Saturday, June 6, 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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Cung Le: Strikeforce will create interim middleweight title in my absence

Posted: 06 Jun 2009 01:25 AM PDT

Props: Cagewriter

Quoteworthy:

"I talked to Scott (Coker) and he said he is going to do an interim belt very soon. I talked to him last week and it is going to happen after (the Lawler vs. Shields) fight."

Strikeforce middleweight champion Cung Le talks about his absence from the promotion after churning out an assortment of upcoming movie roles. He already has two movies set to be released in the near future, including the big screen version of the popular video game "Tekken" in which Le will play the role of Marshall Law. With three more movies in progress it could be a while before Strikeforce puts on another middleweight title fight and Le suggests CEO Scott Coker will create an interim title until he can return. It's already been over a year since he captured the belt from Frank Shamrock in his hometown of San Jose. Le is bound to return by 2010 — but will the then 37-year-old Le still have the chops to compete in the new-look Strikeforce?

Team USA East defeats Team Finland at M-1 Challenge June 5 event

Posted: 06 Jun 2009 01:01 AM PDT

KANSAS CITY, KANSAS - Despite having only accepted a fight on 36 hours notice, Team USA East heavyweight Lloyd Marshbanks was the deciding factor in his team’s come-from-behind 3-2 victory over Team Finland on Friday night in Kansas City.

Marshbanks was added to the Team USA roster after Mike Ottman did not receive medical clearance from the Kansas Boxing Commission.

Listed on some fight databases at 16-8, industry insiders believe that Marshbanks is 50-8, with many of his fights taking place in Mexico, Peru, Argentina, and also in California before mixed martial arts was legal. Marshbanks improved to 17-8 officially after submitting Toni Valtonen at 0:55 of round 2 due to a neck crank.

USA East opened its best-of-five series vs. Finland with a 1-0 lead after Ryan Gracie black belt Renato Migliaccio improved to 6-0 following a armbar submission over Niko Puhaka at 4:18 of round 1. However, Team USA East fell behind 2-1 after welterweight Janne Turlirinta TKO’d Anthony Ford in just 11 seconds in addition to middleweight Lucio Linhares’ first round knockout of Valdir Araujo.

Light heavyweight Rodney Wallace was next up for USA East against Marcus Vantinnen. Despite a dramatic reach disadvantage for Wallace, he used quick, explosive strikes to score points with the judges. However, it was Wallace’s exceptional wrestling skills that scored him a unanimous decision victory.

With the score tied 2-2, it was up to Marshbanks to bring home the win and allow USA East to improve to 2-0 in Group C. Valtonen, one of the most experience fighters in the M-1 Challenge, was unable to keep up with Marshbanks’ superb jiu-jitsu skills. Despite having top position on several occasions, Valtonen lost the advantage following sweeps from Marshbanks.

Marshbanks nearly ended the fight in the first round with a heel hook, the same submission move he used to Emil Samoilov this past March during an M-1 Challenge event in Bulgaria. However, Marshbanks lost control of a slipper Valtonen and the fight moved onto the second round.

In the end, Marshbanks’ superior ground skills proved to be no match for a tired Valtonen. The crowd erupted after Marshbanks’ win and a good portion of the crowd stayed after the fight in hopes of getting the man of the hour’s autograph.
In addition to USA East vs. Finland, Team England took on Team France while the World Team also went head-to-head with Turkey.

After defeating Japan in Tokyo on April 29 by a score of 4-1, many anticipated that England would clinch a playoff berth in Group A with an easy victory over a French team that lost its opener to Team Spain by a 3-2 score earlier this year. However, a rejuvenated Team France pulled off the 4-1 win over Team England.

Lightweight Makhtar Gueye helped France get off to a literal quick start with a nine second knockout of Ian Butlin of Team England. Welterweight Gael Grimaud then helped France move to 2-0 after he submitted British knockout specialist Simon Phillips with a triangle.
Christophe Dafreville then scored the clinching third victory after executing a triangle submission of his own against Matt Thorpe at 4:32 of round 2.

Despite having clinched the victory, it behooved France to keep winning with the first tie-breaker in the M-1 Challenge being individual victory. Despite it being his pro debut, Frenchman Johan Romming used his world class wrestling ability to submit the more experienced Danny Giblin. Rob Broughton then enacted a small measure of revenge for England after he was declared a winner at 2:02 of round 1 due to a corner stoppage.

In the opener, the World Team evened its record to 1-1 following its 4-1 win over Gegard Mousasi’s winless Team Turkey. The unofficial "Fight of the Night" honors went to a pair of light heavyweights who both had just been added to the event in the last seven days.
John Doyle, a man who once accepted a fight against Rafael Feijao in EliteXC on just eight days notice, made the decision to accept a fight vs. Extreme Challenge middleweight champion Ryan Sturdy on just 24 hours notice. Sturdy, also a late replacement, had just been added a week ago.

Doyle got off to a fast start and appeared to have almost knocked Sturdy out within the opening seconds of round 1. But a resilient Sturdy showed a strong chin and continued to engage in a back-and-forth fight that went the full two rounds. While it appeared that both Doyle and Sturdy had fought to a draw and that an overtime round would be needed, two of three judges scored the fight in favor of Sturdy.

In addition to Mousasi’s appearing in Kansas City as Turkey’s head coach, Fedor Emelianenko also made sure to attend the event while in the midst of his press tour to promote his M-1 Affliction "Trilogy" matchup with Josh Barnett on Aug. 1.
With five events for 2009 now in the books, the M-1 Challenge is set to return on July 4 in Seoul, South Korea. Additional information and complete lineups for the event will be made available at www.M-1Global.com in the coming week.

Official results for M-1 Challenge Kansas City are available below.

World Team vs. Turkey:
1. Lightweight (154 lbs./-70 kg.) - Akin Duran (Turkey ) def. Romano De Los Reyes (World ) via TKO (ground and pound) at 1:57 of round 3
2. Welterweight (167.2 lbs./-76 kg.) - Diego Gonzales (World ) def. Faith Dogan (Turkey) via TKO (ground and pound) at 2:16 of round 1
3. Middleweight (184.8 lbs./-84 kg.) - Nathan Schouten (World ) def. Ahmed Bayrak (Turkey) via TKO (ground and pound) at 3:21 of round 1
4. Light Heavyweight (204.6 lbs./-93 kg.) - Ryan Sturdy (World) def. John Doyle (Turkey) via majority decision
5. Heavyweight (204.6-plus lbs./+93 kg.) - Michael Kitta (World ) def. Liron Wilson (Turkey) via TKO (ground and pound) at 3:27 of round 1

World Team defeats Turkey 4-1

England vs. France:
6. Lightweight (154 lbs./-70 kg.) - Makhtar Gueye (France) def. Ian Butlin (England ) via TKO (strikes) at 0:09 of round 1
7. Welterweight (167.2 lbs./-76 kg.) - Gael Grimaud (France ) def. Simon Phillips (England ) via submission (triangle 1:29 of round 1)
8. Middleweight (184.8 lbs./-84 kg.) - Christophe Dafreville (France ) def. Matt Thorpe (England - 183.9) via submission (triangle) at 4:32 of round 1
9. Light Heavyweight (204.6 lbs./-93 kg.) - Johan Romming (France ) def. Danny Giblin (England ) via submission (North/South choke) at 1:59 of round 1
10. Heavyweight (204.6-plus lbs./+93 kg.) - Rob Broughton (England ) def. Soufian Elgarne via corner stoppage (injury) at 2:02 of round 1

France defeats England 4-1

USA East vs. Finland:
11. Lightweight (154 lbs./-70 kg.) - Renato Migliaccio (USA) def. Niko Puhaka (Finland ) via submission (armbar) at 4:18 of round 1
12. Welterweight (167.2 lbs./-76 kg.) - Janne Tulirinta (Finland ) def. Anthony Ford (USA) via TKO (strikes) at 0:11 of round 1
v3. Middleweight (184.8 lbs./-84 kg.) - Lucio Linhares (Finland ) def. Valdir Araujo (USA) via knockout at 1:25 of round 1
14. Light Heavyweight (204.6 lbs./-93 kg.) - Rodney Wallace (USA) def. Marcus Vanttinen (Finland ) via unanimous decision
15. Heavyweight (204.6-plus lbs./+93 kg.) - Lloyd Marshbanks (USA ) def. Toni Valtonen (Finland) via submission (neck crank/side headlock) at 0:55 of round 2

USA East defeats Finland 3-2

For more on M-1 click here .

MMA Quick Quote: ‘Dont call it a comeback’ for Kevin Randleman … it’s a rebirth

Posted: 05 Jun 2009 07:06 PM PDT

"LL Cool J has a great song: 'Don't call it a comeback. I've been here for years.' Don't call it a comeback. I don't think of it as a comeback. I look at it like I needed to go back to school and learn a lot more. I'm just going to give it my all Saturday night. I don't anticipate anybody at 205 being able to knock me out or take me out. Think of it as the 'Rebirth of the Monster.' But I'm not a monster anymore. I'm not running around in the streets like a crazy man. I just want to fight. I just want to be the guy I always was but was too scared to be. The best thing that ever happened to me was the UFC firing me because I was just too crazy and too out of control. There has always been so much chaos in my life that now that it's calm I feel nervous. But not because I'm fighting Mike Whitehead or whoever on June 6. I'm not nervous because I'm angry. I'm nervous because I know for one year I've trained for this fight. I've been training because I knew I had to be ready to fight once I got that contract. And my last three fights I've gotten better and better and better. Right now I feel like I'm in the sewers. People don't know my name and that's exactly what I like. I'm not fighting again for the fame. I'm fighting for the money and for the wins. And I know that the wins will take care of the money."

– Former UFC heavyweight champion Kevin Randleman talks about his return to action against The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 2 contestant Mike Whitehead on the main card of the "Lawler vs. Shields" event tomorrow night (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, which was 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 recent years. 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 also served a suspension from the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC), which was issued for providing a non-human urine sample following his loss to Rua. Now with a clean bill of health, new wife and insulated from bad influencers, Randleman feels it’s now or never. Can he do it? We’ll find out in 24 hours or less. He’s just a little excited.

Strikeforce photo gallery for June 5 weigh in event

Posted: 05 Jun 2009 07:02 PM PDT

Is the future "Grim" for Andrei Arlovski when he faces Brett Rogers?

Check out more exclusive pics after the jump:

"The Pitbull" arrives to the delight of several hundred fans:

Ladies and gentlemen our main event of the evening:

Nick Diaz and Scott Smith prepare for war:

A "New York Bad Ass" versus a "Diesel:"

After a long layoff, "The Monster" is ready to unleash on Mike Whitehead:

"Hammer" in the house:

Mike Kyle obviously not afraid of "Feijao:"

For the complete Strikeforce: "Lawler vs. Shields" weigh-in results click here .

Scott Smith video on facing Nick Diaz at ‘Lawler vs Shields’ on June 6

Posted: 05 Jun 2009 06:11 PM PDT

Cro Cop: I don’t know if I’ll win the belt, but I’ll give everything I have

Posted: 05 Jun 2009 04:22 PM PDT

Props: The Sun

Quoteworthy:

"Last time, I had injuries - old injuries from Pride - which prevented me from fighting to the best of my abilities. I felt tired, I was empty inside and I should have taken a longer rest before coming into the UFC. I never lost touch with [UFC president] Dana White, we would talk every now and then, but recently I told him my injuries were completely healed and I was ready to come back to the UFC. I can tell my fans and UFC fans, I don’t know if I will win the UFC Heavyweight Title, but I will give absolutely everything trying to get that belt. I am coming back to earn my shot at the UFC title."

Pride FC 2006 Open Weight Grand Prix winner Mirko Filipovic (24-6-2) talks about one last run at heavyweight glory when he faces Mustapha Al-Turk at UFC 99: ‘The Comeback’ on June 13. After creaming Eddie Sanchez in his UFC debut, "Cro Cop" bounced from the promotion following back-to-back losses to Gabriel Gonzaga and Cheick Kongo. Out of all his achievements, Filipovic has never held the heavyweight title in PRIDE or the UFC — though he has one last chance to change that next Saturday when he begins his quest for gold — for perhaps the final time in his career.

Strikeforce weigh in results for ‘Lawler vs Shields’ event on June 5

Posted: 05 Jun 2009 11:19 AM PDT

The official weigh-in event for Strikeforce: "Lawler vs. Shields" took place today (June 5) from Al Hrabosky's Ballpark Saloon in St. Louis, Missouri.

It was a rather pedestrian affair with no real fireworks with the exception of several intense staredowns between most of the main event participants and even some of the undercard fighters.

Perhaps the only other noteworthy item is the fact that Mike Whitehead waited until the end of the proceedings to hit the scale, and just squeaked in at the 206-pound mark.

Here are the complete Strikeforce: "Lawler vs. Shields" weigh in results:

Main event:

182 lbs. (Catchweight): "Ruthless" Robbie Lawler (182.75) vs. Jake Shields (181.75)

Main card (Televised):

265 lbs.: Andrei "The Pitbull" Arlovski (244) vs. Brett "The Grim" Rogers (262)
180 lbs.: Nick Diaz (179) vs. Scott "Hands of Steel" Smith (179.5)
170 lbs.: Phil "New York Bad Ass" Baroni (168) vs. Joe "Diesel" Riggs (170)
205 lbs.: Kevin "The Monster" Randleman (204) vs. Mike Whitehead (206)

Under card:

175 lbs.: Josh Baumgartner (173.5) vs. Jesse Finney (175.75)
205 lbs.: Rafael "Feijao" Cavalcante (205.5) vs. Mike Kyle (202.5)
205 lbs.: Booker DeRousse (204.25) vs. James Wade (205.25)
170 lbs.: Tyron "Tabasco" Woodley (170.5) vs. Sal Woods (169.25)
185 lbs.: Lucas Lopes (186) vs. Scott Ventimiglia (185)
155 lbs.: Pat Benson (155.75) vs. Dave Cochran (153)

Note: Fighters are allowed to weigh one pound more than the division limit in non-title fights.

The five-fight main card is set to air live on the premium cable network, Showtime, beginning at 10 p.m. ET tomorrow evening (June 6).

Remember that MMAmania.com will provide LIVE updates with blow-by-blow, round-by-round commentary of the main card action , which will all go down from the Scottrade Center in St. Louis. Of course, the latest quick updates of the preliminary bouts will begin to flow earlier than that at around 7:30 p.m. ET.

Be sure to check us out for all the pre, during and post-fight coverage you can handle … especially if you plan to pass on watching the Showtime telecast.

We have you covered!

Fedor Emelianenko and the M-1 machine storm NYC for Affliction: ‘Trilogy’ (Video)

Posted: 05 Jun 2009 11:13 AM PDT

With Gary Millen in tow:

MMA Quick Quote: Phil Baroni knows how to enhance his performance

Posted: 05 Jun 2009 09:13 AM PDT

“I know it to be a fact, man, especially when it comes to taking punches. You take punches better when you abstain from, ah … punching your own loads out … I'm not a scientist. [Not having sex before a fight] makes you fuckin' mean, I'll tell you that much. I'm lean and mean right now. It fuckin' works. You don't think so, then don't do it — you're not a fighter anyway, so who cares? … I more than [make it up to my wife] when I don't have a fight. My wife could use a break anyway. It was a lot easier when I wasn't married; you could just bring 'em in the room, one after another, line 'em up, like when I was in Japan. But I'm married now, so the wife needs a break once in a while.”

– Phil Baroni plans to take out his sexual frustration on Joe Riggs’ face this weekend during their 170-pound slugfest, which is slated for the Showtime televised main card at Strikeforce: “Lawler vs. Shields” from the Scottrade Center in St. Louis. Mo., on June 6. “Diesel” has accused the “New York Bad Ass” of using other performance-enhancing agents such as steroids leading up to the match, causing Baroni to go ballistic on several media calls and other interviews. Not the case says Baroni, just some good old fashioned abstinence.
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