UFC blog for latest news, videos, results, betting odds, fighter interviews and MMA rumors - UFCmania.com |
| Diego Sanchez vs Joe Stevenson likely to serve as UFC 95 main event Posted: 19 Dec 2008 08:22 AM CST Diego Sanchez (19-2) will make his highly anticipated lightweight debut against Joe Stevenson (29-9) at UFC 95, which is scheduled to take place from The O2 Arena in London, England, on February 21. With UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva informing the promotion that he will not be ready to compete on that date, the 155-pound showdown will likely serve as the main event of the pay-per-view (PPV) broadcast. Sanchez was knocking on the door of a potential 170-pound title shot with a win over Thiago Alves at UFC 90: "Silva vs. Cote" back in October before making the surprise move to lightweight. It wasn't the first time, either. Before back-to-back losses to Josh Koscheck and Jon Fitch in 2007 — the only two blemishes on his professional mixed martial arts record — the inaugural The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) middleweight champion was on the cusp of a title shot. Naturally, it never came. "Nightmare" rebounded with impressive consecutive wins and had "The Pitbull" on his radar before a rib injury forced him off the card at the last minute. It also more than likely spelled the end of his career — at least for the time being — in the 170-pound category. It's not going to get any easier for Sanchez 15 pounds lighter. And his new career at 155 starts against one of the top contenders in the weight class. Stevenson — who was the TUF 2 welterweight winner — is in a rare slump, losing two of his last three bouts. However, those two losses have come to current division champion, BJ Penn, in a fight for the vacant title and Kenny Florian to determine the next championship contender. That's some stiff competion. The newly-minted Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt will begin his climb back to the top at UFC 95. And a win over a big name and top talent like Sanchez in the featured fight of the night will go a long way toward getting him where he wants to be sooner rather than later. In fact, the same goes for both fighters. To check out the latest UFC 95 fight card and rumors click here. |
| Affliction assembles a mini heavyweight tournament of its own Posted: 19 Dec 2008 06:41 AM CST
Company Vice President Tom Atencio revealed at a recent press conference that the winner of the bout between Josh Barnett and Gilbert Yvel will earn the number one title contender status. That means that either Barnett or Yvel will next challenge Emelianenko (if he wins) or his opponent, former UFC heavyweight kingpin Andrei Arlovski. It’s a mini tournament that includes arguably three of the top five heavyweight fighters in the sport today (Emelianenko, Barnett and Arlovski). It’s also an opportunity for Yvel — a controversial and “dirty” fighter — to play the roll of “bad boy” once again and perhaps knockoff some of the best in the business. The Dutch Muay Thai specialist is on a seven-fight win streak and has not lost since 2006. So while he may not deserve to be in such company, Yvel is certainly a dangerous opponent who should not be taken lightly. Regardless, this latest news sets up several dream match ups that have either been teased for years (Emelianenko vs. Barnett) or booked then bumped (Arlovski vs. Barnett). It’s a situation that more than likely has fans “in the know” buzzing … especially those who have dogged/defended Emelianenko for fighting cans in recent years. Is it possible for the “Last Emperor” to knockoff three former UFC heavyweight champions (Sylvia, Arlovski and Barnett) in three consecutive fights? The short answer is maybe … but it won’t be easy. Not at all. The consolation prize, of course is a possible clash between Barnett and Arlovski. That’s not too shabby, either. Or, Yvel can throw a wrench into things, which may or may not be a good thing (more than likely bad). Whichever scenario comes to be post-January 24, the important thing from a fan’s perspective is that Affliction has set itself up with a series of competitive and compelling heavyweight matches for future programming. That’s assuming their programming will have a future. If the aforementioned match-ups coupled with the already talented and growing fighter base are not enough to stimulate interest in the upstart promotion, then Affliction may indeed close up shop and go back to the land of high end T-shirts. And MMA fans will essentially have go back to watching strictly the UFC. Some by choice, some by default. |
| A Fitness Carol: Staying motivated through the Holidays and beyond Posted: 19 Dec 2008 05:27 AM CST
According to Eddie Pola and George WyleIt, it’s the most wonderful time of the year. Unless of course you’re trying to stick to your diet and exercise regimen. The Holidays are upon us and those of you who were diligent enough to stick to your guns (both literally and figuratively) during Thanksgiving aren’t out of the woods yet. I’ve seen all types of men big and strong felled by a container of Tupperware filled with Grandma’s Christmas cookies. And don’t even get me started on the roasted duck and extra thick gravy. Staying committed to your diet and exercise program during the Holidays can be an enormous challenge. Our culture surrounds us with decadent foods this time of year and it makes me wonder had people been eating like this back in the early days, then maybe Tiny Tim wouldn’t have been hobbling around on those decrepit little legs. Somebody show that kid how to do a hack squat for Pete’s sake. One of the biggest reasons people don’t reach their fitness goals is because they don’t stay committed or find themselves easily discouraged. Not only does the Holiday season inundate us with fattening foods, it also throws our schedules into an upheaval as shopping deadlines and family commitments cut into valuable training time. Those of us in the northern hemisphere don’t have that sense of urgency that warmer weather brings because the sunny beaches and skimpy outfits seem so far away, thus allowing procrastination to slowly take hold. And the longer you stay out of the gym, the harder it is to go back. When some people miss a scheduled workout or gorge on a family feast, they spend the next day sulking about like all the work they ever put into their physique was for naught. No way! When you miss a workout or have an unexpected cheat meal, the proper thing to do is just call it a wash and start fresh. Just because you blew you daily caloric intake on breakfast at IHOP doesn’t mean you also stuff your face at lunch and dinner. Every meal is a chance to start over. Just as every time you walk into the gym is a chance to try and reach the next level. Perhaps you’re stuck in a training plateau, or you just can’t seem to shed those few remaining pounds. So often our progress is hampered by the finer details. It is imperative that any serious athlete keep a training and nutrition log for keeping track of everything you do inside and outside of the gym. People who follow an exercise plan that eventually switch to a daily fitness journal are amazed at how many areas they are falling short in. Sometimes it just takes a little fine tuning to break through that last wall. There is plenty of time for that. Now is the time to enjoy the holidays and celebrate the progress you have already made. If you haven’t made any or you’re just getting started, now is the time to motivate yourself and plan on an aggressive new year. Enjoying Holiday foods without guilt is easy when the majority of your diet consists of healthy eating and you haven't abandoned your exercise. By staying committed to your fitness goals and not using the excess of food as an excuse to eat like a Tyrannosaur, you can skate through the holidays with little to no damage to your physique. You remain healthy, but more importantly, you remain happy. Lest anyone think that Kris Kringle is the only cat out there delivering good cheer, the kind folks over at Feel It! Nutrition are offering the loyal readers of MMAmania.com 20% off All Orders Over $100! Unfortunately this limited-time offer comes with a catch: We're only offering it to people who agree to remain committed to their fitness goals during the holiday season. If you're ready to keep your focus and stay dedicated, then head over to Feel It! Nutrition and enter the promocode "HOLIDAY20″ at checkout. What a great way to save money on some of the most cutting-edge supplements. Don't worry about trying to figure out which nutritional supplements are going to help you maintain your current fitness goals. The Feel It! Nutrition experts have already done the research for you and assembled some of the most comprehensive stacks available to help you achieve almost any fitness goal. Looking to get huge? Why not give the mighty Bulk Stack a try. Or perhaps you are already of considerable girth and want to get lean. No problem. Feel It! Nutrition created Lean Stack with you in mind. Of course no MMA blog would be complete without the highly acclaimed MMA Stack . Designed for fighters, by fighters. Happy Holidays to all of the MMAmaniacs. Be sure to take advantage of the Holiday sale over at Feel It! Nutrition , their way of saying thanks to all of their loyal customers. And if you're tempted to go for a second helping of roast beast, remember, you are (and look like) what you eat!
|
| Posted: 18 Dec 2008 10:36 PM CST
If any of our readers are among the “120 million active” Facebook users worldwide — and we’re confident many of you are — this is just a heads up that MMAmania.com now has its own tight-knit group. To join us right now click HERE. It’s a cool concept that would be made more cooler if we can get all the maniacs over there, too. Big thanks to Stefan Manojlovic for setting it all up. That is all. |
| ‘MMA Live’ episode 32 video from ESPN.com recaps UFC fights, Bobby Lashley and more Posted: 18 Dec 2008 10:01 PM CST |
| Rich Clementi vs Gleison Tibau UFC Fight Night 17 fight announced Posted: 18 Dec 2008 08:48 PM CST
Both lightweights will attempt to rebound from losses in their most recent performances. For Tibau, he will be out to snap a two-fight losing skid and return to the win column for the first time since September 2007. That’s uncharted territory for the American Top Team (ATT) product — he won three of his first four fights inside the Octagon. And the only loss during that stretch was to Nick Diaz at UFC 65: “Bad Intentions” back in November 2006. Tibau — who recently sustained a shoulder injury that forced him off the UFC 90: “Silva vs. Cote card in October — most recently dropped consecutive bouts to perennial division threats Tyson Griffin and Joe Stevenson. The Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt was submitted for the first time ever in his professional mixed martial arts (MMA) career in the loss to “Daddy.” Clementi was red hot on a six-fight tear before locking horns with Gray Maynard at UFC 90. He was essentially outwrestled for 15 minutes in a loss that was extremely hard to swallow for the former contestant on The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 4. He had emerged as a possible title contender with wins over Anthony Johnson, Melvin Guillard, Sam Stout and Terry Etim. Now it’s back to the drawing board for the 46-fight MMA veteran. UFC Fight Night 17 features additional 155-pound match ups. Mac Danzig is expected to take on Josh Neer and Joe Lauzon and Hermes Franca are slated to tangle — both match ups were confirmed for the show today. Kurt Pellegrino and Rob Emerson will also likely hook 'em up. In addition, Cain Velasquez will be in action on the Spike TV special against Denis Stojnic in a heavyweight bout. The match up between Clementi and Tibau is currently set to take place on the nontelvised portion of the preliminary card. To check out the latest UFC Fight Night 17 fight card and rumors click here. |
| Wanderlei Silva vs Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson UFC 92 video fight talk Posted: 18 Dec 2008 04:10 PM CST Oh this is going to be so good … “Fight of the Year,” according to “Rampage:” Check out Rampage's side of the story after the jump.
|
| Alistair Overeem: Mirko Cro Cop fighting career ‘one step away from being finished’ Posted: 18 Dec 2008 04:00 PM CST
Props: Fighters Only Magazine Quoteworthy:
Alistair Overeem is none to pleased that Pride FC 2006 Open Weight Grand Prix winner Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic will will take on the 7'2" Hong Man Choi at Fields Dynamite!! at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, on December 31. The “Demolition Man” has been calling for a rematch ever since their first encounter at DREAM 6 back in September ended in the controversial (and dreaded) "No Contest." Fighting and Entertainment Group (FEG) insists that the rematch will eventually take place on a different card to be held at some point down the road in 2009. Overeem is expected to tangle with dangerous Russian striker Sergei Kharitonov on the insane New Year’s Eve extravaganza. |
| Cain Velasquez vs Denis Stojnic at UFC Fight Night 17 in Tampa Posted: 18 Dec 2008 01:37 PM CST
Blue chip heavyweight prospect Cain Velasquez (4-0) will return to action against Octagon newcomer Denis Stojnic (5-1) at UFC Fight Night 17, which takes place at the University of Southern Florida (USF) Sun Dome in Tampa, Fla., on February 7, 2009. Velasquez has been sidelined recently with a knee injury, which required minor surgery to repair. The undefeated American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) standout — who has won all of his UFC bouts (two) in impressive fashion — will apparently be ready to rock in early 2009. He has quickly built a reputation as a dangerous opponent who many in the division would prefer to avoid. Brad Morris and Jake O'Brien weren't so lucky — the former Arizona State University wrestler stopped them both in the first round like the rest of his opponents. It's sink or swim, therefore, for his opponent, Stojnic, making his debut for the promotion. The Sarajevo native will also make his first mixed martial arts appearance stateside. He has competed throughout Europe during his career, most recently against Hakim Gouram back in May. UFC Fight Night 17 features several 155-pound match ups. Mac Danzig is expected to take on Josh Neer and Joe Lauzon and Hermes Franca are slated to tangle — both match ups were confirmed for the show today. Kurt Pellegrino and Rob Emerson will also likely hook 'em up. To check out the latest UFC Fight Night 17 fight card and rumors click here. |
| Dave ‘Pee Wee’ Herman next fight booked against Choi Mu Bae at Sengoku Jan. 4 Posted: 18 Dec 2008 01:26 PM CST
Today Choi Mu Bae (7-3) was announced as his opponent. Herman is among the fastest rising mixed martial artists in the heavyweight division right now. He ripped off four straight wins under the Elite XC banner and quickly made a name for himself in the sport. His ability to finish fights is on par with some of the best in the business. In fact, only once has an opponent of his made it out of the first round. And all of them have either been stopped with strikes or choked out. Choi is a six-fight Pride FC veteran who last competed on the third Sengoku event back in May, losing to former UFC fighter and top Brazilian jui-jitsu player Marcio Cruz in the first round. The loss was only the third of his career with the other two coming by submission and knockout to Sylvester Terkay and Sergei Kharitonov, respectively. The South Korean has a few notable wins under his belt worth mentioning. He recently knocked out one-time kickboxing stud Gary Goodridge back in February at a show in Seoul, South Korea, and he also choked out UFC veteran Soa Palelei at Pride 28 in April of 2006. Choi probably holds the advantage when it comes to experience on a big stage and he won’t be an easy opponent for Herman at all … especially with the fight being in Japan. But Herman’s athleticism for a man his size is off the charts and basically this is just another opportunity for him to prove that once again. Also in action at “Rebellion 2009″ is ex-Elite XC heavyweight champion Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva (11-1). He’ll meet Yoshihiro Nakao (7-1) — the guy who infamously kissed Heath Herring before their match three years ago. That one should be an interesting fight. In addition, the lightweight and middleweight titles will be on the line as Takanori Gomi and Satoru Kitaoka face off for the 155-pound crown while Jorge Santiago and Kazuo Misaki throwdown for the 185-pound strap. It should be an exciting night of fights — don’t miss it. |
Rich Clementi and Gleison Tibau have been booked to battle at UFC Fight Night 17 at the University of Southern Florida (USF) Sun Dome in Tampa, Fla., on February 7, 2009.
| 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