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NSAC reinstates Hermes Franca for UFC Fight Night 14 Frank Edgar fight Posted: 10 Jul 2008 08:15 AM CDT Props: Sherdog.com “A year ago I made a terrible mistake. I have paid for my mistake and I understand how wrong it was. I hope that you allow me to fight professionally because that’s all I know and that’s how I provide for my family. I am in Brazil and I have been praying really hard. I pray every night that you allow me the opportunity to fight again. I am willing to take any drug test at any time, on any day, wherever.” Former number one lightweight contender Hermes Franca pleads his case to the Nevada State Athletic Commission, declaring that he is clean of any banned substances and ready to return to action. The Brazilian was suspended for 12 months and fined $2,500 after an illegal steroid, Drostanolone, was detected in his system in the wake of his loss to then 155-pound champion, Sean Sherk, at UFC 73: “Stacked” in July 2007. Franca will still have to submit a urinalysis this week to prove he is indeed on the straight and narrow. And if the test comes back clean it will pave the way for him to take on Frank Edgar at UFC Fight Night 14 at “The Pearl” in the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, on July 19.

UFC Quick Quote: Brandon Vera could stay at 205 after UFN 14 Reese Andy fight Posted: 09 Jul 2008 10:48 PM CDT ” …everybody’s saying that my power looks and good and actually my kicks look faster and harder now. I was 212 (pounds) today at the end of practice … I think it’s working to an advantage. It’s making me hungry and meaner…. I wouldn’t mind staying at 205. It’s all up to UFC in their grand scheme of things. We’ll see what’s going on and what they have in mind…. Talent-wise, man, the who’s who of 205 in the world is in the UFC right now. It’s ridiculous, it’s a whole long laundry list of who’s who. And the heavyweight division — you can pull, I think, maybe six guys out of the heavyweights. So yeah, I would say that 205 is way more stacked.” – Former heavyweight contender Brandon Vera — who will make his light heavyweight debut against Reese Andy at UFC Fight Night 14 on July 19 — tells the USA Today that he could remain in the 205-pound division if the organization sees fit. However, “The Truth” is still bitter about his loss to Fabricio Werdum at UFC 85: “Bedlam” last month, which he and many others feel was stopped prematurely. He would like to avenge the loss at some point … especially if Werdum is able to one day soon capture the heavyweight strap.

Elite XC media workout for ‘Unfinished Business’ on July 26 Posted: 09 Jul 2008 10:21 PM CDT Elite XC Middleweight Champion “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler, Jake Shields, Scott “Hands of Steel” Smith, and Cris Cyborg — four of the talented fighters who will compete in Stockton, Calif., on July 26 at “Unfinished Business” — participated in an open media workout yesterday at “The Ultimate Training Center” in Roseville, Calif. Smith and James “The Sandman” Irvin are part owners of the gym. Cyborg — wife of Pride FC veteran Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos — will face Shayna Baszler on the main card that will air on CBS. The winner of the bout will more than likely take on Gina Carano sometime in the fall for the right to become the first Elite XC female champion. After months of delays, Shields will finally get his crack at the Elite XC welterweight gold. He’ll lock horns with Nick “The Goat” Thompson for the vacant 170-pound strap in a fight is one of the most anticipated fights in the organization’s history. The two are coming in on a combined 21 fight winning streak. Something has got to give. Shields had this to say during the question and answer portion of the media workout: “I feel really good and have been working very hard for a long time. The fact that my title shot is finally here is as good as it can get for me. Being on CBS only makes it that much more exciting. This fight card will give all of us a lot of exposure. I respect Nick. He is definitely a tough fighter, but I have fought a lot of tough guys throughout my career. We’re both on nice winning streaks, but one has to end and I don’t plan on it being my mine.” Lawler and Smith fought in the co-main event on the May 31 debut of “Saturday Night Fights” on CBS. They waged an all out war for nearly three rounds before falling victim to the dreaded “no contest” after an inadvertent thumb to the eye from the champ. Because of the action and excitement the first fight provided and the unfulfilling conclusion resulting from the early stoppage, this rematch is one the entire MMA world has their eyes on. Here’s a quote from each of the main event participants from yesterday: Robbie Lawler: “I watched our first fight one time right after I got back home from New Jersey, but I haven’t watched it since. This is going to be another great fight. We both go out and give our best. My game plan is to adapt. I don’t try to picture what is going to happen inside the cage. The fact we have fought each other won’t lend any advantages to either of us. I love to fight and I am looking forward to fighting and defending the title on July 26 in Stockton on CBS.” Scott Smith: “I am really looking forward to fighting Lawler again. I look back at our first fight and all the things I did wrong and that alone has given me more confidence. I know I can fight better than I did last time. My head movement was terrible and I got hit way too much. I expected Lawler to come out more aggressively but he fought a very intelligent fight. I’m known as a slow starter and he wound up taking me apart in the first round. I had a bad game plan and he took advantage.” It should be a fun event on July 26. To check out the rest of the CBS and Showtime co-telecast card for “Unfinished Business” click here.

Affliction issues more than 250 media passes for ‘Banned’ event on July 19 Posted: 09 Jul 2008 08:39 PM CDT Affliction MMA spent literally millions of dollars to secure one of the most talent-laded fight cards ever put together for its inaugural “Banned” event set to take place at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., on July 19. To do so, it seems the upstart promotion has had to deprive its marketing department of the necessary funds it takes to sell a non-UFC event in the United States. Or so it seems. Television commercials have been scarce — apparently the the clothing company-turned mixed martial arts promoter is banking on the star power of the athletes it has rounded up to take care of the PPV sales along with a heavy online advertising campaign. There’s also that massive billboard in Times Square. This combination may have worked had it not been for Dana White and the UFC throwing together Ultimate Fight Night 14 on short notice. It takes place on the same night — for free on Spike TV — with arguably the most popular fighter on the planet right now, Anderson Silva. I’ve seen plenty of ads for the UFC’s show on July 19, but like I said, where’s the Affliction hype machine been hiding? Perhaps, however, Affliction is smarter than most give it credit. Today, the company distributed a press release, stating that a record number of press passes have already been requested for “Banned” … and we’re still nearly two weeks out. Is it possible that Affliction thinks a strong late push from the Internet, radio and television world will be enough to sell its top-notch product? Look at this article, for example — we’re already helping them market the event and they didn’t have to spend a dime. It’s an interesting concept. Why spend money on selling fights when you can take those dollars and invest them into a better product and let this glorious invention we call the Internet do it’s thing? Traditional marketing is still powerful. I’m not saying you don’t need to push what you’re selling, but this card is stacked, and the media seems to be fixated. Affliction might be right after all — this thing might just sell itself. We’ll see come July 19 when the PPV buys and gate receipts trickle in. As of right now, according to the press release, more than 250 media passes have already been requested from numerous media outlets in different countries, including Russia, Japan, Korea, Germany, England, Canada, Brazil, Australia, and New Zealand. It seems the UFC isn’t the only show in town trying to take this sport global.

Juanito Ibarra hasn’t filed a formal protest on UFC 86 judging … yet Posted: 09 Jul 2008 02:03 PM CDT In the wake of the UFC 86: “Jackson vs. Griffin” main event, Juanito Ibarra — the manager and trainer for Quinton “Rampage” Jackson — has been saying he plans to protest the unanimous decision his fighter dropped against new 205-pound champion, Forrest Griffin. Following the fight, Ibarra told anyone who would listen that to become champion “you have to beat the champion.” He clearly feels “Rampage” was robbed of a win … and his championship belt. Challenger Forrest Griffin won the fight 48-46 on two judges cards and 49-46 on the third. Keith Kizer, executive director of the Nevada State Athletic Commission, said Tuesday that no formal protest has been filed and that he does not expect one from Ibarra. Kizer said, however, Ibarra did contact with complaints about the first round scoring. In that round Jackson landed some nice uppercuts, including one that seemed to hurt Griffin. But, Kizer pointed out, giving the round to Jackson would only mean Griffin would take a majority decision and still be the new UFC light heavyweight champion — perhaps that’s the reason no formal protest has been filed at this time. Changing the first round would mean the following: Adalaide Byrd scored the fight 48-46 and gave the first to Griffin. Her decision would become a 47-47 draw. Roy Hilbert scored the fight 49-46 and also gave the first to Griffin. His decision would become 48-47, still for Griffin. Nelson Hamilton scored the fight 48-46. But he awarded the first round to Jackson. His score would remain 48-46 for Griffin. Interestingly, many of those on press row had the bout scored a draw giving Jackson rounds one, three and four, while believing Griffin took a 10-8 round in two and won the fifth. The result is apparently all in the eye of the beholder.

Ricco Rodriguez underwhelms Mike Tyson and others in boxing return Posted: 09 Jul 2008 12:22 PM CDT There was a Ricco Rodriquez sighting in Las Vegas on Tuesday night. The former UFC heavyweight champ participated in a four-round boxing match at the Las Vegas Hilton that resembled something closer to one of those old-school Toughman contests at a rodeo arena in West Virginia. Rodriguez lost in a split decision to Chad Davis — a Phoenix fighter who earned his first career win — according to the Las Vegas Sun. Ricco, to put it gently, didn't look too suave. He weighed in at 270 pounds, his stomach toppling over the elastic band on his Throwdown shorts. Xtreme Couture boxing coach Ron Frazier cornered the former champ. Rodriquez won his last MMA fight on June 27 at something called Ultimate Combat Experience. That came after the Gods of War show in Charlotte, N.C., was canceled. Ricco was supposed to headline that arena show in a fight against Jeff Monson. He also participated in April's YAMMA Pit Fighting event. Since beating Randy Couture in 2002, things have been strange for Ricco. Bizarrely he attempted to sell his UFC belt online and appeared on VH1's "Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew." Perhaps the most interesting part of the Ricco fight was former professional heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson watching from ringside. “Iron Mike” wasn't impressed with the performance. "Are you going to throw some punches or what?" he asked in round one. And later: "Come on," Tyson begged in his famous falsetto. "Try to hurt each other." It didn’t happen.

Frank Shamrock: Deal to fight Tito Ortiz is ‘progressing nicely’ (Video) Posted: 09 Jul 2008 10:02 AM CDT If Frank Shamrock it to be believed he feels a rematch with Tito Ortiz could happen in late 2009:

Anderson Silva claims the 205-pound title belongs to Lyoto Machida Posted: 09 Jul 2008 09:31 AM CDT Props: Tatame.com Quoteworthy: "[Fighting at 205 pounds] is an experience we are doing for several reasons, and one of them is a request from Dana White…. I don't have a desire to fight in this category and am only doing it because I was asked and I think I can. I have no desire to dispute this belt because Lyoto has already proven that it belongs to him. I am taking this fight because I like to fight and I like the challenges." UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva shares some insight on his move up to light heavyweight to take on James Irvin at UFC Fight Night 14. “The Spider” reveals that he has no intentions of competing for the 205-pound belt as long as undefeated training partner and friend, Lyoto Machida, is in the picture. However, there is not telling when Machida will get his shot at championship glory — there is quite a long line of potential challengers in the division. (Thanks to MMAmania.com reader “Marcos” for the translation.)

Counter programming alert: UFC 84 to air for free on Spike TV July 26 Posted: 09 Jul 2008 08:52 AM CDT UFC 84: “Ill Will” — perhaps the most action-packed pay-per-view (PPV) event for the promotion thus far in 2008 — will air for free on Spike TV at 9 p.m. ET on July 26 — the same night and time as Elite XC “Saturday Night Fights” on CBS. And just in case you miss that episode it will re-air again at 11:30 p.m. ET. In addition, Spike TV will feature a full day of mixed martial arts programming that begins at 4 p.m. ET with a rebroadcast of UFC Fight Night 14: “Silva vs. Irvin” special that is set to take place on Saturday, July 19. Those who follow this sport know that the UFC hastily put together the UFC Fight Night 14 show to likely draw interest away from the debut of Affliction: “Banned” on PPV the same night. It has been billed as an opportunity to watch the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world strut his stuff on free television. That’s a nice sell for those who don’t want to pony up $39.95 to get their fight fix that night. And of course on July 26 — the same night as the UFC 84 showing — Elite XC is set to trot out its latest live network television special on CBS dubbed, “Unfinished Business.” It’s likely no coincidence — the UFC counter programmed the Elite XC May 31 debut show on CBS with a tribute to perhaps the most popular mixed martial artist on the planet, Chuck LIddell, called “Ultimate Iceman.” Who says competition is a bad thing?

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