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| Anderson Silva training seminar in Houston Texas from May 17-18 Posted: 08 May 2008 08:40 AM CDT |
| Frank Mir: Brock Lesnar is like a Clydesdale (Video) Posted: 08 May 2008 08:20 AM CDT Mir is also asked about a potential gig as coach on the next season of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF), which he refuses to answer. However, he doesn’t do so with his best poker face. |
| Nick Diaz vs. Inoue Katsuya DREAM 3 fight booked (Again) Posted: 08 May 2008 08:10 AM CDT
That’s Cesar Gracie — the man responsible for the training and management of Nick Diaz — telling Sherdog.com that his fighter is headed to Japan to take on Inoue Katsuya (16-5-3) during the DREAM 3 event at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, this weekend on May 11. Maybe. The bout was scratched shortly after it was announced because Diaz is scheduled to fight Muhsin Corbbrey on June 14 in Honolulu, Hawaii, which did not site well with Elite XC Live Events President, Gary Shaw. In fact, The card had already taken a hit with the loss of the vacant welterweight title tilt between Jake Shields and Drew Fickett (Fickett had to withdraw with an injury) and it appeared that the promotion didn’t want to risk possibly losing Diaz if he is injured in his fight overseas and can’t recover in time. However, it appears that Elite XC officials have had a quick change of heart, specifically ProElite CEO Doug DeLuca. Here’s another snip from Gracie on DeLuca:
Indeed, but it comes at a potentially large cost — Diaz has a history of sustaining cuts and injuries in his fights. Apparently Elite XC views it as a risk worth taking. Now let’s just hope Diaz gets on that plane and ultimately finds his way into the ring … this is madness. DREAM 3 will feature the second round of the 2008 Lightweight Grand Prix tournament, as well as the return of Jason "Mayhem" Miller. Should be a nice card. DREAM 3 will air LIVE on the HDNet network at 3 a.m. ET on Sunday, May 11. |
| Mirko Cro Cop: Leg injury and schedule change not a factor in upcoming fight against Jerome LeBanner Posted: 08 May 2008 12:41 AM CDT
Former UFC and PRIDE heavyweight Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic will fight K-1 superstar Jerome LeBanner on at DREAM 5 on July 20 — not at DREAM 4 on June 15 as originally planned — according to Nokaut.com. While it was reported by Javno.com that Cro Cop suffered a minor knee injury during training, X-Rays revealed no damage and the Croat is continuing his preparations as normal. Quoteworthy:
Cro Cop most recently recovered from back-to-back losses inside the Octagon (Gabriel Gonzaga and Cheick Kongo) to take out Tatsuya Mizuno with ease during the inaugural show for DREAM last month. He has vowed to put together at least three consecutive wins and return to the UFC as early as January 2009 to redeem himself. However, a rematch with Fedor Emelianenko on New Year's Eve possibly stands in his way, as well as the French-born, LeBanner. LeBanner has not competed in mixed martial arts since 2006. And although his MMA experience is limited, his kickboxing resume is not. In fact, he's been in against the best, including Ernesto Hoost, Peter Aerts, Semmy Schilt, Mark Hunt and others. Cro Cop and LeBanner have actually competed against one another during a K-1 event in 1996, which the Croatian won via unanimous decision. Expect a similar bout: Striking, striking and more striking. It would be a total shock if this match hits the canvas. We will bring you more information on the event and venue for this fight as soon as it becomes available. |
| UFC 85 poster for Bedlam PPV event in London … Posted: 07 May 2008 09:25 PM CDT … and it looks pretty sweet:
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| The Ultimate Fighter 7: Episode 6 recap and discussion Posted: 07 May 2008 08:01 PM CDT
So here we go with the sixth episode of The Ultimate Fighter 7 and since the fight of Jeremy May and Matt Brown was announced last week they waste no time in hyping the fight. Matt is getting a lot of respect from the other fighters. Jeremy May? Not so much. May of course does nothing to help his own cause. He replaces vodka with water and does shots so that everyone will think he’s drunk. Normally you replace water with vodka so people think you AREN’T drunk but since when does Jeremy May do anything normal? He also promises to give Matt Brown a beating “in a good Christian way”. Having taken a few Christian beatings myself, I can assure him there is nothing good about it. May also coins the term “Jeremy-jitsu” which not only insults the jiu-jitsu legacy, but sounds like an offensive simulacrum of Yves Edwards “Thugjitsu”. To top it all off, May blows out his knee during training and that gives him an excuse to skip practice and sit on the stationary bike for a few hours. Not that I think his injury is disingenuous but even Eight Belles hit the dirt with less complaining than he did. Over at Team Forrest we get a glimpse of Matt Brown alone in the cage while slow piano music plays in the background. I can’t be sure but it almost sounds like the “Incredible Hulk” TV credits in reverse. Brown reveals a checkered past including drugs, streetfights and prison. Either Brownie is playing it up for the camera (ala Marlon Sims) or there are some serious loopholes in the TUF application process. Forrest hopes the same Matt Brown that brings the hurt in training is the same Matt Brown that shows up in the cage but is also concerned that an enraged Brown will burn himself out in round one.
At the weigh-ins May gives Brown his best Alfred E. Neuman impersonation and Brown responds with the tried-and-true tough guy head fake. Brown thinks May will have to pull something out of his ass to win this fight. Good thing he’s not fighting Tim Credeur or it may have been Matthew Riddle (see episode four). Speaking of Riddle, he tells Brown to aim for the knee. Normally I wouldn’t take advice from someone like Riddle but anytime you can invoke the image of a stone-faced Sensei Kreese you get a free pass. May admits to selling his knee injury to get out of intense training. He even uses the expression “sandbagging it.” Wow. Considering how many cuts the UFC has made in recent weeks he better come out and give the fight of his life to erase that idiotic admission. May also wants to someday open his own MMA school. Note to all interested applicants: See above. (On the bright side he’ll save a ton of money on equipment since he doesnt like to train.) Griffin tells Matt Brown that May is a piece of meat and he’s an animal that’s going to eat him. A part of me wishes that Mac Danzig was a contestant under Forrest Griffin just to see the look on his face. Round 1: May opens up wild, swinging and kicking like it may be his only chance. He comes in Superman style and Brown drops him like he just shot a goose out of the sky. Matt gives a few kicks to the grounded May and then plops down on top. Some ugliness ensues followed by an armbar attempt by Brown who loses it and inexplicably doesnt get back to his feet. May does the work for him and kind of falls into him and Brown works his way into side control but shows no offense. Griffin is SCREAMING at Brown to do something. He doesn’t get anything done and they eventually get back to their feet where some sloppy striking takes place. May starts doing a spastic defense, flopping around like he’s pantomiming an earthquake until a well-placed knee stuns him. Brown then clocks him with a nice fade-away kick to the face. Fight over. Afterwards Brown was playing badass but his performance left a lot to be desired. May of course had more excuses than the Germans at Nuremburg. The only positive stemming from this fight is the fact that they didn’t dwell on it. With Team Griffin up 4-0 and still in control, Luke Zachrich is selected to fight Dan Cramer. Tim Credeur calls Cramer this season’s hottest contestant and remarks how he should be in an Abercrombie catalog. Somewhere in the retail world, Fitch is feeling a bit slighted. Dana is amused at the Griffin style of matchmaking which consists of flipping a coin and calling it a go. Knowing Forrest, this methodology does not come as a surprise. A Team Brown training session gives us a solid look at Luke Zachrich who admits to having something to prove since he was picked last. Coming from Team Jorge Gurgel, he may have two things to prove. On the other side, Dan Cramer wants to shed the pretty-boy image and he hopes to accomplish that through hard work and dedication. A huge contrast from someone like Jeremy May - and a very welcome change. Both guys are soft spoken and serious minded. Part of me desperately hopes they have a strong showing to make it the total package (and erase the memory of the first fight). Team Brown's Luke Zachrich vs. Team Blue's Dan Cramer Round 1: Cramer charges and they tie up. Some wild exchanges leads to a struggle against the cage. They separate amd Zachrich lands a few. Cramer gets a trip but they dont stay down for long. On the feet they go Griffin/Bonnar. Both fighters going for broke. Cramer getting the better of the exchange. Punches are flying and Zachrich is rocked. Both fighters showing tremendous heart as the exchange continues. Zachrich gets a desperation trip and Cramer gives up his back. Zachrich looking for the rear naked choke but doesnt have enough gas in the tank to secure it. An electrifying first round ends with Zachrich collapsed on top. Round 2: Both guys sucking wind but Cramer looks to be a little fresher. Cramer comes out firing and backs Zachrich to the cage. Cramer scores a takedown and drops some elbows from the top. Zachrich gives up his back. Cramer trying to find a submission but instead gets mount and unloads. Zachrich too tired to defend and gets stopped. Team Rampage has its first victory. This was a very exciting fight. Again there was little in terms of technical prowess, but when both fighters go for broke who really cares? Zachrich shows class in defeat by giving credit to Cramer and admits to being wiped out. This episode ends much differently then last week’s as Rampage walks back outside smiling and singing instead of destroying public property. Stay tuned next week as Team Rampage gets their first fight pick and Dana compares Forrest and Rampage to Ken and Tito. Ouch. That’s like comparing Bo and Luke to Coy and Vance. See you in seven! |
| UFC Quick Quote: Searching for the old Matt Hughes against Thiago Alves at UFC 85 Posted: 07 May 2008 05:33 PM CDT
– Matt Hughes talks to Yahoo!Sports.com about returning to his old form against Thiago Alves during the UFC 85: “Bedlam” main event at the O2 Arena in London, England, on June 7. The former champion — who dominated the welterweight division for several years — has dropped two of his last three fights (albeit both to current UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St. Pierre). Hughes took the bout on relative short notice after an injury to superstar Chuck Liddell forced him off the card. *Note that the quote mash up above has been flipped around a bit to better suit this post, but it’s all Hughes verbatim. |
| Back in Business: MMAmania.com exclusive interview with Martin ‘Hitman’ Kampmann Posted: 07 May 2008 01:52 PM CDT
His winning performances in the middleweight division earned him a shot against Rich Franklin back at UFC 72: “Victory” in June 2007. The fight was supposed to determine the number one contender to face UFC Middleweight Champion, Anderson Silva. Kampmann, however, was forced to withdraw from the fight after tearing and messing up pretty much every cruciate ligament in his left knee while training for “ace.” “Hitman” hasn't seen the inside of the Octagon since that time. He had surgery to repair that damage and the Denmark native then moved to Las Vegas to train with Xtreme Couture to get his career back on the rails. Kampmann last competed against Drew McFedries at UFC 68: “The Uprising” in March 2007. And if anyone remembers that fight, they remember that the 26-year-old Dane has a chin of granite, coupled with the ability to persevere and finish a tough fight. June 7 in London, England, will mark the return of Kampmann at UFC 85: “Bedlam,” with a big test against the venerable veteran, Jorge Rivera. “El Conquistador” is coming off a big knockout win over Kendall Grove and is looking to cement his future with the organization. I caught up with Martin and he took some time out of training to briefly chat with MMAMania.com. Here's our discussion:
Sean McManus (MMAmania.com): Thanks for taking the time out of your training to speak to us here at MMAMania.com, Martin. June 7th is just around the corner and it marks your return to the Octagon in more than a year, how are you feeling? Martin Kampmann: I feel great, I’m training hard and getting in shape so I can kick Jorge's butt. Sean McManus (MMAmania.com): You sustained a pretty bad knee injury before your scheduled bout with Rich Franklin at UFC 72. How has it healed up … is it back to 100 percent at this time? Martin Kampmann: It’s much better. It took a while and it’s been tough sitting out for so long but it feels great to be back training hard. Sean McManus (MMAmania.com): Obviously before the injury you were ripping up the middleweight division with an undefeated record (UFC) against top guys and you were a legitimate contender. Now you're back with a tough fight against a seasoned veteran in Jorge Rivera. He's a tough striker and has a ton of experience, what are your thoughts on this fight? Martin Kampmann: Jorge is definitely a tough guy. I think he’s been kind of inconsistent in the UFC. Sometimes he looks great and other times not so great. I’m preparing for the worst though. I think its' gonna be a great fight, we’ll both be going for the finish. Don’t blink. Sean McManus (MMAmania.com): The last time we saw you in the Octagon was against Drew McFedries at UFC 68. It was a great fight and that arm triangle was an impressive finish. But my question is, how hard does Drew really hit? I remember the fight very well and he was landing some bombs, my hat goes off to you and your chin. Martin Kampmann: Thanks, he throws hard for sure. He had me rocked for a second. That’s when I decided to go for plan B. Sean McManus (MMAmania.com): Plan B seemed like a good call. How confident are you right now? Martin Kampmann: I’m very confident in my ability. I’m going into this fight to win. Sean McManus (MMAmania.com): Are you worried at all about shaking off some “ring rust?” Martin Kampmann: I spar hard at Xtreme Couture gym everyday. I have tough sparring partners and I’ll be ready. Sean McManus (MMAmania.com): Having to sit out for so long must have been tough. What were you up to over that period of time? Martin Kampmann: Just chilling back home. Rehabbing my knee and looking forward to getting back into training. Sean McManus (MMAmania.com): In your down time did you keep track of the UFC or more importantly the middleweight division? Martin Kampmann: Yes, for sure. Even though I’m a fighter and an athlete, I’m also a fan. I don’t miss a UFC event. Every time I watch it I wanna fight, that kinda sucks when you are sitting out and can’t even train. Sean McManus (MMAmania.com): Without looking past a tough fight that you have at UFC 85, where do you see yourself in the mix of the 185-pound division? Martin Kampmann: I think people have kind of forgotten me during my lay off. So I just want to build myself back up and win all my fights. Sean McManus (MMAmania.com): There may be a few newer fans since then, but I highly doubt anyone was able to forget you. Since your absence, Anderson Silva has been dominating the division, how do you feel you match up with him? Martin Kampmann: He’s the man right now. He’s badass. That’s obviously a tough fight, but I believe anybody can be beat. Sean McManus (MMAmania.com): You are at Xtreme in Las Vegas full time now. What is it like training with a ton of top UFC talent? Has it taken your game to another level? Martin Kampmann: Yeah, it’s great training here! We have a lot of top guys and it’s definitely helped me improve my game. I learn new stuff all the time. Sean McManus (MMAmania.com): Working with the master of game plans in Randy Couture is always of great benefit, has he coached you to a specific game plan for Rivera? Martin Kampmann: It's always a pleasure training with Randy. He’s a great coach and training partner as well. I’ll have something ready for Jorge. Sean McManus (MMAmania.com): Is there anyone you'd like to thank up to this point? Martin Kampmann: Thanks to all the guys who have helped me get my knee back in shape. Surgeons back home, doctors like Randy Yee and my physiotherapist, Sean Early. Thanks to all my training partners and everybody at the gym. Sean McManus (MMAmania.com): Best of luck with the rest of your training camp and we wish you the all the best in your return to the Octagon. Martin Kampmann: Thanks a lot! |
| Ultimate Iceman: Chuck Liddell to debut on Spike TV on May 31 Posted: 07 May 2008 12:05 PM CDT
In addition, the debut of “Liddell vs. Silva: UFC Unleashed — Special Edition" will follow immediately afterward at 10 p.m. ET, creating a Memorial Day "homage" for the most popular fighter in the promotion. Of course, Liddell and Silva battled it out in an epic three-round war at UFC 79: "Nemesis" in December 2007, which "Iceman" won via unanimous decision. According to a recent press release, the segment will include backstage bonus footage prior to the 205-pound tilt. Liddell was expected to take on Rashad Evans in the main event at UFC 85: "Bedlam" at the O2 Arena in London, England, on June 7. However, he had to recently withdraw from the contest because of a torn hamstring and the card has since been significantly reshuffled to offset the loss of star power. It was not mentioned if this was already in the works for some time to hype the UFC 85 pay-per-view (PPV) event that takes place seven days later; however, the timing appears to reflect that type of thinking. Regardless, should be cool night of free mixed martial arts programming worth checking out in addition to the MMA network debut of Elite XC on CBS. To view the schedule of UFC programs on Spike TV click here. |
| Brandon Vera training for Fabrico Werdum UFC 85 fight (Video) Posted: 07 May 2008 11:03 AM CDT More of “The Truth” preparing for his heavyweight showdown at the O2 Arena in London, England, on June 7: For the first training vid in what appears to be a weekly series click here. |
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