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

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• Zuffa partners with Japanese network TV to air "UFC Fight Night: Florian vs. Gomi"
• UFC 'Countdown' to dos Santos vs Gonzaga video
• Rachelle Leah: Playboy model to resume ring girl duties for UFC 111
• Shane Carwin gets a new tattoo just in time for UFC 111 (Pic)
• Programming reminder: UFC Primetime 'St. Pierre vs Hardy' tonight (March 10) on Spike TV
• Hidehiko Yoshida retirement fight to be webcast globally
• Antwain Britt: A win over 'Feijao' makes me a top contender for the title
• UFC Primetime video preview for 'St. Pierre vs Hardy' on Spike TV
• WEC GM Reed Harris on the Arnold Sports Festival: 'If there's a spot next year, I want to come back'
• The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 12 open casting call from Spike TV and UFC in Charlotte, NC on April 1
• Stephan Bonnar loses UFC 110 appeal to overturn TKO stoppage
• UFC Quick Quote: 'Every welterweight on the planet is the underdog against GSP'
• UFC on Versus weigh in results, information and details from Broomfield, CO, on March 20
• Nick Diaz vs Cung Le and more from latest batch of 'EA Sports MMA' in-game screens (Pic)
• Dan Hardy UFC 111 video blog (Day 2)
• James Toney is a 'lose-lose' fight for Randy Couture

Zuffa partners with Japanese network TV to air "UFC Fight Night: Florian vs. Gomi" Posted: 10 Mar 2010 08:42 PM PST (Photo courtesy of Sports Navi) UFC held a press conference in Tokyo on Wednesday, March 10 to announce the broadcast of the upcoming "UFC Fight Night: Florian vs. Gomi" on Japanese network TV. "UFC Fight Night: Florian vs. Gomi," scheduled for March 31 at Bojangles Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina, will air on tape delay in Japan on April 8th during the one-hour prime time slot from 22:00 to 22:54 JST. The fight card features the debut of former Pride FC Lightweight champion, Takanori Gomi; also slated for appearance are prominent Japanese fighters, Caol Uno and Yushin Okami. UFC events currently air on Pay-Per-View on the satellite broadcasting and pay TV station, WOWOW, in Japan. At the presser, Zuffa counsel, Jaime Pollack, announced the partnership with TV Tokyo, the smallest of the free-to-air broadcast networks. Zuffa's initial foray into Japanese broadcast network took place in 2005 during Pride FC's heyday; the collaboration with TV Tokyo was short-lived and fruitless. Five years later, Zuffa renews the pursuit of the once-impervious Japanese market as its oversea expansion kicks into high gear. Pollack told the press that Japan is the most highly coveted market in Asia in light of Zuffa's plan to increase the brand recognition in the region. With "big names" like Gomi, Uno, and Okami, Zuffa hopes to make the upcoming fight card in North Carolina a catalyst for popularizing the UFC brand in Japan. The TV Tokyo sports executive in attendance announced an ambitious (read: unrealistic) goal  for the station to attain a double-digit rating. To put the number in perspective, DREAM, Japan's premier MMA organization, recorded 16.2% average during prime time on TBS (Tokyo Broadcasting System) for the very successful DREAM 9; other DREAM events during the primetime slot have recorded around 10% average. Zuffa's partnership with TV Tokyo is a great news for MMA enthusiasts in Japan; however, given the scarce following UFC has in Japan,capturing new fans, particularly among the large legion of casual fans, remains a daunting task.

UFC 'Countdown' to dos Santos vs Gonzaga video Posted: 10 Mar 2010 07:22 PM PST

Rachelle Leah: Playboy model to resume ring girl duties for UFC 111 Posted: 10 Mar 2010 06:49 PM PST Props: UFC.com Quoteworthy: "The hottest ticket in New Jersey just got hotter, as it has been announced that Playboy cover model and UFC All-Access host Rachelle Leah will be returning to her old gig as Octagon Girl for one night only on Saturday, March 27th at UFC 111 in Newark, New Jersey’s Prudential Center." Mmmmmmmmmmmm .... Oh, and "St. Pierre vs. Hardy" has officially sold out. Coincidence? Nah ...

Shane Carwin gets a new tattoo just in time for UFC 111 (Pic) Posted: 10 Mar 2010 06:48 PM PST Shane Carwin gets a new tattoo just in time for UFC 111 (Pic)

Programming reminder: UFC Primetime 'St. Pierre vs Hardy' tonight (March 10) on Spike TV Posted: 10 Mar 2010 05:41 PM PST The UFC has resurrected "Primetime," a three-part series featuring an in-depth look at the upcoming UFC 111 welterweight title fight between current champion Georges St. Pierre (19-2) and number one contender Dan Hardy (23-6). The debut episode will air TONIGHT (March 10) at 10:00 pm ET on Spike TV and episodes two and three will air on March 17 and 24, respectively. St. Pierre is no stranger to the UFC Primetime series. "Rush" was featured during the show's initial run when it was constructed around the colossal UFC 94 welterweight title fight between himself and former welterweight and current lightweight champion BJ Penn back on January 14, 2009. The Spike TV special garnered 880,000 viewers (.73 rating) in its debut and added another hefty 614,000 viewers (.53 rating) in the replay that immediately followed for a viewing total of 1,494,000. In comparison, last year's highest rated episode of UFC Countdown scored 782,000 viewers. It's no surprise the network opted to bring the series back to the airwaves -- although it's a bit surprising it wasn't done a little sooner. MMA pundits expected a "Primetime" look at Brock Lesnar vs. Frank Mir for UFC 100; however, it never came to fruition. UFC 111 will be the first appearance for St. Pierre in the "Garden State" since his submission loss to Matt Hughes at UFC 50: "War of '04." Since that loss, "Rush" has gone 12-1, and a 2007 stoppage to Matt Serra notwithstanding, has looked nearly invincible in all 13 of his contests. Aside from avenging his defeat to Hughes at UFC 79 (and then finishing his title aspirations for good at UFC 83), the uber-welterweight also put his stamp of disapproval on BJ Penn (twice), Jon Fitch and Thiago Alves. In fact, Dan Hardy was likely afforded a title shot because there aren't many competitors in the 170-pound division that haven't already got a crack at the surging Canadian -- and came up short. That's not to suggest "The Outlaw" isn't deserving. After squeaking past Akihiro Gono in his Octagon debut back at UFC 89, the Nottingham native rattled off three more wins, including two over a pair of the division's burgeoning prospects, Marcus Davis and Mike Swick. Ironically, Swick was one win away from his turn at facing St. Pierre in a number one contender match against Martin Kampann at UFC 103 back in September; however, the Texan suffered a "Quick" exit from the event after getting dropped on his head during practice. After "The Hitman" was shot down by Swick substitute Paul "Semtex" Daley on Sept. 19, Hardy was yanked from his UFC 105 bout opposite "Stun Gun" Kim and given the opportunity to elevate himself into title contention with a big win over one of the original Ultimate Fighter stars. Mission accomplished. For more on UFC 111 click here.

Hidehiko Yoshida retirement fight to be webcast globally Posted: 10 Mar 2010 04:44 PM PST MMA fans the world over who are dying to catch the last of Hidehiko Yoshida live, take notice. J-Rock, the sports and entertainment management company that will host Yoshida's upcoming retirement event, Astra, has joined forces with Tele Planning International to bring the event to MMA fans around the world through a new premium internet TV service. Tele Planning International, an international advertising and sports marketing firm based in Japan, will tap Cavea, the "new virtual event arena on the internet," that will be launched on April 1st. The premium internet TV will broadcast Astra live from Nippon Budokan on April 25th. J-Rock and Tele Planning are currently in the process of ironing out the details of the event production and live webcast; stay tuned to MMAmania for updates on this momentous collaboration as they become available. The former judo Olympian and Japanese MMA icon, Hidehiko Yoshida, will grace the ring for his final bout at Astra. According to J-Rock, the list of his potential opponent has been whittled down to three - two foreign fighters and one Japanese fighter - and the bout confirmation is forthcoming. Also featured on the card is the welterweight match between the current DEEP champion, Yuya Shirai and Che Mills, the two-time vanquisher of DREAM welterweight champion, Marius Zaromskis. The fast-rising Michihiro Omigawa will take on the American Top Team prospect, Micah Miller. Along with Omigawa, fellow Yoshida dojo members, Makoto Takimoto and Kazuhiro Nakamura, are also scheduled to fight on the card; rumors suggest that Nakamura may face the fellow Pride and UFC veteran, Denis Kang.

Antwain Britt: A win over 'Feijao' makes me a top contender for the title Posted: 10 Mar 2010 03:41 PM PST The up-and-coming light heavyweight tells MMA Fighting they could square off on Showtime in May ... "I think it's a good match-up for me. He's a big, strong guy. Of course, the fight camp he has over there, he trains with a lot of good guys, so I think he brings a lot to the table. You got a puncher's chance in this game. You know, him getting knocked out by Mike Kyle, it showed some of his weaknesses, but in the big scheme of things, anybody can get caught on any given day. So any time I train, I train for the most dangerous guy in the world, and I'm really training hard for this fight. I'm in the gym every day training for the most dangerous people. I definitely see myself, with a win over 'Feijao,' as the top contender for the title." Antwain Britt looks to vault himself into Strikeforce's 205-pound title chase by defeating the exceptionally talented Rafael Cavalcante, who despite an upset loss to Mike Pyle last June, has been electric since his 2006 professional debut at Pantanal Combat. Can "The Juggernaut" smash his way into bigger and better things at the expense of the Brazilian? Or will "Feijao" send him tumbling down the light heavyweight ladder?

UFC Primetime video preview for 'St. Pierre vs Hardy' on Spike TV Posted: 10 Mar 2010 12:58 PM PST From the champ: Hear from "The Outlaw" after the jump.

WEC GM Reed Harris on the Arnold Sports Festival: 'If there's a spot next year, I want to come back' Posted: 10 Mar 2010 12:53 PM PST Props: Pro MMA Radio Quoteworthy: "It's gonna be a matter of schedules. I think we would both [WEC and UFC] like to come back next year. I've already told the guys upstairs that I want to come back. If there's a spot next year, I want to come back. The UFC couldn't come this year because of their international travel. I'm gonna block this date out for the WEC next year. Columbus is a great place. The media here was great. We were on all the TV networks and radio stations, and the folks at the Arnold Classic helped us out a lot." WEC General Manager Reed Harris was a guest on MMAmania.com's exclusive presentation of Pro MMA Radio this week, and to the delight of Ohioans everywhere, he stated that he intends on bringing the mixed martial arts promotion back next year. That is of course if there's a spot. The UFC had occupied the Arnold Classic Weekend in terms of MMA events for the previous three years, but backed out of that spot this year presumably due to their hectic spring schedule. So for you Maniacs in the Great Lakes region, you can rejoice in the fact that barring any unforeseen circumstances, a Zuffa product will indeed be rolling through your territory for years to come.

The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 12 open casting call from Spike TV and UFC in Charlotte, NC on April 1 Posted: 10 Mar 2010 10:15 AM PST Calling all TUF guys: Spike TV and UFC recently announced an open casting call for the next installment of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) franchise at the The Omni Charlotte Hotel in Charlotte, NC, on Thursday, April 1. The tryouts will coincide with the UFC Fight Night 21 event held on Wednesday (March 31). Lightweight (155 pounds) and light heavyweight (205 pounds) hopefuls should arrive at the location between 8 and 9 a.m. ET. Registration will take place as soon as the doors open and tryouts are set to begin at 10 a.m. ET. UFC President Dana White is expected to oversee the tryouts with Spike TV’s senior vice president of sports and specials, Brian Diamond. No debut or possible coaching candidates for Season 12 are known at this time. Applicants must be over the age of 21 and have a professional fight record with a minimum of three fights. Dress code would be that of a normal sparring session and candidates are expected to bring the appropriate gear and equipment. To download a copy of the application for TUF 12 click here.

Stephan Bonnar loses UFC 110 appeal to overturn TKO stoppage Posted: 10 Mar 2010 10:04 AM PST UFC light heavyweight Stephan Bonnar lost his appeal to overturn the wrong end of a TKO ruling he suffered at the hands (or head) of Krzysztof Soszynski when the pair threw leather at last month's UFC 110 event from the Acer Arena in Sydney, Australia, according to TSN.ca. "The American Psycho" blames referee John Sharp for missing an inadvertent headbutt that busted him open in the third round of their 205-pound war, causing Bonnar to leak all over himself, Soszynski and the better part of the Octagon floor. He attempted to have the ruling reversed to a technical draw based on the nature of the stoppage, but also still wants to prove to fight fans he would have been victorious "Down Under." That chance may come when the two collide in a rematch penciled in for The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 11 Finale, which is scheduled for June 19 in Las Vegas. "The Polish Experiment" has been gracious throughout the ordeal and like Bonnar, wants his win to come from being the better fighter, which he may get the chance to prove (again) if the June 19 rematch comes to fruition. While UFC President Dana White has already gone on record about keeping Bonnar on the payroll, the once formidable contender still has a lot to lose after dropping three straight bouts. Conversely, Soszynski has won four out of five since his UFC debut in December of 2008 and could continue his rise through the light heavyweight ranks if he can finish what he started back in February. Stay tuned to MMAmania.com for more on this developing bout, as well as additional details on the Ultimate Fighter 11 Finale as they're released.

UFC Quick Quote: 'Every welterweight on the planet is the underdog against GSP' Posted: 10 Mar 2010 08:10 AM PST "Dan's in a great position. All the pressure is on GSP for this fight. I know Dan's a consummate professional and I know from the UK scene he's come up with a great game plan to bring the UFC welterweight title back to England. I will be up late, and cheering Dan on for sure. He knows he's the underdog, but every welterweight on the planet is the underdog against GSP right now. Dan is a very good striker, he has that edge over GSP, but Dan's best weapon is his belief in himself. He won't beat himself before the fight starts. And even if GSP starts taking him down and things don't go to plan, Dan won't crumble psychologically.  He's not going to out-grapple GSP, we all know that. But he's got an advantage on the feet and he's a very hurtful puncher. GSP's real talent is his MMA, mixing it up, going from wrestling to BJJ, to striking and back again as fast as anyone in the sport. GSP isn't afraid to stand with anyone. I don't agree with this theory he won't stand with Dan, but of course it is in his best interest to take this to the ground where he has the advantage." Fellow British MMAer Michael Bisping talks to Fighters Only about his ole chap Dan Hardy's chances against welterweight kingpin Georges St. Pierre at UFC 111 on March 27.  "The Count" concedes the fact that "The Outlaw" will of course be stepping into the Octagon as the underdog, and goes as far as saying any welterweight facing GSP will do so as a dark horse. Is Bisping accurate in the assessment of Hardy's advantage over GSP in the striking game, or is this just another case of a guy overlooking the immense talent of "Rush?" Lets hear some thoughts, Maniacs.

UFC on Versus weigh in results, information and details from Broomfield, CO, on March 20 Posted: 10 Mar 2010 08:02 AM PST The official weigh-in event for UFC on Versus 1: "Vera vs. Jones" is set to take place at the 1STBANK Center in Broomfield, Colorado on Friday, March 20, 2010. It is currently scheduled to air LIVE right here on MMAmania.com, as well as on several other online destinations, via streaming video. The first fighter is expected to tip the scale at 6 p.m. ET. As usual, MMAmania.com will provide the latest coverage of the UFC on Versus weigh-ins, as well as provide a detailed recap of the festivities as soon as they conclude. "Vera vs. Jones" is set to feature a fantastic main event between dynamic light heavyweight strikers Brandon "The Truth" Vera and Jon "Bones" Jones in a 205-pound clash that could be Jones' coming out party -- if he manages to finish the former heavyweight. A win may even have him in the running for the next light heavyweight title shot. Also looking to bully their way into title contention is surging heavyweight prospect Junior "Cigano" dos Santos, as he looks to pass what could be his final test against fellow Brazilian Gabriel "Napao" Gonzaga. Here’s the current UFC on Versus fight card: Main event: 205 lbs.: Jon Jones vs. Brandon Vera Main card (Televised): 265 lbs.: Junior Dos Santos vs. Gabriel Gonzaga 265 lbs.: Cheick Kongo vs. Paul Buentello 185 lbs.: Alessio Sakara vs. James Irvin Under card (May not be broadcast): 155 lbs.: Clay Guida vs. Shanon Gugerty 205 lbs.: Eliot Marshall vs. Vladimir Matyushenko 170 lbs.: John Howard vs. Daniel Roberts 265 lbs.: Chase Gormley vs. Brendan Schaub 170 lbs.: Mike Pierce vs. Julio Paulino 205 lbs.: Eric Schafer vs. Jason Brilz For those fortunate enough to be in "The Centennial State" for the promotion’s trip to Broomfield, remember that the weigh-in is FREE to attend and open to the public. Doors to the weigh-in will open at 3 p.m. local time for the general public. In addition, UFC Fight Club members will be able to attend a special Q&A session with former number one middleweight contender Nate Marquardt prior to that at 2 p.m. local time. Remember that MMAmania.com will provide LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the main card action on fight night (Sunday, March 21), which is slated to air at 9 p.m. ET on the Versus Network. The latest quick updates of the live action will begin to flow earlier than that around 7 p.m. ET with the preliminary bouts. It’s going to be a fun night of fights so don’t miss it. And remember to check us out for all the pre, during and post-fight "UFC on Versus" coverage you can handle.

Nick Diaz vs Cung Le and more from latest batch of 'EA Sports MMA' in-game screens (Pic) Posted: 10 Mar 2010 07:17 AM PST Thanks to Bloody Elbow for the tip. More screens after the jump. Check out the rest of the gallery here.

Dan Hardy UFC 111 video blog (Day 2) Posted: 10 Mar 2010 06:28 AM PST

James Toney is a 'lose-lose' fight for Randy Couture Posted: 10 Mar 2010 05:06 AM PST Props: FightHype Quoteworthy: "Randy Couture, he respects my game like I respect his game. He's the best at what he do in his sport; I'm the best at what I do in my sport. We gonna see who has the better style and everybody know it's James Toney. If he tries to throw blow for blow with me, he definitely gonna get knocked out. That's a given, you know what I'm saying? If he tries to take me to the ground, it ain't going to be easy… He's still gonna get knocked out. Either way, it's a lose-lose situation for him". Randy Couture recently stated he would like to be the first match for UFC newcomer James Toney. And the boxing star seems to indicate that he intends to tangle with “The Natural,” saying he would knockout the former champion. Is Couture's Octagon experience and "dirty boxing" sufficient to handle Toney if and when the pair collide or will it be “Lights Out” for the 40-something mixed martial arts legend?

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