Friday, January 15, 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 Fight Night 21: Roy Nelson vs Stefan Struve on tap for March 31

Posted: 14 Jan 2010 06:34 PM PST

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A heavyweight battle between the division's tallest fighter on the UFC roster, Stephan "Skyscraper" Struve (19-3,) and perhaps its most rotund, Roy "Big Country" Nelson (14-4,) is in the works for UFC Fight Night 21 in North Carolina on March 31.

The event, which will mark the second of three scheduled events for the promotion in a two-week span, will serve as the lead-in to season 11 of "The Ultimate Fighter" (TUF), which will debut on Spike TV immediately after.

"Big Country" -- a six year mixed martial arts veteran and former International Fight League (IFL) champion with a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under Renzo Gracie -- recently took his biggest step toward making a name for himself in the sport.

Nelson smashed fellow TUF 10 finalist Brendan Shaub via first round knockout in the finale of the 16-man tournament-style mixed martial arts reality series. The 33-year-old Las Vegas resident eliminated the infamous Miami street brawler, Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson, Justin Wren and talented striker James McSweeney to punch his ticket to the final match.

He also holds a first round technical knockout win over Brad Imes (former TUF finalist) on his distinguished resume.

Struve is a 6'11" fighter from the Netherlands who specializes in using his long limbs to submit his opponents, as evidenced by his 74 percentcareer rate of finish by tapout, seven of which have been triangles.

The lanky Dutchman has put together a solid record (3-1) since joining the UFC a year ago, defeating Paul Buentello (majority decision), Case Gormley (submission) and Denis Stojnic (submission), while falling to one of the division's top contenders, Junior Dos Santos, in his promotional debut.

This is an interesting battle because both men have excellent grappling skills, and the way they match up physically (short and fat vs. tall and lanky) is going to make for some interesting strategy from both sides.

No other bouts have been revealed for UFC Fight Night 21 at this time. Stay tuned to MMAmania.com for more on this developing fight card.

New 'A-Team' picture released with Quinton "Rampage" Jackson as BA Barracus.

Posted: 14 Jan 2010 06:34 PM PST

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New 'A-Team' picture released with Quinton "Rampage" Jackson as BA Barracus.

Strikeforce seeking new opponent for Bobby Lashley after FSBC denies Yohan Banks for Jan. 30 'Miami' event

Posted: 14 Jan 2010 03:49 PM PST

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Former WWE star and collegiate wrestling champion Bobby Lashley (4-0) is still without an opponent for his Strikeforce "Miami" debut on Jan. 30 after the Florida State Boxing Commission (FSBC) rejected a proposed match up against Yohan Banks at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida.

Strikeforce officials today confirmed with MMAmania.com that Lashley is still featured for the upcoming card and a search for a suitable replacement is currently underway.

The proposed bout was seen as "not competitive," likely based on Banks recent inactivity. "The Body Snatcher" hasn't seen the inside of a cage since knocking out Michael Diaz at "Young Guns 3" back in September 2008 -- despite keeping busy as a pugilistic fighting out of his Undisputed Boxing Gym in California and compiling a 2-3-3 record in the sweet science.

Nevertheless, he won't be appearing on the Jan. 30 card and it's now up to Strikeforce to reach into their reserve tank for a replacement.

"The Dominator," who also moonlights as a "face" for TNA Wrestling, entered the world of cage fighting back in Dec. 2008 as a co-headliner for South Florida's Mixed Fighting Alliance (MFA). The 6'3" powerhouse needed just 41-seconds to extirpate Joshua Franklin via doctor's stoppage.

Of course comparisons to fellow ex-WWE and amateur wrestler Brock Lesnar quickly followed, as the pasty-faced Goliath needed just four fights to win the UFC heavyweight championship from Randy Couture just a month prior to Lashley's MMA debut.

Those comparisons were quickly eradicated courtesy of Jason Guida at "March Badness" earlier this year.

Most expected the American Top Team-trained fighter in just his second professional fight to steamroll the floundering journeyman.

It didn’t happen.

Despite taking the unanimous decision victory, Lashley looked a bit green against the Ultimate Fighter washout and nearly succumbed to a guillotine choke in the third round of their pay-per-view contest.

His inexperience was clearly evident.

What was also evident was his desire to fight -- and improve. The Junction City, Kansas native took a fight against Mike Cook just two months later, submitting the Strikeforce veteran just 24-seconds into the first round at MFC 21: "Hard Knocks."

His most recent fight came against K-1 attraction Bob Sapp in the main event of "Ultimate Chaos" back on June 27. "The Beast" was put down in the first round via technical knockout and along with the quick win over Mike Cook, helped return some of the optimism to Lashley's future as a viable heavyweight contender.

Now all he needs is someone to answer his call.

Strikeforce: "Miami" features a main event between Nick Diaz and DREAM Welterweight Champion Marius Zaromskis for the promotion's vacant 170-pound world title. Female powerhouse Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos will put her 145-pound title on the line against Marloes Coenen in the co-featured fight of the night.

In addition, feared K-1 striker "Marvelous" Melvin Manhoef will make his Strikeforce debut opposite the power-punching "Ruthless" Robbie Lawler. And joining them on the main card is the welterweight showdown between Jay "The Thoroughbred" Hieron and Joe "Diesel" Riggs.

For more on Strikeforce: "Miami" click here.

Kurt Pellegrino vs Fabricio Camoes in the works for UFC 111 on March 27

Posted: 14 Jan 2010 03:27 PM PST

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Re-emerging lightweight standout Kurt Pellegrino is in talks to return to the Octagon in front of a hometown crowd for a 155-pound scrap against fast-rising Brazilian grappler Fabricio Camoes at the upcoming UFC 111 event from the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, on Saturday, March 27.

MMAmania.com (www.mmamania.com) learned of the pending match up earlier today. While both fighters have verbally agreed to the contest, bout agreements have yet to be signed.

After a surprise submission loss to Nate Diaz at Fight Night 13 back in April 2008, Pellegrino was able to string together three consecutive wins, including a submission victory over Rob Emerson at Fight Night 17 in February 2009 and a one-sided unanimous decision nod over the dangerous Josh Neer at UFC 101 later that year.

The momentum propelled him into an intriguing match up of budding contenders at The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 10 Finale on Dec. 5 where "Batman" would have tried to stymie the rising star of Frankie Edgar. Unfortunately Pellegrino injured his back in training and was forced to pull out, giving Matt Veach a shot at "The Answer."

Edgar promptly submitted the last-minute replacement and now goes on to face BJ Penn at UFC 112 for a chance at "The Prodigy's" belt.

Pellegrino on the other hand, must once again re-establish himself as a force to be reckoned with -- and a possible heir to the 155-pound throne by disposing of the Zuffa sophomore en route to bigger and better things.

Camoes, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Royler Gracie, is a veteran of the now defunct Meca World Vale Tudo promotion. He fought twice on Showtime under the ShoXC banner, earning victories over Sam Morgan and Joe Camacho.

Prior to debuting with the UFC, "Morango" submitted Torrance Taylor (rear naked choke) in the first round of Strikeforce Challengers 1. His Octagon debut took place on the preliminary card of November's UFC 106: "Ortiz vs. Griffin 2" event in Las Vegas. After three rounds of action, the Curitiba native battled Caol Uno to a draw.

A decisive ending in his bout with Pellegrino will surely earn him a spot on the televised portion of future cards.

UFC 111 will feature a 170-pound title defense by promotion superstar Georges St. Pierre as "Rush" answers the call of British striker Dan "The Outlaw" Hardy. Heavyweights Frank Mir and Shane Carwin are also set to collide in an interim title match while Brock Lesnar recovers from recent surgery.

To check out the latest UFC 111 fight card and rumors click here.

Brock Lesnar illness update, Herschel Walker MMA debut and more on ESPNs 'MMA Live'

Posted: 14 Jan 2010 02:31 PM PST

Dan Henderson announces title fight against Jake Shields on CBS in April 2010

Posted: 14 Jan 2010 02:30 PM PST

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Former dual Pride FC middleweight and welterweight champion, Dan Henderson, will indeed make his Strikeforce debut a meaningful one, taking on current 185-pound champion Jake Shields in April 2010.

Henderson announced today on ESPNs "MMA Live" that he will battle the Cesar Gracie-trained fighter as previously speculated when he recently signed a four-fight, 16-month contract with the San Jose, Calif.,-based promotion.

Therefore, this latest news should come as no real surprise.

In fact, Shields became number one on Henderson's hit list after his departure from the UFC, which ended in emphatic fashion, knocking out Michael Bisping on the main card of UFC 100 back in July 2009.

The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 9 coach will likely be itching to achieve similar results in front of a major television audience on CBS.

Shields will be out to prove that his current 13-fight win streak is no fluke. Prior to a decision win over Jason "Mayhem" Miller back in November, Shields stopped eight straight opponents with a mix of submissions and technical knockouts.

He essentially cleaned out the entire 170-pound division not competing inside the Octagon, forcing the former Elite XC welterweight champion to move up a weight class in search of stiffer competition.

It's safe to say that he's now found it in "Hollywood."

Stay tuned to MMAmania.com for more on this match up, as well as the still-developing next Strikeforce event on CBS (date, city and venue all still TBD), as it becomes available.

Mamed Khalidov vs. Joe Doerksen in works for Sengoku Middleweight Title Eliminator in March

Posted: 14 Jan 2010 02:01 PM PST

Polish MMA organization, KSW has confirmed that its middleweight star, Mamed Khalidov (20-3-1), has agreed to meet Joe Doerksen (43-12) at Sengoku 12 on March 7th in Tokyo in the Sengoku Middleweight Title Eliminator.

The winner of Khalidov-Doerksen is expected to earn a shot at the promotion's middleweight title against the winner of the bout between Jorge Santiago (21-8) and Kazuo Misaki (22-10-2).

Khalidov most recently sent a shockwave throughout the MMA world with a first-round rout of the reigning Sengoku middleweight champion, Santiago, in a non-title bout at Sengoku 11 last November. Victory over the top-ranked Santiago has catapulted the Chechen-Polish fighter to the top echelon of the middleweights and upgraded his undefeated streak to eighteen consecutive fights.

Doerksen last fought at Sengoku 10 in September of last year and emerged victorious over Kazushi Sakuraba protege, Takenori Sato.

Stay tuned to MMAmania for more news regarding the upcoming Sengoku 12 as they become available.


Scott Coker: Gilbert Melendez vs Shinya Aoki possible for 'second quarter' of 2010

Posted: 14 Jan 2010 12:31 PM PST

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Props: MMA Fighting.com

Quoteworthy:

"The flipping off of (Hirota), I didn't really like that. I saw the arm break and it didn't make me feel good but the opponent could have tapped too. I think it was probably right on that line and he didn't want to tap and Aoki was pushing and pushing and the arm broke and it's unfortunate but it's not the first time in this sport that someone has broken an arm in an armbar. The gestures afterward were unnecessary, but does that stop me from having the thought of him fighting Gilbert Melendez? Absolutely not. I think Gilbert and him would be a great fight and it goes back to the sport. MMA is a sport and these guys should fight each other. Gilbert should fight the DREAM champion and our other weight classes should fight their other weight classes. Let's do it. There's been dialogue back-and-forth and I was told in the second quarter I would have access to Aoki."

Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker reacts unflinchingly to the gruesome antics of Shinya Aoki following his performance at FieLDS Dynamite!! -- instead focusing on a potential champion vs. champion super fight across promotions that would pit his own Gilbert Melendez against the Japanese superstar. "El Nino" recently unified the Strikeforce 155-pound title in an exciting war with Josh Thomson at "Evolution" late last year and is expected to defend it on the upcoming Strikeforce/CBS card in April 2010. Will the "Tobikan Judan" answer the stateside call? Or choose to hide overseas ala Alistair Overeem?

Frankie Edgar talks UFC 112 title fight against BJ Penn on 'Fox Fight Game' (Video)

Posted: 14 Jan 2010 11:46 AM PST

Bum real estate deal taps Chuck Liddell for $1.5 million

Posted: 14 Jan 2010 10:13 AM PST

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Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Chuck Liddell now has two fights to worry about in 2010.

In addition to his trilogy with longtime nemesis and Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 11 coach Tito Ortiz, "The Iceman" will try and avenge his loss to Cuesta Title Co. and California real estate developer Kelly Gearhart after they sold him parcels of land that he never received titles for.

According to a report from the San Luis Obispo Tribune, Liddell coughed up $1.5 million to acquire three lots in Vista Del Hombre back in 2007, a mixed-used development project that Gearhart intended to build on his golf course in northeast Paso Robles.

The commercial property was to be built and turned over to Liddell upon completion -- but the icy one was required to fork over the hefty sum to help the developers clear a few hurdles and complete the project on time.

The suit alleges that Liddell's money was instead used to satisfy other debts from similarly duped investors and of course fill their own pockets. Cuesta Title Co. and Stewart Title have been named as defendants in the suit.

If it sounds familiar -- it should. Ponzi schemes such as the one alleged here seem to be all the rage among shady financial advisors and greedy land developers.

And Liddell isn't alone. Co-plaintiff U2 LLC, a San Luis Obispo-based real property company has also joined the Octagon pioneer in his quest to reclaim money lost in the phony transaction.

A case management hearing on "The Iceman's" suit has been scheduled for March 30 at 9 a.m. PT.

Strikeforce poster for 'Miami' in Sunrise on Jan. 30

Posted: 14 Jan 2010 08:26 AM PST

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To check out the latest Strikeforce: "Miami" fight card and rumors click here.

UFC Quick Quote: Beating Chael Sonnen will get Nate Marquardt the next title shot

Posted: 14 Jan 2010 08:25 AM PST

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"From what I understand, if I win this fight, I will get the shot. I think (Vitor Belfort’s) a great fighter. I don't necessarily agree with him getting a shot or whatever, just because he really hasn’t fought at 185. His first fight in the UFC was at 195, but to be honest it doesn't really matter too much to me because I've got a good fight coming up and to me I'm going to have to fight all those guys anyways, so it doesn't really matter. I want a rematch with (Anderson Silva) and it would mean the world to me to get a rematch with him."

Surging UFC middleweight contender Nate Marquardt tells MMAWeekly that he is of the understanding that a win over the streaking Chael Sonnen at UFC 109 gets him a one way ticket to a 185-pound title match. Dan Henderson seemed to think the same thing, until a series of setbacks led to his departure after his Zuffa contract dried up. Nate has looked "Great" since a split decision loss to Thales Leites at UFC 85 in June of 2008 however offered very little resistance in his first dance with "The Spider" when they tangled at UFC 73 back in July 2007. Will things be different the second time around -- or will "The Phenom" upset the middleweight kingpin and turn the division on its head?

Strikeforce results and LIVE fight coverage for 'Miami' on Jan. 30 in Sunrise, FL

Posted: 14 Jan 2010 08:06 AM PST

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Strikeforce: "Miami" is set to go down on Saturday, January 30, from the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida, airing live on SHOWTIME at 10 p.m. ET.

The promotion's debut trip to "The Sunshine State" will feature a main event between Nick Diaz and the recently acquired Marius Zaromskis for the vacant Strikeforce welterweight championship title.

Also booked for the end of the month show is feared K-1 striker "Marvelous" Melvin Manhoef as he makes his Strikeforce debut opposite the power-punching "Ruthless" Robbie Lawler. Joining them is Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos who puts her 145-pound title on the line against Marloes Coenen.

Herschel Walker, Bobby Lashely, Joe Riggs and Jay Hieron are also in action.

Here is the current Strikeforce: "Miami" fight card:

Main event:

170 lbs.: Nick Diaz vs. Marius Zaromskis

Main card (Televised):

145 lbs.: Cristiane Santos vs. Marloes Coenen
265 lbs.: Bobby Lashley vs. Yohan Banks*
185 lbs.: Melvin Manhoef vs. Robbie Lawler
205 lbs.: Herschel Walker vs. Greg Nagy

Under card (May not be broadcast):

170 lbs.: Jay Hieron vs. Joe Riggs
170 lbs.: David Zitnick vs. Michael Byrnes
155 lbs.: Craig Oxley vs. David Gomez
145 lbs.: Sabah Homasi vs. John Kelly
145 lbs.: Pablo Alfonso vs. Marcos Da Matta
155 lbs.: Ryan Keenan vs. Hayder Hassan

*Fight not yet officially confirmed by Strikeforce.

MMAmania.com will provide LIVE blow-by-blow, round-by-round coverage of Strikeforce: "Miami," beginning with the Showtime telecast at 10 p.m. ET. In addition, we will deliver up-to-the-minute quick results of all the under card action much earlier on fight night.

Many of our readers check-in before, during and after the event to share their thoughts on the action. Therefore, feel free to leave a comment (or ten) before you leave and chat with all the other Maniacs during the show -- it always turns out to be a great discussion.

Keep in mind that we will also be the spot for the latest news, recaps and post-fight analysis after "Miami."

For everything you need to know about Strikeforce: "Miami" click here.

Shark Fights 8: Josh Neer vs Anselmo Martinez for 'Super Brawl' on Feb. 5

Posted: 14 Jan 2010 07:05 AM PST

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Former UFC lightweight standout Josh Neer has agreed to replace Ryan Ford against Anselmo Martinez in a welterweight interim title bout set for Shark Fights 8: 'Super Brawl' from the Fair Park Coliseum in Lubbock, Texas, on Friday, Feb. 5.

Ford was forced to withdraw from the event following an unexpected death in the family.

Following a gutsy and hard-fought win over Mac Danzig at UFC Fight Night 17: "Lauzon vs. Stephens" in early 2009, the returning Neer had inked a four-fight contract extension that was expected to keep the 155-pound dynamo inside the Octagon for an additional four fights.

The promotion would only give him two.

After losing back-to-back fights to Kurt Pellegrino (UFC 101) and Gleison Tibau (UFC 104), "The Dentist" was released from his Zuffa contract. And Shark Fights wasted no time in scooping up the well-traveled veteran, who win, lose or draw always brings the fight.

And it's been proven time and time again that guys who fight like Neer does will never be unemployed.

But is it enough to become the promotion's interim champion? Not if Anselmo Martinez has anything to say about it.

Martinez is coming off a technical knockout win over Lorenzo Borgomeo at Shark Fight 7 back in September 2009, clinching his fourth straight win under the Shark Fights label. Martinez has not seen the judges cards in any of his six fights.

Having said that, it won't come as a surprise if this one ends early -- or gets "Fight of the Night" on Feb. 5. The winner is expected to challenge Shark Fights welterweight champion TJ Waldburger in a title unification bout later this year.

For more on "Super Brawl" click here.

Bobby Lashley: Undercard now, Fedor later

Posted: 14 Jan 2010 06:37 AM PST

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Props: Sun-Sentinel.com

Quoteworthy:

"When the fight comes with Fedor, which is going to be two, maybe three fights away, I will be definitely ready for him. It's hard for me because when Brock (Lesnar) came in [to the UFC] Brock fought for the title after his second fight and everybody was [upset] about that. So I take a step back and say, 'I'm going to take a different route.' And I take my time and I have fights and everybody is like, 'Why doesn't Bobby fight Fedor?' You can't win for losing. There's nothing I can do so I figure I'm going to do it the right way, and the way I know is the right way, and work my way up. I guarantee you I'm going to give the fans what they want. I'm going to be on this guy like he's never seen before. So I'll definitely put on a great show."

Recent Strikeforce heavyweight acquisition Bobby Lashley has no problem starting out slow and working his way up through the division -- even if it means debuting on the undercard of their "Miami" event on Jan. 30 from the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida. "The Dominator," who also moonlights as a "face" for TNA Wrestling, entered the world of cage fighting back in Dec. 2008 as a co-headliner for South Florida's Mixed Fighting Alliance (MFA) and has been perfect (4-0) ever since. But is he ready to swim with the sharks down in San Jose? We'll find out on Jan. 30.

Aftershocks of Haiti's earthquake shake MMA community

Posted: 14 Jan 2010 06:26 AM PST

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A devastating 7.0 earthquake rocked Haiti late Tuesday afternoon, bringing the city of Port-au-Prince to its knees and leaving what may amount to several hundred thousand dead and severely wounded.

As with any natural disaster, the farther away it is from home, the more difficult it is to understand and appreciate the horrors associated with the aftermath.

Unless you're former UFC fighter David Loiseau.

"The Crow," whose parents are Haitian, moved to Canada as a boy but still has family living in Port-au-Prince and the surrounding areas, including his uncle and grandparents.

They have not been heard from since Tuesday.

From Loiseau, courtesy of Sherdog.com:

"It’s a nightmare. I haven’t been able to speak to them, so I don’t know if any of them are safe. When I call, their phones don’t even ring. I’m thinking of going down to help out, but they’re doesn’t seem to be any flights down there right now. They’re prioritizing help, like doctors and workers, first. I don’t want to sleep. I want to get the message out. I beg you to donate as much as you can. It’s a real catastrophe what’s going on in Haiti and any penny will help. Every time a plane flies in with supplies and assistance, it costs money. That’s what the money is for. Just give. Haiti is a very poor country and they need our help."

Anyone with the means to help contribute is encouraged to do so via The Clinton Foundation by clicking here. In addition, a $10 Donation (charged to your cell phone bill) can be sent to the American Red Cross by texting ‘Haiti’ to 90999.

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