Wednesday, June 23, 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 116: Yoshihiro Akiyama vs Chris Leben booked for July 3 with Wanderlei Silva hurt (Updated)

Posted: 22 Jun 2010 02:51 PM PDT

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Sorry "Axe" fans, but Wanderlei Silva is off the UFC 116 fight card after murdering his ribs in training camp.

That very unfortunate news was first reported by MMA Fighting, who brought word of the Brazilian's injury earlier this afternoon, effectively squashing a much-anticipated middleweight mash-up between two of Japanese MMA's most popular fighters.

Despite Silva's last minute withdrawal, "Sexyama" will continue to train for the "Lesnar vs. Carwin" supershow on July 3 now that a resurgent Chris Leben has agreed to step in on short notice to throw hands, according to MMA Weekly.

"The Crippler" (20-6) is fresh off a second round stoppage over the ultra-tough Aaron Simpson this past Saturday night (June 19) at The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 11 Finale in Las Vegas.

It was his second straight win after dropping a pair of fights in a tumultuous two year span that also saw the former TUF star get popped for steroids.

No question a win over Akiyama in what may be the biggest pay-per-view event of the year would effectively complete his improbable comeback.

UFC 116 will feature a titanic heavyweight showdown between division champion Brock Lesnar and interim titlist Shane Carwin. It marks the return of the promotion's biggest box office draw, Lesnar, who will return from a career-threatening intestinal problem to once again establish himself as the undisputed man among men.

"Lesnar vs. Carwin" will also feature a lightweight showdown between Kurt Pellegrino and George Sotiropolous, as well as a highly-anticipated rematch between Stephan Bonnar and Krzysztof Soszynski.

For all the latest UFC 116 news and notes click here.

Brock Lesnar vs Shane Carwin UFC 116 video trailer (Extended)

Posted: 22 Jun 2010 02:03 PM PDT

(Updated on 6/22/10 to include additional footage)

Strikeforce medical suspensions and injuries for 'Los Angeles'

Posted: 22 Jun 2010 01:56 PM PDT

The California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) today issued its medical suspensions for the Strikeforce: "Los Angeles" event that took place this past Wednesday (June 16) at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles, California.

Only four fighters were relegated to the bench after last week's festivities.

Renato "Babalu" Sobral was slapped with a 60 day suspension that includes no contact for 60 days (unless cleared by a doctor) for the left eyebrow cut suffered in his war with "Ruthless" Robbie Lawler.

Joining him in the 60/60 club was lightweight gamer Conor "Hurricane" Heun, who earned his suspension after suffering cuts to his eyebrows and cheeks courtesy of KJ Noons.

DREAM champion Marius Zaromskis was suspended for 45 days with no contact for 30 days for precautionary reasons and will be required to undergo a physical before his next fight.

In preliminary action, Marcus Kowal was stopped by Hugo Sandoval in the second round and as a result will be forced to take a 45 day vacation with no contact for 30 days. He also carries an additional 180 day suspension with no contact for 180 days due to a possible left knee injury (unless cleared by a doctor).

Just a quick reminder: Fighters can often return to action much quicker after obtaining medical clearance from a doctor. The lengthy suspensions are just a precaution in most cases.

For complete results and coverage of "Los Angeles" click here and here.

Programming alert: 'Countdown to UFC 116' debuts June 28 on Spike TV

Posted: 22 Jun 2010 01:39 PM PDT

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Countdown to UFC 116: "Lesnar vs. Carwin" will debut Monday, June 28 at 7:00 p.m. ET on Spike TV to promote the upcoming pay-per-view (PPV) event scheduled for the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Saturday, July 3.

The network special will provide a glimpse into the preparation and training camps of the fighters set to headline the show, featuring current UFC Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar and UFC Interim Heavyweight Champion Shane Carwin.

Also featured on the countdown special will be a closer look at the middleweight affair between former Japanese MMA stars Wanderlei "The Axe Murderer" Silva and Yoshihiro "Sexyama" Akiyama.

Replays of "Countdown to UFC 116" will air at the following times:

Wednesday, June 30 at 7 p.m. ET (Spike TV)
Thursday, July 1 at midnight ET (Versus)
Friday, July 2 at 1 a.m. ET (Spike TV)

Remember that MMAmania.com will provide LIVE blow-by-blow, round-by-round coverage of UFC 116 beginning with the PPV telecast at 10 p.m. ET on Saturday, July 3. 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 "Lesnar vs. Carwin" event be sure to check out the complete UFC 116 archive by clicking here.

Strikeforce salaries and paydays for 'Los Angeles'

Posted: 22 Jun 2010 01:20 PM PDT

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The official fighter purses for those who competed at Strikeforce: "Los Angeles" were released earlier today by the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) for the Showtime event held at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles, California, on June 16.

As expected, main event participants and former UFC stars Renato "Babalu" Sobral ($100,000) and "Ruthless" Robbie Lawler ($85,000) were the top earners of the night, accounting for well over half the card's entire payroll ($295,000).

Coming in a distant second at $30,000 apiece were middleweights Tim Kennedy and Trevor Prangley. The only other fighter to exceed the 10k mark was former EliteXC Lightweight Champion KJ Noons ($25,000) in his split decision win over Conor Heun ($4,000).

Here is the complete list of Strikeforce: "Los Angeles" payouts:

Renato "Babalu" Sobral: $100,000
Robbie Lawler: $85,000
Sobral def. Lawler via unanimous decision

Evangelista "Cyborg" Santos: $10,000
Marius Zaramoskis: $5,000
Santos def. Zaromskis via TKO (strikes)

Tim Kennedy: $30,000
Trevor Prangley: $30,000
Kennedy def. Prangley via submission (rear naked choke)

K.J. Noons: $25,000
Conor Heun: $4,000
Noons def. Heun via split decision

Jeremy Umphries: $1,500
R.J. Clifford: $2000
Umphries def. Clifford via submission (rear naked choke)

Hugo Sandoval: $1,500
Marcus Kowal: $1,000
Sandoval def. Kowal via TKO (strikes)

Keep in mind the salaries listed above do not include fight bonuses, sponsorships, percentages and other unofficial payments. It also does not include deductions for expenses such as insurance, taxes, etc.

The total base fighter payroll for the event was $295,000. 5,259 spectators were reportedly in attendance at the Nokia Theater for an unofficial live gate of $418,061.

For complete results and coverage of "Los Angeles" click here and here.

Brock Lesnar: 'UFC 116 will be my second coming'

Posted: 22 Jun 2010 11:48 AM PDT

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"This is kind of my second coming, its brought a lot of life into me and my training camp. I'm excited to be a part of this. The setback for me has been a good thing because it allowed me to sit back and focus on my diet and the way I train. I brought some new things to the table, a new strength and conditioning coach and a new boxing coach. I really regrouped since October (2009) and rejuvenated myself with a new approach to training. It's been very refreshing. I won't have to cut any weight this time. I came in this morning right at 265 (pounds). I've had 40 tune up fights in practice since camp started and if I have any ring rust by the time July 3 rolls around it will be a crying shame."

UFC Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar talks about his rebirth on today's UFC 116: "Lesnar vs. Carwin" media conference call. The former WWE wrestler turned mixed martial arts powerhouse hasn't competed since his second round drubbing of Frank Mir at UFC 100 nearly one year ago -- thanks to a crippling case of diverticulitis. Now that a recovered Lesnar is fresh off his "medical miracle," he's cleaned up his diet and refined his training. Will it be enough to topple the undefeated "Engineer" on July 3?

James Toney: 'Hello, 911 - I'd like to report a murder, victim's name is Randy Couture... I did it' (Video)

Posted: 22 Jun 2010 11:27 AM PDT

Something tells me a mental ward would better suit "Lights Out" than a prison.

Fedor Emelianenko: 'I became a thorn in the UFC's side'

Posted: 22 Jun 2010 10:15 AM PDT

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Props: MixFight.ru (via Lowkick.com)

Quoteworthy:

"UFC is a money making machine. The most important thing for this organization is a brand and it's marketing. They have a couple of good fighters and there are also some very good champions; but they are trying to keep everyone at the same level. The most important thing for them is the promotion, not the fighters. I think that they lack a respect for their fighters. As for me, I became a thorn in their side... We are constantly negotiating, but only during recent time the Americans began to show some respect. The dialogue between us is completely different right now. They are more interested in our opinion."

Russian heavyweight uber star Fedor Emelianenko continues his verbal attack on the UFC and their product. Just last week, "The Last Emperor" proclaimed he was no fan of the world's number one MMA promotion. Now, he seems to be relishing in the fact that throughout all the back and forth between himself, M-1 Global's Vadim Finkelstein, and the UFC management, he successfully developed into a prickly thorn stuck in the side of the Zuffa brass. What once seemed like almost an inevitability - Fedor stepping foot inside the Octagon - now seems as unlikely as it ever has. Anyone holding out hope?

UFC Quick Quote: Brendan Schaub believes speed will kill against Chris Tuchscherer at UFC 116

Posted: 22 Jun 2010 09:19 AM PDT

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"I'm 245 pounds, so I'm a smaller heavyweight. My biggest asset is my cardio and speed. I think my teammates would agree with that. I don't think there are many heavyweights that can keep up with my the pace... Chris' biggest asset is his wrestling. That's how he gets his wins. He likes to take guys down and pound them out or grind out a decision. Obviously he'll be coming in looking to take me down, but he's gonna be pretty surprised to find I'm not easy to take down. But even if the fight goes to the ground, one of my strengths is fighting off my back. I'm comfortable down there. I don't think he'll be ready for that."

The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 10 Finalist Brendan Schaub talked to Larry Pepe of Pro MMA Radio about his upcoming fight against Chris Tuchscherer, which is set to take place on Spike TV's UFC 116 "Prelims Live" broadcast before the event goes live on pay-per-view. Schaub feels as though his advantages in the speed and cardio departments are what is going to be the deciding factor in this fight. Do you agree? Will Schaub be too explosive for Tuchscherer to handle? Or, will Chris' size and wrestling advantages lead him to victory on July 3? Discuss.

UFC 116: Wanderlei Silva vs Yoshihiro Akiyama video fight talk

Posted: 22 Jun 2010 08:34 AM PDT

Dan Hardy or Jake Shields? Doesn't matter to Martin Kampmann...

Posted: 22 Jun 2010 08:25 AM PDT

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Props: MMA Weekly

Quoteworthy:

"Dan Hardy would be a great fight I think. Alves and Fitch are matched up, and Hardy don't have an opponent right now. He's fighting right around the same time I'd like to go. I'd like to fight around October, maybe in November, so that fight would be perfect for me. I'd be happy to take that fight for sure. [Jake Shields] would definitely be a good fight as well. He's tough and he's ranked real high in the welterweight division. For good reason, I didn't expect him to beat (Dan) Henderson, he's definitely good. I'm ready for whoever. I just want to fight guys that's ranked in the top ten, top five. The higher the better."

A motivated and resurgent Martin Kampmann, fresh of his UFC 115 win over Paulo Thiago, sets his sights on the rest of the UFC welterweight division -- starting with Dan "The Outlaw" Hardy. Of course it would be just fine for "The Hitman" if he was the UFC welcoming committee for Strikeforce Middleweight Champion Jake Shields, who may (or may not) sign with the world's largest fight promotion at some point this summer. Anyone think the Dane is biting off more than he can chew? Or is Kampmann good enough to hang with either fighter?

Georges St. Pierre and Josh Koscheck adorn the wall of the UFC training gym as coaches in The...

Posted: 22 Jun 2010 07:39 AM PDT

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Georges St. Pierre and Josh Koscheck adorn the wall of the UFC training gym as coaches in The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 12.

Nate Marquardt vs Rousimar Palhares official for UFC 118 in Boston

Posted: 22 Jun 2010 07:12 AM PDT

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Top ranked middleweight contender Nate Marquardt (29-9-2) will be facing a very stiff test this summer now that he's booked to face muscular submission master Rousimar Palhares (11-2) at UFC 118: "Edgar vs. Penn 2" on Aug. 28 in Boston.

The UFC today officially announced the middleweight match-up, first reported by MMAmania.com back in May.

"The Great" is coming off a "Relentless" beat down at the hands of now number one middleweight contender Chael Sonnen at UFC 109 back in February. Many people pegged the fight as an easy win for Marquardt, but Mr. Sonnen showed us all yet again what good 'ole American wrestling can do for you in this sport.

Prior to the Sonnen defeat, Nate had won three consecutive fights inside the Octagon, including a 21-second dismantling of Demian Maia at UFC 102. That win propelled Marquardt back to the top of the division, but another title shot was just not meant to be at the moment.

Palhares is coming off a controversial submission win over Tomasz Drwal at UFC 111 back on March 27, failing to break the heel hook submission he applied in the first round in a timely fashion. The "Gorilla" tapped to no avail and referee Kevin Mulhall had to physically intervene upon calling the fight.

"Toquinho" later apologized for the hiccup, insisting there was no harm intended, but the NJSACB wasn't impressed with his post-fight apology and slapped him with a 90-day suspension.

He'll now look to redeem himself against perhaps his stiffest test to date (sans Dan Henderson) later this summer.

For the latest UFC 118: "Edgar vs. Penn 2" fight card and line-up click here.

Vitor Belfort training video for UFC return

Posted: 22 Jun 2010 07:02 AM PDT

Bob Reilly: Don't legalize a 'brutal sport' like MMA just to make a buck

Posted: 22 Jun 2010 06:55 AM PDT

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Props: WGRZ.com

Quoteworthy:

"Most of us believe this is a brutal sport. Some of us are willing, however, to legalize it because of the money it brings in, and I find that a pretty horrific type of attitude and position to have, because we're trying to stop bullying in schools, we're trying to stop gang violence and domestic violence."

New York Assemblyman Robert Reilly, D-Colonie, is afraid of losing the fight against domestic violence and school bullying if the "brutal sport" of mixed martial arts finds its way to the "Empire State." He also complains that his fellow lawmen, many of whom feel the same way he does about MMA, would legalize it anyway as some sort of financial band-aid to cover the state's massive wound that has been hemorrhaging cash under the current (and probably former) administration. Anyone think it's just a matter of time before the UFC hits Madison Square Garden? Or will the legal dinosaurs make sure this new bill to legalize MMA remains extinct?

Programming alert: WEC 49 'Varner vs Shalorus' replay on Versus tonight (June 22) at 9 p.m. ET

Posted: 22 Jun 2010 06:28 AM PDT

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For those of you who didn't catch Jamie Varner's ball-busting draw against Kamal Shalorus last Sunday evening, Versus will air the replay of WEC 49: "Varner vs. Shalorus" tonight (June 22) at 9 p.m. ET.

In addition to the inconclusive (and somewhat controversial) main event, there was plenty of hard-hitting action on the rest of the card, including Eddie Wineland's body blow, Josh Grispi's ascensuion to the top of the featherweight contender's list and the resurgence of Canadian cage fighters Mark Hominick and Chris Horodecki.

Now you can watch it all go down once more tonight at 9 p.m. ET.

For complete WEC 49 results and blow-by-blow coverage of the main card action click here and here.
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