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- Best of the best: Shogun Rua UFC 104 interview exclusive with MMAmania.com
- UFC 104 contest: Win FREE signed Cain Velasquez walkout tee and more
- Dana White willing to sell small stake in UFC to outside investor (Video)
- Chris Leben vs Jay Silva under consideration for UFC Fight Night 20
- Vale Tudo Japan ‘09: Rumina Sato vs Joe Warren announced for Oct. 30 event
- Ultimate Glory 11: Alistair Overeem submits Tony Sylvester at ‘A Decade of Fights’ (Video)
- UFC 104 weigh in results information and details from Los Angeles, CA, on Oct. 23
- UFC 105: Ross Pearson ready to fulfill his dream on Nov. 14
- Sam Stout video on fighting Joe Lauzon at UFC 108
- WEC 45 probable for ‘The Joint’ on Dec. 19 in Las Vegas
| Best of the best: Shogun Rua UFC 104 interview exclusive with MMAmania.com Posted: 18 Oct 2009 08:23 PM PDT
In 2007, toward the dissolution of the Japanese-based Pride FC organization, Mauricio Rua was considered (arguably) the top 205-pound fighter in the world. This was even during the time that Chuck Liddell was executing his reign of terror on the UFC light heavyweight division to the tune of four title defenses, while simultaneously piggybacking the sport of mixed martial arts and dragging it closer to the mainstream. Since that time Rua has experienced a mixture of ups and downs to say the least. He suffered through a disappointing loss in his much anticipated UFC debut to Forrest Griffin back at UFC 76 in September 2007, two separate knee surgeries, and countless months of rehabilitation. Once healthy enough to compete again he took a fight in January 2009 at UFC 93. A rehabbed, but out of shape Rua defeated Mark Coleman in what was the epitome of a lackluster performance. At UFC 97 in April 2009, a better conditioned Rua showed flashes of his old self when he knocked out another UFC Hall-of-Famer, the aforementioned Chuck Liddell, to earn number one contender-ship status. The reward for attaining this position is a title match with the current champion Lyoto "The Dragon" Machida, whom no man has been able to figure out, much less defeat throughout his 15 career professional fights (seven of which are in the UFC). UFC 104 on Oct. 24 marks yet another milestone in the evolution of the much publicized UFC light heavyweight division — a battle between a former world number one (Rua) and the current world number (Machida). Will Rua be able crack Machida's code and shock the world in the process? We will find out in a matter of days. In the meantime, "Shogun" took some time out of his busy schedule to discuss his recent training, the unique challenge of Machida, Brazilian MMA, and what being a UFC champion would mean to him. Check it out:
Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Where has your training camp been taking place at and who are some of the training partners and coaches who have helped prepare you for Lyoto Machida at UFC 104? Mauricio Rua: My training camp for this fight was done in Curitiba (Brazil), my hometown at the UDL academy. I’m working with a team of people that know me very well and most importantly know my game very well; my brother Murilo “Ninja” Rua, Andre “Dida” for the Muay Thai, Joao Raphael “Simpson” and Rodrigo “Pimpolho” for Jiu-Jitsu, Marcelo Barreto as the coordinator, Andre Neumann with the strength and conditioning, sparring partners like Joao Paulo “Tuba," my manager Eduardo Alonso, and many others. Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Are you completely healthy at this point and have you corrected your cardio issue that plagued you in your recent fights? Mauricio Rua: I’m completely healthy and feeling ready for the fight. We did all we felt was needed and I expect to come to the fight in great condition. Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Should we expect to see the very best Mauricio Rua we have ever seen on the night of UFC 104? Mauricio Rua: I feel obligated as a fighter to do my best when I fight, to give my best effort. This is what I demand from myself and what I’ll do as always at UFC 104. A fight is a fight and many things can happen. Lyoto Machida is a great fighter and we respect him a lot, but I’m going to do my best and I’m sure it’s going to be a great fight. Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Is this the first time you have been the underdog in a fight? Mauricio Rua: No, not at all. During most of my career I was always used to be the underdog. I was the underdog for my last fight with Chuck Liddell. I was the underdog in Pride when I fought Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, and I was the underdog on the whole Pride GP in 2005, so it’s nothing new. Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Do you mind being the underdog? Mauricio Rua: No! Much on the contrary. I even like being the underdog. This way I feel I have much less pressure and it’s the other guy’s obligation to beat me. I feel like I have only the obligation to do my best and I have much more to gain than I have to lose. Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Machida is a puzzle that nobody has been able to figure out so far. What is it that makes him so unique? Mauricio Rua: I think what makes him so unique is his background, karate, and how he adapted it to his own MMA fighting style. When you fight other fighters they usually have a background of boxing or kickboxing, striking-wise, so it’s something you are used to dealing with, as you have been training with those kind of fighters through your whole life so you know their distance, timing, etc. Against Lyoto it is usually something you never dealt with, or at least not so often, and until you figure his style out sometimes it’s too late. Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Have you watched tape on Machida's fights and found a weakness or a specific way to attack him? Mauricio Rua: My team and I watched a lot of tapes and did our homework. Machida is a great fighter but every fighter has weak points and strong points as there are no perfect fighters. Like I said, a fight is a fight and many things can happen, so we will see by fight time if our beliefs are right. Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Do you feel confident you can beat him if you stand with him toe-to-toe the entire time? Mauricio Rua: I always come to a fight feeling confident in my skills and projecting ways to win. If it’s going to be standing up, on the ground, etc. — only the fight can tell. Many things can happen in a fight and the important thing is to win and be prepared for any situation that can take place. Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Do you feel like you have an advantage in the submission game on the ground? Mauricio Rua: Lyoto Machida is a complete fighter, very good standing up, and very good on the ground. I think we are both well-rounded and we both can present challenges for each other on all areas depending on who’s on a better night or execute the better strategy. Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Will this fight go the entire five rounds? Mauricio Rua: I don’t know! (laughs) I think we both fight to finish the fight so it’s very likely that it can end up before the five rounds. Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Do you have an official prediction for the fight? Mauricio Rua: I never do predictions for a fight. I only want to go in there and do my best. I feel always obligated to put my best effort to give the fans what they want to see, and exciting fight. I want to win, and I fight to win, but I welcome any type of winning situation. Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): What would becoming a UFC champion mean to you? Mauricio Rua: It would mean a lot. It’s what we work for, what we train for, and the ultimate goal any fighter can have right now. The UFC is the biggest fighting promotion in the world, has the best fighters and I think the 205-pound weight class is likely the toughest class in the game, so to become the champion in the biggest show and on the toughest weight class means the world. Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): If you are fortunate enough to come away with the belt are there any other guys who you would like to fight in the future? Mauricio Rua: I don’t really think about that. First and foremost I have to focus on Machida. He is the champion and my next opponent so I have to think about him and how to beat him. Only after this fight I’ll think about my next step and talk to my manager and trainers about that. Also, I feel it’s up to the UFC to seek the best matchups and give the fans what they want. Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Would you like it if the UFC held an event in Brazil in the near future and is this something that Brazilians would like to see very soon? Mauricio Rua: Of course, I would love for the UFC to hold a show in Brazil. The sport is growing so much and the UFC has been doing a great job to help its growth. They are doing a lot of PR in Brazil and step by step we can see the improvements here. MMA is getting more and more known by people in Brazil and the hardcore fans would love to see a UFC show down here. Now it’s a matter of getting more people involved into the sport so it becomes viable for the UFC to come, and I think it’s only a matter of time. Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Is there anything you would like to pass along to your fans out there or any sponsors you would like to thank? Mauricio Rua: I would like to thank my fans for all the support through the hard times. Their the biggest reason for us to go and train every day and we have to always thank them. Also, I would like to thank my sponsors Bad Boy and Nutrabolics for their incredible support. See you guys on October 24th! Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Thank you very much, Mauricio. Derek Bolender is an MMA contributor to MMAmania.com, CBSSports.com, BleacherReport.com, and InsideFights.com. Follow him at Twitter.com/DerekMMAwriter and Facebook.com/Derek.Bolender. |
| UFC 104 contest: Win FREE signed Cain Velasquez walkout tee and more Posted: 18 Oct 2009 08:17 PM PDT
We’re back again, giving away more free gear as yet another major mixed martial arts event approaches. MMAmania.com is proud to announce a UFC 104 contest give-a-way that will run from Sunday, Oct. 18, to Saturday, Oct. 24. We will once again award several readers who enter the contest with Dethrone Royalty walkout t-shirts of surging heavyweight contender, Cain Velasquez. The grand prize winner gets a signed shirt, as well as a care package with more free swag (hats, etc.). What do you have to do to win? It’s simple: Just provide your fight prediction for Cain’s upcoming bout against Ben Rothwell at UFC 104 next weekend (ex. Cain defeats Rothwell via TKO in round 3 at 2:48; or Rothwell defeats Cain via KO in round 1 at 1:58). So it’s winner, round, method and time. One entry per reader … so make it count! If you pick a decision be sure to include the official time, as well as guess the potential scores for each round (10-9, 10-9, 8-10, etc.) Use our contact form to submit your answers. To enter CLICK HERE. Do NOT leave entries/predictions in the comments section below. Be sure to submit correct contact information so we can contact you when you win — good luck! |
| Dana White willing to sell small stake in UFC to outside investor (Video) Posted: 18 Oct 2009 08:05 PM PDT |
| Chris Leben vs Jay Silva under consideration for UFC Fight Night 20 Posted: 18 Oct 2009 07:30 PM PDT
Embattled The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) star Chris Leben will try to get himself back into the win column against promotion sophomore Jay Silva at UFC Fight Night 20, according to MMAWeekly.com. No venue is known at this time. And the promotion has yet to officially announce the Spike TV event, which is tentatively scheduled to take place in northern Virgina on Monday, Jan. 11, 2010. Nonetheless, expect those announcements to come soon. Leben had returned from a nine-month steroids suspension only to get submitted by Jake Rosholt (arm-triangle choke) in front of a hometown crowd at UFC 102: “Couture vs. Nogueira” back on Aug. 29. "The Crippler" — a Portland-area native who relocated to Hawaii — tested positive for the performance-enhancing illegal steroid known as Stanazolol in the wake of his unanimous decision loss to Michael Bisping in the main event at UFC 89: "Leben vs. Bisping" in Oct. 2008. As a result, Leben was suspended for nine months and fined one-third of his fight purse. Now the former TUF star can add back-to-back losses to his list of recent setbacks. Expect a very focused and determined Leben to emerge at UFN 20 — it could be a career defining moment.
The dangerous Silva had been perfect through five fights before dropping a unanimous decision loss to another former TUF star, CB Dollaway, at Ultimate Fight Night 19 back on Sept. 16. After submitting Mark DaPolito in his mixed martial arts debut at Ring of Combat last year, Silva went on an absolute tear, ending his next four contests by way of (technical) knockout. Like Leben, Silva is a very dangerous and hard-hitting striker — just ask Reggie Orr, who was the victim of a Silva flying knee at "Call to Arms" back in May. Stay dialed in to MMAmania.com for more on UFC Fight Night 20 as more details emerge in the near future. |
| Vale Tudo Japan ‘09: Rumina Sato vs Joe Warren announced for Oct. 30 event Posted: 18 Oct 2009 03:17 PM PDT
The veteran versus new kid on the block framework continues with Rumina Sato booked to take on Joe Warren at the upcoming Vale Tudo Japan ‘09, which is scheduled for the JCB Hall in Tokyo on Oct. 30. Shooto promoter Sustain today confirmed that Warren has been tapped as the opponent for Shooto pioneer and former 143-pound Pacific Rim champion, Rumina Sato, for VTJ ‘09. Sato vocalized his wish to fight at 135 pounds at last month’s press conference, citing his success and new-found vigor at the exhibition grappling match at UFC 100 fan expo. For the upcoming event, he will settle at the approximate midway point between 143 pounds and the potential new weight class: The fight will be contested at the contracted weight of 138.9 pounds — the official weight of DREAM’s “featherweight” division — under the previously announced VTJ rules. Also, unlike the bouts fought by “Lion” Takeshi Inoue and Takanori Gomi, Sato-Warren will be a three-rounder with five minute rounds. Sato last fought Shooto’s 143-pound champion, “Lion” Takeshi Inoue, at Shooto’s 20th anniversary event in May, suffering a first-round technical knockout loss. A long-time fan favorite and one of the pioneers of lightwer weight divisions, Sato has experienced a prolonged career ebb and lost six of his last seven fights. Warren comes off a first-round submission loss against Bibiano Fernandes in the semi-final round of the DREAM Featherweight Grand Prix at DREAM 11. It was the first loss of his nascent but storied career — he defeated former WEC bantamweight champion, Chase Beebe and Japanese MMA icon, Norifumi “Kid” Yamamoto, in his first two MMA fights. The following is the updated line-up for Vale Tudo Japan ‘09:
Kenichiro Togashi vs. Willamy Freire |
| Ultimate Glory 11: Alistair Overeem submits Tony Sylvester at ‘A Decade of Fights’ (Video) Posted: 18 Oct 2009 09:06 AM PDT Check out Anderson “Braddock” Silva vs. Stefan Leko video after the jump.
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| UFC 104 weigh in results information and details from Los Angeles, CA, on Oct. 23 Posted: 18 Oct 2009 07:59 AM PDT
The official weigh-in event for UFC 104: "Machida vs. Shogun" is set to take place at the LA Live Event Deck in Los Angeles, California, on Friday, Oct. 23, 2009. It is currently scheduled to air LIVE on UFC.com, as well as on several other online destinations, via streaming video. The first fighter is expected to tip the scale at 4 p.m. local time. As usual, MMAmania.com will provide the latest coverage of the UFC 104 weigh-ins, as well as provide a detailed recap of the festivities as soon as they conclude. UFC 104: "Machida vs. Shogun" features the first title defense for undefeated light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida against fellow Brazilian Mauricio "Shogun" Rua in the main event of the evening. In addition, rising talent Cain Velasquez and veteran Ben Rothwell will "wage war" in a super-sized heavyweight showdown. Here's the complete UFC 104 fight card:
For those fortunate enough to be in "The City of Angels" for the promotion's return trip to the "The Golden State" remember that the weigh-in is FREE to attend and open to the public. Doors to the weigh-in will open at 1 p.m. local time for the general public. UFC stars Yoshihiro “Sexyama” Akiyama, Dan Miller and Brandon “The Truth” Vera will be on hand signing autographs from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. local time. The autograph session is also free and open to the public. In addition, UFC Fight Club members will be able to attend an exclusive Q&A session with current heavyweight number one contender, Shane Carwin, on that same day an hour earlier at 2 p.m. (check-in starts at 1 p.m.) It's going to be a fun night of fights so don't miss it. And remember to check us out for all the pre, during and post-fight UFC 104 coverage you can handle. |
| UFC 105: Ross Pearson ready to fulfill his dream on Nov. 14 Posted: 18 Oct 2009 07:58 AM PDT
Props: Sunday Sun Blog Quoteworthy:
The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) Season 9 lightweight winner Ross Pearson anticipates making his second appearance inside the Octagon when he takes on Aaron Riley at UFC 105 from the Manchester Evening News (MEN) Arena in Manchester, England, on Nov. 14. Pearson bulldozed his way through A.J. Wenn, Richie Whitson, and Jason Dent to eventually capture the TUF crown by besting Andre Winner via unanimous decision at the June 20 Finale earlier this year. "The Real Deal" is a scrappy 155-pounder with plenty of heart — and could find himself the topic of conversation among the division’s elite with a convincing win over the venerable Riley. |
| Sam Stout video on fighting Joe Lauzon at UFC 108 Posted: 18 Oct 2009 07:57 AM PDT |
| WEC 45 probable for ‘The Joint’ on Dec. 19 in Las Vegas Posted: 18 Oct 2009 06:50 AM PDT
With WEC 44: “Brown vs. Aldo” exactly one calender month away, the promotion is hard at work trying to piece together it’s next event, which we now know will take place on December 19 in Las Vegas, Nevada. While a venue has yet to be locked down for the event, a return to the promotion’s most frequented spot, “The Joint” at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, is a likely candidate. Regardless of which arena in “Sin City” hosts the night of fights, it’ll be a different place than what WEC fans were expecting after listening to the post fight interviews at WEC 43 last weekend. After Ben “Smooth” Henderson outlasted Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone in an epic five round battle to become the company’s new interim lightweight champion, injured title holder Jamie Varner stepped into the cage and talked about a match against Henderson in each of the fighter’s hometown of Phoenix, Arizona sometime in December. While it seems likely the event will no longer be taking place in Phoenix, there’s still a chance Jamie Varner will be defending his strap for the first time since January during the night’s main event. If that does indeed turn out to be the case, there’s still a question of who he’ll be fighting.
Even though Henderson earned the shot at “C-4,” it appears injuries will keep him on the sidelines for the rest of 2009, setting up a potential rematch between Varner and Cerrone – one that WEC fans have been looking forward to for almost ten months now. Stay tuned to MMAmania.com for more on this developing fight card. Until then, there’s always WEC 44 to look forward to. The headliner for that event is a featherweight title bout between the champion from American Top Team, Mike Thomas Brown, and the Brazilian challenger, Jose “Junior” Aldo. For more on that event click here. |
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