Tuesday, June 2, 2009

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

UFC blog for latest news, videos, results, betting odds, fighter interviews and MMA rumors - UFCmania.com
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Kimbo Slice: UFC Ultimate Fighter is probably not a fan of Dana White

Posted: 02 Jun 2009 04:00 AM PDT

Props: The Carmichael Dave Show

Quoteworthy:

“I don’t know if there’s anybody I’ve ever talked any more smack about than this guy…. I don’t know how he’s going to do. I gotta respect that…. He walked into the gym [today] and this guy is pretty serious. He wasn’t messing around. He wasn’t joking. He wasn’t laughing. I don’t think he’s a big Dana White fan either … how could he be after all the things that have gone back and forth. We’re gonna find out this season if he’s for real or not…. I’ve talked a lot of stuff about Kimbo. But I absolutely respect the fact that he’s coming on [the show].”

UFC President Dana White talks about the startling announcement that former Miami street brawler turned aspiring martial artist, Kimbo Slice, has emerged from the shadows to participate on this season of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF). Who would have ever imagined that the former Elite XC poster boy would take up White on his offer and compete for “six figure contract” on the Spike TV-produced reality series? Clearly, White still sounds a little shocked himself. Holy ratings.

Check out an audio interview with White on the blockbuster news.

Kimbo Slice signs with the UFC as a participant on The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 10

Posted: 01 Jun 2009 08:59 PM PDT

I guess Kevin Ferguson really wants to be an F-ing fighter after all.

“Kimbo Slice” has apparently inked a deal with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and will debut as a participant on the upcoming tenth season of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) according to Yahoo Sports.

Strikeforce recently passed on the contract of the former Elite XC heavyweight after the San Jose-based promotion purchased select Pro Elite assets following the company’s demise.

While there was some initial interest in his services, it was unrealistic to think they would pay him $500,000 (what he got paid for the Petruzelli fight) to bang with middle-of-the-road competition. In the end, the two sides could not find a common ground financially, and Slice officially became a free agent.

Anyone who would have predicted he’d end up on the Zuffa payroll would have gotten a visit from men in white coats at 3am for a long ride in the paddywagon — especially after all the disparaging remarks UFC President Dana White has made regarding the former street fighter and YouTube sensation.

However under all the insults and potshots, one thing White did promise was that Slice could join the UFC ranks if he fought his way into the cage via a stint on The Ultimate Fighter, White’s proving ground for up-and-coming talent looking to make it big.

Here’s a snip from the prez during the UFC 90 post-fight presser:

"What has the guy done to deserve to be in the UFC? Nothing. I don't consider him a real athlete or anything. He won't win The Ultimate Fighter (TUF). The offer is out there if he wants to take it and he won't win it. I might [put a heavyweight show together just for him]."

I guess Ferguson took that as a challenge, as the bearded bruiser is now set to debut on the Spike TV reality show on September 16.

Slice made his mark on the entertainment world by knocking out cans in Miami backyards. By airing the footage on YouTube.com, he became an overnight celebrity and was taken under the wing of promoter Gary Shaw.

He also enlisted the help of legendary mixed martial artist Bas Rutten as his head trainer and began training consistently for more than two years (Rutten and Ferguson have since parted ways). Kimbo’s first loss to Seth Petruzelli at Elite XC ‘Heat’ last October on National television quickly ended the Kimbo phenomenon and was likely the final nail in the coffin of Pro Elite.

It will be interesting to see how he responds in an environment full of hungry up-and-comers — as well as to coaches Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and “Sugar” Rashad Evans, who will steer this ship come September.

The Ultimate Fighter 10 has been full of surprises. First Evans, then Jackson and now Ferguson. I guess we best prepare ourselves for some black on black (on black) crime.

For more on TUF 10 click here.

Andrei Arlovski on Brett Rogers Strikeforce fight and more (Video)

Posted: 01 Jun 2009 06:55 PM PDT

Paulo Filho: ‘The head is good’ and ready for Melvin Manhoef at Dream 10

Posted: 01 Jun 2009 06:49 PM PDT

Props: Tatame.com

Quoteworthy:

” … I’m fine, thanks God, I’m focused. I will fight in my weight and you know, I prefer to fight in Japan. Melvin likes striking, so my strategy is to wait him come, grab him and see what happens. I have to respect, he is a very tough guy. He’s coming from a sequence of knockouts, nice, but I’m more complete in the MMA game. Who thinks I'll change punches with him is wrong, I'll do my game, try to put him down and define the fight where I'm good. He's very hard, but I believe that I beat him … what I want is win this fight. Let’s go step by step. First, I'll face Melvin and see how it goes, try to do the right thing. The head is good, the trainings are very good and we will try to fix things.”

Brazilian jiu-jitsu phenom, Paulo Filho, talks about his preparedness for K-1 wrecking machine and mixed martial arts (MMA) veteran, Melvin Manhoef, at DREAM 10 from the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, on July 20. The former World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) middleweight champion will look to return to his old form after a bizarre year, during which he battled depression and an addiction to prescription medication. Prior to slaying his personal demons outside the ring, Filho was considered among the top fighters in his category in the world inside in it, as well as certainly one of the best submission specialists in the sport. He’ll look to leverage that advantage against one helluva ferocious striker in Manhoef. It’s the quintessential “Clash of Styles” match up, but whether or not Filho can indeed still do his thing on fight night against a killer like “Marvelous” will no doubt be among the most intriguing storylines heading into the event.

UFC Quick Quote: ‘Rampage’ Jackson reports for duty on the set of TUF 10

Posted: 01 Jun 2009 01:43 PM PDT

“I’m starting the first day at my new job. Hope my co-worker likes me! Haha …”

– Former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson is today on the set of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 10 for the first day of filming the Spike TV-produced mixed martial arts reality series. Jackson caused quite a stir last week when he opted to coach opposite Rashad Evans rather than accept a title shot against new division champion Lyoto Machida later this year. He and Evans apparently have some unfinished business to take care, which began immediately after Jackson defeated Evans’ training partner, Keith Jardine, back in March. So will Jackson’s big gamble pay off like he expects it to or did he shoot himself in the foot by passing on an opportunity to once again possibly become a world champion sooner rather than later?

WCSC results and quick recap for ‘The Awakening’ on May 30

Posted: 01 Jun 2009 01:42 PM PDT

World Combat Sports Challenge (WCSC) debuted its first hybrid MMA/Muay Thai event with "The Awakening” last Saturday, May 30 at the Kezar Pavilion in San Francisco, California.

WCSC has been promoting martial arts in the Bay Area for over 20 years. Since its inception, WCSC has staged several exciting events, such as 2008's "Best of the Bay" and "Female Fury."

The May 30 event featured Strikeforce veteran Jesse Gillespie stopping Gladiator Challenge fighter Mike Fazzino for the WCSC California State MMA Middleweight belt. Also in championship action, Gabriel Solario submitted A.J. Fonseca for the WCSC California State MMA Lightweight Title.

The Kezar Pavilion was packed with nearly 5,000 fight fans in attendance to see 18 Muay Thai and MMA bouts featuring both male and female fighters.

MMA stars Frank Shamrock, Jake Shields, Gilbert Melendez, Josh Thomson, Uriah Faber, and UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva were all in attendance to both support their fighters and take in the fights.

Check out the complete results for WCSC: “The Awakening” after the jump:

Mixed Martial Arts:
Jenna Castillo def. Stacey Scapeccia via TKO (Strikes)
Chris Cariaso def. Alvin Cacdac via Submission (Rear Naked Choke)
Gabriel Solorio def. AJ Fonseca via Submission (Armbar)
Edwardo Baiao def. Damaso Schubert via Split Decision
Adam Albright def. Jack Cumings via Submission (Triangle Choke)
Josh Neal def. Josh McDonald via Unainimous Decision
Taylor McCorrison def. Andrew Valladarez via Split Decision
Jesse Gillespie def. Mike Fazzino via TKO (Punches)
Osmar Delima def. Juan Nunez via Submission (Armbar)

Muay Thai:
Rick Cheek def. Ethen Cox via Unanimous Decision
Vishnu Gulati def. Phanuwat Chunhawat via Disqualification
Brad McDonald def. Gastone Bolanos via Unanimous Decision
Marisela Badillo def. Denise Jacobs via Unanimous Decision
Jose Palacios def. Ray Cole via KO
Amber Pope def. Angelica Jimenez via KO
Derek Williams def. Erick Lupercio via TKO
Ryan Roy def. Anthony McDavitt via Unanimous Decision
Brian Padilla def. Thong Syvanthong via Unanimous Decision

The next WCSC event is tentatively scheduled for August 1st in San Francisco, California. For more information on World Combat Sports Challenge click here.

UFC 98 drug test results come back clean from the NSAC for ‘Evans vs Machida’

Posted: 01 Jun 2009 12:46 PM PDT

Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) today confirmed that 10 of the 22 competitors who were tested for illegal/banned substances after competing at UFC 98: "Evans vs. Machida" have all passed with flying colors.

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans and new division kingpin Lyoto Machida, as well as Matt Hughes, Chael Sonnen, Frank Edgar, Brock Larson, Kyle Bradley, Krzysztof Soszynski, Yoshiyuki Yoshida and George Roop were all screened for performance enhancers such as steroids and drugs of abuse like cocaine and marijuana, among others.

Results from these battery of tests all returned negative.

The fighters mentioned above were randomly selected. However, athletic commissions typically test the main event participants and fight night winners, as well as those who have failed tests in the past.

Sean Sherk — who was infamously accused of juicing by the California State Athletic Commission in 2007 — was not tested after his unanimous decision loss to Frank Edgar and subsequent "Running Man" impersonation. It's important to note, however, that the "Muscle Shark" was among several fighters who successfully passed a pre-fight drug test.

The UFC dished out $957,000 in fighter salaries for the pay-per-view (PPV) event at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Nevada and another $240,000 in additional bonus money for the four participants who delivered outstanding performances.

Lyoto "The Dragon" Machida became the latest 205-pound champion in the UFC 98 main event, sending former belt keeper Rashad Evans into another galaxy with a savage combination of strikes that had "Sugar" dissolved on the canvas in the second round. And former welterweight champion Matt Hughes survived an early scare to settle his score against Matt Serra via unanimous decision in the co featured fight of the night.

For complete UFC 98 results and blow-by-blow coverage of the main card action click here and here.

Jon Fitch and Mike Swick face off in UFC Undisputed 2009 (Video)

Posted: 01 Jun 2009 11:49 AM PDT

Props: RawVegas.tv

Renato ‘Babalu’ Sobral vs Gegard Mousasi in the works for Affliction: ‘Trilogy’

Posted: 01 Jun 2009 10:56 AM PDT

It appears that a failure to agree on an appropriate weight class has shelved the rumored bout between Gegard Mousasi and Vitor Belfort at the Affliction: ‘Trilogy’ event, as M-1 Global today reports that Mousasi instead will remain at light heavyweight to challenge current Strikeforce 205-pound champion Renato Sobral on August 1.

Mousasi surrendered his DREAM middleweight title to focus on competing at a higher weight class. He is currently focusing on light heavyweight but has not ruled out a possible move to heavyweight in the near future.

Unfortunately Vitor Belfort recently abandoned the 205-pound division to compete at middleweight. Despite a strong desire by promoters and of course fans to see them square off, both men remained steadfast in their commitment to their new weight classes, effectively ending any chance of an August 1 bout.

The now-defunct deal has paved the way for one of the world’s top talents at light heavyweight to put his dirty diapers behind him and come back to the fight world against Mousasi.

Sobral was forced to withdraw from his first-ever light heavyweight title defense against former Elite XC superstar, Rafael "Feijao" Cavalcante, at the Strikeforce: ‘Lawler vs. Shields’ event slated for the the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Mo., on June 6, due to the birth of his child in late May.

Babalu has won four straight fights since departing from the UFC in late 2007, including a decision win over Mike Whitehead at Affliction: "Banned," a submission win over Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou at Affliction: "Day of Reckoning" and a first round technical knockout win over Bobby Southworth at Strikeforce: "Destruction" to win the promotion's 205-pound strap.

He will need every ounce of that experience (and his jiu-jitsu chops) to stymie Mousasi.

“The Young Vagabond” (25-2-1) is fresh off a first round submission win over Mark Hunt at Dream 9 on May 26. Mousasi is riding a twelve-fight winning streak with victories over Denis Kang, Melvin Manhoef and Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza. 23 of his 25 wins have been either submission or (T)KO stoppages.

Affliction 3: "Trilogy" will feature a main event between WAMMA Heavyweight Champion Fedor Emelianenko and top-ranked division player, Josh Barnett. Also in action, former UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia collides with former Strikeforce and UFC heavyweight striker Paul Buentello.

To check out the latest fight card and rumors for Affliction 3: "Trilogy" click here.

UFC confirms the return of Cro Cop at UFC 99 on June 13

Posted: 01 Jun 2009 09:33 AM PDT

Pride FC 2006 Open Weight Grand Prix winner Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic (24-6-2) — who is on a speedy recovery from knee surgery following his technical knockout win over Hong Man Choi at Field's Dynamite!! on New Year's Eve — will return to action against Mustapha Al-Turk on June 13 from the Lanxess Arena in Cologne, Germany.

The UFC officially announced Filipovic’s participation earlier today.

The Croatian striker had fallen on hard times since his tournament-winning performance over two years ago, losing two of five fights and looking listless in the process. He started things off with a bang, stopping Eddie Sanchez in his UFC debut, but a highlight reel knockout loss to Gabriel Gonzaga and a rib-crushing defeat to Cheick Kongo put his UFC career on ice.

Cro Cop vowed to one day return and finish what he started (and few believed him). Now he looks to make good on that promise with one last run at heavyweight glory.

After two wins in Dream (and a no contest with bitter rival Alistair Overeem), the former Croatian Cop elected to have knee surgery to correct a nagging injury and now declares that he is free of the physical and mental distractions that have plagued him over the past few years.

And a dominating performance over Al-Turk would go a long way to prove it.

Al Turk — who was originally slated to face undefeated American Top Team (ATT) heavyweight Todd Duffee, fights out of the famous London Shoot gym in the United Kingdom.

He came up short in his debut against Cheick Kongo at UFC 92 after a successful run in Europe on the Cage Rage circuit. In fact, he has six wins in seven attempts for the promotion and was riding a two-fight win streak before getting dismantled at "The Ultimate 2008″.

He is a pretty well-rounded fighter with serviceable boxing and solid grappling skills -– good enough to earn him the British Cage Rage heavyweight title.

UFC 99 will be headlined by former middleweight champion Rich "Ace" Franklin taking on ex-PRIDE smashing machine Wanderlei Silva in a 195-pound catchweight bout. Cheick Kongo and Cain Velasquez as well as Mike Swick and Ben Saunders are also expected to hook 'em up.

For more on UFC 99 click here.
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