UFC blog for latest news, videos, results, betting odds, fighter interviews and MMA rumors - UFCmania.com

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• UFC 110: Ryan Bader's trip to Australia to fight Keith Jardine (Video)
• UFC Quick Quote: Dan Hardy is exactly where he wants to be
• Michael Bisping vs Wanderlei Silva UFC 110 video fight talk
• Demian Maia: This is a dream fight and I will be ready for it
• Coming soon: UFC 111: 'St. Pierre vs Hardy' to a Kerasotes theatre near you on March 27
• Alistair Overeem scheduled to face Sasa Milanovic at Glory 12 in Sarajevo
• UFC 112: DaMarques Johnson vs Brad Blackburn on tap for April 10
• Scott Coker: Jake Shields will make a good TUF 11 coach -- if he doesn't forget about Hendo in April
• Luis Cane vs Cyrille Diabate to fight at UFC 114 on May 29
• King of the Cage: 'Vengeance' results and quick recap

UFC 110: Ryan Bader's trip to Australia to fight Keith Jardine (Video) Posted: 14 Feb 2010 04:15 AM PST

UFC Quick Quote: Dan Hardy is exactly where he wants to be Posted: 13 Feb 2010 01:51 PM PST "Being the underdog in this fight is exactly the position I want. I wouldn't have it any other way. When you step into a fight as a favourite, it takes some of the excitement and drama away from it all. It almost takes my interest out of the fight. If I'm looking at moving forward in my career and reaching the top, I'm going to need to be the underdog in a few bouts. That just shows you are taking risks and are prepared to go up against the best fighters in the world. I should always be fighting guys that are considered better than me. The moment you fight guys who are worse than you, you might as well give up. The only time I'll stop being the underdog is when I've got the belt around my waist and have reached the top. Even then, I'll still probably be picked against in fights with guys like Thiago Alves and Jon Fitch. That's just the way the world works. You've got to prove yourself against everybody over a long period. I know this and I'm more than ready to keep proving myself. When people doubt me, it just fuels the fire. I read everything people say about me and about my fights, whether it's on mixed martial arts forums or in magazines or newspapers. When people doubt me it gives me an incentive to fight that bit harder to prove them wrong. I know they'll have to eat their words when my arm is raised at the end of the fight." -- Number one welterweight contender, Dan Hardy, reveals in his most recent blog for ThisIsNottingham.co.uk that he is completely comfortable playing the role of underdog heading into his showdown with welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre at UFC 111 on March 27. "The Oulaw" has received considerable guff for being rewarded with a title shot without ever defeating (or even competing against) a consensus top five-ranked fighter in nearly 30 professional fights. Regardless, his four wins inside the Octagon, as well as his body of work prior to joining the promotion, were enough to convince UFC brass that the British striker is ready for the big time. With recent wins over Mike Swick and Marcus Davis -- two fights he was supposed to lose according to the odds makers -- can Hardy pull off another upset over possibly the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world under the lights of the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey? Or will he come back to England (or California) with not only a world title around his waste, but a new nickname, "Captain Underdog," to boot?

Michael Bisping vs Wanderlei Silva UFC 110 video fight talk Posted: 13 Feb 2010 11:25 AM PST

Demian Maia: This is a dream fight and I will be ready for it Posted: 13 Feb 2010 10:34 AM PST Props: TATAME Quoteworthy: "I knew about it last night. I still can't believe it. My manager called me and they asked if I wanted to fight for the belt. I said ‘of course, you don't even have to ask it'.... I'll have time to prepare an strategy. I'm coming from a heavy training camp and I'm in a fight rhythm. I'll let my body rest this week and I'll start the training next week.... I'll go train boxing with Luis Carlos Dorea (Nogueira brothers Boxing coach) for sure. My physical preparation wlll be with (Rafael) Alejarra.... If I say to you that I'm gonna exchange with him I'll be lying. It's the same thing if I say he'll go to the ground with me. But I'll go to this fight ready for everything. It's a title fight and the title always was my dream. I imagined having this title shot a year ago, but I had two more fights and God, for one reason, gave it to me now." Newly announced UFC middleweight title contender Demian Maia talks about getting the chance, though unexpected, of a lifetime. Maia says he will indeed be ready for the April 10 title fight against Anderson Silva at UFC 112, despite the bout being just two short months away. Maia also confirms what we've all been thinking, his only chance to win the fight will come on the ground and that's exactly where he intends on taking the fight. So what kind of a chance are you giving Maia to pull the upset? Does he have enough tools to get it done? What say you, Maniacs?

Coming soon: UFC 111: 'St. Pierre vs Hardy' to a Kerasotes theatre near you on March 27 Posted: 13 Feb 2010 08:10 AM PST Don't have ringside tickets to watch UFC 111: "St. Pierre vs. Hardy" live from inside the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., on March 27? Not looking forward to fighting the angry mob at the bar, and dropping a $100 in the process, for another poor viewing experience? Interested in making a better impression on your girlfriend/wife by not subjecting her to your worn-out couch and inappropriate friends? Well, we have good news to share: Kerasotes ShowPlace Theatre, which currently boasts 957 screens in 95 locations in the Midwestern and upper Midwestern regions of the United States, including Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Ohio, Missouri, Minnesota and Wisconsin, will broadcast UFC 111 live from select theatres nationwide. It's the first of four events planned for 2010 under terms of the partnership. And the first of its kind for the UFC. To check out if UFC 111 will air live in a Kerasotes ShowPlace Theatre near you click here. UFC 111 will feature two title fights atop the card, including a 170-pound title defense by promotion superstar Georges St. Pierre as "Rush" answers the call of British striker Dan "The Outlaw" Hardy. In addition, heavyweights Frank Mir and Shane Carwin will collide in an interim title match while reigning champion Brock Lesnar recovers from recent surgery. Remember, too, that MMAmania.com will provide LIVE blow-by-blow, round-by-round coverage of UFC 111, beginning with the PPV 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. To check out the latest UFC 111 fight card and rumors click here.

Alistair Overeem scheduled to face Sasa Milanovic at Glory 12 in Sarajevo Posted: 13 Feb 2010 08:00 AM PST AWOL Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion Alistair Overeem continues his overseas exploits as "Demolition Man" will likely face Sasa Milanovic at Glory 12 in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina on April 24 according to sarajevo-x.com (via Bloody Elbow). Glory 12 will be the latest installment of the MMA/K-1 hybrid card hosted by the famed Golden Glory gym, which houses Overeem, Semmy Schilt, Sergei Kharitonov, Gokhan Saki, Errol Zimmerman, Marloes Coenen, among other MMA and K-1 standouts. There is no word yet on whether Overeem vs. Milanovic will be contested under MMA or K-1 rule. Overeem is fresh off the lethal KO victory over Kazuyuki Fujita on New Year's Eve at Dynamite!! 2009. After a hectic 2009 during which he competed actively in K-1 and MMA, the Dutch striker has previously stated that he would fight in K-1 in March or April to fullfill his contract with the organization. Regarding the long overdue defense of the Strikeforce heavyweight belt that has been collecting dust since November 2007, he has hinted that it will materialize after the second quarter of 2010. Stay tuned to MMAmania for more information regarding the "Demolition Man" as it becomes available.

UFC 112: DaMarques Johnson vs Brad Blackburn on tap for April 10 Posted: 13 Feb 2010 07:46 AM PST Up-and-coming welterweights DaMarques Johnson (10-7) and Brad Blackburn (15-10-1) have verbally agreed to fight at UFC 112 from the Concert Arena, Ferrari World, Yas Island on April 10 in Abu Dhabi, according to MMA Fighting. After defeating Ray Elbe by technical knockout to make the final cut for Team U.S. on Season 9 of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF), Johnson submitted Dean Amasinger via triangle choke to reach the semifinals. Following a hard-fought unanimous decision win over Nick Osipczak, Johnson was one fight away from UFC stardom. Then he ran into Team U.K. finalist James Wilks, who completely tooled the former soldier from the opening bell, eventually securing a rear naked choke for the submission win at last June's TUF Finale. No question the Jeremy Horn protege and jiu-jitsu instructor used that loss to tighten up his game as was evidenced by his UFC 107 submission (triangle choke) win over Edgar Garcia on Dec. 12 of last year. Like Johnson, Blackburn was in cruise control for a handful of fights before running into Amir Sadollah at UFC Fight Night 20 just last month. It was a "Bad" night for the Seattle native, who was convincingly handled en route to a unanimous decision loss. That defeat snapped a five-fight winning streak that saw him dismantle the likes of Jay Hieron, Ryo Chonan and Edgar Garcia. The former IFL standout is a well-rounded competitor who is a dangerous test for anyone tipping the scale at 170-pounds. UFC 112 is expected to feature two world title fights, including middleweight champion Anderson Silva taking on Demian Maia and lightweight kingpin BJ Penn putting his belt on the line against Frankie Edgar. For the latest UFC 112 fight card and rumors click here.

Scott Coker: Jake Shields will make a good TUF 11 coach -- if he doesn't forget about Hendo in April Posted: 13 Feb 2010 07:45 AM PST Props: MMA Weekly Quoteworthy: "Jake is always looking for more exposure, and try to increase his brand as an individual. When I heard about it, it was like when Robbie Lawler was doing The Ultimate Fighter when Matt Hughes was coaching. We see it as no different, and Chuck asked him to be the coach, and where Jake trains it doesn't matter. Just make sure that he's training cause he's going to be fighting Dan Henderson in April." Strikeforce boss Scott Coker has no issues with his middleweight champion, Jake Shields, heading over to their Las Vegas-based MMA rivals to help out friend and training partner Chuck Liddell on the upcoming eleventh season of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF). Shields will hopefully use his time wisely considering there is a certain top ranked fighter named Dan Henderson gunning for his 185-pound strap on the upcoming "Saturday Night Fights" CBS special in April. Will Shields be ready? Or will Hendo add another belt to his collection?

Luis Cane vs Cyrille Diabate to fight at UFC 114 on May 29 Posted: 13 Feb 2010 07:13 AM PST A light heavyweight clash between Luis Cane and newly-signed Cyrille Diabate has been booked for UFC 114, which is scheduled to go down at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, on May 29, according to MMAFighting.com. Cane most recently had his three-fight win streak inside the Octagon snapped, getting pounded out by Antonio Rogerio Nogueira in short order via technical knockout at UFC 106: "Ortiz vs. Griffin 2" in Nov. 2009. Prior to the loss, "Banha" battered former WEC light heavyweight champion, Steve Cantwell, to earn a unanimous decision, stopped Jason Lambert via technical knockout and destroyed Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou via second round technical knockout. Cane prefers to stand and bang, which will likely be no problem for Diabate on fight night. Diabate, an accomplished 6'6" kickboxing/Muay Thai specialist from France, has reeled off five consecutive wins since 2007 to earn a multiple-fight contract from the UFC. He most recently submitted Rob Smith via rear naked choke at TPF 2: "Brawl in the Hall" in Dec. 2009. "The Snake" is perhaps best known among United States fans as Dan Henderson's stand-in as Anderson Silva (they share similar body types and fight styles), as well as serving as a the striking coach for "Hollywood" on The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 9. UFC 114 is expected to be headlined by TUF 10 coaches and now mortal enemies "Suga" Rashad Evans and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson. The card is also expected to feature an interesting battle between Forrest Griffin and Antonio Rogerio Noguiera. Stay tuned to MMAmania.com for more news on UFC 114 as it becomes available.

King of the Cage: 'Vengeance' results and quick recap Posted: 13 Feb 2010 03:13 AM PST King of the Cage made its HDNet debut on Feb. 12 with "King of the Cage: Vengeance" at the Inn of Mountain Gods Casino in Mescalero, N.M. With an award-winning TV producer, Mark Burnett now at the helm of the live event production, "Vengeance" featured a trio of title bouts, a veteran showdown between Mike Kyle and Travis Wiuff, and promotional debut of UFC veteran, Rich "No Love" Clementi. In the first bout of the night, Quinn Mulhern routed Rich Clementi in an upset. Mulhern, a late replacement for Clementi's original opponent, used an omoplata attempt to set up a deft sweep and secure mount in the first round after Clementi initially pushed the pace. After escaping guillotine choke and countering Clementi's heel hook with one of his own, Mulhern ended the round in the top position, dropping strikes. He continued his ground-and-pound onslaught in the second round, forcing the referee to intervene at 3:09 of the round. With the impressive upset victory, Mulhern improved his record to 9-1, having earned all but one of his nine W's by stoppage. KOTC flyweight champion, Abel "Silent Assassin" Cullum blitzed through "Bazookka" Joe Coca in another showcase of fast-paced offensive grappling. Cullum wasted no time to launch his offense, as he rushed in with quick punches and secured a takedown from clinch. A quick scramble and several submission attempts later, Cullum got back to feet. He took the fight back to the ground after a brief striking exchange and snatched Coca's arm to lock in a kimura, forcing "Bazookka" to tap at 2:09 of round one. With the championship belt securely around his waist, Cullum recorded his second victory since falling to Hideo Tokoro in the quarterfinal round of DREAM featherweight tournament last May. In the heavyweight title bout, Tony "Kryptonite" Lopez defended his belt with a submission victory over Tyler East in the dying seconds of round one. East immediately emerged as the aggressor, putting Lopez on the defensive for much of the first round. East wobbled Lopez with a high kick and hard shot to the jaw before tripping him to the mat. Lopez finally got to work and secured an arm bar before transitioning to triangle choke to achieve a comeback victory. A lone fight of the night to go past the second round, KOTC Interim Bantamweight Championship bout unfolded as a brisk, back-and-forth scrap between the defending champion, Donald Sanchez and Victor Valenzuela. Both fighters staged a busy exchange on the feet and on the ground for the first two rounds. In the third round, Sanchez assumed dominance with tight top control; he forced Valenzuela into survival mode with relentless submission attempts and strikes from the top. In the fourth round, Sanchez dragged Valenzuela to the mat where he continued his ground-and-pound assault until the referee intervened at 4:05 of the round. Mike Kyle and Travis Wiuff met in the final fight of the night. Wiuff pushed the pace in the first round with strikes from the top and a stand-in guillotine choke attempt at the end of the round. He slowed down toward the end of the second round, however, and was staggered by a counter hook and a pair of knees from Kyle. Kyle then landed a big right hand about a half second after the bell. The late strike was deemed legal and seeing that Wiuff was unable to continue, doctor stopped the fight, giving Kyle a TKO victory. Full result: Quinn Mulhern def. Rich Clementi via TKO (punches), Rd 2  3:09 Abel Cullum def. Joe Coca via Submission (kimura), Rd 1  2:09 Tony Lopez def. Tyler East via Submission (triangle choke), Rd 1  4:54 Donald Sanchez def. Victor Valenzuela via TKO (punches), Rd 4  4:05 Mike Kyle def. Travis Wiuff via TKO (doctor stoppage), Rd 2  5:00

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