Versus gives to MMA one day, then takes the next by cancelling 'The Daily Line'

From the world of the bizarre, comes the news that Versus has cancelled "The Daily Line."  

Why bizarre?

It was just a day ago that Versus upped the ante with mixed martial arts by agreeing to be a significant part of televising the new UFC.

Zuffa announced it was merging the WEC and UFC and debuting four new UFC cards on Versus in 2011, but today we got bad news that "The Daily Line" is done. Via Twitter, Sports Business Daily's John Ourand said the show was axed because of anemic ratings.

That's a lousy break for MMA and its fans. ESPN is getting more consistent with its MMA coverage on the television side but its not all the way there yet. The Worldwide Leader still doesn't send the "MMA Live" crew to every big U.S. event. That has to happen eventually.

Using "The Daily Line" for postfight coverage, Versus was doing a terrific job of covering the sport on fight nights. MMA deserves to be covered just like the other major sports with immediate reaction from experts. Live postfight interviews with the fighters are also a must.

So whether or not you liked everything about 'The Daily Line' is irrelevant. For MMA fans, less legitimate media coverage is a bad thing.

It's also a lousy break for aspiring MMA media folks. Ariel Helwani was developing into the first mainstream media voice on television. Hopefully people continue to see what he's doing as a writer/podcast host at Fanhouse and can add more television action to his plate. 

I'm not a hockey fan, but this must be disappointing to the NHL. The show did a nice job of covering hockey as the sport tries to recover from a bevy of disastrous television moves the last few years. 

Tip via Sports by Brooks

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Versus-gives-to-MMA-one-day-then-takes-the-next?urn=mma-281178

Tito Ortiz Dan Hardy Carlos Condit Michael Bisping

Ellenberger uses the power of Twitter to call out 'hated' Shields

UFC welterweight Jake Ellenberger wants a piece of Jake Shields, and he's using his mouth to try to make it happen. Never mind that Shields has already cemented his title shot with a win over Martin Kampmann, and that Ellenberger is in line behind Jon Fitch and Carlos Condit, a fighter who has beaten Ellenberger. He wants Shields, and he is using the power of Twitter to try to sway the powers-that-be in the UFC.

Ellenberger -- who has recent TKO wins over John Howard and Mike Pyle -- has called out Shields several times on Twitter in the last few days, questioning Shields' title shot immediately after the fight, then going on to say:

Ellenberger isn't the first fighter to use a strategy of asking for fights to move up for a bout. Dan Hardy, "King Mo" Lawal and Ben Saunders have all gotten a shot at top fights by simply asking for them. Ellenberger would have to clear a lot of hurdles to get a shot at Shields before Shields fights either Georges St. Pierre or Josh Koscheck for the UFC welterweight title, but stranger things have happened in MMA.

UPDATE: Cagewriter spoke with Ellenberger via text, and he said that both Jake Shields and the UFC have not responded to his tweets. "But it's only a matter of time. Fake Shields is a fraud. Excuse me, Miss Piggy is a fraud," Ellenberger said. Why Miss Piggy?

"When he fights, he reminds me of Miss Piggy, with hs softness and feminine charm."

Ellenberger's beef with Shields comes from before both fighters were with the UFC. He says that he had a signed contract to fight Shields, but Shields' father (and manager) pulled him out of the bout because it was a bad match-up. Ellenberger admits that Condit and Fitch also have a claim on a bout with Shields, but, "I hate him more."

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Ellenberger-uses-the-power-of-Twitter-to-call-ou?urn=mma-280071

Randy Couture Jake Shields Martin Kampmann Matt Hamill

Jose Aldo vs. Josh Grispi at UFC 125

During the conference call announcing the merger of the WEC and the UFC, Dana White confirmed that Jose Aldo would make the first defense of the new UFC Featherweight Championship at UFC 125.

Aldo now has an opponent.

Sources have confirmed that Aldo will make his first defense against Josh Grispi, who is 14-1 in his MMA career with a perfect 4-0 record in the WEC, including wins over Jens Pulver and Mark Hominick. Grispi will enter the fight riding a 10-fight winning streak.

The Aldo vs. Grispi contest will now serve as the night's co-main event, replacing the previously scheduled Shane Carwin vs. Roy Nelson fight that was cancelled due to Carwin's injury. Nelson has now been pulled from the show as a replacement for Carwin had not been found.

Grispi was previously scheduled to face Eric Koch at WEC 52 in November, but that fight is now off as the Aldo vs. Grispi fight has been made.

UFC 125 will be headlined by Frankie Edgar defending the UFC Lightweight Title against Gray Maynard, the only man to have defeated Edgar in his career.

UFC 125 takes place on Jan. 1, 2011, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/505157-jose-aldo-vs-josh-grispi-at-ufc-125

Martin Kampmann Matt Hamill MMA Fighting Brock Lesnar

USC QB wants to go all Velasquez on Oregon, the Lesnars from the north

Here's more proof the kiddies between 18 and 34 years old love their mixed martial arts. The L.A. Times says USC quarterback Matt Barkley has "caused a stir" with his MMA-related Tweet regarding the Trojans' upcoming game against unbeaten Oregon. The 21-year-old from Newport Beach, Calif., must've enjoyed David toppling Goliath when Cain Velasquez pulled the upset on Brock Lesnar at UFC 121. Tweeted Barkley:

"Wow, Brock just got rocked! Lesnar is to Oregon as Velasquez is to SC. Lezgo."

Before it was deleted, the QB's Tweet was re-Tweeted by plenty of Ducks fans.

Why would Oregon fans be insulted? Their team is the bully on the block in the Pac-10. It seems like a nice comparison. Was it really an insult? The insult comes when you force a kid who makes a harmless analogy feel like he did something wrong.

"That had nothing to do with Oregon," Barkley said after practice. "I just got fired up thinking about my teammates.

"It had to do with kind of being an underdog in a big fight, like we're going into. Everyone, of course, takes it out of context and blows it up. But that was about us and about our team and the adversity we've been through."

Chip Kelly probably appreciates the comparison. After all, the Oregon coach is the guy who uses classic boxing wars to get his players fired up. Kelly had the team watch the 2002 fight where "Irish" Mickey Ward pulled the upset on Arturo Gatti.

"You can get knocked out in the seventh round -- all you can do is be ready to battle each week and make it to the eighth round,'' Kelly said.

Ward, an old friend of Kelly's, actually spoke to the team last week. Kelly likens the season to a 12-round fight.

So let's get this clear Oregon fans, your coach can use fighting references to talk about the games but USC can't?

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/USC-QB-wants-to-go-all-Velasquez-on-Oregon-the-?urn=mma-280072

Michael Bisping John Hathaway Mike Pyle Travis Browne

Tito Ortiz Should Be Released from the UFC Following UFC 121

In the aftermath of UFC 121, the Ultimate Fighting Championship has released Patrick Cote as well as Gabriel Gonzaga. There is a third fighter that is probably breaking out in a cold sweat every time he hears his phone ring and that fighter is former UFC champion Tito Ortiz.

In the following slides I present the case in favor of releasing Ortiz from the UFC.

Begin Slideshow

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/505358-tito-ortiz-should-be-released-from-the-ufc-following-ufc-121

Randy Couture Jake Shields Martin Kampmann Matt Hamill

Nate Marquardt won't let Yushin Okami get in his way of title shot at UFC 122 (Video)

Source: http://www.mmamania.com/2010/10/30/1783425/nate-marquardt-wont-let-yushin-okami-get-in-his-way-of-title-shot-at

John Hathaway Mike Pyle Travis Browne Randy Couture

Video: Edith Labelle and Natasha Wicks Get Their Sexy Shill On for BSN

(Props: YouTube.com/bsnsupplements)

In our continuing efforts to keep you up-to-date on how former UFC ring girls are making a living, here's a brand-new video of Edith Labelle posing in a pool and discussing her latest gig as a BSN Girl. Damn you, food poisoning, for taking her away from us!

After the jump: A "new" BSN feature on Natasha Wicks, which uses mostly old footage but is still worth a peek...

read more

Source: http://www.cagepotato.com/video-edith-labelle-and-natasha-wicks-get-their-sexy-shill-bsn

Travis Browne Randy Couture Jake Shields Martin Kampmann

UFC 121 Weigh-In Video

by Michael David SmithAll 22 fighters stepping into the Octagon at UFC 121 on Saturday night will step onto the scale at the UFC 121 weigh-in on Friday afternoon, and if you can't be there to see it at the Honda Center in Anaheim, you can watch it live right here at MMAFighting.com.

In the main event, heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar is likely to come in right at the heavyweight limit of 265 pounds, while No. 1 contender Cain Velasquez will be considerably smaller. Velasquez weighed in at 242 for his last fight, eight months ago, and it will be interesting to see whether he's bulked up at all in preparation for his fight with the enormous Lesnar.

The weigh-in starts at 5 PM ET and the video is below.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Source: http://www.mmafighting.com/2010/10/22/ufc-121-weigh-in-video/

MMA Fighting Brock Lesnar Cain Velasquez Dana White

MMA Top 10 Pound-for-Pound Women: Zoila Frausto Moves to No. 2

Filed under: Strikeforce, Bellator, Rankings, Women's Overall

Bellator did a great thing for women's mixed martial arts this season, putting together an eight-woman tournament that featured six very good American fighters, the undefeated Irishwoman Aisling Daly, and the undisputed best fighter in Japan, Megumi Fujii.

As it turned out, it was Zoila Frausto, who initially wasn't even supposed to be a part of the tournament, who won the whole thing, first knocking out Rosi Sexton to earn her spot in the tournament in June, then beating Jessica Pene by unanimous decision in August, Jessica Aguilar by split decision in September, and Megumi Fujii by split decision in October. It was a very impressive run over the last five months, and it moves her to No. 2 in our latest women's pound-for-pound rankings.

You won't be surprised to learn that No. 1 remains Cris Cyborg, whose powerful striking and killer instinct take women's MMA to another level. Find out the other eight in our Top 10 below.

Source: http://www.mmafighting.com/2010/10/29/mma-top-10-pound-for-pound-women-zoila-frausto-moves-to-no-2/

Matt Hamill MMA Fighting Brock Lesnar Cain Velasquez

Report: Jose Aldo vs. Josh Grispi Likely for Featherweight Title Fight at UFC 125

(Who wants to see fights finished in here at 145!)

According to a new report from Ariel Helwani, contracts have been sent out to book Jose Aldo vs. Josh Grispi as the UFC's first official featherweight title fight at #125 (January 1st, Las Vegas). The bout would serve as the co-main event, supporting the lightweight title fight between Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard.

Aldo, now 8-0 in the WEC, most recently defended his belt for the second time against Manny Gamburyan at WEC 51 in September. Grispi is also undefeated under the WEC banner, and has slashed through Mark Hominick, Micah Miller, Jens Pulver, and LC Davis, all in under three minutes of the first round. The Massachusetts native was slated to face Eric Koch at next month's WEC 52 event, but that fight would be canceled if he accepts the Aldo fight. (And why wouldn't he, really? Besides the obvious.) As we reported previously, Mark Hominick was originally in line to be Aldo's next opponent; however, his broken hand is preventing him from competing on New Year's Day.

Helwani also reports that Roy Nelson — left without an opponent after Shane Carwin's back-related withdrawal — has been officially pulled from the event. 

Source: http://www.cagepotato.com/report-jose-aldo-vs-josh-grispi-likely-featherweight-title-fight-ufc-125

Travis Browne Randy Couture Jake Shields Martin Kampmann

Razor Rob talks Upcoming Bellator 4 tells other fighters hes coming for the Belt - Razor Rob McCullough

Former WEC Lightweight Champion "Razor" Rob McCullough tells Bellator season 4's lightweight tournament participants he's coming for them and the belt. Interview by Danny Acosta. Video by Rick Lee.

Source: http://mmalice.com/razor-rob-mccullough/razor-rob-talks-upcoming-bellator-4-tells-other-fighters-hes-coming-for-the-belt-video_e749c2735.html

Dan Hardy Carlos Condit Michael Bisping John Hathaway

Fedor Emelianenko and Vadim Finkelstein Clobber Dana White With a Brock

Vadim Finkelstein struck back at Dana White and the UFC this week in a "tit for tat" move following Brock Lesnar's loss to Cain Valasquez at UFC 121. In an interview with a Russian news service, Finkelstein had the following to say as originally reported by Cagepotato.com:

"Brock Lesnar's defeat did not surprise me," Vadim Finkelstein told Championat.ru, with props to LowKick.com for the translation. "I expected him to lose, so it was (not surprising)...I always knew that Brock Lesnar will not have a long run as a champion. Brock was supposed to lose in his previous fight, but he was lucky when he managed to miraculously bounce back against Shane Carwin."

The comments should not surprise anyone, nor should they be taken too seriously. After Dana White's notorious smiley face tweet and post-Fedor Emelianenko loss comments regarding Fedor and M-1 Global, he should expect no less. It is simply retaliation for what Vadim feels were unnecessarily disrespectful comments regarding Fedor's loss to Fabricio Werdum.

Fedor's loss resembled Brock Lesnar's first loss to Frank Mir—one in which he simply fell into a trap—and is quite a bit different from the recent annihilation of Lesnar by Cain at UFC 121. While Brock's loss is an unfortunate reality for Dana White, it seems that Dana could avoid more pain and humiliation next time by remembering the old adage, "Don't dish it out if you can't take it."

Vadim and Fedor most likely feel that Brock Lesnar is a worthy opponent, but the comments were meant to cause damage in a continuing battle of words and deeds by the two organizations.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/504458-fedor-emelianenko-and-vadim-finkelstein-clobber-dana-white-with-a-brock

Tito Ortiz Dan Hardy Carlos Condit Michael Bisping

UFC's Mir, Griffin and Bonnar make excellent attack dog bait

Frank Mir, Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar aren't training for a bout at the moment, so what are they doing with their time? Getting attacked by dogs, of course. All three volunteered at the Las Vegas Police Canine Trial, an event where canine dogs compete to show who can bite the best. Their job consisted of standing pat while trained police dogs ran them down and took a bite.

What experience do they have that qualifies them for this job? "I fought a giraffe once," Griffin said. Not to mention, their jobs as mixed martial artists gives them a pretty good idea on how to remain calm when someone is coming at you. 

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/UFC-s-Mir-Griffin-and-Bonnar-make-excellent-att?urn=mma-280612

Cheick Kongo Dennis Hallman Tito Ortiz Dan Hardy

The pressure eases on Tito: Jenna could land Broadway gig

Jenna Jameson became a rich woman in her first go-round as an actor. Of course, she was playing herself in those adult films. Now she's really wants to show off her acting chops. The N.Y. Post reports Jameson is a strong candidate for a role in the hit Broadway show "Rock of Ages."

"... I'm praying I get the role," Jameson told The Post. "Broadway has always been a dream of mine ever since I was a little girl. I am really excited."

The show's producers are impressed with the former porn queen.

A show source told us, "The producers were surprised, but Jenna has a good voice. And while she's famous for her X-rated movies, she can act. This may be a shock to traditional Broadway fans, but the show is always trying to push the boundaries."

Jameson hit the casting couch today in the Big Apple

"I'm meeting with the producers [today], and I just hope I have enough talent to carry the role. We are talking about a run that would be anything from a month to three months, and it could start very soon. I think I'm perfect for the role, and I am really looking forward to becoming a New Yorker."

What do this mean for her husband Tito Ortiz? With Jameson moving from Huntington Beach, Ca. to New York, life could be more or less complicated. He was smart in marrying up. Now Jameson may be on the verge on having more resources to support her hubby. If Ortiz loses this weekend, he may done with the UFC. Tito is 0-3-1 dating back to late 2006.

All they have to need now is some marital peace. Ortiz told USA Today that the couple hit again the skids during the last month.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/The-pressure-eases-on-Tito-Jenna-could-land-Bro?urn=mma-278897

Michael Bisping John Hathaway Mike Pyle Travis Browne

Olympian Rick Hawn Shows How Judo Works in MMA

by Michael David Smith

This might have been my favorite mixed martial arts finish of 2010.

Thursday night at Bellator 33, former U.S. Olympic judo team member Rick Hawn used an absolutely brilliant judo throw to put opponent LeVon Maynard on his back and finish him off with punches, in a textbook illustration of how judo techniques can work in MMA.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Source: http://www.mmafighting.com/2010/10/22/olympian-rick-hawn-shows-how-judo-works-in-mma/

Cheick Kongo Dennis Hallman Tito Ortiz Dan Hardy

Tapout Watches: Review of The 2010 Line

The sport's premier apparel company Tapout, currently has their 2010 line of watches out for purchase.

There are twenty-four watches in the line, two of which I have reviewed for you, the fan.

The Commando (Green) and The Mercenary (Black) are spectacular watches.

All photos provided are courtesy of Tapout Watches and to purchase either of the watches displayed in this slide, or to view additional watches in the line visit their Facebook page.

 http://www.facebook.com/photos.php?id=100001620577978#!/album.php?aid=12163&id=100001620577978

Follow Tapout Watches on Twitter: @TapoutWatches 

Begin Slideshow

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/503349-tapout-watches-review-of-the-2010-line

Dennis Hallman Tito Ortiz Dan Hardy Carlos Condit

UFC 121 medical suspensions and injuries for 'Lesnar vs Velasquez' on Oct. 23 in Anaheim

Source: http://www.mmamania.com/2010/10/26/1776286/ufc-121-medical-suspensions-and-injuries-for-lesnar-vs-velasquez-on

MMA Fighting Brock Lesnar Cain Velasquez Dana White

Bellator: Alvarez, Askren big winners in Philly

Eddie Alvarez and Ben Askren had big Bellator wins in Philadelphia on Thursday night. Askren won his first MMA championship, while Alvarez won a superfight over UFC veteran Roger Huerta.

Alvarez owned Huerta from the opening bell of the first round, landing leg kicks, knees, and punches. Huerta was wobbled early on, and never seemed to regain his composure. Huerta had a big strike near the end of the first round and chased Alvarez around the cage, but that and a second round takedown were about all the offense he could muster. In front of a home crowd, Alvarez thew punishing punches that made Huerta's left eye swell shut. 

The injuries took their toll, and the fight was stopped after the second round by the doctors because of Huerta's vision. Since the bout was not a title fight, Alvarez's title was never in danger, but he was still happy to win in front of his home crowd.

"What a tough son-of-a ... you know," Alvarez said of Huerta after the fight. "I hit him with a lot of hard shots, and he wouldn't go down." 

Ben Askren became Bellator's welterweight champion with a grappling-filled win over Lyman Good. Askren took the decision 49-46, 48-47 and 50-45

Askren showed off the style that earned him the nickname "Funky." He took the fight by taking down Lyman Good at will, and then using a mix of wrestling, jiu-jitsu and ground strikes to control Good for the entire fight. 

Good had flashes of brilliance, like early in the fourth round when he landed a big punch that looked to slow Askren, but it wasn't enough. He had no answer for Askren's takedown prowess, and developed a mouse under his eye in the fourth round that hampered his vision. Good had another chance in the fifth round when he caught Askren in a combination armbar/triangle choke, but Askren calmly moved out of it. 

Askren admitted after the bout that Good did considerable damage. He looked at his image on the video screen and joked about what his swollen and bruised nose.

"It's always ugly, but it ain't this damn ugly. Lyman did some damage," Askren said.

Askren was not the only Olympian on the card, as Rick Hawn had a memorable Bellator debut. The Olympian showed off his judo skills with a breathtaking throw near the end of the first round, and then followed up with a bevy of punches. He TKOed Levon Maynard with just seven seconds left in the round.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Bellator-Alvarez-Askren-big-winners-in-Philly?urn=mma-279028

Dana White Cheick Kongo Dennis Hallman Tito Ortiz

Grapplers Quest Preview in London Ontario Canada - Grapplers Quest

The Fight Network previews the Oct. 30 Grapplers Quest event in London, Ontario featuring a superfight between BJJ phenom Saulo Ribeiro and 2010 World's Best Grappler Joao Assis.

Source: http://mmalice.com/grapplers-quest/grapplers-quest-preview-in-london-ontario-canada-video_1a8e7631f.html

MMA Fighting Brock Lesnar Cain Velasquez Dana White

Fight News: Thiago Alves Update Fighting at UFC 124 - Thiago Alves

The Fight Network presents an exclusive update with UFC welterweight sensation Thiago Alves.

Source: http://mmalice.com/thiago-alves/fight-news-thiago-alves-update-fighting-at-ufc-124-video_955004516.html

Carlos Condit Michael Bisping John Hathaway Mike Pyle

Gabe Ruediger Out of UFC 123 Fight

Filed under: UFC, News

Gabe Ruediger has withdrawn from next month's lightweight bout against Paul Kelly at UFC 123 due to a groin injury.

"I've been training with injuries for this whole camp and I've been trying to just work around them," Ruediger explained Sunday evening on his official website. "One injury that has been giving me daily issues was a groin strain. This happened about three 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 wasn't until Friday that I realized that it would be impossible to be ready for my upcoming bout."

Source: http://www.mmafighting.com/2010/10/25/gabe-ruediger-out-of-ufc-123-fight/

Mike Pyle Travis Browne Randy Couture Jake Shields

UFC 121 Results: With Brock Lesnar vs. Cain Velasquez, What Happens Next?

It's going on nearly 48 hours since Cain Velasquez did what many thought impossible.

He defeated MMA's resident monster, Brock Lesnar, for the UFC Heavyweight Championship. So now that all the dust has settled, the MMA community is already speculating what is next for these two fighters.

Well, B/R has some ideas as to what they do from this point, and it might just surprise you.

Begin Slideshow

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/501013-ufc-121-results-brock-lesnar-vs-cain-velasquez-what-happens-next

Mike Pyle Travis Browne Randy Couture Jake Shields

Daniel Cormier Expresses How Proud He Is of Teammate Cain Velasquez - UFC 121

Daniel Cormier Expresses How Proud He Is of Teammate Cain Velasquez Video by UFC 121

Source: http://mmalice.com/ufc-121/daniel-cormier-expresses-how-proud-he-is-of-teammate-cain-velasquez-video_154a76d26.html

Martin Kampmann Matt Hamill MMA Fighting Brock Lesnar

UFC 121: Jake Shields Beats Martin Kampmann by Split Decision

by Michael David SmithFormer EliteXC welterweight champion and Strikeforce middleweight champion Jake Shields finally made his UFC debut on Saturday, and he barely escaped with a tough split decision win over Martin Kampmann at UFC 121.

It was a tough, back-and-forth fight that could have easily gone either way, but two judges scored it for Shields, 30-27 and 29-28. One judge scored it for Kampmann, 29-28.

Although the bout was hyped as Shields' chance to earn a shot at the UFC welterweight title, he probably wasn't impressive enough to justify a title shot. A fight between Shields and Jon Fitch would make a lot of sense next.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Source: http://www.mmafighting.com/2010/10/23/ufc-121-jake-shields-beats-martin-kampmann-by-split-decision/

Michael Bisping John Hathaway Mike Pyle Travis Browne

When Bully Tactics Fail at UFC 121, Brock Lesnar Flounders

Filed under: UFC

ANAHEIM, Calif. - Moments before he made his entrance to a chorus of jeers and cheers at UFC 121 in the Honda Center on Saturday night, a bearded Brock Lesnar appeared on the big screen to identify himself as the baddest man on the planet - a claim he's repeated often lately, and one which few have bothered to argue.

Not long after that, the big man was sitting on the canvas, watching Cain Velasquez celebrate as the new champion while a cageside doctor attended to Lesnar's bloody face.

Funny how quickly reality can shift in this business, often right out from under your feet.

For the moments in Saturday night's main event where he was charging forward, Lesnar looked every bit as ferocious as advertised. But when it failed to stop Velasquez from offering up any offense of his own, that's when we were reminded that we really don't know all that much about this guy who, just minutes earlier, was calling himself the best.

Source: http://www.mmafighting.com/2010/10/24/when-bully-tactics-fail-at-ufc-121-brock-lesnar-flounders/

Dennis Hallman Tito Ortiz Dan Hardy Carlos Condit

Shane Carwin announces fight with Nelson via email to fans

The former UFC heavyweight contender announced his first fight after losing to Brock Lesnar at UFC 116. Shane Carwin sent an email to members of his fan community, announcing that he will fight Roy Nelson on New Year's Day.

I will be fighting Roy Nelson on 1-1-11 in Las Vegas Nevada.  The fight will be the Co-Main Event of the Edgar Maynard rematch.

I think Roy is a tough opponent for anyone. He has been in several main event situations and has fought a lot of veterans in the sport. I am honored to be fighting again and feel like Roy is a worth opponent.

My goal for the fight is to be exciting and go home with the win. I have a lot to prove as does Roy so this should make for a great fight.

Sending an email to fans is completely in line with Carwin's style. From the beginning of his career, he's been incredibly accessible to fans. His Twitter feed is filled with replies to his supporters.

UFC 125 is already shaping up to be an action-packed card. In addition to Carwin/Nelson and Edgar/Maynard, Clay Guida confirmed that he will fight Takanori Gomi. 

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Shane-Carwin-announces-fight-with-Nelson-via-ema?urn=mma-277014

Brock Lesnar Cain Velasquez Dana White Cheick Kongo

Bobby Voelker Post Fight Interview - Strikeforce

Bobby Voelker talks defeating Roger Bowling in their rematch and what he wants nexthttp://strikeforce.com

Source: http://mmalice.com/strikeforce/bobby-voelker-post-fight-interview-video_a30273a21.html

MMA Fighting Brock Lesnar Cain Velasquez Dana White

Wanderlei Silva talks Sonnen, Leben and Bisping at UK Fan Expo - Wanderlei Silva

Wanderlei Silva stops by for a quick chat with Fighters Only's John Joe O'Regan at the recent UFC 120 Fan Expo in London, England. Chael Sonnen, Chris Leben and Mike Bisping all get a mention. Wanderlei also slips in a reminder to Fighters Only boss Rob Hewitt that he owes him dinner. I think this is whats called "an offer you can't refuse"...www.fightersonlymag.com

Source: http://mmalice.com/wanderlei-silva/wanderlei-silva-talks-sonnen-leben-and-bisping-at-uk-fan-expo-video_c17c2ccf2.html

Cheick Kongo Dennis Hallman Tito Ortiz Dan Hardy

FightMetric UFC 121 report scores 'Shields vs Kampmann' a draw

Source: http://www.mmamania.com/2010/10/24/1770537/fightmetric-ufc-121-report-scores-shields-vs-kampmann-a-draw

Martin Kampmann Matt Hamill MMA Fighting Brock Lesnar

Dana White Pre UFC 121 - UFC 121

Showdown Joe Ferraro talks with UFC President Dana White.

Source: http://mmalice.com/ufc-121/dana-white-pre-ufc-121-video_15acf89ac.html

Matt Hamill MMA Fighting Brock Lesnar Cain Velasquez

White sees some of himself in the students at Oxford

On the surface, Dana White wouldn't appear to have much in common with the students at Oxford. Coming from a middle class background in South Boston and Las Vegas, he's a brash, in-your-face type of guy. White, a former amateur boxer, who has helped to re-invent the fight business. Just before he spoke to the Oxford Union, White said he'd already seen lots of fighters on campus.

"Some of the kids I met here today, these guys are animals. These guys are ambitious," White told The Telegraph's Gareth A. Davies (5:15 mark). "I think a lot of people look (at these students) on the outside and think 'oh, Oxford yuppies.' These guys are animals, man. You don't want to go toe-to-toe with half the kids who go to this school."

White says anyone who wants to get ahead in life has to have that fighting spirit.  

"I believe you're in a fight everyday. I don't care what you're doing, you're in there fighting for something everyday," said White. "Everyone who even has this much [holds his fingers close together] ambition is in a fight everyday."

White said speaking at Oxford was one of his prouder moments. He joined quite the list of dignitaries who've spoken there in the past. In 1964, Malcolm X Shabazz also spoke to the Oxford Union about the need to fight.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/White-sees-some-of-himself-in-the-students-at-Ox?urn=mma-278086

Dan Hardy Carlos Condit Michael Bisping John Hathaway

Strikeforce Challengers Aftermath: Some Fights Totally Happened Last Night

(VidProps: YouTube/ZProphet420)

Depending on how you look at it, this week was either the perfect complement or an immediate counterpoint to Dana White’s recent claims that there could never be too much MMA on TV. What with UFC 120, Countdown, Primetime, TUF, Bellator and Challengers all leading up to the only show that really matters tonight, this week pretty much planned itself for fans who were so inclined. In light of that crush of programming, it’s perfectly understandable if you totally spaced on the fact that Strikeforce put on an event last night headlined by a rematch between a guy named Bobby Voelker and a guy called Roger Bowling. It’s cool. You probably had other stuff going on.

read more

Source: http://www.cagepotato.com/strikeforce-challengers-aftermath-some-fights-totally-happened-last-night

Carlos Condit Michael Bisping John Hathaway Mike Pyle

Create-a-Caption: 'Shhh, just close your eyes and go to sleep'

For this week's Create-a-Caption, we look back at one of Cain Velasquez's wins that brought him to this week's title bout. He was so kind to lullaby Ben Rothwell to sleep. We'll see on Saturday if he can do the same to heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar. Read on for the winners and whiners from last week's Create-a-Caption.

First place: The photo for the new "Making Menudo" TV show produced by Ricky Martin -- George

Second place: Hangin Tough!!!!! tough enough -- Brandon brinson

Last place: I'm guessing Maggie doesn't try to pick the funniest captions anymore. -- Instant Money (Ed. note: Or Maggie is not impressed with whiny, sophomoric, sexist, racist or homophobic "jokes.")

As always, if you think you can find a better picture that is legal for us to use, then send it to us. To the majority of you who make C-a-C a joy for me to do every week, thank you.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Create-a-Caption-Shhh-just-close-your-eyes-an?urn=mma-278030

Carlos Condit Michael Bisping John Hathaway Mike Pyle

Martin Kampmann Pre Fight UFC121 - UFC 121

Showdown Joe Ferraro interview with Martin Kampmann discussing his fight against Jake Shields.

Source: http://mmalice.com/ufc-121/martin-kampmann-pre-fight-ufc121-video_887617ea0.html

Dana White Cheick Kongo Dennis Hallman Tito Ortiz

Ben Askren Beats Lyman Good for Bellator Welterweight Title

by Michael David SmithBen Askren put his Olympic wrestling skills on display Thursday night at Bellator 33, controlling Lyman Good on the ground for the better part of five rounds to win a unanimous decision and take the Bellator welterweight title. It was an entertaining fight, with Askren controlling most of the way but Good nearly pulling out an Anderson Silva-Chael Sonnen style finish from his back in the closing moments.

"It feels great," Askren said afterward. "Bellator builds warriors, and even those who hate me have to admit, I'm a freakin' warrior."

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Source: http://www.mmafighting.com/2010/10/21/ben-askren-beats-lyman-good-for-bellator-welterweight-title/

Travis Browne Randy Couture Jake Shields Martin Kampmann

Mir trying out the daredevil thing around Las Vegas

Frank Mir might be reading too much into some of the reaction from his fight at UFC 119. The powers that be weren't too pleased with his "deliberate" fighting style against Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic. There was even a little mix up about Mir possibly getting cut by the UFC. Did he take it to heart too much? Hardy to say but by the looks of his actions around his hometown of Las Vegas, Mir looking at a future as a daredevil.

Last week, he was rappelling down the side of the 55-story Rio Hotel to benefit the Special Olympics (ESPNRadio1100's Marc Moore pictured rappelling).

This weekend, the former UFC heavyweight champ will be attacked by a K-9 police dog at the Orleans Hotel & Casino. His wife, Jennifer tweeted this photo of Mir practicing with the pup.

Let's dispel two rumors right now. Just because Junior Seau accidently drove himself off a cliff, Mir is not up for the slot on Versus' "Sports Jobs" and no, that's not Dana White's dog. 

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Mir-trying-out-the-daredevil-thing-around-Las-Ve?urn=mma-278213

Matt Hamill MMA Fighting Brock Lesnar Cain Velasquez

Jake Shields "I'd Rather Be Making a Run at the UFC Title Than Be a Champ Anywhere Else" - Jake Shields

UFC welterweight contender Jake Shields discusses his UFC debut versus Martin Kampmann at UFC 121 in Anaheim and reveals there's nowhere else he'd rather be. Interview by Danny Acosta. Video by Rick Lee.

Source: http://mmalice.com/jake-shields/jake-shields-id-rather-be-making-a-run-at-the-ufc-title-than-be-a-champ-anywhere-else-video_76d141052.html

Dana White Cheick Kongo Dennis Hallman Tito Ortiz

Cain Velasquez Punches Harder Than a Pitbull Bites and Has the Conditioning of a Marathoner

(Video courtesy ESPN/SportScience)

Cain Velasquez recently filmed an episode of Sport Science in which his cardio, lactic acid tolerance and punching and takedown power were measured.

Velasquez's results were off the charts.

His conditioning levels were comparable to that of an endurance athlete, but the most shocking stat came from Cain's left hand in the form of a left hook.

According to stats compiled by the accelerometers in the Sport Science heavy bag, Velasquez's body shot was the hardest punch ever thrown on the show which has hosted professional boxers like James Toney as well as Cain's fellow MMA fighters Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, Houston Alexander and UFC Hall-of-Famer Randy Couture.

read more

Source: http://www.cagepotato.com/cain-velasquez-punches-harder-pitbull-bites-and-has-conditioning-marathoner

Michael Bisping John Hathaway Mike Pyle Travis Browne

UFC 121 weigh in results LIVE from Anaheim for 'Lesnar vs Velasquez'

Source: http://www.mmamania.com/2010/10/22/1767441/ufc-121-weigh-in-results-live-from-anaheim-for-lesnar-vs-velasquez

Martin Kampmann Matt Hamill MMA Fighting Brock Lesnar

Spike Says Prime Time Is the Best Time to Air UFC

by Michael David SmithThere was quite a bit of hand-wringing among MMA fans this weekend over Spike TV showing UFC 120 on tape delay from London, leading to some fans finding out the results of the fights before they aired in the United States. But Spike TV says that the hand-wringing has been limited to a relatively small number of fans, and that the majority of viewers prefer to watch the fights in prime time.

"We actually don't get many viewer calls," said David Schwarz, VP Communications at Spike. "I've never received any and I know it's very minimal. ... Our research says Saturday night is fight night -- guys are home, they get together with their friends and it's a natural time to watch the fight."

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Source: http://www.mmafighting.com/2010/10/19/spike-says-prime-time-is-the-best-time-to-air-ufc/

Carlos Condit Michael Bisping John Hathaway Mike Pyle

UFC 120 Pre-Fight Press Conference Video

by Michael David SmithUFC President Dana White and main event fighters Michael Bisping and Yoshihiro Akiyama will meet the media in England on Thursday for the UFC 120 pre-fight press conference, and if you can't be there in person at Earl's Court Exhibition Centre in London, you can watch live right here at MMAFighting.com.

The British press hasn't seen much of the UFC recently, as UFC 120 marks the first trip to England for the UFC in close to a year. The last UFC event in England was UFC 105 in November.

The press conference begins Thursday at 8 AM ET and the video is below.

---

More: UFC 120 Fight Card | UFC 120 Pictures | UFC 120 Results

---

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Source: http://www.mmafighting.com/2010/10/14/ufc-120-pre-fight-press-conference-video/

Michael Bisping John Hathaway Mike Pyle Travis Browne

Martin Kampmann Won't Argue With Those Who Call Jake Shields Boring - UFC 121

Martin Kampmann Won't Argue With Those Who Call Jake Shields Boring Video by UFC 121

Source: http://mmalice.com/ufc-121/martin-kampmann-wont-argue-with-those-who-call-jake-shields-boring-video_235ff9000.html

Jake Shields Martin Kampmann Matt Hamill MMA Fighting

Martin Kampmann Won't Argue With Those Who Call Jake Shields Boring

Filed under: MMA Videos, UFC, FanHouse Exclusive, Videos

LOS ANGELES -- MMA Fighting spoke to Martin Kampmann about his UFC 121 fight against Jake Shields on Wednesday, facing the UFC newcomer, dealing with his frustrating style and whether he feels slighted that he won't be given a title shot if he wins.

Source: http://www.mmafighting.com/2010/10/20/martin-kampmann-wont-argue-with-those-who-call-jake-shields-bor/

Cain Velasquez Dana White Cheick Kongo Dennis Hallman