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Anderson Silva staredown with Chael Sonnen at UFC 117 press conference (Pic)
UFC 117 pre-fight press conference airs today (Aug. 5) LIVE on MMAmania.com at 4 p.m. ET
Roger Huerta comments on street fight video that captures 'El Matador's' bully beatdown
UFC on Versus 2 medical suspensions and injuries for 'Jones vs Matyushenko'
UFC middleweight Aaron Simpson hospitalized; undergoes surgery for "unknown infection" and will be...
UFC on Versus 2 fighter salaries and paydays for 'Jones vs Matyushenko'
Countdown to UFC 117 video for 'Silva vs Sonnen'
Shinya Aoki: 'I want to be like Gegard Mousasi'
Shark Fights 13 to air live via pay-per-view on Sept. 11 from Amarillo
Ricardo Almeida UFC 117 video blog for Matt Hughes fight (Episode two)
Chael Sonnen: Fighter, Realtor, Politician ... Amnesiac? (Updated)
UFC.com gets a makeover. You dig?

Anderson Silva staredown with Chael Sonnen at UFC 117 press conference (Pic)

Posted: 05 Aug 2010 02:12 PM PDT

Who's laughing now? And we're not talking about Thiago ...

UFC 117 pre-fight press conference airs today (Aug. 5) LIVE on MMAmania.com at 4 p.m. ET

Posted: 05 Aug 2010 12:47 PM PDT

UFC 117: "Silva vs. Sonnen" is set to take place this Saturday (Aug. 7) from the Oracle Arena in Oakland, California, featuring a 185-pound match-up between current UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva and number one contender Chael Sonnen.

In addition, heavyweight stars Roy Nelson and Junior dos Santos will do battle for the right to challenge the winner of Brock Lesnar vs. Cain Velasquez while Ricardo Almeida seeks redemption for the Gracie legacy against Matt Hughes.

In preparation for this weekend's debut in "Oaktown," the UFC will hold a pre-fight press conference featuring the major players from the event including Silva, Sonnen, Hughes, Almeida, Nelson, dos Santos, Jon Fitch, Thiago Alves and of course, UFC President Dana White.

The press conference will air LIVE right here on MMAmania.com at 4 p.m. ET after the jump.

Live stream and replay courtesy of UFC.com.

Roger Huerta comments on street fight video that captures 'El Matador's' bully beatdown

Posted: 05 Aug 2010 12:00 PM PDT

Props: TMZ

Quoteworthy:

"I just don’t think that it's right to hit a woman. I approached the man calmly and said, 'Do you know what you just did? You just knocked out this girl.' [He responds] 'F*ck you, f*ck these bitches, I'll knock out any f*ckin' bitch that I wanna f*ckin' knock out, I’ll knock your f*cking bitch ass out.' ... As he's saying this, he's taking off his shirt ... and at that point I was like, alright ... I got the better of him and I left. If that was my mom, if that was my sister, my spouse, anyone … I would’ve wanted someone to step in and do something about it.”

UFC and Bellator veteran Roger Huerta doesn't deny his participation in a little street justice dished out last weekend in Austin, Texas, but insists he wasn't throwing punches until the would-be thug threw some hands of his own. Not much can be seen in the aftermath of the fracas, but Huerta seems to be owning up to his involvement. As for the "American History X" coup de grâce? Well, that seems like it could now be up for debate. Regardless, do the actions of "El Matador" make him a hero or vigilante? See the video in question here.

UFC on Versus 2 medical suspensions and injuries for 'Jones vs Matyushenko'

Posted: 05 Aug 2010 11:32 AM PDT

The California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) today issued its list of medical suspensions for UFC on Versus 2: "Jones vs. Matyushenko," which took place on Sunday, Aug. 1, 2010, from the Oracle Arena in Oakland, California.

With several of the bouts ending early (and violently), there were a handful of fighters who were flagged follow-up visits with their doctors.

Chief among them is John Howard (possible facial fracture) for sporting a blowfish monocle during his third round TKO loss (doctor stoppage) to Jake Ellenberger.

Other mandatory vacations were issued to Jacob Volkmann (loose tooth), Mark Munoz (elbow sprain) and James Irvin (facial laceration).

But that's not all.

Here is the complete list of UFC on Versus 2 injuries and their medical instructions:

Vladimir Matyushenko: Suspended 45 days (30 days no contact) for precautionary reasons. New physical exam required.

Mark Munoz: Suspended 45 days (30 days no contact) for right elbow strain.

John Howard: Suspended 45 days (30 days no contact) for precautionary reasons. New physical exam required. Additional suspension of 180 days (possible facial fracture) unless cleared by a physician.

Tyson Griffin: Suspended 45 days (30 days no contact) for precautionary reasons. New physical exam required.

Jacob Volkmann: Suspended 30 days (21 days no contact) unless cleared by a physician (loose upper incisor).

DaMarques Johnson: Suspended 45 days (30 days no contact) for precautionary reasons. New physical exam required. Additional suspension of 180 days (possible right orbital fracture) unless cleared by a physician.

James Irvin: Suspended 45 days (30 days no contact) for precautionary reasons. Additional suspension of 60 days (facial laceration) unless cleared by a physician.

Igor Pokrajac: Suspended 60 days (60 days no contact) unless cleared by a physician (scalp laceration).

Mike Massenzio: Suspended 45 days (30 days no contact) for precautionary reasons.

Just a quick reminder: Fighters often return to action much quicker once doctors give them the green light. The lengthy suspensions are just a precaution in most cases.

For complete UFC on Versus 2: "Jones vs Matyushenko" results and play-by-play coverage of the televised main card click here.

UFC middleweight Aaron Simpson hospitalized; undergoes surgery for "unknown infection" and will be...

Posted: 05 Aug 2010 11:05 AM PDT

UFC middleweight Aaron Simpson hospitalized; undergoes surgery for "unknown infection" and will be tethered to an IV for six weeks.

Props: MMA Die Hards

UFC on Versus 2 fighter salaries and paydays for 'Jones vs Matyushenko'

Posted: 05 Aug 2010 10:48 AM PDT

The official fighter purses for those who competed at the UFC on Versus 2 event this past Sunday night (Aug. 1) from the San Diego Sports Arena in San Diego, California, were released earlier today and passed along by the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC).

PRIDE import Takanori Gomi was the big earner of the night, sending Tyson Griffin to the back of the line with a thunderous right hook that grossed the former lightweight deity a cool $80,000 for his efforts.

Griffin received $30,000 in defeat.

Also taking in a decent haul was main event mauler Jon "Bones" Jones who made Vladimir Matyushenko look brittle in a win good enough to award him $46,000. "The Janitor" didn't exactly clean up but still earned a respectable $31,000 with the loss.

Here is the complete list of UFC on Versus 2 payouts:

Jon Jones: $46,000 ($23,000 to show, $23,000 to win)
Vladimir Matyushenko: $31,000
Jones defeated Matyushenko via technical knockout

Yushin Okami: $46,000 ($23,000 to show, $23,000 to win)
Mark Munoz: $22,000
Okami defeated Munoz via split decision

Jake Ellenberger: $24,000 ($12,000 to show, $12,000 to win)
John Howard: $15,000
Ellenberger defeated Howard via technical knockout

Takanori Gomi: $80,000 ($40,000 to show, $40,000 to win)
Tyson Griffin: $30,000
Gomi defeated Griffin via knockout

Jacob Volkmann: $20,000 ($10,000 to show, $10,000 to win)
Paul Kelly: $17,000
Volkmann defeated Kelly via unanimous decision

Matt Riddle: $24,000 ($12,000 to show, $12,000 to win)
DaMarques Johnson: $10,000
Riddle defeated Johnson via technical knockout

Igor Pokrajac: $12,000 ($6,000 to show, $6,000 to win)
James Irvin: $20,000
Pokrajac defeated Irvin via submission (rear naked choke)

Brian Stann: $34,000 ($17,000 to show, $17,000 to win)
Mike Massenzio: $5,000
Stann defeated Massenzio via submission (triangle choke)

Charles Oliveira: $12,000 ($6,000 to show, $6,000 to win)
Darren Elkins: $8,000
Oliveira defeated Elkins via submission (triangle/armbar)

Rob Kimmons: $18,000 ($9,000 to show, $9,000 to win)
Steve Steinbeiss: $6,000
Kimmons defeated Steinbeiss via unanimous decision

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.

For example, the UFC often hands out extra cash for "Fight of the Night," "Knockout of the Night" and "Submission of the Night." To check out these figures for UFC on Versus 2 go here.

The total base fighter payroll for the network television event, which reportedly attracted a crowd of 8,132 attendees and a live gate of $489,685, was $480,000.

For complete UFC on Versus 2: "Jones vs Matyushenko" results and play-by-play coverage of the televised main card click here.

Countdown to UFC 117 video for 'Silva vs Sonnen'

Posted: 05 Aug 2010 10:20 AM PDT

Shinya Aoki: 'I want to be like Gegard Mousasi'

Posted: 05 Aug 2010 10:06 AM PDT

Props: MMA Fighting

Quoteworthy:

"As long as I am a fighter, and especially because I fight in the front line, I am always going to feel like 'What if I lose?' or 'This might end of my career if I lose.' That's why I want to be like Gegard Mousasi. I think he understands his own heart, and I would like to be like him. He has no ups and downs, and he is able to do anything, and he is strong. He's very straightforward in a good way. He's 25, so he is two years younger than me, but he's very stable. He's close to how Mirko CroCop was when he was in good shape, and very close to Fedor Emelianenko. This time around, he wasn't able to make weight, but Mousasi's opponent Jake O'Brien isn't a weak fighter. In their fight O'Brien looked like a fish out of water, but normally he's not like that at all. It's just that his opponent was Mousasi. I think he's great. I want to be like him."

DREAM Lightweight Champion Shinya Aoki aspires to reach the level of self awareness displayed by fellow International star Gegard Mousasi. "The Tobikan Judan" finished Tatsuya Kawajiri at DREAM 15 to retain his title after being stifled by Gilbert Melendez in his trip to "Nashville" last April. Perhaps the disposal of Kawajiri, along with his bone crunching submission of Mizuto Hirota at FieLDS Dynamite!! 2009, makes him one of the world's most feared lightweights? Or is he simply a big fish in a little pond? And would a Mousasi-like demeanor make him even more dangerous?

Shark Fights 13 to air live via pay-per-view on Sept. 11 from Amarillo

Posted: 05 Aug 2010 08:53 AM PDT

Amarillo, TX. - August 5, 2010 - Shark Fight Promotions is proud to announce that Shark Fights 13 will be available live on pay-per-view on iN DEMAND for just $29.99. This highly anticipated mixed martial arts event has made considerable headlines over the last two weeks.

The bout card is stacked from top to bottom with well known marquee fighters, including many veterans from Ultimate Fighting Championship, Strikeforce, PRIDE, EliteXC, and Dream. Shark Fights 13 will take place September 11 at the Amarillo Civic Center Coliseum in Amarillo, Texas.

Shark Fights 13 will feature a card loaded with action-packed match-ups such as Keith Jardine vs. Trevor Prangley, Rameau Sokoudjou vs. Houston Alexander, Drew McFedries vs. Joey Villasenor, and top welterweight contender Paul Daley. Daley's opponent and another high-caliber bout will be announced soon!

According to Brent Medley, president of Shark Fight Promotions, "We are tremendously proud to do our first pay-per-view event with iN DEMAND, it is a significant milestone for our company. Now fans that can't make it to the event can watch the fights live in the comfort of their homes. We are very excited that we are able to offer the fans a card stacked with such well-matched, high profile fighters for only $29.99."

Medley went on to say, "We wanted the entire card to be stacked with significant fights, including the undercard. We were strategic when choosing the match-ups and feel that Shark Fights 13 is a solid card from top to bottom. We also decided to go one step further and feature a title fight on the undercard. To my knowledge, this is the first time in MMA history that this has been done. It promises to be a very exciting bout. Our current Shark Fights lightweight champion Douglas Evans will defend his title against submission specialist Ronnie Mann. Fans will not be disappointed!"

Additional details on the Shark Fights 13 line up, the undercard broadcast, and the commentating team will be announced in the coming weeks.

Official Shark Fights 13 Line Up:

Main Card:
1. Keith Jardine vs. Trevor Prangley (205lbs)
2. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou vs. Houston Alexander (205lbs)
3. Paul Daley vs. TBA (170lbs)
4. Joey Villasanor vs. Drew McFredries (185lbs)
5. Another high-profile fight to be announced next week!

Undercard:
6. Ronnie Mann vs. Douglas Evans (145lbs)
7. Brock Larson vs. TBA (170lbs)
8. Aaron Rosa vs. Dave Herman (Heavyweight)
9. Marcus Hicks vs. Karen Darabedyan (155lbs)
10. Pete Spratt vs. Eric Davila (170lbs)

Shark Fight Promotions growing popularity and record-breaking attendance has garnered an incredible amount of positive publicity. In addition to drawing record breaking crowds of over 10,000, Shark Fights made headlines in 2009 when it partnered with ESPN 1440 radio to air the first live U.S. radio broadcast of an MMA event in the history of the sport. The historic broadcast was hosted by MMA Legend Don Frye and celebrity radio host Warren McCarty.

Shark Fights continues to receive a constant flow of impressive media coverage, ranging from feature articles and exclusive interviews to television and radio coverage. The company's reputation and constant media presence has attracted the attention of numerous MMA celebrities, such as Don "The Predator" Frye, Kimbo Slice, Bas Rutten, Ron Kruck, Tapout crew members Punkass and Skyscrape, WEC fighters Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone, Leonard "Bad Boy" Garcia, WEC featherweight champion Mike Brown, and more.

Shark Fights 13 will take place on Saturday, September 11 at the Amarillo Civic Center Coliseum. Doors open at 6:00pm CDT. Fights start at 7:00 pm CDT. Tickets are on sale now! To purchase Shark Fights 13 tickets please go to www. Sharkfights.com, www.Panhandletickets.com, or visit any Panhandle ticket outlet. Shark Fights 13 is also available live on pay-per-view on iN DEMAND for $29.99.

To watch Shark Fights 13 live on pay-per-view, please contact your local cable provider. For additional information on Shark Fight Promotions, please visit http://www.sharkfights.com.

Ricardo Almeida UFC 117 video blog for Matt Hughes fight (Episode two)

Posted: 05 Aug 2010 07:42 AM PDT

Chael Sonnen: Fighter, Realtor, Politician ... Amnesiac? (Updated)

Posted: 05 Aug 2010 07:22 AM PDT

Props: Yahoo Sports

Quoteworthy:

"I never did an interview with Larry Pepe. I've never spoke of Lance Armstrong -- ever."

UFC middleweight number one contender Chael Sonnen feels the heat for steamrolling cycling champ Lance Armstrong during his Aug. 2 interview with Larry Pepe on Pro MMA Radio right here on MMAmania.com. The mouthy ex-politician refuses to break political kayfabe and even tells Ariel Helwani that he's never spoken to bodybuilding's brawny bulletin broadcaster despite five separate interviews across the span of two years. So has Sonnen been too busy with media interviews to keep track of who he's spoken to and what he's said? Or is he simply failing to take responsibility for his trash-talking now that he's being called on it? Listen to the Armstrong comments here. Live by the sword ...

Update: Jim Rome drops the hammer on Sonnen with the Pro MMA Radio audio which Sonnen calls "A guy with a Hispanic accent." Listen to it here.

UFC.com gets a makeover. You dig?

Posted: 05 Aug 2010 06:59 AM PDT