Thursday, August 5, 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

Jon Fitch has faith Thiago Alves will make weight for UFC 117 fight (Video)

Posted: 05 Aug 2010 04:15 AM PDT

UFC 117: "Silva vs. Sonnen" open media workout photos gallery. Check out the complete collection...

Posted: 04 Aug 2010 08:09 PM PDT

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UFC 117: "Silva vs. Sonnen" open media workout photos gallery. Check out the complete collection right here.

Daniel Cormier vs Jason Riley booked for Strikeforce: 'Houston' on Aug. 21

Posted: 04 Aug 2010 05:05 PM PDT

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NEW YORK (Aug. 4, 2010) -- Undefeated heavyweight and two-time United States Olympic Games wrestling team member Daniel Cormier will attempt to make it four wins in a row when he faces the hard-hitting Jason Riley in the undercard of a world championship doubleheader at STRIKEFORCE: Houston on Saturday, Aug. 21 at Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.

The addition of the heavyweight bout to the undercard has prompted a new start time (6:30 p.m. CT) for the STRIKEFORCE event, which was originally scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Doors to the Toyota Center open at 6 p.m.

A former NCAA Division I national championship runner up at Oklahoma State University, Cormier (3-0) has won all three of his professional MMA bouts via knockout. Cormier won his initial MMA and STRIKEFORCE start with a second-round TKO (punches) over Gary Frazier on Sept. 25 in Tulsa, Okla.

He dominated John Devine in his second fight with a first-round knockout at a STRIKEFORCE: Challengers event on March 26 in Fresno, Calif., and followed that up with a first-round TKO of Lucas Browne on July 31.

A heavyweight prospect who trains at American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose, Calif., Cormier placed fourth in the 2004 Olympics in freestyle wrestling. He was named captain of the U.S. squad for the 2008 Olympics, but was unable to compete due to injury.

Riley (7-3), of Columbus, Ohio, has won four of his fights via knockout, but is looking to rebound from a KO loss to Devin Cole on March 27. Far more experienced professionally than Cormier, Devine has been in the cage with MMA veteran Tim Sylvia, who fought MMA legends Fedor Emelianenko, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Randy Couture and Andrei Arlovski.

STRIKEFORCE World Light Heavyweight (205 pounds) Champion "King" Mo Lawal (7-0) will make the first defense of his belt against devastating striker Rafael "Feijao'' Cavalcante (9-2) in the main event on the live SHOWTIME telecast (10p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast).

The co-main event will feature Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza (12-2) and American military hero Tim Kennedy (12-2) in a battle for the vacant STRIKEFORCE Middleweight (185 pounds) title.

In a featured, televised bout, undefeated heavyweight rising star and former WWE personality Bobby Lashley (5-0) will return to the cage against Chad Griggs (8-1). Also on the televised portion of the card, former world champ KJ Noons (9-2) will face Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu blackbelt Jorge Gurgel (13-6) in a lightweight (155 pounds) featured bout.

The live SHOWTIME telecast of the event will begin at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast).

Chael Sonnen plans Anderson Silva's retirement party on ESPN's SportsCenter (Video)

Posted: 04 Aug 2010 03:01 PM PDT

"Best of Pride" host Kenda Perez shows some skin in the Aug/Sept issue of UFC Magazine. Props:...

Posted: 04 Aug 2010 02:59 PM PDT

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"Best of Pride" host Kenda Perez shows some skin in the Aug/Sept issue of UFC Magazine.

Props: Cage Potato

Jon Fitch: 'It'd be moronic for Georges St. Pierre to stand with guys like Thiago Alves and Dan Hardy'

Posted: 04 Aug 2010 12:11 PM PDT

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Props: MMA Nation

Quoteworthy:

"A lot has changed for me. My striking is just a lot more sharp and technical. The thing that hurt me in the fight with GSP is I threw a lazy leg kick and caught an overhand right and I was on queer street the rest of the fight. It was all down hill from there. I've worked a lot on my Muay Thai. My head movement and foot movement has dramatically improved. I'm a much faster and better athlete now. My diet has changed too. I'm a lot leaner and in better shape now... I think a lot of people had it in their heads that he [Georges St. Pierre] has a weak chin because of the Matt Serra fight and that he is using his wrestling more now because of that. But he's always been wrestling-based. He uses his wrestling to set up his striking. He's fought some good strikers recently, so why play into their strength? It's all about the path of least resistance. It'd be moronic to just stand trade with guys like Thiago Alves and Dan Hardy."

Jon Fitch, a guy who has taken his own criticism when it comes to fighting style, comes to the defense of welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre. Fans have seemingly grown tired of GSP's dominant wrestling game, but if you look at it in the sense that Fitch does, who just so happens to often employ a similar game plan, St. Pierre is just playing it smart. Whether fans enjoy watching positional domination for 15 to 25 minutes at a time doesn't change the fact that Georges has used his wresting to become one of the greatest 170-pounders of all-time, and with his wrestling pedigree Jon has stayed near the top of the division for years. Where do you come out on this topic? Are you fine with fighters using the style that best serves their ultimate purpose, to win, possibly in exchange for more exciting fights?

Roger Huerta stomps out wannabe thug in street fight (Updated)

Posted: 04 Aug 2010 11:57 AM PDT

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If there was ever a guy who deserved to receive a bully beatdown, it's the wanksta in this video (courtesy of TMZ) that felt the need to cold-cock a woman. Luckily for all of humanity, well except for the aforementioned busta, Roger Huerta just so happened to be in the neighborhood to right this tool's wrong.

And "El Matador's" former boss, UFC President Dana White, wasn't shedding any tears for the fallen thug.

"In no way do I condone street fighting, but when a guy puts his hands on a woman he deserves to be knocked the f*ck out. Good for Roger."

Anyone think the punishment didn't fit the crime?

UFN 22: Nate Marquardt vs Rousimar Palhares main event official for September 15

Posted: 04 Aug 2010 11:56 AM PDT

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Top ranked middleweight contender Nate Marquardt (29-9-2) will be facing muscular submission master Rousimar Palhares (11-2) -- albeit a little later than expected -- now that the promotion has officially booked them to headline UFC Fight Night 22 on Sept. 15.

Originally scheduled for UFC 118: "Edgar vs. Penn 2" on Aug. 28 in Boston, the 185-pound contest will now replace the Fight Night 22 main event between Alan Belcher and Demian Maia after "The Talent" was forced off the card due to injury.

"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 new and improved UFC Fight Night 22 line-up click here.

Reminder: Win a free iPad contest via Tokyo Five UFC 117/Ricardo Almeida monster giveaway!

Posted: 04 Aug 2010 09:54 AM PDT

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Time to pass along a little reminder about our latest blockbuster give-a-way.

Yep, we're back again with another contest, but this time our good friends at Tokyo Five have really upped the ante, giving away a customized Tokyo Five iPad.

Yes, an iPad!

MMAmania.com is proud to announce a UFC 117: "Silva vs. Sonnen" contest give-a-way, currently underway and in effect until Saturday night (Aug. 7) at 10 p.m. ET.

What's the reason?

Ricardo Almeida, a Tokyo Five-sponsored fighter -- who also happens to be among the "Big Dogs" in the stacked welterweight division -- will return to the cage to take on UFC Hall of Famer, Matt Hughes, next weekend. His walkout shirt is also now available for a LIMITED TIME exclusively at MMAWarehouse.com (CLICK HERE to see/buy it now).

What do you have to do to win?

It's simple (and familiar): Just provide your fight prediction for Ricardo's upcoming bout against Hughes on the main card of UFC 117 (ex. Almeida defeats Hughes via TKO in round 3 at 2:48; or Hughes defeats Almeida via KO in round 1 at 1:58).

So it's winner, round, method and time. One entry per reader ... so make it count! If you pick a decision be sure to include the official time, as well as guess the potential scores for each round (10-9, 10-9, 8-10, etc.)

And to be on the safe side, all entries that pick a decision win must include a tie-breaker pick from the Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen fight. Same criteria as above.

Use our contest email (contest@mmamania.com) to submit your answers. To enter CLICK HERE. Do NOT leave entries/predictions in the comments section below.

Be sure to submit correct contact information so we can contact you when you win AN iPAD -- good luck!

Check out the entire Tokyo Five collection here. And remember, to buy the Ricardo Almeida UFC 117 walkout shirt click here.

Jon Fitch or Thiago Alves? Carlos Condit wants to fight the lesser of two evils

Posted: 04 Aug 2010 08:16 AM PDT

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Props: ESPN.co.uk

Quoteworthy:

"They're both very tough match-ups, they're dangerous fighters and they have a lot of tools. But the better match-up for me would be Jon Fitch. That's not taking anything away from Fitch, it's just the lesser of two evils. They're both killers. Fitch isn't as much of a finisher as Thiago Alves, he's more about grinding his opponent into the ground - literally. With my jiu-jitsu, I could withstand that and do better than a lot of guys have done. Thiago's coming off a long lay-off so we'll see if that has any effect on him. I see Fitch winning it because I think he'll be busier and I see Thiago being a little rusty."

Carlos Condit has his sights set on a couple of the division's top dogs heading into his welterweight clash with Dan Hardy at UFC 120 on Spike TV this October. "The Natural Born Killer" must first arrest "The Outlaw" in London but if he's successful, would prefer to face Jon Fitch rather than Thiago Alves if the opportunity presents itself. Based on the Brazilian's penchant for vicious striking, can anyone blame him? And does a win over Hardy pair him with the loser of Fitch vs. Alves?

UFC 117 videos blog with Dana White (Episode one)

Posted: 04 Aug 2010 07:37 AM PDT

Corey Hill continues 'High Stakes' comeback against Rob McCullough on Sept. 9

Posted: 04 Aug 2010 07:36 AM PDT

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Lanky and likable UFC veteran Corey Hill continues his improbable comeback when he competes for the fourth time this year, taking on former WEC Lightweight Champion Rob McCullough at the upcoming Tachi Palace Fights 6: "High Stakes" event on Sept. 9 in Lemoore, California.

The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 5 contestant sustained a grisly leg fracture when his opponent at UFC Fight Night 16: "Fight for the Troops," Dale Hartt, checked a kick from Hill during their lightweight bout at the Crown Coliseum in Fayetteville, N.C., in December 2008.

The fallen fighter was originally expected to be out up to eighteen months after undergoing surgery to repair the fracture, yet Hill was back in the gym just four months later.

He defied the odds by not only coming back earlier than anticipated -- but by taking the unanimous decision in his return fight against Jason Trzewieczynski at January's "Raging Wolf" event from the Seneca Niagara Casino and Hotel in Niagara, NY.

Hill was unfazed by a submission loss to Mark Holst at XKL: "Evolution 1" in March and improved his record to 4-3 by tapping out Kit Cope just last month at RW 8: "Cage Supremacy" in Salamanca.

"Razor" Rob will be his toughest test to date -- but could also put an exclamation point on his comeback should he prevail.

McCullough has been hot and cold since coughing up the WEC strap to Jamie Varner in early 2008, compiling a 3-3 record during that span and ending up fighting outside of the Zuffa promotion for the first time in over four years.

Fortunately it ended in victory, as the Huntington Beach native pounded out Isaac DeJesus at TPF 5: "Stars and Strikes" on July 9.

Like Hill, McCullough is also working his way back into the big leagues and the co-main event may end up stealing the show on Sept. 9 at the Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino.

"High Stakes" will feature a main event between former WEC Light Heavyweight Champion Doug Marshall and The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 11 contestant Kyacey Uscola. Diego Saraiva, Micah Miller and Joe Henle are also expected to appear.

UFC 117: Dustin Hazelett not McLovin' the pre-fight trash talk

Posted: 04 Aug 2010 06:40 AM PDT

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Props: Sherdog.com

Qiuoteworthy:

"I'm not in this to become famous or anything. I don't like all the hype and I hate talking smack. I just do this because I enjoy competing in martial arts. A lot of guys trash talk just to hype the fight and stuff like that, but I got into this because of martial arts and that's not what martial arts are about, talking smack and stuff like that. That's more pro wrestling than martial arts. When they're talking smack, I think it looks bad for the sport and sets a bad example. I don't want this sport to become pro wrestling where we have to do monologues where we talk about how we're going to beat somebody up. My previous fights should be enough to hype my next fight. If they're not, then I should remain on the undercard."

Dustin Hazelett heads into his UFC 117 welterweight clash against Ricky Story on the opposite end of the trash-talking spectrum, enjoying his relative anonymity on the Oakland undercard. The big story heading into the Oracle Arena this Saturday night (Aug. 7) is the main event between Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen, with the mouthy ex-politician promoting himself at the expense of the Brazilian. Does "McLovin'" have a future in the fight game if he takes the vow of silence? And how much pre-fight hype are fighters required to provide competing for a promotion that lives and dies on the success of its pay-per-views?

Leaner, stronger and better Jon Fitch ready for Thiago Alves rematch at UFC 117 (Video)

Posted: 04 Aug 2010 05:54 AM PDT
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