Friday, January 1, 2010

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

UFC 108 video: Paul 'Semtex' Daley thinks Dustin Hazelett is 'no joke'

Posted: 31 Dec 2009 02:35 PM PST

UFC Quick Quote: Gilbert Yvel makes mistakes ... just like Tiger Woods

Posted: 31 Dec 2009 02:24 PM PST

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"Stupid mistakes. Let's put it on (mistakes). Everybody makes mistakes in their life.... Like Tiger Woods, he made a mistake but he's a really famous person and everybody looks at them. So it's like blown up and everybody sees it. But if my neighbour will cheat on his wife, nobody will know. So I was in the picture (spotlight) and I did something really stupid... I promise that will never happen again. I'm the nicest guy in the world. How can you not like me?"

-- "Dirty Dutchman" Gilbert Yvel tells the Canadian Press that he's not really that dirty, chalking up his in-ring transgressions to mere mistakes. Yvel gained the reputation after three disqualifications, which included punching (and then kicking) a referee back in 2004 when he disagreed with a restart. He also bit Karimula Barkalaey and eye gouged Don Frye in two separate bouts earlier in his career. Despite his checkered past, "Hurricane" has earned the opportunity to fight on mixed martial arts' biggest stage this weekend, taking on heavy-handed Brazilian Junior dos Santos at UFC 108: "Evans vs. Silva" from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Will Yvel make the most of this opportunity or will more "mistakes" prove to be his downfall against "Cigano"?

Jersey Devil: An MMAmania.com UFC 108 interview exclusive with Jim Miller

Posted: 31 Dec 2009 12:10 PM PST

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For a card that's seen more dance partners than the captain of your high school cheerleading squad, UFC 108: "Evans vs. Silva" might as well be called "The Return." That's because of the number of fighters - many of which are serving as replacements for previously scheduled, now injured, opponents - set to make their long-awaited return to action.

The Jan. 2 fight card will see the return-from-injury of UFC lightweight fighter Joe Lauzon and welterweight Dustin Hazelett, as well as the promotional returns of Dan Lauzon (Joe's brother) and Duane "Bang" Ludwig, in addition to the promotional debut of heavyweight badboy Gilbert Yvel.

It's sort of sad to think what UFC 108 might have once looked like, with UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva, heavyweight champ Brock Lesnar, Shane Carwin, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Gabriel Gonzaga, Carlos Condit, Rory Markham, Steve Cantwell, Tyson Griffin and Sean Sherk all once scheduled to appear on the card.

In fact, the latter two - Griffin and Sherk - were both once named as opponents for rising lightweight talent Jim Miller. Now 4-1 in the UFC and 17-2 overall, Miller has made a name for himself for taking fights on short notice and earning hard-fought victories over such fighters as Matt Wiman and The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) Season 6 winner, Mac Danzig, among others.

The only chinks in Miller's armor have come at the hands of top contender Gray Maynard in March 2009 and to that other top contender, Frankie Edgar - who now trains with Miller - way back in November 2006 at Reality Fighting 14. Miller now looks to spoil the promotional return of Duane "Bang" Ludwig (19-9).

What toll do all these changes in opponents take on the mental or physical aspects of training for an upcoming fight? Excellent question, which is why I asked it, when I got the chance to catch up with Miller this week. See what he had to say about "Bang", where a victory places him in the crowded lightweight division, and even a potential rematch against friend-and-training-partner Frankie Edgar after the jump.

Adam Wagner (MMAmania.com): You were first supposed to face Tyson Griffin, then Sean Sherk, and now Duane Ludwig at UFC 108 on Saturday. Obviously this kind of thing happens a lot due to training injuries. In fact, it happened in your last fight - you were supposed to face Thiago Tavares, and then it ended up being Steve Lopez. Does that make it difficult to prepare for a fight either mentally or physically?

Jim Miller: You know, it's one of those things that does happen. The way that I approach training and preparing for a fight, it really doesn't affect me all that much. I'm not satisfied with where I am, in any aspect of the game. So I'm always trying to improve, and I feel that if I train specifically to fight a certain type of opponent, I'm going to slow down my improvements. So I just try to train hard and to get better in everything.

Coming into every fight, I want to be a better fighter every time I step into the Octagon. So I really don't train to fight any certain (type of) opponent. Maybe some quirks here and there. ...

The difference between Tyson and Sean, they're both about the same height, shorter than me, wrestlers, stocky guys. Now I'm fighting a guy (in Ludwig) that's taller than me and lanky. You know that's a little bit different.

But it really doesn't affect me that much. I'm still getting in there, I'm still fighting, and my main goal is still to fight my best.

Adam Wagner (MMAmania.com): In terms of your camp - for example, the types of things that you're drilling - did that adjust with the change from Sherk to Ludwig?

Jim Miller: Yeah, there was a little bit. More preparation for somebody who's going to be striking (more) and moving away and not really ... getting in close.

I don't think (Ludwig) is going to be planning on standing inside the pocket with me where I can grab a hold of him and take him down. It's just one of those little switches, where instead of guys coming in and shooting on me, they circle away and keep their distance. It's a pretty simple little switch, it doesn't really bother me that much.

Adam Wagner (MMAmania.com): Ludwig has kickboxing experience, he has KO power. Do you have any hesitation keeping it on the feet, where it seems he'll probably be most comfortable?

Jim Miller: No, I mean he definitely has got the advantage on the feet, there's no doubt about that. But I'm very comfortable on my feet. And as long as I show up to fight and do the things that I know how to do, I shouldn't really run into too much trouble.

Then it's just a matter of implementing my game plan and working with what I know I'm better than him at, and that is the ground game. No surprises here (laughs).

Adam Wagner (MMAmania.com): You're 17-2 with your only losses coming to Frankie Edgar way back in 2006 and, more recently, Gray Maynard - both guys, top contenders in the UFC. Where does a win put you?

Jim Miller: I don't know. The division ... it's a little messed up right now. There's a lot of guys that can compete with each other and guys that need to fight before any title shots are handed out in my opinion. It all depends.

It all depends on who loses in the coming fights. I think if Gray beats Nate (Diaz), Gray should get the title shot. He'll definitely have earned it. But then again, if he loses, you gotta bring Diaz back up into the top.

It's a very confusing situation at the top of the division. So I really don't know where a win would put me, per se. I just know that I can compete with all these guys.

Adam Wagner (MMAmania.com): Do you anticipate that Gray is going to win that fight?

Jim Miller: I think he should. As long as he doesn't make a foolish mistake, I think he should be able to beat Nate this time around.

Adam Wagner (MMAmania.com): All training aside, this of course begs the question, would you like a rematch with Frankie Edgar?

Jim Miller: You know what, right now it's not my prerogative. We train together, he's a great training partner, he's a friend of mine. But I mean there is that thing where I want to be the champ, (and) he wants to be the champ, so if we both do what we're capable of and what we want, we're going to have to meet again.

I don't think it would bother either of us (laughs). We beat each other up in (training), why not get paid some money to do it. So it's something that I don't think we need to do right now, (but) maybe a couple of fights down the road. But it'll probably happen again, so ...

Adam Wagner (MMAmania.com): Speaking of Frankie, with both you guys being from New Jersey, UFC 111 in late March - I believe it's March 27 - is coming to Newark. Recognizing that that's not quite three months away, is that a card you'd like to be on?

Jim Miller: It's a little quick after this one right now. It all depends. Fighting in Jersey's nice - the hometown fans and stuff like that - but I'll fight anywhere, I don't really care.

Adam Wagner (MMAmania.com): Well, Jim, I thank you for taking the time to talk with us. I wanted to give you a chance to thank any sponsors of if you have any parting words for your fans about what they can expect to see come Saturday.

Jim Miller: I just want to thank my fans and thank all my training partners and trainers at AMA. I also want to thank Martin Rooney at Training for Warriors. I've had so much help from so many different guys, the list gets longer and longer with each fight, it's tough to call out particular guys. But everyone who's helped me, I just want to thank them.

FieLDS Dynamite!! photos gallery from Dec. 31 Saitama event (Pic)

Posted: 31 Dec 2009 12:07 PM PST

Kazuyuki Fujita's near-death experience at the knees of Alistair Overeem...

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Masato retires on top (with a little help from Any Souwer) after the jump.

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Check out more photos from the Dynamite!! gallery here.

For live results and recap click here and here.

Rashad Evans' goals for 2010: Beat Thiago Silva, Rampage Jackson and Lyoto Machida

Posted: 31 Dec 2009 11:33 AM PST

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Props: SportsRadioInterviews.com

Quoteworthy:

"The thing is just not getting caught up in games at all. Just imposing my will and doing the things that I need to do. I think as long as I do that, I will find the opening that I’m looking for. As long as I’m reacting to what he is doing, I’m always going to find myself on the defensive end and therefore not being able to find my rhythm. If I go out there looking to establish my rhythm and do what I need to do, I’ll get him reacting and I can dictate the pace of the fight. Ultimately getting back to Machida is where I want to go. I definitely got at least another fight or two to go before I get to him. I would also definitely like to close things up with Rampage since we got into it like that. It’s something that the fans want to see and I definitely want to give the fans what they want."

Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Rashad Evans contemplates his future inside the Octagon after locking horns with Thiago Silva at UFC 108 this Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. "Suga" has some unfinished business with "Rampage" Jackson, who taunted him throughout the TUF 10 series only to bail on him at UFC 107 and go Hollywood. If he can get past Silva and ultimately a returning Jackson, is there a chance he'll have better luck against "The Dragon?"

UFC 108 video blog with Dana White (Episode four)

Posted: 31 Dec 2009 10:46 AM PST

Programming reminder: TUF Finale and UFC Unleashed airs today (Dec. 31) on Spike TV

Posted: 31 Dec 2009 10:46 AM PST

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For those of you who can't wait until Saturday to get your fill of Octagon mayhem, the UFC is bringing you a boatload of reality fight programming to keep your appetite wet right now (Dec. 31) on Spike TV.

The Ultimate Fighter 6 Finale is currently underway featuring Mac Danzig vs. Tommy Speer as well as a co-main event between lightweight contenders Roger Huerta and Clay Guida.

At 3 p.m. ET the TUF 10 Finale returns to milk a few more ratings out of the Kimbo Slice hype train -- though his Dec. 5 bout against Houston Alexander was hard enough to get through the first time it aired. Of courrse it also features Roy Nelson vs. Brendan Schaub and the controversial Matt Hamill vs. Jon Jones bout.

Last but not least, UFC Unleashed will air at 6 p.m. ET with a Rich Franklin tribute that features the former middleweight champion's previous bouts against Edwin Dewees, Ken Shamrock and the late Evan Tanner.

Shinya Aoki breaks Mizuto Hirota's arm and gives him the finger at FieLDS Dynamite!! 2009 (Video)

Posted: 31 Dec 2009 09:35 AM PST

Anyone still upset over Brock Lesnar's UFC 100 post-fight antics after seeing this?

FieLDS Dynamite!! 2009 recap and post fight discussion

Posted: 31 Dec 2009 08:25 AM PST

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Dynamite!! 2009 delivered a heady year-end combat sports extravaganza with promotional war for supremacy, long overdue MMA debut of the great, white hope of Japanese MMA, and picture-perfect ending to an illustrious career.

The night kicked off with captivating action from four sprightly, high school kids as they fought for the K-1 Koshien 2009 crown. The K-1 Koshien finalists, Hiroya, Masaaki Noiri, Shota Shimada, and Katsuki Ishida displayed relentless action and precocious technical polish.

The unheralded Masaaki Noiri upset the Koshien 2008 winner and K-1 golden child, Hiroya in the semi-final and bested Shota Shimada to become the new K-1 Koshien champion.

In the final match of the infamous Super Hulk Tournament, the always charismatic Minowaman defied the odds to cement his status as the ultimate "David." Against Sokoudjou -- perhaps the "Goliath" of the tournament in spite of his less-than-towering stature -- Minowaman struggled to gain traction during the first two rounds.

After a lengthy stalemate in the third round, he stunned the crowd of 37,000 in Saitama Arena with an overhand right-left hook combo to score a TKO victory and become the "Super Hulk."

38 year-old K-1 veteran, Ray Sefo returned to the ring for the first time in a year and half against the former professional boxer, Yosuke Nishijima. Showing he still has fights left in him, Sefo staged a K-1 clinic against Nishijima, landing crisp, accurate strikes at will.

In an inaugural war for the promotional triumph and honor, DREAM edged Sengoku 5-4.

The Sengoku trio of Hiroshi Izumi, Michihiro Omigawa, and Akihiro Gono took home an early 3-0 lead. The 2004 Olympic judo silver medalist notched his first professional MMA victory and evened his record to 1-1 with a close, hard-fought decision over Katsuyori Shibata.

As expected, the scruffy, grizzled veterans, Michihiro Omigawa and Hiroyuki Takaya lit the fistic firework early. Omigawa showcased his ever-improving boxing prowess to take rein of the fight and clipped Takaya with a brutal right cross for an easy TKO victory.

In a battle of perennial Japanese fan favorites, Akihiro Gono demonstrated his slick submission magic in his arm bar victory over Hayato "Mach" Sakurai. Sakurai looked anemic throughout without a shred of his trademark vigor.

After a rocky year with conspicuous losses in MMA and K-1, the Dutch cyclone, Melvin Manhoef showed his old moxie as he blitzed through 2006 PRIDE Welterweight champion, Kazuo Misaki with a flurry of punches in the first round.

The "cinderella boy," Hideo Tokoro rode the momentum generated by Manhoef to thoroughly pick apart Jong Man Kim, the late replacement for the original opponent, Marlon Sandro. Tokoro used his much-improved striking to pick Kim apart, mixing crisp, straight punches with kicks and jumping knees.

Again showing a glimpse of his high-octane grappling, Tokoro threatened Kim with flying triangle choke and arm bar attempts. Kim fought valiantly to the end, even knocking Tokoro down and briefly turning the tide in the third round.

In a battle between top lightweight contenders in DREAM and Sengoku, Tatsuya "Crusher" Kawajiri demonstrated his trademark tenacity in grinding out Kazunori Yokota with stifling top control. Alternating between ground-and-pound and submission attempt whenever Yokota gave up his back, the "Crusher" seized unanimous decision victory. Yokota, for his part, showed incredible perseverance in surviving tight, painful arm bar at the end of the third round.

2009 has not been kind to Japanese MMA icon, Norifumi "Kid" Yamamoto. After suffering unprecedented back-to-back losses in MMA and K-1, Kid saw his stock plummet further in his hard-fought decision loss against Sengoku featherweight champion, Masanori Kanehara.

Despite having his moments in the striking exchanges, Kid failed to mount offense once the fight hit the mat. Kanehara continued his rise and defended the honor of Sengoku belt, as he showed sound counter-striking, takedown, and ground control.

In a battle of champions, DREAM lightweight champion, Shinya Aoki easily dismantled his Sengoku counterpart, Mizuto Hirota with a particularly nasty rendition of his submission game. Aoki wasted no time getting the fight to the mat and controlling Hirota`s arm, twisting it behind his back in the process.

Passing to mount and then taking Hirota`s back, Aoki continued wrenching the arm until the referee intervened to award him a technical submission victory.

Strikeforce champions, Gegard Mousasi and Alistair Overeem made quick work of Gary Goodridge and Kazuyuki Fujita, respectively. The red-hot Mousasi pummeled the over-the-hill Goodridge for a TKO win and Overeem unleashed a hellacious knee strike to knock Fujita out cold without breaking a sweat.

The showdown between former Olympic judo gold medalists saw the 40-year old veteran, Hidehiko Yoshida, put on a MMA clinic against the MMA debutant, Satoshi Ishii in the first round. Landing a big right hand to Ishii`s jaw, Yoshida battered the younger judoka with knees and uppercuts from the clinch.

A painful lowblow from Ishii forced a lengthy pause of action but Ishii started to loosen up and settle into his groove in the second and third round; however, he failed to pick up the slack from the first round and Yoshida walked away with a unanimous decision.

The action-packed night culminated with the farewell bout of the Japanese combat sport icon, Masato. Facing his nemesis, Andy Souwer, in a rubber match, Masato set the pace early in the first round. After two close rounds, Souwer began to settle into his groove, landing effective counters and staggering Masato in a few instances.

Round four and five saw both fighters engage toe to toe, sending the crowd in Saitama Arena into delirium. In a storybook ending to a prodigious career, Masato completed the unfinished business by defeating Souwer via unanimous decision.

With a victory over an opponent who had previously defeated him twice in as many encounters, Masato seals his legacy as one of the most decorated figures in Japanese combat sports.

Stay tuned to MMAmania for Dynamite!! 2009 post-fight wrap-ups and Happy New Year to all the Maniacs!!

For all the live results and fight recaps click here.

Drunk Diego Sanchez hits the 2009 World MMA Awards (Video)

Posted: 31 Dec 2009 08:08 AM PST

Diego Sanchez accepts the award for "Fight of the Year" (2:40 mark) at the World MMA Awards but may have started celebrating a bit too early if his acceptance speech is any indication of his booze intake.

This appearance of course begs the question: Has Sanchez usurped the slur crown from Chuck Liddell and his comatose appearance on Good Morning Texas?

MMA Quick Quote: UFC matchmaker Joe Silva takes one for the team

Posted: 31 Dec 2009 07:44 AM PST

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"This is so bad, Joe Silva blew out his MCL. It's so bad the matchmaker is down. I don't know how, but he blew it. He's got to have surgery."

UFC President Dana White is stupefied by promotion matchmaker Joe Silva and his blown MCL, who puts the icing on the UFC 108 cake with his bum leg. "Evans vs. Silva" just recently added Steve Cantwell on a very long list of injuries and changes that have plagued the upcoming fight card since its inception. While the Jan. 2 event has suffered from the injury setbacks, it does make upcoming shows look that much sweeter. UFC 110 and 111 are already shaping up to be outstanding cards, brimming with top talent and title implications. Will you skip Saturday's event and hold out for a future card? Or is there enough coming up to make "Evans vs Silva" a must-buy?

KJ Noons vs Billy Evangelista on tap for Strikeforce: 'Miami' on Jan. 30

Posted: 31 Dec 2009 07:01 AM PST

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Former Elite XC lightweight champion KJ Noons (7-2) is set to make his return to Strikeforce against Billy Evangelista (10-0) on the main card of the upcoming Strikeforce: "Miami" event slated for the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida, on Jan. 30.

MMAmania.com (www.mmamania.com) learned of the planned match up earlier today.

Noons has been out of mixed martial arts for more than a year following his retirement from the sport in late 2008 after he was stripped of his 155-pound title for refusing to accept a rematch with Nick Diaz under the terms Elite XC was offering.

"King Karl" felt that his previous performance against Diaz (a first round technical knockout) and his lone title defense -- a first round technical knockout victory over Yves Edwards in June of 2008 -- was enough to at least earn himself a bigger paycheck than Diaz in the rematch.

The promotion, however, apparently disagreed, causing a big mess and ultimately leading to Noons being forced to relinquish his title.

The ex-boxer then decided to make an attempt to return to his roots inside the ring, but a disappointing decision loss to James Countryman earlier this year threw a wrench into those plans. The City Boxing product did manage to put together a solid record of 4-1 as a pugilist, but he likely wasn't going to be winning a world title anytime soon.

That may not be the case in Strikeforce -- unless of course Evangelista has anything to say about it.

Evangelista lost for the first time in his career to Mike Aina in May of 2009. He was accused of "intentionally" (and illegally) kneeing the Hawaiian fighter in the head while he was down in the second round. "Iron" was said he was hurt and unable to continue, which forced referee to call a stop to the action on the recommendation of the cageside doctor.

Evangelista appealed the loss after video footage appeared to indicate that his errant blows landed on Aina's shoulder area and the California State Athletic Commission agreed, changing the result to a "No Contest."

With his undefeated streak intact, the Team Buhawe product remained perfect after a three round war with Jorge Gurgel in the main event of Strikeforce Challengers: 'Evangelista vs Gurgel' on November 6.

A win over a high profile lightweight like Noons could immediately vault Evangelista into a short list of 155-pound title contenders. There is a lot on the line for both fighters and it's unlikely this one will see the judges cards.

The Jan. 30 event is set to air at 8 p.m. ET live on Showtime and will mark the promotion’s debut in the "Sunshine State" and will also feature the much-anticipated debut of former NFL great Herschel Walker. Current Strikeforce Women's Champion Cristian 'Cyborg' Santos will also be in action.

For more on Strikeforce: "Miami" click here.

UFC 108 video: Dana White 'fireside chat' before 'Evans vs Silva'

Posted: 31 Dec 2009 06:02 AM PST
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