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

Watch UFC 95 Countdown to ‘Sanchez vs Stevenson’ on UFC.com Posted: 17 Feb 2009 08:17 AM CST Props: UFC.com Check out some notable quotes from Diego Sanchez that were featured in the show courtesy of Steve Cofield after the jump. “The Nightmare” also didn’t mince words when it came to his former trainer, Greg Jackson. “He’s worked hard on his boxing but it hasn’t evolved. This is MMA and if you don’t evolve, you’re gonna get eaten.” – Diego Sanchez on Joe Stevenson’s inability to improve since The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 2 show “Watching the (Kenny) Florian-Joe fight, I see that Joe ain’t training with guys who are better than him. Joe’s supposedly a black belt, he did not even know how to do a hip escape or even try to escape from the mount. He just turned and gave his back, that’s a white belt if you ask me.” – Diego Sanchez on Joe Stevenson’s submission defense (or lack thereof) “I’m watching (Florian v. Stevenson at UFC 91) and I’m seeing Kenny Florian do so good, a guy that I just totally destroyed (in the final of The Ultimate Fighter I). So I’m like I’m one of the smallest guys at 170, why not go down to 55 and see what happens, possibly get a title shot.” – Diego Sanchez on smashing current number one division contender Kenny Florian way back when

UFC Quick Quote: Thales Leites ready for wherever Anderson Silva takes him at UFC 97 Posted: 17 Feb 2009 08:01 AM CST "I can fight him standing. I will not be afraid to fight him in the standup game. I will never be afraid. I've been training my Muay Thai and boxing for five years and I think that I'm ready for any situation. I will be ready for anything. I know he wants to fight me standing to try and knock me out. But anything can happen. Cote was doing a good job with him closing the distance and keeping him down every time and moving forward in front of him. I'm thinking I have to do the same thing…. The most important thing is I trust in me and believe in me. He has two arms and two legs like me and like everyone else. If I believe in me and trust me and do my job I can do it. That's it." – Top middleweight contender Thales Leites talks to Sherdog.com about how his skills match up against division champion Anderson Silva. The two Brazilians are scheduled to collide at UFC 97: “Redemption” at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, on April 18. Leites — a talented Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt — feels that he can stand with the deadly striker if necessary, but feels his ground game is the one area where he is better than “The Spider.” Perhaps he can snag one of those four limbs and ride off into the sunset as the new (and unlikely) 185-pound champion? Easier said than done, but stranger things have happened inside the Octagon … like if he were able to somehow finish Silva via strikes.

Former UFC fighter Kimo Leopoldo busted for drug possession Posted: 16 Feb 2009 07:30 PM CST Former UFC fighter Kimo Leopoldo was arrested by police for drug possession in Tustin, California earlier today after authorities spotted the ex-fighter wearing a Long Beach Police Department jumpsuit complete with patches and a cloth badge according to TMZ.com The clothing, restricted to police officers only, prompted the men in blue to investigate and upon searching Leopoldo’s car, found “a small amount of (illegal substance) what is believed to be meth.” Kimo (10-7-1) is perhaps best known for wearing down Royce Gracie in a losing effort at UFC 3, thus allowing Nebraska police officer Steve Jennum his fifteen minutes of fame. Leopoldo last competed at UFC 48, getting dropped back into irrelevance courtesy of Ken Shamrock’s knee. Kimo would subsequently test positive for steroids following the bout, and again get caught using the juice prior to a scheduled match with Bas Rutten at the World Fighting Alliance. When we last heard from the German-born brawler, he was applying to be Executive Officer of the California State Athletic Commission (no, really). Leopoldo is currently still in custody.

Fedor Emelianenko reportedly set to meet Dana White in June to discuss superfight with UFC champ Brock Lesnar Posted: 16 Feb 2009 06:58 PM CST Props: DreamFighters.com Quoteworthy: Yes, I will fight again on the next Affliction card. Besides this, me and my management hope to get a chance to talk to Dana White in person in June to discuss a possible fight between me and Brock (Lesnar). The last man to hold the Pride FC heavyweight title and current WAMMA heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko (29-1) apparently reveals that aside from competing in a third Affliction event (should one come to fruition) he plans to meet with UFC President Dana White sometime in June to discuss a possible superfight with current UFC Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar (3-1). A lot would have to go right for this potential bout to happen. Lesnar is scheduled to rematch Frank Mir at UFC 98 on May 23 while “The Last Emperor” still has the same UFC-unfriendly hang-ups due to the remaining fight on his Affliction contract — along with being property of M-1 Global. Still, the mere possibility of them getting down inside the Octagon is enough to keep any fan optimistic.

Father and son: Randy and Ryan Couture talk junior’s second MMA win at Tuff-N-Uff (Video) Posted: 16 Feb 2009 06:40 PM CST Props: Steve Cofield (ESPN 1100)

Palace Fighting Championship (PFC) 13 to feature five championship bouts on May 8 Posted: 16 Feb 2009 06:27 PM CST The California based mixed martial arts promotion Palace Fighting Championships (PFC) recently announced plans for its PFC 13 event to take place at the Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino in Lemoore, California on Friday, May 8 with a total of five championship titles on the line. In the main event, former WEC light heavyweight champion Doug “The Rhino” Marshall clashes with former Pro Elite fighter Jaime “The Arm Collector” Jara in a 185-pound scrap. The Rhino has stopped both Phil Collins and Rafael Real with technical knockouts since leaving the WEC. Speaking of Collins, he’ll face Leopoldo Serao for the vacant PFC middleweight crown in the co-main event. The company’s vacant flyweight, lightweight and heavyweight titles will be decided on the card as well. Ulysses Gomez and Pat Runez will square off for the 125-pound belt and former UFC heavyweight Wesley “Cabbage” Correira takes on Lavar Johnson for the heavyweight title. Carlo Prater and Dominique Robinson will vie for the 155-pound crown, which became vacant when former champion Brian Cobb was pulled from the card after signing on to face Terry Etim at UFC 95 next weekend. PFC welterweight champion Olaf Alfonso will defend his gold against Kyle Pimental in his first title defense on the card as well. In addition to having five titles on the line in Lemoore on May 8, PFC 13 will also feature former UFC heavyweight champion Ricco “Suave” Rodriguez taking on Ruben “Warpath” Villareal in a classic striker vs. grappler match-up. Ricco had won five straight bouts before dropping a unanimous decision to Jeff “The Snowman” Monson at MFA: “There Will Be Blood” last December. Here’s the full lineup for PFC 13: 185 lbs.: Doug “The Rhino” Marshall (9-3) vs. Jaime “The Arm Collector” Jara (21-6) 185 lbs.: Phil “The Pain” Collins (7-4) vs. Leopoldo Serao (15-7) for the vacant PFC middleweight title 155 lbs.: Carlo Prater (23-6-1) vs. Dominique “Fallen Angel” Robinson (4-2) for the vacant PFC lightweight title 265 lbs.: Wesley “Cabbage” Correira () vs. Lavar “Big” Johnson (11-3) for the vacant PFC heavyweight title 170 lbs.: Champion Olaf Alfonso (8-10) vs. Kyle Pimental (6-0) for the PFC welterweight title 125 lbs.: Ulysses “Useless” Gomez (3-1) vs. Pat Runez (5-0) for the vacant PFC flyweight title 145 lbs.: Casey Olson (9-2) vs. Eddie “The Filipino Phenom” Yagin (12-3-1) in a number one contender eliminator match 265 lbs.: Ricco “Suave” Rodriguez (34-10) vs. Ruben “Warpath” Villareal (14-14-3) 155 lbs.: Poppies “Tachi Kid” Martinez (16-5) vs. Gabe “Godzilla” Ruediger (11-5) 155 lbs.: John “Quick Guns” Gunderson (18-6) vs. Bryan Travers (11-1) 155 lbs.: Dominique Robinson (14-2-1) vs. Scott McAfee (6-1) 145 lbs.: Shawn Bias (13-7) vs. Marcelo Guidici (8-1) 145 lbs.: Cole “Apache Kid” Escovedo (11-4) vs. Michael “Black Sniper” McDonald (1-1) It looks like a very exciting event for the Palace Fighting Championships team. May 8 should be a solid night of fights in Lemoore, California.

Gina Carano pics and excerpts from Maxim featured on FOXNews.com Posted: 16 Feb 2009 01:52 PM CST Props: FOXNews.com (For the “article” click here.) Thanks to MMAmania.com reader “John Lithgow” for the assist.

Diego Sanchez: Joe Stevenson is a whitebelt who’s going to get eaten (Video) Posted: 16 Feb 2009 12:51 PM CST

UFC Quick Quote: The only thing standing between Wilson Gouveia and Anderson Silva is Nate Marquardt Posted: 16 Feb 2009 12:49 PM CST “I have a lot of respect for Nate Marquardt. He is a great fighter who always trains really hard and always leaves his all inside the Octagon. After the champion, Anderson Silva, he’s the best fighter in the division. In my eyes he’s the number one contender, so a win over him would be huge. I’ve been training harder than ever for this fight. I’m focused on Marquardt and not looking past him at all. He’s a very tough fighter, but once I beat him I don’t see anybody between me and Anderson Silva. He’s next as far as I’m concerned.” American Top Team (ATT) product Wilson Gouveia tells UFC.com that Nate Marquardt is the only thing standing between him and a title shot with 185-pound kingpin Anderson “The Spider” Silva. Gouveia dropped from light heavyweight to middleweight following a disappointing loss to Croatia’s Goran Reljic at UFC 84 “Ill Will” last May, just his second in the UFC since debuting at the Ultimate Fighter Finale 3 against Keith Jardine in June of 2006. Since changing weight classes, the Brazilian is 2-0 including an impressive stoppage over Jason MacDonald at December’s Ultimate Fight Night 8. Could a shot at Silva be next? Not if Nate “The Great” has anything to say about it.

Attack of the Bones: UFC light heavyweight sensation Jon Jones headlines tonight’s Pro MMA Radio Posted: 16 Feb 2009 11:53 AM CST UFC light heavyweight sensation Jon Jones, fresh off his lopsided victory over Octagon veteran Stephan Bonnar at UFC 94 'St. Pierre vs. Penn 2′ on January 31, will join us tonight at 9 p.m. ET on MMAmania.com's exclusive presentation of Pro MMA Radio. "Bones" will break down his recent fight with The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) star, the dynamic style of fighting that is not only flashy but also effective, his future in the 205-pound division and who he hopes to fight next and why. Hosted by Larry Pepe, Pro MMA Radio is professional, guest-driven program that features some of mixed martial arts biggest names. If you're looking for a radio show that revolves around a couple of MMA fans ranting and raving about everything that's already been covered ad nauseam, then Pro MMA Radio probably isn't for you. However, if you want to hear from actual fighters and industry insiders answering questions that are relevant to the current MMA scene, tune in every Monday night at 9 p.m. ET for our exclusive live feed. See you tonight at 9 p.m. ET!

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