UFC blog for latest news, videos, results, betting odds, fighter interviews and MMA rumors - UFCmania.com

UFC Quick Quote: Georges St. Pierre considers shutting it down for 2008 Posted: 13 Aug 2008 08:22 AM CDT “Several people mentioned that my next opponent should be BJ Penn. Nothing is obviously signed yet, but fighting him is my number one goal. I think he deserves a chance to challenge for my belt, but we’ll see what happens in the coming weeks. I hope deeply [that my next fight is in Montreal]. The President of the UFC, Dana White, said he would like to return to Montreal before the end of the year. For my part, I do not know if I will go back in the Octagon before 2009. I had four fights in the past 12 months. So I need rest. I like my life, but sometimes I have to relax…. I make so many sacrifices for me prepare. During training camps I can hardly live. Therefore, I need to refuel psychologically.” – UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St. Pierre tells RDS.ca that he may not return to action this year because of his recent activity. “Rush” is expected to next put his 170-pound title on the line against UFC Lightweight Champion and former welterweight belt holder, BJ Penn, in a blockbuster mega fight. It was widely expected that the showdown would take place on New Year’s Eve weekend on December 27; however, with four straight wins over top contenders such as Jon Fitch, Matt Serra, Matt Hughes and Josh Koscheck, it appears that St. Pierre may need more time to recharge his batteries to get up for the biggest fight of his career against “The Prodigy.” With more than four months until possible showtime let’s hope he takes a nice long vacation and reconsiders his most recent remarks.

Breakfast at Tiffany’s: Emelianenko and Couture share smiles and omelets Posted: 13 Aug 2008 02:10 AM CDT What do you get when you cross a WAMMA heavyweight champion with a UFC runaway? Nothing. And that’s how I prefer to remember this latest public tease between exiled UFC heavyweight champion Randy “The Natural” Couture and Affliction anchor Fedor Emelianenko. It seems the MMA world is abuzz over Monday’s impromptu meeting between the pair as if their sudden penchant for male bonding actually improves their chances of ever fighting. Couture and Emelianenko met for breakfast on August 11 prior to a scheduled photo shoot that featured both fighters. Afterwards, the two exchanged pleasantries over dinner and called it a day. That’s it. No secret promotion, no loopholes, no fighting in Russia ala Rocky IV. Just a couple of snapshots and a creme brulee. And let’s be realistic, Couture and Emelianenko are not fighting anytime soon. I don’t want to rehash everything we’ve already beaten to death over the last six months, so let’s quickly summarize: Randy Couture is embroiled in a legal battle with the UFC after walking out on his four-fight contract after only two fights while Fedor Emelianenko is content with letting a couple of Smirnoff-happy “advisers” tell him where to go and what to do. As far as bad career moves go, the count is even at 1-1. Randy bailed on his contract without honoring his commitment to the UFC, effectively denying fans a chance to see him defend his title against Antonio Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira or anyone else of any merit. Fedor signed with M-1 Global and armbarred Rawhead Rex at Yarenokka before watching the promotion fold up and submit to a hostile takeover like it was the Pemrose Corporation. Yet despite all the obstacles, I am of the belief that a fight between Randy Couture and Fedor Emelianenko could, and should still happen. But to do so, Randy must return to the UFC and Zuffa must open its wallet and lease Fedor from MFC M-1. Both scenarios seem pretty unlikely. And it’s a shame too, because Randy becomes less relevant with each passing event. The UFC has already replaced him with a very worthy champion in Nogueira and fans who haven’t warmed up to Nog yet will certainly get their chance when he appears on The Ultimate Fighter 8 opposite Frank Mir later this year. Aside from “Minotauro”, the UFC has also begun cashing in on some of their other recent acquisitions. Some guy that you may have heard of named Brock Lesnar comes to mind. Suddenly the UFC heavyweight division isn’t quite the empty barrel it was the day Couture threw in the towel. As for Emelianenko, he has plenty to do over at Affliction to keep him busy. He faces the winner of the Andrei Arlovski vs Josh Barnett match that takes place at Affliction: ‘Day of Reckoning’ on October 11 and has even agreed to fight the loser at some point down the road. That Fedor, what a guy. The difference is he’s still fighting, whereas Couture is not. Randy once came back from a 13-month absence to dethrone then-champion Tim “The Maine-iac” Sylvia at UFC 68. It was his longest period of inactivity since 2000. On August 25, it will be exactly one year since he last competed, a TKO victory over Gabriel Gonzaga at UFC 74. Between his legal issues and Fedor’s commitment to Affliction (and the ‘Fighting Fedor’ reality series), it might be another year after that before he could potentially face Emelianenko. Will he still have what it takes at that point to hang with a guy like Fedor? More importantly, will anyone still care? I hope those are some pretty good photos taken of Randy and Fedor on Monday. It may be the only chance we get to see them together for quite some time.

Wanderlei Silva video: Ready for next UFC fight in December Posted: 12 Aug 2008 09:22 PM CDT

Sam Hoger to fight Branden Bice at World Championship Fighting (WCF) September 19 Posted: 12 Aug 2008 07:43 PM CDT One of the sport’s greatest heels, Sam Hoger (6-4), will emerge from a 16-month self-imposed hibernation to compete at World Championship Fighting (WCF) 4 at Aleppo Shriners Auditorium in Wilmington, Mass., on September 19. Branden Bice has been tapped as his heavyweight opponent. Hoger — who starred on the first season of The Ultimate Fighter — has dropped his last three fights, including two decision losses to Lyoto Machida and Rashad Evans, respectively. “The Alaskan Assassin” was choked out by Vernon White in has last appearance in an International Fight League (IFL) show back in April 2007. He took a blow from action to start up his own Miletich Fighting System (MFS) academy in Houston, Texas. And now he’s apparently ready to once again tape ‘em up and get down and dirty. Here’s a snip from him on the comeback: “I can’t wait to get back in the ring! It’s been a long time so I just want to get back out there and show everyone what I can do. I’m excited about fighting for World Championship Fighting! They’re one of the biggest shows on the East Coast. I’m not looking past my opponent [Branden Bice], but I plan on making big waves in the MMA world again and this will be my first step.” Some things never change. Local UFC fighters Marcus Davis, Kenny Florian; Joe Lauzon and Jorge “El Conquistador” Rivera, as well as Sean Gannon and Mark DellaGrotte will be in the building to watch it all unfold. Of course, these special guests will all be on hand to promote the event and meet with fans and sign some autographs. To check out the latest WC4 fight card and to purchase tickets click here.

Jim Miller vs David Baron UFC 89 fight possible Posted: 12 Aug 2008 06:55 PM CDT Jim Miller (11-1) and David Baron (16-2) will lock lock horns in a lightweight affair at UFC 89: “Bisping vs. Leben” at The National Indoor Arena (NIA) in Birmingham, England, on October 18, according to MMAWeekly.com. This will will mark the first fight inside the Octagon for Miller who has plied his trade primarily in smaller shows throughout New Jersey. In fact, his only loss was a unanimous decision to top 155-pound contender, Frank Edgar. In his last fight Miller graduated to take on stiffer competition and did not back down, defeating the very tough and experienced Bart Palaszewski via unanimous decision under the International Fight League (IFL) banner back in April Baron, too, will also be making his Octagon debut. The French fighter stunned the mixed martial arts world recently when he submitted Hayato “Mach” Sakurai with a guillotine choke at a Shooto event in May. He has strung together five straight wins since a submission loss to Takanori Gomi back in the Pride FC heyday. His only other career loss is to Per Eklund. UFC 89 is set to air for free on Spike TV, featuring a middleweight showdown between Chris Leben and Michael Bisping, as well as several other solid match ups. To check out the latest UFC 89 card and fight rumors click here.

Dana White vs ‘Crazy Corrie’ in Minnesota at UFC Fight Club Q&A Posted: 12 Aug 2008 10:22 AM CDT For the complete run down of the heated exchange head over to Steve Cofield’s blog over at Yahoo!Sports.com.

Jon Fitch wants to fight next ‘before the end of the year’ Posted: 12 Aug 2008 09:52 AM CDT Props: MMA.tv Quoteworthy: “I wasn’t that beat up. Just a little off in the head after the first dropedge. I’m fine and will be back before the end of the year if I have any say in it.” Top welterweight contender Jon Fitch is eager to return to the Octagon after missing out on an opportunity to topple Georges St. Pierre at UFC 87: “Seek and Destroy” and capture his 170-pound title. Despite “being a little off in the head” early in the five-round fight, Fitch managed to hang on until the very end, delivering one of the gutsiest performances of the year. It would be no surprise to see him take on the winner of the welterweight bout between Karo Parisyan and Yoshiyuki Yoshida at UFC 88: “Breakthrough” on September 6.

You are subscribed to email updates from UFC blog for UFC news, results, videos, rumors, fights, pics and tickets -- MMAmania.com To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email Delivery powered by FeedBurner
Inbox too full? Subscribe to the feed version of UFC blog for UFC news, results, videos, rumors, fights, pics and tickets -- MMAmania.com in a feed reader.
If you prefer to unsubscribe via postal mail, write to: UFC blog for UFC news, results, videos, rumors, fights, pics and tickets -- MMAmania.com, c/o FeedBurner, 20 W Kinzie, 9th Floor, Chicago IL USA 60610