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Charles McCarthy: Michael Bisping is ‘gonna get choked out’ at UFC 83 Posted: 15 Apr 2008 08:13 AM CDT Props: CBSSports.com Quoteworthy: “I know his game. We can go 15 minutes on the feet and he won’t hurt me. But if we get it on the ground, he will never last 15 minutes on the ground with me. So I don’t care much what people say, you know?… He’s a decent kickboxer…. (He’s) real arrogant, and, you know — not much else, really. He’s gonna get choked out April 19. I have very little regard for that guy…. I can’t wait to go in there and get my arm around his neck. It’s going to be a cool experience. I hope to put him to sleep before he decides to tap.” Charles McCarthy continues the steady drumbeat of trash talk heading into his upcoming fight with Michael Bisping at UFC 83: “Serra vs. St. Pierre” at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, on April 19. It marks the debut of “The Count” at middleweight and the first fight for “Chainsaw” in almost 18 months.

California Love: Sean Sherk reinstated after paying the piper Posted: 15 Apr 2008 12:00 AM CDT Props: MMAWeekly Former UFC lightweight champion Sean Sherk (32-2-1) has been cleared from California’s active suspension list on Monday after Sherk paid the outstanding fine associated with his sentence. Sherk was actually eligible for reinstatement as early as January but had not submitted payment until yesterday. The "Muscle Shark" tested positive for a banned anabolic agent (Nandrolone) in the wake of his successful title defense against Hermes Franca at UFC 73: "Stacked" in July 2007. He was subsequently stripped of his crown, suspended and fined by the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) — a ruling that he bitterly denies and blames on a mix of dietary supplements, shoddy lab work, breaches in the "chain of custody" and other factors. It was enough to get his suspension reduced from 12 months to six; however, Sherk's reputation has taken a big hit in the court of public opinion throughout the ordeal. Sherk was pretty outspoken on his treatment by the CSAC, especially after being asked about the possibility of one day fighting again in the Golden State. “It won't even be offered to me. The way (the CSAC does) stuff is very biased. They don't have rules; they don't have regulations … they make stuff up as they go. There needs to be some kind of regulation. They want to follow WADA when it benefits them; they want to change things when it benefits them. Nobody overlooks them. There's got to be some sort of backlash to everything that's happened in the last five months." Sherk is scheduled to face current lightweight champion BJ Penn (12-4-1) at UFC 84: Ill Will at the MGM Grand on May 24 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Miguel Torres vs. Yoshiro Maeda WEC title fight slated for June 1 (Exclusive) Posted: 14 Apr 2008 09:44 PM CDT Manny Tapia was forced to withdraw this evening from a highly anticipated bout against WEC Bantamweight Champion Miguel Torres (32-1) because of a knee injury sustained while training for their showdown at the Arco Arena in Sacramento, Calif., on June 1. MMAmania.com has learned that Yoshiro Maeda (23-4-2) has agreed to replace Tapia on short notice and take on Torres at WEC 34: “Faber vs. Pulver” for the 135-pound strap. Maeda made his WEC debut in Albuquerque, N.M., knocking out Charlie Valencia with a body kick in the first round. The Japanese fighter is a decorated Pancrase and DEEP veteran. In fact, Maeda was the first Pancrase featherweight titleholder. He had some trouble competing under the Pride FC banner (two of his four losses); however, Maeda has not lost since being submitted by Joe Pearson back in 2006. It was announced today actually that Maeda would face Damacio Page. That bout appears to have quickly been scratched, however, to ensure a worthy opponent for Torres. Torres is perhaps the most talented mixed martial arts champion on the planet who somehow remained relatively unknown until just recently. His last time out he overwhelmed Chase Beebe to capture the WEC 135-pound crown back in February. He has not lost a fight since 2003 and has never been stopped in 33 professional bouts. On the other hand, he finishes more than 70 percent of his opponents. Tapia-Torres was scheduled to be the co-main event of the evening alongside the showdown between WEC Featherweight Champion, Urijah Faber, and former UFC lightweight champion, Jens Pulver. Therefore, expect the Torres fight with Maeda to also receive high profile billing … it’s a nice scrap. WEC 34: “Faber vs. Pulver” is set to air on the Versus network at 9 p.m. ET on June 1. *** Thanks to MMAmania.com staff writer Chris Cosme who contributed to this report.

Eye on the prize: MMAmania.com exclusive UFC 83 sit-down with Demian Maia Posted: 14 Apr 2008 09:26 PM CDT Demian Maia will make his return to the eight-sided-cage this Saturday night in Montreal. He will clash with middleweight fighter and The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) season three runner-up, Ed Herman, at UFC 83. Maia, who has won his first six career fights, will be in only his second in the UFC. "I feel pretty good. I love the Octagon," Maia told MMAMania.com. Maia made his UFC debut at UFC 77: “Hostile Territory,” when he tooled Ryan Jensen, submitting him via rear naked choke in the first round. Herman will be one of Maia’s tougher opponents. Since losing to Jason MacDonald at UFC Fight Night: “The Final Chapter,” in fact, Herman has three straight UFC wins, including a knockout against Joe Doerksen at UFC 78: “Validation.” Herman also has wins against Dave Menne and Nick Thompson. Maia acknowledges that "Short Fuse" will be a tough battle. "He’s a very tough opponent, with good takedowns and ground game," Maia said. "To win I need to play my best … and I’ll do it." Maia is certainly no slouch at the ground game. The Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioner has won four of his six career fights by submission. "BJJ is my life and if I never lost it’s thanks to my background," Maia said. Maia is also a 2007 Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC) Submission Wrestling World champion and a runner-up in 2005. Maia would like to win the ADCC Title again in 2009. "ADCC is the grappling world cup, the most important tournament with no gi in the world," Maia said. "After UFC, the ADCC is the most important event for me. I want to win again in 2009." Maia has also defeated UFC heavyweight fighter Gabriel Gonzaga in a jiu-jitsu match, among others. Maia considers Rickson Gracie to be one of his biggest influences in his MMA career. He considers Gracie to be inspirational. "He is one of the biggest BJJ icons, nowadays. He influences me not just a fighter but as person too," Maia said. "I know him personally and he is a great person that gives me a lot of inspiration.” With Herman on the horizon, a win would certainly make Maia more noticeable in the middleweight division. UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva has had a death grip on the division and appears to be holding on for just a while longer. Maia would love an opportunity to fight Silva down the road. "He is the best in the world," Maia said. "A fight with him one day is gonna be a great honor. I respect him a lot." What’s important for Maia now is to leave Montreal on Saturday night with a win over Herman. "It s very important," Maia said. "I wanna get the title one day." His journey toward that goal will have to go through the Bell Centre this weekend … and Ed Herman.

Kimbo Slice, Gina Carano and Robbie Lawler ink EliteXC contract extensions Posted: 14 Apr 2008 08:28 PM CDT It’s funny what major network television exposure can do for a promotion that is eager to lock-in its stars to long-term deals. Street fighting legend Kimbo Slice, female MMA phenom Gina Carano and EliteXC Middleweight Champion “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler all signed “long-term extensions” with EliteXC today. This announcement comes just 45 days away from one of the biggest shows in the history of the sport — the network MMA debut on CBS from the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., on May 31. Slice, Carano and Lawler are all set to be showcased that night and EliteXC Live Events President Gary Shaw and the promotion are hoping its stars shine bright for their new (and massive) network audience. Slice will fight in the main event against British heavyweight James “The Colossus” Thompson. Carano will lock horns with Kaitlin Young, and Lawler will defend his middleweight title against Scott “Hands of Steel” Smith. I have to say Gary Shaw has done a superb job building EliteXC from the ground up. His flexibility when it comes to contracts mixed with his matchmaking skills and the uncanny ability to recognize and build stars have really done wonders for that company. Here are Shaw’s thoughts on each of the signings: "Kimbo has already become an MMA star due to his incredible popularity on YouTube. His backyard street fights are legendary. No question Kimbo has made a successful transition from Street to Elite and is on his way to becoming a superstar and world champion.” "Gina became an instant star after her first fight for EliteXC and has gone on to gain even more national prominence. She truly is the face of women's MMA, an inspiration to many up-and-coming athletes and is a perfect illustration as to why women do indeed have a place in this sport and with EliteXC.” "Robbie's nicknamed 'Ruthless' – what more you need to know? He's tough, hard-nosed and always been highly regarded. EliteXC is extremely proud to have Robbie as its world middleweight champion. Robbie has shown time and again that he's one of the most thrilling fighters in any weight class in MMA.” I don’t blame any of the three for sticking with EliteXC right now instead of opting for possible “bigger” pastures. A quality promoter, a network tv audience, and world class competition … what more could a fighter ask for?

Dana White hints that Kimbo Slice-Chuck Liddell UFC fight could be possible Posted: 14 Apr 2008 04:20 PM CDT Props: DeadSpin.com Quoteworthy: “If he [Kimbo] fought anybody that mattered, I would book [Chuck Liddell] tomorrow…. The fact is, Kimbo’s not there yet. He would get destroyed. I heard he just got knocked out by Forrest Griffin last week in a sparring match after a kick to the head.” UFC President Dana White admits that he’s open to the possibility of setting up a fight between former UFC light heavyweight champion, Chuck Liddell, and EliteXC star — and former Miami streetbrawler — Kimbo Slice. Two things have to happen first, however: Kimbo has to become a better fighter and he has to sign with promotion — White no longer cross promotes. That day might not be too far away. Sam Caplan reminds us that Slice inked a four-fight deal and his next bout against James Thompson in May will be the third under the existing contract. We know that Chuck will be down … Kimbo bothers him. UPDATE: Kimbo Slice signed a contract extension today, making this match up — if were even remotely possible — no longer possible … at least for the immediate future.

UFC 83 Countdown to Serra vs. St. Pierre debuts tomorrow (Video) Posted: 14 Apr 2008 03:48 PM CDT “UFC Countdown” to 83 will premiere tomorrow night (Tuesday, April 15) at 11 p.m. ET on SpikeTV to promote the welterweight showdown between Matt Serra and Georges St. Pierre at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, on April 19. The episode will re-air several times prior to the pay-per-view (PPV) event, including April 18 at 11 p.m. ET and April 19 at 6 p.m. ET. It’s going to be a crazy night of fights — the anticipation throughout Canada for the first-ever UFC event north if the Unites States border is overwhelming to say the least. Here’s a video of what we can expect to see tomorrow night on “UFC Countdown” to 83:

Ben Saunders vs. Jared Rollins UFC 86 fight in the works Posted: 14 Apr 2008 03:22 PM CDT There's a welterweight fight brewing between The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 6 contestants, Ben Saunders (5-0-2) and Jared Rollins (6-4), for UFC 86: "Jackson vs. Griffin" at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, on July 5, according to MMAWeekly.com. Saunders will look to build on his unanimous decision win over Dan Barrera at TUF 6 Finale back in December 2007. He was eliminated during the quarterfinals of the mixed martial arts reality series when he ran into eventual finalist, the "Farm Boy" Tommy Speer. Rollins, on the other hand, will attempt to bounce back after a thrilling technical knockout loss to Jon Koppenhaver at TUF 6 Finale. It was a back-and-forth, blood-soaked battle that was considered among the best inside the Octagon last year. Quinton "Rampage" Jackson will defend his 205-pound title against Forrest Griffin during the UFC 86 main event of the evening. In addition, heavyweights Frank Mir and Justin McCully will hook 'em up in another featured bout on the pay-per-view (PPV) broadcast. To check out the rest of the developing UFC 86 fight card click here.

Pictures of Staph infection MMA-style Posted: 14 Apr 2008 01:28 PM CDT Not too long ago former UFC heavyweight champion, Kevin Randleman, was the clear-cut winner when it came to the most gruesome-looking staph infection. Well, I’m nauseated to report that “The Monster” could have some competition thanks to grapefruit-sized lesion that recently grew in the hamstring area of Drew McFedries. Check out the gore after the jump if you dare. Both fighters, for what it’s worth, made full recoveries. I, however, have not. Note that McFedries is on the left and Randleman is on the right (it was located just under his armpit.)

Canada bound: MMAmania.com to make a run for the border for UFC 83 Posted: 14 Apr 2008 12:17 PM CDT When Mania got in touch with me about a week ago, our conversation went something like this: Mania: What are you doing the weekend of April 19? Me: Watching UFC 83, of course. Why? Mania: How would you like to ride the Ultimate Fight Train from Toronto to Montreal (with bottomless beers), attend UFC 83 live, attend the official TapouT afterparty, stay at a fancy hotel and hang out with Forrest Griffin and Patrick Cote all weekend long? Me: Um … you had me at "fight train." So there you have it: A quick glimpse into how important decisions are made in this crazy MMA world we all live in. I'm heading to Toronto on Friday morning as a guest of our Canadian connection, Director of Media Relations for MMACanada.net and MMAmania.com's own, Sean McManus. Guess you can chalk it up to the perks of being involved with such a fantastic Web site as the one you're currently reading. All props go to Mania for being the stand-up guy that he is in providing this truly unique opportunity. The catch? You guys will have to put up with posts and diatribes from me all weekend long, most likely on the following subjects: How it feels to be picked up from the airport by the UFC's #1 Light Heavyweight Contender Forrest Griffin. While cornering (literally) on rails on a Canadian fight train, which tastes better, the King of American beers, Budweiser, or Canada's own Molson? Who knows how to party UFC-style better, the Yanks or the Canucks? Which crowd was more insane: Columbus, Ohio's during UFC 68 when Randy Couture came out of retirement to take Tim Sylvia's Heavyweight title, or Montreal, Quebec's during UFC 83: “Serra vs. St. Pierre II”? The Ultimate Fight Train is sponsored by MMA Fight Gear Canada in association with VIA Rail, Fight! Magazine, TapouT, MMAmania.com, BetUs.com, The Score, The Toronto Sun and a host of other sponsors. UFC 83 takes place at the Bell Centre this Saturday, April 19. As most of you already know, it sold out faster than any event in UFC history. Canadian fans = hardcore. In addition to the highly anticipated welterweight title bout, UFC 83's fight card has a ton of middleweight action, as well as several other intriguing matchups. The color commentators will be Mike Goldberg and the UFC's top lightweight contender, Kenny Florian. The official TapouT afterparty is hosted by Forrest Griffin and Mask, Skyskrape and Punk Ass (aka, the TapouT clothing crew). As if the timing could get any more strange, just last week I found out that I'm about 1/8 Canadian. No wonder I'm quite fond of Canada's national animal, the beaver. Looking forward to seeing all you crazy Canadian fans this weekend! Now let's hear from you.

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