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

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• UFC Quick Pic: 'They battled for glory and fought for PRIDE'
• AKA boss Javier Mendez 'open' to teammate vs teammate bouts
• Report: Jimmy Ambriz scouted for Strikeforce: 'Miami' opposite Bobby Lashley
• UFC Quick Quote: Following Jan. 2 loss to Sam Stout, Joe Lauzon hopes to rebound for UFC debut in Boston
• Strikeforce Rising Star: Marloes Coenen (Video)
• James Irvin vs Alessio Sakara planned for March 21 bout at UFC on Versus 1
• Anthony Johnson: 'John Howard is about to be snaggletooth when I get done with him'
• Bob Shamrock 1942-2010
• Bellator Fighting Championships signs featherweight Bao Quach
• Tekken movie trailer featuring MMA stars Roger Huerta and Cung Le (Video)
• Programming reminder: The 'Best of PRIDE' unleashed TONIGHT (Jan. 15) on Spike TV at 10pm ET
• 'Lion' Takeshi Inoue gunning for Hatsu Hioki ahead of the Jan. 23 Shooto fight card

UFC Quick Pic: 'They battled for glory and fought for PRIDE' Posted: 15 Jan 2010 12:11 PM PST For more details on "The Best of Pride" and a list of tonight's match-ups click here.

AKA boss Javier Mendez 'open' to teammate vs teammate bouts Posted: 15 Jan 2010 09:31 AM PST ...but he tells MMAFighting.com it has to be "under the right circumstances." "I think if the UFC says 'Hey, Jon Fitch, you're the champion and Josh Koscheck is the number one contender,' then this is a business. It's not something I would ever want to happen but if that (scenario) ever happened the world would want to see them fight each other so we would have to separate camps for that particular fight. I'd hate for that to happen but that's reality, if one becomes the champion and another is a contender for that title than obviously it has to happen. I'm open to it. Do I want it to happen? No, but you have to be open to it -- this is a sport." Sounds like the head of American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) is a getting a little softer on his stance about teammates fighting one another -- but the circumstances he presents seem unlikely since both Jon Fitch and Josh Koscheck have both battled Georges St. Pierre and have both come up on the wrong end of a unanimous decision. That leaves Mike Swick as the last hope for AKA and welterweight gold -- unless of course Dan Hardy can pull a Matt Serra at UFC 111. Any two guys at AKA that you feel is a "must" see fight?

Report: Jimmy Ambriz scouted for Strikeforce: 'Miami' opposite Bobby Lashley Posted: 15 Jan 2010 08:59 AM PST The Bobby Lashley/Strikeforce lottery is still being held -- unless the well-traveled Jimmy Ambriz is given the winning ticket by the suddenly-stingy Florida State Boxing Commission (FSBC). According to a report from Five Ounces of Pain, "The Titan" has been asked to replace Yohan Banks after the California pugilist was denied a license by the FSBC to compete at "Miami" on Jan. 30, likely due to his recent inactivity inside the cage. That left "The Dominator" high and dry for the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida; however, the ball is back in the FSBC court and the situation could be resolved almost as quickly as it started. Strikeforce officials have not yet confirmed the published report. Ambriz (14-12-1) has competed just about everywhere not named UFC and Strikeforce. In addition to a run under the WEC banner back in 2005-2006, he's also appeared in DREAM, King of the Cage, Pancrase, K-1 and most recently Maximum Fighting Championships. He last fought on August 29 at Midwest Fighting Championships, stopping Chris Clark via technical knockout just one minute into the first round of their heavyweight tilt. That win snapped a two fight losing streak that was a result of back-to-back submission losses to Jeff Monson. While obviously not part of the master plan, a win over Lashley would be a tremendous boost to his fighting career, which dates back to April 2001. Stay tuned to MMAmania.com for more information on the pending changes to the Strikeforce: "Miami" card as they develop.

UFC Quick Quote: Following Jan. 2 loss to Sam Stout, Joe Lauzon hopes to rebound for UFC debut in Boston Posted: 15 Jan 2010 08:59 AM PST "I’m obviously disappointed in the result [of Fight Night 20]. It was an entertaining fight, but that’s not what I want to be known for. I definitely thought I had (Sam) Stout in the first round but he had other plans. I felt his shoulder pop and I really thought that I had him. I guess it wasn’t meant to be. I expected him to be tough. His takedown defense was better than I thought. I thought I’d have an easier time on the ground, too. He came to fight with a perfect game plan. Give him credit for a good fight. I’d like to fight him in a rematch but, then again, I’d like to fight anybody I’ve lost to but that doesn’t happen very often and is out of my control. I really want to fight on the first UFC show in Boston. It’s a natural and would be a dream come true for me." Bridgewater native Joe Lauzon (18-5) reacts to just his second loss inside the Octagon since shocking the world with a flash knockout over Jens Pulver at UFC 63: "Hughes vs. Penn" back in September 2006. "J-Lau" returned from knee surgery to hook 'em up with Sam Stout in their "Fight of the Night" at UFC 108 in Las Vegas but was unable to break the "Hands of Stone," who took home the unanimous decision. Now the former TUF 5 contestant hopes to get back to his winning ways when the UFC comes to his backyard on August 28 in Boston. Anyone want to start playing matchmaker?

Strikeforce Rising Star: Marloes Coenen (Video) Posted: 15 Jan 2010 08:17 AM PST Does she have the chops to dethrone "Cyborg" Santos on Jan. 30?

James Irvin vs Alessio Sakara planned for March 21 bout at UFC on Versus 1 Posted: 15 Jan 2010 08:10 AM PST Long-lost UFC middleweight James Irvin (14-5) is finally ready to make his Octagon return this spring against fellow striker Alessio Sakara (14-7) at UFC on Versus 1 from the Odeum Colorado in Broomfield on March 21, according to MMAWeekly. The injury-prone "Sandman" hasn't seen action since going to sleep against Anderson Silva at UFC Fight Night 14 way back in July 2008. Following a nine-month drug suspension (after testing positive for Methadone and Oxymorphone post-"Spider" fight) he was booked to throw hands against Drew McFedries at UFC 98 last May before hurting his knee and pulling out of the contest. Irvin was given time to heal and re-booked for UFC 102 in what should have been his middleweight debut against Wilson Gouveia this past August. Unfortunately he re-aggravated his injured knee and has been on the shelf ever since. Now he's back and ready to prove he can still hang with the Octagon elite -- though "Legionarius" is hoping to prove otherwise. The former Italian boxer was penciled in for a bout against Rousimar Palhares at the Dec. 5 Ultimate Fighter 10 Finale; however; Sakara suffered an injury in training and was forced to withdraw from the event. Hopefully that blip on the radar didn't hurt his momentum. His split decision win over Thales Leites made it two straight for "Legionarius" -- the first time he's been able to string together consecutive wins since his Octagon debut at UFC 55 all the way back in October 2005. Prior to defeating Leites, he scored a brutal knockout of Joe Vedepo via head kick at UFC Fight Night 15 in September 2008. It was an eye-opening finish from the heavy-handed American Top Team product to say the least. A big win over Irvin and it may be time to start talking about his place in the 185-pound division. UFC on Versus 1 is set to feature a ridiculous main event between dynamic light heavyweight strikers Brandon "The Truth" Vera and Jon "Bones" Jones. Anthony "Rumble" Johnson, Clay "The Carpenter" Guida, John "Doomsday" Howard, Sean "The Muscle Shark" Sherk, Spencer "The King" Fisher and others are also expected to be in action on what is shaping up to be a great card for the promotion's debut on the Versus network. To check out the latest fight card and rumors for UFC on Versus 1: "Vera vs. Jones" click here.

Anthony Johnson: 'John Howard is about to be snaggletooth when I get done with him' Posted: 15 Jan 2010 07:42 AM PST Props: Fighthype Quoteworthy: "John Howard is tough. He's not a pushover. I don't think I'm going to go in there and run over the guy. I'm going to go out there and fight him and it's going to be a good fight. He knows how bad I have wanted to fight him and I'm sure he is training his ass off for me because he knows I'm going to bring it. I expect a good fight. It's like I said on my Facebook, his time has run out and now he's about to be snaggletooth when I get done with him…I heard he called me 'Crumble.' He says I crumble when I get pressured and stuff, but ain't nobody made me crumble yet. I had one mental breakdown and that was when Koscheck pulled his little stunt, but other than that, I ain't broke down in no fight. I go out there and fight with everything I got and everybody knows that, so as far as me crumbling, it ain't going to happen." Hard-hitting welterweight Anthony Johnson is prepared to take out his frustrations on John Howard after being choked out by Josh Koscheck at UFC 106 last November in a controversial fight that snapped "Rumble's" three fight winning streak. Unfortunately "Doomsday" hasn't been giving him an easy time, referring to him as "Crumble" in previous interviews after Johnson called him a "Coward" for backing out of their first fight. There may not be a clear-cut winner in the war of words -- but who will be victorious in the war of welterweights? We'll find out on March 21. Who ya' got?

Bob Shamrock 1942-2010 Posted: 15 Jan 2010 07:10 AM PST Bob Shamrock, adopted father of champion MMA fighters Ken and Frank Shamrock, passed away yesterday (Jan 14) after a long term battle with different health complications due to Diabetes. Shamrock was 68 years old. Bob ran a home in Susanville, CA for troubled kids -- which is how a young Ken Shamrock (then Ken Wayne Nance) ended up on his doorstep at age 13 after several run-ins with the law for strong armed robbery among other things. Shamrock promoted sports in his community and helped Ken find an outlet through football and wrestling. He also settled house disputes with boxing gloves -- which is where "The World's Most Dangerous Man" first demonstrated his ability to excel at combat sports. From Ken: "My dad had an unbelievable light with these kids – I’ve never seen anybody able to take a defiant kid into their home, and handle them like my father could – willing to get into a fight with them if he had to because of disrespect and then turn around and hug them and let them know, the minute you give me respect – I’ll give you respect. Everyone that came in contact with my dad – you could tell he made a difference in their life. I’ve never seen anyone have that much success with kids. I’ll miss him and I’m forever thankful." Bob legally adopted Ken and his younger brother Frank and both men legally changed their surname to Shamrock out of respect for the man who had done so much to help them.

Bellator Fighting Championships signs featherweight Bao Quach Posted: 15 Jan 2010 06:48 AM PST Fresh on the heels of their acquisition of Patricio Pitbull, Bellator Fighting Championships announced today that another featherweight star, Bao Quach (17-9-1), will join their growing roster and likely debut in Spring 2010. Quach is a well-traveled veteran, having competed as far as Shooto to right in his backyard under the Affliction MMA banner. He's currently riding back-to-back wins after submitting Aaron Miller at Respect in the Cage 1: Expo & Fight last September. The Irvine native is expected to join Bellator’s upcoming eight-man 145 lbs. tournament along with 12-1-1 Russian-born Georgi "Insane" Karakhanyan and 5-0 Canadian fighting prodigy William Romero. Bellator will also conduct tournaments at 155, 170 and 185 lbs. with the winners of this year’s tournaments being declared No. 1 contenders to Bellator’s current roster of champions. There's a lot of talent being scooped up by Bellator. Aside from the other divisions, anyone out there NOT excited by the upcoming 2010 season? And I'm sure there's more signings to come. Stay tuned.

Tekken movie trailer featuring MMA stars Roger Huerta and Cung Le (Video) Posted: 15 Jan 2010 06:36 AM PST This is Iron Fist!

Programming reminder: The 'Best of PRIDE' unleashed TONIGHT (Jan. 15) on Spike TV at 10pm ET Posted: 15 Jan 2010 06:19 AM PST They're back. PRIDE FC has finally made its return to television on Friday nights this January via Spike TV beginning TONIGHT (Jan. 15) at 10 p.m. ET featuring a "Best of" format that will highlight some of the greatest moments in the now-defunct promotion. Zuffa — the parent company of the Ultimate Fighting Championship — purchased the Japanese mixed martial arts promotion (and its biggest rival) in 2007. With no television deal and most of its top fighters signing UFC contracts, the entity known as PRIDE became no more. Now fans will have an opportunity to relive the glory days tonight at 10 p.m. ET -- and perhaps get a closer look at some of the hoopla surrounding the much ballyhooed stars of yesteryear. Tonight's matches include: Wanderlei Silva vs. Quinton "Rampage" Jackson" Chuck Liddell vs. Alistair Overeem Takanori Gomi vs. Charles "Krazy Horse" Bennett Anderson Silva vs. Carlos Newton Mauricio "Shogun" Rua vs. Kevin Randleman Hosted by Maxim model Kenda Perez, "Best of PRIDE" debuts tonight on Spike TV and will air Fridays at 10 p.m. ET with replays throughout the week.

'Lion' Takeshi Inoue gunning for Hatsu Hioki ahead of the Jan. 23 Shooto fight card Posted: 15 Jan 2010 06:09 AM PST The long-standing Japanese mixed martial arts organization, Shooto will hold its inaugural fight card of 2010 on Saturday, January 23. Titled, "The Way of Shooto ~ Like a Tiger, Like a Dragon ~" the card features the promotion's current lightweight (143 lbs) champion, "Lion" Takeshi Inoue. In keeping with the Japanese promotions' penchant for down-to-the-wire fight confirmation, the leading Shooto promoter, Sustain has yet to name Inoue's opponent. While Sustain pledged to announce the opponent in "one or two days," Inoue is eyeing the fellow top-ranked featherweight, Hatsu Hioki, as a possible opponent if he had his druthers. Tapping Hioki for the bout on a short notice may be a tall order, but Inoue-Hioki has the making of a featherweight dream match for not only Shooto loyalists but for MMA enthusiasts the world over. Inoue and Hioki are arguably the two best fighters in Shooto's 143 lbs. class and among the few non-WEC fighters to crack the top 10 featherweights in the world. With notable victories over the likes of Akitoshi Tamura, Hideki Kadowaki, Antonio Carvalho and Cole Miller, Inoue has groomed himself into Shooto's latest poster boy. Last year, he earned victories over Rumina Sato and Alexandre Franca Nogueira -- two fighters who had their reign in Shooto at one time or another. Hioki comes off a controversial split decision loss to Michihiro Omigawa last November at Sengoku 11. Prior to the Omigawa bout, he tore through Sengoku's featherweight grand prix, defeating Chris Manuel, Ronnie Mann, and Masanori Kanehara; his shot at the tournament crown was thwarted by concussion he sustained in the fight against Kanehara in the semi-final round that subsequently forced him to withdraw from the final. Elsewhere, the fight card also features former Shooto Lightweight champion, Hideki Kadowaki and Rumina Sato protege, Taiki Tsuchiya in a title bout over the vacant Shooto Pacific Rim Lightweight title.

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