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- WEC 47: Miguel Torres has a weak ear, strong chin (Video)
- UFC President Dana White unexpectedly gives donation to brain tumor-stricken girl
- Strikeforce bringing Gilbert Melendez vs Shinya Aoki to CBS on April 17
- Gegard Mousasi vs 'King' Mo Lawal in the works for CBS on April 17
- Alistair Overeem planning for May 15 Strikeforce return against Brett Rogers
- Andrei Arlovski signs multi-fight contract with Strikeforce; expected to face Antonio 'Junior' Silva on May 15
- Calling all aspiring fighters! Bellator open tryouts set for March 6 in Lenexa, KS
- UFC 114: Michael Bisping in talks to face Dan Miller on May 29 in Las Vegas
- TUF 11: Meet the cast of 'Team Liddell vs Team Ortiz' (Video)
- Reminder: WEC 47 Q&A featuring Urijah Faber and Donald Cerrone set for March 5 weigh in event
- The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 11 official cast announced for 'Team Liddell vs Team Ortiz' March 31 on Spike TV
- UFC 110 sets merchandise sales record with $540,000 sold at Acer Arena in Sydney
- Cain Velasquez: I'm ready for a shot at Brock Lesnar
- Strikeforce Challengers 6 highlights and video recap for 'Kaufman vs Hashi'
- Jon Fitch: 'Thiago Alves is a fight I need to prove I deserve a rematch against GSP'
- Round 5 UFC action figures 'Series 2' figurines featuring Kimbo Slice and more coming April 2010 (Pic)
- Jamie Varner: 'I really feel like I'm the best lightweight in the WEC'
- Want to sit next to Miguel Cotto at WEC 47? Ecko Unlimited tells you how ...
- UFC 112: Kendall Grove ready to 'make history' against Mark Munoz
- WEC Bantamweight Champion Brian Bowles featured on tonight's edition of Pro MMA Radio
| WEC 47: Miguel Torres has a weak ear, strong chin (Video) Posted: 01 Mar 2010 08:20 PM PST |
| UFC President Dana White unexpectedly gives donation to brain tumor-stricken girl Posted: 01 Mar 2010 07:54 PM PST
But at his core, it appears that the outspoken and opinionated businessman does indeed have a gentile and caring side to him. This fact couldn't be more evident now with this inspiring news. From The Sentinel:
5,000 pounds equates to approximately $7,500 U.S. dollars, which may seem a bit on the low end for Dana. However, it's important to notice the act of the donation alone. For never having met the girl or her family, and therefore lacking any emotional or personal investment in the girl's well-being, it's an impressive and selfless gesture. To read more about young Ruby Owen and the struggle she faces, head over to her fundraising Web site. And if you feel so inclined, help the Owen family reach their financial goal in an effort to save her life. D.W. would be proud. |
| Strikeforce bringing Gilbert Melendez vs Shinya Aoki to CBS on April 17 Posted: 01 Mar 2010 05:35 PM PST
DREAM import Shinya Aoki will get first crack at newly-crowned lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez when the Japanese submission fighter makes his stateside debut on the main card of the upcoming Strikeforce event planned for April 17 on CBS. Josh Gross of SI.com tweeted the proposed match-up earlier today. The bout is expected to serve as one of three championship contests on the promotion's upcoming trip to Nashville for "Saturday Night Fights" on CBS. While "El Nino" is putting his strap on the line, "The Tobikan Judan" will reportedly keep his title safe and sound back in DREAM. Melendez (17-2) has been electric since falling to Josh Thomson in June of 2008. In addition to TKO wins over Rodrigo Damm and Mitsuhiro Ishida, the former PRIDE and Shooto standout avenged his loss to "The Punk" at last December's "Evolution" card from San Jose, taking the 155-pound title in the process. The California native has been vocal about bringing Aoki to the States in order to test himself against the grappling wizard and cement himself as one of the world's top lightweights. But is he biting off more than he can chew? After an ill-advised trip to welterweight -- one that saw him get turned inside out by Hayato Sakurai at DREAM 8 -- Aoki moved back down to lightweight where he belongs, rattling off three straight wins and improving his record to 23-4. While often criticized for his underwhelming stand-up, Aoki is a terror on the ground, having tapped such notable fighters as Eddie Alvarez, Joachim Hansen and Vitor Riberio. The "Tobikan Judan" also showed a darker side on New Year's Eve, cranking a hammerlock until it snapped the arm of Mizuto Hirota at FieLDS Dynamite!! prior to flipping off the crowd on Dec. 31. Needless to say that any similar action in Nashville would be unwise -- though you can bet Melendez will try to make sure he never gets the chance. The Strikeforce event planned for April17 in Nashville is also expected to feature light heavyweight champion Gegard Mousasi defending his title against fast-rising prospect Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal. Jake Shields will also put his 185-pound belt on the line against UFC import Dan Henderson. Stay tuned to MMAmania.com for more updates to the upcoming Strikeforce/CBS card as they become available. |
| Gegard Mousasi vs 'King' Mo Lawal in the works for CBS on April 17 Posted: 01 Mar 2010 05:28 PM PST
Ask and you shall receive. Colorful light heavyweight up-and-comer "King" Mo Lawal has done just about everything in his power in recent days, weeks and months to coordinate a fight against Strikeforce 205-pound champion, Gegard Mousasi. It apparently worked. Lawal will get his wish, according to MMAWeekly.com, taking on the stoic Armenian at the upcoming Strikeforce show on CBS, which is tentatively scheduled to take place at the Sommet Center in Nashville, Tenn., on April 17. Strikeforce officials would not immediately confirm or deny the report ... but it makes sense. With its consensus top-ranked fighter, Fedor Emelianenko, not participating on the card, the promotion needed an interesting match up that it could promote to the masses. And a showdown between the two wildly different personalities outside the cage -- both of whom posses tremendous talent inside of it -- could just be the right answer. Mousasi is currently on a 15-fight tear, which dates back to 2006. He's been nothing short of outstanding, however, since coming out of seemingly nowhere to win the 2008 DREAM Grand Prix Final with an upkick stoppage of Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza. "Dream Catcher" later went on to stop Renato "Babalu" Sobral to capture the Strikeforce light heavyweight crown and then tooled Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou via second round technical knockout three months later in a non-title bout. Mousasi most recently overwhelmed an under matched Gary Goodridge at K-1 Dynamite!!: "Power of Courage" on New Year's Eve 2009. Lawal, meanwhile, is coming off perhaps the most impressive performance of his young (albeit promising) career with a first round drubbing of the very experienced and capable Mike Whitehead at Strikeforce: "Evolution" in Dec. 2009. "King" -- a decorated Olympic-caliber wrestler -- transitioned to mixed martial arts in 2008, getting thrown to the wolves in his first match against the dangerous Travis Wiuff at Sengoku: "Fifth Battle." He shocked just about everyone watching with a technical knockout finish. And he hasn't looked back since. Strikeforce's encore show on CBS is expected to feature a middleweight championship fight between reigning division kingpin, Jake Shields, and former dual Pride FC champion, Dan Henderson. Stay tuned to MMAmania.com for more updates to the upcoming Strikeforce/CBS card as they become available. |
| Alistair Overeem planning for May 15 Strikeforce return against Brett Rogers Posted: 01 Mar 2010 04:40 PM PST
It only took two and a half years, but it looks as if Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion Alistair Overeem may finally be coming back to the San Jose-based fight promotion. "Demolition Man" tweeted that he's "probably" going to fight longtime nemesis Brett Rogers at the Showtime event planned for May 15 in St. Louis. Overeem (32-11) was expected to return in 2009 until he suffered a hand injury from beating up rent-a-cops in Holland, effectively keeping himself from two of last year's summer events. During his absence, Rogers (10-1) floored one Russian and got knocked out by another. But that didn't keep him from calling out Overeem for his extended absence. While the pillar of Golden Glory racked up a 7-0-1 MMA record against lesser competition overseas, "The Grim" felt like his new and improved physique was to blame for his failure to appear stateside.
Of course Overeem wasn't going to just sit idly by while the former tire mechanic dragged his name through mud.
It's going to be interesting to see what happens when these two mammoth strikers collide if they do in fact become official for the May 15 Showtime event, which is also expected to feature a heavyweight battle between Andrei Arlovski and Antonio Silva. Stay tuned. |
| Posted: 01 Mar 2010 04:15 PM PST
He's baaaaack... Former UFC Heavyweight Champion Andrei Arlovski will return to the sport of mixed martial arts after finalizing a 16-month, multi-fight contract with the San Jose-based Strikeforce promotion. "The Pitbull" confirmed the signing via his official website earlier today. Arlovski is no stranger to Strikeforce audiences. He accepted a short-notice bout against heavyweight wrecking ball Brett Rogers at the "Lawler vs. Shields" event last June in an appearance sponsored by Affliction. It didn’t last very long. Despite entering the cage as a heavy favorite -- Arlovski was dropped just 22 seconds into the fight by an aggressive and hard-hitting Rogers, handing the Belarusian his second straight defeat via first round knockout. Prior to stepping inside the cage with "The Grim," Arlovski came up short against WAMMA champion Fedor Emelianenko in their world title fight back on Jan. 24, 2009. Following the loss to Rogers, Affliction opted not to renew Arlovski's contract, allowing the talented striker to seek alternate endeavors both in and out of MMA. He finally had the chance to pursue his professional boxing career on the undercard of the Victor Ortiz vs. Marcos Maidana fight on HBO at The Staples Center in Los Angeles, Calif., back on June 27. Unfortunately the appearance was put on pause when Arlovski was hit with a medical suspension after the loss to Rogers, which meant that he wouldn't be ready in time for fight night. After a fair amount of time on the sidelines, "The Pitbull" got a taste of the sweet science last Saturday night (Feb. 27), mixing it up with former heavyweight contender Fres Oquendo in Miami for “The Consequences Charity” in a four round exhibition boxing match. Now he's recommitted himself to the sport that made him famous. And Sherdog.com reports that he could make his return against Antonio "Junior" Silva as early as May 15 in St. Louis; however, nothing is official at this time. Regardless of who he faces, it's going to bolster a very talented roster of 265-pound fighters. And it may lessen the blow of Fedor Emelianenko jumping ship if the reports of him seeking employment elsewhere turn out to be true. Does the talented but hot-and-cold Arlovski still have the goods to be a force in the Strikeforce heavyweight division? Only time will tell. |
| Calling all aspiring fighters! Bellator open tryouts set for March 6 in Lenexa, KS Posted: 01 Mar 2010 04:15 PM PST
Courtesy of a press release from Bellator Fighting Championships KANSAS CITY (March 1, 2010) - Bellator Fighting Championships, Everlast and The Kansas City Power & Light District announced today that they are sponsoring an open tryout that will provide a once-in-a-lifetime chance for undiscovered fighters to earn a spot in one of the promotion's upcoming nationally televised Season 2 events. The winner will participate in a featured fight during Bellator's April 29th event at the Power & Light District, a state-of-the-art, open-air, mixed-use entertainment venue at the center of downtown Kansas City owned and operated by The Cordish Company. The event, like all of Bellator's Season 2 and 3 events, will be broadcast live on FOX Sports Net and during special highlight shows on NBC and Telemundo. The tryouts-which are presented in partnership with Everlast-will take place on Saturday, March 6th at Ringside, Inc.'s John Brown Training Center in Lenexa, Kansas. Members of the media are cordially invited to attend. Fighter registration begins at 12 noon with tryouts starting at 1 p.m. "In the spirit of Rocky Balboa, this tryout will give an undiscovered up-and-coming fighter the chance of a lifetime to be highlighted on a national stage," said Bellator founder and CEO Bjorn Rebney. "We look forward to seeing a solid pool of fighters who are looking for their shot to compete at a world-class level." Professional Mixed Martial Arts fighters with valid Federal ID cards are encouraged to sign up. The open tryouts will be held in a cage and will include grappling and bag-striking. Competitors will be judged by Bellator Fighting Championships executives and officials. To participate, fighters must provide proof of at least two professional fights. Participants are expected to bring their Federal I.D. and their own protective gear. The April 29th event is one of four that Bellator will be staging at the highly popular Kansas City Power & Light District. The Power & Light District encompasses multiple square blocks in the heart of Kansas City's downtown area and features an exciting blend of restaurants, nightlife, and shopping, welcoming in excess of 6 million visitors annually. "This tryout is the kickoff event for a spring and summer of excitement the likes of which Kansas City hasn't seen before," said Nick Benjamin, executive director of the Power & Light District. "It's a great opportunity for a local talent to make his name in front of thousands of his fellow Kansas Citians in Kansas City Live!1-and the millions who'll be watching on national TV-during the first main event on April 29." Tickets for the event go on sale March 6 at Tickemaster.com and at the Midland Theater box office downtown. Tickets will also be available at the tryout event and in select Power & Light District venues. Check out www.powerandlightdistrict.com for more information on ticket availability. Dates for the Kansas City Power & Light District events are as follows: --April 29, 2010 - Bellator XVI For more information, visit www.bellator.com. |
| UFC 114: Michael Bisping in talks to face Dan Miller on May 29 in Las Vegas Posted: 01 Mar 2010 04:02 PM PST
MMAmania.com learned of the pending match-up earlier today. Bisping was in cruise control for the better part of his UFC career -- until running into a devastating right hand from now-exiled Dan Henderson at last year's UFC 100 event. Though he quickly rebounded with a stoppage over Denis Kang at UFC 105 in Manchester, the Brit came up short against another PRIDE legend when Wanderlei Silva sent him to a unanimous decision loss at UFC 110 just last month. While losses to "Hendo" and "The Axe Murderer" are forgivable, he's going to need to make a statement against the venerable Miller if he expects to stay relevant in a very crowded middleweight division. Like Bisping, things haven't exactly gone Miller's way over the last couple of fights. He burst onto the scene at UFC Fight Night 15 back in September 2008, strangling Rob Kimmons en route to a submission (rear naked choke) win in his Octagon debut. Miller went on to make it 3-0 under the Zuffa banner and had people talking about his candidacy as a 185-pound title contender until Chael Sonnen played spoiler at UFC 98, outworking him and giving the New Jersey native just his second career defeat. He tried to right the ship at UFC 109 by staying out of the submissions of Demian Maia; however the grappling guru surprised Miller (and most of the viewing audience) by instead using an improved striking attack to take home the judges decision. While Bisping's International appeal may spare him the pink slip with another loss, the same can't be said for Miller, who will have dropped three straight if he fails to get past "The Count." UFC 114 will likely 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 light heavyweights Forrest Griffin and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira. Stay tuned to MMAmania.com for more news on UFC 114 as it becomes available. |
| TUF 11: Meet the cast of 'Team Liddell vs Team Ortiz' (Video) Posted: 01 Mar 2010 02:35 PM PST For a complete list and background of the participating fighters click here. |
| Reminder: WEC 47 Q&A featuring Urijah Faber and Donald Cerrone set for March 5 weigh in event Posted: 01 Mar 2010 02:35 PM PST
For the complete WEC 47: "Bowles vs. Cruz" fight card click here. |
| Posted: 01 Mar 2010 02:01 PM PST
28 Middleweights To Vie For A Six-Figure Contract With The UFC. Premieres Wednesday, March 31 at 10:00 PM ET/PT on Spike TV New York , NY , March 1, 2010 - The 11th season of Spike TV's most popular original series ever, "The Ultimate Fighter," for the first time will feature 28 of the best up and coming mixed martial artists in the world competing for 14 spots in "The Ultimate Fighter" house. The series boasts a new format, which will be introduced to viewers in the show's premiere episode. The smash hit will also feature two coaches who need no introduction to mixed martial arts fans, UFC legends Chuck "The Iceman" Liddell and Tito "The Huntington Beach Badboy." The new season premieres Wednesday, March 31, 2010 at 10:00 PM ET/PT featuring the following cast members: RICH ATTONITO Fighting out of: Deerfield Beach , FL / American Top Team Record: 7-3 Age: 32 A 2001 graduate of Hofstra University in Long Island , Rich Attonito wrestled several different weight classes as a member of the Pride wrestling team including the 167lb. and 197lb. divisions. Attonito has been training with American Top Team since he moved to Florida in 2006. He is the strength and conditioning coach for UFC veteran Luigi Fioravanti.
SETH BACZYNSKI Fighting out of: Canyon, AZ / Apex MMA Record: 11-5 Age: 28 Training partner to TUF alums Santino DeFranco (season 9) and Efrain Escudero (season 8) at Apex MMA in Arizona , Seth Baczynski is a full-time water inspector at Liberty Water.
CHARLES BLANCHARD Fighting out of: Coconut Creek , FL / American Top Team Record: 7-2 Age: 24 A 2-time All State wrester in high school, this single father is a jiu-jitsu brown belt and a published poet.
JOSH BRYANT Fighting out of: Tulsa , OK / Absolute Combat Alliance Record: 10-0 Age: 29 A member of the Absolute Combat Alliance camp in Tulsa , OK , Josh Bryant sports a perfect 10-0 professional mixed martial arts record. When not training, Bryant works as a manager for Mazzio's Italian Eatery in Oklahoma .
CHRIS CAMOZZI Fighting out of: Denver , CO / Gumm MMA Record: 11-3 Age: 22 Camozzi is a freestyle fighter from Denver that works as a bouncer in his spare time. Two of his three losses are to TUF alums Jesse Forbes (season 3) and Jesse Taylor (season 7).
BRENT COOPER Fighting out of: Long Beach , CA / Team Oyama Record: 5-1 Age: 31 Of Sioux Indian descent, Cooper is a pipeliner by day for Shell Oil, and a devastating striker by night, with four of his five wins coming via TKO.
JACEN FLYNN Fighting out of: Meridian , ID / No camp Record: 8-2 Age: 31 Jacen Flynn possesses an 8-2 mixed martial arts record that includes wins over Dennis Kang and Dean Lister. Away from the OctagonTM, he is a social worker.
JAMES HAMMORTREE Fighting out of: Ocala , FL / USA Martial Arts Record: 4-0 Age: 23 Following one season at Weber International, where he starred on the football team as a linebacker and on special teams, Hammortree left the program in order to become a full-time firefighter in Ocala , FL. The former high school wrestler owns a 4-0 professional record with all four of those bouts taking place in 2009.
JOSEPH HENLE Fighting out of: Thousand Oaks , CA / Big John McCarthy's MMA Record: 3-0 Age: 26 Joseph Henle splits time training at Big John McCarthy's MMA and working as a substitute teacher and wrestling coach in Thousand Oaks , CA. Henle earned his MBA in Financial Planning from California Lutheran University in '06. He speaks fluent Japanese.
CHARLEY LYNCH Fighting out of: Mound, MN / Northway MMA Record: 6-0 Age: 25 The self-proclaimed baddest man in Minnesota , Charley Lynch owns a 6-0 professional record with zero of his bouts going to decision.
KRIS MCCRAY Fighting out of: Dumfries , VA / Chute Boxe Record: 5-0 Age: 28 Son of a military father, Kris McCray was raised in Germany , where he excelled on the soccer pitch and garnered All-Europe honors in high school. In 1999, McCray moved permanently to the United States , where he has served parts of 8 years (6 active, 2 inactive) as a member of the US Army Reserve, while also finding time to earn his Associates Degree in Social Studies from Northern Virginia Community College . COURT MCGEE Fighting out of: Orem , UT / Throwdown Elite Fight Team Record: 9-1 Age: 24 A Brazilian jiu-jitsu artist out of Orem , UT , Court McGee beat "The Ultimate Fighter: United States vs. United Kingdom " runner-up DaMarques Johnson in 2007 by submission CLAYTON MCKINNEY Fighting out of: Orlando , FL / Jungle MMA Record: 4-2 Age: 27 A teammate of TUF (season 8) alum Tom Lawlor at Jungle MMA, Clayton McKinney is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu blackbelt that supplements his training by working security at a local bar in Orlando . KYLE NOKE Fighting out of: Albuquerque , NM / Jackson 's MMA Record: 16-4-1 Age: 29 Kyle Noke, from Mooloolaba , Australia , is the former bodyguard of "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin. Currently training with Jackson 's MMA in New Mexico , Noke defeated TUF (season 6) alum George Sotiropoulos in June 2005 and current castmate Kyacey Uscola this past September.
VICTOR O'DONNELL Fighting out of: Milford , OH / Vision MMA Record: 8-1 Age: 27 Hailing from Milford , OH , O'Donnell suffered his first professional loss this past September against cast mate Costantinos Philippou. Before that, he had won eight contests, seven of which by submission.
NORMAN PARAISY Fighting out of: Coconut Creek , FL / American Top Team Record: 5-1 Age: 23 Norman Paraisy was born and raised Paris , France . The 5-1 Brazilian jiu-jitsu artist left France in order to pursue MMA in the states and is now a member of the American Top Team.
COSTANTINOS PHILIPPOU Fighting out of: Merrick , NY / Serra-Longo Record: 5-1 Age: 30 Costantinos Philippou is a former boxer with 3 professional and over 80 amateur fights on his record. The 30-year-old server from Merrick , NY was born and raised in Greece . He currently trains out of the Serra-Longo camp.
GREG REBELLO Fighting out of: Buzzards Bay , MA / Sityodtong USA Record: 9-2 Age: 27 Greg Rebello trains full-time at Sityodtong USA in Massachusetts under the watchful eye of Mark DellaGrotte. Currently in peak physical condition, Rebello at one time weighed in over 300lbs before dedicating himself to fitness at the age of 18. NICK RING Fighting out of: Calgary , Canada / B.D.P. Martial Arts Record: 10-0 Age: 30 Nick Ring returned to MMA in May 2009 following a three year stint away from the sport after suffering a devastating knee injury. In that time, Ring boxed professionally to the tune of a 4-1 record with 3 knockouts. JORDAN SMITH Fighting out of: Clearfield , UT / Throwdown Elite Fight Team Record: 10-0 Age: 24 A 7th grade teacher by day, Jordan Smith is a former professional boxer that trains with fellow cast member Court McGee at Throwdown Elite Fight Team. BEN STARK Fighting out of: Tamarac , FL / American Top Team Record: 3-1 Age: 27 Born and raised a practitioner of the Orthodox Jewish religion until the age of 6, Ben Stark began training with American Top Team in Florida as a sophomore in college. When not at the gym, Stark picks up shifts at "The Original Fat Cats," and also finds time to breed snakes. LYLE STEFFENS Fighting out of: Tucson , AZ / Apex MMA Record: 5-2 Age: 26 Lyle Steffens is a firefighter and an EMT in Tucson , AZ. He trains with fellow cast member Seth Baczynski at Apex MMA. BRAD TAVARES Fighting out of: Las Vegas , NV / TapouT Record: 4-0 Age: 21 At 21, Brad Tavares is the youngest of this season's cast members. Originally from Hilo , HI , Tavares recently relocated to Las Vegas and trains full-time with TapouT WARREN THOMPSON Fighting out of: Marietta , GA / Team Khunpon / Roberto Traven BJJ Record: 5-0 Age: 23 Warren Thompson, aka "The Kool-Aid Man," is a muay-thai fighter from Marietta , GA. The volunteer firefighter splits his training in Atlanta between Team Khunpon and Roberto Traven BJJ KYACEY USCOLA Fighting out of: Sacramento , CA / Team Alpha Male Record: 18-15 Age: 28 Kyacey Uscola joins the cast with 33 professional MMA fights on his record. He trains with Team Alpha Male and Urijah Faber out of Sacramento . CLEBURN WALKER Fighting out of: Keller , TX / Team Lutter Record: 9-3 Age: 26 Born and raised in Texas , Cleburn Walker is a full-time fighter and instructor at Team Lutter. He suffered a recent loss via submission to TUF (season 3) alum Jesse Forbes this past June. WOODY WEATHERBY Fighting out of: Hudson , NH / Renzo Gracie / Mickey Wards Boxing Gym & Xtreme MMA Record: 7-3 Age: 27 The former US Navy officer currently works full-time as a corrections officer for the Hillsborough County jail in Manchester , NH . Weatherby rotates his training between 2 gyms: Renzo Gracie Academy in Derry , NH , and Mickey Wards Boxing Gym & Xtreme MMA. JAMIE YAGER Fighting out of: Los Angeles , CA / Kings MMA Record: 2-1 Age: 25 A standout varsity letterman in baseball and football, Yager was the 2001 Athlete of the Year at South Pasadena High School in California . He picked up training MMA as a hobby, and went straight from training to the professional ranks in February 2008 as part of BET's Iron Ring, where he defeated his opponent by TKO. During the six-week taping of "The Ultimate Fighter: Team Liddell vs. Team Ortiz," the competitors endured a grueling regimen of jiu-jitsu, judo, Muay Thai, karate, boxing and wrestling. The intense competition among the fighters continues after they leave the gym - at the Ultimate Fighter House. These warriors must live together, knowing that any day they might be forced to fight each other in the famed UFC OctagonTM. The two finalists will square off in a live finale on Spike TV, where the winner will be declared "The Ultimate Fighter" and net the six-figure contract and a cash prize. UFC President Dana White will once again serve as host of the series. After each show, Spike.com users will get exclusive extended footage from each episode and an exclusive video leak of the upcoming episode. |
| UFC 110 sets merchandise sales record with $540,000 sold at Acer Arena in Sydney Posted: 01 Mar 2010 01:17 PM PST
Looks like Dana White and the UFC will most assuredly be making an annual trip "down under" now. After selling out Acer Arena to a tune of 17,000 plus spectators in a matter of hours, the UFC has hit another home run in Australia with their merchandise sales during the event. According to the Sports Business Journal, fans in attendance for UFC 110 spent a whopping $540,000 on UFC merchandise.
Easy math will tell you that between ticket and merchandise sales, the UFC brought in over three million dollars in their initial foray down under. Easy math will also tell you that this type of performance by the Australian fans and the UFC will be impossible to ignore by other countries, and states for that matter, that the UFC is currently looking at in their global expansion efforts. What also has to be considered in this issue is the amount of dollars the UFC and it's fans brought to the city of Sydney. With hotels, restaurants, tourism, etc., one can only imagine the type of financial impact 20,000 MMA fans had that weekend. Is part of this event's success due to the fact that it was the first time the UFC had ever held an event in Australia? Sure. But that point can also be used to prove how successful and powerful the UFC brand truly is. For never having been formally introduced to the great spectacle that is a live UFC event, UFC 110 showed just how very passionate and loyal fans of the UFC can be. |
| Cain Velasquez: I'm ready for a shot at Brock Lesnar Posted: 01 Mar 2010 12:31 PM PST
Props: MMA Fighting Quoteworthy:
AKA product and fast-rising UFC heavyweight star Cain Velasquez shares his thoughts on a potential match up with the division's champ, Brock Lesnar. Prior to his career-catapulting performance on Feb. 21, UFC President Dana White announced that the winner of the night's main event between Velasquez and Minotauro Nogueira would get the title shot against Lesnar should the winner of the Frank Mir vs. Shane Carwin bout at UFC 111 have to be shelved after the fight due to injuries. So, despite the relative lack of experience in his young, though undeniably promising career, Cain may just get his wish sometime this year. Is the undefeated heavyweight ready to challenge for the crown, or is he still a couple fights away from deserving a shot? |
| Strikeforce Challengers 6 highlights and video recap for 'Kaufman vs Hashi' Posted: 01 Mar 2010 12:28 PM PST |
| Jon Fitch: 'Thiago Alves is a fight I need to prove I deserve a rematch against GSP' Posted: 01 Mar 2010 10:07 AM PST
Props: ProFightingFans.com Quoteworthy:
Former welterweight number one contender, Jon Fitch, makes the case for another crack at division champion Georges St. Pierre if he turns in a convincing winning performance against Thiago Alves at UFC 111 on March 27. Fitch -- who stopped a much younger (and smaller) "Pitbull" back in 2006 via technical knockout -- lost a punishing five-round unanimous decision to "Rush" at UFC 87: "Seek and Destroy" in 2008. He's since reeled off three consecutive wins. And he's won 19 of his last 20 -- St. Pierre is the lone blemish during that span. So does another stoppage of Alves earn Fitch another title shot or is the winner of 170-pound scrap between Josh Koscheck and Paul Daley at UFC 113 more deserving? |
| Posted: 01 Mar 2010 09:28 AM PST
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| Jamie Varner: 'I really feel like I'm the best lightweight in the WEC' Posted: 01 Mar 2010 08:31 AM PST
Props: MMAWeekly Quoteworthy:
Former WEC Lightweight Champion Jamie Varner (16-3) still feels like he is the best lightweight in the WEC despite a submission loss to Ben Henderson at WEC 46 back in January to cough up the title. "C-4" was trying to explode on the up-and-comer but had no answer for the "Smooth" strategy and left his neck out for a quick tap out. Is Varner the promotion's best 155-pounder who just happened to make a mistake? Or is "The Worm" getting buried under a new generation of up-and-coming lightweights? |
| Want to sit next to Miguel Cotto at WEC 47? Ecko Unlimited tells you how ... Posted: 01 Mar 2010 08:07 AM PST
Former WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto will be in the house this Saturday night (March 6) to support his friend and training partner Miguel Torres as he tries to work his way back up the 135-pound ladder against Joseph Benavidez at WEC 47: "Bowles vs. Cruz" in Columbus, Ohio. Now you have a chance to join the festivities as Ecko Unlimited will be handing over two tickets to this weekend's Mixed Martial Arts extravaganza through a promotion currently running via Twitter. To enter, all you have to do is give an explanation of why YOU should be chosen to win by hitting up the good folks over at EckoMMA. In addition, you must set your Twitter account to "follow" the four contest judges (Eric Samson, Miguel Cotto, Miguel Torres, Kurt Pellegrino) prior to your submission.
Ecko Unlimited will also be handing out some great runner-up prizes so make sure you head over there and throw your name in the hat. Airfare and hotel accommodations are not included. Good luck! |
| UFC 112: Kendall Grove ready to 'make history' against Mark Munoz Posted: 01 Mar 2010 07:39 AM PST
Props: FightHype Quoteworthy:
UFC middleweight standout Kendall Grove prepares for his showdown in Abu Dhabi with Mark Munoz when the Octagon gets a new home outdoors in the United Arab Emirates at UFC 112 on April 10. "Da Spyder" has nothing but respect for the former NCAA national wrestling champion but having won three out of his last four, could potentially use Munoz as a springboard for bigger opportunities in their division. Will the 6'6" Hawaiian be able to stop the relentless assault of "The Philippine Wrecking Machine?" |
| WEC Bantamweight Champion Brian Bowles featured on tonight's edition of Pro MMA Radio Posted: 01 Mar 2010 06:57 AM PST
With less than one week to go before WEC 47 storms the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, WEC Bantamweight Champion Brian Bowles will appear as tonight's featured guest on MMAmania.com's exclusive presentation of Pro MMA Radio. Bowles, who ended Miguel Torres five year unbeaten streak, will talk about his first-ever title defense when he takes on the dangerous Dominick Cruz this Saturday, March 6. Hosted by Larry Pepe, Pro MMA Radio is professional, guest-driven program that features some of mixed martial arts biggest names. If you’re looking for a radio show that revolves around a couple of MMA fans ranting and raving about everything that’s already been covered ad nauseam, then Pro MMA Radio probably isn’t for you. However, if you want to hear from actual fighters and industry insiders answering questions that are relevant to the current MMA scene, tune in every Monday night at 9 p.m. ET for our exclusive live feed. See you tonight at 9 p.m. ET! |
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