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- Fedor Emelianenko talks UFC and his fighting future on ‘Fox Fight Game’ (Video)
- Strikeforce open workout recap for ‘Lawler vs Shields’ June 6 event
- The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 9: Episode 10 recap and discussion
- UFC Quick Quote: Anderson Silva is in trouble with Wanderlei Silva
- Great expectations: Affliction press conference for ‘Trilogy’ highlights Fedor Emelianenko vs Josh Barnett
- Killer Instinct: An MMAmania.com UFC 99 interview exclusive with Ben Saunders
- Kimbo Slice is a UFC Ultimate Fighter (Pic)
- Showtime brings online interactive experience back with ‘Strikeforce: All Access’ for June 6
- Legislation to legalize MMA in New York clears first hurdle
- Ultimate Fighter 10 media day with Dana White, Quinton Jackson and Rashad Evans (Videos)
| Fedor Emelianenko talks UFC and his fighting future on ‘Fox Fight Game’ (Video) Posted: 03 Jun 2009 09:07 PM PDT |
| Strikeforce open workout recap for ‘Lawler vs Shields’ June 6 event Posted: 03 Jun 2009 09:01 PM PDT
ST. LOUIS (June 3, 2009) - Undefeated heavyweight monster Brett “The Grim” Rogers (9-0) and welterweight (170 pound) powerhouse Joe “Diesel” Riggs (29-10) joined local stars Jesse Finney (3-0) and Pat Benson (2-5-2) for an open workout at Finney’s MMA/St. Louis Workout where they entertained a host of local media and fans on Wednesday, June 3, three days before their respective bouts on the star-studded Strikeforce: “Lawler vs. Shields” mixed martial arts (MMA) mega-card at Scottrade Center. Four-time world champion and MMA legend Frank Shamrock was also on hand to field questions from the press during the special pre-fight event. All four fighters participating in the open workout demonstrated their wide array of combat skills while punching and kicking boxing mitts and Muay Thai pads and while grappling with training partners on the gym’s mats. Here is what the fighters said:
Brett Rogers: “Back home, I’ve got family that is dependent on me and fans that are pulling for me. I’ve also got to represent Ambition MMA so I just got to go out there and do work. I’m not in this game for fun.” On Andrei Arlovski, his opponent Saturday: “I used to watch him when I was in school, but I have to push that to the side and say, ‘You know what, I’m not a fan of Arlovski anymore. I can fight this guy. His chin is definitely getting weak. He kind of exposes himself. He likes to lead first and then come with the punch. Joe Riggs: “This is going to be a great fight for me. I’ve said it before - I’m in the best shape of my life.” “This is a fight that everyone around me has wanted for me for a long time. It never happened because we were always fighting for different promotions or in different weigh classes. Now, we are both fighting for Strikeforce, so it’s on.” Jesse Finney: “I come from a boxing and kickboxing background so, for the last three to four months, I’ve been doing straight wrestling and grappling to work on my weaknesses. A part of me almost wants to be put on my back so I can show what I’ve got as far as jiu-jitsu and wrestling.” “My opponent is 7-0 and supposed to be very athletic. I wanted to step things up in my hometown. This is probably going to be the biggest fight of my pro career.” “I feel better than I have ever felt in years. My body is really healthy and I was supposed to fight on April 17, but we pushed the show back because Strikeforce announced that it was coming to town. So, I’ve been really training since the first of the year.” “People don’t realize how big I am. I’m almost 6 foot 1 and walk around at around 200 pounds and I cut to 175.” “I feel like Strikeforce has a second home in St. Louis. The fans are getting their money’s worth 10 times over. What we have going on here with all these fighters - when do you really get all guys of this caliber on a fight card? This is the first time these guys have come to St. Louis and once they make their mark on Saturday, I think Strikeforce will be here to stay.” “Of the undercard fights, I think that every one of those fights could go the distance because they are good matchups.” Frank Shamrock: “We had a lot of educated, hardcore MMA fans out there today. One dude busted out a 20 year old magazine with me in it so that was pretty cool to see.” “It’s definitely an “A” level card - blow out material. Everyone I’ve talked to is super-excited for it.” The highly anticipated Lawler-Shields matchup will highlight an 11-fight card in the biggest, most significant MMA event in the history of the Gateway City. Tickets, starting at $30, are on sale at the Scottrade Center box office, all Ticketmaster locations (800-745-3000), Ticketmaster online (www.ticketmaster.com) and Strikeforce’s official website (www.strikeforce.com). Doors at the Scottrade Center will open at 6:30 p.m. CT on Saturday. The first non-televised preliminary bout will begin at 6:45 p.m. A six-bout undercard featuring a top match between Rafael Feijao and Mike Kyle will also include a number of local stars including Finney and Tyron Woodley. It will precede a five-fight telecast on SHOWTIME (10 p.m., ET/PT, delayed on the west coast). In televised fights on SHOWTIME, top ranked middleweight (185 pounds) “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler will square off with top rated welterweight (170 pounds) Jake Shields in a 182 pound catch weight main event. Trash-talking, knockout artist Phil “The New York Bad Ass” Baroni will face crowd-pleasing, aggressive-minded Joe “Diesel” Riggs in a welterweight scrap, exciting, power-punching Scott “Hands Of Steel” Smith will meet talented, Cesar Gracie black belt Nick Diaz and two-time NCAA Division I national wrestling champion Kevin Randleman will thrown down with Mike Whitehead in a light heavyweight matchup. Rogers will face Arlovski in an Affliction sponsored bout. |
| The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 9: Episode 10 recap and discussion Posted: 03 Jun 2009 07:02 PM PDT
Episode ten of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 9 gets underway and Dana calls in Coach Dan Henderson and Coach Michael Bisping to pick the semifinal match ups and both coaches seem to be on the same page regarding the pairings. When the fighters get called in for their say on the matter, they also share a common voice. Unfortunately Dana is considering a teammate vs. teammate approach to try and guarantee that the June 20 finale keeps with the US vs. UK theme — the same theme he called “stupid” prior to the start of the season. Not surprisingly it doesn’t fly with Bisping and Hendo and Dana comes to his senses and goes forward with opposing teams in the semis, which broken down looks like this:
Lester gets a shout out for being the only guy to get called back and actually win a fight. Back at the house, Richie ambushes Pierce in the kitchen and calls him out for sleeping with the enemy. Apparently Richie doesn’t like that Pierce refuses to fight but has no problem hanging out with Team UK. Pierce threatens to smash Richie’s eyeballs then gets his revenge by giving Team UK all of the training tips for the US guys who made the semis.
In the gym, Damarques self-promotes and calls himself the best of the bunch. We get a short training montage and Hendo concurs that Damarques will likely win the show. Hendo asks Pierce if he’s selling secrets and Pierce vehemently denies it — though “Hollywood” doesn’t seem overly convinced. Brief Nerdgasm as a Transformers commercial reveals a closer look at The Constructicons. Over at the Team UK training session, Nick confirms Pierce’s betrayal and prepares accordingly. Bisping pushes the UK team to the brink of exhaustion for the simple reason that he wants them to be at their best — and likely as punishment for the failure of Dave Faulkner on episode nine. Welterweight semifinal fight #1: Damarques Johnson (13-6) vs. Nick Osipczak (3-0) Round 1: Stiff jab by Johnson answered by a hard low kick from Osipczak. Nice one-two punch by Johnson. Osipczak with a looping right and a leg kick. They clinch and Johnson lands an awkward takedown that puts them both on their heads. They stand and trade evenly. Johnson with a stinging right then a body shot. Nice jab by Johnson. Then another. Osipczak goes on the inside and Johnson drags him down. Johnson in half-guard. Osipczak’s long limbs make it difficult to posture. Osipczak busy from the bottom. Johnson backs up and Osipczak dives in and stands. Johnson gets rocked with a devastating uppercut. Osipczak smells blood and starts unloading and Johnson hits the cage getting blasted. Only heart keeps him standing. He fires back and stuns Osipczak and buys himself a few seconds. Now both are trading and landing in one of the greatest endings to a round in TUF history. Round 2: Osipczak eats a right. They clinch and Osipczak is tagged with a huge knee. Johnson to the body. Osipczak lazily shoots and gets nothing. Johnson falls on top of him and rolls into side control. Works for position and transitions to half guard where Osipczak tangles him up in legs. Johnson back to side control and trying for the kimura. Osipczak stymies him and goes back to guard. Osipczak looks winded. Herb Dean fires off a few warnings to stay busy. Osipczak squirms and Johnson gets full mount. He tees off and Osipczak rolls. Osipczak getting fired upon and eats a few to the back of the head. Johnson just pounds away until the bell sounds with Osipczak trapped in a reverse turtle. Osipczak very slow to rise. Round 3: Johnson works the jab. Osipczak with a big body shot. Johnson lunging but connects. Osipczak gets rocked with a knee and a combo. Osipczak gassed. Johnson tees off. Osipczak can’t even stand. Marshmallow leg kick lands for Osipczak but Johnson just shoves him to the floor and into half-guard. Johnson with some elbows from the top. Osipczak rolls and Johnson takes his back but whoops Osipczak rolls him over and takes the top. Unfortunately he’s too gassed to capitalize. Bisping yells a very Mortal Kombat-esque “FINISH HIM” from the sidelines. Damarques Johnson defeats Nick Osipczak via unanimous decision Stay tuned next week as the four remaining lightweights face off to see who will join Damarques Johnson in the June 20 finale. See you in seven! |
| UFC Quick Quote: Anderson Silva is in trouble with Wanderlei Silva Posted: 03 Jun 2009 06:06 PM PDT
– Former PRIDE middleweight champion (93 kg/ 205 pounds), Wanderlei Silva, comments on his former friend/training partner and reigning UFC Middleweight Champion (185 pounds), Anderson Silva, during the recent UFC 99 media conference call. "The Axe Murderer" will face former UFC middleweight champion Rich Franklin at "The Comeback" at a catchweight of 195 pounds. It will be a transitional fight for Wanderlei, who looks to make the full drop to 185 pounds immediately following. The former Chute Boxe teammates are not shy about the fact that they haven't seen eye-to-eye in a while. After leaving the team, "The Spider" was reportedly forbidden by Chute Boxe coach Rudimar Fedrigo from competing in PRIDE, where Wanderlei was the champion — until, that is, his friend, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira intervened. Now that Anderson is the champion, Wanderlei showed no hesitation in moving down in weight for what he said is to "fight against the best guys in the world, every time." Anderson has stated Wanderlei's move is "pretentious." And the war of words continues! |
| Posted: 03 Jun 2009 01:40 PM PDT
Earlier this afternoon, the t-shirt company turned MMA promoter, Affliction, kicked off its whirlwind media tour for Affliction: "Trilogy" from the Trump Towers in New York, New York. It's an appropriate name for the promotion's third, and according to Vice President Tom Atencio, not final show. All the suits and t-shirts were in attendance for the formal announcement, from Atencio to Donald Trump to HDNet President Mark Cuban. Naturally, several of the fighters slated to compete on the card, which is booked for the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., on Aug. 1, were also in the building. Main event participants Fedor "The Last Emperor" Emelianenko and Josh "The Babyfaced Assassin" Barnett, were situated near the podium. And Gegard Mousasi and Renato "Babalu" Sobral — the two men who will compete in the co-main event — were located nearby. Overall, the event was standard fare with the photo-op providing one of the lighter moments of the afternoon. As Emelianenko and Barnett worked their poses for the camera crew, Barnett, in response to someone in the crowd, yelled, "No I am not going to kiss him (Fedor)." The Russian smiled in response as the two friends continued their less than menacing-looking stare down. While both fighters hammed it up a little for the camera, they both spoke of the seriousness of the match. Barnett was the first to add this commentary to the historic fight:
Fedor followed, but was (typically) much briefer in his eloquence:
The questions that will now be asked by fans and pundits alike: Can the less popular American in Barnett actually mount a serious offensive to thwart the seemingly unstoppable Russian “Cyborg”? Will Affliction be able to survive past a third fight card? And if so, who can they feed to Fedor next if he can topple Barnett? The MMA world waits for answers that will only be revealed little less than two months from today.
Thanks to Sports Action Network for the great photographs of the Affliction: “Trilogy” press conference. |
| Killer Instinct: An MMAmania.com UFC 99 interview exclusive with Ben Saunders Posted: 03 Jun 2009 12:02 PM PDT
Ben Saunders is known for two things so far in his young MMA career. One is being a cast member under Coach Matt Serra during The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) Season 6. The other is the dominating performance he put on against Brandon Wolff at UFC Fight Night 16: “Fight for the Troops,” where he brutalized the Hawaiian with an onslaught of devastating knees in the clinch that led to a gruesome first round knockout victory. Needless to say, the 7-0-2 American Top Team product would like to make it a hat trick at this juncture in his career and create another lasting memory inside the cage while continuing to work his way up the UFC welterweight ladder. On the immediate horizon for “Killa B” is a UFC 99 match up with a very dangerous 170-pound contender in Mike Swick, set to take place in Cologne, Germany on June 13. A win over “Quick” would likely expedite his hopes of one day becoming a champion and put him right into the mix with the other top contenders. On the other hand, a disappointing loss would send him back into the middle of the welterweight heap. Something has to give. Saunders graciously took time out of his busy training schedule to discuss his the chances of the Orlando Magic (his favorite team), fighting overseas, his teammate Thiago Alves and of course, the aforementioned Mike Swick. Have a look:
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): I understand you consider yourself an Orlando Magic fan being that you were born and raised in Florida and also train in Pembroke Pines at American Top Team. What is your prediction for the NBA finals? Ben Saunders: I hope they destroy L.A. (laughs). Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): What’s going to be the difference in the series? Break it down for me. Ben Saunders: Honestly I know L.A. is going to put up a fight. I’m hoping it doesn’t go to game seven. Hopefully we can get them before that. I’m thinking four games to two. Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Your upcoming fight against Mike Swick at UFC 99 will take place in Germany. This is your first professional fight overseas. Are you okay with all the travel and being able to adjust to the time zone and everything that comes with it? Ben Saunders: I guess we’ll find out. I’ve never fought international. I’ve never even traveled international. I just got my passport. I’m looking forward to it. A lot of people talk about the time zone difference and everything but I don’t work a regular nine to five so I’m not used to being on a strict schedule at all times. I don’t think it will really affect me too much. I’m pretty sure I arrive at like 7:30 in the morning. I’m just supposed to be drinking lots of water, walking around in the sun, and getting my body adjusted. Hopefully it does its job. Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Swick is a bit of a jump in competition for you. Are you ready to take your career to the next level? Ben Saunders: (Laughs) It’s about time! Damn! Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Swick has fought 10 times in the UFC so you have a wealth of tape on his fights to try and figure him out. What have you learned about him in your preparations? Ben Saunders: I know he’s quick but once again this is welterweight. I don’t think he’s going to be as quick as he was against the middleweights at welterweight. I think it kind of showed in his past couple of fights in the sense of Josh Burkman and Marcus Davis. The hand speed really didn’t come too much into play there. Granted, he did end up getting Jonathan Goulet, but I’m not Jonathan Goulet. I think I’ll be the bigger, stronger, more powerful guy that night. He isn’t going to have the reach advantage. As far as strong points, his strong point is my strong point and that’s striking so we’re going to go to war. Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): On the other side of the coin you have fought just four times in the UFC. Do you think that could play into your favor a little bit since he can only familiarize himself with you to a certain degree and there is still a bit of a mystery there? Ben Saunders: Definitely man. By no means do I believe I have shown anything of what I know I’m capable of in any of my fights. Look at my last fight. I injured my opponent within the first twenty to thirty seconds and then it was just more of a killer instinct. I jumped on him and didn’t let go. I don’t really think he has too much tape he can really look at to prepare for someone like me. I think I have a very unorthodox style. I believe I’m tough competition for anyone. Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Would you like to make an official prediction on the fight? Ben Saunders: Someone is going to get knocked out. I’ll predict that it’s going to be Mike Swick. As for how, when, or what point in time I can’t tell you. I just kind of go with the flow. Wherever the fight goes I feel comfortable and confident to win by any means. Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): If you are lucky to come away with a victory over Swick where does that put you in reference to the other welterweight contenders? Ben Saunders: I don’t know. If I beat Swick impressively I’ll be begging Dana White and Joe Silva to try my luck at a top ten welterweight. Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): I think you actually have to beg to them on the actual telecast after your fight. That seems to work out pretty well for a lot of guys, right? Ben Saunders: That’s the plan. Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): I think I might already know the answer to this but who do you like to come out on top at UFC 100 between Georges St. Pierre and your teammate Thiago Alves? Ben Saunders: Thiago is going to knock him out. Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Are you okay with fighting your teammate Thiago Alves if that happened to fall into place for both of you? Ben Saunders: Man, if it ever came to that where I become the #1 contender and Thiago has the belt. I mean, that’s probably the best fight in American Top Team history. And if anything, UFC history. I think it would be a very exciting fight. We’re both in it to test ourselves against the best in the world. It would be nothing personal. At the same time I don’t even want to think about that until it actually happens. Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): That’s all I had for you Ben. Is there anything you would like to pass along to your fans out there or any sponsors you would like to thank? Ben Saunders: Thank you for all the support. I keep looking to go in there and do what I do best, which is fight my ass off and put on a show. Come June 13 you’re going to see a show. Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Alright, thanks again Ben. Best of luck in a couple weeks. I look forward to speaking with you again in the future. Ben Saunders: Thank you very much. Derek Bolender is a staff writer for InsideFights.com and has also been featured on CBSSports.com and FoxSports.com. Look for future articles from him on MMAmania.com. |
| Kimbo Slice is a UFC Ultimate Fighter (Pic) Posted: 03 Jun 2009 11:55 AM PDT
Props: UFC.com |
| Showtime brings online interactive experience back with ‘Strikeforce: All Access’ for June 6 Posted: 03 Jun 2009 11:09 AM PDT
NEW YORK (June 3, 2009)—SHOWTIME® will once again offer Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fans STRIKEFORCE: All Access, the cutting edge online interactive experience, live on Saturday, June 6, for STRIKEFORCE: Lawler vs. Shields from Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Mo. The immersive digital initiative will stream simultaneously with the live SHOWTIME telecast beginning at 10 p.m. ET*. STRIKEFORCE: All Access debuted on April 11, 2009, when world-class MMA promoter STRIKEFORCE brought Frank Shamrock vs. Nick Diaz to SHOWTIME. "With our first event on April 11, we set the bar at a new level," said Ken Hershman, Senior Vice President and General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports. "From the quality of the fights, to the television production and the interactive applications, our first offering of All Access was well received. This network has proven time and time again to be on the cutting edge of sports entertainment. All Access further demonstrates our commitment to leading the television industry in online, mobile, and interactive content distribution." STRIKEFORCE: All Access will cost $24.95 per user and is available for review and pre-order beginning Thursday, June 4, by visiting http://strikeforce.sho.com.
With All Access, fans can be the director. Toggle between five live cameras—including SHOWTIME Sports exclusive CageCam®—with full pause and rewind capabilities. Audio tracks will include the SHOWTIME telecast fight call by host and play-by-play man Gus Johnson, and color commentators Frank Shamrock and Mauro Ranallo, and the corresponding audio to the selected camera. SHOWTIME is working with BitGravity, Inc . andEpisodic, Inc .to enable this unique multi-camera experience. CageCam, a small and high quality camera worn by the referee, takes viewers inside the cage during the live fights. It is the closest and most intimate viewing experience ever presented in MMA. CageCam debuted on SHOWTIME February 16, 2008. Users will also see a live Twitter feed from fans talking about Strikeforce and following SHOSports http://twitter.com/SHOsports . Fans can contribute content alongside SHOWTIME Sports' behind-the-scenes staff throughout the evening by adding "#strikeforce" to their tweets. Through a Facebook® Connect application, fans will be able to make predictions, comment on the live fights, discuss outcomes and even talk a little smack directly on the All Access page. Other features include professional and amateur photography from the spectacle in the arena. Photos from action in the cage, as well as behind-the-scenes, backstage and fan interaction will all be posted. Images will be uploaded during the live event via Flickr, the popular image and video hosting website and online community. The June 6 fight card features a showdown of top ranked fighters "Ruthless" Robbie Lawler and Jake Shields in the main event. Lawler, a world top-10 middleweight, and Shields, ranked among the top-5 welterweights in the world, will face off at a catch weight of 182 pounds. In a heavyweight showdown sponsored by Affliction, top-10 ranked heavyweight and former UFC champion Andrei Arlovski will face unbeaten sensation Brett "The Grim" Rogers. Fresh off their respective thrilling wins in the premier of Strikeforce on SHOWTIME (April 11), the versatile Nick Diaz and knockout artist Scott "Hands of Steel" Smith will meet in a special 180-pound showdown. Additionally, "The New York Badass" Phil Baroni (13-10) will collide with Joe "Diesel" Riggs (29-10) in a 170-pound contest and Kevin "The Monster" Randleman (17-12) will face Mike "Iron" Whitehead (23-6) in a 205-pound clash. *Telecast airs live at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME (delayed on the West Coast); STRIKEFORCE: All Access will be webcast live at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. |
| Legislation to legalize MMA in New York clears first hurdle Posted: 03 Jun 2009 10:28 AM PDT
Bill A.2009-B, created with the intention to legalize and regulate MMA in the state of New York, today passed 14-6 in the Assembly’s Committee on Tourism, Parks, Arts and Sports and will now head for the Codes Committee, according to BloodyElbow.com. While the bill has cleared an important hurdle, it still has a long way to go. If it manages to escape the Codes Committee, it must still pass the Ways and Means Committee before heading to the Assembly floor for a general vote. MMA 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 was voted on today. UFC Vice President for Government and Regulatory Affairs Marc Ratner and president of the company Dana White have been ratcheting up the economic rhetoric and financial success of its mixed martial events in hopes of using the economic benefits of live shows to influence voters who may be on the fence. Money talks … and the UFC has the numbers to back it up. An independent economic impact study indicated that the promotion would generate about $11.5 million for the "Big Apple." Still, it will have an uphill battle so long as detractors like Democratic Assemblyman Bob Reilly, who referred to the sport of MMA as a "glorification of brutality and violence," have their say in the vote. Stay tuned. |
| Ultimate Fighter 10 media day with Dana White, Quinton Jackson and Rashad Evans (Videos) Posted: 03 Jun 2009 08:17 AM PDT Dana White on Kimbo Slice and the deal that brought him to the show: Check out Jackson and Evans after the jump.
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