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DREAM 16: Shinya Aoki vs Tatsuya Kawajiri possible for upcoming July event
Pic of Charley Lynch's pulverized nose from TUF 11 released by UFC (here)
UFC 112 video highlights for Anderson Silva vs Demian Maia
Is Dana White the world's most influential man for 2010?
K-1 World GP 2010 coming to HDNet from Yokohama on April 3
New A-Team movie poster and second trailer featuring Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson
Kaizen: Little improvements helping Kenny Florian get better every day
Chuck Liddell talks TUF 11 on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (Video)
UFC Quick Quote: 'Tired' Jorge Rivera went back to basics to finish Nate Quarry
Alistair Overeem: If Brett Rogers is such a good striker -- why doesn't he fight in K-1?
Semper Fight: Mixed Martial Arts vs Marine Corps Martial Arts Video (Part 1)
TUF 11 'The Aftermath' now online featuring uncut elimination fights
Paul Buentello released from the UFC following March 21 loss to Cheick Kongo
Wanderlei Silva signs UFC 116 fight contract for 'special day' against Yoshihiro Akiyama (Video)
UFC Fight Night 21 CompuStrike fight stats illustrate Kenny Florian's dominant win over Takanori Gomi
Yoshida vs. Nakamura confirmed for the main event of Astra; fight card finalized
Roy Nelson targets Brock Lesnar; Title unification bout with Shane Carwin

DREAM 16: Shinya Aoki vs Tatsuya Kawajiri possible for upcoming July event

Posted: 01 Apr 2010 07:39 PM PDT

DREAM's top lightweights may finally have an opportunity to cross their fists this summer.

A source close to the organization has informed MMAmania.com that the long-awaited grudge match between current lightweight champion Shinya Aoki and bitter rival Tatsuya Kawajiri is "possible" for DREAM 16 in July.

The date of the event will be determined shortly when Fighting and Entertainment Group's TV partner, Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS) finalizes its schedule for the summer.

The match has been in the making for a long time. Kawajiri emerged as a top lightweight contender in the Japanese promotion when he defeated the American Top Team standout, Gesias Cavalcante at DREAM 9 last May. He has been lobbying earnestly for a title shot since then.

When Aoki wrested the lightweight belt from Joachim Hansen at DREAM 11, Kawajiri immediately called out the newly minted champion. Aoki initially appeared evasive about answering the challenge and facetiously deflected Kawajiri's plea; however, he later welcomed the fight when it was scheduled for the New Year's Eve on Dynamite!! 2009 fight card.

Their NYE showdown unraveled when DREAM and Sengoku Raiden Championship joined forces on a short notice for a merged fight card. At Dynamite!! 2009, Kawajiri grinded out a decision victory over SRC lighweight contender, Kazunori Yokota.

On the same night, Aoki took one home for DREAM with a gruesome, arm-breaking submission victory over SRC lightweight champion, Mizuto Hirota, and became a lightning rod for controversy with his post-fight antics.

There is no word yet on whether the lightweight title will be on the line for Aoki-Kawajiri, even though it obviously befits the occasion.

Aoki will make his USA and Strikeforce debut on April 17 on Strikeforce's CBS fight card against the promotion's lightweight champion, Gilbert Melendez.

Pic of Charley Lynch's pulverized nose from TUF 11 released by UFC (here)

Posted: 01 Apr 2010 06:11 PM PDT

Pic of Charley Lynch's pulverized nose from TUF 11 released by UFC (here)

UFC 112 video highlights for Anderson Silva vs Demian Maia

Posted: 01 Apr 2010 04:44 PM PDT

Is Dana White the world's most influential man for 2010?

Posted: 01 Apr 2010 12:12 PM PDT

Don't laugh -- he's currently in the lead. By a lot. Cast your vote here.

K-1 World GP 2010 coming to HDNet from Yokohama on April 3

Posted: 01 Apr 2010 11:51 AM PDT

DALLAS (April 1, 2010) HDNet will kick off the 2010 K-1 and K-1 World MAX seasons this weekend with two exclusive broadcasts featuring the best kickboxers in the world.

"HDNet Fights: K-1 World MAX 2010 Japan Tournament" premieres on Friday, April 2 at 10:00 p.m. ET, and then, early Saturday morning, HDNet features the LIVE broadcast of "HDNet Fights: K-1 World GP 2010 in Yokohama" at 4:00 a.m. ET - with an encore presentation scheduled for next Friday night, April 9 at 10:00 p.m.

"This Friday night K-1 double feature is going to be a real treat for fight fans," said Andrew Simon, CEO of HDNet Fights. "If you've never seen the fast paced, knockout action of K-1 and K-1 MAX, this is your chance to find out why these fighters are widely regarded as the best all-round strikers in the world."

The K-1 World MAX 2010 debut features an exciting one night, 8-man tournament to crown the best 154 pound kickboxer in Japan. The Japan tournament is traditionally considered the toughest of the K-1 MAX qualifying tournaments and typically produces the most knockouts. The action continues into the late night as HDNet presents LIVE coverage of "HDNet Fights: K-1 World GP 2010 in Yokohama."

In the main event of the evening, the reigning K-1 World GP Champion and one of the most dominating fighters in all of combat sports, Semmy Schilt (32-3-1, 16(T)KOs) puts his K-1 Super Heavyweight Title on the line against Errol Zimmerman (7-3, 3(T)KOs).

Plus, K-1 legend Peter Aerts (63-23, 48(T)KOs) challenges Kyotaro (8-3, 4(T)KOs) for the K-1 Heavyweight Title, Badr Hari (16-6, 14(T)KOs) looks to avenge a 2003 loss to former top 10 K-1 fighter Alexey Ignashov (25-9, 16(T)KOs), and Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion Alistair Overeem (3-3, 2(T)KOs) faces off with Dzevad Poturak (K-1 debut).

New A-Team movie poster and second trailer featuring Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson

Posted: 01 Apr 2010 10:56 AM PDT

Check out the second (and I think better) trailer for the A-Team movie, which premieres on June 11, after the jump.

Kaizen: Little improvements helping Kenny Florian get better every day

Posted: 01 Apr 2010 09:19 AM PDT

Props: UFC.com

Quoteworthy:

"I'm real blessed to be able to fight for the UFC and have them keep giving me top level guys. That's what I'm in the sport for, to see how far I can take it and keep improving. Anything can happen out there but I just try to focus on what I can control and have fun and that's what I did. I wanted to open (Gomi) up and keep him guessing. He was really low and I didn't want to force anything out there, I just wanted it to flow and he got a little upright so I changed levels and took him down. I've been working a lot on my wrestling, especially the offensive side of it and it paid off. I still got a long way to go and a lot of things to work on but I know the plan's working, I'm getting better every day. 'Kaizen,' little improvements every day."

Former UFC lightweight number one contender Kenny Florian once again shows he's one of the sport's best lightweights with a dominating performance over PRIDE import and Japanese sensation Takanori Gomi at the UFC Fight Night 21 event from Charlotte back on March 31. "KenFlo" continues to refine his game and may have one more big fight prior to a potential third 155-pound title fight. Is Gray Maynard the only thing standing in his way?

Chuck Liddell talks TUF 11 on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (Video)

Posted: 01 Apr 2010 08:35 AM PDT

UFC Quick Quote: 'Tired' Jorge Rivera went back to basics to finish Nate Quarry

Posted: 01 Apr 2010 08:35 AM PDT

"The fight was good. I couldn't finish him in the first round because honestly I got tired. I got a little tired so I took his back and I was like 'I'll ding him up a little bit and catch my breath.' I got over to my corner and told my cornerman 'I'm a little tired.' He slowed my breathing down, I caught my breath again and I was ready to go. I felt like he was overcommitting on some of the things so I would fake, let him come in and that allowed me to get the 1-2, which eventually won the fight. Real simple mechanics, real simple boxing, nothing too complicated and I've always felt the basics are gonna win the fight for you so as long as you keep it simple and he falls into it, that's what's up. I got a real good thing right now and [my heart is] strong, so you're gonna see me a lot more."

An emotional and emphatic Jorge Rivera reflects (via UFC.com) on his UFC Fight Night 21 stoppage over Nate Quarry at the Bojangles Coliseum on March 31 in Charlotte. "El Conquistador" won his third straight fight inside the Octagon and has continued to look better each time out. With the UFC headed to Boston on August 28, expect to see more of Rivera later this summer. Is it time to see him take a step up in competition?

Alistair Overeem: If Brett Rogers is such a good striker -- why doesn't he fight in K-1?

Posted: 01 Apr 2010 08:34 AM PDT

Props: Lowkick.com

Quoteworthy:

"I think that (Rogers) is a strong and big fighter, but no more then that. My game plan is to knock him out! Sometimes it is ok to hype up a fight and to bring more attention, but I guess that somebody calling me a coward like Brett did is just funny. He makes himself stupid or maybe does not know fighters like Bonjasky, Aerts and Badr Hari. If Brett is such a good striker and fearless why he is not fighting in K-1? I love challenging myself fighting in K-1 and MMA, and yes, after Rogers I want to fight Fedor. I already got a third place at the K-1 GP finals, something I do not see Rogers or Fedor even try!"

Current Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion Alistair Overeem holds himself to a higher standard based on his participation in K-1 kickboxing tournaments while fellow Strikeforce heavyweights Brett Rogers and Fedor Emelianenko continue to throw down in mixed martial arts bouts. Perhaps the same logic can be applied to "Demolition Man," who hasn't seen stateside MMA since 2007. Will he finally put his money where his mouth is and defend his belt at "Heavy Artillery" on May 15? Or will some last-minute shenanigans jeopardize the fight? We'll know in a little over a month...

Semper Fight: Mixed Martial Arts vs Marine Corps Martial Arts Video (Part 1)

Posted: 01 Apr 2010 07:55 AM PDT

UFC fighters Forrest Griffin, Rashad Evans, Gabriel Gonzaga, Marcus Davis, and former Marine Brian Stann, along with UFC president Dana White, experienced some of the Marine Corps' rigorous martial arts training.

TUF 11 'The Aftermath' now online featuring uncut elimination fights

Posted: 01 Apr 2010 07:55 AM PDT

In case you didn't get your fill of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 11 last Wednesday night, the UFC and Spike TV are bringing back "The Aftermath," a 15-minute Webisode that airs following every episode on UltimateFighter.com.

"The Aftermath" will feature an exclusive roundtable discussion with insight from some of the reality show contestants and recurring host, Stephan Bonnar.

"The American Psycho" takes over for Amir Sadollah, host of last season's TUF 10 "Aftermath."

In addition, the Webisodes will feature unaired content, exclusive bonus material and a sneak peek of the upcoming televised episode.

Right now fans can head over to UltimateFighter.com and watch the entire round of elimination fights uncut as well as hear from Dana White regarding the fighters that impressed him and what's in store for the rest of the season.

If you missed the debut episode of TUF 11: "Team Liddell vs. Team Ortiz" check out our recap here.

Paul Buentello released from the UFC following March 21 loss to Cheick Kongo

Posted: 01 Apr 2010 07:25 AM PDT

Well traveled mixed martial arts veteran Paul Buentello, who didn't fear the consequences when tapping to Cheick Kongo at last month's UFC on Versus event, is going from head hunter to job hunter after being released from his Zuffa contract according to Five Ounces of Pain.

Buentello was picked from the rubble that was Affliction MMA after "The T-Shirt Guys" imploded under the weight of their own spending (among other things). Following a respectable 3-1 UFC tenure in 2005-06, "The Headhunter" returned to the Octagon at "Penn vs. Sanchez" on Dec. 12, dropping a close majority decision to Stefan Struve.

Back-to-back losses are notorious for landing average fighters on the chopping block and the new era of heavyweights makes it one of the sport's more competitive divisions. At the not-so-tender age of 36, it's hard to make an argument for his spot on a future UFC fight card.

Still, his name carries value in regional promotions and overseas events that will probably keep Buentello busy. He may not be a threat to the title, but he still has power is his hands and a willingness to stand and bang.

Wanderlei Silva signs UFC 116 fight contract for 'special day' against Yoshihiro Akiyama (Video)

Posted: 01 Apr 2010 06:52 AM PDT

UFC Fight Night 21 CompuStrike fight stats illustrate Kenny Florian's dominant win over Takanori Gomi

Posted: 01 Apr 2010 06:44 AM PDT

UFC Fight Night 21: "Florian vs Gomi"
Kenny Florian defeats Takanori Gomi via third round submission (rear naked choke)
Fight time: Standing (11:08); Ground (1:46)

Total Strikes = Total Arm Strikes + Total Leg Strikes + Ground Strikes
Total Arm Strikes Landed = Power Strikes Landed + Clinch Strikes Landed
Total Leg Strikes Landed = Kicks Landed + Knees Landed

For a round-by-round breakdown of all the UFC Fight Night 21 fight stats head over to CompuStrike by clicking here.

Yoshida vs. Nakamura confirmed for the main event of Astra; fight card finalized

Posted: 01 Apr 2010 06:07 AM PDT

Former judo Olympic gold medalist and Pride veteran, Hidehiko Yoshida, finally has an opponent for his farewell bout. On April 25 at Nippon Budokan, Yoshida will stand opposite a familiar face in the ring: The fighter who has been gifted the plum role as the last opponent in Yoshida's illustrious career is none other than his protege, Kazuhiro Nakamura.

J-Rock, sports and entertainment company that will host Yoshida's retirement event, "Astra," announced the Yoshida-Nakamura bout, along with the rest of the fight card, at the press conference held on Thursday, April 1.

Fans and media have held their breath for the announcement of Yoshida's opponent for the last two months. J-Rock president, Takahiro Kokuho, initially hinted at the conclusion of the Winter Olympic game as the timetable for the announcement.

After the original timetable did not materialize, Kokuho baited the media with successive unveiling of additional bouts on the card. At the presser on Thursday, Kokuho stated that he had whittled the list of potential opponents down to one Japanese fighter and one foreign fighter; however, procuring either proved infeasible due to contractual issues and injuries.

As evidenced by the short-lived rumor of Yoshida-Fedor Emelianenko showdown, the "Last Emperor" figured prominently into the mix of Yoshida's potential opponents. In the end, Nakamura surfaced as the available fighter who met the criterion of a "meaningful matchup" for Yoshida.

Yoshida and Nakamura made no secret of the complication stemming from the emotional proximity between them as a teacher and pupil. Nevertheless, they promised to set aside personal emotion in order to fulfill their obligation as professionals.

Elsewhere, Nakamura's originally proposed opponent, Denis Kang, has been forced to withdraw due to back injury. Kang recently withdrew from the headlining bout against Vernon White on the W-1 fight card in March ; he is slated to undergo surgery to treat the nagging injury.

Ryo Chonan, who bested Andrews Nakahara at DREAM 13 a week and half ago, has been booked to face South Korean Spirit MC veteran, Jung Hwan Cha. Professing that he has not fully recovered from the aforementioned fight in DREAM, Chonan has nonetheless agreed to fight at Astra out of his reverence toward Yoshida.

Rounding out the fight card will be a pair of lightweight bouts. Sengoku and Bellator standout, Jorge Masvidal, will return to Japan to take on the ZST and UFC veteran, Naoyuki Kotani. Also, Shooto veteran, Ganjo Tentsuku faces the DREAM/Strikeforce/Cage Rage veteran and slick grappler, Daisuke Nakamura.

Full line-up:

Hidehiko Yoshida vs. Kazuhiro Nakamura
Ryo Chonan vs. Jung Hwan Cha
Daisuke Nakamura vs. Ganjo Tentsuku
Jorge Masvidal vs. Naoyuki Kotani
Enson Inoue vs. Antz Nansen
Michihiro Omigawa vs. Micah Miller
Che Mills vs. Yuya Shirai
Tatsunao Nagakura vs. Akihiko Mori