UFC blog for latest news, videos, results, betting odds, fighter interviews and MMA rumors - UFCmania.com |
| UFC Quick Quote: Steve Cantwell recants armbar celebration Posted: 17 Dec 2008 08:12 AM CST
– The last man to hold the WEC light heavyweight title, Steve Cantwell, tells MMAonTap.com that he apologized to Razak Al Hassan after their recent fight at UFC Fight Night 16: “Fight for the Troops.” “Robot” finished Al Hassan with a a first round armbar; however, the Iowa resident refused to tap, which made his elbow buckle under the pressure. The fight was stopped shortly thereafter. In his post-fight comments, a gleeful Cantwell told Joe Rogan and the millions watching on Spike TV that he had always wanted to do that to someone. It didn’t go over well. He apparently realized the negative perception that it stirred and has since apologized for his adrenaline-fueled remarks. |
| Eric Schafer vs Antonio Mendes UFC 93 fight confirmed for Dublin Posted: 16 Dec 2008 10:14 PM CST
“Red” is more than likely still riding high after surviving an early Houston Alexander onslaught at UFC Fight Night 15 back in September to eventually choke the father of six unconscious in the waning seconds of the first round. It was the second win in four attempts inside the Octagon for the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt. Schafer had to win his way back into the UFC in smaller shows after dropping back-to-back fights against Michael Bisping and Stephan Bonnar. Mendes was on a nice run before he made his Octagon debut against Thiago Silva at UFC 84: "Ill Will" back in May. The Brazilian lost via submission (strikes) in the first round. Before the loss, Mendes was on an 11-fight win streak, competing primarily in his native Brazil and throughout Europe. Rich "Ace" Franklin (24-3) and Dan "Hollywood" Henderson (23-7) — two of the world's most elite 205-pound fighters — will headline UFC 93. Also featured is the return of Mauricio "Shogun" Rua as he takes on UFC pioneer Mark "The Hammer" Coleman. To check out the latest UFC 93 fight card and rumors click here. |
| Chris Wilson vs John Howard UFC 94 fight made official for Jan. 31 Posted: 16 Dec 2008 09:54 PM CST
Wilson is a two-fight UFC veteran. He has also competed in several other promotions throughout his five years career such as the International Fight League (IFL) and Bodog Fight, among others, taking on — and defeating — tough guys such as Rory Markham, Jay Heiron and Derrick Noble. He had a recent four-fight win streak snapped earlier this year when he stepped up on short notice to take on top division contender Jon Fitch on super short notice in a losing effort (unanimous decision). The Team Quest fighter, however, made the best of the opportunity and looked impressive. He was invited back shortly thereafter and defeated Steve Bruno in a lopsided unanimous decision at UFC 87: “Seek and Destroy.” Howard earned his shot in the big show courtesy of a solid record fighting in smaller shows throughout the Northeast such as Ring of Combat and Cage Fury Fighting Championships. He is currently riding a three-fight win streak and went undefeated in 2008 (3-0). He, too, has also competed in the IFL — a technical knockout win over the previously unbeaten Nick Calandrino. It’s going to be a tough test, but as he will soon find out, there don’t appear to be an easy assignments on the loaded UFC 170-pound division. UFC 94 will feature the welterweight superfight between former 170-pound champion and current lightweight kingpin BJ Penn versus reigning welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre, as well as the highly anticipated showdown between light heavyweight unbeatens Lyoto Machida and Thiago Silva. To check out the latest UFC 94 fight card and rumors click here. |
| Georges St. Pierre fighting to become 2008 Canadian Athlete of the Year Posted: 16 Dec 2008 08:07 PM CST
By Georges, he’s (almost) got it. Undisputed UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre has one more fight left in 2008, only this time it’s not inside the Octagon. “Rush” is part of a select group of athletes chosen by Ontario’s Sportsnet.ca that will go head-to-head in the popular vote to determine Sportnet’s ‘2008 Canadian Athlete of the Year’. Opposing him are Hockey’s Jarome Iginla, Baseball’s Justin Morneau, Tennis star Daniel Nestor and Paralympic gold medalist Chantal Petitclerc. No question they’re all terrific athletes, but since this is an MMA site I’m pulling for “The Saint”. For those of you who want to pad the vote or if you’re like me and dig GSP’s riddum, head over to the voting page by clicking here to cast your vote. |
| WEC 37 drug tests clean; Gate tallies around $90,000 Posted: 16 Dec 2008 02:34 PM CST
The Zuffa-owned mixed martial arts organization handed out 290 free tickets — a common practice by MMA promotions to make the event appear more appealing to the television viewers. However, there were still 162 seats left unfilled for the event. By comparison, those numbers were down a little bit from the last WEC event held at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Vegas. In fact, WEC 35: “Condit vs. Miura” pulled in a total live gate of $116,900 on 734 tickets sold. In fairness, WEC 35 did feature three world title fights while WEC 37 had only one — the main event between bantamweight title holder Miguel Torres and challenger Manny Tapia. Regardless, Torres is considered one of the biggest stars for the promotion and should be a bigger draw than what these numbers show. If not now then more than likely in 2009. Anyhow, the NSAC also revealed that nine of the fighters on the card were tested for steroids and banned substances. Torres, Manny Tapia, Shane Roller, Cub Swanson, Bart Palaszewski, Johny Hendricks, Joseph Benavidez, Brian Bowles and Wagnney Fabiano were all screened and cleared with negative results. Next up for the promotion is WEC 38, which is scheduled to take place at the San Diego Sports Arena in San Diego, Calif., on January 25. Lightweight champion Jamie Varner is set to defend his strap in the main event against fast rising star Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone and a rematch between former company featherweight champion Urijah “The California Kid” Faber and former UFC lightweight kingpin Jens “Little Evil” Pulver has also been signed for the card. |
| Tim Sylvia: UFC Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar ‘wrong for the sport’ Posted: 16 Dec 2008 02:24 PM CST
Quoteworthy:
Former UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia feels current division kingpin Brock Lesnar should have been groomed more before being awarded a title shot against Randy Couture at UFC 91 in November. He says that because it Lesnar is so new to mixed martial arts — combined with is background as a professional wrestler with the WWE — that it hurts the credibility of the UFC. Thoughts? |
| UFC 92 videos: Forrest Griffin and Frank Mir interviews at Spike TV Video Game Awards (Update) Posted: 16 Dec 2008 11:01 AM CST Do your best to tune out the interviewer if at all possible. Check out what Frank Mir has to say about “his hero” after the jump. UPDATE: Unreal dance video of several UFC fighters on stage with LL Cool J, too. Speechless.
So they think they can dance: |
| Semmy Schilt vs. ‘Mighty Mo’ and more added to Fields Dynamite!! Posted: 16 Dec 2008 10:47 AM CST
Former three-time K-1 World Grand Prix winner Semmy Schilt will return to mixed martial arts action against a familiar foe in Siala “Mighty Mo” Siliga. The pair battled once before under K-1 rules in 2007 with Schilt getting the better of Mo to earn a unanimous decision victory. Of course, it was a bout that featured all stand up. And even though this bout is under MMA rules don't expect that to change very much — it's going to be a strikingfest. It was also announced that Hideo Tokoro will take on Daisuke Nakamura on the card. Both fighters have recently competed under the DREAM banner and will look to continue to make their respective marks within the organization. Nakamura is on a seven-fight win streak and will likely do his best not to have that streak snapped. Tokoro, on the other hand, is coming off a loss and will no doubt be motivated to win at all costs. It could turn ugly. And last but not least a newly added K-1 MAX bout will feature Yoshihiro Sato up against Artur Kyshenko. Sato — a two-time K-1 MAX Japan Champion — is no joke. He recently managed to knockout highly regarded K-1 MAX competitor Buakaw Por. Pramuk this summer at the K-1 MAX Final 8. And as some of you may know that is not an easy task. However, Sato wound up losing to Masato in the semifinals. Another man who has battled the likes of Masato is the Ukrainian Wunderkind, Artur Kyshenko. He was able to reach the finals of the K-1 MAX tournament this year, impressing a lot of folks and making a name for himself in the process. But similar to Sato he ended up on the losing side when facing Masato. That said, he did put up a fight, forcing the bout into an extra round. At only 22-years-old, Kyshenko is a force to be reckoned with … but Sato is certainly no push over, either. Expect fireworks in this one. Here is the ridiculous scheduled card to date:
MMA RULES : Heavyweight: Jerome LeBanner (3-1-1) vs. Mark Hunt (5-4) K-1 RULES : Middleweight: Gegard Mousasi (24-2-1) vs. Musashi (49-28-5-1) K-1 KOSHIEN RULES: U-18 Tournament Semifinals: HIROYA (9-1) vs. Shota Shimada (3-0) **Bout not confirmed by FEG |
| UFC Quick Quote: Dana White on ‘Fight for the Troops’ carnage Posted: 16 Dec 2008 09:52 AM CST
– UFC President Dana White talks with CombatLifestyle.com about the possible ramifications that UFC Fight Night 16: “Fight for the Troops” could have had several years earlier on the growth of the promotion in particular and the sport in general. The three-hour Spike TV special contained more than its fair share of injuries, including the grizzly leg fracture that Corey Hill sustained. Yoshiyuki Yoshida was also viciously knocked unconscious by Josh Koscheck in the main event and was wheeled out of the Octagon on a stretcher as a precautionary measure. In addition, Razak Al-Hussan had his elbow popped because of an armbar, Brandon Wolff left with a scary-looking head wound (pictured … sans insane swelling) and Jonathan Goulet had to be treated for head and knee injuries. When it rains it pours. **Note that a “Get Well Fund” has been coordinated by Gracie Tampa to help Corey Hill “with his medical bills and provide for his wife and three children through this holiday season.” To donate now click here. |
Eric Schafer (10-3-2) — not Andre Gusmao as previously reported — will collide with Antonio Mendes (15–3) in a light heavyweight clash at UFC 93: “Franklin vs. Henderson” at The O2 in Dublin, Ireland, on January 17.
| 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 | |
No comments:
Post a Comment