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| Ricardo Arona: ‘UFC rules were made for me’ Posted: 30 Jul 2008 08:41 AM CDT
Props: Sherdog.com Quoteworthy:
Light heavyweight mixed martial arts standout Ricardo Arona talks about a return to action and his “perfect scenario under which to come back to compete in MMA.” He clearly favors the UFC for several reasons. The Brazilian Pride FC veteran would be another fantastic addition to the loaded light heavyweight division — Arona has competed against and defeated some of the most talented fighters in the sport. However, he has not competed in more than a year (he explains the reasons in the article referenced above). |
| UFC 87 results and LIVE fight coverage for ‘Seek and Destroy’ PPV event August 9 Posted: 30 Jul 2008 08:13 AM CDT
UFC 87: "Seek and Destroy" is set go off LIVE from the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minn., on Saturday, August 9, 2008. With less than two weeks until showtime, the promotion recently finalized the fight card after several would-be participants were scratched from competition on short notice. Here's the final UFC 87 fight card:
As usual, MMAmania.com will provide LIVE blow-by-blow, round-by-round coverage of the main card bouts, beginning with the 10 p.m. ET pay-per-view (PPV) telecast. In addition, we will deliver up-to-the-minute quick results of the under card action at around 8:30 p.m. ET. We will also be your destination for all the pre, during and post-fight coverage you can handle. Therefore, feel free to check-in before, during and after the PPV telecast to share their thoughts on the action — it always turns out to be a great discussion. In the meantime, don't hesitate to discuss the bouts in the comments section below and provide your predictions and any other thoughts on the first-ever show to hit the "North Star State." There are a ton of important fights lined up. |
| Fabricio Werdum guaranteed title shot with UFC 90 win over Junior Dos Santos Posted: 30 Jul 2008 12:38 AM CDT
“Vai Cavalo” (11-3-1) has inked a five-fight contract extension with the UFC that includes a guaranteed title shot pending a victory at UFC 90 over potential opponent Junior Dos Santos (6-1). “Cigano” would be making his UFC debut - which on paper seems like either punishment for Dos Santos - or a reward for Werdum. After debuting against Andrei Arlovski at UFC 70, the former PRIDE star was pitted against Gabriel Gonzaga at UFC 80 and Brandon Vera at UFC 85. He’s certainly earned a chance to play the favorite. Here’s what Werdum had to say about his bout at UFC 90, courtesy of Tatame.com:
Werdum and Nogueira first battled at Critical Countdown Absolute back in July of 2006 for the chance to advance to the semifinals of the PRIDE 2006 Open Weight Grand Prix. “Minotauro” bested Werdum by unanimous decision in what was one of many outstanding fights that night. However a rematch is contingent on not only Werdum, but also Nogueira, who makes his first UFC heavyweight title defense against Frank Mir at the conclusion of The Ultimate Fighter 8. Nogueira and Mir are opposing coaches on the SpikeTV reality series and will likely lock horns on New Year's Eve weekend. A win by Nogueira puts him in line to rematch Werdum in Spring of 2009 - unless of course Junior Dos Santos has anything to say about it. |
| Elite XCs Gary Shaw and Doug DeLuca resign and become consultants Posted: 29 Jul 2008 10:26 PM CDT
According to a filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, Elite XC Live Events President Gary Shaw and former Chief Executive Officer, Doug DeLuca, have resigned from their respective posts, but will remain with the company as “consultants.” There has been speculation swirling about the demise of Gary Shaw for some time now. In fact, after the May 31 network television debut on CBS ended with mostly bad reviews — despite impressive ratings — the rumors of the successful boxing promoter being forced out by CBS executives became public. Those reports were denied by Elite XC officials at the time, but with Shaw’s absence from the last two Elite XC events and now this announcement, it all appears to have been true after all. Shaw took a lot of heat for some of the things he did during his time with Elite XC. Whether it was his handling of Kimbo Slice, the trademark dancing girls and rap star entrances, rumblings of possible fixed fights, or whatever it was, Gary Shaw seemed to always be the scapegoat. Therefore, it only seems fitting that now when Elite XC is finally looking like it might turn that corner as a legitimate mixed martial arts organization, Shaw has been shown the door … essentially making him the ultimate fall guy once again. As stated above, Shaw will remain with the company as a consultant. If that sounds like a position created to save some face for Shaw, that’s probably accurate. However, the filing says that he’ll maintain a $250,000 a year salary as well as some other perks, including Pro Elite stock shares. Not bad for a “consulting” gig. DeLuca stepped down as CEO back in February, but stayed on with the company as a full-time Chief Strategy Officer and Chairman of the Board. He’s maintained that position until now. He will also be kept on as a “consultant” with Elite XC — a position that will earn him $210,000 annually. With so much negativity surrounding Elite XC in the past — for whatever reason — it looks like the promotion is trying to clean up its image. Now that there’s no more dancing girls, rap concerts, or Gary Shaw, what’s next … Kimbo Slice fighting a legitimate opponent? |
| Ben Saunders vs Ryan Thomas UFC 87 fight official with Jared Rollins scratched Posted: 29 Jul 2008 06:53 PM CDT
Ryan Thomas (9-1) will step up on short notice for Jared Rollins. No reason was provided for the last minute switch. Thomas is on a two-fight win streak under the Extreme Challenge banner, which is based out of Illinois. He appears to be a finisher — none of his pro fights have ever gone the distance — who has a nice mix of submissions and (technical) knockouts to his credit. This will mark his Octagon debut. Saunders will look to build on his unanimous decision win over Dan Barrera at The Ultimate Fighter (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. To check out the latest UFC 87 fight card click here. |
| James Irvin positive for Methadone and Oxymorphone Posted: 29 Jul 2008 03:10 PM CDT
Methadone and Oxymorphone are often used to treat chronic pain. The “Sandman” has 20 days to respond and request a formal hearing to dispute the finding. If the ruling is upheld after the hearing he faces a possible fine and suspension. All of the other fighters tested on the card came back clean. Stay tuned for more on this developing story. Note that we passed along a story earlier today that the 11 fighters tested for the Spike TV special event tested clean for steroids and drugs of abuse. That was inaccurate … those tests were just for steroids. |
| UFC on Spike TV ratings beat Elite XC on CBS in key demographic Posted: 29 Jul 2008 03:04 PM CDT
Wow. Spike TV just called Kimbo Slice the “He Hate Me” of MMA. That’s pretty good if it does indeed turn out to be somewhat accurate. |
| Report: Rampage Jackson thought he was a God Posted: 29 Jul 2008 02:06 PM CDT
Quoteworthy:
Josh Gross culls together comments from various anonymous “inside” sources regarding the condition of former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson after he was released from police custody following an arrest for hit and run and other charges. He was picked up by police the following day because of his bizarre behavior, which was detailed above in the quote mash. He has since appeared in public in small doses, which apparently goes against his lawyer’s advice. The good news is that the report indicates he intends to get back in the Octagon as soon as November … perhaps against Wanderlei Silva. Let’s just hope that’s not too much too soon. |
| UFC Fight Night 14 drug test results come back clean Posted: 29 Jul 2008 01:08 PM CDT
Anderson Silva, James Irvin, Tim Credeur, Cale Yarborough, Hermes Franca, Frank Edgar, Cain Velasquez, Brandon Vera, CB Dollaway, Nate Loughran and John Gugerty were all among the fighters who were randomly selected to provide samples before their fights. The tests are designed to deter fighters from ingesting performance enhancing drugs such as steroids and stimulants. NSAC has adopted a new year-round drug-testing policy, which is perhaps the strictest of its kind in the sport. The tests were random — there was no other reason the fighters mentioned above were singled out. However, Franca and Credeur have both had run-ins in the past and Keith Kizer, NSAC executive director, has mentioned that previous failed/questionable tests will be a factor (among others) when it comes to deciding if a fighter should or should not be tested. In addition to the drug test results, the NSAC reported that the UFC sold 1,690 tickets for the event, which was put together on short notice, tallying $590,000 at the gate. For complete UFC Fight Night 14 coverage click here and here. |
| UFC Quick Quote: Thiago Alves wants to rematch Jon Fitch in title fight Posted: 29 Jul 2008 11:20 AM CDT
– Thigo Alves tells FightHype.com that he will be rooting for Jon Fitch to pull off the upset at UFC 87: “Seek and Destroy” on August 9 and defeat Georges St. Pierre to become the new welterweight champion. That way the “Pitbull” can kill two birds with one stone: avenge a technical knockout loss earlier in his career and challenge for the 170-pound strap. First, however, he’ll have to take care of business against Diego Sanchez at UFC 90: “Silva vs. Cote” on Ocotber 25. Of course, Fitch will also have to defeat “Rush.” |
Ben Saunders (5-0-2) has a new opponent lined up with less than two weeks until UFC 87: “Seek and Destroy” at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minn., on August 9.
Light heavyweight James Irvin has tested positive for Methadone and Oxymorphone, following his first round technical knockout loss to Anderson Silva at UFC Fight Night 14 on July 19, according to the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC).
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