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| Fedor Emelianenko and Gegard Mousasi grappling video - in preparation for ADCC 2009? Posted: 08 May 2009 05:37 AM PDT Fedor Emelianenko and Gegard Mousasi in the 2009 Abu Dhabi Combat Club. What are their chances? |
| Bellator VI middleweight tournament preview and predictions for May 8 event Posted: 08 May 2009 05:36 AM PDT
After perhaps its most exciting event to date last week in Dayton, Ohio, Bellator Fighting Championships 12-part weekly tournament series is set to continue tomorrow night with its sixth event at the Central Pavilion Arena at Richard M. Borchard Regional Fairgrounds in Robstown, Texas. As always, the action will air via tape delay 24 hours later on the Spanish version of The Worldwide Leader in Sports, ESPN Deportes. The card will feature the semifinal match ups from the promotion's featherweight tournament. In the night’s main event, former Elite XC 145-pound champion Wilson Reis will mix it up with undefeated All-American wrestler Joe "The Hammer" Soto for the right to face the winner between Yahir Reyes and Estevan "El Terrible" Payan in the tournament’s championship round sometime in the next six weeks. The non-tournament portion of the event will showcase several other notable up and coming fighters, including Elite XC veterans Robert “Bubba” McDaniel, Roberto Vargas and others. The featured non-tournament bout will be a middleweight scrap between Luis “Baboon” Palomino and Nick Gonzalez — two first round losers from the Bellator featherweight tournament. We've taken a closer look at the two featured tournament fights to give you a taste of what to expect from their latest mixed martial arts offering. Here we go:
Wilson Reis (7-0) vs. Joe Soto (4-0): This fight is sort of like the championship before the championship. There’s not much doubt that these are the two best remaining fighters of the final four. Reis, the first and only man to hold the Elite XC featherweight belt, is a lightning quick, wrecking ball of a man who’s a Brazilian jiu-jitsu stud. He made his way into the semifinals by controlling all three rounds against Henry Martinez en route to a unanimous decision victory. Coming into this tournament, he was the hands down favorite to take the title. However, since watching Abel Cullum give him all he could handle in their Elite XC title fight last September, I’ve been waiting for the match up to come along that was going to hand him his first loss. Ladies and gentlemen, meet Joe Soto. An All-American wrestler from Iowa Central Community College and a former high school state champion in the state of California, he could be one of the best fighters in the world you’ve never heard of. He’s got all the tools and physical ability to be great in this sport. Plus he’s got an edge to him. He’s a hard nosed guy who just loves to fight. He trains with some of the best. His home gym is with David Terrell at NorCal Fighting Alliance, but he also gets help from the guys over at Fairtex Muay Thai and The Garage in his hometown of Porterville, California. He made his way into this fight with a first round technical knockout win over Ben Greer in the quarterfinals. The win marked his fifth straight as a pro, and each of his five victims have all been stopped in the first round. It’s true that Reis is a big step up in competition, but he’s not that much more seasoned, and probably less skilled as an overall mixed martial artist. Look for this to be a barn burner of a fight. Soto is super aggressive and Reis likes to fight defensively and is very good in the scramble. Soto should be able to avoid being put on his back with his strong wrestling pedigree, and as long as he can avoid being submitted, I don’t see him losing this fight. Soto has the edge in striking and wrestling, while Reis has the jiu-jitsu. But as far as experience, athleticism and strength go, it’s a push. With a match up like that, I’m going with the wrestler 9 times out of 10, especially if he’s as nasty as Joe Soto. Plus all the pressure is on Reis as the more well known fighter and the tournament favorite. This is a bad match up for him. Soto by second round ground and pound. Final Prediction: Joe “The Hammer” Soto via technical knockout in round two Yahir Reyes (13-5) vs. Estevan "El Terrible" Payan (7-1): Both of these guys had to fight their way through difficult opponents back on the Bellator I card to make it to this final four match up. Reyes pulled off an upset first round submission win over Nick Gonzalez, while Payan squeezed by Luis Palamino by split decision. Payan is a submissions guy who trains out of one of the fastest rising gyms in the sport over at Arizona Combat Sports. That camp is known for training guys with solid wrestling backgrounds, which means Payan should be well versed in the clinch and with takedowns and takedown defense. Plus he used to fight at welterweight, meaning he should have a noticeable size advantage in this fight. Reyes is a Mexican native with a strong submission game. He’s tapped eight of his thirteen victims, and he comes into this fight on a five match winning streak. He’s the more experienced of the two and should like everything about this match up, except the size disparity. Payan doesn’t have phenomenal hands, but he’ll have the reach and he’ll have the power advantage with his size. Look for him to try to exploit as much of that as he can before this fight inevitably hits the mat. Once it’s there, it’s anybody’s game. This is a big opportunity for both of these guys, probably the biggest of their respective careers. Comfort level and focus is huge in a tournament format like this. Whichever fighter can shake off the butterflies and keep their eye on the prize could pull this one out. The smart money says this one goes to the scorecards. I just can’t see either one of these guys finishing the other. And while Reyes seems to be more aggressive, having finished more of his opponents, Payan is bigger, stronger and should be able to control the fight more with his wrestling. In a close fight like this, that could make all the difference in the eyes of the judges. It could go either way, but I’m going with “El Terrible.” Final Prediction: Estevan "El Terrible" Payan via split decision Check out the lineup for BFC VI in it's entirety below:
Next week Bellator Fighting Championships VII will take place at the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago, Illinois. The four remaining contestants in the welterweight tournament will be in action. On one side of the bracket, former UFC champion Dave Menne will battle Omar De La Cruz, and Jorge Ortiz and Lyman Good will square off in the other semifinal bout. UFC heavyweight veteran Eddie Sanchez is also expected to be in action on the card. You definitely won't want to miss that. To catch up on all the latest from Bellator Fighting Championships click here. |
| Creatine sale starts today! Waterboard your muscles for pennies on the dollar! Posted: 08 May 2009 05:35 AM PDT
Welcome back to another edition of Fitness Friday ladies and (wheat) germs, where you carefully avert your eyes from this weekly nutritional column because you know you’ve been a bad boy outside the gym. And if you’re thinking “Gee, I’ve been logging serious hours at my local Bally’s, I know he’s not talking about me,” well then you’re right. I’m talking about people who are serious about transforming their bodies. If your workout regimen consists of shiny chrome dumbbells and a Yoga mat that folds up like a flag in the color guard, you should probably take your spandex leotard and move along to the next post. However, for those animals that punish themselves daily inside a musty tomb littered with iron plates and the smell of broken spirits, this sale’s for you. Feel It! Nutrition is now offering ANY AND ALL CREATINE PRODUCTS ON SALE FOR 15% OFF! As most of you know, creatine can rightly lay claim to being one of the most popular and arguably most effective supplements around. The beauty of creatine is that it is 100% natural and occurs in many foods, so it’s unlikely to be banned from any sports or competitions. That’s a major factor in today’s high performance athlete.
Creatine is produced naturally in our bodies to help supply energy to the muscles. It’s produced in the liver, pancreas and kidneys before being transported in the blood to our muscles. It is then converted into phosphor-creatine which is a powerful metabolite used to regenerate the muscles’ ATP source of energy. From a fighter's perspective, creatine can significantly increase lean muscle mass quickly, improve performance in high intensity exercise, raise energy levels and speed up recovery rates. Creatine’s ability to raise energy in muscles is due to its muscle protein synthesizing action whilst reducing the breakdown of protein. This happens because creatine has the effect of super-hydrating muscle cells with water. It also improves muscle growth adding size and strength to muscle fibers. Whether you’re training for a fight or fitness event, or even if you’re just trying to get cock-diesel for the summer, creatine is a must-have supplement for any fitness regimen. Creatine is normally taken in two ways. The first involves loading the muscles with 20 to 30 grams per day for four to seven days. At the end of this phase maintenance involves a regular intake of 5 to 15 grams per day. The other method is more gradual in that it skips out the loading phase and simply involves supplementing with 5 to 15 grams per day for an extended period. Two questions remain to be answered - does it work and is it safe? Creatine has undoubtedly been proven effective in recent years - over twenty scientific studies have concluded that creatine can increase energy levels and result in enhanced strength, endurance levels and recovery rates. As a training aid it therefore has many merits. In terms of safety, no study to date has shown creatine to be anything other than safe, provided manufacturers’ instructions are followed. Why drive to the mall and put up with some snot-nosed teen clerk inside an overpriced supplement store when you can order the TOP NAME BRANDS at discount prices with Feel It! Nutrition from the comfort of your own home? Remember, ANY and ALL creatine products from the store are on sale for 15% off! Hurry, this sale will only last this week! To start saving click here! |
| Kevin Randleman set to make his Strikeforce debut against Mike Whitehead on June 6 Posted: 07 May 2009 09:31 PM PDT
Strikeforce officials announced on Thursday that Kevin Randleman will make his return to action against The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 2 contestant Mike Whitehead on the main card of the “Lawler vs. Shields” event set for June 6 from the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Missouri. "The Monster" (17-12) last competed on the second Sengoku card in May 2008, pulling out a unanimous decision victory over Ryo Kawamura. The fight was Randleman's first MMA bout since 2006 — a submission loss to Mauricio "Shogun" Rua at Pride 32: "The Real Deal." It's been a pretty bumpy ride for ex-Hammerhouse fighter. In addition to surviving a SERIOUS staph infection that could have killed him if went untreated, Randleman — who is now training with Xtreme Couture out of Las Vegas — was also stopped for Driving Under the Influence (DUI), intimidating a public officer and other charges in Sin City in late 2007. He satisfied a one-year suspension from the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC), which was issued for providing a non-human urine sample following his loss to Rua. The two-time NCAA Division I Wrestling Champion from Ohio State University defeated Pete Williams at UFC 23 in 1999 to capture the vacant heavyweight title. Randleman's title reign was brief, however, when Randy Couture stopped him the following year via technical knockout (strikes) at UFC 28 in round three of their championship bout. Now nearly ten years later, the 37-year old Randleman is looking to recapture some of that old glory against one of the more recognizable faces from the second season of TUF.
Whitehead (23-6) was eliminated from the Spike TV reality show by current UFC light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans. He got a second chance at UFC stardom at UFC 57: “Liddell vs. Couture 3″ but got outworked by fellow TUF 2 contestant Keith Jardine. Instead of going away, Whitehead turned it up a notch — or five — by unleashing hell in smaller promotions, going 14-1 including a 4-0 run in the IFL (and a decision win over Krzysztof Soszynski) before the team-based promotion closed its doors. In fact, his only loss during that span was a unanimous decision to current Strikeforce light heavyweight champion Renato “Babalu” Sobral back at Affliction: “Banned” last July. This should be considered a tough fight for both competitors. The June 6 event will be headlined by the last reigning Elite XC middleweight champion "Ruthless" Robbie Lawler as he tangles with the only man to ever hold the welterweight title under that same promotion, Jake Shields. In addition, a special 180-pound catchweight fight between Nick Diaz and Scott Smith was also just recently announced. Strikeforce: "Lawler vs. Shields" will air live on the premium cable network Showtime on fight night, beginning at 10 p.m. ET. Stay dialed in to MMAmania.com before, during and after the show for all the Strikeforce event coverage you can handle. |
| Matt Serra video blog for UFC 98 (Day 2) Posted: 07 May 2009 08:31 PM PDT |
| A healed Brandon Wolff doesn’t want to get his ass kicked again at UFC 98 Posted: 07 May 2009 02:01 PM PDT
Props: Canadian Press Quoteworthy:
Brandon Wolff talks about his future career inside the Octagon after "sustaining four facial fractures, including a fractured forehead, and a broken nose" in a brutal loss to Ben Saunders in his Octagon debut at UFC: "Fight for the Troops" in Dec. 2008. The Hawaiian is set to battle Yoshiyuki Yoshida at UFC 98: "Evans vs. Machida" on May 23, vowing to not make the same mistakes twice in his encore performance, which is great news for whoever picks up his hospital tab. |
| ESPNs MMA Live turns one; Discusses possible ’submission of the year’ and more (Video) Posted: 07 May 2009 12:47 PM PDT |
| Sign of the times? UFC discounts all things Chuck Liddell Posted: 07 May 2009 11:43 AM PDT
Sale is for a limited time so get it while it’s hot. Or cold, depending on how you look at it. |
| UFC Hall of Fame to add two more at Fan Expo on UFC 100 weekend Posted: 07 May 2009 11:40 AM PDT Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) will soon enshrine two more of its greatest stars in the Hall of Fame, coinciding with the historic 100th pay-per-view (PPV) event scheduled for July 11 weekend at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. The dynamic duo was not revealed at this time; however, the announcement is expected to be made at the first-ever UFC Fan Expo on Friday, July 10, 2009 (unless, of course, the information is leaked sooner.) Here's a snip from UFCFanExpo.com:
Currently, there are five members of the UFC Hall of Fame: Mark Coleman, Randy Couture, Dan Severn, Ken Shamrock and Royce Gracie. Coleman was the most recent addition, celebrating his induction last year in front of a hometown crowd at UFC 82: "Pride of a Champion" in Columbus, Ohio. Former middleweight champion and epic adventurer, Evan Tanner — who succumbed to heat exhaustion and perished during a solo camping trip in a scorching California desert in September 2008 — would be a logical posthumous choice. And former light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell — who has yet to personally announce his retirement despite Dana White's best efforts — would be another. But, again, the identities of the next two future Hall of Famers remain a mystery … for now. Who do you think should get the nod? |
| WHO to Pacquiao: Swine Flu Ain’t Nothin’ to Sneeze at Posted: 07 May 2009 10:35 AM PDT
The Associated Press is reporting that Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao plans to return to Manila as scheduled, despite warnings from the World Health Organization (WHO) that he postpone his return trip in favor of a self-imposed quarantine in Los Angeles. The WHO, along with Philippine health officials, have encouraged Pacquiao and members of his entourage to quarantine themselves in L.A. for five days until it can be determined if any of them are experiencing flu-like symptoms. The measure was taken because the H1N1 virus (aka, "swine flu") has been found to have spread to California. Pacquiao insists that the quarantine is unnecessary, telling DZBB radio, "If you are healthy, why should you be quarantined?" The champion insists that neither he, nor any member of his entourage (which includes his wife and mother), have shown any flu symptoms that would justify their quarantine. They plan to return home on Friday. Pacquiao is fresh off his victory over Ricky Hatton in a light welterweight bout in Las Vegas on Saturday night. Pacquiao has held about every title under the sun and is considered by Ring Magazine to be the best pound-for-pound pugilist on the planet.
The WHO has also advised Pacquiao and his entourage to observe the same five-day self-quarantine restrictions once he lands in Manila. They also could be subjected to a thermal scan, foot bath and health survey — apparently standard procedure for your average world traveler arriving at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) during a global alert for the H1N1 "potential pandemic." In addition, friends, family and fans who plan to greet the champ at the airport are requested to maintain a one-yard distance from the party at all times and to avoid handshakes, hugs and kisses. I guess high fives are out of the question? As a precaution, a "national day of celebration" to honor Pacquiao's latest achievement has been postponed until next week, as will his victory parade around Manila, along with a meeting with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo — originally scheduled for Friday. "It's going to be a nightmare for the country if someone from his team exhibits signs and symptoms of the A(H1N1) virus," said Anthony Golez, deputy presidential spokesperson, citing the fact that the boxing champion has been in contact with countless people during the last few weeks. Just imagine how Hatton would feel if he comes to find out he lost to a guy with the swine flu. Cough … cough. Environment Secretary Lito Atienza, a rabid Pacquiao supporter, has stated the hubbub is a "cruel joke" and completely unnecessary. Said Atienza, Pacquiao "could be the healthiest Filipino now." Golez, a physician, replied: "Even if you are considered as the strongest man alive here, nobody is invincible to diseases, viruses or bacteria." Said Pacquiao: "Well what if it was Fedor?" and everyone agreed the Fedor would be invincible to swine flu … Okay, that last part didn't actually happen. The Philippines has no confirmed cases of swine flu. Three of the five Filipino patients who had been under observation for flu-like symptoms have been cleared. Not to belittle the potential devastation of H1N1 (doing so risks putting countless "health officials" out of a job), but to put it in perspective, about 2,000 cases of "swine flu" have been confirmed worldwide, with the number of dead significantly lower. It's difficult to get an exact number, but in Mexico — which has been far more affected than any other country — there were about 1,070 confirmed cases, with 42 dead, as of yesterday. The last time the world witnessed an official "pandemic" was in 1968, when the Hong Kong Flu (H3N2) killed between 750,000 to 1 million people. Your normal run-of-the-mill, average everyday influenza kills about 36,000 people each year — in America alone. Is this unjustified anxiety or a necessary precaution? Let's hear what you think. |
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