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

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• Georges St. Pierre: I don't care what Dan Hardy is doing -- he's in trouble
• UFC Fight Night 21 pre-fight conference call highlights and quick recap
• Dan Hardy: 'It's just a matter of time before I land that punch' (Video)
• Strikeforce poster for 'Heavy Artillery' in St. Louis on May 15
• UFC on Versus CompuStrike fight stats illustrate Jon Jones' TKO win over Brandon Vera
• The cast of TUF 11 try to make a living while chasing the UFC dream (Video)
• UFC Quick Quote: Dana White says Herb Dean missed call at UFC on Versus 1
• Dana White: No more 185-pound fights for James Irvin
• UFC 116: Making the case for Cain Velasquez vs Junior dos Santos on July 3
• UFC Quick Pic: Duane Ludwig broken ankle may require surgery
• Jon Jones: 'That elbow was all Greg Jackson'
• Frank Mir featured on tonight's edition of Pro MMA Radio
• DREAM 13 fight videos: Josh Barnett, KJ Noons, Joachim Hansen and more from Yokohama
• UFC Quick Quote: Dana White didn't want an April 17 event -- but does want Jake Shields
• DREAM 13 Results and Recap

Georges St. Pierre: I don't care what Dan Hardy is doing -- he's in trouble Posted: 22 Mar 2010 06:28 PM PDT Props: TSN.ca Quoteworthy: "He's in trouble, I'm telling you right now. I don't know what he's doing and I don't focus on that, because these are the things that I don't control. But I know that I've never been so sharp in my life and I'm going there with my gun loaded. If I was to fight right now the Georges St-Pierre that fought Thiago Alves last time, I would beat him before the end of the fifth round. I would submit him or I would knock him out. I'm a lot better than I was back then." -- UFC Welterweight Champion George St. Pierre continues to establish himself as one of the most dominant champions in the history of the sport -- and doesn't plan on letting latest challenger Dan Hardy off the hook when they meet at UFC 111 on March 27. The Canadian fighting sensation has promised to put on his best performance to date when he takes on "The Outlaw," but will the British banger be able to derail St. Pierre's "Rush" into the history books?

UFC Fight Night 21 pre-fight conference call highlights and quick recap Posted: 22 Mar 2010 03:39 PM PDT Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) today (March 22) held a media conference call with its two main event participants to promote their upcoming Spike TV event from the Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina, for their live mixed martial arts extravaganza on March 31. UFC Fight Night 21 : "Florian vs. Gomi" will feature a main event with perennial lightweight contender Kenny "KenFlo" Florian welcoming Japanese superstar "The Fireball Kid," Takanori Gomi, to the Octagon for the first time in his career. No huge revelations coming out of today's gathering, but it was interesting to hear Gomi comment on the use of elbows coming into stateside MMA -- especially with Florian's "Hellbows" coming into play in so many of his previous contests. How much of a factor will they be in this fight? Here is a brief recap and highlights of noteworthy items coming out of today's rather brisk call, featuring both of the aforementioned fighters: Takanori Gomi When asked if moving to the United States: March 26 he will arrive in the U.S. but he still lives in Japan. Difference in U.S. and Japanese MMA atmosphere: First time in Octagon with new rules so there is some concern with that aspect but he is fine. Motivating factor in coming to UFC: He has more than 30 fights and is still looking for a challenge and the UFC was the logical choice. He wants to eventually become a champion in the UFC. How will Japanese fans feel about the UFC possibly holding an event in Japan: Japanese fans will be excited if the UFC comes to Japan. You can see UFC events on television in Japan and there are many UFC fans there. Hardest rule or aspect of cagefighting for him to adapt to: Adapting to the use of elbows will be the biggest concern. On what he expects from Florian: He is predicting very strong kicks and punches from Florian and excellent defense so that is what he is preparing for. How he rates the current MMA product in Japan: Fighting environment is very different but believes MMA in Japan is still going strong and building great up-and-coming fighters. What he likes best about America: The professional sports and athletes. Kenny Florian On where he has the advantage coming into this fight: Not sure but trained hard to have an advantage in all aspects, maybe a bit more refined in all areas but will find out on fight night. Not worried about the belt right now, just worried about beating Gomi. On what he expects from Gomi: Wary of his power but training to go the distance and needs to stay out of his danger zone. On what it means to be fighting Gomi: Gomi has been on top of the food chain for a long time in PRIDE but never thought he would get the chance to face him and it's exciting to now have the chance and speaks of the commitment of the UFC to get the best fighters for their respective divisions. If there is a difference in preparing for a main event: Awesome to fight on Spike TV with such a large audience but every fight is a big fight. How he attributes his two losses in the lightweight division: At the time of each fight they (Sherk, Penn) were the better fighter that night. Would he commentate full time in the WEC if asked: Yes, something he loves to do. What he likes best about America: Wherever you come from and whoever you are you have an opportunity to become successful. His favorite Gomi fight? Probably most well known for the Diaz fight but there are so many like Jens Pulver but probably against the Chute Boxe team was the best. That's a wrap. Remember that MMAmania.com will provide LIVE round-by-round, blow-by-blow coverage of the main card action on fight night (March 31), which is slated to air at 8 p.m. ET on Spike TV. The latest quick updates of the live action will begin to flow earlier than that around 6 p.m. ET with the preliminary bouts. It’s going to be a fun night of fights so don’t miss it. And remember to check us out for all the pre, during and post-fight "Florian vs. Gomi" coverage you can handle.

Dan Hardy: 'It's just a matter of time before I land that punch' (Video) Posted: 22 Mar 2010 02:54 PM PDT

Strikeforce poster for 'Heavy Artillery' in St. Louis on May 15 Posted: 22 Mar 2010 02:22 PM PDT More on Strikeforce: "Heavy Artillery" here.

UFC on Versus CompuStrike fight stats illustrate Jon Jones' TKO win over Brandon Vera Posted: 22 Mar 2010 01:06 PM PDT UFC on Versus: "Jones vs. Vera" Jon Jones defeats Brandon Vera via first round technical knockout (strikes) Fight time: Standing (0:44); Ground (2:52) Total Strikes = Total Arm Strikes + Total Leg Strikes + Ground Strikes Total Arm Strikes Landed = Power Strikes Landed + Clinch Strikes Landed Total Leg Strikes Landed = Kicks Landed + Knees Landed For a round-by-round breakdown of all the UFC on Versus fight stats head over to CompuStrike by clicking here.

The cast of TUF 11 try to make a living while chasing the UFC dream (Video) Posted: 22 Mar 2010 12:56 PM PDT TUF 11 premieres Wednesday March 31 immediately following Fight Night 21 on Spike TV.

UFC Quick Quote: Dana White says Herb Dean missed call at UFC on Versus 1 Posted: 22 Mar 2010 11:35 AM PDT "If he [Buentello] couldn't continue right there, you can't come in [and call timeout]. His finger broke. You could see he tried to stay away from the takedown, and his finger just snapped, it wasn't caught in the glove. It was broke. It should have been a TKO... This sounds insane, but it's like going in there and popping Duane's foot back in place and continuing to fight. If that was possible, it'd be the same thing." UFC President Dana White talked to Yahoo! Sports about another poor refereeing job during the Paul Buentello vs. Cheick Kongo fight last night at UFC on Versus 1. This time, he actually calls out the man man who he has deemed the best ref in the game, Herb Dean, for mistakingly allowing the doctors to pop "The Headhunter's" finger back in place and continuing the fight. White correctly states that because of the injury that was suffered, if Buentello was not able to continue to fight immediately thereafter, the fight should have been ruled as a technical knockout in favor of Kongo. So, are we all in agreement here that this is just further proof that instant replay in MMA needs be adopted by all athletic commissions?

Dana White: No more 185-pound fights for James Irvin Posted: 22 Mar 2010 09:53 AM PDT Props: Cagewriter Quoteworthy: "He looked terrible at the weigh-ins. There was [expletive] coming out of his face. I didn't know if it was skull or scar tissue or what it was. 205 is a tough cut for him. Tonight it looked like the 85 cut killed him. He couldn't get off. He couldn't throw any punches tonight and he was basically getting lit up by Sakara. That's not James Irvin. That's not who he is as a fighter. I really like him a lot but no more 185 for him. He didn't look good yesterday." UFC President Dana White calls it one-and-done at middleweight for James Irvin, who did his best Skeletor impression at the UFC on Versus weigh-ins followed by a sub-par performance against fellow striker Alessio Sakara on March 21 in Denver. Irvin has been on the sidelines battling health related issues and may find a spot in the light heavyweight division -- if the promotion will have him back. Anyone think the "Sandman" deserves a second chance at 185?

UFC 116: Making the case for Cain Velasquez vs Junior dos Santos on July 3 Posted: 22 Mar 2010 09:31 AM PDT On March 27 in Newark, NJ, former UFC Heavyweight Champion Frank Mir will battle undefeated division prospect Shane Carwin at UFC 111 for the Interim title -- and the right to face returning champion Brock Lesnar to unify the belts in summer 2010. Cain Velasquez, fresh off a UFC 110 drubbing of MMA elder statesman Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira back on Feb. 21, is widely considered to be the next in line for a chance at usurping the throne. He has, after all, been carefully groomed for royalty since his UFC 83 debut back in April 2008. Then a pesky Brazilian named Junior dos Santos decided to crash the party. And despite the promotion's best efforts, the soft-spoken super slugger refuses to go away. A lot has been made about the new-look heavyweight division and Shane Carwin is one fight away from implementing a new regime. But what do Velasquez and Dos Santos have to keep them company in the waiting room besides a few issues of Highlights magazine? Each other. Striking while the iron is hot has never been one of the UFC's strong suits, but if you look at the statistics, a Velasquez vs. Dos Santos bout for the right to be called number one contender makes perfect sense. And perfect timing. In six fights under the Zuffa umbrella, Cain Velasquez has competed against opposition with a combined 105-29 record. His top three opponents were Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Ben Rothwell and Cheick Kongo. In five fights, also with Zuffa, Junior dos Santos has competed against opposition with a combined 105-33 record. His top three opponents were Fabricio Werdum, Mirko Filipovic and Gabriel Gonzaga. After what each combatant has accomplished, it's safe to say that outside of each other, any other heavyweight would be a step down in competition. If it's truly about putting on the best fights, then why have either fighter risk their spot in line against a lesser opponent? Or even worse, why have Cain Velasquez sit on the sidelines until the end of the year? UFC President Dana White has specifically named Velasquez the substitute fighter for Brock Lesnar in case the winner of Mir vs. Carwin is unable to compete due to illness or injury. That's fine, but that shouldn't prevent him from competing on the same card. And the timing couldn't be better. UFC 116 (July 3, 2010): Brock Lesnar vs. the winner of Shane Carwin vs. Frank Mir Cain Velasquez vs. Junior dos Santos The event gives all four competitors ample time for rest, recovery and training -- and puts the winner of each contest in line for a heavyweight title fight at the promotion's annual year end event. And the UFC is big on story lines. Well, Velasquez knocked out "Minotauro" Nogueira, who just so happens to be the friend, training partner and mentor of Dos Santos. If you want heat, it's right there on a silver platter. If an injury occurs and Velaquez gets the call-up, so be it, but if he's going to step in against Lesnar, he might as well training for a fight at the same event. One that truly proves he is the number one contender. So how about it? Too much planning, too soon? You know where I stand on the issue -- now let's hear your take on the UFC heavyweight division and what you feel is the better blueprint for 2010 (if you have one). Comments, Maniacs!

UFC Quick Pic: Duane Ludwig broken ankle may require surgery Posted: 22 Mar 2010 07:59 AM PDT "Bang" camp confirms "severe break" to Ludwig's ankle. Ouch.

Jon Jones: 'That elbow was all Greg Jackson' Posted: 22 Mar 2010 07:51 AM PDT Props: UFC.com Quoteworthy: "I think it was a really good test. To be the best student, you have to study, study, study. I feel as if I got an "A" on this test. It's just a testament to studying and hard work. My gameplan was to strike with him. I just kind of sensed that he didn't want the takedowns to go down. In a lot of his interview he said 'I don't care if I get taken down' and that kind of let me know that was in the back of his mind. My core is wrestling and you can always go back to your core. I thought mixing wrestling with kickboxing was the best way to beat him. That elbow is all Greg Jackson. He has a very distinct ground and pound system. If you realize that Georges St. Pierre does the same style elbow, it's a Team Jackson thing. I found my home. Everything is working" Dynamic up-and-cominglight heavyweight Jon Jones talks about his winning performance over Brandon Vera at the UFC on Versus televised event from Denver on March 21. Jones broke a few "Bones" in Vera's face and perhaps showed him "The Truth" about whether or not the hype was real. More importantly it set's up the Rochester native for bigger and better things in the 205-pound division in 2010. Any fantasy matchmakers want to take a stab at who's next for the future star?

Frank Mir featured on tonight's edition of Pro MMA Radio Posted: 22 Mar 2010 06:43 AM PDT Just days before his UFC 111 heavyweight showdown with fellow contender Shane Carwin, former UFC Heavyweight Champion Frank Mir stops by Pro MMA Radio TONIGHT (March 23) at 9 p.m. ET right here on MMAmania.com. The former champ sounds off on his upcoming slugfest with "The Engineer" at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ on March 27 as well as current division kingpin Brock Lesnar and a whole lot more. Anyone that knows how outspoken Frank Mir is doesn't want to miss this one. Hosted by Larry Pepe, Pro MMA Radio is professional, guest-driven program that features some of mixed martial arts biggest names right here on MMAmania.com every Monday night at 9 p.m. ET through our exclusive live feed. See you tonight at 9 p.m. ET!

DREAM 13 fight videos: Josh Barnett, KJ Noons, Joachim Hansen and more from Yokohama Posted: 22 Mar 2010 06:24 AM PDT KJ Noons vs. Andre "Dida" Amado Joachim Hansen vs. Bibiano Fernandes Ryo Chonan vs. Andrews Nakahara Cole Escovedo vs. Yoshiro Maeda Katsunori Kikuno vs. Kuniyoshi Hironaka Ikuhisa Minowa vs. Jimmy Ambriz DREAM 13 recap here.

UFC Quick Quote: Dana White didn't want an April 17 event -- but does want Jake Shields Posted: 22 Mar 2010 06:01 AM PDT "I was never putting on an April 17 show. The media started calling me and asking me so I just let it ride. Let (Strikeforce) sweat it. (Expletive) them. You want to compete with us? Let’s do it. These guys consider themselves competitors and I like to compete. So, I can’t always tell (media) exactly what’s going on. But I really, really, really dislike these guys and Showtime. We’re going to fight until someone goes away and, believe me, it’s going to be them. Dan Henderson is fighting [expletive] Jake Shields. Come on. Are you serious? Jake Shields is 170 pounds, and he's their (185-pound) champion? Jake Shields is on the last fight of his contract, so they're feeding him to Dan Henderson right now because they want to get rid of him because he's going to go away, or they're going to have to pay him some big money to stick around or whatever the deal is. It's such [expletive] bush-league [expletive], and you guys know it. They're a [expletive] joke. If Jake Shields could pull that off, that would be incredible, and good for him. He's going to get paid because what's going to happen is we would love to take him from there, and I'm sure they'd love him to stick around. I will help drive that [expletive] number right up through the roof and let the Showtime boys pay him a lot of money so that Jake can stick it right up their ass. 'I just choked out Dan Henderson, and now you [expletives] are going to pay me for trying to stick it up my ass. I'm going to stick it up yours.'" UFC President Dana White finally gets the opportunity to vent over the April 17Strikeforce "Nashville" event and its inclusion of former Octagon star Dan Henderson. White told reporters at the UFC on Versus post-fight press conference (via Yahoo Sports) that Shields is being "fed" to Hendo but win or lose would be a welcome addition to Zuffa's 170-pound roster. Of course many of the San Jose-based promotion's top stars may be headed to Las Vegas if White gets his wish and Strikeforce implodes -- but is that a foregone conclusion? Can Scott Coker succeed where the IFL, WFA, Elite XC, Affliction and PRIDE failed? Time will tell...

DREAM 13 Results and Recap Posted: 22 Mar 2010 05:20 AM PDT Japan's premier MMA organization, DREAM returned to Yokohama Arena for the first event of 2010. The headliner featured DREAM featherweight (138 pounds) champion, Bibiano Fernandes in his first title defense against the former DREAM lightweight champion and newly minted 138 pounder, Joachim Hansen. Known primarily as a highly decorated Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioner, Fernandes showed tremendous intestinal fortitude in an all-out slugfest against Hiroyuki Takaya in the finale of DREAM featherweight grand prix last year. Against Hansen, he gave us a further look at the new dimension in his game: This time, he fought with improved techniques and uncanny poise. Fernandes worked kicks to the leg and mid-section and stayed in the pocket to throw counters in striking exchange. He mixed in a few successful takedowns to dictate the fight and keep Hansen's aggression in check. Showing no fear with his offense, the Brazilian unleashed a jumping knee toward the end of the first round and threw several wild haymakers, even though he could not land anything to stun Hansen. While Hansen seemed comfortable in the new weight class, he remained tentative throughout the fight, unable to pull the trigger with his hell-raising strikes. To his credit, he switched to a higher gear toward the end of the second round, landing a solid, lead uppercut and knees from the clinch. Also, he showed his usual prowess on the ground when he found himself on his back; he stayed busy with upkicks to keep Fernandes at bay and successfully scrambled back to his feet without putting himself in danger. In the end, however, he dropped a close decision, as two of the three judges gave Fernandes a nod. Hard-hitting lightweights, KJ Noons and Andre "Dida" Amade staged a brisk albeit cautious striking battle. Returning to MMA from a stint in boxing, former Elite XC champion and recent Strikeforce signee, Noons used his jab to keep Amade at the end of his punches. He emerged as the aggressor midway through the first round, opening up with hooks to the body and the head. "Dida" waited for an opportunity to counterstrike but could not help but backpedal as Noons maintained his forward momentum and landed punches to the ribcage. Though Noons failed to land anything remotely devastating, he cruised to unanimous decision victory to take one home for Strikeforce in a putative "DREAM vs. Strikeforce" battle. Earlier in the night, Katsunori Kikuno and Cole Escovedo thrilled the fans in Yokohama Arena with quick, devastating finishes. DEEP lightweight champion, Katsunori Kikuno showcased a flawless offensive execution to dismantle UFC veteran, Kuniyoshi Hironaka. Aggressive from the opening bell, he lunged forward with kicks and following up with a flurry of punches. After action stalled twice early in the opening frame as the two tied each other up in a clinch, Kikuno's crecent kick landed flush on Hironaka's liver. As Hironaka doubled over and struggled to stay upright, Kikuno followed up with a left hook and right cross that finished the Cage Force lightweight champion. A beautiful demonstration of the destructiveness of the crescent kick: Kikuno claimed before the fight that no opponent can block his crescent kick by fortifying the core, as the kick lands on the pressure point and inexorably sends a shockwave throughout the body. Who wants to argue now? The former WEC featherweight champion, Cole Escovedo further banished his three year-long bout with crippling staph infection in the past. In his Japanese and DREAM debut, he had a tough going early in the opening frame against the former WEC bantamweight title challenger, Yoshiro Maeda. Maeda displayed his offensive brilliance, backing up Escovedo with speedy combinations. Though Escovedo is renowned for his triangle choke, he put his long leg to a different use this time: He brilliantly set up a left high kick with a right inside leg kick feint to starch Maeda at 2:29 of round 1. With the stunning KO victory, the Tachi Palace Fights bantamweight champion is now on a five-fight winning streak since his return to competition in May 2009. For the record, Maeda might want to stay away from Yokohama Arena in future. He was submitted in less than a minute by Joe Pearson at "Pride Bushido 13," got starched by Hiroyuki Takaya after dominating the fight at DREAM 9, and now got his skull rocked by Cole Escovedo - all in Yokohama Arena. I am not the type to fall for superstition, but the coincidence is too haunting. Elsewhere, Pride and UFC veteran, Ryo Chonan grinded out an unanimous decision victory over Brazilian kyokushin karateka, Andrews Nakahara. Nakahara had his moment in the second round, threatening Chonan with a flurry of punches and knees from the clinch; however, the always tough and gutsy Chonan remained relentless with his attack until the final bell. The controversy-ridden heavyweight, Josh Barnett, returned to the ring for the first time since failing his drug test ahead of his showdown with Fedor Emelianenko last summer. The "Baby-faced assasin" recovered from an early knockdown by Siala "Mighty Mo" Siliga. After landing an inadvertent groin kick that put "Mighty Mo" in agony for more than five minutes, Barnett wasted no time forcing the fight to the ground and locked up a kimura from side control. Upon forcing Mo to tap out, the genteel Barnett offered his opponent a courtesy groin shot to show his apology; "Mighty Mo" graciously accepted but did not match the devastation of the shot he received. MMA's premier entertainer, Minowaman added Jimmy "The Titan" Ambriz to his collection of slain giants in the opening fight of the night. While he struggled with Ambriz's sheer size and surprising grappling prowess, the puroresu fighter capitalized on an opening early in the second round to lock in and crank on his signature toe hold. That's all for DREAM 13 and stay tuned for DREAM 14, which will mark the promotion's Korean debut. Full result: Bibiano Fernandes def.. Joachim Hansen via split decision Josh Barnett def. "Mighty Mo" Siliga via submission (kimura) R1 K.J. Noons def. Andre "Dida" Amado via unanimous decision Ryo Chonan def. Andrews Nakahara via unanimous decision Cole Escovedo def. Yoshiro Maeda via KO (head kick) R1 Katsunori Kikuno def. Kuniyoshi Hironaka via KO (punch) R1 Ikuhisa Minowa def. Jimmy Ambriz via submission (toe hold) R2

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