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

WEC tickets for ‘Brown vs Garcia’ at American Bank Center Arena in Corpus Christi, Texas, on sale soon Posted: 14 Jan 2009 06:44 AM CST World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) today officially announced its first-ever event in Corpus Christi, Texas, at the American Bank Center Arena on March 1. Tickets for the event, which will feature newly-crowned featherweight champion Mike Thomas Brown (20-4) defending his 145-pound title against Leonard Garcia (12-3), will go on sale to the general public on Monday, January 19 at 10 a.m. CT. Newsletter subscribers, naturally, will be able to scoop of tickets prior to them being available for public consumption on Friday, January 16 at 10 a.m. CT. Brown is fresh off his stunning upset over company poster boy Urijah Faber at WEC 36 in November. This will mark his first title defense. And it won't be easy against "Bad Boy," who in two fights for the promotion has erased top players in the division Hiroyuki Takaya and Jens "Lil' Evil" Pulver with first round knockouts. The other co-featured fight of the night will be a rematch between welterweight champion Carlos "The Natural Born Killer" Condit (23-4) and Minnesota Martial Arts Academy product Brock Larson (24-2). The two first met in the cage at WEC 29 in August of 2007 with Condit retaining his title by first round submission. Larson has been lobbying for a rematch ever since and will finally get his chance at redemption on March 1. WEC 39 tickets can be purchased through StubHub.com (Note: StubHub often has seats available even if the event is “sold out”). It will also likely be available to watch for free on Versus network on fight night. For more on WEC 39 stay dialed in to MMAmania.com and remember to check out our event archive right here.

Former WEC Featherweight Champion Urijah Faber is unfazed over his loss to Mike Brown and expects a war at WEC 38 Posted: 14 Jan 2009 06:32 AM CST Former WEC Featherweight Champion Urijah Faber (21-2) had emerged as the face of World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC), racking up five consecutive wins for the Zuffa-owned promotion, and hadn’t tasted defeat in 13 fights — an impressive streak that dated back to 2005. Then came a well-placed, fight-ending right hand courtesy of the powerful Mike Brown in the first round of their WEC 36 main event back on November 5. As Faber explains on MMAmania’s exclusive presentation of Pro MMA Radio, what you see is what you get. “It was pretty obvious what went wrong: I jumped in with the no-look elbow. I knew he would be chasing at me because I kind of rolled away from him. I came really, really close to connecting with that elbow. Nonetheless, he ducked out and just caught me square on the chin and dazed me for a second. I went into turtle position and was protecting but was still a little dazed and the ref stepped in. I felt really good in there I just got caught and he capitalized on my mistake. I feel like nine times out of ten I win that fight but there’s no room for mistakes when you’re fighting the best guys in the world.” The loss was only the second of his career and the first since getting stopped in the third round by Tyson Griffin at Gladiator Challenge 42: "Summer Slam" in September of 2005. But don’t expect "The California Kid" to be wasting anytime feeling sorry for himself. While he credits Brown for the win, he expects a much different outcome in the eventual rematch. “I’ve seen Mike Brown from years back now. When I first got into the game I was backstage at a UFC event with him when he was fighting in the UFC, when I only had two fights under my belt. The guy’s a veteran. I knew he was going to be tough, he’s a lot bigger than I am as a person, probably 15 pounds or so. I knew he was going to be strong, but I wasn’t overpowered. I feel like it’s gonna be a good fight for me in the rematch.” Unfortunately for Faber, that rematch has been temporarily put on hold. With new WEC Featherweight Champion Mike Brown on the mend with injured ribs and Leonard Garcia on the rise, Faber will instead rematch former UFC lightweight champion Jens Pulver at WEC 38 in San Diego, California, on January 25. “Jens is an extremely tough dude. It’s not necessarily my dream fight, but I’m gonna have my hands full and there’s always danger with him involved. I gotta imagine he’s gonna be going for broke, he’s really got nothing to lose, we both need a win and I’m expecting a war. I’m always happy when there’s gonna be a war. That’s why I’m in this sport.” Faber and Pulver first met in an action-packed five round scrap at WEC 34 back in June. Urijah came away with a clear unanimous decision victory in what is to date the most successful event ever for the promotion. Perhaps the WEC is hoping that lightning will strike twice the second time around even though "Lil Evil" has fallen on tough times of late. Many fans felt another go-round with Pulver was a no-win situation for Faber. Another victory does nothing for him in the division and a loss could be devastating for his anticipated rematch with Brown. As Faber explains, the decision was pretty much out of his hands. “I’m not exactly sure how they figure this stuff out. I was actually told that I was fighting Jose Aldo at first. That’s who I was preparing for, then it changed and I think they were looking for guys and Jens stepped up. He’s the type of guy that’s always ready to fight and it doesn’t really matter the scenario. I think he was just one of the guys that wasn’t bitching and moaning about fighting.” Don’t expect a different approach for “The California Kid” heading into WEC 38. Before the upset, Faber was widely considered to be the number one featherweight mixed martial artist in the world. He was on a 13-fight win streak that included victories over Pulver, Jeff Curran, Chance Farrar, Dominic Cruz, Krazy Horse Bennett, Ivan Menjivar, Charlie Valencia and others. He'll likely be out for redemption just like Pulver, making this rematch an exciting fight to kick off 2009 for the WEC. “I’m gonna go at it the same way, but [the loss] reminds you that you’re not invincible. When you’re out there beating people up fairly easily, you don’t have the opportunity to be humbled. Getting into that situation was a little bit humbling so I’ll be cautious, but I gotta let it all hang out man, that’s why people love me and that’s what I love about fighting. I love this sport. It’s something that I really cherish and I’m happy to be a part of it, win or lose.”

Antonio Silva files a civil action against the CSAC Posted: 14 Jan 2009 06:32 AM CST On January 7, 2009, the first and only man to hold the Elite XC heavyweight title, Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva (12-1), filed a civil action against the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) in Los Angeles, California according to Sherdog.com. Silva is seeking a ruling from the court in hopes that he can override the CSAC's decision to suspend the fighter for his alleged steroid use and possibly allow Silva yet another hearing to once again try and prove his innocence. Bigfoot was suspended by the CSAC for a full year in July following his championship winning performance at Elite XC: “Unfinished Business” because he tested positive for the banned steroid Boldenone - an anabolic steroid developed for veterinary use. The Brazilian giant defied that ruling by taking a fight with Sengoku earlier this month due to financial difficulties. Rulings from athletic commissions in the United States aren’t recognized in Japan, and according to Silva’s manager Alex Davis his fighter couldn’t afford to sit out for a year. Here’s a snip: “We would have much rather not fought in Japan, but Antonio has medical expenses that he just can't go without shouldering because of his health. He has to spend a lot of money on medicine every month.” Bigfoot has maintained his innocence throughout this entire ordeal. In fact, he’s the first fighter to take legal action against a ruling from the CSAC. From Silva: “I could have waited for the suspension to expire but I’m not guilty. I am sure I will be the first professional mixed martial artist to prove my innocence in a doping accusation.” Silva’s license to fight in the United States could potentially be revoked at a hearing on February 10 because he violated one of the state’s Business and Professions codes when he smashed Yoshihiro Nakao at Sengoku ‘No Ran 2009′ on January 4. The law prohibits a boxer or martial arts fighter under suspension by the commission (or any other recognized commission) to participate in a contest with the punishment being total revocation of his or her license. In addition, team members and trainers who worked his corner in Japan will be dealt with as accomplices and could be punished as well. Silva’s attorney is currently working to postpone the February 10 hearing pending the outcome of the recent civil action. And the saga continues.

UFC 93 video blog with Dana White (Episode three) Posted: 13 Jan 2009 09:55 PM CST Day of the meatheads!

MMA Quick Quote: Mixed martial arts glorifies brutality and promotes violence Posted: 13 Jan 2009 09:53 PM CST “My feeling about the bill is that it's a flawed piece of legislation. And my feeling about mixed martial arts is that there are many problems with it. It really is a glorification of brutality and violence. Many people believe that violence in the media, or any portrayal of violence, or violence itself as I think happens in mixed martial arts, in fact, makes people immune to violence and in fact promotes violence. In New York State, we pass a lot of laws to stop violence, especially among young people in schools, but domestic violence (as well). I think that this basically is a glorification of violence, but it certainly promotes violence. In itself, I think it's a very brutal sport that creates, obviously, physical harm to the participants, and I don't think there's any other sport who's purpose is to harm your opponent.” Democratic Assemblyman Bob Reilly, representing the 109th district of New York, voices his opposition to MMAWeekly about Bill 1-11458-A, created to regulate the sport of mixed martial arts in New York - despite an independent economic impact study that indicates the UFC would generate about $11.5 million for the "Big Apple." Mixed martial arts is currently unregulated in New York, and appeared to be on the verge of being sanctioned in 2008, but some eleventh-hour concerns from uneducated members of the Assembly Committee on Tourism, Arts and Sports Development scuttled its passage. Another session on the matter began in the state capital on January 7 and could be voted on as early as next week. Mark one of those votes “Nay” for Assemblyman Reilly.

Renato Babalu Sobral vs Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou Affliction video hype Posted: 13 Jan 2009 08:26 PM CST

Joachim ‘Hellboy’ Hansen health update Posted: 13 Jan 2009 08:01 PM CST "On the day of the fight, Joachim had a severe headache and was vomiting. So with him in this condition we chose not to take the fight and I was very worried. But now Joachim is his usual self and in good health, which is a relief." Maeda-san of Team Hellboy updates via his official blog the health of Joachim Hansen, who was forced to pull out of his much anticipated fight with Gesias Calvancante at Fields!! Dynamite on New Year’s Eve. Not much was known as what had actually happened to Hansen except that a "head injury" had prompted him to withdraw from his match on the day of the fight. This of course left FEG no other option but to the cancel the bout, leaving fans highly disappointed. But it appears Hansen is back to full health and perhaps a rescheduling of his bout with Calvancante can be made for the next DREAM show which is being planned for March.

UFC 94 poster of ‘St. Pierre vs Penn 2′ … Posted: 13 Jan 2009 07:51 PM CST …. “will be available to purchase at the weigh-in and event [January 30 and 31]:” No need for any more words.

Affliction ‘Day of reckoning’: Bo Quach replaces Mark Hominick against L.C. Davis Posted: 13 Jan 2009 07:24 PM CST Shooto and ICON Sport veteran Bo Quach has been tapped to replace Mark Hominick against L.C. Davis at Affliction: ‘Day of Reckoning’ at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, on January 24 after Hominick was forced to withdraw due to pneumonia. Quach (15-8-1) was last seen at ICON Sport’s ‘Hard Times’ where he outpointed Honolulu’s Mark Oshiro in August of 2008. That win was Quach’s ninth in a row, dating all the way back to his TKO victory over Gene Gregor at ICON Sport’s ‘Lawler vs. Niko 2′ in 2006. Opposing him will be the dangerous L.C. Davis (12-1). The well rounded Davis made some noise in the IFL when he knocked out Rafael Dias with a brutal head kick at IFL ‘New Jersey’ last April. His only loss comes at the hands of Wagney Fabiano at the IFL World Grand Prix Finals in December of 2007. "Day of Reckoning," which was originally slated to go down on October 11, 2008, before being postponed, will feature one of the most anticipated fights in the history of the sport between WAMMA Heavyweight Champion Fedor Emelianenko and former UFC title holder Andrei Arlovski. Prior to the PPV broadcast, which will be produced and distributed by Showtime Networks Inc. in conjunction with Oscar De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions, several fights will be televised on the HDNet channel. In fact, a light heavyweight tilt between Antonio Rogerio Nogueira and Vladimir Matyushenko will headline the televised HDNet preliminary card that will serve as a lead in to the PPV event, which is slated to begin at 9 p.m. ET on fight night. To check out the latest Affliction: "Day of Reckoning" fight card and rumors click here.

MMA Quick Quote: Kimbo Slice no match for Brazilian lightweights Posted: 13 Jan 2009 12:53 PM CST “The Elite XC matchmaker told us that Kimbo Slice wouldn't last more than thirty or forty seconds with me. Kimbo has all my respect but he didn’t deserve all attention of the organization. I bet the rest of my career that any Brazilian lightweight fighter can beat him easily.” – Former Elite XC heavyweight champion Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva speaks out via Fighters Only magazine against the man who was perhaps the biggest attraction for the now defunct organization, Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson. The Brazilian giant claims that he and manager Alex Davis lobbied hard for a fight with the street brawler in 2008, but had no luck convincing the promoters to book the match. Apparently Silva, as the champ, resented playing second fiddle to the less experienced Slice during their time with the promotion. Restricted to fighting outside of the United States for the foreseeable future, perhaps Silva can find a Japanese promotion willing to put the fight together. That is, of course, assuming Kimbo and his team would or could even accept the fight, which seems like a long shot with him coming off the 14-second loss to Seth Petruzelli in October, as well as having to deal with the mess surrounding the ex-Elite XC fighter contracts.

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