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UFC Quick Quote: Ben Rothwell hasn’t done nothing … yet
Never say never: Tito Ortiz proved UFCs Dana White wrong (Video)
UFC 104: ‘Machida vs. Shogun’ a battle of fighting styles
WEC 42: ‘Torres vs Bowles’ nets 2,082 in attendance for $175K live gate
Frank Mir slams Joe Rogan’s pro-Nog UFC 102 commentating, tells Fedor to quit and go home
10,000 Maine-iacs: Vacationland legalizes mixed martial arts, projects 2010 event
Crushed Ice: Chuck Liddell won’t melt under the heat of Dancing with the Stars (DWTS)
WEC tickets at AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas, for ‘Cerrone vs. Henderson’ on Oct. 10 on sale soon
WEC and Versus dropped from DirecTV
Coming soon: ‘Grappling Kings’ documentary on submission fighting (Video)

UFC Quick Quote: Ben Rothwell hasn’t done nothing … yet

Posted: 01 Sep 2009 08:32 PM PDT

"I embrace the challenge. They offered me the opportunity to be a co-main event against Cain, who's established himself in the UFC, and I was all for it. I feel like I've been paying my dues for a long time, and this is my time…. I've been doing this for ten years, and all along, it's always been about being in the UFC. In ten years, I really feel like I've had no accomplishments. It sounds like I've done some things, but to me, it's all been training to come here to the UFC. I know it's gonna be a great fight because I have a tough opponent like Cain, but I'm gonna show you what you all came to see."

– Former International Fight League (IFL) heavyweight standout “Big” Ben Rothwell talks today at the UFC 104: “Machida vs. Shogun” press conference about what it means to him to finally make it to the mixed martial arts big league. Rothwell is set to take on undefeated blue chip prospect, Cain Velaquez, in his Octagon debut at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Calif., on Oct. 24. The importance of making a solid impression in a tough first fight is clearly not lost on the Miletich Fighting Systems (MFS) product, who has 36 professional fights in a career that dates back to 2001. He has just one loss in his last 15 fights, which was courtesy of an Andrei Arlovski knockout at Affliction: “Banned” in July 2008. He has competed just once since that time — a submission win (verbal) over Chris Guillen later that year. Now 10 months later he has to knock off the rust and take on one of the most relentless and well-conditioned athletes in the division. Can he handle the torrid pace that Velasquez will likely set or will it be just too much too soon?

Never say never: Tito Ortiz proved UFCs Dana White wrong (Video)

Posted: 01 Sep 2009 07:00 PM PDT

UFC 104: ‘Machida vs. Shogun’ a battle of fighting styles

Posted: 01 Sep 2009 02:05 PM PDT

As part of its media tour in Los Angeles, Calif., Ultimate Fighting Championships (UFC) held a press conference today for the UFC 104: "Machida vs. Shodun" event to be held at the Staples Center on Oct. 24.

The outdoor presser, which was open to fans, was held at the Nokia Plaza and featured the title fight headliners, UFC light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida and top contender Mauricio "Shogun" Rua, as well as the co-headliners, heavyweights Cain Velasquez and Ben Rothwell.

As the year's second headlining UFC event that pits two Brazilians up against each other — and which features Mexican-American Cain Velasquez — UFC 104's bevy of Latin fighters was a fact not lost on the Los Angelenos in attendance.

However, if anyone is looking for good old-fashioned trash talking, you will not find it here.

In fact, Machida and Rua sat beside one another on the plane ride over from Brazil, although they didn't realize it until they boarded the plane. Having known one another for years, the champion described his relationship with the man who will be the first to challenge for his title as that of "old friends."

The question was posed if there is any rivalry between the two fighters, or even between the cities that they fight out of — Rio de Janeiro for Machida's Team Blackhouse, and Curitiba for Rua's Universidade da Luta — similar to the sports rivalries we often see in some American cities or between opposite coasts.

But the true rivalry that exists, and which we will all bear witness to on October 24, is that of fighting styles.

Machida is known for his elusive Shotokan karate style — so elusive in fact that he is one of the least-damaged fighters in mixed martial arts history, and has yet to lose a round or even be knocked down by an opponent in 15 fights … and he's fought a who's who of top fighters.

And if "The Dragon" is known for his elusiveness, "Shogun" is known for his aggression. The Muay Thai stylist has earned a very impressive 15 of his 18 victories by way of (T)KO.

It's a classic matchup that pits the aggressive striker against the pinpoint accurate counter-striker.
Rua says he plans to demonstrate to the world that his style is superb on October 24, as he attempts "to prove … Muay Thai can be efficient against (Machida's) style."

For his part, the champion doesn't plan on falling into that trap. As he told the fans in attendance, "I (will) try to push him to my style."

While the event is still eight weeks away — and falls after two upcoming September UFC events in Ultimate Fight Night 19 and UFC 103 — the media tour provided the UFC with the opportunity to reconnect with the Los Angeles market, which hasn't hosted a UFC event since UFC 60: "Hughes vs. Gracie" back in May 2006, although nearby Anaheim is a consistent destination for the promotion.

The big winners of the day were the UFC fans in attendance. Not only did they get to see four exciting fighters talk about their upcoming opponents, but they received complementary tickets to UFC 104 at the conclusion of the press conference. Not too shabby.

WEC 42: ‘Torres vs Bowles’ nets 2,082 in attendance for $175K live gate

Posted: 01 Sep 2009 11:46 AM PDT

WEC 42: "Torres vs. Bowles" which took place from "The Joint" at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2009, finished the night with 2,082 fans in attendance for an official live gate of $175,835, according to The Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC).

Of the 2,082 tickets issued, 1,640 accounted for paid admission, while 442 passes went out as complimentary. 870 tickets remained unsold.

The event saw Miguel "Angel" Torres — widely considered the top 135-pound fighter on the planet — get dethroned by undefeated 29-year-old Brian Bowles. And he left no margin for controversy, pounding the East Chicago, Ind., native unconscious late in the first round.

In the co-main event of the night, bantamweights Joseph Benavidez and Dominick Cruz went at it for three full rounds with both men looking to earn number one contender status in the division. It was an all out war between two of the quickest and most exciting fighters on the WEC roster that saw Cruz take the unanimous decision victory.

For a complete recap of WEC 42: "Torres vs. Bowles" click here .

Frank Mir slams Joe Rogan’s pro-Nog UFC 102 commentating, tells Fedor to quit and go home

Posted: 01 Sep 2009 09:14 AM PDT

Props: RawVegas.tv

10,000 Maine-iacs: Vacationland legalizes mixed martial arts, projects 2010 event

Posted: 01 Sep 2009 08:35 AM PDT

Maine, current and former home to fighters like Tim Sylvia, Marcus Davis and Mike Thomas Brown, recently became the latest state to sanction the sport of mixed martial arts, according to The Bangor Daily News .

A measure passed by the House and Senate will establish the ‘Mixed Martial Arts Authority of Maine’ to regulate and promote mixed martial arts competitions, exhibitions and events with five governor-appointed members assigned to the authority.

Events can begin after March 1, 2010, which is the date given to the authority to have all the governing rules in place.

From Rep. Nancy Smith, D-Monmouth:

"It's nice to have an industry sector come and they didn't want tax incentives, they didn't want money, they didn't tell us about the bad challenges we have. They said, 'Please regulate us, and we will come.'"

The final bill was approved by Gov. John Baldacci, who held a ceremony in his office on August 31 to praise the new legislation.

"When I first learned of the legislation, I was a little skeptical. I have not followed mixed martial arts as it developed into one of the most popular and fast-growing sports, but I have begun to watch it and appreciate it more for the training that people go through. From the perspective of the state the most important part of the new law is to guarantee we have the rules and oversight to protect participants and fans.”

Not only does the new legislation give promoters an additional avenue for events, it could also help put pressure on the squatters over in New York who keep pushing the MMA regulation bill to the bottom of the pile, especially if New Yorkers make a mass exodus to spend their money in other states like Pennsylvania — who held a major pay-per-view event at Philadelphia's Wachovia Center back on August 8.

Don't cry for me Assemblyman Reilly.

Crushed Ice: Chuck Liddell won’t melt under the heat of Dancing with the Stars (DWTS)

Posted: 01 Sep 2009 08:07 AM PDT

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell, as expected, is getting some good-natured ribbing from his friends and fans alike after securing a spot on the upcoming season of the hit ABC television show "Dancing with the Stars."

"The Iceman" will compete against 15 other celebrity and notable non-dancers such as former Cowboy great Michael Irvin, snowboarder Louis Vito and celluloid butt-kicker Mark Dacascos.

Liddell hasn't fought since a technical knockout loss to Mauricio "Shogun" Rua at UFC 97: "Redemption" from the Bell Center in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, back in April. It marked the fourth loss in his last five fights.

Company president Dana White has pressed his good friend and big time money-making machine to hang up the gloves, saying he has made a ton of cash and has nothing left to prove. Liddell — who will be 40 years old by the time April 2010 rolls around — is still on the fence about a possible return.

But the icy one is certainly keeping busy while he decides.

From Liddell (courtesy of TVGuide.com ):

"I thought it would be a good experience and a good chance for people to see what fighters are like outside the ring. All my friends think it’s funny. But they better freakin’ watch! I could wear the manliest outfit or the most flamboyant outfit on there and they’ll still make fun of me. I’m not worried about the costumes. I’m going to laugh at them myself. I’m trying to have fun with it. I am going to try to win, but I don’t want to make it a job. I’m going to go out and have fun."

The show pairs a number of celebrities with professional dancers as they compete in front of a panel of judges. Viewers cast their votes for their favorite performances via phone or Internet. The couple with the lowest combined score (judges plus viewers) is eliminated until only one couple remains.

Liddell's popularity as a fighter has made his future role as an ambassador for the sport practically a no-brainer. And if Mr. Mohawk avoids getting bounced out of the competition in the first or second show — and manages to look good while doing it — it could generate some additional mainstream interest.

The question now is, can he dance? One "step" at a time according to Chuck:

"I have quick feet, but it’s just about doing everything at the right time. It’s harder than it looks. It’s all different to me. With each day, it seems like I’m getting better, so we’re just slowly working toward getting better. I did a country-swing class, like a two-stepping swing class, a couple times in college. I like to go dance. Do I think I’m a good dancer? Not really. I have fun dancing. It’s something I like to do, but I’ve never been a great dancer. We’re trying to do a little everything while we have time. We’ll probably try to work some [mixed martial arts] moves in there."

"Dancing with the Stars" premieres on Sept. 23 on ABC. To check out the complete interview with Liddell, head over to TVGuide.com by clicking here .

WEC tickets at AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas, for ‘Cerrone vs. Henderson’ on Oct. 10 on sale soon

Posted: 01 Sep 2009 07:59 AM PDT

Tickets for the upcoming World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) show at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas on Oct. 10, are scheduled to go on sale to the general public on Friday, Sept. 4 at 10 a.m. CT.

WEC Newsletter subscribers can pick up their presale tickets a day early, starting Thursday, Sept. 3 at 10 a.m. CT. To take advantage of presale tickets, users must register for the WEC newsletter through WEC.tv.

"Cerrone vs. Henderson" was originally booked for the Covelli Center in Youngstown, Ohio, on Sept. 2. Four former world champion fighters (Chuck "The Iceman" Liddell, Frank Mir, Jens "Little Evil" Pulver, and Urijah "The California Kid" Faber) were expected to be on hand for the festivities during fight week to promote the promotion's first-ever trip to the "Buckeye State."

However, all that fell through because of what the promotion referred to as a "minor injury" to main event fighter, Ben "Smooth" Henderson, less than two weeks out from the original fight night.

With Henderson and Greg Jackson pupil Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone set to square off for the WEC interim lightweight title (current champion Jamie Varner is on the sidelines with a hand injury), the promotion certainly didn't want to scrap the fight all together, opting instead to postpone the event until Oct. 10.

Perhaps there were problems re-booking the Covelli Center, or maybe there was another reason, but either way, the show has been relocated to San Antonio.

In addition to the showdown between Cerrone and Henderson, former lightweight number one contender Rich "Cleat" Crunkilton — who will make his first appearance in the WEC cage in more than a year and a half because of various injuries — will take on undefeated Midwest prospect Dave Jansen.

WEC 43 tickets can also be purchased through StubHub.com (Note: StubHub often has seats available even if the event is "sold out"). The WEC 43 main card will air live on Versus at 9 p.m. ET/ 6 p.m. PT on fight night.

For more on WEC 43 and the "Cerrone vs. Henderson" fight card click here .

WEC and Versus dropped from DirecTV

Posted: 01 Sep 2009 07:09 AM PDT

World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) events will no longer be broadcast on DirecTV after the Satellite television provider dropped the Versus channel from its current line-up.

DirectTV carried the sports programming network up until midnight of August 31, when its current contract expired. Versus is owned by Cable television conglomerate Comcast and demanded a fee increase under a proposal for a new agreement.

While both sides claim to still be in contract negotiations, DirecTV balked at the fee increase, citing a hike in fees that were not consistent with the return for carrying the channel.

From DirectTV:

Our contract with Comcast expired August 31 and we were unable to reach agreement on a renewal. Comcast was not only demanding renewal terms that did not reflect market value for the channel but also demanding carriage terms that were discriminatory. Comcast forced us to drop Versus unless we agreed to their unreasonable terms.

I guess in this contract dispute DirectTV is M-1 Global and Comcast is UFC?

As usual, fans suffer as the two sides argue over whose wallet is bigger. Versus official website encourages fans to contact DirecTV. Or you could contact a friend who has cable TV on October 10 so you don’t miss WEC 43.

Stay tuned to MMAmania.com for any developments on the broadcast negotiations.

Coming soon: ‘Grappling Kings’ documentary on submission fighting (Video)

Posted: 01 Sep 2009 06:15 AM PDT