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| UFC Quick Quote: Anderson Silva back to light heavyweight with Patrick Cote UFC 90 win Posted: 25 Oct 2008 12:38 AM CDT
– UFC President Dana White tells USA Today that if middleweight champion Anderson Silva can defeat Patrick Cote at UFC 90: “Silva vs. Cote” later this evening that “The Spider” will likely climb back up and test the light heavyweight waters. The Brazilian recently made the move up at UFC Fight Night 15, annihilating James Irvin with a punishing first round technical knockout in July. One would imagine that this time around White would book Silva in a big money match against a high profile name in the 205-pound division to get the most out of his talented star, who he refers to frequently as the best mixed martial arts fighter in the world today. White has even mentioned that if Silva is up for it he can get him back in action within the next two months, meaning he would be in line for another appearance as soon as UFC 92: “The Ultimate 2008″ on December 27 or an event scheduled shortly thereafter. Former light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell is a juicy option … but who would you like to see Silva challenge next if he makes the jump? Sound off in the the comments section below. |
| UFC 90 weigh in results (Video update) Posted: 24 Oct 2008 03:19 PM CDT
The official weigh-in results for UFC 90: “Silva vs. Cote,” which were recorded today (October 24) from the Chicago Theatre in Chicago, Ill., are in. Perhaps the biggest questions heading into the event was whether or not Thiago Alves could hit the scale with no problems. “The Pitbull” came in at a ready 171 pounds, using the one pound over the division limit that is alloted to all fighters in nontitle fights. Josh Burkman was not as fortunate. “The People’s Warrior” required an additional hour to shed two pounds, having initially weighed in at 173 pounds. Here are the official UFC 90 weigh-in results:
*Note: Fighters are allowed to weigh one pound more than the division limit in non-title fights. Remember that MMAmania.com will provide LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the main card action on fight night, which is slated to air at 10 p.m. ET on pay-per-view (PPV) from the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Ill., on October 25. Of course, the latest quick updates of the prelim bouts will begin to flow earlier than that at around 8:30 p.m. ET. It's going to be a fun night of fights … check us out for all the pre, during and post-fight coverage you can handle. UPDATE: Check out the UFC 90 weigh in video highlight package after the jump.
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| Partnership between Affliction MMA and Golden Boy Promotions not so golden Posted: 24 Oct 2008 01:39 PM CDT
ESPN.com reports Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions has changed its mind about combining the two sports. Last month Golden Boy and MMA upstart Affliction announced a deal to co-promote events. The deal came in the days following Affliction’s cancellation of a scheduled card in Las Vegas. The move was met with skepticism from fans of both sports. However, many in the MMA world hoped the partnership could lead to bigger paydays for fighters and help make Affliction viable competition to the UFC. Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer told ESPN.com that criticism of merging the sports was part of the decision to scrap the idea. Here’s a snip:
The companies still plan to promote the Affliction “Day of Reckoning” on Jan. 24 in Anaheim, Calif. However, it will be as an MMA-only event and include no boxing matches. “Day of Reckoning” will be headlined with a blockbuster heavyweight showdown between Fedor Emelianenko and Andrei Arlovski. |
| Georges St. Pierre on BJ Penn UFC 94 fight video and much more Posted: 24 Oct 2008 01:34 PM CDT Thanks to MMAmania.com reader "Shaolins Finest" for the assist. |
| Case closed: Florida State Boxing Commission clears Elite XC of any wrongdoing Posted: 24 Oct 2008 01:30 PM CDT
The investigation was in its preliminary stages, centering around Seth Petruzelli’s comments about being paid extra money to keep his fight with Kimbo Slice standing. The problem with that, clearly, is that a stand-up fight favored Kimbo’s comfort level and gave the promotional poster boy a better chance at winning against the late replacement. However, based on the findings the DBPR didn’t see any merit in continuing on with a full investigation and the case was closed. Plenty of people still believe that Elite XC was operating with shady intentions that night, including one of its own — T. Jay Thompson, CEO of Icon Sport and Pro Elite executive consultant. Here’s a snip from a recent interview with MMAWeekly.com:
However, according to Sherdog.com, the commission never interviewed Thompson during their investigation. It doesn’t end there … not even close. Keith Kizer — the executive director of the Nevada State Athletic Commission — claims he was hearing rumors of Elite XC trying to fix the match as well. Here’s what he had to say:
If the speculation is accurate, it sounds like Elite XC — or someone involved with Elite XC — was clearly worried about the possibility of Kimbo losing and how that result could effect the long-term viability of the struggling company. Those concerns proved to be accurate, but it’s highly unlikely that Pro Elite could have dreamed up how this wild and sordid tail eventually unfolded — not even in their wildest of imaginations. Even though the official ruling is that Elite XC did nothing wrong, the whiff of possible “fight-fixing” alone and the stigma it creates were the final nails in the coffin. Too little, too late. |
| Jon Fitch ‘Mythbusters’ episode on three-inch ‘Coffin Punch’ coming soon Posted: 24 Oct 2008 11:51 AM CDT
UFC welterweight Jon Fitch knew that a career in mixed martial arts could potentially send him to an early grave, but he more than likely didn’t expect it to be while he was still alive and well. Fitch will be given just a puncher’s chance to escape the cozy confines of a wooden coffin on an upcoming episode of “Mythbusters,” which airs on the Discovery Channel at 9 p.m. ET on November 5. The hour-long episode — entitled “Coffin Punch” — will attempt to prove or disprove whether or not the three-inch punch made famous in the Quentin Tarrantino-directed “epic-length revenge drama,” “Kill Bill 2,” is fact or fiction. Too bad Bruce Lee — the founder of the famous one-inch punch — isn’t alive today to provide on-set guidance and support … Adam and Jamie can use all the help they can get. “Mythbusters,” is hosted by two special effects experts, who, according to Web site “use basic elements of the scientific method to test the validity of various rumors, urban legends, myths and news stories in popular culture.” Fitch is currently training in Thailand for about one month, refining his Muay Thai skills to improve his overall mixed martial arts arsenal. He missed out on a bid to capture the welterweight title at UFC 87: “Seek and Destroy” in August, losing to 170-pound champion Georges St. Pierre in a five-round test of will. It is likely that he will return to the Octagon for UFC 94: “St. Pierre vs. Penn 2″ at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, on January 31. A possible opponent for the former number one contender is unknown at this time. |
| Shades of Gray: An exclusive interview with UFC lightweight Gray Maynard Posted: 24 Oct 2008 09:37 AM CDT
UFC lightweight Gray Maynard knows a thing or two about labels. Like most amateur fighters who find their way into the UFC spotlight through a stint on The Ultimate Fighter reality show, Maynard has to work twice as hard to prove that skill — not television — is what landed him a spot on the active UFC roster. So far, so good. "The Bully" has kept his professional win streak intact inside the Octagon, winning three straight fights since a bizarre simultaneous knockout/tapout against Rob Emerson at The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 5 Finale in June 2007. In addition, Maynard knows that he’s more than “just a wrestler” — something he intends to prove in his first appearance on a major UFC pay-per-view. Gray brings us up to speed on everything from his days as a collegiate wrestler, life in the TUF mansion and the surprising phone call he got that would change his life forever.
Jesse Holland (MMAmania.com): Gray, first and foremost thank you for taking the time to talk with us at MMAmania.com. Start by giving us an update on how you’re feeling physically. Are you injury free and 100% ready for UFC 90 on Saturday night? Gray Maynard: Nope, no injuries. I just got done with my eight week training camp. I feel good and ready to go. Jesse Holland (MMAmania.com): How has the weight cutting process been? Should we assume with your wrestling background that making the cut is a non-issue? Gray Maynard: No, no issue at all. My weight’s good. Jesse Holland (MMAmania.com): What weight do you normally walk around at? Gray Maynard: Usually in training camp I’m walking around at 172. Last couple of weeks probably around 166. The day before I should be around 162. Jesse Holland (MMAmania.com): Tell us about some of your accomplishments in amateur wrestling. Gray Maynard: I’ve been wrestling since I was three - I got going pretty early! I took state in Nevada my sophomore year in high school. Then I moved to an all-boys school called St. Edwards in Ohio. There I placed runner-up in the Ohio state championships my junior year. My senior year I was champ at 152 in Ohio then I was national champion as well. Our team was national champions. Jesse Holland (MMAmania.com): So college wrestling was a foregone conclusion. Gray Maynard: Yeah, I went to Michigan State where I was a three time All-American. Jesse Holland (MMAmania.com): After graduating college did you say “Okay, now I have to go out and get a real job?” Gray Maynard: Actually my goal was to try out for the 2004 Olympic team. I moved down to Arizona and I was training for a little bit but it got to the point where I would have had to cut down to 145 and I just couldn’t do it. Jesse Holland (MMAmania.com): Why 145? Gray Maynard: Because it was such a big jump between there and 163. From where I needed to be as far as my weight and body size I just couldn’t do either one. I was kind of stuck in limbo. Jesse Holland (MMAmania.com): How hard was it on you to go through all that, to set this ultimate goal and then have to abandon it? Gray Maynard: It was really tough. I eventually went back home and had to work construction for a little bit and then I got into real estate. Jesse Holland (MMAmania.com): Did you stop training all together? Gray Maynard: No, I hooked up with the Cobra Kai Jiu-Jitsu school when I got back. Jesse Holland (MMAmania.com): Did you do that with the intention of getting into mixed martial arts? Gray Maynard: No, I was doing it because I was fat. I wanted to train, I hate not training. I’ve been doing it my whole life. Jesse Holland (MMAmania.com): How was your experience there? Gray Maynard: I was kind of doing that off and on and I guess the word got around. I ended getting a call from (current UFC lightweight champion) BJ Penn. He wanted me to come help him train for his match against Rodrigo Gracie. Jesse Holland (MMAmania.com): Wait a second, what do you mean the word got around? What word, that you were tearing it up? It must have been something special if a guy of Penn’s caliber is calling you. Gray Maynard: Yeah, kind of. I was pretty new, I didn’t even know what jiu-jitsu was. It was cool but MMA was still kinda new and I was like “Eh, I don’t know if I’d want to do that.” But I went down to Hilo (Hawaii) and trained with [Penn] for three weeks. That was a lot of fun. Jesse Holland (MMAmania.com): It must have been humbling to roll with a guy who was coming off submission wins over Matt Hughes and Takanori Gomi. Gray Maynard: He called me and I was like “I have no idea who you are but I’ll take a free trip to Hawaii!” Anyway, I went down there and I was like “Man, this guy is a big deal.” We trained for like three weeks and I was like “This sport is pretty cool.” Then I went back home, I still had a job and trained for a little bit more and then I ended up hooking up with [Randy] Couture when he was training for Chuck Liddell. Once I got there I was like “Wow, this is a great camp.” I left my job and just went at it full time. Jesse Holland (MMAmania.com): Quitting your job and moving to train full time is a big step. How did you support yourself financially? Gray Maynard: I had some cash in the bank and my fiancé had a job and was helping me out. There were a lot of ways. Jesse Holland (MMAmania.com): Was your family supportive? What was that phone call like: “Hey, I’m quitting my job to train as a fighter in a sport you’ve probably never heard of!” Gray Maynard: In the beginning it was rough, they loved wrestling but they didn’t know what I was getting into and stuff. Now it’s at the point where they’re like “Wow, this is great!” Jesse Holland (MMAmania.com): Give us some background on how you ended up doing The Ultimate Fighter (TUF). Gray Maynard: After hooking up with Couture, I had my first couple of amateur fights in Oregon but they were spread out. It got to the point where I was calling all the time bugging everyone for fights. It was frustrating because a lot of times they book you for fights then they don’t happen. It was like “Yep, yep, oh, nope, nope.” Then a couple of people told me that the TUF show was going to have 155 pounders on it. I tried out and that was it. Jesse Holland (MMAmania.com): Was that experience as tough as everyone says? One of your cast mates, Manny Gamburyan, said by the time he left the house he was a psycho. Gray Maynard: It’s horrible man. You’re stuck in the house, you can’t leave, can’t talk to people. There were a lot of idiots and I just wanted to get out of there. It drives you crazy. Jesse Holland (MMAmania.com): Idiots notwithstanding, who do you keep in contact with from that season? Gray Maynard: I keep in touch with Matt Wiman, Rob Emerson, Nate Diaz a little bit, Joe Lauzon, a couple of guys. Jesse Holland (MMAmania.com): Speaking of Nate Diaz, do you ever look back at that elimination fight, that you were dominating before getting submitted and say “God, I wish I had that one back?” Gray Maynard: Yeah, it’s a loss. I hate to lose. I’d love to go back but by then we all just wanted off that damn show. It was the last day and it was just like “God, I have to fight right now? I just want to get out of here!” I hate that I had that attitude. Jesse Holland (MMAmania.com): Is there a chance that guys might subconsciously look for a way out in a fight if the experience has already broken them prior to fighting? Do you think being under that kind of stress affected you performance? Gray Maynard: You know I talked to Diaz afterwards and we both were like “God, we felt like shit.” We just wanted to get out of there. Jesse Holland (MMAmania.com): You also mentioned staying in touch with Rob Emerson. Do you guys ever look back on your fight at the TUF 5 Finale and have a laugh over the knockout/tapout? Gray Maynard: Not really. Jesse Holland (MMAmania.com): After the fight you were adamant about not being knocked out. Did you watch the replay at some point and say “Yeah, I guess I was out?” Gray Maynard: I mean I was dazed, big-time. I don’t know if I was completely out but I was dazed for sure. Jesse Holland (MMAmania.com): Is it hard watching yourself on TV? Gray Maynard: I don’t watch unless I’m watching it in training camp to prepare or correct mistakes. It’s the only time I’ll do it. Jesse Holland (MMAmania.com): What about TUF? Have you been keeping up with the seasons that followed yours? Gray Maynard: No, I don’t even watch it. Jesse Holland (MMAmania.com): Has the show run its course or do you think it still has a place in this sport? Gray Maynard: It’s got its place. It’s a crazy show. Jesse Holland (MMAmania.com): You probably made the most noise in your division after the win over Frankie Edgar - a win that is even more impressive knowing that you did it with a broken hand. A lot of people, myself included, thought Edgar was the better fighter until you proved us wrong. How much of a factor was the altitude in that fight? Gray Maynard: It wasn’t a factor. If you train and you’re ready and show up for the fight then we’re all on an even playing field. Jesse Holland (MMAmania.com): It was the first time I’ve seen Edgar outwrestled. Was there a point in the fight where you felt him break? Or was he dangerous from start to finish? Gray Maynard: He didn’t break, he’s a tough kid. He was in it the whole time. I had to tell myself “Keep your A-game, keep your A-game” because he just kept coming. Jesse Holland (MMAmania.com): A lot of good wrestlers end up with the label of being a lay ‘n pray fighter or the dreaded “human blanket”. Does that label concern you and what do you intend to do to prove otherwise, if anything? Gray Maynard: I’m in a great camp (Xtreme Couture) that keeps evolving. I got Jay Hieron, all kinds of great guys, this team is good. We train to get good in all areas: Jiu-Jitsu, kicks, knees - all that stuff. As we do that, it’ll be easier to feel confident about using those other areas. Jesse Holland (MMAmania.com): You’ve got perhaps your stiffest test to date when you face Rich Clementi at UFC 90 on Saturday. Where does a win over a talented veteran like him put you in this division? Gray Maynard: Against a tougher guy. Jesse Holland (MMAmania.com): So you’re not looking for a future title shot or a certain ranking if you win? Gray Maynard: Nah, I’m not there yet. I gotta keep going up the ladder. Jesse Holland (MMAmania.com): Is there a lightweight fighter currently in the UFC that you’ve said to yourself “Man, I would love to fight that guy?” Gray Maynard: I asked for Sean Sherk after the Edgar fight but that didn’t happen. Jesse Holland (MMAmania.com): That’s kind of a big jump. Gray Maynard: Yeah, he’s tough man, he’s great. That’s who I want, I want to fight the best. I don’t want easy fights. Jesse Holland (MMAmania.com): Do you consider Clementi an easy fight? Gray Maynard: No, hell no. That guy’s good. He’s got a lotta heart. It’s gonna be a tough fight. Jesse Holland (MMAmania.com): Let me read you a quote from Clementi: “I like fighting one-dimensional guys. I’m pretty well-rounded. It lets me have a little bit of flexibility.” Gray Maynard: Well he’s right about being well-rounded. And I was one-dimensional maybe early on and through the TV show, but now I got a little bit more. Jesse Holland (MMAmania.com): Do you think it’s a mistake for him to go into the fight thinking his only concern is your wrestling? Gray Maynard: I guess we’ll see. Jesse Holland (MMAmania.com): How many fights do you have left on your UFC contract after Saturday? Gray Maynard: I think I have four. Jesse Holland (MMAmania.com): Who handles the decision making for your career? Do you have a manager or do you handle everything yourself? Gray Maynard: I talk to Couture a lot. He kind of advises me. He’s awesome. Jesse Holland (MMAmania.com): Did his departure last year affect your relationship with Dana or the UFC? Gray Maynard: No, I’m pretty easygoing. They would call me and tell me who they wanted me to fight and I would be like “Yeah, sure.” Jesse Holland (MMAmania.com): Who are your closest friends in the UFC? Gray Maynard: Tyson Griffin, Martin Kampmann, Rashad Evans, there are a bunch of guys that are really cool. Jesse Holland (MMAmania.com): What do you think Griffin’s chances are against Sherk? Gray Maynard: Man that’s gonna be a great fight. Jesse Holland (MMAmania.com): Sherk of course has a tremendous wrestling background but kind of took a fall from grace with the steroids scandal. Was there ever a point in your training or career that you felt tempted to get that edge? Gray Maynard: No, I’m a little guy. Probably wouldn’t make much difference. Jesse Holland (MMAmania.com): But little guys tend to have exciting fights - which leads me to Kenny Florian vs. Joe Stevenson. You have a prediction for that? Gray Maynard: Joe Daddy has been doing good. Florian was okay against Huerta, I don’t know, I can’t call stuff, I suck at that. I’m always wrong. Jesse Holland (MMAmania.com): You can’t be any worse than Nostradumbass. Gray Maynard: Who? Jesse Holland (MMAmania.com): So, uh, what do you do when you’re not training? What are some of your hobbies? Gray Maynard: I like to play games, hang out with my dog, go wakeboarding, just kind of kick back. Jesse Holland (MMAmania.com): Are you married now? Gray Maynard: No, we’re still engaged. We’ve been together since college. Jesse Holland (MMAmania.com): Nice. Can she watch you fight or is it too hard for her? Gray Maynard: No, she can watch. She’s been with me a long time so she’s been watching me compete since the beginning. Jesse Holland (MMAmania.com): You have a couple of tattoos. Give me your favorite and the significance behind it. Gray Maynard: The one on my chest says: “One life, roll the dice.” I got that when I was in Arizona training for the 2004 Olympics because you gotta get up everyday and take a chance. You gotta roll the dice every day. Jesse Holland (MMAmania.com): Are there days when you wake up and just say “Ah, fuck this?” Gray Maynard: Oh yeah, but I go out and do it anyway. Jesse Holland (MMAmania.com): Are you getting recognized in the streets now and if so, is it hard to deal with? Gray Maynard: Yeah I get noticed, but it’s cool. I don’t mind. Doesn’t happen much because I’m usually either at the gym or at my house. Jesse Holland (MMAmania.com): What was your reaction to the fall of EliteXC? Was their demise good or bad for the sport? Gray Maynard: Only time will tell. Jesse Holland (MMAmania.com): How did you get the nickname “The Bully?” Gray Maynard: I got that when I joined the Couture gym because I like to go hard. I train real hard. Jesse Holland (MMAmania.com): Do you ever worry that such high intensity could make you more susceptible to injury? Gray Maynard: No, not really. Jesse Holland (MMAmania.com): Well we’ll be looking forward to some of that intensity against Rich Clementi at UFC 90. We wish you the best of luck Gray and thanks again for making some time for us. Gray Maynard: Awesome, thanks a lot. And check out my sponsor Desert Volkswagon. |
| Recovery Channel: Tuning in to post-workout nutrition Posted: 24 Oct 2008 09:35 AM CDT
Grow it, don’t blow it. Bodybuilders, mixed martial artists and other serious athletes know how to put their bodies through the rigors of intense physical exercise. But do they know how to benefit from it? Every gym has what I like to call “Lifers.” They spend their life sentenced to working out without ever getting any benefit from it. They’ll diligently march into the weight room or aerobics class each morning with a dark and dour disposition while robotically going through the motions of a paint-by-numbers routine. Then they’ll leave the gym and throw it all away. Transforming your body is about more than just how hard (and how often) you train. Maximum gains are made not during but after your training regimen. Immediately after. Following an intense workout, the body goes through a process known as catabolism, the breaking down of muscle tissue to supply glutamine and other amino acid compounds to other parts of the body. As a defense mechanism, your body is designed to cannibalize itself starting with muscle tissue to get the nutrients it needs, effectively reversing everything you’ve worked for in your time at the gym. As far as muscle growth is concerned, you can’t rob Peter to pay Paul. Now you can either provide your body with the nutrients it needs (like Branch Chain Amino Acids) or just sit back and let it feast on the muscle tissue you’ve worked so hard to grow. Our goal as athletes in the recovery phase of our training is anabolism, the process where our muscles repair themselves, effectively adding strength and size in response to the stress of training. The most effective way to accomplish that process (aside from rest) is by consuming post-workout recovery supplements within one hour after training. Now that we’re heading into November and the cold weather season, a majority of athletes are in the off-season, putting on extra muscle and bulking up in order to lean out for the spring and summer of next year. That kind of preparation takes special consideration and pounding a protein shake in the gym’s parking lot just isn’t going to cut it. Fortunately the team at Feel It! Nutrition has once again used the science of sports nutrition to help eliminate the guess work out of training and recovery. The Feel It! Nutrition Bulk Stack includes:
This weekend only: The Feel It! Nutrition Bulk Stack is available to MMAmania.com readers for $20 off the listed price! Take advantage of these great savings now by clicking here. Feel It! Nutrition’s Bulk Stack is the fastest and most effective way to stimulate anabolism and prevent catabolism. Not only will it help you pack on the muscle, it’s nutrients are designed to help reduce your risk of injury and allow you to improve your conditioning at a faster rate. Sometimes athletes are forced to compete on very short notice. UFC welterweight contender Josh Koscheck was given two weeks to prepare for Thiago Alves at UFC 90. Hopefully Kos has been using Feel It! Nutrition’s Bulk Stack! To check out the low prices and vast selection of these and other great nutritional supplements, click here.
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| Dan Lauzon vs Justin Hammerstrom fight added to WCF 5 card Nov. 14 Posted: 24 Oct 2008 09:25 AM CDT
“The Upgrade” — the youngest fighter to ever compete inside the Octagon and younger brother of top UFC lightweight contender Joe Lauzon — is the winner of six consecutive fights, including a second round technical knockout of Brendan Hoxie back in June under the WCF banner. His recent streak earned him a step up in competition against former IFL lightweight champion Chris Horodecki at Affliction: "Day of Reckoning" on January 24. Lauzon is taking this fight against Hammerstrom to ensure that ring rust is not a factor when it comes time to clash with the Canadian. Here's a snip on the decision:
He better not … an injury would spell disaster for a very good opportunity to perform on a major pay-per-view (PPV) event against a top-ranked 155-pound fighter. To check out the latest WCF 5 fight card and to purchase tickets click here. In addition, check out a cool video of Lauzon prior to his bout with Hoxie that we never passed along until today.
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