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

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• Programming reminder: 'Countdown to UFC 115' debuts tonight on Versus
• Josh Koscheck: 'I'm going out to knockout' Georges St. Pierre and go after him with 'reckless abandon' (Video)
• It may be one and done for the UFC in Vancouver
• King Mo: Frank Mir needs to get off that (light heavyweight) crack pipe
• Chuck Liddell: 'I can still beat anybody in the world at my weight' (Video)
• UFC 119: Jeremy Stephens signs on to fight Melvin Guillard in Indianapolis
• Tachi Palace Fights: 'Stars and Strikes' event poster for July 9
• UFC 115's Pat Barry: 'Cro Cop is a living legend -- If he kicks me in the face, I'm gonna ask him to sign my eye'
• Rampage Jackson appears on WWEs 'RAW' as BA Barracus (Video)
• Report: Dan Miller will not be cut following UFC 114 loss to Michael Bisping
• UFC 115 odds and betting lines for 'Liddell vs Franklin' on June 12
• Moosin MMA salaries: Tim Sylvia the better fighter, Mariusz Pudzianowski the bigger earner
• Lighten up! 'Rampage' Jackson not GLAAD his 'comedy' is being misconstrued as gay bashing

Programming reminder: 'Countdown to UFC 115' debuts tonight on Versus Posted: 08 Jun 2010 07:01 PM PDT Countdown to UFC 115: "Liddell vs. Franklin" will air tonight (June 8) at midnight ET (9 p.m. PT) on the Versus network to promote the upcoming pay-per-view (PPV) event scheduled for the GM Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, on Saturday, June 12. The network special will provide a glimpse into the preparation and training camps of the fighters set to headline the show, featuring former  UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck "The Iceman" Liddell and former UFC middleweight champion Rich "Ace" Franklin. Also featured on the countdown special will be a closer look at a heavyweight affair that could make or break two careers when Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic answers the call of fast-rising super-striker Pat "Get Hype" Barry. Replays of "Countdown to UFC 115" will air via Spike TV on Thursday, June 10 at 10 p.m. ET, Friday, June 11 at 1 a.m. ET and again on Saturday, June 12 at 6 p.m. ET. Remember that MMAmania.com will provide LIVE blow-by-blow, round-by-round coverage of UFC 115 beginning with the PPV telecast at 10 p.m. ET on Saturday, June 12. In addition, we will deliver up-to-the-minute quick results of all the under card action much earlier on fight night. To get up to speed on the "Liddell vs. Franklin" event be sure to check out the complete UFC 115 archive by clicking here.

Josh Koscheck: 'I'm going out to knockout' Georges St. Pierre and go after him with 'reckless abandon' (Video) Posted: 08 Jun 2010 05:57 PM PDT

It may be one and done for the UFC in Vancouver Posted: 08 Jun 2010 01:01 PM PDT UFC 115 is sure looking like it's causing more trouble than it's worth. Literally. After months of jumping through hoops in trying to bring the UFC to Vancouver, it may very well be that Dana White and the Fertittas wish they never had. The Director of the Greater Vancouver Regional District Board, Kerry Jang, tells the Toronto Sun that it is highly likely that the the UFC's first trip to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada may also be its last. "The city has been backed into a corner. We have no choice but to demand high insurance, because we're not protected by the province like Montreal is. We've done everything we can to support MMA in the city. I think it's fair to say [that the UFC won't be coming back to Vancouver]. If the UFC wants to come back, they should be working with the provincial and federal governments." The issue at hand, as has been reported for months now, is insurance costs. Vancouver Athletic Commission chair Mirko (coincidentally enough) Mladenovic said that the price of insurance is so high that the UFC, despite selling out General Motors Place for the event, will most assuredly make no money. Rumors have swirled that the UFC had to pay in the neighborhood of $12 million to insure UFC 115. But with Zuffa's recent move of opening up corporate offices in Canada, one would think that this situation sits high atop their list of priorities along with the sanctioning of the sport in Toronto.  So, Mr. Tom Wright, the pressure is on. Don't make Western Canadian UFC fans have to wait for a Seattle, Washington event. Thousands of Canucks are counting on you.

King Mo: Frank Mir needs to get off that (light heavyweight) crack pipe Posted: 08 Jun 2010 12:48 PM PDT Props: TapouT Radio (via Middle Easy) Quoteworthy: "He better get off that crack pipe. The main thing is Frank Mir at 205 would be strong, his skill-set would be enough. Overall strength and power would be down. I would just focus on the cardio. He should lose a little bit of weight as a heavyweight and be more mobile and agile heavyweight." Muhammed Lawal has some career advice for former UFC Heavyweight Champion Frank Mir, who recently pondered what life would be like as a light heavyweight. "King Mo" knows a thing or two about the 205-pound division, as he currently rules the roost over in Strikeforce. Anyone think Mir has a future at light heavyweight? Or should he follow Lawal's advice and become a more quicker, agile heavyweight?

Chuck Liddell: 'I can still beat anybody in the world at my weight' (Video) Posted: 08 Jun 2010 12:18 PM PDT

UFC 119: Jeremy Stephens signs on to fight Melvin Guillard in Indianapolis Posted: 08 Jun 2010 11:27 AM PDT An explosive lightweight match up between Jeremy Stephens and Melvin Guillard is all but official for UFC 119, which is tentatively scheduled for September 25 in Indianapolis, Indiana. "Lil Heathen" talked about the fight on BJPenn.com: "I just signed the papers today (for the Guillard fight). I think it's a good fight. I think it's an exciting fight for the fans. I think it's going to be a good one, but I think that I'm just going to be too strong for Melvin... It's going to be in a great location, here in the Midwest so it's going to be a big family event for me and its going to be a real exciting show and I can't wait to go out there just prove the world wrong once again." Stephens is coming off a hotly-contested split decision victory over Sam Stout at UFC 113: "Machida vs. Shogun 2." The win was Jeremy's second straight inside the Octagon running his UFC record to 5-4. The 24-year old Iowa native will have his hands full with a rejuvenated Melvin Guillard.   "The Young Assassin" is coming off a win himself, recently finishing Waylon Lowe via strikes in the opening frame at UFC 114: "Rampage vs. Evans." Guillard has gone 4-1 in his last five fights under the Zuffa umbrella, and has really seemed to turn the corner in his career under the tutelage of renowned MMA trainer Greg Jackson. As previously mentioned, UFC 119 is expected to take place on September 25 from Indianapolis, Indiana. However, no date, venue, or location has been formally announced by the UFC for the event. Stay tuned to MMAmania.com for more news on UFC 119 as it breaks.

Tachi Palace Fights: 'Stars and Strikes' event poster for July 9 Posted: 08 Jun 2010 11:26 AM PDT For ticket information, visit www.tachipalace.com. Check out the full nine-fight card after the jump. (Courtesy of a Tachi Palace Fights press release) McCullough and DeJesus will main event a loaded 9-bout card that also features UFC veteran Brad Blackburn of Seattle, Washington against Las Vegas, Nevada welterweight John Alessio. Alessio (28-13) is riding a 4-fight win streak and on the verge of breaking into the UFC. Meanwhile, Blackburn (15-11-1) has dropped two straight in the UFC after a 3-0 start on the world's biggest stage. The 9-fight card is also packed with three title fights, as welterweight champ David Mitchell (10-0) of Santa Rosa, Calif. defends his belt against Lemoore, California's Poppies Martinez (18-6) and bantamweight title holder Cole Escovedo (16-4) of Fresno, California defends against Oakdale, California Michael McDonald (9-1). Also, Rancho Cucamonga, California's Gabe Ruediger (16-5) and Albuquerque, New Mexico's Lenny Lovato (8-0) battle for the Tachi Palace Fights vacant lightweight strap. Also, grappling master Bill Cooper of Santa Barbara, California makes his MMA debut against UFC veteran David Kaplan (2-3) of Las Vegas, Nevada in a lightweight tilt. Olympic Silver Medalist Stephen Abas (1-0) of Fresno, California makes his return to the Palace in a bantamweight bout with Lemoore, California's Joey DeLaCruz (0-1). Las Vegas, Nevada's lightweight David Bollea (2-0), who is the nephew of wrestling superstar Hulk Hogan, takes on Visalia, California's Cody Gibson (3-0). And Coalinga, California bantamweight Francisco Loredo (4-5) fights Soledad, California Drew Bittner (3-0).

UFC 115's Pat Barry: 'Cro Cop is a living legend -- If he kicks me in the face, I'm gonna ask him to sign my eye' Posted: 08 Jun 2010 09:12 AM PDT Props: MMA Nation Quoteworthy: "I immediately said, ‘Yes, I'll do it. And right when I got off the phone I was like, ‘Oh man, what did I just do?' I had a Cro Cop poster on my wall growing up. He was my favorite MMA fighter. He's the reason the sport has evolved the way it has. The level of striking in this sport is the way it is right now because of him. He's the man. He's a living legend. People will be mentioning Cro Cop for the rest of fight history just like the way they mention Muhammad Ali. I think this is the same Cro Cop it has always been. He's the same dangerous monster he's always been. The only thing different is everybody else has gotten better. Anybody who thinks he's not the same guy that he used to be can take my place on June 12... I'll tell you my whole game plan right now. I'm gonna stay on my toes, and try to break his rhythm. He seems to just march forward at the same pace unless someone disrupts his rhythm. I'm gonna be coming in and out, in and out, and breaking his pattern. That's my game plan. And if he kicks me in the face, I'm gonna ask him to sign my eye." Pat "HD" Barry appears to be the man of the hour in the lead up to UFC 115. He's an exciting, energetic, and affable guy. And his fight game matches his personality to a T, no doubt about it. But is Barry treading deep water here with his admittance that Cro Cop was his idol growing up? Sure, the Croation heavyweight doesn't strike fear in the hearts of fighters the way he used to, but Pat seems to think that nothing has changed with Filipovic since his heyday back in Pride FC. Regardless of the match up purely skills wise, fighting someone you looked up to your entire life can be a real mental challenge, (see GSP at UFC 50). So, is "Hype or Die" in trouble here with the way he is approaching this fight on June 12? Or, will his clear edge in athleticism prove to be enough to defeat his childhood hero? Predictions, por favor.

Rampage Jackson appears on WWEs 'RAW' as BA Barracus (Video) Posted: 08 Jun 2010 07:50 AM PDT Check out the former UFC light heavyweight champion's bad attitude inside the actual squared circle after the jump:

Report: Dan Miller will not be cut following UFC 114 loss to Michael Bisping Posted: 08 Jun 2010 07:50 AM PDT Ordinarily, losing three consecutive fights inside the Octagon is a surefire way to have your UFC career put on ice -- especially in today's ultra-competitive landscape. Then again, Zuffa may not consider Dan Miller an ordinary fighter. ESPN's MMA Live today brings word that the down-on-his-luck middleweight will be retained by the world's largest fight promotion on the heels of his UFC 114 loss to Michael Bisping back on May 29 in Las Vegas. Miller (11-4), whose son is battling a potentially life-threatening illness, rocketed out of the gate when he debuted in 2008, winning his first three fights in the 185-pound division, only to drop his next three by way of unanimous decision. The Sparta native has all the tools to become a major player in the middleweight division and can hopefully use his next fight to remind fans of why the UFC decided to have him stick around. Anyone want to take a guess at who his next opponent might (or should) be?

UFC 115 odds and betting lines for 'Liddell vs Franklin' on June 12 Posted: 08 Jun 2010 07:29 AM PDT Dancing with the dogs. Chuck Liddell (+115) is on the other side of the fight lines again, a place he probably isn't used to being in his career. Unfortunately the icy one has dropped four of his last five and could be playing his swan song in Vancouver. But is Rich Franklin (-145) the man to put the final nail in Liddell's coffin? Maybe "Ace" is going to outclass him -- or maybe he's going to find out what a reinvigorated "Iceman" can do with a great camp and some much-needed time off. There is a chance we might not even notice it however, depending on how badly someone gets knocked out in the Pat Barry (-150) vs. Mirko Filipovic (+120) fight. "Get Hype" may "get creamed" with a left high kick -- which "Cro Cop" claims is a one-way ticket to the cemetery. Then again the Croat hasn't looked like his old self in years, and while the stocky Barry lines up perfectly with Filipovic's leg, the 'Nawlins native has done some knocking out of his own. Anything is possible in this sport -- and those who lay down some cheddar on the underdogs come June 12 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 115 odds (- = favorite; + = underdog): Rich Franklin -145 BET NOW Chuck Liddell +115 BET NOW Pat Barry -150 BET NOW Mirko Filipovic +120 BET NOW Mac Danzig -120 BET NOW Matt Wiman -110 BET NOW   Remember that MMAmania.com will provide LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the main card action on fight night (Sat., June 12). It’s going to be an exciting night of fights so don’t miss it. And remember to check us out for all the pre, during and post-fight coverage you can handle. To check out the complete "Liddell vs. Franklin" fight card click here.

Moosin MMA salaries: Tim Sylvia the better fighter, Mariusz Pudzianowski the bigger earner Posted: 08 Jun 2010 06:47 AM PDT The official fighter purses for those who competed at Moosin: "Gods of Martial Arts" back on May 21 from the DCU Center in Worcester, Mass., were released yesterday and come courtesy of The Boston Herald. Former UFC Heavyweight Champion Tim Sylvia earned $50,000 for winning his main event fight against Mariusz Pudzianowski, but "The Maine-iac" may be suffering from payroll envy after "The World's Strongest Negotiator" banked more than double that figure ($110,000) in defeat. Coming in a distant third was Gracie Fusion's Rafael Natal, who collected $14,000 for turning out the lights on former UFC middleweight Travis Lutter ($4,000) in the first round of their 185-pound affair. The only other fighters to break the 10k mark were Mike Campbell ($12,000) and Travis Wiuff ($10,000). Here is the complete list of Moosin "Gods of Martial Arts" payouts: Tim Sylvia: $50,000 def. Mariusz Pudzianowski: $110,000 Travis Wiuff: $10,000 def. Josh Barnes: $3,400 Rafael Natal: $14,000 (includes $7,000 win bonus) def. Travis Lutter: $4,000 Mike Campbell: $12,000 (includes $6,000 win bonus) def. Yves Edwards:  $3,000 Roxy Modafferi: $6,000 (includes $3,000 win bonus) def. Tara LaRosa: $2,500 Lukasz "Juras" Jurkowski: $3,500 def. Ho Jin Kim: $3,000 Forrest Petz: $4,000 (includes $2,000 win bonus)  def. Ralph Johnson: $1,200 Matt Lee: $2,000 (includes $1,000 win bonus) def. Brett Oteri: $1,000 Anthony Lapsley: $2,000 (includes $1,000 win bonus) def. Fred Belleton: $2,000 Stipe Miocic: $2,000 (includes $1,000 win bonus) def. Paul Barry: $1,500 The Moosin event dished out $237,100 in fighter salaries and sold 3,919 tickets. For our recap of the May 21 event click here.

Lighten up! 'Rampage' Jackson not GLAAD his 'comedy' is being misconstrued as gay bashing Posted: 08 Jun 2010 06:09 AM PDT "Now I got my life back together from all that doing positive things, trying to be the best role model I can be. Instead of the media congradulating me from this obstical, it chooses to paint a picture of me as a gay basher. Let me teach you a little something about me cause I know y'all don't really know me. I am a black man from Memphis Tennessee who grew up in the south where I faced discrimination my whole life. I know very well how it feels for someone to judge you for something you have no control over so having gone through that I know how it feels. I took a vow that I didn't even have to say that I would never discriminate against anybody for anything other that how they treat me or others around them. So not only DO I NOT HATE gay people, I actually accept them for who and what they are. They always seem happy and most of them I met are very kind and nice individuals. Yes, and like most straight guys I joke around with the whole gay thing and I see it as comedy, not saying that's right or wrong but I don't do it out of hate ... EVERYBODY LIGHTEN THE FUCK UP! LET'S HAVE FUN! THAT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT THING WE CAN DO RIGHT NOW! THERE'S TOO MUCH NEGATIVITY IN THIS WORLD, SO LET'S JUST FOCUS ON THE POSITIVE THINGS AND I GUARANTEE IF WE DO THAT THINGS CAN ONLY GET BETTER!" Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Quinton Jackson goes on a "Rampage" via his official blog after coming under fire for using words (or perhaps context) deemed offensive to the gay community. The man currently known as B.A. Baracus admits to calling his friend "gay" but insists he isn't homophobic, just funny and skilled at the art of trash talking. Check out his entire blog here and let's hear your take. Is Jackson being singled out for his use of everyday language that most guys use liberally? Or does he have a responsibility to act professionally anytime he's in public because of his celebrity status?

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