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

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• Dana White: Goldy, Rogan, Buffer, etc. -- that's the Zuffa pay-per-view team
• UFC to hold second Versus event on August 1 in Salt Lake City, Utah
• UFC 113 video preview for 'Machida vs Shogun 2' on May 8 (Extended)
• Iceland volcano eruption grounds ‘Judo’ Jim Wallhead for Bellator 15
• MMA Quick Quote: Cesar Gracie apologizes for Strikeforce brawl -- thinks MMA is held to a double standard
• Dana White: Shame on CBS for putting a bush league product on national television
• What takedowns? Jake Shields outstrikes Dan Henderson 232-61 at Strikeforce 'Nashville'
• Scott Smith and Cung Le 'in talks' for another go-round in Strikeforce on June 26
• UFC 113 video blog with Jeremy Stephens (Week 2)
• MMA Die Hards reveals Nokia Theater in Texas as possible destination for Bellator XIX on May 20 and...
• Strikeforce Nashville: Jason Miller sorry for the 'Mayhem' that erupted on CBS
• WEC 48 stars Urijah Faber and Scott Jorgensen headline tonight's edition of Pro MMA Radio
• UFC Quick Quote: Anderson Silva wanted to show Demian Maia he's not champion by mere coincidence

Dana White: Goldy, Rogan, Buffer, etc. -- that's the Zuffa pay-per-view team Posted: 20 Apr 2010 05:19 AM PDT Props: USA Today Quoteworthy: "The way I look at it is, it's a Zuffa promotion, and this is the team for pay-per-view. Obviously when the WEC is on Versus, they have their team and everything else, but this is the pay-per-view team. There's great fights in the WEC. Anybody that's ever watched these guys fight on Versus knows how these guys always perform. If we did three WEC pay-per-views a year, I think people are going to be interested in buying them. The Urijah Faber card versus Aldo had sold 10,000. This thing's going to be a sellout over there in Arco (Arena). I think eventually what we do is, we're going to continue to add to lighter weights, and you'll end up seeing these (WEC) guys go into the UFC, the 155 pounders." UFC President Dana White talks about the upcoming WEC 48: "Aldo vs. Faber" pay-per-view (PPV) event from the Arco Arena on April 24 in Sacramento, California. A lot of eyebrows were raised when the WEC's usual cast of on-air characters were bumped for the more recognizable UFC broadcast team for the promotion's first ever foray into the PPV market. Does the inclusion of the "Pay-per-view Team" cause brand recognition -- or brand confusion? What's your take?

UFC to hold second Versus event on August 1 in Salt Lake City, Utah Posted: 19 Apr 2010 07:41 PM PDT If someone would have told you five years ago that the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) will be holding an event in Salt Lake City before New York City, your first response would have most likely been something along the lines of 'child, please.' Well my friends, the "Big Apple's" chances of beating out the "City of Saints" in hosting a UFC fight card looks 'bout ready to 'kiss the baby.' The Salt Lake Tribune is reporting that according to Bill Colbert, the director of the Pete Sauzo Utah Athletic Commission (PSUAC), the UFC has officially requested to hold a Sunday night event at EnergySolutions Arena on August 1 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Colbert also stated that the event will air for free, live on Versus, making it the second UFC event to air on the cable network. Stay tuned to MMAmania.com for more information on this developing card as it becomes available.

UFC 113 video preview for 'Machida vs Shogun 2' on May 8 (Extended) Posted: 19 Apr 2010 06:43 PM PDT

Iceland volcano eruption grounds ‘Judo’ Jim Wallhead for Bellator 15 Posted: 19 Apr 2010 06:42 PM PDT CHICAGO, Ill. (April 19, 2010) — Ryan "The Tank Engine" Thomas, whose controversial loss to former U.S. Olympian Ben Askren generated substantial comment in the MMA world following Bellator 14 in Chicago last week, has been announced as a last-minute replacement for "Judo" Jim Wallhead at Bellator 15 in Connecticut this Thursday. Wallhead (18-5), who was anticipating making his U.S. debut with Bellator, is unable to travel from his native England due to the volcanic ash cloud that has halted air travel across Europe over the last several days. Instead, Thomas (12-4) will get the call versus Arizona Combat Sports product Jacob "Tick Tock" McClintock (6-0), who has won each of his first six pro fights via first round stoppage. The fight is one of four Bellator fights from this Thursday night’s event at The Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn., that will be televised LIVE on FOX Sports Net and in special highlight shows this Saturday night on NBC, Telemundo and mun2. "While I am very disappointed that Jim won’t be able to make it to the U.S. this week, at least some good comes out of this situation as Ryan will get the opportunity to step back into our welterweight tournament," said Bellator founder and CEO Bjorn Rebney. "After the fight last Thursday, I promised Ryan that he would be our first alternate for the tournament and, based on a natural disaster, his opportunity came much sooner than anyone would have guessed. Ryan and Ben Askren were locked in a tough fight last week that was ended, somewhat controversially, by the referee. While I respect that decision, I am pleased that this opportunity has presented itself for Ryan." Thomas, a veteran of the UFC, fell to Askren via technical submission just 2:40 into Round 1 at last Thursday’s event. Controversy erupted almost immediately after the stoppage, though, as Thomas, his corner and a vocal fan contingent in the theatre’s balcony protested that he gave no indication that he wanted the fight to be stopped. "It’s a bad call by the referee," Thomas said afterwards. "It’s just a shame that the fans got cheated and Ben got cheated out of some more cage time. I was fine – it wasn’t like the world was closing in on me. I was totally fine."

MMA Quick Quote: Cesar Gracie apologizes for Strikeforce brawl -- thinks MMA is held to a double standard Posted: 19 Apr 2010 01:22 PM PDT "Unfortunately the after fight skirmish shifted the focus away from what was probably Jake and Gil's biggest wins and that was very disappointing. We're a very tight team and in all the years we've hung out together there has never been a team street fight or anything like that associated with us. After reviewing the tape I think I saw a lot of blame on all sides. I have spoken to my guys and with Strikeforce to make sure this never happens again. There were people in there that had come to support our team that really should never have been in there as well. Those people that participated have been banned from future events. I'll be honest and tell you I think there has been somewhat of a double standard when it comes to MMA. I frequently attend hockey games and if a fight breaks out it's routine and the fans have come to expect it. Fights happen in every sport and it's really not a big deal but if a fight breaks out at a fight between fighters it seems like some people want to act like it's the end of the world and pretend they are outraged. That night in Nashville was emotionally charged and I wish cooler heads would had prevailed. I think it would be better if we fight in a professional manner and not in free for alls. For the disruption it has caused we are sorry and would like to extend an apology." The man behind the training of Jake Shields, Nick and Nate Diaz, as well as Gilbert Melendez -- Cesar Gracie -- today released an apology for the Strikeforce post-fight brawl via GracieFighter.com. The aforementioned members of his camp were held responsible for the melee by a majority of fight fans and media members alike. Gracie of course, thinks that the blame should be spread around a bit more, and wishes that the whole thing never happened. He also points out what he thinks is a double standard in sports, being that fights like what we saw Saturday night do indeed happen fairly often in other major athletic competitions all over the world without as much negative reaction. So, what do we think? Do you appreciate and/or agree with Cesar Gracie's apology? And do you think that MMA, as bizarre as it may sound, is held to a higher standard when it comes to these types of situations?

Dana White: Shame on CBS for putting a bush league product on national television Posted: 19 Apr 2010 10:36 AM PDT Props: Yahoo! Quoteworthy: "Of course, everyone thinks I'm anti-competition, but I'm not. Everyone knows that they didn't belong on CBS. Even if you're the biggest UFC hater out there, you know that. Shame on CBS for this. They knew they should have been with us, but they went out and let those Showtime idiots talk them into going with Elite XC. Now, they're stuck with a bush league, C-level promotion that will probably be out of business next month. And what you saw on Saturday is the kind of thing that happens when you put a product like that on national television... When have you seen anything remotely close to that happen at a UFC event? What kind of ridiculous commentary was that [speaking of Gus Johnson's ‘these things happen in MMA' comment]? That was an idiotic thing to say. And then he was yelling at them to stop, telling them they are on national television. That was just another example of how bush league they are." Well, we knew this was coming. Whether or not you think what happened Saturday night was worse for the Strikeforce brand or the sport of mixed martial arts as a whole, you had to figure that UFC president Dana White was enjoying every minute of it. And he makes some very valid points here. Do you really think anything like what happened post Shields vs. Henderson between Jason "Mayhem" Miller and the Cesar Gracie camp would ever occur inside the Octagon? White also shared his not so favorable opinion of Gus Johnson's commentary during the broadcast which absolutely did not help the unfortunate situation. So my question to you Maniacs is... when you see the type of product that Strikeforce and CBS presented us with on Saturday, does that make you appreciate the UFC even more? Is there any doubt in your mind that for the time being as well as the foreseeable future, that the Ultimate Fighting Championship product is unrivaled?

What takedowns? Jake Shields outstrikes Dan Henderson 232-61 at Strikeforce 'Nashville' Posted: 19 Apr 2010 09:44 AM PDT (Click the photo above to view in higher resolution) Thanks to CompuStrike for the stats. Check out the surprising numbers on "King Mo" vs. Gegard Mousasi after the jump. (Click the photo above to view in higher resolution) To see more of the Strikeforce: "Nashville" stats click here.

Scott Smith and Cung Le 'in talks' for another go-round in Strikeforce on June 26 Posted: 19 Apr 2010 09:28 AM PDT MIRACLE IN SAN JOSE! Or was it a fluke? Hard-hitting middleweight Scott Smith is hoping to prove the former in a potential rematch with ex-Strikeforce 185-pound Champion Cung Le at the upcoming Showtime event planned for June 26 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose. MMA Fighting first reported the proposed match-up on April 18 and MMAmania.com has since confirmed with a source close to one of the fight camps that the fighters are currently "in talks" and bout agreements have not yet been distributed. "Hands of Steel" first met Le back at Strikeforce: "Evolution" last December, where the part-time movie star battered him for the better part of three rounds. Apparently Le forgot to read the manual on Smith's third round heroics and got caught in one of his patented come-from-behind miracles in the bout's final minutes. Repeat -- or retaliation? We may find out this June. Strikeforce: "Fedor vs. Werdum" is hoping to arrange a battle between famed Russian heavyweight Fedor "The Last Emperor" Emelianenko and Brazilian grappler Fabricio "Vai Cavalo" Werdum. Unfortunately negotiations between Strikeforce and M-1 are still ongoing, and Emelianenko's participation seems more and more unlikely as time goes on. The promotion has yet to make an official announcement. Stay tuned to MMAmania.com for future updates on this still developing fight card.

UFC 113 video blog with Jeremy Stephens (Week 2) Posted: 19 Apr 2010 09:27 AM PDT

MMA Die Hards reveals Nokia Theater in Texas as possible destination for Bellator XIX on May 20 and... Posted: 19 Apr 2010 08:03 AM PDT MMA Die Hards reveals Nokia Theater in Texas as possible destination for Bellator XIX on May 20 and San Antonio for Bellator XX on May 27.

Strikeforce Nashville: Jason Miller sorry for the 'Mayhem' that erupted on CBS Posted: 19 Apr 2010 06:47 AM PDT Props: MayhemMiller.com Quoteworthy: "I would like to formally apologize to CBS, Strikeforce, and all fans of mixed martial arts for my role in the events following the Strikeforce: Nashville event. In retrospect, my timing could not have been worse to ask for my rematch with Jake Shields, and I take full responsibility for entering the cage and setting off a chain of events that cast a dark shadow on the sport. I've been a fighter and a fan of MMA for over 12 years, and would never do anything to intentionally tarnish the sport I've given my life to. In the excitement of the moment I let my emotions run high and made a bad choice that resulted in a debacle, for that, I sincerely apologize." Strikeforce middleweight and host of MTV's Bully Beatdown Jason Miller formally apologizes for sneaking into the cage to demand a rematch against Jake Shields during the champ's post-fight interview at last Saturday's CBS telecast of "Saturday Night Fights" from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. Team Gracie didn't appreciate the antics of "Mayhem" and tried to teach him a lesson in post-fight etiquette with a group effort that led to a melee on live television. Anyone think his apology is sincere -- or a direct order from Scott Coker to try and save face? And should we hold out for a formal apology from Team Gracie?

WEC 48 stars Urijah Faber and Scott Jorgensen headline tonight's edition of Pro MMA Radio Posted: 19 Apr 2010 06:22 AM PDT Just days outside of his upcoming WEC 48 pay-per-view debut opposite Jose Aldo on April 24, former featherweight champion Urijah Faber stops by Pro MMA Radio tonight (April 19) at 9 p.m. ET right here on MMAmania.com. "The California Kid" will break down his quest to regain the 145-pound title, currently held by "Junior," the WEC transition to PPV and a whole lot more Joining Faber will be bantamweight contender Scott Jorgensen as he anticipates his upcoming rematch against Antonio Banuelos, also at WEC 48. The two met at WEC 41 with Banuelos winning a controversial split decision. Hosted by Larry Pepe, Pro MMA Radio is professional, guest-driven program that features some of mixed martial arts biggest names right here on MMAmania.com every Monday night at 9 p.m. ET through our exclusive live feed. See you tonight!

UFC Quick Quote: Anderson Silva wanted to show Demian Maia he's not champion by mere coincidence Posted: 19 Apr 2010 06:16 AM PDT "I tried to make him felt himself frustrated. There was a moment I wound up facing the fight as a brawl and spoke things like ‘Didn’t you tell that a spider has eight legs and you would pull one?' Come on, get up playboy’. Yes, I called him playboy. Mike Tyson also made provocations and always was criticized. If there was all of that repercussion and I had lost the fight, it would be worse but I came back home with the belt without a scratch, pinch, nothing. The Spider did what he does as usual: I went out there and won. I don’t say I lost the control. From my heart, I wouldn’t do that again. I tried to show the people and chiefly Demian that I’m not there by chance. I didn’t get to the top by mere coincidence. I’m four times world champion”. Anderson Silva spoke to Brazilian newspaper O Globo and also took a part yesterday at the entertaining program Domingão do Faustão, also from Brazil, that his attitude was part of a game plan to make the contender Demian Maia lose his cool during the UFC 112 main event in Abu Dhabi. The middleweight champion has faced off criticism from the mixed martial arts specialized media and disappointed fans who expect to watch the abilities of the top pound-for-pound fighter in the world instead of scenes and verbal attacks. But bear with him, Anderson recognizes he exaggerated along the bout and explained that was the way he figured out to get away from pressure. After all the threads and discussions over the UFC 112, has your opinion on Anderson Silva changed anyway? Do you still think the Spider is one of the best fighters on earth or his behavior and bad attitudes aren’t acceptable for a champion and you don’t consider him as incredible as before? Video of his appearance after the jump.

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