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- The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 9: Episode 11 recap and discussion
- WEC Quick Quote: Donald Cerrone calls out Jamie Varner for having the runs
- First UFC Gym set to open in Concord, California on June 17
- Ace in the hole: An MMAmania.com UFC 99 interview exclusive with Rich Franklin
- Gladiator Challenge ‘Gold Rush’ debuts at Wendover Nugget Hotel and Casino on June 13
- UFC Quick Quote: Lyoto Machida’s got MMA in his blood
- Jon Fitch: ‘I’m twice the fighter I was a year ago’ (Video)
- K-1 World MAX Final 8: Masato vs. Tatsuya Kawajiri on July 13
- Programming reminder: WEC 41 ‘Brown vs. Faber 2′ replay on Versus tonight (June 10) at 8 p.m. ET
- Medical suspension following Strikeforce loss postpones Andrei Arlovski June 27 boxing debut
| The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 9: Episode 11 recap and discussion Posted: 10 Jun 2009 07:00 PM PDT
Episode eleven of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 9 gets underway with a Team USA training session that finds Coach Dan Henderson working on the strategy of Cameron Dollar, who is a little tender in the ribs. Dollar works the stand up and Hendo reminds him to work the shoot. Dollar starts complaining that a shot to the body will end him. On the other side of things, Coach Michael Bisping is working with Andre Winner who will face Dollar in the first lightweight elimination fight. Winner is sporting a Rich Franklin-esque pre-fight black eye but has nary a thing to say other than he’s going to kick some American arse. Back at the house, Winner gets heat for being an adult thumb-sucker. His candor makes it difficult to point and laugh. Both guys talk it up heading into their elimination fight. Lightweight semifinal elimination bout #1: Andre Winner (9-2-1) vs. Cameron Dollar (4-1) Round 1: Dollar jabs. Winner answers with a hook. Dollar misses a combo, gets clipped and shoots but gets rejected. Winner tosses him to the ground and wallops him as he stands up. Dollar is persistent and gets Winner down but it doesn’t stay there. Back to the feet and Dollar is clinging to a leg against the cage. He knees the body, lands a right cross and gets another takedown. Winner plays possum and traps an overzealous Dollar in a tight triangle. Dollar swings for the fences but has nowhere to go but tapsville. Andre Winner defeats Cameron Dollar via submission (triangle choke) Winner celebrates in the locker room while Dollar has to answer to Coach Henderson. Hendo gives him a pat on the back and tells him success won’t happen overnight. No time for mourning as Ross Pearson stands ready to dismantle Jason Dent — unfortunately he gets his shoulder popped in training. Like the dog that he is, it just gets popped back into place and he keeps on going without complaining. Hopefully Jason Pierce is somewhere taking notes. Dana doesn’t think Jason Dent has the goods — something that Dent takes exception to since he made it to the semis without a scratch on him. He calls it “fighting intelligently” but vows to let it all hang out in his fight against Pearson. Pearson promises to “hurt him” and “make it messy.” Lightweight semifinal elimination bout #2: Ross Pearson (9-2-1) vs. Jason Dent (4-1) Round 1: Low kick misses by Dent. Then lands. Ross muscles him to the cage and Dent reverses position. Pearson eats a few knees to the body. They break away and Dent starts taunting. They clinch and exchange dirty boxing. Back to the cage and Pearson with a hard high kick and right cross. Dent pushes him off and misses a looping kick. Pearson starts teeing off so Dent ties him up. Dent knees and escapes. Spinning back kick airball by Dent. Pearson lands a couple of combos and Dent smiles and keeps taunting. Pearson gets clipped in an exchange but is unfazed. Nice combo by Dent to end the round. Round 2: They mix it up in the center of the Octagon. Even exchanges. Pearson lands a couple extra and they go to the cage. Henderson yelling “single leg is there” but Dent ignores him. Back to the center and Pearson landing a bit more. Dent stuns him with a knee to the body but Pearson grabs him and takes him down. Dent is smashed against the cage but wiggles his way up. They start swinging wildly and Pearson backs away. Dent shoots but Pearson stays upright and then pounces on a downed Dent. Nice elbow from the top for Pearson. Round ends with Dent getting mugged on bottom. Round 3: Dent jabs and backs Pearson up with a flurry of kicks and punches. Pearson answers with a big takedown and grinds him into the cage. Pearson working the elbows. He postures up and Dent rolls over. Pearson working for an arm while punching Dent in the side of the head. Dent rolls onto his back but is still in trouble. Pearson running away with it. Pearson postures again and Dent makes a last ditch effort to get to his feet. Pearson isn’t having it. Dent rolls back over and Pearson just pounds on him until time expires. Ross Pearson defeats Jason Dent via unanimous decision Despite the loss, Dana gives Dent a ton of props for showing heart and a much improved game. Team UK is all smiles as the lightweight final is British Fu. Stay tuned next week as Frank Lester tries to avenge his missing teeth in a rematch against James Wilks. Who will face Damarques Johnson in the June 20 TUF finale? We’ll find out in seven days! |
| WEC Quick Quote: Donald Cerrone calls out Jamie Varner for having the runs Posted: 10 Jun 2009 05:34 PM PDT
– Donald Cerrone talks to MMAmania.com about his pending rematch with WEC lightweight champion Jamie Varner following his first round submission win over James Krause at WEC 41: “Brown vs. Faber 2″ on June 7. “Cowboy” and “C-4″ fought a highly competitive and controversial fight back in January with Varner winning via technical split decision. The fight was stopped prematurely in the fifth round when Cerrone grazed Varner’s temple with an illegal knee while Varner was still on the ground. Varner was given time to recover, but said he was unable to continue because of vision problems. The two have been jawing back and forth ever since and WEC General Manager Reed Harris has recently confirmed that Varner vs. Cerrone II is planned for sometime this fall. Who takes it? |
| First UFC Gym set to open in Concord, California on June 17 Posted: 10 Jun 2009 04:45 PM PDT
Las Vegas, NV (USA) – The UFC Octagon isn't just for fighters anymore. Now, for the first time in the 15-year history of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, anyone - no matter how young or old – can experience what it's like to train in the most exciting sport in the world thanks to the launch of the UFC Gym. UFC and New Evolution Fitness Company (NEFC) announced today that Concord, California will be the first home to the ultimate fitness destination, one that combines a complete UFC experience with mixed martial arts and fitness. "We are excited to open our first UFC Gym, it's going to have something for everyone in the family, from traditional mixed martial arts classes, to all-around fitness classes, personal training and a gym just for kids," said Dana White, UFC President. "We are going to redefine the fitness industry, and get everyone excited about fitness again, starting with the first UFC Gym in Concord, California." NEFC Co-founders, Mark Mastrov and Jim Rowley, both from the East Bay, believe that Concord, CA is the ideal location for the first UFC Gym. "Born, raised and now residing in the East Bay, we wanted our first UFC Gym to be close to home. This facility will allow us to carefully monitor and fine-tune the UFC Gym concept for future growth and provide our community with fitness training in new dynamic ways," said Mark Mastrov. An interactive tour, available through UFCgym.com, reveals concepts for the overall layout. The site also shows classes and schedules, the variety of fitness areas, and the many options for personal training and private mixed martial arts instruction. Special self-defense classes for women will be available, as well as a "UFC Kids Gym," a place for children 14 and younger to experience fun and interactive fitness classes of their very own. While every UFC gym will have the most sophisticated cardio equipment and more than 25-tons of free-weights, it will also have the luxury of spacious locker rooms with dry saunas, and a place to relax for snacks and drinks inside "The Arm Bar". Plus an exclusive UFC Gym Store where you'll find the very latest in UFC apparel and products. The first UFC Gym enrollment center is set to open on Wed. June 17th and is located at The Willows Shopping Center, 1975 Diamond Blvd in Concord, CA 94520. For additional information, click on UFCgym.com. Earlier this year, UFC and NEFC announced a partnership with Welterweight Champion Georges "Rush" St-Pierre, and Lightweight Champion BJ "The Prodigy" Penn to build "St-Pierre" and "Penn" UFC Gyms, with locations planned for St-Pierre's native city of Montreal and Penn's home state of Hawaii. UFC Gym is the first major brand extension for the Ultimate Fighting Championship, the all-time industry leader in the sport of mixed martial arts. In alliance with NEFC owners Mark Mastrov and Jim Rowley, developers of many of the world's most successful fitness brands, UFC Gyms will give UFC enthusiasts and fitness seekers alike the opportunity to practice the training techniques of famed UFC athletes, including Georges St-Pierre and BJ Penn in their respective UFC gyms. UFC Gym is the first to combine the world of mixed martial arts and fitness to create the ultimate fitness experience. For more information, please visit UFCgym.com. |
| Ace in the hole: An MMAmania.com UFC 99 interview exclusive with Rich Franklin Posted: 10 Jun 2009 11:48 AM PDT
Rich Franklin is one of the most recognizable faces in the history of mixed martial arts and a guy that to this day, remains one of the UFC’s most beloved former champions. The day may come where “Ace” get serious consideration to be inducted into the UFC Hall-of-Fame, mainly due to his sixteen month reign as middleweight champion from 2005-2006, but for now that can wait. At the age of 35 he has yet to show any visible signs of slowing down, however there is officially light at the end of the tunnel. He has now gone past the nine year mark in his storied professional career. The ultimate goal is to eventually regain his titleholder status that was taken away from him by Anderson Silva at UFC 64 before he is forced to someday hang up his gloves for good. The next step in his trek back to the pinnacle is a match up with former PRIDE middleweight champion Wanderlei “The Axe Murderer” Silva. The two will tussle at a catchweight of 195-pounds in the main event at UFC 99 in Cologne, Germany on June 13. This is a bout that many fans have been dying to see for some time now and one that is likely to produce fireworks in the form of a good old-fashioned slugfest. Franklin took some time out of his busy schedule to talk Lyoto Machida, why he believes he beat Dan Henderson, his preparations for Wanderlei Silva including training with Anderson Silva and when he anticipates his career coming to a close. Have a look:
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): I want to start with UFC 98. Lyoto Machida dominated Rashad Evans to take home the light heavyweight belt. Did you get a chance to watch the fight? What did you think of Machida’s performance? Rich Franklin: I didn’t watch the fight. I rarely watch fights when I am preparing for a fight myself, unless I am watching video of my opponent. I will watch that UFC after my fight. Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Machida’s a guy you fought back in 2003 in Japan. What do you remember about that fight? Rich Franklin: I remember Machida being very elusive and much better than we had anticipated. At the time I fought him he only had three fights. I knew he would eventually find himself in the kind of situation he is in today. Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Would you like the opportunity for a rematch against him at some point? Rich Franklin: I would like to make a run for the 205-pound title. If he is in my path to achieving my goal I would be interested. Otherwise, I need to stay focused on what’s important. Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): In your last fight at UFC 93 you lost a split decision to Dan Henderson. Before the judges scorecards were announced did you think you had done enough to win that fight? Rich Franklin: I believe I won that fight. I dominated the stand-up war, and Henderson was unable to mount any damage while he had me down, let alone even keep me down most of the time. The only damage he did to me in that fight was an accidental eye poke and head butt. Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Did the accidental head butt or the eye poke you sustained from Henderson in any way hinder your ability to be successful in that fight? Rich Franklin: No, the head butt was more blood and the judges saw that and the eye poke was the last 30-45 seconds. I should have not been in that situation. Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): So how big of an impact did they actually have? Rich Franklin: None really. Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Were you excited about the possibility to be a coach on The Ultimate Fighter season nine or were you less than thrilled about putting your career on hold and taking the time out to shoot the show? Rich Franklin: I had the opportunity to coach the show before, so it was not such a big deal to me. I didn’t want to give up the time away from my family a second time to be honest. Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): You’re now set to face Wanderlei Silva at UFC 99 in Germany. How has training camp been going? Where has it been taking place? Who are some of the coaches and fighters helping get you prepared for your upcoming fight? Rich Franklin: I started my training camp at home in Cincinnati for almost two weeks. From there I went to Los Angeles to train with Anderson (Silva) for two weeks, followed by two weeks in Seattle. I returned home for my final two weeks of preparation before leaving for Germany. Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): What was the experience of training with Anderson Silva like for you? Who approached who as far as setting that up? What was the motivation behind setting up that connection? Rich Franklin: The big story here seems to be me training with Anderson for this fight. We have spoken several times about training together in the past, but schedules have been conflicting. Anderson’s manager, Ed Soares, gave me a call inviting me to train in LA for this fight. They figured it would be helpful since Anderson and Wanderlei used to be teammates. I checked with my coaches Neal Rowe, Rob Radford and Matt Hume, and they all agreed it was a good idea. Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Going back to Wanderlei, are you preparing for the former PRIDE middleweight champion or the guy that has lost four of his last five fights? Rich Franklin: Despite his recent record, Wanderlei is still a dangerous fighter! Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): What is your game plan for attacking Wanderlei? What is his biggest weakness in your opinion? Rich Franklin: I hope to be able to take advantage of the fact that I am finally fighting someone who may want to stand with me, unlike all the wrestlers I have recently fought. Game plan: Throw punches! Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Moving forward, are you going to continue to go back and forth between 185 and 205? Rich Franklin: I plan on staying at 205. That is why this fight is negotiated at a catchweight rather than 185. Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Are there any other fighters out there you have seen from a distance and would love to fight and match your skills up against? Rich Franklin: I got one guy on my mind right now: Wanderlei! Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): How much longer do you want to fight? How many fights do you have left on your current contract? Rich Franklin: I have two fights left on my contract. I always pictured myself retiring at the age of 36 or 37. I figure the UFC will negotiate one more contract with me, and that may carry me to the end of my career. Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Have you achieved everything in the fight game you have set out to accomplish in your career? Rich Franklin: No. If I had accomplished everything I wanted I would have no more reason to compete. Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Can we expect to see you fighting for another belt before the end of your career? Rich Franklin: I would love to capture the 205-pound title before I retire. Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Before we go, is there a message you would like to pass along to your fans out there or any sponsors you would like to thank? Rich Franklin: I love the fans I meet at appearances and I hope they will go to AmericanFighter.com and see what’s up. Derek Bolender is a staff writer for InsideFights.com and has also been featured on CBSSports.com, FoxSports.com, etc… Look for future articles from him on MMAmania.com.
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| Gladiator Challenge ‘Gold Rush’ debuts at Wendover Nugget Hotel and Casino on June 13 Posted: 10 Jun 2009 11:46 AM PDT
Apple Valley, CA ( USA ) – Gladiator Challenge, one of the longest-running MMA promotions in operation today, will present 14 MMA bouts at "GOLD RUSH" on Saturday, June 13th at 5 PM. In addition, GC will be making its debut at Nevada 's Wendover Nugget Hotel & Casino with this event. Information on the Wendover Nugget can be found at http://www.wendovernugget.com, and fans can purchase tickets to "GOLD RUSH" at http://www.virtualboxoffice.com, or call (888) 826-8858. The main event was slated to feature MMA super-veteran "Mr. International" Shonie Carter, but he is unable to appear. In his place, Gladiator Challenge veterans will collide as fight finisher Lee Doss (12-8) takes on the very experienced Jake "The Snake" Paul (12-13) in an anticipated bout between two crowd-pleasing fighters. Both Doss and Paul are determined to prove that they belong in the main event, and will lay it all on the line to prove it. In the co-main event, ex-training partner of former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Rashad Evans "Coach" Chris McLeod will clash with newcomer Andy Medina. Head trainer of The Highway Hitmen, a fight team from Elko , NV , McLeod is ready to show his team and the Gladiator Challenge fans how it's done in the cage. The Wendover Nugget Hotel & Casino is excited to have Gladiator Challenge bring a "GOLD RUSH" to their town. General Manager Mauricio Cuellar said, "We're very excited to bring Gladiator Challenge and its MMA action to the Nugget. We've been looking for a way to bring new excitement to our venue, and MMA is the perfect way to do this. We're extremely pleased to have an agreement with Tedd Williams and Gladiator Challenge, and we're looking forward to a long, mutually-beneficial relationship." He added, "I'm a big fan of MMA, and folks have been stopping me on the casino floor, asking about us providing MMA events at the Nugget. Now, thanks to Tedd and GC, the Wendover Nugget Hotel & Casino is Wendover's finest place to play with the hottest MMA action in the state." Gladiator Challenge Owner and Promoter Tedd Williams says, "Gladiator Challenge is always happy to bring the sport of MMA to new venues, and we're very pleased that the Wendover Nugget Hotel & Casino will be the next site to enjoy all the action. We plan to hold between three and six events a year at the Nugget, and we feel confident that this agreement will bring new customers to the Nugget, while exposing the Gladiator Challenge brand of MMA to a new area of fight fans." And Tedd has a message for local fight fans: "There's nothing like seeing Gladiator Challenge live and in-person. You won't want to miss these fights…" For more information on Gladiator Challenge and all its events, please visit http://www.gladiatorchallenge.com. |
| UFC Quick Quote: Lyoto Machida’s got MMA in his blood Posted: 10 Jun 2009 11:40 AM PDT
UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Lyoto Machida’s strength and conditioning coach Eduardo Lisboa talks to Fighter’s Only about the scientific approach to “The Dragon’s” seemingly invincible style that has led him to a perfect 15-0 record. Has the Brazilian Karate master and his fight team found the perfect regimen for becoming the perfect fighter? Or is Machida just that damn good? Opinions please. |
| Jon Fitch: ‘I’m twice the fighter I was a year ago’ (Video) Posted: 10 Jun 2009 10:23 AM PDT Props: Versus.com Also check out what the AKA standout has to say about facing Paulo Thiago at UFC 100 and playing with himself in UFC Undisputed 2009. |
| K-1 World MAX Final 8: Masato vs. Tatsuya Kawajiri on July 13 Posted: 10 Jun 2009 10:12 AM PDT
Japan's Fighting and Entertainment Group (FEG) has announced that former two-time K-1 MAX Grand Prix Champion Masato is set to do battle with DREAM lightweight standout Tatsuya "Crusher" Kawajiri in a K-1 Rules bout at 'K-1 World MAX Final 8' from the Nippon Budokan Arena in Tokyo, Japan on Jul 13. The fight continues the recent slew of K-1 vs. MMA fighters that FEG has been brewing, which has seen various mixed martial artists invade K-1 and try their hand out in the stand-up only combat. And more often then not it has seen the mixed marital artists win or at the very least give the K-1 stars a run for their money. Now it appears "Crusher" will look to continue that trend against the K-1 legend in one of his final battles. Though Kawajiri's strongest base may be his wrestling, he is no stranger to K-1. He fought Kozo Takeda in a K-1 Rules bout and won in devastating fashion at 'Dynamite!! 2008' on New Years Eve, knocking the K-1 veteran out just two minutes into the opening stanza. Though Masato is certainly a big leap in competition from Takeda and will present a mammoth challenge to Kawajiri, Crusher heads into the bout with some momentum after dominating highly regarded lightweight Gesias "JZ" Calvancante last month at 'DREAM 9'.
Masato also looks to take on the winner of this years K-1 MAX Tournament on New Year's Eve in his farewell match. Though he said if he loses to Kawajiri in July this will not happen. Kawajiri has actually been calling out Masato for a while now and lobbied for them to fight in July. Ask and you shall receive. Also on the card will be the K-1 MAX (154lbs) World Championship Tournament quarterfinals. While Italian bruiser Giorgio Petrosyan will be in action, he's been on an absolute tear on the smaller circuits earning a 19-fight win streak (bar a draw with Buakaw Por. Pramuk). Though he may have his hands full when he faces off against the first ever K-1 MAX tournament winner Albert Kraus, who is certainly no pushover. Last years runner up in the tournament, 22-year-old prospect Artur Kyshenko is set to do battle with Dutch blitzkrieg Andy Souwer in his opening round bout. Rounding up the rest of the brackets will be former two-time K-1 MAX Champion Buakaw Por. Pramuk. He takes on K-1 MAX Scandinavia 2006 tournament champion Nieky Holzken. Here is the current line-up for 'K-1 World MAX Final 8': K-1 World MAX 2009 Tournament Final 16: Non-tournament bout: For more on K-1 check out our archive here. |
| Programming reminder: WEC 41 ‘Brown vs. Faber 2′ replay on Versus tonight (June 10) at 8 p.m. ET Posted: 10 Jun 2009 08:59 AM PDT
For those of you who didn’t catch the WEC’s record-breaking event last Sunday, Versus will air the replay of WEC 41: “Brown vs. Faber 2″ tonight (June 10) at 8 p.m. ET. The main event of the evening showcased a rematch between 145-pound champion Mike Brown and the man who he defeated to capture the title, Urijah Faber, in a fight that blew the roof off the Arco Arena after five rounds of terrific back-and-forth action. Also on the card, the seemingly unstoppable Jose Aldo put his best knee forward against Cub Swanson in an effort to cement his status as the number one featherweight contender. Check out all the action tonight at 8 p.m. ET. |
| Medical suspension following Strikeforce loss postpones Andrei Arlovski June 27 boxing debut Posted: 10 Jun 2009 08:38 AM PDT
Former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski will not be medically cleared in time to make his professional boxing debut on June 27 at The Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, on the undercard of the Victor Ortiz vs. Marcos Maidana fight on HBO according to Sherdog.com. Under the tutelage of world renowned boxing trainer Freddie Roach, who has been working with "The Pitbull" over the past year or so to help him improve his striking, Arlovski had signed with Oscar De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions to take a crack at the sweet science after coming up short in his WAMMA world title fight against champion Fedor Emelianenko back on January 24 at Affliction: "Day of Reckoning." With former boxing champion Michael Moorer by his side, Arlovski accepted a short-notice bout against Strikeforce heavyweight wrecking ball Brett “The Grimm” Rogers at the June 6 “Lawler vs. Shields” event to satisfy the last fight on his Affliction contract (Affliction sponsored his appearance). Things didn’t exactly go as planned.
“The Pitbull” was put down just 22-seconds into the fight by an aggressive and hard-hitting Rogers. While no injuries were reported, the suspension will remain in effect, forcing the popular Belarusian to postpone his boxing debut until later this year. He was originally rumored to be making his debut last September in the opening fight on the Casamayor vs. Marquez card in on an HBO pay-per-view (PPV) telecast against an unnamed opponent. While that bout, as well as an attempt to get him on the undercard of the Paul Williams vs. Winky Wright event on April 11 didn't materialize, Roach was eager to get him lined up after the Emelianenko fight, even mentioning a possible throwdown with current WBA heavyweight title holder Nikolai Valuev. Fortunately cooler heads prevailed. Arlovski has always been considered one of the top strikers in mixed martial arts, but it's anybody's guess as to how that talent would transfer over to a world championship boxing match against a monster like Valuev. Or any pro boxer for that matter. The loss to Rogers certainly isn’t helping his case. Time will tell. |
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