Chael must battle Tito for the ?People?s Champ? moniker

After a busy summer, Tito Ortiz has had some time to think. That's not always a good thing with the loquacious former UFC light heavyweight champ.

Chael Sonnen recently stated that he's the "People's Champ," based on the fact that his loss against Anderson Silva at UFC 117 was less than legitimate. Now Ortiz wants a piece of that People's Champ pie.

"I showed that I'm able to compete against the best guys in the world, and I think that will help show people that if they believe in themselves, if they believe in their dream, they can accomplish anything," Ortiz said. "That's why I changed my name to 'The People's Champ.' I want everyone to know that I'm here for the fans. I want them to know that they can bounce back from anything.

In a video gaming story on ESPN.com, Ortiz pointed to a recent experience with fans as another reason for the name change.

"I signed over 15,000 autographs last weekend at the UFC fan expo," Ortiz tells me as we talk about his career resurgence, including a roster spot in the upcoming "UFC Undisputed 3" video game. "The first day I stood there for seven and a half hours. The second day I was there for over six hours. They had to kick me out. It was a lot of fun."

Based on his miracle win over Ryan Bader and fighting a heel in Rashad Evans at UFC 133, Ortiz did see a big transformation in his image. But is it enough, to make you call him the People's Champ? Or is there now a People's Champ for each weight division. I vote for Roy Nelson at heavyweight, Nick Diaz at 170, Melvin Guillard at 155

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Chael-must-battle-Tito-for-the-People-s-Champ-?urn=mma-wp8317

Travis Browne

Is Sonnen falling back in the contender line? Camp Silva is now a fan of Bisping

The jockeying continues between Chael Sonnen and Anderson Silva's camp. Will Sonnen's WWE-style call-out be rewarded or will Silva's manager Ed Soares successfully lobby UFC management that the brash American shouldn't be next?

Last week, Soares told HDNet's "Inside MMA" that Sonnen needs to go to the back of the line of middleweight contenders before he gets another title shot. Who's in that line?

Soares said he's never thought much of Michael Bisping in the past, but now the Brit should be in the mix for a title shot.

[...] People talk about Chael and Brian Stann, and sometimes people are focused on the TUF show. But I think Bisping could be a good opportunity. GSP could be a good opportunity," Soares told Sherdog.com.

That doesn't mean Soares is against Silva facing Sonnen.

"There's a lot of great opportunities, and I do think the Chael fight could potentially sell. It could be a big seller. I think it could be a huge pay-per-view. So I see all angles of it, but I'm just expressing what Anderson has talked to me about. That's how he feels."

Sonnen says all of this is irrelevant. He believes Silva is ducking him, but pointed out to Jim Rome that it's not the champ or his manager who make the fights.

"Whether he wants to do it or not, we're gonna do it. Dana will make him ... Anderson doesn't pick the fights and his manager, that keeps getting air time, darn sure doesn't have anything to do with it," Sonnen said (9:45 mark). "Dana White will decide, and if Dana says yes, then we're fighting and if Dana says no, then we're not. That's end of it.� I don't argue with Dana. I don't need Anderson's opinion, I'll slap him in the face the next time I see him."

Does Bisping deserve a shot? He's certainly going to get some steam building as Season 14 of "The Ultimate Fighter" unfolds. The problem is timing.

Can the UFC wait until early December to schedule the next Silva fight? Bisping and fellow coach Jason Miller meet at the TUF 14 Finale on Dec. 3 in Las Vegas.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Is-Sonnen-falling-back-in-the-contender-line-Ca?urn=mma-wp8421

Dennis Hallman Tito Ortiz Dan Hardy Carlos Condit

Chael must battle Tito for the ?People?s Champ? moniker

After a busy summer, Tito Ortiz has had some time to think. That's not always a good thing with the loquacious former UFC light heavyweight champ.

Chael Sonnen recently stated that he's the "People's Champ," based on the fact that his loss against Anderson Silva at UFC 117 was less than legitimate. Now Ortiz wants a piece of that People's Champ pie.

"I showed that I'm able to compete against the best guys in the world, and I think that will help show people that if they believe in themselves, if they believe in their dream, they can accomplish anything," Ortiz said. "That's why I changed my name to 'The People's Champ.' I want everyone to know that I'm here for the fans. I want them to know that they can bounce back from anything.

In a video gaming story on ESPN.com, Ortiz pointed to a recent experience with fans as another reason for the name change.

"I signed over 15,000 autographs last weekend at the UFC fan expo," Ortiz tells me as we talk about his career resurgence, including a roster spot in the upcoming "UFC Undisputed 3" video game. "The first day I stood there for seven and a half hours. The second day I was there for over six hours. They had to kick me out. It was a lot of fun."

Based on his miracle win over Ryan Bader and fighting a heel in Rashad Evans at UFC 133, Ortiz did see a big transformation in his image. But is it enough, to make you call him the People's Champ? Or is there now a People's Champ for each weight division. I vote for Roy Nelson at heavyweight, Nick Diaz at 170, Melvin Guillard at 155

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Chael-must-battle-Tito-for-the-8216-People-82?urn=mma-wp8317

Dennis Hallman Tito Ortiz Dan Hardy Carlos Condit

How Does Tim Kennedy Stack Up Against the UFC Middleweights?

Recently, there have been unconfirmed reports that Strikeforce middleweight fighter and Green Beret, Tim Kennedy, may be making his way over to the UFC.

Should these rumors prove to be true, Kennedy could cause a real stir up in the stagnant middleweight division.

With a professional record of 14-3, and victories over Robbie Lawler, Melvin Manhoef, Trevor Prangley and Jason "Mayhem" Miller, and a loss to Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza, Kennedy has certainly faced some top flight competition in his career.

So how would he stack up against the middleweight division in the UFC?

First we have to look at the current rankings of the division.

1. Anderson Silva
2. Chael Sonnen
3. Yushin Okami
4. Brian Stann
5. Vitor Belfort
6. Mark Munoz
7. Demian Maia
8. Michael Bisping
9. Chris Leben
10. Take Your Pick

Kennedy is a very well rounded fighter, and he stands a solid chance against anybody on that list.

He was able to go 25 minutes with Ronaldo Souza and not get submitted—although he did lose a decision—and he was able to go 15 minutes with Robbie Lawler and not get knocked out—in a fight which he won by unanimous decision.

Of Kennedy's 14 wins, five have been (T)KOs, and seven have been submissions.

I think Kennedy would have a real chance of being a top five middleweight in the UFC.

Aside from just being well rounded, Kennedy trains out of Jackson's. That gives him a big edge right there.

But that also means we wouldn't be likely to see the two military veterans face off, the other being Brian Stann.

Should Kennedy be making his way to the UFC, I think a matchup between the winner of the Michael Bisping-Mayhem Miller fight would be a good gauge to see where he stands in the division.

A fight against Bisping would be an easy sell for obvious reasons, and a fight with Mayhem would be the third fight between the two, as their record currently stands at 1-1 against each other.

Here's hoping they bring Kennedy—along with Ronaldo Souza and Luke Rockhold—over from Strikeforce soon.

The middleweight division needs a little shake up—Kennedy and the Strikeforce middleweights can provide that.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/907522-how-does-tim-kennedy-stack-up-against-the-ufc-middleweights

Dan Hardy Carlos Condit Michael Bisping John Hathaway

Select UFC Events to Air in 3D Theaters Next Year

Filed under: UFC, News

Beginning next year, fans will be able to watch select UFC events in 3D theaters across the country.

The organization announced Thursday that it had partnered with digital theatrical distribution company Cinedigm Digital Cinema to deliver 3D broadcasts of its pay-per-view events, starting with its annual Super Bowl Weekend card on Feb. 4, 2012. According to the release, the 3D broadcast will be available in more than 120 theaters across the country and will be the first of four of its kind next year.

"By partnering with Cinedigm, we're taking the UFC viewing experience to a whole new level," UFC President Dana White stated. "For the first time ever, fight fans can watch a UFC Pay-Per-View card in 3D at theaters across the country. We want UFC fans to have the best viewing experience possible and now they get a chance to experience major UFC Pay-Per-Views in 3D."

The UFC's first-ever 3D broadcast was UFC Live on Versus 3 in March, however, it was only available on television.

The Super Bowl Weekend card has yet to be announced, but middleweight contender Chael Sonnen has pushed for his rematch with Anderson Silva to take place that weekend.

 

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Source: http://mmafighting.com/2011/10/21/ufc-events-soon-to-be-available-in-3d-theaters/

Tito Ortiz Dan Hardy Carlos Condit Michael Bisping

UFC 137 interview: Mitrione wants to show he?s more than a heavy-handed striker

Next week at UFC 137, Matt Mitrione is back and he's facing his toughest test to date.

The former Big 10 defensive tackle and NFL veteran, has raced out to a 5-0 start, but now he faces another big puncher in Cheick Kongo. Mitrione doesn't sound like he's afraid to bang with the Frenchman, but also pointed out that he's been working on his ground game as well.

Listen to a very confident Mitrione with Kevin Iole and myself on ESPNRadio1100/98.9 FM's "The MMA Insiders" show. You'll be shocked to find out who "Meathead" from Season 9 of the "Ultimate Fighter" is training with now.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/UFC-137-interview-Mitrione-wants-to-show-he-82?urn=mma-wp8472

MMA Fighting Brock Lesnar Cain Velasquez Dana White

Diego Brandao Talks About His Fight: 'I Want to Destroy the Guy'

Filed under: UFC, News

On this week's episode of The Ultimate Fighter, Diego Brandao had a run-in with Steven Siler outside the Octagon, then found out that Siler would be his next opponent inside the Octagon as well.

Brandao and Siler were the last two fighters to get matched up in this season's featherweight tournament, and their fight will be shown on next week's episode. MMAFighting.com caught up with Brandao to discuss his feelings toward Siler outside the cage, his views on what kind of opponent Siler would be and how he prepared for the fight.

Our interview with Brandao is below.

Michael David Smith: At the start of Episode 5 they showed you being very angry at Steven Siler. What was that all about?
Well, I think the show wanted to show the drama, but he got in my face and challenged me and I was just like, "Why are you getting in my face?" You guys saw me punching the wall which made me look crazy, but I was just totally focused on beating everyone. In that house there were a lot of young kids, a lot of them were talented but a lot of them didn't know what to do with that opportunity. I knew I had to be focused on my opportunity to beat all of them.

So when you found out that you'd be fighting Siler in the cage, did the run-in with him motivate you?
No, because inside the cage it's different. Inside the cage, I'll throw down with anyone. I don't have anything to lose. I'm going out there like a pit bull.

Going into the fight, how did you think you matched up with Siler?
I think he thought he could beat me, but I'm a black belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu, and I also thought I could knock him out. I was feeling very good.

As you prepared for the fight did you develop a specific game plan for Siler?
No, before the fight I don't have a strategy like, "Oh, I have to take this guy down, I have to do this, I have to do that." To me, I don't care. I go in there and I want to destroy the guy. I don't want to think too much. I go in there, make sure my hands are up and fight hard. When you push it you win the fight.

It sounds like you were confident heading into the fight.
That's just my training. I train real hard. I'm not there in the house to make friends. The guy made me angry but I'm a nice guy, a happy guy. I just wanted to go in there and show I'm the best. It's 32 guys fighting for one contract so I'm not in it to be friends with anybody.

Check MMAFighting.com next week when we check in with Brandao following the airing of his fight with Siler.

 

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Source: http://mmafighting.com/2011/10/20/diego-brandao-talks-about-his-fight-i-want-to-destroy-the-guy/

Mike Pyle Travis Browne Randy Couture Jake Shields