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| Manny Gamburyan headed to WEC featherweight division Posted: 19 Feb 2009 08:21 AM CST The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 5 finalist Manny Gamburyan is about to go on a diet, agreeing to drop 10 pounds and compete in the World Extreme Cagefighting banner (WEC) after suffering back-to-back losses inside the Octagon, according to MMAWeekly.com. "Pitbull" recently dropped a unanimous decision to Thiago Tavares at UFC 94: "St. Pierre vs. Penn 2" on Jan. 31. He was attempting to get back in the win column after Rob Emerson pasted him with a 12-second knockout at UFC 87: "Seek and Destroy" back in August 2008. It didn't happen. Since losing to Nate Diaz in the finals of the 16-man lightweight tournament at the TUF 5 Finale back in June 2007, Gamburyan put together impressive back-to-back submission wins. He just bout took Nate Mohr's ankle home with him at UFC 79: "Nemesis" and he choked out Jeff Cox his last time out at UFC Fight Night 13 in April. Both fights lasted less than four minutes combined. He'll look to establish similar success early on in his career with the UFC’s sister promotion. But it won't be easy with guys like Mike Brown, Leonard Garcia, Urijah Faber, Wagnney Fabiano and Jose Aldo, among others, floating around. No potential date or opponent for Gamburyan's WEC debut is known at this time. But according to the report he expects something to happen no later than this summer. |
| UFC 94 ‘Grease Gate’ video of Georges St. Pierre appears on BJPenn.com Posted: 18 Feb 2009 11:47 PM CST |
| UFC Quick Quote: Lyoto Machida pulling for Keith Jardine; readying for battle win or lose Posted: 18 Feb 2009 08:16 PM CST
– Top undefeated light heavyweight contender Lyoto Machida tells Tatame.com that he hopes Keith Jardine can upset former division champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson in the UFC 96 main event on March 7. That’s because if the “Dean of Mean” can reign supreme, Machida more than likely earns the next title shot against Rashad Evans sometime later in the summer. With a win Jackson, is likely to get the nod against “Sugar.” Regardless of the outcome Machida indicates that he is preparing to stay busy even if it means he has to win one more fight. |
| Frank Mir: UFC interim heavyweight champion is ‘unlimited’ Posted: 18 Feb 2009 08:13 PM CST |
| Rich Franklin vs Wanderlei Silva UFC 99 fight possible in Germany Posted: 18 Feb 2009 03:52 PM CST
Former middleweight champion Rich Franklin could be the first to introduce Pride FC superstar Wanderlei Silva to a division south of 205 pounds at UFC 99, which is tentatively scheduled to take place at the Lanxess Arena in Cologne, Germany on June 13. MMAWeekly.com reports that the potential showdown could be contested at a catch weight of 195 pounds. “Ace” and the “Axe Murderer” have competed as light heavyweights in their most recent performances. And Silva is expected to eventually make the drop down to 185 if called upon. Perhaps this is just a quick stop on the road to middleweight for the Brazilian. Silva — a former Pride FC middleweight champion (205 pounds) — has lost two of his last three fights inside the Octagon and four of his last five. It’s quite a slump for the wrecking machine who did not lose in 18 straight fights from 2000 to 2004. It’s important to point out that the Brazilian has not been fighting any cream puffs of late, losing to Mirko Cro Cop, Dan Henderson, Chuck Liddell and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson. However, the method in which he is losing — by vicious knockout — has many wondering if the best days are behind the 32-year-old slugger. One thing is for certain: Opponents have figured out how to handle his wild and aggressive style and are making him pay for it. And Franklin — a very technical and patient striker — may be able to to do the same if Silva does not change things up. Franklin recently dropped a split decision to Dan Henderson at UFC 93 last month. The former math teacher sustained a grizzly eye injury from an accidental poke, which required surgery to repair. It is expected that he will be fit and ready when fight night rolls around four months from now. He currently does not have a home in any one division, bouncing back-and-forth between 185 and 205 pounds. And it’s unclear where a win against Silva would place him in either weight class. Regardless, “Ace” has been nearly perfect inside the Octagon (11-1) with the exception of his two losses to Anderson Silva and recent defeat to Henderson. In short, Franklin is a dangerous opponent for any fighter, much less someone who is “testing” competing at a lower weight for the first time ever. Indeed, with both stars coming off losses it appears to be a case of curious matchmaking, but perhaps the promotion is more concerned with putting on great fights rather than worrying about individual records. |
| UFC 97 to remain in Montreal on April 18 Posted: 18 Feb 2009 11:07 AM CST
UFC 97 “Redemption,” which is scheduled to take place from the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, on April 18, will remain in Canada after UFC officials were apparently able to convince the Quebec Athletic Commission (QAC) that the show must go on or it would be moved elsewhere, according to CKAC Sports Radio 730 AM and reported on CorusSports.com. Despite the success of UFC 83 that was held at the Bell Centre in Montreal on April 19 of 2008 and the potential millions of dollars that would be pumped into the Canadian economy, the QAC was originally steadfast on the mixed martial arts rules that have been in place, yet rarely enforced. The Quebec regulations, which appear to have been ignored for over seven years, forbid elbow and knee strikes, judo throws, slams and even call for a downed fighter to get a chance to recover with his opponent sent to a neutral corner. The old administration of the QAC was reportedly tolerant of the use of North America's Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts. That apparently went out the window along with most of Mel's Studio after a near riot at the Titans Fighting event held on February 6. In the main event against Steve Bosse, James “The Colossus” Thompson immediately went for the takedown and rattled off some textbook ground and pound - despite a supposed agreement to adhere to the old rules of Canadian MMA that disallowed ground attacks. The crowd reacted violently in disapproval, showering the cage with bottles and debris. The show was halted and both fighters and Referee Yves Lavigne ran for their lives. That incident had apparently prompted the QAC to spring into action and start doing things by the book — effectively putting the kibosh on UFC 97. However with millions of dollars at stake and over 22,000 fans who already purchased their tickets, it appears an exception has been made — at least for now. Aside from banning foot stomps, details of the arrangement are not yet available, but a press conference is expected later today to make it official. UFC 97 will feature middleweight champion Anderson Silva, putting his 185-pound title on the line against number one division contender, Thales Leites. In the co-main event, Mauricio Rua — fresh off his less-than-thrilling victory over Mark "The Hammer" Coleman at UFC 93 — will challenge former UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell. |
| MTV Mayhem: MMAs Jason Miller to host ‘Bully Beat Down’ Posted: 18 Feb 2009 11:02 AM CST
Super reality show creators Mark Burnett Productions, which has brought us such popular series on television such as “Survivor,” “Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader?” and “The Apprentice,” is poised to introduce a new program to the small screen with a mixed martial arts twist to it this summer. “Bully Beat Down” is the title of the new offering and it will be hosted by none other than former Icon Sport middleweight champion — who also happens to be among the most charismatic fighters in the world — Jason “Mayhem” Miller. The idea behind the show, which is scheduled to air on the MTV network, is to pull bullies from their schools and put them in real-life mixed martial arts matches against trained professional fighters. The first episode will air in Salt Lake City, Utah, and the initial fight will be regulated and governed by the Pete Sauzo Utah Athletic Commission Sounds like a fair fight. The quasi-retired Miller won’t fight on the show, but he’ll certainly play a big role as the host. And as we all know he’s never at a loss for words. However, temember that we will see him fight the last reigning Icon Sport middleweight title holder, Kala Kalohe Hose, at the Blaisdell Arena in Honolulu, Hawaii, on Saturday, March 28 in the main event of the new Hawaiian promotion, Kingdom MMA. This will be Miller’s first fight back since announcing his retirement from the sport around four months ago. (Thanks to TheGarv.com for the assist.) |
| Josh Koscheck vs Paulo Thiago UFC 95 video fight talk Posted: 18 Feb 2009 11:00 AM CST |
| Mirko ‘Cro Cop’ Filipovic in talks with the UFC and ‘another’ U.S. organization Posted: 18 Feb 2009 10:35 AM CST
Quoteworthy:
Pride FC 2006 Open Weight Grand Prix winner Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic (24-6-2) — who is recovering from knee surgery following his technical knockout win over Hong Man Choi at Field's Dynamite!! on New Year's Eve — indicates he could have plans to return to the Octagon later this year or perhaps “another U.S. organization.” Unless he plans on taking a serious pay cut at a smaller promotion, one has to assume he’s referring to Affliction or perhaps the new-look Strikeforce — where bitter rival Alistair Overeem just happens to be heavyweight champion. |
| Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker talks UFC and Pro Elite on HDNet Fights (Video) Posted: 18 Feb 2009 10:32 AM CST |
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