Thursday, April 1, 2010

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

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


UFC Fight Night 21 bonuses and awards for 'Florian vs Gomi' on Spike TV

Posted: 31 Mar 2010 08:07 PM PDT

UFC Fight Night 21: "Florian vs. Gomi" from the Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte, N.C., has officially wrapped, which means that it’s time for those select fighters who went above and beyond in their respective fights to get a little extra grease for their efforts.

To the tune of $30,000 each.

The promotion dished out its standard post-fight monetary bonuses to four fighters on the card. And it should not surprise you which combatants are leaving the "Tar Heel" with a little extra green.

In addition to their base salaries, the UFC awarded lightweight brawlers Ross Pearson and Dennis Siver with "Fight of the Night" for their action-packed, three-round war that set the tone for the televised main card.

Roy "Big Country" Nelson kept the momentum rolling with a huge finish, literally, of the 6'11" Stefan Struve to earn "Knockout of the Night." It wasn't a clean KO, but it was certainly an impressive stoppage -- he was nearly a foot shorter than "Sky Scraper."

And last but not least, Kenny Florian earned "Submission of the Night" for dousing the flames of the "Fireball Kid" Takanori Gomi in the main event of the evening.

Before sinking in the textbook rear naked choke in round three, Florian frustrated and outboxed the former Pride FC champion for the entire fight. When the lightweight fight eventually hit the floor, it was literally over in a matter of seconds.

Utter domination.

Here are the special fight bonuses for UFC Fight Night 21:

Fight of the Night — Ross Pearson vs. Dennis Siver
Submission of the Night — Kenny Florian
Knockout of the Night — Roy Nelson

Again, each fighter received $30,000 extra for their performances in addition to their respective base salaries, which we will pass along as soon as possible.

For complete UFC Fight Night 21 results and blow-by-blow coverage of the main card action click here and here.

The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 11: Episode 1 recap and discussion

Posted: 31 Mar 2010 07:14 PM PDT

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Episode 1 of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) Season 11 "Team Liddell vs. Team Ortiz" gets underway with a new crop of hopefuls wandering wide-eyed and star-struck into the new and improved Zuffa training center. Dana quickly rounds up the contestants and Joe Henle looks like he just climbed down from the cross to see if he can make it as a UFC fighter.

Speaking of Jews resurrecting their careers, "The Hebrew Hammer" Ben Stark gets paired up with Jamie Yager right out of the gate. Obviously someone forgot to rub lambs blood on the Octagon door because the afro of death puts him away in the first frame.

Next up is Jordan Smith, who bills himself as a crazy person trying to act normal. He probably should have tried to act conscious after getting turned inside out by Brad Tavares.

Cleburn Walker is this season's "Dad" while Kris McCray says he makes up for his technical deficiencies with pure savagery. 30 seconds later and Walker is back on diaper detail after McCray taps him out with a nicely executed throw that bungles Poppa's shoulder.

Norman Paraisy doesn't like when people say Frenchmen are soft. Then he goes and quits on the stool after a rough first round against James Hammertree. Open mouth, insert croissant.

Au revoir, Sargeant Doo Doo.

Miller Lite busts out a replay that zips by faster than I can type so here is a list of the next three fighters who make it.

Nick Ring
Kyle Noke
Court McGee

The highlights come out of hyperspeed for Victor O'Donnell and Chris Camozzi and they deliver with a hard-hitting, back-and-forth slugfest. After two rounds it's a draw so they send it to "sudden victory." They keep it going until the final bell and deliver a fight that would shame a lot of recently televised bouts.

Unfortunately someone has to go and it's O'Donnell, but don't be surprised to see him return as an alternate later in the season if he can get his eye injury cleared.

Kyacey Uscola claims he's going to smash his way through the house and starts by turning Brent Cooper into something that resembles Roy Neary's mashed potato rendition of the Devil's Tower.

Okay, back to fast-forward. Getting into the house are:

Joe Henle
Rich Attonito
Josh Bryant
Charles Blanchard

Charley Lynch and Clayton Mckinney, who aren't just friends but also look like the second coming of Skank and Gutterboy,  throw hands but it's Clayton McKinney who looks to be the more refined fighter, especially after he obliterates his opponent's nose for the victory.

But even with a severly broken nose, Lynch never quit. Take notes, Frenchie.

After the opening ceremonies Dana gives his usual pep talk and I actually found myself intrigued by what appears to be a higher level of talent than season's past. Maybe it's going to be the first season to actually live up to the hype?

Welcome to the Ultimate Fighter -- where no door made of balsa wood is safe.

See you next week!

UFC Fight Night 21 results recap and post-event discussion for 'Florian vs Gomi'

Posted: 31 Mar 2010 07:14 PM PDT

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Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) tonight (Wed., March 31) returned to Spike TV with UFC Fight Night 21 at the Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Two-time UFC lightweight contender Kenny "KenFlo" Florian welcomed former Pride FC 160-pound champion and Japanese superstar, "The Fireball Kid" Takanori Gomi, to the eight-walled cage for the first time ever.

It's been a long time coming -- Gomi has been widely regarded as a top lightweight competitor for years fighting overseas. However, sans and epic fight against Nick Diaz in 2007, he was never really able to strut his stuff in front of a major American audience.

Until now.

Unfortunately for him, tonight was not his night. And he couldn't have asked for a more cooperative opponent -- Florian stood in the middle of the cage and invited the legendary power puncher to stand and bang.

But Gomi could never really get close. Florian kept him at bay with a stiff jab the entire fight, snapping Gomi's head back just about every time he tried to close the distance.

Gomi, behind on points and looking for Hail Mary finish in the final frame, drilled Florian with a huge punch that could have been a fight-ender. But Florian quickly responded with a takedown and his trademark (and relentless) ground and pound.

It was literally only a matter of seconds before Gomi spun to avoid the damage and Florian slid in a picture-perfect rear naked choke, spoiling his UFC debut and, in the process, a possible rematch with division champion BJ Penn.

In fact, Florian is already back on track to challenge for a title for a third time if he keeps this up.

In the co main event, portly veteran Roy Nelson took on super-stretched up-and-comer Stefan Struve in a heavyweight battle between two total opposites.

Chalk one up for the fat guy.

Nelson somehow dropped an absolute bomb square on the chin of the "Skyscraper," which sent him crashing to the canvas in the opening seconds of the match. "Big Country" pounced like an overfed feline and put the finishing touches on the 22-year-old Dutch fighter.

And when all was said and done, he posed for his traditional belly rub ... just like that.

Nelson -- winner of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 10 and two straight inside the Octagon -- requested another step up in competition his next time out during his post-fight remarks. He's apparently hungry for a big name.

Feed the man!

Middleweight veterans Jorge Rivera and Nate Quarry collided in a battle between heavy-handed strikers that wasn't supposed to go the distance.

Quarry barely escaped the first round, getting dropped numerous times with vicious blows from "El Conquistador." Quarry was bloody and beaten, but came out for more in the second round.

Bad idea.

Rivera smashed "The Rock" just seconds into the round with a crushing right hook to the ear that set up the eventual finish. Quarry, as usual, demonstrated a ton of heart, but Rivera poured it on early and often.

That's the third consecutive win for Rivera and the fourth in his last five fights. At 38 years young, he's putting together a nice run late in his nine-year career.

It couldn't be happening to a better guy.

The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 9 winner, Ross Pearson, kicked-off the main card action against Dennis Siver, who has quietly won three straight inside the Octagon all via convincing finishes.

The German striker didn't make it four straight tonight, but it certainly wasn't for a lack of effort ... or true grit.

Pearson and Siver stood toe-to-toe for much of the 15-minute lightweight bout, exchanging wicked and creative strikes that would have stopped most mortals.

Not these two.

In the end, Pearson -- who demonstrated great movement, accurate counter strikes and a granite chin -- went on to earn a hard-fought unanimous decision victory. He's come a long way since his stint on TUF 9, proving that he is indeed the "Real Deal."

Great fight.

Let’s hear what you have to say, Maniacs, in the comments section below.

For complete UFC Fight Night 21 results and detailed blow-by-blow commentary of the televised main card fights click here.

UFC Fight Night 21 results, updates and live play-by-play TONIGHT (March 31) for 'Florian vs Gomi'

Posted: 31 Mar 2010 06:33 PM PDT

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Click the banner above or right here for up-to-the-minute results and blow-by-blow coverage of UFC Fight Night 21: "Florian vs. Gomi."

Quick results of the preliminary fights are flowing RIGHT NOW and round-by-round coverage of the main card Spike TV action is set for 8 p.m. ET!

If you’re going to leave comments and discuss the fights with all the other MMAmania.com readers be sure to do it on the main UFC Fight Night 21 results post and not this one. Comments in this thread are turned off.

Enjoy the show, Maniacs!

Report: UFC 115 back on schedule for Vancouver on June 12

Posted: 31 Mar 2010 06:27 PM PDT

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Hope you Maniacs in Canada haven't sold your UFC 115 tickets yet.

After weeks of a back-and-forth struggle between the UFC and Vancouver politicians reluctant to host an MMA event, UFC 115 looks to finally be set for the largest city in Western Canada on June 12.

At least according to Dana White.

The UFC president confirmed the report to The Canadian Press earlier today.

News that UFC 115 was likely to not take place in Vancouver, and instead possibly make its new home in Cincinnati, Ohio broke just two days ago. The issue at hand was a dispute with insurance policies for the event , which would added significant cost concerns for Zuffa.

But it appears those disputes have been settled. At least for the time being.

 

Vancouver City spokesperson Wendy Stewart, while optimistic, told The Canadian Press that it's still not set in stone.

"Negotiations are ongoing and we're very hopeful. They're continuing and we're making progress. At this point discussions are underway."

Besides the question of whether or not UFC 115 will indeed take place in Vancouver, the show's main event looks to still be up in the air as well.

The MMA groundswell has been abuzz with various reports of injuriesrumored fights, and bout cancellations involving believed-to-be main event participants and TUF 11 coaches, Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz.

Stay tuned to MMAmania.com for the most up-to-date news regarding UFC 115.

'Country' Time: MMAmania.com UFC Fight Night 21 interview exclusive with Roy Nelson

Posted: 31 Mar 2010 01:04 PM PDT

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After playing spoiler to Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson's TUF aspirations, The Ultimate Fighter: "Heavyweights" winner, Roy Nelson, is wasting little time to get right in the mix of things in the suddenly stacked UFC's heavyweight division.

As the co-headliner opposite Stefan Struve (19-3) at tomorrow night's UFC Fight Night 21: "Florian vs. Gomi," "Big Country" (14-4) looks to take on a rising 22-year-old talent who towers over the former IFL champion by eleven inches.

Both are gifted submission fighters with solid striking - Struve a kickboxer, Nelson more straight boxing. Thought the Renzo Gracie black belt will also have around 15 pounds on the "The Skyscraper."

We recently caught up with "Big Country" to ask him about his recent statements that reigning heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar was "ducking" now-interim champion Shane Carwin; if he thinks he was asked to participate in TUF as insurance for UFC president Dana White that "Kimbo" wouldn't win it all; and about the lanky Dutchman who will be standing opposite him Wednesday night on Spike TV.

Let's get after it.

Adam Wagner (MMAmania.com): You were born and raised in Las Vegas, right? What was that like?

Roy Nelson: It's definitely different. When I grew up here, there was a definitely a small-town feel with the big city feel, because you always had the strip. So even when there was only a hundred thousand people, there was still a million people on the strip.

Adam Wagner (MMAmania.com): Growing up, were you a big fight fan, or did you follow other sports?

Roy Nelson: I was always into martial arts, but fighting-wise, I wasn't really much of a fighter. I was more into baseball, football and basketball. Basketball was probably my biggest sport.

Adam Wagner (MMAmania.com): So how did you graduate from that to eventually working up to earning a black belt?

Roy Nelson: Actually when I found wrestling in high school. And always doing martial arts, and then I found kung-fu. So then my martial arts interest just flourished. I wanted to be a school teacher and (was interested in) helping kids and teaching.

And then I found jiu-jitsu, and from jiu-jitsu it was just sort of a natural talent that I had. And so I started training fighters, and since they weren't paying my bills, I decided to just ... take their money.

Adam Wagner (MMAmania.com): (Laughs) Let's talk about your last fight and the entire TUF experience. What did the TUF win do for you? How has it changed your life as a fighter?

Roy Nelson: I think the biggest thing that's changed my life is that I have a little bit bigger fan base now. That's really all it's really done is gotten my name out there more than what it was before.

Adam Wagner (MMAmania.com): In the win against Schaub, some people were surprised by it, because they expected you to take him down and submit him. You stood toe-to-toe with him and knocked him out. Was that your game plan going in, or were you comfortable no matter where the fight went?

Roy Nelson: I was kinda comfortable wherever the fight went. The biggest thing that we did game plans-wise was I thought I would probably end up more submitting him than knocking him out, but my coaches actually said that I was going to probably knock him out before we even got to the submission part.

The only reason I took him to the ground was I just wanted to see how easy it was if I had to go there. To see how easy it would be there to submit him.

Adam Wagner (MMAmania.com): Do you think now other UFC up-and-coming fighters will be gunning for you now more than ever, seeing as how you have the "TUF champion" title associated with your name?

Roy Nelson: I really don't think so, because I think with me getting Stefan Struve, they're just throwing me right in the mix. So if anything it's me gunning for whoever has the belt.

Adam Wagner (MMAmania.com): How did you go getting a spot on the show? Did you approach the UFC like other up-and-comers do, through the tryouts, or did they reach out to your management? Because to me you were a little bit more well known.

Roy Nelson: I think what happened was that we were in talks with the UFC, just about going into the UFC, and the idea just came up. My management and the UFC (thought) it was better for PR to introduce myself to the UFC fans going out that way.

I have the same type of PR that's equivalent to having 10 or 11 fights in the UFC, just by being on the show.

Adam Wagner (MMAmania.com): Do you think that the reason they had you on the show was to ensure that Kimbo Slice didn't win? Because Dana White had previously said that there's no way Kimbo would win it, so here he wanted to make sure his prediction was accurate?

Roy Nelson: No, I don't think so. I think they just wanted to have a very diverse type of cast. It's season 10, so they wanted to pull out all the stops, for like big anniversaries, like they did for UFC 100 and stuff like that.

I think the biggest thing was for them to change it up a little bit, that's why they did just straight 16. And as the ratings showed it, it actually worked.

Adam Wagner (MMAmania.com): Yeah, I think your fight with Kimbo was the 4th most watched MMA fight in history.

Roy Nelson: Yep, I try to do what I can do.

Adam Wagner (MMAmania.com):  Laughs) When you were on the show, did you ever think, "Boy, I'm more experienced than these guys. I'm not going to have a problem with these guys at all."

Roy Nelson: I wouldn't have taken the chance to be in the house if I thought I was going to lose. But everybody in that house definitely had at least a puncher's chance or the chance to get a W. So it's just about how you approach things.

There were some very talented guys on the TUF 10 cast. I don't want to take anything away from them. But it's just one of those things, I just thought I was a little bit better in every aspect.

Adam Wagner (MMAmania.com): Okay, no more questions about TUF. Let's talk about your upcoming fight. Stefan Struve is a 6'11" kickboxer who's earned 14 of his 19 wins by submission. What's your take on him as a fighter? Where do you think he's dangerous?

Roy Nelson: You know what, he's actually one of the true only mixed martial arts guys. You know you got Lesnar, and he's a great wrestler. Struve is just one of those guys who is versed in everything.

He trained in Holland, where he (developed) great standup, and I think a majority of his wins are by submission. It's weird to have a guy who's 6'11" to have such a great submission repertoire.

Adam Wagner (MMAmania.com): Yeah, he's also a young guy still. I forget how old he is, but -

Roy Nelson: He just turned 22.

Adam Wagner (MMAmania.com): Okay.

Roy Nelson: Not only a young guy, but you can't take anything away from that because Jon Jones is 22 too.

Adam Wagner (MMAmania.com): That's true. I take it you were impressed with Jon Jones' last fight?

Roy Nelson: You know what, the first time I ever met Jon Jones was in the IFL, and I remember rolling him and showing him some stuff. He actually brought that to my attention when he fought at the Finale with me.

He's a spectacular kid. He's putting his stuff together.

Adam Wagner (MMAmania.com): Yeah. Okay, Struve, do you think his height and reach will be a factor to overcome, whether it's on the feet or if he's on his back, he still has those long legs?

Roy Nelson: His length is definitely one of the advantages he does have. If I was 6'1" and was just straight boxing, I think ... it's kinda like the Klitschko Brothers, with them being so tall, they just play that long game.

But when it comes to the ground, he has a large guard. He has legs that can snare you from any position when trying to pass the guard or something like that. So it's definitely an obstacle you can't look past and gotta get through.

Adam Wagner (MMAmania.com): Struve is 3-1 in the UFC with his only loss to Junior dos Santos. Where do you think a win against him puts you?

Roy Nelson: I think for either one of us it's puts us right in the mix. I think Stefan Struve is already in the mix. If we're already co-headlining an event, that shows where we're at, enough to be in the mix.

Adam Wagner (MMAmania.com): How long before you see yourself fighting for a world title?

Roy Nelson: A world title? I don't know, that's kinda up to the UFC. I've been saying that me and Stefan Struve are fighting for the European title this week. Just because you got Frank Mir fighting Shane Carwin for the TV Championship belt.

So let's just keep making up belts. I don't mind just making each one up.

Adam Wagner (MMAmania.com): Well let's talk about that, the TV title, as you put it. Well, I'll just ask you the question I was going to ask you. You're certainly not afraid to speak your mind. You were recently quoted as saying that Brock Lesnar "ducked Carwin." Does that mean you do not buy Lesnar's health problems? Or do you think that maybe they were just over-blown?

Roy Nelson: You know what, I really don't know, that would be something that you would have to talk to Lesnar about.

But when I said that Lesnar was ducking Carwin, it was a great headline. Everybody was talking about it.

The only person who would actually know that would be Lesnar, so you would have to ask him about it if he was ducking him. It's a good interview question.

Adam Wagner (MMAmania.com): (Laughs) But you're not sold on this whole Interim Title between Mir and Carwin?

Roy Nelson: You know what, for me, it really doesn't matter. I think it's just one way to keep a belt in this situation. It's just one of those made-up belts.

But it's okay with me, because Dana wants to rule the world with MMA. Like I said, me and Struve will be fighting for the world title.

Adam Wagner (MMAmania.com): You're 6', correct? Six foot even?

Roy Nelson: Yeah, right around there.

Adam Wagner (MMAmania.com): You're probably one of the shorter guys in the heavyweight division. Not that you're short, you're taller than I am. But at the same time, I know that you walk around weight-wise closer to 265, I thought.

Roy Nelson: Uh-huh.

Adam Wagner (MMAmania.com): Have you ever thought about trying to get down to light heavyweight? Not that you need to right now; since you're winning as a heavyweight, why drop? But would that ever be an option, do you think?

Roy Nelson: Probably not. The last time I saw 205 in my life was probably my junior year in high school. So that was probably what, like 16 years ago? So most likely, probably not.

The thing is that most people forget, they get kinda jaded about the way I look, but they forget to look at my legs. I carry most of my weight in my legs.

Adam Wagner (MMAmania.com): Dana White has been a little critical of you in the past. Do you take any of it to heart?

Roy Nelson: No. I'm sure there's a whole bunch of people who are very critical of Dana White. So it come with the territory. It is what it is, and we're all about ... I sell tickets the way I do it, and he sells tickets the way he does.

Adam Wagner (MMAmania.com): Yeah, and as long as you're selling, you're career is probably safe.

Roy Nelson: As long as I have a fan base, they're the ones who truly pay all our bills. They pay Dana White's bills, they pay my bills.

If there's no fans, there's no UFC. And if there's no fighters either, there's no fans, you know. That's kinda how it goes. It goes fighters, fans, and then there's UFC.

Adam Wagner (MMAmania.com): Well, Roy, I really appreciate you taking the time to talk with us. I wanted to give you a chance to plug any sponsors, or if you have any parting words for your fans.

Roy Nelson: All my fans, make sure you go to RoyNelson.com, because that's where all the really good information is always at. I want to thank all my training partners, my trainers and of course sponsors would be like TapouT and SuperAction.com.

'The Expendables' trailer with Randy Couture for August 13 release date (Video)

Posted: 31 Mar 2010 01:04 PM PDT

 

Bellator Fighting Championships brings 'Lombard vs Filho' to Monroe, LA, on May 13

Posted: 31 Mar 2010 12:27 PM PDT

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CHICAGO (March 31, 2010) - The Monroe Civic Center in Monroe, La., will play host to Bellator Fighting Championships again this spring when the promotion returns to Northern Louisiana for Bellator 18 on May 13th.

Tickets for the event go on sale Thursday, April 1st at Ticketmaster.com and at the Monroe Civic Center box office.

"We are thrilled to be returning to Monroe for our May 13th event," said Bellator founder and CEO Bjorn Rebney. "The Monroe Civic Center, the City of Monroe, Mayor Mayo and Keep Punching Entertainment were tremendous partners for us in Season 1 and we're looking forward to putting on another exceptional show to a packed house in one of the loudest, most exciting venues we visited last year."

The Main Event for the May 13th Monroe show will be a "Super Fight" matchup between reigning Bellator Middleweight Champion Hector Lombard and 19-1 former WEC Middleweight Champion Paulo Filho who, as recently as 14 months ago, was the No. 2-ranked middleweight in the world.

"When it comes to kicking the MMA business into high gear, Bjorn Rebney of Bellator has the right formula," said Kerry Daigle of Keep Punching Entertainment. "Adding to that is the City of Monroe and the way they have wrapped their arms around this event to give this fair city exposure to more than 256 million viewers through FOX Sports Net, NBC, and Telemundo.

"The team of Keep Punching Entertainment, Bellator Fighting Championships, and the City of Monroe are a rare combination of talented and creative businesspeople who tap that indefinable trigger that will make this promotion a fun and memorable one."

During Bellator's highly successful first season, Bellator hosted one of its most well-received events at the Monroe Civic Center, drawing a near sell-out crowd to watch top fighters including eventual Lombard, featherweight Shad Lierley and middleweight Jared Hess.

The fight card for the May 13th event - which will be broadcast nationwide on FOX Sports Net and in highlight shows on NBC and Telemundo - will also include two semifinal matches in Bellator's world championship tournaments as well as four local feature fights.

For more information, visit Bellator.com, follow Bellator on Twitter @BellatorMMA or on Facebook at Facebook.com/Bellator.

Report: Thiago Alves undergoes successful surgery to correct brain 'irregularity'

Posted: 31 Mar 2010 11:56 AM PDT

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Former welterweight number one contender Thiago Alves underwent minor surgery today (March 31) to correct the brain "irregularity" that prompted his withdrawal from the UFC 111 fight card at the Prudential Center last Thursday.

TMZ Sports -- who broke the initial story regarding "Pitbull's" condition, first reported the update earlier today.

The Brazilian was pulled from his March 27 fight against Jon Fitch after failing a pre-fight CAT Scan and immediately sought out additional tests from brain specialists to help determine what action needed to be taken -- if any.

Those tests prompted Alves to have an angiogram at the Hyman Newman institute for Neurology and Neurosurgery located at Roosevelt Hospital in New York.

The outpatient procedure was successful in "separating an artery from a vein in his brain" according to the report and Alves is expected to be cleared to resume training in as little as three weeks.

Great news.

After the NJ Athletic Commission denied "The Pitbull" a license to compete, UFC officials were forced to scramble to replace a very large hole on the UFC 111 fight card. Opponent Jon Fitch offered to move up to middleweight to help widen the chances of the promotion finding a suitable replacement, but in the end it wasn't necessary.

Enter Ben Saunders.

"Killa B" jumped on the opportunity to leave Jake Ellenberger high and dry to throw hands with the former collegiate wrestling standout -- and raise his stock considerably with a possible win over the former top contender.

It wasn't to be. Fitch used his trademark wrestling and ground and pound to earn a unanimous decision victory while Ellenberger was compensated for his efforts despite seeing no action last Saturday night.

In addition, the lightweight scrap between Kurt "Batman" Pellegrino and Fabricio "Morango" Camoes had been promoted to the main card, leaving the Newark event at total of ten bouts.

Stay tuned to MMAmania.com for more updates on Thiago Alves' health as they becomes available.

K-1 World GP 2010: It's 'snack time' for Alistair Overeem on April 3 (Video)

Posted: 31 Mar 2010 09:38 AM PDT

Speaking of snacks, what the heck is he eating at 0:25?

Josh Burkman and Brandon Melendez return at Showdown Fights from the McKay Event Center on April 9....

Posted: 31 Mar 2010 08:47 AM PDT

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Josh Burkman and Brandon Melendez return at Showdown Fights from the McKay Event Center on April 9. Tickets here.

UFC Quick Quote: Roy Nelson is still training at the country club

Posted: 31 Mar 2010 08:36 AM PDT

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"Stefan [Struve] is one of those guys who is the future of the sport. He's the new mold for MMA fighters. He has good striking and submissions... I'm the type of guy that just trains hard and doesn't do anything special for my opponents. It's hard to replicate that type of size; I tried to get in touch with Shaq [O'Neal], but never heard from him... I'm still training at the house; we call it the "country club." We try to make it so it doesn't seem like work, it's just fun." 

The Ultimate Fighter 10 winner Roy Nelson will make his first appearance inside the Octagon since winning the reality show last December tonight at UFC Fight Night 21. The man who he is set to face, 6'11" Stefan "Skyscraper" Struve, is as unique of a fighter as there is in the sport of mixed martial arts. But in talking to Larry Pepe during MMAmania.com's exclusive presentation of Pro MMA Radio this week, "Big Country" admitted that he's doing nothing different to prepare for Struve's size. Nelson also added that instead of joining a reputable training camp to try to take his game to the next level, he is content to just train at his house, which has now been dubbed the "country club." So, do we think Roy is just setting himself up for failure with his lack of specialized training for Stefan? Or, will the former IFL champion's experience be too much for the young Dutch heavyweight? Opinions please.

Tickets on sale now for Shine III: Worlds Collide 'Thomas vs Mayorga' in Fayetteville on May 15

Posted: 31 Mar 2010 08:32 AM PDT

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Courtesy of a press release from SHINE Fights.

New York, N.Y. - He's long been considered boxing ring royalty, so colorful brawler Ricardo Mayorga is more than pleased about the name of the venue where he will make his MMA debut against former UFC stalwart Din Thomas on May 15.

"I like it," Mayorga said, "the Crown Coliseum in Fayetteville, NC. I like the crown because I have been a king in boxing and I will similarly rule in MMA. My critics are legion, I know, but I am hated by many, loved by some but respected by all. And no paying fan, at the arena or watching on TV, has ever requested a refund after one of my fights.

"I am a blue collar brawler and I know who pays the rent and how I buy my Nicaraguan cigars, my beers and everything else, it's the fans and I love them all even the ones who jeer me," Mayorga said. "Anyone who thinks this is some joke will be shocked at how easily I handle this Thomas character with my hand speed and dynamite power."

"To me, Thomas is just another tough guy in my way. I eat ordinary tough guys like him for breakfast and then I spit them out. I will spit him out in North Carolina, you watch!"


Thomas, who has fought on nine UFC cards, is a highly respected MMA veteran who possesses a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu from the world-renowned American Top Team.

Thomas (25-8) doesn't take Mayorga's 29-7 record in boxing lightly by any means.

"This guy blows a lot of smoke and I don't mean from his ever present cigarettes and cigars," Thomas said. "But, with his humungous ego, he isn't coming into my house to be humiliated. I will be ready for a real rumble and I hope to make him submit. The great Oscar de la Hoya could not pound some humility into this character but I know I can do this."

Upstart Shine Fight Promotions will put tickets on sale today (Wednesday, March 31) for this historic event which many observers thought was merely being talked about. The tickets are reasonably priced at $25, $40, $50, $75, $150.

 

Given the Fayetteville area's strong military and ex-military population, of course there is a military discount of $5 per ticket with the exception of the $150 tickets.


WORLD'S COLLIDE: MAYORGA VS THOMAS tops an action- packed card loaded with MMA stars. Also featured on the card will be former PRIDE and EliteXC star Murilo "Ninja" Rua, the 2009 Abu Dhabi Combat Club 88-kilogram and Absolute division champion, Braulio Estima, undefeated MMA fighter and former Olympian Rick Hawn, and UFC/StrikeForce/Bodog/EliteXC/Sengoku veteran Nick "The Goat" Thompson. The show is taking place at the Crown Coliseum in Fayetteville, NC, and will be beamed on PPV on cable and satellite in the United States and Canada.

Information can be obtained by calling the Crown Coliseum Box Office at 910-438-4100.

Tickets cannot be purchased at the Crown Box Office - Only at Ticketmaster Charge 1-800-745-3000 or Ticketmaster.com.

The event will be distributed in High Definition and will be available in both English and Spanish (where available). The MMA showdown will be distributed live on Pay Per View beginning at 9 p.m. ET/PT by MultiVision Media, Inc. on Saturday, May 15 at 9:00 PM ET/6:00 PM PT.

 

There will be a 30 minute countdown show prior to the live event at 8:30 PM ET/5:30 PM PT. The suggested retail price for the MMA showdown is $29.95.


Shine Fights CEO Devin Price said he envisions the match as a crossover moment for fans of both boxing and MMA. And, he predicts, the live venue tickets will go flying out of the box office.

"I think this is the right market for this great event. Folks in the Fayetteville area like good fights and the name of the sport is not as important. They will be turning out to see genuine combat with a masterful MMA veteran going up against one of the great boxers, in top form and still committed to the sport of fisticuffs, for the first time in this sport. This is history in the making and the fans who watch these fights will be the real victors here. There will be excitement galore and the prices for the tickets are very reasonable.

"In my opinion, boxing and MMA are not in some knockdown, dragout war," Price said.

"It's not all one and none of the other. The sports have so much in common, especially when it comes to the courage and fighting heart of the athletes. There is room in the marketplace for both boxing and MMA, and seeing a big boxing name like Mayorga cross over without abandoning boxing is proof of this.

"It's all about an open mind because fans of one sport can learn to love the other. I really feel this. All that boxing vs. MMA nonsense is ancient history."

To learn more about Shine Fight Promotions, follow the organization on Twitter @ShineFights, Myspace (www.myspace.com/ShineFights) or become a fan on Facebook.

UFC Fight Night 21: Kenny Florian vs Takanori Gomi video fight talk

Posted: 31 Mar 2010 07:44 AM PDT

More from "KenFlo" and "The Fireball Kid" after the jump.

Which man will fight their way back into a rematch with BJ Penn?

Dan Hardy: 'I can become world champion within 12 months'

Posted: 31 Mar 2010 07:36 AM PDT

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Props: The Daily Record

Quoteworthy:

"I know I can become a world champion within 12 months. The thing about UFC is that, unlike boxing, a defeat doesn't put you right down at the end of the queue. This sport has many examples of fighters losing a number of bouts and then challenging for, and winning, a world title. My contest against GSP has tought me a lot and I will utilize all of the lessons I have learnt to make me an even better fighter. There are certain aspects of my game that I can change for the better. I can now go straight back into the gym and do my best to learn lessons from that latest fight of mine."

Former UFC welterweight number one contender Dan Hardy reflects on his lopsided loss to reigning division champion Georges St. Pierre at the UFC 111 event from Newark back on March 27. "The Outlaw" is confident that he can reinvent himself and win enough fights over the next twelve months to capture a world championship -- presumably within another organization -- unless he can do something about the takedowns of "Rush" -- which no other welterweight can seem to stop either. Anyone interested in seeing the Brit get another crack at the crown?

War Machine bagged and tagged for assault with a deadly weapon according to TMZ.

Posted: 31 Mar 2010 07:35 AM PDT

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War Machine bagged and tagged for assault with a deadly weapon according to TMZ.

Bellator season two featherweight tournament preview videos

Posted: 30 Mar 2010 06:15 PM PDT

Check out parts two and three after the jump.

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