessed the first fight bored with what they saw? There’s certainly plenty of drama to hype it with the way things ended. A humbled Shamrock may even implement a more strategic offense the second time around. I’m pretty sure his veteran status will let him off the hook without another fight before the rematch. Le as champion however, will likely have to defend at least once. No question the Strikeforce brass will approach with caution, as to keep the upset bug at bay until Shamrock is ready. Then again that’s one bug who just likes to keep biting.

Rachelle Leah Playboy cover coming soon Posted: 31 Mar 2008 01:30 PM CDT That’s right, numerous sources are reporting the former UFC Octagon Girl and current host of “UFC All Access,” Rachelle Leah, will grace the cover of Playboy sometime in the near future. No exact date is known at this time. So while we wait, let’s whet our imaginations with a little help from Stuff magazine:

Lauzons have some fun with Kenny Florian entrance (Video) Posted: 31 Mar 2008 12:17 PM CDT Colorado cabin fever?

Rampage Jackson sets the record straight on Wanderlei Silva and Forrest Griffin trash talk Posted: 31 Mar 2008 11:16 AM CDT Props: FightHype.com Quoteworthy: “I ain't talking bad about nobody. I didn't call him ‘Forrest Weakchin.’ If anything, I said I'm fighting Forrest Whitaker. I didn' call Wanderlei the ‘Chump Murderer.’ I ain't never said nothing like that. That is kind of disrespectful. I just said he was fighting chumps. If people want to put words in my mouth, they need to grow the hell up … tell the fans out there that want to nitpick bout every lil' thang somebody say that I'm the type of fighter that is going to jump around and have fun with the sport; I'm not like these other fighters. I respect every fighter that gets in that cage. If somebody said something about me like that, I wouldn't even get mad; it's good. It helps hype up the fight. We in the fight business and we want people to go and buy the fight. I like Forrest, but I ain't got to talk sweet to him and hug up on him every time I see him. I can say whatever I want. I am in America and part of being in America is that we have freedom of speech, but I did not say Forrest Weakchin and Wanderlei Chump Murderer. I did not say those words, but I said along the lines that Forrest probably does … I know inside stuff that people don't know. I know Forrest gets knocked out at practice sometimes; I know Jardine knocked him out real quick and I know my boy ‘Sick Dog’ almost knocked him out and he wasn' really even punching…. In what I do, we call that a weak chin. You can tell the fans I lost respect for them because they nitpicking about every damn thang. People always trying to find something to hate on me about. Tell all of the fans that Rampage … at the end of the message, tell all of the fans that nitpick about every lil' damn thing we do to grow the hell up.” UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson responds to recent reports like this and others. He’s set to fight Griffin at UFC 86 in Las Vegas, Nevada, on July 5.

Kid fights and MMA: Good idea or bad? (Video) Posted: 31 Mar 2008 10:41 AM CDT Sam Caplan has the find and the analysis over at FiveOuncesOfPain.com. As a huge fan of the sport (and a parent) I tend to agree with his argument that MMA fights and kids don’t mix. It just doesn’t seem right. And it certainly doesn’t look right — even under the strictest supervision. UFC President Dana White, however, disagrees:

UFC Fight Night 13 weigh-in details at Broomfield Arena Posted: 31 Mar 2008 09:13 AM CDT Doors will open for the UFC Fight Night 13 weigh-in event at 3 p.m. local time tomorrow, Tuesday, April 1, at the "Practice Court," which is attached to the Broomfield Arena in Broomfield, Colo. Former middleweight contender and current welterweight fighter, Mike Swick, will kick things off a bit earlier at 1 p.m. MT, holding down an exclusive question and answer session with UFC Fight Club members. As usual, the weigh-in event is free and open to the public. However, the venue is small and UFC Fight Club members will receive priority seating. Therefore, get there as early as possible if you're dead set on catching the festivities. Here's the complete line up: Main event: 155 lbs.: Kenny Florian (7-3) vs. Joe Lauzon (16-3) Main card (televised): 170 lbs.: Karo Parisyan (18-4) vs. Thiago Alves (13-3) 205 lbs.: Matt Hamill (3-1) vs. Tim Boetsch (7-1) 155 lbs.: Nate Diaz (8-2) vs. Kurt Pellegrino (11-3) 205 lbs.: Houston Alexander (8-2) vs. James Irvin (13-4) Under card (may not be broadcast): 155 lbs.: Frank Edgar (8-0) vs. Gray Maynard (4-0) 155 lbs.: Marcus Aurelio (15-5) vs. Ryan Roberts (8-2) 155 lbs.: Din Thomas (20-7) vs. Josh Neer (23-6-1) 155 lbs.: Manny Gamburyan (7-2) vs. Jeff Cox (9-4) 155 lbs.: Clay Guida (22-9) vs. Samy Schiavo (10-4) 170 lbs.: George Sotiropoulos (8-2) vs. Roman Mitichyan (5-1) 170 lbs.: Tommy Speer (9-2) vs. Anthony Johnson (4-1) UFC Fight Night 13 is a three-hour SpikeTV special that will begin at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, April 2. MMAmania.com will provide LIVE blow-by-blow, round-by-round coverage of the broadcast, as well as quick results of the under card action throughout the night. It's going to be an awesome evening for MMA, which will continue after UFC Fight Night 13 with the debut episode of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 7 at 10 p.m. ET. Definitely hit us up before, during and after all the FREE programming for some good times.

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