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- Roger Huerta vs Chad Hinton highlights Bellator lightweight tournament season two match ups
- UFC 112: Renzo Gracie's midlife crisis puts him opposite Matt Hughes (Video)
- What could have been: Nick Diaz and Bellator FC
- King Karl: MMAmania.com DREAM 13 interview exclusive with KJ Noons
- Strikeforce tickets for 'Heavy Artillery' from the Scottrade Center on May 15 on sale soon
- Josh Barnett on his March 22 return to Japan for DREAM 13
- UFC 114: Rashad Evans may bring Mr. T to the Octagon to mess with 'Rampage' Jackson
- DREAM 13 announces Josh Barnett vs 'Mighty Mo' to complete March 22 fight card
- UFC Quick Quote: 'Big Country' needs to win because he needs to eat
- Brock Lesnar: 'I'm stronger and faster than I was before' (Video)
- Tito Ortiz maintains UFC 115 bout with Chuck Liddell still set for June 12
- UFC 114 tickets for MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on May 29, for sale soon
- UFC on Versus video preview, Bellator's Roger Huerta and more on ESPNs 'MMA Live'
| Roger Huerta vs Chad Hinton highlights Bellator lightweight tournament season two match ups Posted: 19 Mar 2010 03:18 PM PDT CHICAGO, Ill. (March 19, 2010) – With its first Season 2 event now less than three weeks away, Bellator Fighting Championships today revealed the Round 1 matchups for its much-anticipated, nationally-televised lightweight (155 lbs.) tournament. The four fights will take place during Bellator’s first three Season 2 events on April 8th, April 15th and April 22nd. Fighter pairings for Bellator’s featherweight (145 lbs.) and welterweight (170 lbs.) tournaments have already been announced. Matchups for the middleweight (185 lbs.) tournament will be announced later this month. The lightweight (155 lbs.) matchups are as follows:
Each of the fights will be broadcast live in prime time on FOX Sports Net. Highlights will be shown the following Saturday night in special action-packed shows on NBC and Telemundo. "As an MMA fan, I can’t wait to see these fights," said Bellator founder and CEO Bjorn Rebney. "There’s been great buzz about our 155 division and it’s definitely warranted. This is a very well-rounded field and each of these fighters is very dangerous." |
| UFC 112: Renzo Gracie's midlife crisis puts him opposite Matt Hughes (Video) Posted: 19 Mar 2010 02:08 PM PDT He'll be 43-years-young on fight night: |
| What could have been: Nick Diaz and Bellator FC Posted: 19 Mar 2010 01:38 PM PDT
Arguably the face of the Strikeforce promotion, welterweight champion Nick Diaz was extremely close to not even being part of the company. Prior to signing with Elite XC in 2007, and subsequently finding his current home in Strikeforce, Diaz was in deep negotiations with Bellator FC, the same promotion that has recently been making serious moves in the industry and has positioned itself as one of the leading mixed martial arts destinations for fighters everywhere. GracieFighter.com reports that "Stockton's Finest" was ready to ink his name on the dotted line, but a $50,000 signing bonus that was originally promised to him by Bellator fell through after the promotion unexpectedly decided to scrap signing bonuses for fighters all together at the time. Left with the option of fighting in the first event for an upstart promotion with little financial resources at the time, or exploring other alternatives in regards to his MMA career, Diaz of course chose to take the more lucrative route. And who's gonna blame him. The Cesar Gracie trained fighter has made the most of his time with Strikeforce, and the now defunct Elite XC, having only dropped one bout in his time with the promotions and now finds himself as a character in a video game set to be released later this year. But it's interesting to think what could have been nonetheless. |
| King Karl: MMAmania.com DREAM 13 interview exclusive with KJ Noons Posted: 19 Mar 2010 01:10 PM PDT KJ Noons is officially back on the radar screen. The former EliteXC lightweight champion recently inked a contract with Strikeforce and will return to MMA after nearly a two year absence. He will do battle against Andre Amade on March 22 at the DREAM 13 event in Japan. Noons is probably best known for his November 2007 championship winning performance over Nick Diaz. He defended his title once against Yves Edwards before his belt was stripped by EliteXC management following a very public feud over a laundry list of issues. He chose to concentrate on his professional boxing career thereafter and accumulated a 4 - 1 record leading up to his recent signing. "King Karl" took some time out of his schedule to discuss his bitter fallout with EliteXC, a potential rematch with Nick Diaz, and recommitting to MMA. Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Let me start by going back in time a bit. You defeated Nick Diaz to win the EliteXC Lightweight Championship in November 2007. Many were calling for an immediate rematch afterwards. Why did you choose to fight Yves Edwards in June 2008 instead? KJ Noons: That's who EliteXC offered me. They never offered immediate rematch. Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): At this time you had a bit of a falling out with EliteXC management. Now that they are no longer an organization you can clear the air once and for all. What were the differences between you and the EliteXC management team? Please explain. KJ Noons: It was a contractual issue and money. I beat the guy and for the rematch they wanted to pay me three times less after I beat him AND beat Yves. I wasn't asking for much. I wanted even pay at the least. Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): They ultimately stripped you of your belt in September 2008. Were you okay with their decision? Was it justified? KJ Noons: I told them in an e-mail a couple days before they stripped me that I was going to give back their belt. They stripped me first to make themselves look good. I didn't care. Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): I believe you still had two fights left on your EliteXC contract at that point. Was it your intention to still fulfill those remaining fights even though your belt had been stripped? KJ Noons: No, they broke contract by stripping me. I was free agent. Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Do you have any hard feelings towards Gary Shaw or any other member of the former EliteXC management staff or towards your own management at the time? KJ Noons: No, it's in the past and I moved forward. Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Overall, looking at the situation as a whole, do you have any regrets with what took place between you and EliteXC? KJ Noons: No. Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Fast forward to present day. You have had five professional boxing matches under your belt since the Edwards fight, but now you are jumping back into MMA by signing with Strikeforce. How many fights is your deal for and does it allow you to compete in boxing as well? KJ Noons: I have four fights on my contract with Strikeforce. I can box but I told Strikeforce I wanted to show that I'm committed to MMA. I want to grow with them. We will have to see when the contract is up. Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): You recently got to appear on NCIS: Los Angeles with some of your fellow Strikeforce fighters for an episode that will air in April on CBS. What was that experience like for you? KJ Noons: It was cool. I had never been on a set before. Those were some long days. Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Your opponent on March 22 at DREAM 13 is Andre Amade. How would you describe his overall skill set and fighting style? KJ Noons: I think he is a good fighter and it will be a great fight. Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): You're known for your standup skills first and foremost. On a scale of 1 to 10 how would you rate Amade's overall standup game? KJ Noons: I think it's good, not great. He has power and you can't get caught with one of his shots or you're done. He's a very dangerous fighter. Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Do you have an official prediction for the fight? KJ Noons: My hand raised as the winner. Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Are you open to a rematch with Nick Diaz sometime in the future? KJ Noons: Yes. Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Would you be willing to move to welterweight to fight Diaz or is it your intention to try to capture the Strikeforce lightweight belt? KJ Noons: I want to get the lightweight belt, but wherever Strikeforce wants me to fight, I'll fight. Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Any sponsors you would like to thank at this time? KJ Noons: Rockstar and Atwater. Also, check out KJNoons.com Derek Bolender (MMAmania.com): Thank you very much for your time. KJ Noons: Thanks. Derek Bolender is a frequent MMAmania.com contributor. He is also a syndicated writer to FoxSports.com. Follow him at Twitter.com/DerekMMAwriter. |
| Strikeforce tickets for 'Heavy Artillery' from the Scottrade Center on May 15 on sale soon Posted: 19 Mar 2010 11:53 AM PDT Tickets for Strikeforce: "Heavy Artillery" at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Mo., on Saturday, May 15, will go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, March 26 at 10:00 a.m. CT. Several of the promotion’s other top fighters will be in action on the card as well, including a heavyweight scrap between former UFC Heavyweight Champion Andrei "The Pitbull" Arlovski and hard-hitting Brazilian Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva. They go fast. For more on Strikeforce: "Heavy Artillery" click here. |
| Josh Barnett on his March 22 return to Japan for DREAM 13 Posted: 19 Mar 2010 10:31 AM PDT
"Anyway I can beat somebody up -- I want to learn it." |
| UFC 114: Rashad Evans may bring Mr. T to the Octagon to mess with 'Rampage' Jackson Posted: 19 Mar 2010 08:55 AM PDT Props: UFC.com Quoteworthy:
Former light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans wants to settle the score with fellow TUF 10 coach and bitter rival Quinton Jackson when they collide at the upcoming UFC 114 event from the MGM Grand on May 29 in Las Vegas. "Sugar" was able to dispatch Thiago Silva earlier this year while "Rampage" went Hollywood for a role in the new A-Team movie as B.A. Baracus -- the part made famous by Mr. T. Could the original bearded brawler throw a wrench in the mental works of Jackson with his shiny jewelry and infamous mohawk? Or will Rampage pity the fool en route to a Evans beatdown? |
| DREAM 13 announces Josh Barnett vs 'Mighty Mo' to complete March 22 fight card Posted: 19 Mar 2010 07:52 AM PDT Former PRIDE star and Affliction grim reaper Josh Barnett (24-5) will officially make his return to competition against Siala "Mighty Mo" Siliga (3-1) at the upcoming DREAM 13 event on March 22 in Yokohama, the promotion announced today. Stateside fans can catch all the overseas action at 3 a.m. ET on HDNet. The subsequent denial of his license to fight in California wreaked havoc on the floundering T-shirt company, prompting not only the cancellation of the "Trilogy" event, but also the demise of it's MMA division. Meanwhile, he has kept himself busy with pro-wrestling gigs with Inoki Genome Foundation and participation in several No-Gi grappling competitions. Barnett's signing with DREAM comes as no surprise: Given his name value in Japanese MMA and pro-wrestling, laxity toward the use of performance enhancing drugs in Japan, and stigma he has incurred in the US, DREAM has loomed as a logical destination for him. Also, the rumored signings of Andrei Arlovski and Tim Sylvia to DREAM and the ongoing alliance between DREAM and Strikeforce will present him a few potential big matches. It looks like the second loss in MMA is forthcoming: Despite more than a year and half away from competition, formerly top-ranked Barnett is beyond what a MMA neophyte like "Mighty Mo" is capable of handling, save a puncher's chance. Here is the complete DREAM 13 fight card:
For all the latest on DREAM 13 check out our event archive here. |
| UFC Quick Quote: 'Big Country' needs to win because he needs to eat Posted: 19 Mar 2010 07:35 AM PDT
Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 10 winner Roy Nelson talks to Fighter's Only about his "hunger" to succeed in his upcoming fight with Stefan Struve at UFC Fight Night 21 on March 31. Considering the fact that Nelson is unusually thick for a professional mixed martial artist and Struve is unusually tall for one, it's looking like someone is going to walk away from this bout as a victor due to their physical "assets." Question is, who's it gonna be? Will "Big Country" be able to use his weight to control Struve on the mat should it get there, or will "Skyscraper" employ his incredible reach to outstrike the former IFL champ? Lets hear some thoughts, Maniacs. |
| Brock Lesnar: 'I'm stronger and faster than I was before' (Video) Posted: 19 Mar 2010 05:51 AM PDT Brock Lesnar Interview from the Arnold Classic Show (via DymatizeMarketing) earlier this month. Lesnar was handing out autographs and had a rare interview with Butch Peterson from Muscle Development. Brock talks about his recovery development and use of supplements to help get him back to the Octagon. By the sounds of it Brock could be ready sooner than summer and there hasn't been much on the development of how he was recovering (and very few interviews since the Canadian health care comments), so it's nice to see one of MMA's biggest stars will be back stronger and faster than ever!! Be worried ABM, be very worried! |
| Tito Ortiz maintains UFC 115 bout with Chuck Liddell still set for June 12 Posted: 19 Mar 2010 05:48 AM PDT Octagon pioneers and longtime rivals Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz should finally see the conclusion of their fight trilogy at UFC 115 in Vancouver, as "The Huntington Beach Bad Boy" maintains their fight is still set for June 12 following their duties as coaches on the upcoming eleventh season of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF). Ortiz confirmed the bout is still on with Josh Gross of SI.com -- despite recent reports that he was forced to bow out of the contest due to a laundry list of personal and medical problems. "The Iceman" currently holds a 2-0 advantage over "The Huntington Beach Bad Boy," winning by way of KO at UFC 47 in April 2004 and then by TKO at UFC 66 in Dec. 2006. Liddell (21-7) hasn't competed since a technical knockout loss to Mauricio "Shogun" Rua at UFC 97: "Redemption" from the Bell Center in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, back in April 2009. In fact, since his last stoppage over Ortiz, he's only had one victory in five attempts, a gritty unanimous decision win over Wanderlei Silva at UFC 79 in Dec. 2007. Company president Dana White tried to convince his good friend and big time money-making machine to hang up the gloves, saying he had made a ton of cash and had nothing left to prove. Liddell — who will be 40 years old by the time the third Ortiz fight rolls around — was adamant that he's still got some fight left in him. The icy one just wanted a little time to "give his brain a rest" -- and tear up the dance floor on ABC's "Dancing with the Stars." Now it's back to business for the former light heavyweight champion -- who is undoubtedly planning for a hat trick against his fellow fading star. Ortiz (15-7-1) has also struggled inside the Octagon, failing to notch a win since abusing a geriatric Ken Shamrock at UFC "The Final Chapter" in October 2006. He most recently coughed up a split decision loss to Forrest Griffin in the UFC 106 main event from the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas this past November. Following the fight -- his first since returning from major back surgery -- the former 205-pound kingpin complained of a "cracked skull" and other maladies, including an empty gas tank. While the medical layoff was behind some of his rust, it's been evident for some time that Ortiz is no longer the dominant force he was in the early 2000's. But has he held up longer than Liddell? It will be interesting to see how the coaching gig on TUF 11 -- a second go-round for both fighters -- will prepare them their third dance. The Spike TV reality show returns on March 31. Stay tuned to MMAmania.com for future updates on this still developing fight card, which came just days after MMA received final approval for sanctioning in Vancouver. In the meantime, any guesses on who takes this final battle? |
| UFC 114 tickets for MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on May 29, for sale soon Posted: 19 Mar 2010 05:35 AM PDT Tickets for UFC 114, which is slated for the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on May 29, will go on sale to the general public on Saturday, March 27 at 1 p.m. ET. UFC Fight Club members and UFC Newsletter subscribers, naturally, will be able to scoop up tickets prior to them being available for public consumption. "Jackson vs. Evans" is expected to feature a 205-pound grudge match between former light heavyweight champions and Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 10 coaches "Sugar" Rashad Evans and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson. Also slated for the main card will be another former light heavyweight champion and TUF coach in Forrest Griffin, who tries to quell the recent uprising of former PRIDE star Antonio Rogerio "Minotoro" Nogueira. UFC 114 will run in conjunction with this year's UFC Fan Expo at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, meaning that tickets will likely sell super fast. So don’t delay if you intend to watch it all go down live in "Sin City." Here is the UFC 114 tickets sales schedule:
UFC 114 tickets can be purchased through StubHub.com (Note: StubHub often has seats available even if the event is "sold out"). It will also be available to watch on PPV at 10 p.m. ET on fight night. For more on UFC 114 stay dialed in to MMAmania.com and remember to check out our event archive for the latest fight card and rumors right here. |
| UFC on Versus video preview, Bellator's Roger Huerta and more on ESPNs 'MMA Live' Posted: 19 Mar 2010 05:22 AM PDT |
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