Tuesday, October 26, 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


Cain Velasquez TMZ video on UFC 121 win over Brock Lesnar

Posted: 25 Oct 2010 05:26 PM PDT

Will he be a marketable champion?

UFC on Network TV? Dana White expects to be 'in a billion homes' in the next couple months

Posted: 25 Oct 2010 05:23 PM PDT

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Props: Broadcasting Cable

Quoteworthy:

"A lot of people don't realize we are in a half a billion homes around the world. You know all the things we've been through in the United States, but this sport travels well. Cricket will never be big here and the NFL will never be big around the world. But we are all human beings and fighting is in our DNA. We get it and we like it. So we are working on a couple moves now and should be in a billion homes around the world in the next couple months. Sports Business Journal just came out with a survey asking big names in the industry which sport could start its own network and 4 out of 5 said us. They are right. I agree. That will happen within the next couple years.You are starting to see now ESPN is starting to cover us more. I think this is one of those things ESPN will probably kick themselves in 10 years saying, 'We could have fucking had that.'"

UFC President Dana White believes the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) will be broadcast to "a billion homes" in just a few months -- but on which channel? The sport of MMA has grown significantly since UFC 1 back on Nov. 12, 1993. Since then, new rules, medical suspensions and fighters adapting to more than just one style have transformed MMA from bar-room brawl to bona fide sport. Now the UFC is getting coverage from ESPN worldwide, on the verge of being on Network television and being treated as legitimate. What do you think Maniacs? Is the UFC finally hitting the mainstream status Dana White hoped for? Or do you take this news with a grain of salt, since it's not the first time we've heard it?

Former WEC middleweight champion Paulo Filho lost his bout over the weekend to undefeated prospect...

Posted: 25 Oct 2010 02:53 PM PDT

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Former WEC middleweight champion Paulo Filho lost his bout over the weekend to undefeated prospect Marcos Rogerio de Lima by unanimous decision.

Constrictor Coach: Paulo Thiago 'does great in training, but can't give it all during the fight'

Posted: 25 Oct 2010 02:48 PM PDT

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Props: Tatame

Quoteworthy:

"He did a great first round, but then he started to decrease his performance, and Diego started to improve. We can’t understand, Paulo is doing great on the trainings and can’t give it all during the fight. We get a wonderful support from the Police, but I think that (what’s lacking) is the focus on the trainings, more dedication. In Brazil we suffer a lot because of the lack of sponsorship, but we have to fix his training load. If Ultimate (UFC) gives him another shot, it might be on an undercard fight."

Paulo Thiago's coach on Team Constrictor, Ataide Jr. says his fighter does well in training, but can't seem to put all the pieces to the puzzle together when it's fight night. He admitted that part of the problem could be Paulo's lack of focus and dedication due to his duties as part of an elite special police force in Brazil. The once undefeated prospect burst onto the UFC scene with an upset knockout win over now number one contender Josh Koscheck back at UFC 95. He continued to impress by hanging with Jon Fitch in a close, but unanimous decision loss at UFC 100. After a unanimous decision win over Jacob Volkmann and a submission win over Mike Swick, Thiago was neutralized by Martin Kampmann and Diego Sanchez in back-to-back defeats. Has Thiago fallen off the UFC's welterweight division? Or does he just need to become a full-time fighter?

K-1 super-slugger Melvin Manhoef has been booked for "Dynamite!! 2010" against an opponent to be...

Posted: 25 Oct 2010 02:37 PM PDT

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K-1 super-slugger Melvin Manhoef has been booked for "Dynamite!! 2010" against an opponent to be named, according to a Tweet from "It's Showtime."

UFC Quick Quote: Can Cain Velasquez get past the hands of Junior dos Santos?

Posted: 25 Oct 2010 02:29 PM PDT

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"For me it doesn't matter who was gonna be my opponent. What matters is that I get that title for me. Yeah, [Cain Velasquez] is tough, but I'm tough too. I believe so much in me and my hands. I think he's gonna try to put me down but I have a good defense for takedowns and if he can get past my hands, he gonna try to take me down."

The number one contender for the UFC heavyweight title, Junior dos Santos, is impressed with champion Cain Velasquez's performance at UFC 121 when he took Brock Lesnar's title in just over four minutes. While "Cigano" had praise for Velasquez (via MMA Fighting), the Brazilian believes he has good enough takedown defense to win -- assuming Cain can get past his deadly hands. What are your early predictions for this bout? "Brown Pride" or "Cigano?"

Bellator 34 fight card finalized for Oct. 28 in Hollywood

Posted: 25 Oct 2010 02:15 PM PDT

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CHICAGO, Ill. (October 25, 2010) - Bellator Fighting Championships today announced the Local Feature Fights for Bellator 34 taking place at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, FL on October 28th. Headlining the local main event is hard-hitting Miami native John Kelly (4-1) facing off against well rounded William Kuhn (5-4) in welterweight action.

In the local co-main event of the evening, two Florida-based bantamweights square off when Miami's own Tulio Quintanila (4-1) returns to the Bellator cage for the first time since scoring a devastating third round knockout of Brian Eckstein in August, meets Orlando's Ralph Acosta (2-3) in a fight that should have fans on their feet.

The action continues as two undefeated fighters meet when John Queiroz (3-0) faces off with J.P Reese (1-0) in a lightweight clash where only one will exit with their perfect record intact.

Brazilian submission finisher Igor "The Legend" Almedia (6-2) takes on The Ultimate Fighter Season 7 veteran Dan Cramer (5-2) in a battle of intriguing middleweights as the fights continue to roll on.

Rounding out the local card will be two Florida natives returning to the Bellator cage as Frank Carrillo (2-1) takes on Hollywood's own Moyses Gabin (5-3) in middleweight action.

"We always love coming down to Hollywood and bringing the fight fans a great show," said Bellator Chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney. "With two Bellator Championship fights on the card, along with some great local feature fights, this will be a great season finale for Bellator."

In addition to the local feature fights, an additional main card fight has just been scheduled with explosive submission specialist Raphael Davis (9-1) squaring off against former King of the Cage heavyweight and light heavyweight champion Tony "Kryptonite" Lopez (19-4) in a 205 lbs. battle. Davis is no stranger to Bellator, as the powerful Californian took out Demetrius Richards at Bellator 22 with an impressive submission victory.

Bellator 34's main card also includes:

* Bellator will crown its' first Women's Champion when the world's top pound-for-pound female fighter Megumi "Mega Megu" Fujii (22-0) squares off against knockout artist Zoila "Warrior Princess" Frausto (9-1). Already holding the record for most consecutive wins to start a career, Fujii looks to continue her impressive streak against a dangerous Frausto.
* Hector Lombard (26-2-1) will defend his Middleweight crown as Bellator Season 2 winner Alexander "Storm" Shlemenko (29-3) looks to dethrone the champion and become the new Bellator Middleweight Champion. Sporting a perfect 5-0 record in Bellator with all five wins coming by knockout, Lombard looks to continue his domination of the division against the toughest challenge he has faced in the Bellator cage.
* A Bellator Middleweight Special Feature Fight between undefeated Serbian prospect Dragan "Gagi" Tesanovic (7-0) and knockout artist Mike "El Gringo Diablo" Bernhard (8-2).

Tickets for the event - which will also be broadcast LIVE nationwide on FOX Sports Net along with action-packed highlight shows that will air on NBC Saturday nights - are on sale now at ticketmaster.com.

For more information, visit Bellator.com, follow Bellator on Twitter @BellatorMMA or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Bellator.

UFC 121: Matt Hughes was laughing at Joe Rogan

Posted: 25 Oct 2010 01:27 PM PDT

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Props: Matt-Hughes.com

Quoteworthy:

"Jake Shields fight was interesting to me. Jake ran out of gas, but still ended up getting the split decision. From a technical view, Kampmann had a terrible fight, in my opinion, he gave the fight to Shields. One thing I will say is Joe Rogan’s commentary was a little off during the fight. The ground game was pretty even in my book with Shields doing a little more controlling. Kampmann escaped to his feet several times and Kampmann had more submission attempts than Shields had, but listening to Rogan, you would have thought Shields had submitted him the first ten seconds of being on the ground. I really think the UFC could use a third man doing the broadcast, that has some experience inside the Octagon. I don’t disagree with everything Rogan says, but there are a lot of things he says that I just laugh at."

Former UFC Welterweight Champion Matt Hughes comments on the debut of Jake Shields at UFC 121 last Saturday night (Oct. 23) in Anaheim. Hughes was not impressed with Joe Rogan's performance during the welterweight fight, and wonders aloud if the UFC would benefit from having a third man in the broadcast booth. How about it Maniacs, three's company?

Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson has 'no problems' heading into UFC 123 main event against Lyoto Machida (Video)

Posted: 25 Oct 2010 01:26 PM PDT

Brendan Schaub: 'I'd love to match up with Frank Mir, I think I would give him a lot of problems'

Posted: 25 Oct 2010 10:35 AM PDT

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That, my fellow Maniacs, is what they refer to as "calling someone out:"

"The last couple of fights I've been so unsatisfied. This one, I definitely thought I was going to get the finish. It just didn't happen, but it's always good to know you can go three rounds. I'd love to match up with Frank Mir. He's one of the stars in the division, and I think I would give him a lot of problems."

And what better place to do it than the UFC 121 post-fight press conference? Schaub was victorious over Gabriel Gonzaga last Saturday night (Oct. 23) in Anaheim and while he didn't finish "Napao," he did prove that he's quick and agile enough to warrant a step up in competition. But is mixing it up with Frank Mir aiming a bit too high? Or is "The Hybrid" ready to prove (again) that he's a serious threat in the heavyweight division?

UFC 122: Alexandre 'Cacareco' Ferreira vs Vladimir Matyushenko official for Nov. 13 in Germany

Posted: 25 Oct 2010 10:25 AM PDT

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Make way for "The Rhino."

Chute Boxe-trained fighter Alexandre Ferreira will make his UFC debut when he fills in for the injured Jason Brilz against Vladimir Matyushenko at UFC 122 on November 13 in Oberhausen, Germany.

The UFC made the match-up official earlier today.

"Cacareco" stands at just 5'7" making him one of the shorter fighters in the 205-pound division, but brings with him a serious ground game.

Seventeen of his 18 wins have come by way of submission. Ferreira has tapped out his opponent in the first round in seven straight bouts.

Not too shabby.

"The Janitor" was recently caught on the tracks of the freight train known as Jon Jones his last time out in August.

Prior to the defeat at the hands (and elbows) of  "Bones," Vladimir reeled off two straight victories in the UFC against Igor Pokrajac and Eliot Marshall.

Matyushenko has won 11 of his last 13 fights with his only losses coming to Jones and "Lil Nog." 

For a complete archive of UFC 122: "Marquardt vs. Okami" news and notes click here.

Game over? EA Sports MMA 'appears to be more or less DOA at retail' stores

Posted: 25 Oct 2010 10:03 AM PDT

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"EA Sports MMA," the debut entry into the world of mixed martial arts video games from gaming giant Electronic Arts (EA), dropped for the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 back on Oct. 19, 2010, featuring the San Jose-based Strikeforce promotion as the official "Premiere League."

The general consensus from Online reviews was that EA Sports MMA was a good, but not great, video game.

And apparently "good" just isn't "good enough," according to Cowen & Company analyst Doug Creutz (via CVG.com):

"EA is likely to back out of the mixed martial arts genre after its debut offering, EA Sports MMA, made a poor start at retail ... EA's recently released 'MMA' appears to be more or less DOA at retail, while UFC recently announced an extension of its license with THQ, likely putting an end to EA's efforts to expand into the mixed martial arts genre," the analyst said in a research note this morning."

That has to give UFC President Dana White a certain sense of satisfaction based on his history with EA.

White had a very public war of words back in 2009 after he accused the gaming giant of turning down his offer for a video game partnership only to then create one of their own after the massive success of THQ's "UFC Undisputed 2009."

Not coincidentally, THQ recently extended its agreement with the UFC through 2018.

That's not to suggest that it's all wine and roses after renewing their vows. Sales of UFC Undisputed 2010, while strong, haven't been able to meet the lofty expectations that THQ set heading into the fiscal year.

That may change if they have no competition to worry about moving forward.

Does the Zuffa monopoly continue? Or is it just a question of EA failing to deliver a game that can match or exceed the standards of "UFC Undisputed?"

What's your take, Maniacs?

UFC 123: Groin injury forces Gabe Ruediger to withdraw from Paul Kelly fight on Nov. 20

Posted: 25 Oct 2010 09:06 AM PDT

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Sorry "Godzilla" fans, but it seems a groin injury has done what Mothra never could.

On the heels of his Boston massacre at UFC 118: "Edgar vs. Penn 2," former Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 5 contestant Gabe Ruediger has been forced to withdraw from his 155-pound scrap against Paul Kelly at the upcoming UFC 123 pay-per-view on Nov. 20 in Auburn Hills, MI.

'Zilla dropped the "disappointment" bomb via his official website:

"Ive been training with injuries for this whole camp and Ive been trying to just work around them. One injury that has been giving me daily issues was a groin strain. This happened about 3 weeks ago wrestling. I was wrapping it and just enduring the pain, but Wednesday, I was back to wrestling and my groin tore all the way through. As I laid on the mat I knew it was bad, but it wasnt until Friday that I realized that it would be impossible to be ready for my upcoming bout."

The UFC has yet to announce a possible replacement.

UFC 123 is expected to be headlined by a light heavyweight match up of top contenders Lyoto "The Dragon" Machida and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson. Karo "The Heat" Parisyan has also been given a second chance at UFC stardom against the venerable Dennis "Superman" Hallman.

For the current UFC 123 fight card and rumors click here.

Brock Lesnar UFC 121 breakdancing GIF

Posted: 25 Oct 2010 08:43 AM PDT

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Brock Lesnar UFC 121 breakdancing GIF

Cain Velasquez, UFC Heavyweight Champion, gets the ending he dreamed of against Brock Lesnar at UFC 121

Posted: 25 Oct 2010 07:49 AM PDT

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And USA Today already has him pegged as a "next generation MMA star:"

"It was a sweet feeling. All the work I put in was for that moment. I pictured it playing out that way. It was the best ending I could think of, as far as the whole story, but I've got to keep getting better and look out for whoever is coming. We've worked extremely hard on this. We worked on getting that single-leg (takedown), dumping it, and if that doesn't work, we run him down. Every Saturday, we drilled the same situations. I'm really proud of my coaches and the people I have training with me."

Newly crowned UFC Heavyweight Champion Cain Velasquez can finally stop and smell the roses after dethroning former division kingpin Brock Lesnar at UFC 121 last Saturday night (Oct. 23) in Anaheim. The pride of Mexico crumpled Lesnar in the first round of their headlining title affair but knows he may not be able to replicate that performance so easily as Junior dos Santos awaits him in 2011. Is Velasquez the next generation of MMA stars? Or just a commercial until "Cigano" gets back?

UFC 121 video recap with Dana White on ESPNs 'MMA Live'

Posted: 25 Oct 2010 06:44 AM PDT

Brock Lesnar Round 5 MMA collectible UFC 121 predictions contest winners announced!

Posted: 25 Oct 2010 06:40 AM PDT

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BROCKTOBER has (unofficially) ended.

And while Brock Lesnar came out the loser at UFC 121: "Lesnar vs. Velasquez" last Saturday night in Anaheim, five lucky MMA maniacs came out winners, by correctly predicting all five outcomes on the UFC 121 televised pay-per-view (PPV) card on Oct. 23.

In association with Round 5 MMA, the high end retailer responsible for mixed martial arts' most recognizable collectible figurines and merchandise, we are awarding the grand prize winner with a full set of Ultimate Collector Series 4 figurines including the Brock Lesnar Championship Edition.

And we've even got a couple prize packages for the runner-ups, because this is an MMAmania.com contest and you wouldn't expect anything less.

See if you're one of the chosen few after the jump.

1) Killtheking
2) Jon G
3) TFung15
4) Kenny Chueng
5) Jennifer Rogers Dixon

Nice work, guys (and gals). You're the proud recipient of some free collectibles thanks to the generosity of our good friends at Round 5 MMA. Make sure to send us your address and a link to your FaceBook profiles (send to contest@mmamania.com) so we can confirm your contest eligibility.

Thanks again to everyone who participated. For more information on Round 5 MMA and to check out their stellar line-up of mixed martial arts figurines and merchandise click here.

Shane Carwin: Don't Write Off Brock Lesnar Just Yet

Posted: 24 Oct 2010 11:45 PM PDT

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Props: Shane-Carwin.com

Quoteworthy:

"What Cain did is what great fighters do, they learn from what they can study. How would have my fight turned out if I had let Brock stand and knock him down again and again? It really doesn't matter about what happened last night or in July the only thing that matters is what is to be ... Those of you writing Brock off don't. The man walked into the UFC at the top level (who does that?) and won and defended the UFC HWT Belt. He took a beating from me and came back and found a way to win, he nearly lost his life and he came back and found a way to win, he is 4-2 in MMA and some of the wins are UFC title DEFENSES ... He is a real champion, a real warrior and as long as he keeps training and learning MMA he will continue to be a force. Every great champion will lose the great ones rise again and it would not surprise me to see Brock defending a title again one day. Win or lose he should be respected for being the warrior he is ... The UFC HWT division has an amazing crop of fighters right now with four worthy title holders (Cain, Brock, JDS and myself) and a lot of amazing talent knocking on door to get their name on the list for a title shot... This is going to be the era of the UFC HWTS and I am here to make a impact."

Former UFC Heavyweight number one contender Shane Carwin doesn't believe we've seen the last of Brock Lesnar as a major force int he UFC heavyweight division after coughing up his strap to undefeated Cain Velasquez at UFC 121 last Saturday night (Oct. 23) in Anaheim. "The Engineer" was almost the man to do it, until his body betrayed him in the second round, leaving him vulnerable to a Lesnar submission that sent him to the back of the line. Carwin still wants to be a force in this division -- will he be able to overcome the prodigious girth of Roy Nelson in 2011? And what fight awaits him if he does?

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