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WEC Quick Quote: Urijah Faber not happy about Dominick Cruz acting like an ‘immature punk’
‘Big’ John McCarthy not selected to officiate at UFC 104
WEC 45: Donald Cerrone vs Ed Ratcliff under consideration for Dec. 19
Dana White: We couldn’t come to terms with Dan Henderson — negotiations are done (Video)
UFC Fight Night 20: Gray Maynard vs Nate Diaz in the works for Jan. 11
UFC Quick Pic: Try your luck in the UFC Poker Room
CBS Strikeforce ‘Saturday Night Fights’ video preview for Nov. 7
UFC champ Brock Lesnar toots his own horn to open Vikings vs Ravens NFL game (Pic)
Shogun Rua looking to exploit ‘The Dragon’s’ low guard on Oct. 24
Todd Duffee weathering UFC stardom; fair-weather friends (Video)

WEC Quick Quote: Urijah Faber not happy about Dominick Cruz acting like an ‘immature punk’

Posted: 20 Oct 2009 09:21 PM PDT

“I'm not one to dwell on the past too much, but I really don't care for the guy (Cruz) too much and I'd love to go down there (to bantamweight) and fight him at some point. The whole thing was, basically, we signed these posters for charity, and give them to a lot of people as gifts. The fighters take some and all the fighters sign them. The day of the fight, he was just being basically an immature punk and signing all over my face with his signature. So you know, for me, who's a good sport and not a little punk, it would kind of piss me off. I don't really like the guy very much. I don't know him too well. We've spoken here and there and I'm not like trying to fight him when I see him or anything, but it kind of says a little something about his character.”

Former WEC featherweight champion Urijah Faber explains his negative history with No. 1 WEC Bantamweight contender Dominick Cruz on MMAmania.com's exclusive presentation of Pro MMA Radio. Faber made Cruz pay for his poorly placed signature at WEC 26, winning via rear naked choke in the first round, and now says he is open to a fight with Cruz at 135 pounds in the future. Faber recently signed a seven fight contract with the WEC and says he is ready to get back into the cage. While his eyes are still fixed on the featherweight belt he was the longtime holder of, he won’t rule out bantamweight as a future option for “The California Kid.”

‘Big’ John McCarthy not selected to officiate at UFC 104

Posted: 20 Oct 2009 09:20 PM PDT

Mixed martial arts referee “Big” John McCarthy was not selected to officiate at the upcoming UFC 104: “Machida vs. Shogun” event on Oct. 24 — despite a call he made to the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) to inform them he was available, according to Sherdog.com.

McCarthy — perhaps the most recognized and respected referee in the history of the sport — retired from his in-ring duties following his 535th bout (the main event between Roger Huerta and Clay Guida) at The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 6 Finale in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Dec. 8, 2007.

"Big" John hung up the medical gloves to pursue a new career as an on-air personality and strategic adviser for The Fight Network, as well as a color commentator for the Affliction: "Banned" event in July 2008.

During his absence, the famed referee made comments in support of then-exiled star Randy Couture, as well as some criticism regarding the direction of UFC pay-per-views and its current officiating.

While the critique was small potatoes, it didn't sit well with UFC President Dana White or Keith Kizer, Executive Director of the NSAC. Both sides remained diplomatic, but McCarthy has been unsuccessful in his attempt to get re-licensed in the state of Nevada after his Sept. 10 application was passed over.

The California native also reapplied in his home state and was re-licensed without incident, returning to action at Strikeforce: "Destruction" in November 2008.

Internet activists started a Twitter campaign to persuade the powers that be to enlist the services of McCarthy for UFC 104, however those efforts were in vain.

MMA fans will instead have to settle for his scheduled appearance at the upcoming Strikeforce show booked for Fresno on November 6.

WEC 45: Donald Cerrone vs Ed Ratcliff under consideration for Dec. 19

Posted: 20 Oct 2009 09:20 PM PDT

A lightweight match-up between former No. 1 WEC 155-pound contender Donald Cerrone (10-2) and Ed Ratcliff (7-1) has been verbally agreed to by both fighters for WEC 45, which is expected for Dec. 19 in Las Vegas, Nevada, according to Sherdog.com.

“Cowboy” is coming off a loss to Benson Henderson in a fight to determine the WEC interim lightweight title holder due to current champion Jamie Varner's inability to defend his belt. This was Cerrone's second loss in 2009 and a derailment of his plans to receive a rematch with “C-4″.

Prior to his previous two losses, Cerrone boasted an undefeated record with nine of his ten victories coming by way of submission.

Ratcliff returns to the cage after a decision victory over Phil Cardella at WEC 42, which was a rebound after his first professional loss at WEC 33 to Marcus Hicks. He is 3-1 in for the promotion, defeating Alex Karalexis and Johnny Sampaio, along with Cardella.

"9MM" has gone to the judges' scorecards just one time, with the vast majorities of his victories coming by way of knockout.

This match up features a knockout artist and a submission ace, leading to expectations that each fighter will have a very different game plan from the other. However, Cerrone is ever-confident in his stand up and is never scared to utilize it.

WEC 45 has yet to be announced, but Cerrone and Ratcliff may serve as the main event. A bantamweight championship bout between Dominick Cruz and Brian Bowles could also fall to the Dec. 19 date, making Cerrone vs. Ratcliff a great supporting bout for the WEC's final show of 2009.

Keep it locked in to MMAmania.com for more on this developing fight card.

Dana White: We couldn’t come to terms with Dan Henderson — negotiations are done (Video)

Posted: 20 Oct 2009 06:22 PM PDT

UFC Fight Night 20: Gray Maynard vs Nate Diaz in the works for Jan. 11

Posted: 20 Oct 2009 06:18 PM PDT

Former Ultimate Fighter (TUF) contestant Gray Maynard (8-0) may finally get the chance to avenge the loss that sent him packing on season five of the Spike TV reality show when he faces former cast mate Nate Diaz (11-4) in the main event of UFC Fight Night 20 on Jan. 11, according to GracieFighter.com.

While not officially announced, FN 20 is expected to take place from the Patriot Center on the campus of George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia.

Diaz went on to win the TUF crown, submitting “The Bully” in their semifinal match up during the show. While Maynard was denied his chance at the “six-figure contract,” he hasn’t been defeated since, racking up six straight wins after a bizarre No Contest in his Octagon debut against Rob Emerson in June of 2007.

Like Maynard, Diaz was electric right out of the gate. After capturing the Finale (with a little help from Manny Gamburyan’s shoulder), the Stockton, Calif., native went on a 5-0 tear, until he lost a razor thin split decision to Clay Guida back at UFC 94.

Joe Stevenson made it back-to-back losses with a smothering wrestling attack at last June’s TUF Finale, but Diaz righted the ship at Fight Night 19 by submitting Melvin Guillard in the main event.

Now it comes down to a rematch over two years in the making. The winner will likely be in talks for a 2010 title shot, while the loser goes to the back of the line.

UFC Fight Night 20 is also expected to feature former TUF stars Josh Koscheck, Efrain Escudero and Chris Leben, all penciled in to do battle in separate bouts.

Stay tuned to MMAmania.com for more on this developing fight card.

UFC Quick Pic: Try your luck in the UFC Poker Room

Posted: 20 Oct 2009 06:17 PM PDT

Check out all the details over at UFC.com.

CBS Strikeforce ‘Saturday Night Fights’ video preview for Nov. 7

Posted: 20 Oct 2009 02:35 PM PDT

UFC champ Brock Lesnar toots his own horn to open Vikings vs Ravens NFL game (Pic)

Posted: 20 Oct 2009 02:19 PM PDT

Special thanks to the Minnesota Vikings for the pic. Follow them on Twitter here.

Shogun Rua looking to exploit ‘The Dragon’s’ low guard on Oct. 24

Posted: 20 Oct 2009 02:18 PM PDT

Props: Terra.com.br

Quoteworthy:

“I am the underdog for sure but I am confident. Lyoto is the favorite, the current champion. Everybody bets he will beat me but I come in all my fights thinking I'm capable to win. I already see myself being victorious. If I think different, it's better not fighting. I believe in me, in my game and know my potential. His game is standing, it's hard to find him to hit and he has a good wrestling. Maybe his unique weakness is the low guard. If the fight ends until the fifth round, it's going to be standing. I look to fight stand up and so does he, so it'll be a knockout or judges decision.”

Mauricio Rua weighs in on his upcoming title fight against Lyoto Machida at UFC 104 from the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, on Oct. 24. "Shogun" prepares to do what 15 other men failed to do before him: Slay "The Dragon." Is the key to beating the enigmatic champion a matter of exploiting his low guard? And does Rua have the tools to do it? Sound off, Maniacs.

Todd Duffee weathering UFC stardom; fair-weather friends (Video)

Posted: 20 Oct 2009 12:02 PM PDT