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UFC Quick Quote: Chuck Liddell is on a mission Posted: 29 Aug 2008 08:18 AM CDT "He finds a way to win. He's done a good job controlling his fights. He's good on top, and he moves well on his feet. He's elusive and hard to hit, but I'm going to see if I can catch him…. I'm on a mission to get my title back and end my career on a streak of wins. I'm in shape, and I'm going to keep throwing like I do. The knockout power is still there." – Former UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell provides Sherdog.com with a quick and accurate scouting report of his upcoming opponent at UFC 88: “Breakthrough” on September 6, Rashad Evans. It’s the main event fight at the Philips Arena in Atlanta, Ga., earning the winner — especially if it’s Liddell — a likely title shot against Forrest Griffin perhaps before the year is even out. It’s a major contrast in styles — Liddell is the striker and Evans is the wrestler. And it will likely come down to who can execute the proper gameplan on fight night. There’s really no mystery involved … unless “Sugar” somehow “catches” the “Iceman” first.

Dan Henderson UFC 88 video highlights Posted: 29 Aug 2008 07:57 AM CDT Props: UFC.com

MMA Live on ESPN Episode 16 (Video) Posted: 29 Aug 2008 12:45 AM CDT

Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson pleads not guilty to charges Posted: 28 Aug 2008 08:26 PM CDT Former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson was again in court today, pleading not guilty to all six charges that were handed down earlier this week in regard to his delirium-fueled, police-chase motor vehicle escapade that took place last month in California. The 30-year-old Tennessee native faces two felony counts (evading while driving recklessly and evading a peace officer and driving against traffic) and four other misdemeanors. If convicted on all counts Jackson faces a three-year maximum prison sentence. Jackson is free on a $25,000 bond; however, he has two upcoming court hearings already set up for October 3 and November 9. There’s no telling if either of those dates will interfere with his possible next appearance inside the Octagon at UFC 91 in Portland, Ore., on November 15. After the arraignment, the born again Christian spoke to the Orange-County Register and provided more context behind his bizarre behavior. He was essentially on a mission from God. Here’s a snip “I thought I heard the voice of God telling me to go save Brian. I felt if I didn’t get to Brian, he would die…. What was I thinking? l know now that Brian was never in danger.… But I really thought at the time that he was about to die.” Jackson also revealed that a “betrayal” of someone close to him who he caught cheating him out of money — someone he considered a father figure — triggered the sleepless energy-drink bender that eventually led to the chase. He refused to name a name; however, Jackson split with long-time trainer and mentor, Juanito Ibarra, prior to the incident. He now trains primarily at Wolfslair Academy in the United Kingdom. For more on this issue feel free to check out our Quinton “Rampage” Jackson archive right here — everything you need to get up to speed on this story can be found there.

Ultimate Fighter ‘Reunion’ show coming soon to Spike TV Posted: 28 Aug 2008 07:44 PM CDT The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) mixed martial arts reality series is often referred to as the single-most important development in the history of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). When the first episode debuted on Spike TV on January 18, 2005, the promotion was in dire straits. It was already about $40 million in the hole and it had essentially bankrolled a show on television to gain critical traction and exposure. It was a huge dice roll — if the show flopped it could have spelled the eventual end of the Zuffa-owned organization. Fortunately for them, and the millions of fans now scattered across the globe, it was a smash hit thanks in large part to the sensational three-round light heavyweight final brawl between Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar. Griffin ended up with his arm raised in the end, along with Diego Sanchez, who was the middleweight winner after totally dominating Kenny Florian. In hindsight, however, more was won that night than just two fights — the entire concept won over a legion of MMA fans literally overnight. That crowd has multiplied year-over-year like Smallpox, turning the UFC eventually into the premier promotion on the planet. In fact, several reports indicate that the company now has an estimated worth of $1 billion. Regardless of how accurate that figure is or isn’t one thing is certain: The Las Vegas-based owners (and casino moguls) pushed all their chips to the center of the table with TUF and are now playing with a mountain of house money. And it doesn’t appear to be dwindling anytime soon. To pay tribute to this seminal moment in history, as well as to honor the fighters who essentially made it all happen, MMAmania.com has learned that the UFC and Spike TV are in the process of putting together a reunion show. We have learned that several fighters are actually in “Sin City” right now filming for the episode. Of course, several of the fighters from that season are now some of the biggest stars, meaning that there will not be any fights. It’s likely an opportunity to reflect on the experience and share a few good laughs, which doesn’t appear to be in short supply. The original TUF season featured several names that are still in the UFC fold today, including Griffin (now light heavyweight champion), Sanchez, Florian, Chris Leben, Josh Koscheck, Mike Swick, Nate Quarry and others, as well as coaches Chuck Liddell and Randy Couture (currently estranged but still considered heavyweight champion for legal reasons). Expect most of those participants to appear on the reunion show, which should air sometime in early 2009. Stay tuned to MMAmania.com for more details … this should be good.

KJ Noons responds to Elite XC and Nick Diaz situation Posted: 28 Aug 2008 07:11 PM CDT Elite XC Lightweight Champion KJ Noons today responded to the recent allegations that he is ducking a rematch with Nick Diaz in an email to BloodyElbow.com and several other outlets. In the long email, the champ gives his side of the story and goes into detail about the behind the scenes stuff that is keeping the fight from happening. For the most part, Noons’ problem lies with Elite XC and its parent company Pro Elite rather than Nick Diaz. However, KJ does state more than once in the email that there is no love lost for the Cesar Gracie black belt and he’s still clinging to his belief that Diaz is not the number one contender. In fact, the champ believes Philadelphia native Eddie Alvarez has instead earned that spot. Regardless, he maintains that he is not in a position to choose his opponent and said he will fight Diaz as long as the compensation is fair. If you recall an interview with us here at MMAmania.com before his title defense against Yves Edwards in June, Noons stated that he his contract called for him to defend his title two more times this year after a successful defense against Yves. The champ stated that Elite XC has not made good on that contract because it will only let him fight if he signs a new long-term contract. Noons give specific examples of how the company has not treated him well enough for him to want to sign a long-term contract at this time. Here’s a snip: “Consider when Elite XC gives a couple thousand tickets away at their CBS show in Stockton. Elite XC gives me a hard time about comping me one extra ticket for my cousin that helped me train for my fight. I only get four tickets per show. I am the main event in Honolulu, my home town! I did not ask for any tickets for my family and friends and they gave me a hard time about one extra ticket! Or how about when Elite XC brought Diaz into the ring after my last victory in Hawaii to disrespect me and my family.” He also says the Elite XC has breached his contract on more than one occasion. Here’s another snip: “$kala (Jared Shaw) disclosed how much I make, which breached the confidentiality clause of the contract. How about when Elite XC honored the contract and my pay to fight Edson Berto went down after I lost my first fight. That was not part of my contract. Or how about the contract Gary Shaw breached by not promoting my boxing career? Gary Shaw only gave me one out of four of the agreed upon fights. I have not boxed for over a year. When I signed with Elite XC, I was promised they would promote both my boxing and MMA careers. I could have signed with another MMA only company, but I wanted to box too. Elite XC doesn’t give me fights or promote me, they ice me. Gary Shaw Productions only gave me one of the agreed upon four fights per the boxing contract.” The champ also breaks down why he’s fed up with Elite XC financially right here: “I am the defending world champ, I have been the main event for Elite XC three out of four times on Showtime. In almost two years I have made approximately $83,000? After paying my trainers and managers fee, I have $50,000 thousand. After taxes, probably 30 grand. Divide that by two years for $15,000 thousand a year. Divide by 52 weeks that amounts to approximately $300 a week. I do not know anybody that can survive on that amount of money. My buddies make more money than that in a couple days being a bus boy or bar back. But the straw that broke the camel’s back is they want me to fight Diaz for the second time. Diaz is not the number one contender and they are paying Diaz three times more money than me. Diaz complained after the Stockton fight, he was not paid enough. How do you think that made me feel?” That certainly doesn’t sound like any way for a promotion to treat their champion. There’s more to the long email, but you get the point. He goes on to say he feels that Elite XC is mistreating him because he ruined its plans to have Nick Diaz as the champ. It’s easy as a fan to get worked up because we’re not seeing the fight we want to see, but there is obviously a lot more going on behind the scenes than most of us realize. He does, however, state that the Diaz fight will eventually happen, but does not say when. He also says for now that he’s going to focus on his boxing career: “I can make more money doing 6 and 8 rounders every other month and make more than I did being the Elite XC defending world champ. At least I will be able to sleep at night and be able to look myself in the mirror everyday. That right there is worth more than $300 bucks a week or fighting a guy I cannot stand for less money than him the second time around.” Let’s hope Elite XC and Noons can come to an understanding and get this fight on the air. After all, this back and forth between the two sides, this fight has more hype behind it than anything involving Kimbo Slice, including a showdown with Brett Rogers. For a company with seemingly everything on the line over the next few months the timing of all this either couldn’t be better or couldn’t be worse. I guess time will tell, but for now the saga continues.

Glover Teixeira: Next fight to be in UFC Posted: 28 Aug 2008 04:02 PM CDT This is real good news that should have happened a long time ago:

Urijah Faber training for Mike Brown WEC 36 title defense Posted: 28 Aug 2008 03:15 PM CDT WEC Featherweight Champion Urijah Faber is seen here with Muay Thai coach Master Thong, preparing for his upcoming fight with Mike Brown at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla., on September 10. To check out the entire picture gallery of “12 hours with the champ” head over to CombatLifestyle.com.

MMA Quick Quote: Ken ‘Leg Breaker’ Shamrock ready for Kimbo Slice Posted: 28 Aug 2008 01:15 PM CDT "Honestly, I think I can test him anywhere. He's got big, heavy hands. Everyone says he punches hard and he probably does. But again, he doesn't punch properly, in my opinion. He swings his hands, he moves his body back and forth trying to get as much power as he can, but there's really no snap behind it. You can usually see the punches coming. I'm going to do what I need to do. If it goes to the ground, I'll probably break his leg. I mean, no question. I will break his leg. If he gives it to me, I'm going to break it." – Elite XC heavyweight fighter and MMA legend Ken Shamrock tells Sherdog.com that he sees weaknesses in Kimbo Slice’s best attribute as a fighter. It’s also interesting he says he’s going to go after Slice’s leg. Leg locks are and advanced jiu jitsu move and not even allowed in most beginner or intermediate tournaments because they can cause so much damage and are difficult to defend. “El Guapo” — who has tapped to Shamrock leg locks on two separate occasions — will have to school his student on how to properly defend those or he’ll end up like Brock Lesnar against Frank Mir. Of course, it’s entirely possible that Shamrock could be snoring before he even gets a chance to take the fight to the mat. We’ll see on October 4.

Reminder: Elite XC tickets available for Bank Atlantic Center ‘Saturday Night Fights’ October 4 Posted: 28 Aug 2008 01:09 PM CDT With main card final for the third installment of Elite XC “Saturday Night Fights” on CBS it’s a good time to remind our readers that tickets are still available for the mixed martial arts (MMA) event that takes place at the Bank Atlantic Center in Sunrise, Fla., on October 4. Seats start as low at $30 and are available through Ticketmaster or directly through the Bank Atlantic Center box office. Of course, the main event of the evening features Miami native Kimbo Slice against MMA legend Ken Shamrock. Sunrise is a suburb or Ft. Lauderdale, which is just outside of Miami; therefore, you can bet the dirty south hometown fans of Slice will snatch up a decent amount of the good seats pretty quickly. Elite XC put on an event in Miami in February that also featured Kimbo in the main event. And that one — dubbed “Street Ceritifed” — broke the all-time attendance record for the Bank United Center on the campus of the University of Miami. MMAmania was there that night and we can tell you that place was rocking (and they weren’t even selling alcohol). I watched a replay of the event later on television and believe me the telecast did no justice for how rowdy that crowd actually was inside the venue. More of the same can be expected on October 4. So get your tickets soon if you plan to attend. To check out the rest of the “Saturday Night Fights On CBS III” card click here.

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