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

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• Melvin Guillard is going to knock a 'disrespectful' Jeremy Stephens the eff out at UFC 119 (Video)
• How much is the UFC worth?
• Frank Mir staredown with Mirko Cro Cop at UFC 119 press conference (Pic)
• Easy come, easy go. Chael Sonnen has withdrawn from his appearance on tonight's edition of ESPN's...
• Dana White talks Chael Sonnen, commission oversight on drug use in the UFC
• WEC 53: Ben Henderson to defend title against Anthony Pettis on December 16 in Arizona
• UFC Quick Quote: Matt Serra excited to fight 'well-rounded' Chris Lytle
• Matt Serra UFC 119 video blog (Episode 2)
• UFC 119 pre-fight press conference airs today (Sept. 23) LIVE on MMAmania.com at 1 p.m. ET
• Null and roid: Frank Mir wants PED punishments to be judged on a 'case-by-case' basis
• The Way of Shooto 5: "Like a Tiger, Like a Dragon" Quick Results Darren Uyenoyama def. Shuichiro...
• UFC Quick Quote: Will it be 'Lights Out' for Matt Serra in Indianapolis?
• Mirko Cro Cop doesn't think his MMA career can survive another surgery (Video)
• Rodney Wallace released by the UFC
• UFC 119: The 'phenomenal' Matt Mitrione is ready to show Joey Beltran some 'old man strength'

Melvin Guillard is going to knock a 'disrespectful' Jeremy Stephens the eff out at UFC 119 (Video) Posted: 24 Sep 2010 04:18 AM PDT

How much is the UFC worth? Posted: 23 Sep 2010 08:47 PM PDT Well, if you ask company president Dana White, and The Indianapolis Star did the other day, he'll say $2.5 billion. And that massive arbitrary figure is just "scratching the surface:" "No, it hasn't [exceeded expectations]. I've been saying this since day one, and people really thought I was a lunatic, that this could be the biggest sport in the world. What I am surprised about is how fast this has happened.... We haven't even scratched the surface for how big this thing is going to be. I don't consider us mainstream yet. Mainstream, to me, is if you walked out into the main street of any major city in America and asked them what 'American Idol' is. Everyone can tell you what 'American Idol' is. Not everyone can tell you what UFC is." Forbes pegged the value of the world's top mixed martial arts promotion at around $1 billion back in 2008, dubbing it the "Ultimate Cash Machine." At the time, it was a staggering figure, considering the Fertitta's made a $2 million gamble on the company when they purchased it in 2001. So is White full of hot air or is it possible that the sky really is the limit?

Frank Mir staredown with Mirko Cro Cop at UFC 119 press conference (Pic) Posted: 23 Sep 2010 02:25 PM PDT And UFC President Dana White is either in awe of the lumber-legged Croat or he's trying to assess the damage to Cro Cop's eye ...

Easy come, easy go. Chael Sonnen has withdrawn from his appearance on tonight's edition of ESPN's... Posted: 23 Sep 2010 02:20 PM PDT Easy come, easy go. Chael Sonnen has withdrawn from his appearance on tonight's edition of ESPN's "MMA Live." Don't expect to hear much from the UFC middleweight until after his Dec. 2 appeal to the CSAC.

Dana White talks Chael Sonnen, commission oversight on drug use in the UFC Posted: 23 Sep 2010 01:41 PM PDT Props: Derek Bolender Quoteworthy: "Here's the thing you guys have got to understand. I've been in this business for 10 years. I've been in the fight business since I was 19. There's a lot of stuff you guys don't know. Every day, when my big toe hits the floor and I get out of bed, that sh*t happens.  I have to deal with it. It's no different than any other day. Am I disappointed? Yes, absolutely... The big misconception is that Dana tells the athletic commission this and that. I don't tell the athletic commission jack sh*t. The athletic commission could give a flying rat's a*s what I think or what I have to say. They oversee me. They tell me what I've got to do. I have to sit back now and see what's going to happen. Every other sport has a commissioner. The NFL has a commissioner. When something goes wrong he comes in and says here's what's going to happen. The government tells my fighters what's going to happen to them. Every time these guys step inside the Octagon and compete the government is overseeing this. They drug test them. They do all the medical testing. They do everything. They tell me what's going to happen. The government will come in. They'll test these guys. You get yourself busted for taking whatever it was you were taking, marijuana, or some illegal substance. Here's what I'm going to do (if I'm the commission). I'm going to take away your ability to work for a year. You can't make a living for a year. Then on top of that I'm going to make you pay a fine from this fight you were having. Most of these fighters-that money that they had from their fight-that's already spent. I'm going to buy this and I'm going to do that. Plus, the tax on that money. They're going to get taxed on that money and they have to pay that fine. You don't realize how devastating it is. They've already been punished. They're down and out. What am I going to do? Go over and kick them in the face? What else is there to do? I'm going to fine you and suspend you for another three months? The government is the commissioner!" We've heard from everyone and their mother on Chael Sonnen's failed drug test and the usage of PEDs in MMA over the last week or so. Everyone other than Dana White, until now that is. The UFC President spoke in length after UFC 119's pre-fight press conference about the issue at hand, and quite frankly, said what we all probably expected. Punishment of fighters who pop for PED use is not up to him, but up to the state's athletic commission in which the failed drug test occurs. Thoughts on White's comments? Is there anything more he can or should be doing to rid the sport of steroid use?

WEC 53: Ben Henderson to defend title against Anthony Pettis on December 16 in Arizona Posted: 23 Sep 2010 01:19 PM PDT The WEC lightweight crown will once again be on the line as Ben Henderson is set to defend his title against Anthony Pettis. MMA Weekly brought word of the the title bout earlier today, which is set to take place on December 16 in Arizona. "Bendo" captured WEC gold in an interim title fight against Donald Cerrone last fall at WEC 43 and has yet to relinquish it. After winning the undisputed championship against Jamie Varner at WEC 46, "Smooth" once again got by "Cowboy" to retain the belt with a quick submission win at WEC 48. Henderson has won 11 straight contests en route to asserting himself into the discussion of the best 155-pounders in the world. He'll have to get by a fast-rising star in "Showtime" Pettis to remain there. Pettis, just 23-years-old, has quickly risen to the top of the WEC lightweight fold going 4-1 with the promotion. He was last seen defeating Shane Roller via submission at WEC 50, which is no small feat. With a "Knockout of the Night" and a "Submission of the Night" award to his name, the well-rounded Duke Roufus-trained fighter has all the tools to one-day be a champion.  Will December 16 be that day? Keep it locked to MMAmania.com for more news on WEC 53 as it breaks.

UFC Quick Quote: Matt Serra excited to fight 'well-rounded' Chris Lytle Posted: 23 Sep 2010 12:38 PM PDT "Chris Lytle is more well-rounded than the previous couple guys I have fought, including Matt Hughes. Styles make fights. He's only been stopped a couple times, and those were from cuts. Even if he's getting dominated by a wrestler, once he gets back up, he's swinging for the fences. Chris is a fighter's fighter. You look up guts and grit in the dictionary, you'll see Chris Lytle there ready to go. I love watching the guy fight. I'm really looking forward to this fight. I think it's gonna be great for everybody." One of the more interesting fights set to take place at UFC 119 this Saturday night in Indianapolis, Indiana is that of Matt Serra vs. Chris Lytle. The two of course previously fought at The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 4 Finale where "The Terror" squeaked by "Lights Out" with a split decision win. Serra told Larry Pepe of Pro MMA Radio that he actually believes Lytle is more well-rounded than his arch nemesis Matt Hughes. He even went on to say he's a big fan of Chris, and that they don't make 'em much tougher than the Indianapolis firefighter. Let's get some thoughts on this bout. Who takes home the rematch?

Matt Serra UFC 119 video blog (Episode 2) Posted: 23 Sep 2010 12:17 PM PDT

UFC 119 pre-fight press conference airs today (Sept. 23) LIVE on MMAmania.com at 1 p.m. ET Posted: 23 Sep 2010 10:02 AM PDT UFC 119: "Mir vs. Cro Cop" is set to take place this Saturday (Sept. 25) from the Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, featuring a hard-hitting match-up between former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir and PRIDE Grand Prix Champion Mirko Filipovic. In addition, light heavyweight stars Ryan Bader and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira will do battle for a spot on the short list of division contenders while Matt Serra and Chris Lytle rematch for 170-pound bragging rights. In preparation for this weekend's debut in "Circle City," the UFC will hold a pre-fight press conference featuring the major players from the event including Mir, Cro Cop, Bader, Nogueira, Serra, Lytle and of course, UFC President Dana White. The press conference will air LIVE right here on MMAmania.com at 1 p.m. ET after the jump. Live stream and replay courtesy of UFC.com.

Null and roid: Frank Mir wants PED punishments to be judged on a 'case-by-case' basis Posted: 23 Sep 2010 09:15 AM PDT Props: Cagewriter Quoteworthy: "I think everything has to be a case by case situation. This is why we have laws in our civilian life. They're not cut and dry. If (the fighter's) like 'yeah, I had an injury and my competitive nature got a hold of me and I went to the doctor' [or] if it was a situation where (he) was facing not fighting and (his) competitive nature got a hold of (him), I don't know if that would justify ending someone's career. If the same guy says 'yeah, I took this so I could smash skulls and I'm nuts.' That guy's in a different category." Former UFC Heavyweight Champion Frank Mir weighs in on the penalty phase for UFC fighters caught juicing before an event. Steroids in MMA is once again a hot button issue on the heels of Chael Sonnen's recent woes with the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC). Competing in a weight class that often affords some fighters a 50+ pound weight advantage on fight night, Mir understands the competitive nature of the sport and isn't sure that one punishment is applicable to all offenders. Anyone think the policy should be "zero tolerance?" Or does Mir present a valid argument?

The Way of Shooto 5: "Like a Tiger, Like a Dragon" Quick Results Darren Uyenoyama def. Shuichiro... Posted: 23 Sep 2010 09:00 AM PDT The Way of Shooto 5: "Like a Tiger, Like a Dragon" Quick Results Darren Uyenoyama def. Shuichiro Katsumura via TKO (punches) Round 2, 3:53 Junji Ito def. Jesse Taitano via TKO (Punches) Round 3, 4:50 Hiromasa Ogikubo def. So Tazawa via unanimous decision Yusuke Yachi def. Jin Hyun Kim via unanimous decision Masaki Yanagisawa def. Hyo Ryong Kim via submission (heel hook) Round 1, 0:53 Hiroshi Osato def. Masumi Tozawa via majority decision Akira Okada def. Yoshinori Suzuki via unanimous decision Yo Saito def. Yoshifumi Nakamura via majority decision Props: Sherdog.com

UFC Quick Quote: Will it be 'Lights Out' for Matt Serra in Indianapolis? Posted: 23 Sep 2010 08:02 AM PDT "When I fought here a few years ago, I know we had close to 4,000 people then, so I'm hoping for maybe 5,000 fans this time. That would be nice. I'm not interested in going out there to outpoint somebody or control the [cage] with my jab, I'm going out there to finish the fight." Hometown favorite and well-traveled mixed martial arts veteran Chris Lytle tells the Indy Star that he won't risk another judge's decision at UFC 119, like the one that cost him the fight in his first go-round with Matt Serra back in 2006. "Lights Out" has appeared in a staggering 17 fights under the UFC banner and has looked better than ever in recent outings. But can he capture the win in a rematch he's been wanting under the lights of his hometown crowd?

Mirko Cro Cop doesn't think his MMA career can survive another surgery (Video) Posted: 23 Sep 2010 07:31 AM PDT

Rodney Wallace released by the UFC Posted: 23 Sep 2010 06:47 AM PDT Rodney Wallace is out of work. According to fiveouncesofpain, the UFC has released Wallace after the South Carolina born fighter went 0-3 with the organization. His last bout was a unanimous decision loss to top light heavyweight prospect Phil Davis at UFC 117.  "Sho Nuff" entered the UFC with a promising 9-0 record, most noticeably competing under the M-1 banner. Despite defeating recognizable names such as Antwain Britt and Ovince St. Preux, he's dropped three straight bouts inside the Octagon, all by unanimous decision. Wallace's last fight was the ninth in his 12 fight career that he has gone the distance.

UFC 119: The 'phenomenal' Matt Mitrione is ready to show Joey Beltran some 'old man strength' Posted: 23 Sep 2010 06:42 AM PDT Props: Yahoo! Sports Quoteworthy: "I feel better than I've ever felt. Phenomenal. I think old man strength is starting to set in. Joey (Beltran) has good heart, and tries hard. I think he's got a good chin and good power, but it's so subjective. I think I've got great power and a great chin, too. But I'm in the best shape of my life, and I will be game for it." Former NFL star Matt Mitrione heads into UFC 119 with a perfect 2-0 record following his stint on Season 10 of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF). After knocking out fellow contestant Marcus Jones at the Dec. 2009 TUF 10 Finale, he ended the short-lived Octagon career of Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson via second round TKO at UFC 113 back in May. Will "The Mexicutioner" send him running for the border? Or can "Meathead" become a serious threat in the heavyweight division?

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