UFC blog for latest news, videos, results, betting odds, fighter interviews and MMA rumors - UFCmania.com |
- Bellator 20 results and quick recap from San Antonio
- 'Nog' in: MMAmania.com UFC 114 interview exclusive with Antonio Rogerio Nogueira
- UFC 117: Johny Hendricks vs Charlie Brenneman possible for Aug. 7
- 'Rampage' Jackson ESPN Sportscenter video: 'I wasn't surprised Rashad called me an Uncle Tom'
- UFC 114's Rashad Evans: 'Haters are gonna hate, but I gotta get back to doing me'
- UFC 114 odds and betting lines for 'Rampage vs Evans' on May 29
- MMA Quick Quote: Anderson Silva will assume the (missionary) position at UFC 117
- UFC 117: Dustin Hazelett vs Ricky Story in the works for Aug. 7
- Tito Ortiz neck surgery video because 'He can't fight hurt anymore'
| Bellator 20 results and quick recap from San Antonio Posted: 27 May 2010 10:08 PM PDT
SAN ANTONIO, Texas (May 27, 2010) - Emerging superstar Bryan "The Beast" Baker and Russian striker Alexander "Storm" Shlemenko both scored semifinal-round victories while heavyweight Eddie Sanchez pulled off a stunning comeback win to gain entry into Bellator's upcoming Season 3 Heavyweight Tournament during a stirring night of fights at Bellator 20 in San Antonio. The victories by Baker (13-1) and Shlemenko (29-4) set up an intriguing final round matchup between two vastly different fighters, who both played to their strengths to defeat formidable opponents before a raucous crowd at San Antonio's Majestic Theatre on Thursday. Shlemenko, making just his third appearance in the U.S., won his fight against former all-American wrestler Jared Hess in gruesome fashion. After Hess controlled the first two rounds, Shlemenko landed a sharp flying knee to Hess's chin early on in Round 3, knocking him to the ground awkwardly and severely dislocating Hess' left knee. Remarkably, Hess kept fighting for more than a minute afterwards, holding Shlemenko at bay as he tried to finish the fight. But when Hess (10-2) tried to stand up, the dislocated knee buckled under his weight and the referee wisely stepped in to stop the fight. "It never ceases to amaze and humble me the level of courage and heart that our fighters display here in the cage and Jared Hess showed that yet again," Bellator founder and CEO Bjorn Rebney said during the post-fight press conference. "At the same time, I have to congratulate Alexander Shlemenko, who fought hard against the 185-pound tournament favorite and was able to get the win." While not nearly as dramatic, Baker's win over Las Vegas native and former competitive powerlifter Eric Schambari (12-2) was far more dominant. Baker -- who entered the tournament saying that he was gunning for reigning Middleweight Champion Hector Lombard's belt -- backed up the talk by using a tight triangle choke to finish Schambari just 2:29 into Round 1. "I knew he was going to come out and try to take me down," Baker said of Schambari afterwards. "He's a strong, strong dude, but on the ground I knew I could finish him with a submission. I'm looking all the way to Hector now. I'm looking to get my title ... I'm looking to get my belt." Earlier, in the first televised fight of the night, Sanchez pulled off one of the most thrilling come-from-behind wins of the year to defeat Marcus Sursa by TKO at 0:23 into Round 3. After an evenly matched first round, Sursa came out swinging to start Round 2, dropping Sanchez to the canvas with a solid right hand just a few seconds after the opening bell. For a few moments, it appeared as if Sursa would finish the fight easily, but Sanchez somehow regained his composure, took the dominant position and wore Susa down with a relentless ground-and-pound as the round ended. A rejuvenated Sanchez then came out with a vengeance in Round 3, knocking Sursa to the mat after just a few seconds before finishing him with a flurry of blows to the head. "He caught me pretty good there and dazed the [expletive] out of me, but I've got a tough chin and I came back," Sanchez told Bellator color commentator Jimmy Smith immediately after the fight. "I knew if I just hung in there I could finish him off." Afterward, Rebney announced that, with the victory, Sanchez had earned his way into Bellator's Season 3 Heavyweight Tournament, which begins in August. "He put on a great fight, made a great comeback and showed some huge heart," Rebeny said of Sanchez. In the final televised bout of the evening, a Bantamweight Feature Fight, Wyoming native Nik "Garfield" Mamalis used a rear naked choke to finish Hawaiian standout Mark Oshiro at 1:29 into Round 2. The event also played host to five Local Feature Fights: - Aaron Rosa def. Robert Villegas via unanimous decisión - Adam Schindler def. Brian Melancon via unanimous decisión - Andrew Chappelle def. Cedrick Marks via rear naked choke (8:18) - Jimmy Flick def. Humberto DeLeon via unanimous decision - Fernando Rodriguez def. Kenneth Battle via rear-naked choke (6:28) Fans who missed Thursday night's action can watch all the best moments this weekend during special highlight shows on NBC, Telemundo and the cable network mun2. Check your local listings for exact dates and times. Bellator returns to action in two weeks at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Fla., where Bellator will host the championship round of its Season 2 Lightweight Tournament. Rising star Pat Curran, who earned his way into the finals with stunning wins over Mike Ricci and Roger Huerta, takes on MMA veteran and "Submission of the Year" title holder Toby Imada. The fight and the rest of the Bellator 21 feature card will again be televised live on FOX Sports Net. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 'Nog' in: MMAmania.com UFC 114 interview exclusive with Antonio Rogerio Nogueira Posted: 27 May 2010 03:36 PM PDT The younger half of the "Flying Nogueira" brothers is southpaw light heavyweight sensation Antonio Rogerio Nogueira. Best known for his days in PRIDE, "Lil' Nog" was scooped up by Dana White and the UFC following the dissolution of Affliction. He impressed immediately. UFC 106 in Las Vegas would mark his entry inside the Octagon, but his inaugural bout would certainly not last long as he knocked out Luiz Cane roughly two minutes into the first round. His encore performance at UFC 109 was hampered by an ankle injury and his return was rescheduled for May 29 at the UFC 114 event against former UFC light heavyweight champion Forrest Griffin. It was not meant to be as Griffin pulled out due to an injury. Jason Brilz was tabbed as his replacement. "Minotouro" took some time out of his busy fight week schedule to discuss his brother Rodrigo's recent struggles, the late opponent swap, his interest level in still fighting Griffin someday and a potential rematch with Mauricio "Shogun" Rua looming on the horizon. Check it out: Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): I wanted to start by asking you about your brother "Minotauro." He has lost two of his last three fights. Some are saying that he is slowing down and his skills may have started to diminish. Based on what you have seen in the gym and on fight night, do you agree with that statement? Antonio Rogerio Nogueira: Rodrigo has been training hard as always. He is healthy and strong. He still trains hard everyday with very tough guys. Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): If you did start to notice a regression do you feel like you would be able to be open and honest addressing the situation with him? Antonio Rogerio Nogueira: His career is not over. I care for my brother we have always been together through everything, I know him very well. Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Ultimately, whose responsibility is it to oversee the well-being of a fighter as his career moves along? Antonio Rogerio Nogueira: All of those involved care about his well-being and his health. Most of the guys we train with have known him for many years and have followed him through his career. Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): How much longer do you think Minotauro will continue to fight? Antonio Rogerio Nogueira: Rodrigo still has fights in him. I hope to see him fighting again this year. Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): You made your UFC debut at UFC 106 last November. A lot of guys fighting in their UFC debut tend to tense up and it takes a while for them to settle into any kind of rhythm once the fight starts. Others let their emotions get the better of them and it hampers their cardio. You came out confident and sharp against Luiz Cane and finished him in the first round. What do you attribute your overwhelming success to in your debut? Antonio Rogerio Nogueira: I am used to the pressure of fighting in big shows. I was very well trained and very well prepared for that fight. I was confident that I would finish that fight. Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): You had to pull out of a potential UFC 109 fight against Brandon Vera due to an ankle injury you sustained in training. Did it require surgery? Antonio Rogerio Nogueira: The ankle injury set me back at UFC 109, but the doctors decided it did not require surgery. I just needed time to heal it properly and get back to training. Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): How is your overall health right now? Are you 100%? Antonio Rogerio Nogueira: I feel great, healthy and strong. Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Forrest Griffin was then tabbed are your next opponent for UFC 114, but pulled out of the fight due to injury. Jason Brilz is now your new opponent. Do you feel like you've had enough time to prepare for Brilz? Antonio Rogerio Nogueira: We were preparing to fight a striker and now I am facing a wrestler, but I am prepared and ready. Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Did you have to change anything around in your camp with the switch in opponents? Antonio Rogerio Nogueira: I was in Brazil training and came to California to stay with my brother and train with some great guys out here, but my plan was to be in the US for a few weeks anyway. I think I got good training there for this fight. Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): What have you learned researching Brilz? What are his some of his notable strengths and weaknesses? Antonio Rogerio Nogueira: He has strong wrestling and can also trade punches, but I am very confident in my boxing and my ground game. Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): If you are fortunate enough to come away with a victory over Brilz is there an opponent you would like to face next? Antonio Rogerio Nogueira: I will fight anyone, the best. I want to prove that I can also be a champion. Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Would you be open to still fighting Griffin once he is fully healthy? Antonio Rogerio Nogueira: Of course, I would welcome a fight against Griffin some day. Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): How many wins do you feel like you are away from a title shot? Antonio Rogerio Nogueira: I don't know. I hope that I keep having success in the octagon so the UFC and the fans feel I am ready for the title. Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): A man you know very well from your time in Japan, Mauricio Rua, recently captured the light heavyweight belt by defeating Lyoto Machida at UFC 113. Did you see the fight? If so, what did you think of Rua's performance? Antonio Rogerio Nogueira: Shogun looked well-prepared. The outcome of the fight was a big surprise for everyone. Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Is a rematch with Rua something that you are interested in? Antonio Rogerio Nogueira: For sure. I think we had a great battle in PRIDE and a rematch in the UFC would definitely interest me. Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Thank you for your time today. Is there any message you would like to pass along to your fans or any sponsors you would like to thank before we go? Antonio Rogerio Nogueira: Thank you for the support. Don't miss my next fight on May 29! Derek Bolender is a frequent contributor to MMAmania.com. He is also a freelance writer who has contributed to outlets such as CBSSports.com, FoxSports.com, and FIGHT! Magazine. Follow him on Twitter at @DerekBolender. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| UFC 117: Johny Hendricks vs Charlie Brenneman possible for Aug. 7 Posted: 27 May 2010 11:56 AM PDT
UFC welterweight up-and-comers Johny Hendricks and Charlie Brenneman have been approached for a possible 170-pound scrap when the promotion heads to the Oracle Arena for UFC 117 on August 7 in Oakland, California. MMA Die Hards first reported the pending match-up earlier today. Hendricks is perhaps best known for stopping Amir Sadollah in his Octagon debut at UFC 101: "Declaration" last August. In addition to winning three straight, the Team Takedown fighter also enjoyed a perfect 2-0 run in the WEC before getting called up to the big leagues. He owns a wrestling win over Brenneman from their college days -- but will history repeat itself? Like Hendricks, "The Spaniard" was able to transition from a stellar collegiate wrestler to a budding mixed martial artist with impressive results. The 12-1 Brenneman graduated to the UFC at Fight Night 21 back in March, taking home a unanimous decision victory over Jason High in Charlotte, North Carolina. This has the potential to be a barn-burner -- or wrestlemania. UFC 117 will feature the put-up-or-shut-up middleweight title fight between Chael Sonnen and Anderson "The Spider" Silva while Thiago "Pitbull" Alves seeks revenge on longtime nemesis Jon Fitch. For the current UFC 117 fight card click here. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 'Rampage' Jackson ESPN Sportscenter video: 'I wasn't surprised Rashad called me an Uncle Tom' Posted: 27 May 2010 11:12 AM PDT | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| UFC 114's Rashad Evans: 'Haters are gonna hate, but I gotta get back to doing me' Posted: 27 May 2010 10:09 AM PDT
Props: Pro MMA Radio Quoteworthy:
With UFC 114: "Rampage vs. Evans" now just a couple short days away, it's becoming quite evident, both fighters in the card's main event have their share of naysayers. Some examples of venom spewed their way in the recent weeks: "Rampage" is lazy, doesn't care about fighting, is fat, is a wannabe movie star, etc. While Rashad is too cocky, is a boring fighter, already peaked, was never that good to begin with, etc. You get the point. And so does Evans. He told Larry Pepe earlier this week that the days of caring about what are people thought of him are long gone. Rashad also said he's 'gotta get back to doing me.' That line could mean several things. But one of the first things that comes to mind is his fighting style. It sounds like he doesn't exactly plan on standing and trading with Jackson, no matter how bad he wants to knock him out. So, what do you foresee Rashad's strategy for this fight as being? Will he be trying endlessly for the takedown? Or, will his emotions get the best of him and force Evans out of his game plan entirely? Predict away. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| UFC 114 odds and betting lines for 'Rampage vs Evans' on May 29 Posted: 27 May 2010 10:02 AM PDT
You've heard the old adage, always bet on black? Doesn't really help us for UFC 114, but it at least gives us a 50/50 chance -- which is the story of the main event heading into this Saturday's (May 29) card from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. "Rampage vs. Evans" has a lot of fans torn over who the better man is. Joining them in their indecisiveness are the MMA oddsmakers, who have this grudge match between former light heavyweight champions split right down the middle at -115 apiece. Fortunately there is some tasty action elsewhere on the card. The official Nostradumbass underdog watch is honing in on John Hathaway (+175), Dan Miller (+140) and Mike Russow (+275). Anything is possible in this sport -- and those who lay down some cheddar on the underdogs come May 29 stand to make a healthy profit. Assuming you win, of course. Anyone thinking parlay? Take a look at the numbers and let's hear your play. Here are the latest UFC 114 odds (- = favorite; + = underdog):
To check out the complete "Rampage vs. Evans" fight card click here. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MMA Quick Quote: Anderson Silva will assume the (missionary) position at UFC 117 Posted: 27 May 2010 07:24 AM PDT
Fighter, Realtor and now stand-up comic Chael Sonnen has a little message for Anderson Silva heading into their middleweight title fight at UFC 117 on August 7 from the Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. Can the political hopeful implement his wrestling attack and force the Brazilian to fight without ending up face first on the canvas ala Forrest Griffin? Or will "The Spider" pull another Saturday Night fever and dance the night away? Hear what the Brazilian has to say about it after the jump.
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| UFC 117: Dustin Hazelett vs Ricky Story in the works for Aug. 7 Posted: 27 May 2010 06:58 AM PDT
UFC welterweight hopefuls Dustin Hazelett and Ricky Story have been pegged for a possible 170-pound showdown when the promotion heads to the Oracle Arena for UFC 117 on August 7 in Oakland, California. Bleacher Report sent word of the pending match-up late last night. Hazelett was Pearl Harbored by now-exiled British striker Paul "Semtex" Daley back at UFC 108: "Evans vs. Silva" earlier this year. It was the first loss for McLovin' inside the Octagon since Josh Koscheck pounded him out at UFC 82: "Pride of a Champion" in March 2008. The welterweight division isn't getting any easier and Hazelett may need to step up his offense if he hopes to stay competitive going forward. Standing in his way is Ricky Story, a winner of three consecutive fights after a debut loss to John Hathaway at UFC 99: "The Comeback" last June. In addition to squeaking past TUF 9 hopeful Nick Osipczak, the "Horror" took a judges decision from Jesse Lennox and submitted Brian Foster. As with anyone who faces Hazelett, submission defense will be the order of the day. UFC 117 will feature the put-up-or-shut-up middleweight title fight between Chael Sonnen and Anderson "The Spider" Silva while Thiago "Pitbull" Alves seeks revenge on longtime nemesis Jon Fitch. Stay tuned to MMAmania.com for future updates on this still-developing fight card. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tito Ortiz neck surgery video because 'He can't fight hurt anymore' Posted: 27 May 2010 06:06 AM PDT |
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