Friday, January 22, 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


Wanderlei Silva: Michael Bisping is 'afraid' an 'in trouble' at UFC 110 (Video)

Posted: 22 Jan 2010 04:55 AM PST

Mike Swick: Forget GSP -- I want a Dan Hardy rematch

Posted: 21 Jan 2010 09:30 PM PST

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Props: Bleacher Report

Quoteworthy:

"Winning this fight (at UFC 109) is super important; I don't like losing. I hate losing that's why it still hurts so bad after my last fight, but I have an opportunity now to get back on the winning track. If I were to win this fight and get a choice between a title shot or Dan Hardy, I would choose Dan Hardy. I want that rematch, and I want to go out there and have a better performance and perform to my ability. That's kind of what my goal is so it all leads with this fight. I have to go out there and do what I have to do to get this win and then more opportunities will come. I want to be the first guy to stop him. I really want to be the first guy to finish Thiago. I think that would prove something."

UFC welterweight Mike Swick is hoping for a dominant performance over Paulo Thiago at UFC 109: "Relentless" from the Mandalay Bay Events Center, Las Vegas, Nevada on Feb. 6. "Quick" is coming off a disappointing unanimous decision loss to Dan Hardy at UFC 105 back in November. It perhaps stung more than any other loss because it had championship implications on the line and "The Outlaw" is now set to challenge for the 170-pound belt at UFC 111 in March. Swick wants another crack at the Brit -- even if it means passing on the chance to fight Georges St. Pierre. Can he first get past Thiago?

Jorge Santiago vs Mamed Khalidov rematch now planned for March Sengoku Raiden Championship event

Posted: 21 Jan 2010 09:09 PM PST

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In an early shuffling of the upcoming fight card in March, Sengoku Raiden Championship now looks to pit its middleweight champion, Jorge Santiago (21-8), against Mamed Khalidov (20-3-1) for a rematch. Unlike their first meeting at Sengoku 11 last November, this bout will have a belt on the line.

Earlier reports indicated that Santiago will face Kazuo Misaki, whom he defeated in January, 2009 to win the middleweight championship,  in a title bout, while Khalidov drew Canadian veteran Joe Doerksen in a title eliminator match.

First reported by KSW, Khalidov has now been granted a much-deserved title shot ahead of Misaki.

Khalidov, veteran of the Polish MMA organization, KSW, is in the midst of an 18-fight undefeated streak. Aside from a September 2008 draw against Daniel Tabera, he has won seventeen fights since October 2005.

 In his Sengoku debut against Santiago, he routed the middleweight champion in a non-title affair. After Santiago controlled the action during the opening frame of the fight with top control on the ground, Khalidov stunned him with a hammerfist delivered off his back before swarming with a flurry of punches to earn a first-round TKO victory.

Loss to Khalidov halted Santiago's nine-fight winning streak. Prior to Sengoku 11, Santiago captured tournament titles in Strikeforce and Sengoku, capping off the victory run with the inaugural Sengoku middleweight title.

Santiago vs. Khalidov will likely serve as the headliner for the March 7 event, which will take place at Ryogoku Kokugikan, where the two met last November at Sengoku 11. The event will be broadcast in North America on HDNet.

World Extreme Cagefighting announces two additions for WEC 47 fight card in Columbus

Posted: 21 Jan 2010 07:52 PM PST

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The main card for WEC 47 is coming together with the addition of two bouts for the March 6 card.

The WEC made the official announcement on Thursday, Jan. 21, that Deividas Taurosevicius will meet L.C. Davis, and Ricardo Lamas will welcome Bendy Casimir to the promotion.

Taurosevicius is coming off a dominant victory over submission ace Mackens Semerzier at WEC 46 this past Jan. He began his career in the WEC just one fight prior with decision victory over Javier Vasquez.

Davis is rolling off consecutive decision victories over Diego Nunes and Javier Vasquez, at WEC 44 and WEC 42, respectively. Davis will look to continue his undefeated run in the WEC against the former-professional rugby player. 

In the other announced match up, Casimir will look to continue his major run in the sport by making the move to the U.S.A. Casimir is 8-1 over the past two years and is currently riding a three fight winning streak.

Standing opposite Casimir come March 6 will be a very game Ricardo Lamas. Lamas rebounded from his WEC 42 lost to Danny Castillo by gaining a decision victory over James Krause at WEC 44 last Nov. The loss to Castillo was Lamas' lone flaw in his 7-1 professional mixed martial arts career.

WEC 47 is set for March 6 at Columbus, Ohio's Nationwide Arena. The main event of the evening is a bantamweight championship bout between Brian Bowles (champion) and Dominick Cruz (challenger). The card also features the return of two mixed martial arts legends in Miguel Torres and Jens Pulver.

Stay tuned to MMAmania.com for breaking news and updates for World Extreme Cagefighting's March 6 card. In the meantime, get up to speed by checking out our event archive here.

Brock Lesnar, Kimbo Slice and UFC 113 featured on ESPN's 'MMA Live' (Video)

Posted: 21 Jan 2010 03:21 PM PST

UFC Quick Quote: Frankie Edgar 'super excited' to have a shot at BJ Penn

Posted: 21 Jan 2010 03:16 PM PST

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"I'm super excited. I'm glad I got my shot. I'm looking forward to seizing the opportunity. BJ looked great [at UFC 107]. His timing is unmatched. Diego had a game-plan and got rocked and it was tough to go back to the game plan. I'm working hard all the time (with Ricardo Almeida). Renzo is training now. He's getting ready for his fight. I can't get a better situation to get better at jiu-jitsu. I know (Georges St. Pierre) comes into the city and trains with Renzo. If we cross paths, then I'll pick his brain a little bit."

UFC lightweight number one contender Frankie Edgar talks to Ground and Pound Radio (via Heavy.com) about preparing for the moment he's been waiting for since the day he started competing in mixed martial arts, hoping he has "The Answer" for current division kingpin BJ Penn at UFC 112 in Abu Dhabi. "The Prodigy" has been unstoppable since returning to the lightweight division in 2007, finishing all five of his victims and never looking the least bit challenged in any of those contests. Will his title defense on April 10 be his last before trying his luck again at welterweight? Or can Edgar shock the world? Thoughts?

UFC 108 nabs $1,969,670 at the gate with 8,004 tickets sold on Jan. 2

Posted: 21 Jan 2010 03:02 PM PST

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The Jan. 2 UFC 108 pay-per-view took in a gate of $1,969,670 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, according to official figures from the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) released today.

The final tally was a result of 8,004 tickets sold. Those figures do not include the whopping 5,314 comped tickets or the 599 unsold tickets.

The UFC dished out $843,000 in fighter salaries for the live event and another $200,000 in additional bonus money for the four participants who delivered outstanding performances.

"Evans vs. Silva" drew 13,529 total attendees, placing it ninth on the list of top attendances at the MGM Grand -- just behind 2006's UFC 66: "Liddell vs. Ortiz 2" -- but two places above 2008's UFC 98: "Evans vs. Machida."

The main event featured a workman-like performance from 205-pound stalwart Rashad Evans as he inched closer to one day challenging to get his world title back with a unanimous decision over the ultra tough Thiago Silva.

UFC sophomore Paul Daley. "Semtex" made his second Octagon appearance a memorable one in the co main event, spot-welding his fist to the jaw of Dustin Hazelett to grab "Knockout of the Night" after putting "McLovin'" on his butt in the first round.

For complete UFC 108 results and blow-by-blow coverage of the main card action click here and here.

Ed Soares talks Anderson Silva's UFC 112 return against Vitor Belfort (Video)

Posted: 21 Jan 2010 02:41 PM PST

Ed Soares talks Anderson Silva's UFC 112 return against Vitor Belfort (Video)

Foreign Granny KO's 'Rampage' ride

Posted: 21 Jan 2010 02:38 PM PST

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Props: TMZ

Quoteworthy:

"I am thankful and happy no one was hurt. I tried to make sure the elderly woman that hit my car was OK ... she didn't speak much English, but I could see she wasn't hurt in any way. I am fine, the little old lady is fine, but my car got hurt, and for that I'm sad."

TMZ reports from the scene of the traffic accident that left Quinton Jackson without a ride after getting rear-ended by a jalopy-driving Granny. "Rampage" was driving his new black Audi R8 (valued at more than $100k) home from the dealership in Orange County on Tuesday when he was hit from behind. Pity the fool.

Gleison Tibau vs Caol Uno on tap for UFC Fight Night 21 on March 31

Posted: 21 Jan 2010 11:36 AM PST

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A lightweight match up between Gleison Tibau and Caol Uno is expected to take place at UFC Fight Night 21 on March 31 from North Carolina. Here's what Tibau had to say about the fight, courtesy of TATAME.com:

"Challenging legends of the sport is every fighter's wish, because you can grow in your career... I feel better to be back to the training heading to my biggest dream, the UFC title."

Tibau (20-6) is coming off a unanimous decision victory over the recently released Josh Neer at UFC 104. The American Top Team product is known for being one of, if not the largest lightweights in the UFC, having to cut as much as 30 pounds to make weight.

That size advantage will likely play a key role in the bout with the smaller Caol Uno (27-12). Uno, best known for his classic wars with Rumina Sato under the Shooto promotion, has only been victoriuos once in his last five fights. His last fight against Fabricio Camoes at UFC 106 was deemed a majority draw.

UFC Fight Night 21 is set to serve as the lead-in for The Ultimate Fighter 11, and is expected to be headlined by another lightweight match up between top contender Kenny Florian and UFC newcomer Takanori Gomi. Stay tuned to MMA Mania for more details on the card as they are announced.

Latest issue of UFC Magazine with Anderson Silva cover

Posted: 21 Jan 2010 11:29 AM PST

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Latest issue of UFC Magazine with Anderson Silva cover

Ross Pearson vs Dennis Siver expected for UFC Fight Night 21 on March 31

Posted: 21 Jan 2010 11:26 AM PST

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The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) Season 9 lightweight winner Ross Pearson (10-3) will make his third appearance inside the Octagon when he takes on Dennis Siver (15-6) at UFC Fight Night 21 on March 31 in North Carolina, according to a report from Fighter's Only.

Pearson bulldozed his way through A.J. Wenn, Richie Whitson, and Jason Dent to eventually capture the TUF crown by besting Andre Winner via unanimous decision at the Season 9 Finale in June of last year.

The Team Rough House product is a scrappy 155-pounder with plenty of heart -- and proved he's "The Real Deal" by dominating the heavily-favored Aaron Riley en route to a second round TKO at UFC 105 last November in Manchester.

He'll look to continue his hot streak against the surging German.

Like Pearson, Siver has been electric in his past three fights, perhaps even more so after scoring convincing finishes in all three contests. After a first round strangulation of Dale Hartt at UFC 99 in June 2009, he followed up that performance with a good old-fashioned ass-kicking of Paul Kelly at UFC 105 in November.

Two red hot lightweights, one spot on the ladder. Don't be surprised if this one is in the running for "Fight of the Night."

Stay tuned to MMAmania.com for more details on the still developing UFC Fight Night 21 fight card, including confirmation of the recently announced main event between Kenny Florian and Takanori Gomi.

UFC 109: Rolles Gracie talks Mostapha Al-Turk bout on FOX Fight Game (Video)

Posted: 21 Jan 2010 10:41 AM PST

UFC Quick Quote: Patrick Cote ready to rematch Anderson Silva and become world champion

Posted: 21 Jan 2010 09:58 AM PST

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Props: TheMMANews

Quoteworthy:

"If I fight (Anderson Silva) again I think I am going to do the same thing, I think I learned that if you’re not scared of him right away you have a good chance to win and that’s what I did. I was there in the first second of the fight, I took the center of the Octagon and I showed him I wasn’t scared of him. This guy is not a machine; he is a human like me and you, so you have to believe in yourself. The worst part of fighting Anderson Silva is that it’s so hard finding training partners like him, nobody moves like him and nobody fights like him. So if I fight him again the surprise aspect of how he moves and how he fights is not going to be a surprise anymore, I know him and how it feels to be in the same Octagon with him, so that is going to be a huge advantage for me. I want big fights all the time. I don’t do this sport to be number 2, to be second, I want to be world champion -- I think I have the ability to be world champion."

Patrick Cote talks about getting back into the middleweight mix when he faces Alan Belcher at UFC 113 in Montreal. "The Predator" has not competed since since shredding his knee while inside the Octagon opposite reigning division champion Anderson Silva at UFC 90 way back in October 2008. The bout resulted in a technical knockout loss for the Canadian, which he feels may have gone his way if the freak accident never happened. The 185-pound class is now teeming with possible title contenders, making his road back to the summit more than likely a long and difficult one. He wants a rematch with "The Spider" but has to get past "The Talent" first. What are his chances?

UFC GYM hosts official Grand Opening this Saturday (Jan. 23) at 10AM PST

Posted: 21 Jan 2010 09:35 AM PST

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UFC President Dana White, Hall of Famer Chuck Liddell and Star Fighters Brandon Vera, Anthony Johnson, Jon Fitch, Mike Swick, Josh Koscheck, and Cain Velasquez to Attend.

Concord, Calif. (USA) - In what is shaping up to be a can't-miss event for fitness enthusiasts and mixed martial arts fans alike, the first ever UFC® GYM will host its official Grand Opening this Saturday at 10AM PST. The flagship facility, which is located on 1975 Diamond Boulevard in Concord, will feature a star-studded lineup at the Grand Opening, including UFC President Dana White, UFC Hall of Famer Chuck Liddell, as well as New Evolution Fitness Company (NEFC) founders and UFC Gym partners Mark Mastrov and Jim Rowley.

The Grand Opening will be preceded by a press conference at 9:30AM for media, as well as select members of the UFC Fight Club. Following the press conference, UFC Gym will be loaded with a day full of special demonstrations and autograph sessions featuring UFC fighters, as well as giveaways including UFC Gym prize packages and a trip to UFC 109.

UFC superstar Brandon Vera will give a TRX demonstration at the Grand Opening, while fellow fighters Anthony Johnson, Jon Fitch, Mike Swick, Josh Koscheck, and Cain Velasquez will sign autographs throughout the day. To top it off, UFC ring girl Arianny Celeste will also be in attendance. All in all, the official Grand Opening is further proof that UFC Gym is committed to motivating fitness enthusiasts and encouraging them to tackle exercise in a whole new way.

"The Grand Opening of UFC Gym in Concord is our way of showing everyone that our facility is second-to-none," NEFC CEO / co-founder Jim Rowley said, adding that UFC Gym fitness experts will be available all day Saturday to provide tours of the facility and answer membership/fitness questions. "We are dedicated to creating an atmosphere that inspires results and allows our members to approach fitness in a positive manner. Saturday is the first of many unique experiences that we plan to create for our members."

"We are really excited to host the Grand Opening," said UFC President Dana White, who will be kicking off the day by addressing the public at 10:30am. "UFC Gyms are raising the bar in the fitness world and we want people to come out and see it for themselves this weekend."

The full schedule for the Grand Opening, which will also feature a variety of vendors such as Harley Davidson, BSN, and Coke/Powerade, is available below. For more information on UFC Gyms, please visit UFCgyms.com.

GRAND OPENING FULL SCHEDULE (Times Subject to Change)

10:00AM Grand Opening Expo Officially Begins

10:15AM-10:30AM Kids Demonstration

10:30AM-11:15AM UFC Gym Grand Opening Expo Kickoff featuring Dana White, Mark Mastrov, Jim Rowley, followed by prize giveaway.

11:15AM-1:00PM Autograph Signing - Jon Fitch and Josh Koscheck

12:45PM-2:30PM Autograph Signing - Mike Swick

12:45PM-1PM TRX Demonstration - Brandon Vera

1:05PM-1:20PM Kids Demonstration

1:25PM-1:40PM MMA/Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Demonstration

1:45PM-2:00PM Group Fitness Demonstration - Zumba, Jump Rope

2:05PM-2:20PM Personal Training Demonstration

2:30PM-2:45PM Prize Giveaway

2:45PM-4:45PM Autograph Signing - Anthony Johnson and Cain Velasquez

2:45PM-3:00PM TRX Demonstration

3:05PM-3:20PM Kids Demonstration

3:25PM-3:40PM MMA/Muay Thai Demonstration

3:45PM-4:00PM Group Fitness Demonstration - Kickboxing

4:05PM-4:20PM Personal Training Demonstration

4:45PM-5:00PM Prize Giveaways

5:00PM Grand Opening Concludes

Kenny Florian vs Takanori Gomi under consideration for UFC Fight Night 21 on March 31 in North Carolina

Posted: 21 Jan 2010 07:28 AM PST

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Former Pride FC lightweight champion and Japanese fighting deity Takanori Gomi (31-5) could jump right into the 155-pound title hunt when he makes his Octagon debut against perennial lightweight contender Kenny Florian (12-4) at UFC Fight Night 21 on March 31 in North Carolina.

ESPN's "MMA Live" tweets the bout is expected to serve as the night's main event.

Gomi recently signed a multi-fight deal to compete for the UFC after fighting exclusively for Japanese promotions.

In his heyday, the "Fireball Kid" was considered perhaps the best lightweight fighter on the planet. He has struggled recently, however, losing two of his last four matches to competition that is far from elite.

Nonetheless, Gomi is a fantastic and exciting addition to the talent-rich 155-pound class, which is currently dominated by division champion, B.J. Penn. Gomi and Penn actually went toe-to-toe at "Rumble on the Rock 4" back in 2003, with "The Prodigy" coming away with a convincing submission (rear naked choke) victory.

A rematch is a tantalizing prospect -- though don't expect "KenFlo" to ever let such a scenario materialize.

Florian has twice been to the mountaintop in the lightweight division -- and twice came away empty. To his credit, the Boston native always seems to come back stronger in his next fight, as evidenced by his second round destruction of the venerable Clay Guida back at UFC 107 on Dec. 12.

Quickly after the win, Florian expressed his desire to fight "top guys" every 3-4 months. A March 31 contest would still give him enough room to prepare for a 155-pound superfight when the UFC debuts in Boston on August 28 of this year.

In addition, BJ Penn has begun contemplating an eventual return to the welterweight division should he get past Frankie Edgar at UFC 112 in Abu Dhabi. Unless of course Gomi wins, which would all but guarantee he hangs around for a rematch.

If not, it will be interesting to see if and when "The Prodigy" sets sail -- and if that vacancy finally gives Florian the chance to become champion.

Stay tuned.

Jake Shields joins Chuck Liddell as coach on TUF 11

Posted: 21 Jan 2010 06:54 AM PST

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Jake Shields may be the Strikeforce middleweight champion, but that won't stop him from crossing the promotional border to help out former light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell as an assistant coach on the eleventh season of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF).

The grappling phenom is currently under consideration for an April 16 title defense against Octagon exile Dan Henderson, though Shields cautions that fight has not yet been signed, prompting him to take the TUF opportunity.

And if a bout with Hendo does come to fruition, where better to hone your craft than Las vegas, the fighting capital of the world?

From Shields (courtesy of MMAWeekly):

"I'm still not sure if this Hendo fight is happening, so I figured this would be a good opportunity. Chuck is a great training partner and (there is) lots of great training in Vegas."

TUF 11 will debut on March 31, 2010, and feature a 16-man roster of middleweights vying for a "six-figure contract" under the tutelage of former TUF Coaches and bitter rivals Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz.

Keep it locked in to MMAmania.com for more information and details on the TUF 11 roster as they become available.

Report: UFC 113 shifted to May 8 in Montreal

Posted: 21 Jan 2010 06:35 AM PST

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Don't book that flight just yet.

UFC 113 from the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, is reportedly on the move, abandoning a tentative May 1 date for the following Saturday (May 8) according to the good folks over at Cagewriter.

News of a possible change first surfaced when Lyoto Machida, scheduled to defend his light heavyweight title against Mauricio Rua in the night's main event, tweeted that he was a lock for the event -- though a possible change in dates was on the horizon.

In addition, the next big boxing event was being targeted for May 1, as Floyd Mayweather and Shane Mosley agreed to hook 'em up in Las Vegas that Saturday, prompting UFC president Dana White to inform The Canadian Press about a possible schedule change.

Apparently Mayweather is still "Money" when it comes to pay-per-view buys.

Aside from "The Dragon" vs. "Shogun," UFC 113 will also feature a fantastic welterweight match-up between Josh Koscheck and Paul Daley for a chance to claim the next shot at the 170-pound title. Patrick Cote, Marcus Davis and Alan Belcher have also been attached to the event.

Stay tuned to MMAmania.com for more on the still-developing Montreal fight card.

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