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

---

• Strikeforce: 'Challengers' 10 weigh-in results
• UFC 118: 'Frankie Edgar Series' video blog (Part 2)
• UFC Quick Quote: Fights inside the Octagon are 'lame' and 'boring'
• Strikeforce: "Challengers" 10 ring card girls line up for event in Phoenix (Pic)
• Bellator 24 results for season three debut in Hollywood
• Antonio 'Bigfoot' Silva training for Alistair Overeem, waiting for Strikeforce confirmation
• Bellator Finalizes Heavyweight Tournament with Russian Submission Specialist Alexey Oleinik
• Vitor Belfort: I'm not waiting for Anderson Silva -- I fight for the fans (Video)
• Fedor Emelianenko interested in 4-6 more fights, not interested in the UFC
• Shine Fights returns with Grand Prix featuring Fickett, Prater, Aurelio and Bennett on Sept. 10 in Fairfax
• Randy Couture and 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin hit the red carpet for 'The Expendables' movie premiere (Video)
• Strikeforce Challengers 10: Miesha Tate won't be taking a dump on fight night ...
• UFC welterweight Anthony Johnson receives three years probation and must undergo domestic violence...
• Joe Riggs: 'Sarah Kaufman is lucky to be on TV, the men are what people are here to see'
• WEC 50: Dominick Cruz looking to 'break' Joseph Benavidez on Aug. 18 (Video)
• Which of these four women (Carina Damm, Miesha Tate, Maiju Kujala, Hitomi Akano) will win the...
• Junior Dos Santos: American wrestlers are effective -- but boring

Strikeforce: 'Challengers' 10 weigh-in results Posted: 12 Aug 2010 09:53 PM PDT The official weigh-in event for Strikeforce: "Challengers" 10 is now in the books from the Dodge Theatre in Phoenix, Arizona. The last of the formalities before tomorrow night's Showtime televised event came and went without a hitch -- each of the eight participants who will be featured on the five-fight main card hit their respective weights on their first attempt, including main event catchweight participants Joe "Diesel" Riggs and Louis "Handgunz" Taylor. The opening round matches for the one-night, four-women welterweight tournament were also made official during the weigh-in event. Carina "Beauty But The Beast" Damm and Hitomi "Girlfight Monster" Akano will kick off the telecast in the first semifinal match up of the evening, while Miesha "Takedown" Tate and Maiju "Maki" Kujala will battle it out for the other spot in the final. Check out the official Strikeforce: "Challengers" 10 weigh-in results below. MAIN CARD: 182 lbs.: Joe "Diesel" Riggs (181.6) vs. Louis "Handgunz" Taylor (181.2) 155 lbs.: Ryan Couture (155.6) vs. Luke Stark (153.2) 135 lbs.: Miesha "Takedown" Tate (134.2) vs. Maiju "Maki" Kujala (134.4) 135 lbs.: Carina "Beauty But The Beast" Damm (134.8) vs. Hitomi "Girlfight Monster" Akano (135) Remember that MMAmania.com will provide LIVE blow-by-blow, round-by-round coverage of the card, beginning with the SHOWTIME telecast at 11 p.m. ET tomorrow night. So check back early and often. It's going to be a fun night of fights!

UFC 118: 'Frankie Edgar Series' video blog (Part 2) Posted: 12 Aug 2010 08:14 PM PDT Part 1 after the jump. Will he have "The Answer" for BJ Penn on Aug. 28 in Boston?

UFC Quick Quote: Fights inside the Octagon are 'lame' and 'boring' Posted: 12 Aug 2010 08:12 PM PDT "I am especially really excited about my opponent and when you put our two styles in the ring you are really going to have a lot of fireworks. In my eyes, Jorge is the No. 1 contender so this a top fight for me.  By no means am I acting like I have this one in the bag. I am training as hard as I can. This is probably one of the most dangerous opponents I have had.... Jorge comes out and puts on great shows, but if you want to watch jiu-jitsu, go to a tournament. This is fighting.  If you want to see some lame fighting go watch the UFC, go watch something boring as hell. If you want to see something exciting, come Aug. 21 and see a guy who’s been boxing his whole life, and someone who has a black belt in jiu-jitsu. This is what people want to see.... I don’t have to say it very much but look at his track record: He has the fight of the night, and look at my track record (and I) always (have) fight of the night. Put us in the cage and you are going to get fireworks. I have respect for the main event but we are probably going to steal the show." -- Former Elite XC lightweight champion and current 155-pound Strikeforce contender, KJ Noons, fired a shot across the bow of the world's top mixed martial arts promotion today during the "Houston" press conference call, saying that fights inside the Octagon are "lame" and "boring." He squirts more fuel on the fire, saying that his upcoming fight with Jorge Gurgel, which takes place at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, on Sat., Aug. 21, is pure excitement. Has the "King" lost his mind or is it just an attempt to draw more viewers to the Showtime telecast on fight night? Tune in and find out.

Strikeforce: "Challengers" 10 ring card girls line up for event in Phoenix (Pic) Posted: 12 Aug 2010 08:11 PM PDT Strikeforce: "Challengers" 10 ring card girls line up for event in Phoenix (Pic)

Bellator 24 results for season three debut in Hollywood Posted: 12 Aug 2010 05:04 PM PDT Bellator Fighting Championships kicked off its highly anticipated third season tonight in front of a boisterous crowd at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Once again fans were treated to a full card of electrifying fights that included shocking finishes in nearly every fight. In the night’s main event Bellator Middleweight Champion Hector Lombard took on former NFL player Whisper Goodman in a non-title super fight. In his last outing Lombard needed just six seconds to KO his opponent, this time it took only 38 seconds. Lombard overwhelmed his opponent early with right hook that wobbled Goodman before following up with a brutal flurry that left Whisper unconscious on the canvas just 38 seconds into round one. When asked about his ability to take opponents out early Lombard stated: "I train hard, I train hard every day as hard I can." "I’m a knock-out artist, this is what I do" Bellator Chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney echoed his previous sentiment about Bellator’s Middleweight Champion. "I think Hector Lombard is the best middleweight in the world. I believe he beats anybody he steps in the change with," said Rebney. In an opening round World Heavyweight Tournament fight British knockout artist Neil "The Goliath" Grove took on UFC Veteran Eddie Sanchez. Grove’s striking skills were on display early when he connected with a devastating left hand that sent Sanchez to the canvas. Grove followed up with brutal ground and pound before eventually letting a weary Sanchez back to his feat. Standing, Grove continued to batter Sanchez with precise strikes that eventually forced the referee to halt the fight less than a minute into the opening round. In Season 3 Women’s Tournament quarterfinal action, female pound-for-pound queen Megumi Fujii met late tournament replacement Carla Esparza. Fujii elected to stand and trade early with the wrestling specialist. The fight hit the ground for the first time midway through the first round with "Mega Megu" going for an ankle lock that Esparza painstakingly twisted out of. Round 2 saw Fujii bring Esparza down early and secure a slick fight ending arm-bar just 57 seconds into round 2 with the Japanese sensation again flexing her submission skills and subsequently improving her record to 21-0 while moving on to the Semi-final round of the tournament. Also in Women’s Tournament action South Florida native Jessica Aguilar took on Lynn "Lights Out" Alvarez. Aguilar easily took Alvarez down early in the first round where she transitioned between ground and pound and submission attempts while in side guard. Aguilar was eventually able to secure an Arm Triangle Choke at 4:01 into the first round. "Winning in front of my fans is all I could ask for," said Aguilar. "I was planning to finishing it as quickly as possible with little energy expended and no injuries." The Local Feature Fight between hometown favorite Luis "Baboon" Palomino and dangerous MMA veteran Yves Edwards proved to be an entertaining match-up with back and forth action that left Edwards with his hand raised after three rounds. Edwards now holds an astounding 38 wins in his MMA career. "Tonight proved to be another great night of fights at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. We love coming here and can not wait for our return in October when Hector Lombard will face Alexander Shlemenko for the Bellator Middleweight Championship," said Bellator Chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney.  Local Feature Fights: Tulio Quintanilla def. Brian Eckstein – KO (Punches) 2:48 – Round 3 Farkhad Sharipov def. Eric Luke – Unanimous Decision You can catch Bellator 24 action-packed highlight shows on NBC late Saturday nights.

Antonio 'Bigfoot' Silva training for Alistair Overeem, waiting for Strikeforce confirmation Posted: 12 Aug 2010 12:49 PM PDT "I know what you already know. Strikeforce hasn't been in touch with my manager Alex Davis yet to make the fight 100-percent confirmed. Anyway, I'm already training for it." Antonio Silva today tells MMAmania.com that he may indeed face Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion Alistair Overeem later this year. The former American Top Team (ATT) athlete made it clear that the promotion has yet to confirm the potential match-up, but that hasn't stopped "Bigfoot" from getting a leg up inside the gym. With Fedor still under negotiations and Werdum sidelined until 2011, is this the only heavyweight match-up Strikeforce has left? And do you give the Brazilian a fighting chance against "Demolition Man?"

Bellator Finalizes Heavyweight Tournament with Russian Submission Specialist Alexey Oleinik Posted: 12 Aug 2010 12:15 PM PDT CHICAGO, Ill. (August 12, 2010) - Bellator Fighting Championships officially announced today that Russian heavyweight Alexey Oleinik is the latest and final addition to the Bellator Season 3 World Heavyweight Tournament. The Judo black belt is not only one of the most respected fighters in Russia, but also one of the most dangerous heavyweight submission specialists in the sport. Oleinik brings a phenomenal 27-5-1 record to the tournament with 23 of those 27 victories coming via submission. "Alexey Oleinik is a great final addition to this stacked heavyweight tournament," said Bellator Chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney. "He's one of the most threatening and versatile heavyweights in the sport with extremely dangerous submission skills, which makes him a legitimate threat to anyone he faces in the heavyweight division." The 33 year old was born in Kharkiv, Ukraine but currently fights out of Moscow. He trains out of Red Devil Sports Club and is a Master of Sports in Sambo. Oleinik is known and feared for the rare Ezekiel Choke finish which he has used successfully on six of his previous opponents. Oleinik met fellow heavyweight tournament participant Rogent Lloret last August where the two fought to a draw, setting up a potentially interesting rematch opportunity in Bellator Season 3. Oleinik holds impressive victories over the likes of Jessie Gibbs and Thiago "Big Monster" Santos. Oleinik is the eight confirmed participant in the forthcoming Season 3 Heavyweight World Tournament along with undefeated European sensation Damian "The Polish Pitbull" Grabowski, Seattle-area knockout artist Mike "300" Hayes, Georgia-based ground and pound specialist Scott Barrett, British-based power-puncher Neil Grove, Spanish submission ace Rogent Lloret, two-time NCAA wrestling champion Cole Konrad, and heavy handed Alexey UFC veteran Eddie Sanchez The Bellator Season 3 Heavyweight Tournament kicks off on Aug. 12th and can be viewed LIVE on Fox Sports Net.

Vitor Belfort: I'm not waiting for Anderson Silva -- I fight for the fans (Video) Posted: 12 Aug 2010 10:29 AM PDT And "The Phenom" thinks Ed Soares is a "clown" that should be removed from all things UFC.

Fedor Emelianenko interested in 4-6 more fights, not interested in the UFC Posted: 12 Aug 2010 08:26 AM PDT Props: M-1 Global Quoteworthy: "For now M-1 Global works with Strikeforce and we are concentrating on that, the contract is not over yet. So for now we don’t have any interest in the UFC. So far I feel very comfortable fighting, very good with my fighting, and I’m planning of fighting as long as I can physically. As far and I’m concerned we should discuss the possibility of signing another contract for 4-6 fights." Former top ranked heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko doesn't sound like he's in any hurry to hang up the gloves following his surprise submission defeat to Fabricio Werdum (triangle choke) under the Strikeforce banner back on June 26. "The Last Emperor" has long been criticized for his failure to compete inside the Octagon where many of the world's top heavyweights are currently employed. Do another 4-6 fights interest you if they're held in Strikeforce? And can the San Jose-based fight promotion find 4-6 heavyweights to match him up with?

Shine Fights returns with Grand Prix featuring Fickett, Prater, Aurelio and Bennett on Sept. 10 in Fairfax Posted: 12 Aug 2010 08:25 AM PDT NEW YORK, NY (August 12, 2010) - Shine Fights Promotions' highly-anticipated return to the MMA ring will take place on September 10 at the Patriot Center in Fairfax, VA, it was announced today by Shine Fights COO Jason Chambers. The Grand Prix format--an eight-man, single-elimination tournament taking place in one night--will be the first such event held in the United States in more than 15 years. The bout will be broadcast live on PPV by MultiVision Media, Inc., beginning at 9 p.m. EST/6 p.m. PST. The suggested retail price is $29.99. Tickets, priced at $350, $154, $94, $74, $64, $44, and $24, will go on sale Saturday morning (August 14) at 10a.m. EST and will be available at tickemaster.com. There will also be an "Early Bird Special" where those who purchase tickets in the first 48 hours will receive a 15% discount off the face value of the ticket, which will be available through the Patriot Center Box Office from 10am-5pm (Closed Sunday) and through ticketmaster.com. "The Grand Prix format can be traced back to the grassroots of MMA," said Chambers. "Fans will be given the unique opportunity to witness some of the world's most talented athletes go head to head, more than once, in a single evening. And they will see first-hand the intense conditioning, determination, and will that is needed to survive in such a demanding format. Fans better purchase their tickets quickly because we are expecting a sellout." Shine Fights CEO, Devin Price added, "Shine Fights has always believed in offering MMA fans a different and compelling fight card. I am as anxious as any other MMA fan to see a compelling tournament with eight tough fighters culminating with one champion, all in one night." "We are very excited to introduce this exciting, cutting edge format in High Definition," said Executive Producer Brian Ricco. "Being surrounded by our team of network veterans and buoyed by Bruce Beck, we are looking forward to the highest level of sports broadcast." "The Patriot Center is very pleased to host Shine Fights' Grand Prix Lightweight Tournament on Friday, September 10, 2010. We look forward to a fantastic Mixed Martial Arts tournament and feel it will be great for fans in the Washington, D.C. area", said Barry Geisler, General Manager of the Patriot Center. The Grand Prix tournament is sanctioned by the Virginia State Athletic Commission, but will be contested under Nevada State Athletic Commission rules. Each of the eight 155 lb fighters will be paired-off in the tournament's opening round, with the four winners moving on to round two. The two winners of round two will move on to the tournament's final round and battle for the championship. The single-elimination format means that the tournament winner will need to win three bouts that evening. (In case of injury there will be two alternate bouts) Rounds one and two of the tournament will be composed of two 5-minute rounds. They will also have a 3-minute overtime if needed to decide a winner. Round three (Finals) will increase to three 5-minute rounds. Below is a list of the eight competitors: · Rich Crunkilton: 16-3 with 7 TKOs, 6 Submissions, and 3 Decisions. The 30-year-old Ft. Lauderdale, FL native is known for his devastating throws and slams, high kicks and wild punches. · Josh Shockley: 9-0. Only 19 years of age, Shockley has made a name for himself through his athleticism and skills. He fights out of Duneland Vale Tudo with training partners Keith Wisniewski, Darren Elkins, and Mark Burch. · Drew Fickett: 37-13 with 3 TKOs, 26 Submissions. The 30-year-old Tucson, AZ native has notable victories over Josh Koscheck, Kurt Pellegrino, former UFC lightweight title contender Kenny Florian and Josh Neer. Drew won his last fight against fellow UFC veteran Derrick Noble by submission. · Carlo Prater: 24-7-1 with 2 TKOs, 12 Submissions. The Sao Paolo, Brazil native began competing in professional mixed martial arts in 2002. He amassed an undefeated record of 10-0, with a notable win over Melvin Guillard, before losing his first bout. He is the former PFC Lightweight Champion. · James Warfield: 20-6 with 15 TKOs and 5 Submissions. The Sun Prairie, Wisconsin native trained in Jeet Kune Do and Karate as a child. He has since fought for many MMA organizations, such as Shine Fights, International Fighting Championship, Freestyle Combat Challenge, Warriors 4 Warriors, Extreme Cagefighting Organization, Combat USA, Downtown Destruction, EVO MMA, Ultimate Battleground, Xtreme Kage Kombat, Ring Of Fire, and Ultimate Combat Sports. His nickname is The Unbreakable Heavy Hitter. · Marcus Aurelio: 20-8 with 4 TKOs, 13 Submissions, and 3 Submissions. The 36-year-old Brazilian native is an expert in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He has never been stopped. All eight losses were by decision. · Hector Muñoz 9-3, 3 TKOs, 6 Submissions. Muñoz is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Blackbelt. He is a 2x Grapplers Quest Champ, Pan Am Bronze Medalistas well as a Fight Fest Champion and Katana Cagefighting Champion. · Charles Bennett: 22-17-2 with 14 TKOs, 5 Submissions. The 30-year-old Ocala, FL native is known as a hell-raiser. He insults other fighters, disrespects referees, and has even brawled with other fighters backstage. He holds notable Knockout victories over former EliteXC Lightweight Champion KJ Noons, UFC veteran Gerald Strebendt, and WEC Bantamweight contender Yoshiro Maeda. He was once quoted stating that ground fighting " is like making love, it's not real fighting." The MMA showdown will be beamed on PPV on cable and satellite in the United States and Canada. The event will be in High Definition and it will be available in both English and Spanish (where available). The MMA showdown will be distributed live on Pay Per View beginning at 9 p.m. EST/6 p.m. PST by Multi Vision Media, Inc. The suggested retail price is $29.95. Ticket Information: Tickets for the Mixed Martial Arts Tournament at the Patriot Center on Friday, September 10 at 8:00 p.m. are $350.00, $154, $94.00, $74.00, $64.00, $44.00 and $24.00 (plus applicable service charges) and go on sale August 14 at 10:00 a.m. Tickets will be available through all Ticketmaster outlets including the Patriot Center box office, online at www.ticketmaster.com or via Phonecharge at 703-573-SEAT, 202-397-SEAT or 410-547-SEAT. Accessible seating is available for patrons with disabilities by calling 703-993-3035. For more information please visit www.patriotcenter.com. Follow us on Facebook (PatriotCenter) or on Twitter (@patriotcenter). To learn more about Shine Fight Promotions, visit www.shinefights.com or follow the organization on Twitter @ShineFights, Myspace (www.myspace.com/ShineFights), YouTube (www.youtube.com/ShineFights) or become a fan on Facebook.

Randy Couture and 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin hit the red carpet for 'The Expendables' movie premiere (Video) Posted: 12 Aug 2010 07:36 AM PDT

Strikeforce Challengers 10: Miesha Tate won't be taking a dump on fight night ... Posted: 12 Aug 2010 07:28 AM PDT ... because that kind of drop in adrenaline could cost her the Strikeforce 135-pound Women's Tournament. "I've competed in tournaments and I've made mistakes in them. One thing is it's natural when you're competing to have that adrenaline dump once you're done. You think, ‘Thank God that's over' and win lose or draw you're done and you can relax. In a tournament you have to keep that going and you can't let that momentum drop. So that's going to be the biggest thing. Just going back and preparing as if you haven't even fought before. I've been looking forward to Sarah Kaufman since 10 seconds after we fought last year. I think she's my most sought after rematch." Heavily-favored tournament competitor Miesha Tate talks to reporters during the open workout session for Strikeforce Challengers 10 on Aug. 13 in Phoenix. "Takedown" will compete twice in one night for the right to challenge 135-pound Women's Champion Sarah Kaufman (or Marloes Coenen) in 2011 -- assuming she doesn't let her adrenaline get the best of her between fights. Anyone think she's got the skills to get it done on Friday night?

UFC welterweight Anthony Johnson receives three years probation and must undergo domestic violence... Posted: 12 Aug 2010 07:03 AM PDT UFC welterweight Anthony Johnson receives three years probation and must undergo domestic violence counseling for his 2009 misdemeanor arrest. Props: MMA Weekly

Joe Riggs: 'Sarah Kaufman is lucky to be on TV, the men are what people are here to see' Posted: 12 Aug 2010 06:40 AM PDT Props: SB Nation Arizona Quoteworthy: "I don't know what that [Sarah Kaufman] is talking about. She's lucky to even be on TV. As long as [women fighters] don't say things like they don't want to be on the Challengers card and they want to be main events than they're good. We're the show. The men are what people are here to see." Strikeforce Challengers 10 headliner Joe Riggs doesn't mind being on a "Challengers" card -- but does mind when 135-pound Women's Champion Sarah Kaufman complains that she's not getting enough exposure as a division champion. "Diesel" faces Louis Taylor in this Friday's main event on a card that features a women's elimination tournament to determine a future contender for Kaufman's belt. So how about it Maniacs, are you tuning in to see Riggs do his thing or the ladies do theirs?

WEC 50: Dominick Cruz looking to 'break' Joseph Benavidez on Aug. 18 (Video) Posted: 12 Aug 2010 06:25 AM PDT

Which of these four women (Carina Damm, Miesha Tate, Maiju Kujala, Hitomi Akano) will win the... Posted: 12 Aug 2010 06:13 AM PDT Which of these four women (Carina Damm, Miesha Tate, Maiju Kujala, Hitomi Akano) will win the Strikeforce 135-pound elimination tournament on Friday night?

Junior Dos Santos: American wrestlers are effective -- but boring Posted: 11 Aug 2010 05:22 PM PDT Props: Tatame.com Quoteworthy: "[UFC 117] was excellent, but unfortunately there were Brazilian defeats. The Americans are good on what they do, they have a good wrestling technique and they take you down and stay there forever, getting theirs points and winning their fights. It’s a boring fight, but it’s an efficient game they have." UFC Heavyweight number one contender comments on the main event bout between Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen last Saturday night in Oakland. After defeating Roy Nelson earlier in the night, "Cigano" got to witness his friend and team mate get utterly dominated across four and a half rounds before finding a submission to steal the win. The Brazilian may be one of the few on earth who found Sonnen's dominance "boring," but he does voice an opinion about wrestling in MMA that has been heard before. How will he adapt to the challenge of Brock Lesnar or Cain Velasquez in his next fight?

You are subscribed to email updates from MMA Mania To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610