MMA News and Info

Brock Lesnar Updates

2009-05-21T11:47:00.003-05:00

Mirko Filipovic (Cro Cop) says that after his fight with Mustapha Al-Turk in June, he'll be looking at taking Brock Lesnar's title.
But that will have to wait.
Lesnar faces Frank Mir at UFC 100, and if Parisian Cheick Kongo beats American Kickboxing Academy's Cain Velasquez on June 13th in Cologne, Germany, Kongo will get a shot at the winner of that fight.

And it's not bad enough that MMA fighters want Lesnar, now Baltimore Ravens defensive lineman Kelly Gregg has said that he wants to fight Lesnar and thinks he'd beat him.

The June 2009 issue of Maxim Magazine has a four page article on Brock Lesnar that talks about the NCAA, NFL, WWE, OVW and UFC.

Another former (?) pro wrestler, Bobby Lashley's current record in MMA is 3-0.
How long will it be before we see talk of a Lesnar / Lashley battle?

UFC-Brock Lesnar vs Randy Couture

The Top Ten MMA Fighters Last Month

2009-05-13T15:20:00.003-05:00

The top ten most searched for MMA fighters on this blog last month were....

1. Brock Lesnar
Yes the current UFC Heavyweight Champion, professional and amateur wrestler came in at number one last month.
The 6'2', 265 behemoth currently has a record of 3-1-0.
You wouldnt think the UFC champ would have only 4 MMA fights under his belt would you?

2. Chuck Liddell
"The Iceman" also has a background in collegiate wrestling as well as kickboxing.
His current record is 21-7-0.

3. Anderson Silva
This Brazilian fighter is the current UFC Middleweight Champion.
His record right now is 24-4-0.

4. Fedor Emelianenko
At 6 feet tall and 231 pounds, he is a Russian heavyweight mixed martial arts fighter, the current World Alliance of Mixed Martial Arts Heavyweight Champion, the last holder of the Pride Heavyweight Championship and maybe one of the best all around MMA fighters of all time.
His current record is 30-1-0.

5. Wanderlei Silva
This Brazilian mixed martial arts fighter has competed in Japan's Pride Fighting Championships and the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
With nicknames like "The Axe Murderer" and "Cachorro Louco" ("Mad Dog"), I won't want to run into him in a dark alley.
Unless he was on MY side of course.
His record stands at 32-9-1.

6. Randy Couture
AKA "The Natural" or "Captain America," Randy is an actor, MMA fighter, Greco-Roman wrestler, former collegiate wrestler, and the former heavyweight champion of the UFC.
His record is 16-9-0.

7. BJ Penn
The only other fighter to hold a championship title in two different weight divisions in UFC besides Randy Couture, BJ is also known as "The Prodigy" and "Baby Jay".
BJ's record is 13-5-1.

8. Forrest Griffin
Forrest is a former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion.
Forrest's MMA career got a big push (just when he was about to leave MMA) when he appeared on the first-season of Spike TV's The Ultimate Fighter.
His MMA record stands at 16-5-0.

9. Matt Hughes
This former 2-time UFC Welterweight Champion is widely regarded to be the most dominant Welterweight in UFC history so far.
His current record is an amazing (to me at least) 42-7-0.

10. Rashad Evans
The current UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, Rashad holds victories over Stephan Bonnar, Michael Bisping, Chuck Liddell, Forrest Griffin and he fought Tito Ortiz to a Draw.
His MMA record is 13-0-1.

The New Stars of MMA

2009-04-20T12:15:00.000-05:00

I have mentioned a few times here that what MMA needs right now is a larger than life, charismatic star to put mixed martial arts over the top.
A lot of the original stars are aging out, and new stars are coming up to take their places.
Will any of these new stars be "The Chosen One"?

David Mayeda over at FightTicker.com kind of addresses that issue in this article about the up and coming new stars of MMA:

"In the comments section of an earlier post covering UFC 97, a number of FightTicker.com members (Wardog and Bosco, for example) pointed out that many of the UFC and PRIDE legends who carried MMA into the mainstream, just before and after 2005, are beginning to fall to today’s younger stars."

You can read the full article here

Dana White, Madman or Genius?

2009-04-02T12:46:00.001-05:00

Here is an article by Brian Oswald over at the Bleacher Report about the growth of MMA.

MMA's growth far from over
by Brian Oswald , Bleacher Report

In the next 10 years, MMA will be the biggest sport on the planet
A few years ago, such a statement would have drawn ridicule. Time has a way of demonstrating that the most stubborn are the most intelligent. The opening sentence also is a declaration made by UFC President Dana White, a man whom many would consider nothing less then obstinate.
Mr. White also has declared, "If you take four street corners, and on one they are playing baseball, on another they are playing basketball and on the other, street hockey. On the fourth corner, a fight breaks out. Where does the crowd go? They all go to the fight."
http://msn.foxsports.com/boxing/story/9401684/MMA%27s-growth-far-from-over

You know, I hadn't thought about it like that.
But from a marketing stand point, Dana White might be a genius.

But...ooops!
Maybe he's not.
Maybe that quote was just a flash in the pan judging by what he turned around and said on his Fight Night 18 video blog.
http://www.cagepotato.com/danavlog-where-he-calls-loretta-hunt-bunch-very-bad-words

Put this in perspective.
First Dana says MMA is gonna be bigger than baseball, basketball and hockey, then the man that is supposed to be the head of this big company acts like this?
Even Vince McMahon (who is known for his anger) doesn't put it on the internet.

Will this affect sales?
Heck no.
There are already people out there slapping each other on the back and high fiving each other for Dana being so honest with his feelings.
But I thought MMA was trying to improve their image and get above all this.
Keep this up and it'll be back to being called "Human Cockfighting" in no time.

Pennsylvania Allows MMA

2009-02-25T12:12:00.000-05:00

Pennsylvania Allows MMA

You can now add Pennsylvania to the growing lists of states allowing mixed martial arts or MMA events.
The new regulations take affect on February 27th, 2009.

"Mixed martial arts events -- like the popular Ultimate Fighting Championship are now legal in Pennsylvania and can be promoted in Pittsburgh."
Full story here
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29372525/

As it stands right now, MMA is legal in some states but not regulated by a local commission.
As far as I know, MMA is still illegal in the states of Maine, Maryland, Michigan, New York, South Carolina and West Virginia.
But as MMA grows, some of these states may see MMA as the big business it's becoming and allow it in.
I'm guessing the next to allow it will be New York, because I can just see a huge MMA card at Madison Square Garden.

And in kinda related news, The Bleacher Report has an ongoing series about Historic MMA Rivalries, and the latest entry by Matt De La Rosa is Politicians vs. MMA.
You can read this article and go back over the previous ones you may have missed here

Kimo Leopoldo

2009-02-17T12:48:00.003-05:00

Kimo Leopoldo is a mixed martial artist born on January 5, 1968 in Munich, Germany.

Kimo is well known for his Christian beliefs. He sports many religious tattoos, and entered the arena at UFC 3 carrying a large cross on his back.
However, he lied in his debut at UFC 3 claiming to have a black belt in Taekwondo so they would allow him to compete.
And now this.....

MMA fighter Kimo Leopoldo arrested in Tustin
Earlier this month, he was campaigning to become executive director of the California State Athletic Commission. Now, Kimo Leopoldo is under arrest for allegedly possessing methamphetamine and donning Long Beach Police Department attire.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2009/02/report-mma-figh.html

Kimo has already been suspended twice for taking Stanozolol (a synthetic anabolic steroid derived from testosterone).
His last fight was October 6th, 2006 against Wes Sims.

MMA needs an Ali figure

2009-02-11T11:49:00.002-05:00

So far in the past year I have seen MMA portrayed in a not so good light in the media.
With the Chris Brown / Rihanna altercation now, we hear "A police source she said "looked like an MMA [mixed martial arts] fighter or something...".

And MMA has shown up on CSI, CSI: Miami and Knight Rider (that I have seen at least).
In all of these cases the sport they portray is an underground fight to the death, but the term "MMA" or "mixed martial arts" keeps getting brought up.
So how come we aren't seeing any MMA fighters shown on a TV show in a positive light?
I know boxing gets the punch drunk, brain damaged stereotype, but it looks like MMA's stereotype is coming blood thirsty killers.
I'm sure most of you that have followed the sport remember John McCain referring to the sport as "human cockfighting." back in the 90s.
In all fairness he did go back and say later in 2007 in a NPR interview "They have cleaned up the sport to the point, at least in my view, where it is not human cockfighting any more. I think they've made significant progress. They haven't made me a fan, but they have made progress."
But then again he was running for President at that time and didn't want to alienate supporters.

Maybe this is growing pains.
I'm sure not too long ago boxers were just considered thugs that punched their way out of anything.
Muhammad Ali may have changed that by showing they could be articulate and smart people that also boxed.
Of course Mike Tyson turned around and messed that up, but Ali's image was so powerful that it kept the "Sweet Science" idea alive.

I've said it before and I'll say it again.
MMA needs an Ali figure.

Wrestling and MMA

2009-02-04T12:15:00.002-05:00

We've seen Brock Lesnar and Bobby Lashley go from pro wrestling to MMA.
We've heard Kurt Angle talk about it.
And people like Ken Shamrock, Tank Abbott, Sean O'Haire and Josh Barnett have blurred the line a bit.
But what about talented amateur wrestlers going from wrestling to MMA?
Here's a story from the Columbia Missourian by Robby Lewis that addresses that subject in the person of two-time national champion, four-time All-American and Olympic team member Ben Askren......

Ben Askren hopes the “ground and pound” technique will work Saturday night in his MMA debut at the Columbia Holiday Inn Expo Center. MMA is short for mixed martial arts. The fighters compete in a steel cage, and the fights can be won by submission or knockout.
Askren first heard of the “ground and pound” technique from former UFC fighter Mark Coleman. The technique is what it sounds like. You take your opponent off his feet and force him to the ground. Then, you pound him into submission.

You can read the full article here

Brock Lesnar versus Frank Mir

2009-01-09T12:33:00.002-05:00

Most likely in April or May (I'm guessing UFC 97 on April 18th in Montreal, Canada) we will get to see a rematch between Francisco Santos "Frank" Mir III and Brock Edward Lesnar.
Frank beat Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira at UFC 92 on December 27, 2008 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, for the UFC Interim Heavyweight Championship.
Frank already holds a victory over Lesnar at UFC 81: Breaking Point back on February 2, 2008.
Mir caught Brock with a kneebar, causing Lesnar to tap out at 1:30 of the first round.
So who's gonna get to walk away with the unified UFC Heavyweight Championship?
I really hate to make predictions on MMA bouts, but I'm gonna have to go with Lesnar.
Unless Mir can get him on the ground.
See?
I told you I hate making predictions.

What MMA Needs

2009-01-02T14:20:00.002-05:00

Is there a moment in MMA like this?

ESPN has an article on it's site about "Nine reasons to be excited about MMA in 2009".
And Tito Ortiz is one of them.
Which got me to thinking, what MMA needs is a "Muhammad Ali".
A charismatic figure that can draw the attention of the world.
Most MMA fighters seem to be " get the job done" kinda people, and while that's all well and good for the sport, it doesn't do much for picking up TV viewers.
MMA needs a Ali, or a Sugar Ray Leonard figure.
Heck, look at Hulk Hogan in wrestling, he was everywhere and helped elevate pro wrestling from "smoke filled bingo halls" to NBC and USA.
But they have to be careful, you can't hype the line too much.
If you do, MMA turns into Pro Wrestling, all flash and no substance.
So is there anyone out there that can become MMA's version of "The Greatest"?

MMA Fighter Justin Levens

2008-12-19T12:25:00.001-05:00

I was going to do an entry today about former WWE star Bobby Lashley's debut in MMA.
But I ran across this article that brought back memories of another WWE star, Chris Benoit.

Justin Levens' death may have been part of a murder-suicide
Authorities said Thursday they are continuing their investigation into the deaths of mixed martial arts fighter Justin Levens and his wife as a possible murder-suicide, with Levens potentially the shooter.
An Orange County Sheriff's Department spokesman said Levens, 28, died of a gunshot to the head, and his wife, Sara McLean-Levens, 25, suffered a fatal single gunshot to the chest that penetrated her heart.
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-mma19-2008dec19,0,3276564.story

Justin Robert Levens was born on April 18, 1980 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He fought for the Southern California Condors of the International Fight League and was a participant in the Ultimate Fighting Championship and World Extreme Cagefighting.
Justin had not fought since 2006.

The World Mixed Martial Arts Awards

2008-12-11T12:38:00.001-05:00

Fighter's Only Magazine in conjunction with The Sun have created the World Mixed Martial Arts Awards.
It's first winners were announced in the past week and here they are....
Fighter of the Year: Anderson Silva
Female Fighter of the Year: Gina Carano
Best Promotion and Best MMA Brand: Ultimate Fighting Championship
Special Achievement Award: Referee "Big" John McCarthy
Best Media Coverage: MMAjunkie.com

You can read about the Awards and see the rest of the winners here.

Brock Lesnar, Wrestling and MMA

2008-12-02T11:22:00.001-05:00

I've mentioned this in other blogs before, how Boxers and Wrestlers are moving towards MMA. This article by Greg Parks goes into depth about Brock Lesnar and his journey into MMA.
But it's not just Lesnar. Bobby Lashley is debuting in the American Fight League (AFL) this December. And Kurt Angle has been talking about it for quite awhile.
Anyway, here's the link to the article:

PARKS: Reasons pro wrestlers jump to mixed martial arts and why it might continue
By Greg Parks
About two weeks ago, former WWE Champion Brock Lesnar defeated MMA legend Randy Couture for the UFC Heavyweight Title. This was only Lesnar's fourth MMA fight since leaving WWE and embarking on a new career path. But what led Lesnar, and others since him, to leave WWE behind is what is interesting to me.
Lesnar could be considered an anomaly: A farm boy growing up, Lesnar grew tired of the travel and wasn't used to being away from home so much. Most people, at his age and his position in the business, are those who generally enjoy traveling and seeing new places. In that way, I'm sure WWE didn't panic and think, "Lesnar left because of the travel! What if others do the same? We need to change things!" Like I stated above, I think they considered Lesnar an anomaly. And looking back, he was, as not a lot of people have left the business due to the travel demands; they may privately complain about it, but in the end, they put up with it. Some don't though, and that's for later in the column. Brock Lesnar initially left WWE to pursue a career in the NFL. Most assumed he regretted not trying out for the league upon leaving college. After he flamed out there, Lesnar got into MMA.
http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/Guest_Editorials_20/article_1526.shtml

The Fight Zone Steps into the Void

2008-11-25T12:18:00.001-05:00

The Fight Zone, Inc. may be stepping up to fill the void created by the downfall of EliteXC.
I wish them luck, because I hate seeing a monopoly in any sport.

The Fight Zone, Inc. Reveals Plans for Major MMA Promotion
Jujutsu Phenom Robert Drysdale and Other Fight Zone Fighters to Headline Fight Card
LAS VEGAS, Nov 24, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- The Fight Zone, Inc. (Pink Sheets:TFZI), a well rounded Mixed Martial Arts ("MMA") company, announced plans for its first major mixed martial arts promotion. The event will be held late in the first quarter of 2009 in Colorado Springs, Colorado with the winner of the Abu Dhabi Championship and virtually every other major Jujutsu championship in the world, Robert Drysdale headlining the evening's fight card. Robert Drysdale serves as a coach for the former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir on Spike TV's, The Ultimate Fighter and is the head Brazilian Jujutsu instructor at former UFC heavyweight champion Randy Couture's training facility, Xtreme Couture.

full article here

UFC heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar

2008-11-18T10:49:00.001-05:00

The new UFC heavyweight Champion is Brock Lesnar.
He defeated Randy Couture with a second-round technical knockout Saturday.
Brock seems to be getting a lot of hate online because he is a former WWE wrestler.
Why?
True Brock used to wrestle for the WWE, but he was also a two-time NJCAA All-American, two-time NCAA All-American, two-time Big Ten Conference Champion, and the 2000 NCAA heavyweight champion. He had a record of 106-5 when he was in College.
He also played football during the preseason for the Minnesota Vikings, even though he wound up being cut.
I think some "serious" sport people just don't like the idea that he was a pro wrestler.
But I have to remind you, in some circles the MMA is looked at as a carnival sideshow.
Remember John McCain's letter writing campaign against the "brutal spectacle" of no holds barred fighting?
Well the MMA wants legitimacy, and so does Brock Lesnar.
This wasn't the Muhammad Ali / Antonio Inoki fight from the 70s. This was an actual fight in which the former pro wrestler won. He didn't use his patented "F-5" from his wrestling days, he fought straight up and won.
And it's not like Brock is being pushed in MMA as an unstoppable force....yet.
Remember back earlier this year, he lost to Frank Mir via a submission.
And now we have to see how well Brock does against other UFC fighters. Who knows, he could get pounded in his next match.
But for now let's respect the man and what he has done.
And wait till Kurt Angle decides to go into MMA.......

MMA Stunner: Sacramento's Faber Falls in First Round TKO

2008-11-06T11:29:00.001-05:00

News10.net | Sacramento, California | Sports News MMA Stunner: Sacramento's Faber Falls in First Round TKO:

"HOLLYWOOD, FL - Sacramento's mixed martial arts champion Urijah Faber suffered only the second loss in his professional career Wednesday, losing in a stunning first-round TKO to Mike Brown in a World Extreme Cagefighting event in Hollywood, Florida.

Faber, the WEC's featherweight champion, was just moments into his title defense when he was hit with a right hand from Brown and taken down by several blows before the referee stopped the first fight at 2:23"

Elite XC to file for bankruptcy

2008-10-23T08:08:00.001-05:00

Even though they are different, it looks like the MMA promotions are running into the same problems the pro wrestling promotions run into.
In wrestling...I'm sorry..."Sports Entertainment"...the WWE rules the scene with upstart companies falling by the wayside.
And in MMA, it looks like UFC is the one to beat.
As far as Elite XC goes, did that 14 second knockout do all this?
What are Kimbo Slice and Gina Carano going to do now?

Mixed martial arts' Elite XC to file for bankruptcy
By Lance Pugmire
It looks like Elite XC, the upstart mixed martial arts organization featuring Kimbo Slice, is down for the count.
ProElite, Inc., Elite XC's Los Angeles-based parent company, plans to file for bankruptcy, said T. Jay Thompson, an Elite XC executive consultant, whose Hawaii-based MMA organization was purchased by ProElite last year.
Elite XC has also informed fighters, office staff and others of immediate layoffs and has canceled fight dates, including a Nov. 8 card in Reno, Thompson said.
http://www.latimes.com/sports/printedition/la-sp-mma22-2008oct22,0,2976847.story

MMA: Boxers and CSI

2008-10-16T07:58:00.000-05:00

Josh Gross over at INSIDE MMA had an interesting idea about mixing MMA fighters and Boxers.
This kinda reminds me of who would win against a Boxer and a Wrestler.
Anyone remember the Antonio Inoki/Muhammad Ali fiasco?
Anyway, I personally think that it would be a great money making idea, but not so much a great fight.
It also would give both sports even more exposure.
You can check out the fan's reaction and his reply here

BTW, MMA is making more headway into the mainstream.
How do I know?
Well Extreme fighters were a main plot line in last week's CSI. The portrayal wasn't very complimentary, but its a reference none the less. And the fighters weren't MMA really, more like underground cage fighters.
But 5 years ago they would have been underground boxers, not MMA.

Now if we could have a show with a MMA character that's just a normal guy.

Mixed Martial Arts Has a Lot of Fight

2008-10-08T10:22:00.000-05:00

Nice article about rising appeal of MMA and the falling economy by Steve Cooper at The Street.com...

Mixed Martial Arts Has a Lot of Fight
Steve Cooper
The economy may be falling faster than mixed martial arts fighter Kimbo Slice after a right-hand jab by Seth Petruzelli, but the stock of the sport continues to grow and appeal to an ever-expanding mainstream audience.

Read the full article here

Mixed Martial Arts: UFC legend Ricco Rodriguez set for city showdown

2008-09-30T14:24:00.002-05:00

Mixed Martial Arts: UFC legend Ricco Rodriguez set for city showdown

The biggest MMA fight in Liverpool’s history takes place this weekend when former UFC heavyweight champion Ricco Rodriguez collides with St Helens’ Rob Broughton.
American star Rodriguez is in the UK along with Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson, training at the Wolfslair gym in Widnes, and was keen to fight while over here training.

Read Nick Peet's full article here

MMA Fighter Tito Ortiz Joins in the Battle Against Dog Fighting

2008-09-22T10:20:00.000-05:00

Being an animal lover and owner of seven dogs, (some are Pit rescues) I am really behind this...

For Pits' Sake, Inc. today announced that Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter and entrepreneur Tito Ortiz has teamed up with them to "Knock Out Dog Fighting".
The award winning "Knock Out Dog Fighting" program is an unprecedented awareness and educational campaign, designed by For Pits' Sake, Inc. founder Kris Crawford, to combat the cruel and inhumane activity of dog fighting. Despite the fact that dog fighting is a felony in all 50 states, it is both widespread and growing. It is estimated that there are over 40,000 professional dog fighters in the United States and as many as 100,000 amateurs involved in the abhorrent activity, including children and gang-affiliated teens.
http://www.prweb.com/releases/knockout/dogfighting/prweb1363454.htm

More info here:
http://www.knockoutdogfighting.org/

MMA in New York State still in the cage … for now - MMA

2008-09-16T11:28:00.001-05:00

ESPN - MMA in New York State still in the cage … for now - MMA:

"NEW YORK -- To its critics, mixed martial arts is ugly and grotesque. John McCain has railed against it on the floor of the United States Senate, calling it 'human cockfighting.'

To its fans, mixed martial arts is exciting entertainment and a legitimate sport.

Now MMA is at a crucial point in its evolution as a business. It's currently sanctioned in 35 states and in Washington, D.C.

The most important jurisdiction not yet in the mix is New York, which has a statute that specifically bans mixed martial arts competition. To overturn that ban, the state assembly and state senate must pass new legislation, which governor David Paterson must sign."

Technorati Tags: mma mixed martial arts news fight fighting karate kung fu self defense gracie tai chi black belt jiu jitsu kickboxing aikido chuck liddell sherdog

Mixed Martial Arts Fighter Evan Tanner Found Dead in Desert

2008-09-10T11:16:00.003-05:00

Mixed Martial Arts Fighter Evan Tanner Found Dead in Desert

Former Middleweight Champion of the UFC Evan Tanner has been found dead in the desert.
A body was discovered in the Palo Verde mountain area on Monday, said Lt. George Moreno from Imperial County Sheriff's Department.
The Palo Verde mountain area is 60 miles northeast of Brawley.
Tanner, 37, has been missing since last weekend when his friends had not heard from him after countless phone calls and text messages. Evan recently wrote on his blog "I plan on going so deep into the desert, that any failure of my equipment, could cost me my life," wrote Tanner on the adventure in August. "I've been doing a great deal of research and study. I want to know all I can about where I'm going, and I want to make sure I have the best equipment."
http://www.yardbarker.com/mma/articles/Mixed_Martial_Arts_Fighter_Evan_Tanner_Found_Dead_in_Desert/329941

As of 12:30 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday, there was no official statement from the UFC on its Web site for its one-time middleweight champion, whose body was discovered in a mountainous area near San Diego after he went missing on a camping trip.
http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2008/9/9/610983/kevin-iole-feels-compelled

The Pound-for-Pound King of MMA Is?: UFC in Need of Open Weight Division | Bleacher Report

2008-09-04T10:19:00.002-05:00

The Pound-for-Pound King of MMA Is?: UFC in Need of Open Weight Division | Bleacher Report:

"Can speed and agility overcome power and endurance? Can wit or strategy overcome size or weight? Can a guy who weighs 155 pounds be as powerful as a 200-plus-pounder?

Is it possible to beat a powerful fighter if you are nowhere near as strong as him? Does Urijah Faber have a major disadvantage against a guy like Kimbo Slice? Does BJ Penn stand a chance against Brock Lesnar? Should there be a 'Super Fight' between Anderson Silva and Fedor Emelianenko to see who is the pound-for-pound best, and, if so, could Silva beat Fedor without fighting at his natural weight? Should there be an MMA division where a fighter has the choice to fight at whatever weight he or she is comfortable?"

Shamrock welcomes opportunity to test Kimbo's mettle

2008-08-28T10:48:00.000-05:00

Shamrock welcomes opportunity to test Kimbo's mettle

After months of speculation, EliteXC heavyweight Kimbo Slice has an opponent for his Oct. 4 date at the Bank Atlantic Center in Sunrise, Fla.
Slice, whose real name is Kevin Ferguson, will face veteran mixed martial artist Ken Shamrock. The fight will air on CBS.
There had been talk of Slice facing Brett Rogers. Tension between the two began on May 31 in Newark, N.J., where Rogers made disparaging remarks about Slice's performance against James Thompson.
After Slice and Rogers exchanged words, it was widely believed they would face each other this year. But after much deliberation, executives at EliteXC decided on Shamrock.
http://sports.espn.go.com/extra/mma/news/story?id=3553315

Don't tell me mixed martial arts isn't a sport, it should be in the Olympics

2008-08-23T15:34:00.001-05:00

Don't tell me mixed martial arts isn't a sport, it should be in the Olympics:

"Going back in ancient times of flourishing civilizations, you'll find one thing that stays somewhat consistent in sports.
It's not a basketball or a maple wood bat or a pigskin football. No it's not even whiny, overpaid athletes or juiced-up freaks of nature.
Go back all those years, and it becomes clear that the basic instinct and test of skill is a one-on-one fight between two people.
In the early Olympics, wrestling, boxing and pankration were all a part of the action, and although pankration was dropped, wrestling and boxing have withstood the test of Father Time, and judo and tae kwon do have since joined the proverbial fight."

Mixed Martial Arts in the Olympics? It Just Makes Sense | MMA | Andrei Arlovski | Randy Couture

2008-08-19T13:33:00.001-05:00

Mixed Martial Arts in the Olympics? It Just Makes Sense | MMA | Andrei Arlovski | Randy Couture:

"The original Olympic games were designed to be a test of the true warriors. As much as they were meant to honor great athletic endeavors, they were also a tribute to the elite combatants of their era. In modern-day games, things have changed drastically. It's the swimmers, the sprinters and the somersaulters who are elevated to celebrity status every 4 years. Obviously, there are plenty of other sports, and there are even some combat sports, like judo, taekwondo, wrestling and boxing. But what about the one sport that is the embodiment of modern combat?"

MMA SUBMISSION: HEATH HERRING'S CLAIM TO FAME

2008-08-08T11:38:00.002-05:00

ESPN - ESPN The Magazine:

"Most American fight fans first met Heath Herring through some version of this clip.( see below) It has to be the fastest knockout—zero seconds—in MMA history.

While the fight boosted Herring's name recognition, the moment actually ended up being a nightmare. He says he recently settled a lawsuit in Japan after he was sued by a promoter for the incident. Herring can't and won't discuss much about the suit because he signed a non-disclosure agreement. 'Let's just say I spent a lot of money on attorney fees,' he says."

Technorati Tags: bjj brazilian jiu jitsu cage fighting grappling Heath Herring karate kickboxing martial arts mixed mma news ultimate

MMA combatives training a hit in military -- Newsday.com

2008-08-03T14:26:00.002-05:00

Image via WikipediaMMA combatives training a hit in military -- Newsday.com:

"FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - Not too long ago, GI Joe, a real American soldier involved in life-or-death combat in Iraq, brought down his attacker with a mixed martial arts technique and captured him. It wasn't too long ago that his only choice would have been to shoot - and kill - him.

'Instead of using my weapon, I choked him out and we were able to capture and interrogate him,' the soldier said.

Mixed martial arts (MMA) has come a long way since 1995, when John McCain, the former Navy pilot now running for president, called the Ultimate Fighting Championship 'human cock fighting.'

Today, McCain's military brethren in every branch of the service are undergoing combatives training that is rooted in the science of mixed martial arts."

Technorati Tags: GI Joe Iraq John McCain martial arts mixed mma sports ultimate fighting championship

Mixed Martial Arts Bill Up For Public Hearing

2008-07-06T09:18:00.001-05:00

Mixed Martial Arts Bill Up For Public Hearing:

"Guam - A measure that seeks to regulate professional mixed martial arts (MMA) on Guam is up for a public hearing next week.

The bill introduced by Senator Jim Espaldon is one of the two bills by the Committee on Judiciary, Natural Resources, Infrastructure, and Cultural Affairs."

Grove tops Tanner, Sadollah crowned "TUF" champ | MMAjunkie.com

2008-06-22T10:36:00.001-05:00

Grove tops Tanner, Sadollah crowned "TUF" champ | MMAjunkie.com:

"Prior to Saturday's live finale of 'The Ultimate Fighter: Team Rampage vs. Team Forrest,' Kendall Grove (9-5 MMA, 4-2 UFC) expected the loser of his headline bout with Evan Tanner (32-8 MMA, 11-6 UFC) to 'leave town.'

Grove won't be buying a bus ticket anytime soon."

Ratings for EliteXC event set MMA viewing records

2008-06-04T09:08:00.001-05:00

Ratings for EliteXC event set MMA viewing records

EliteXC: Primetime, which marked the debut of live mixed martial arts on network television, was the most-watched MMA event in history, according to ratings released by CBS on Tuesday.
The landmark show drew an average of 4.9 million viewers during its two-hour, 51-minute telecast and spiked to 6.5 million between 11:30 p.m. and 11:51 p.m., when controversial Internet street-fighting icon Kimbo Slice battled Pride Fighting Championships veteran James Thompson. Ferguson (3-0) stopped the 6-foot-4 British behemoth on strikes in a controversial finish in the third round to remain unbeaten.

http://msn.foxsports.com/boxing/story/8208226/Ratings-for-EliteXC-event-set-MMA-viewing-records.

Growing and Growing UFC owner White says his company is `going global'

2008-05-22T11:12:00.000-05:00

Growing and Growing UFC owner White says his company is `going global'
By Miguel Lopez, Staff writer

When Dana White and brothers Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta took over the Ultimate Fighting Championship from Semaphore Entertainment Group in 2001, they spent $2 million and picked up a sport that was still more controversial than anything else.

Fast forward seven years, and the company is worth an estimated $1.4 billion if it was to be put on the market, according to Forbes Magazine.

As the company continues to rake in sellout crowds, corporate sponsorships and record pay-per-view numbers, it also is gaining something just as important that it has seeked for years: the label of a legitimate sport.
http://www.presstelegram.com/sports/ci_9339577

Matt Serra Needs Your Help To Help Get MMA Sanctioned In New York | MMAFrenzy.com

2008-05-10T09:54:00.001-05:00

Matt Serra Needs Your Help To Help Get MMA Sanctioned In New York | MMAFrenzy.com:

"With his recent crushing defeat to George St. Pierre in the record-breaking backyard brawl at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada Matt Serra has implored fans to unite in New York State.

He says, “If you are a fan, then help me to fight in New York!”

The advantage that GSP had with the monstrous support in his hometown was clearly evident as the fight wore on, and the same could be true for Serra in a rematch in New York City."

globesports.com: Canadian fighter parts ways with UFC after loss

2008-04-23T08:50:00.001-05:00

globesports.com: Canadian fighter parts ways with UFC after loss:

Canadian Press
April 22, 2008 at 8:09 AM EDT

Canadian fighter Kalib Starnes, vilified by mixed martial arts fans for his inactivity in a bout against Nate Quarry at UFC 83 on the weekend, has asked to be released from his UFC contract.

But the 33-year-old middleweight from Surrey, B.C., declined to discuss what happened in the lopsided fight Saturday night in Montreal or why he wanted out of the UFC, saying he would comment further once his UFC exit paperwork was complete.

"Until that happens, I don't feel comfortable talking any more about it," Starnes told The Canadian Press on Monday from his training base in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

"Personally, I couldn't be happier to be released from my UFC contract," added.

technorati tags: mixed martial arts training, mma fights, mixed martial arts fights, mixed martial arts events, mixed martial arts fighting, mma, mixed martial art

St-Pierre looking for payback in UFC ring

2008-04-11T07:55:00.002-05:00

St-Pierre looking for payback in UFC ring:

"MONTREAL -- Georges St-Pierre figures to make Matt Serra eat his words next Saturday in the Ultimate Fighting Championship's UFC 83 at the Bell Centre.

Serra-St-Pierre 2, the first UFC event in Canada, will be held before a sellout crowd of more than 21,000 on April 19 and will decide the undisputed champion in the 170-pound welterweight division. But it will also be a chance for payback for St-Pierre after derogatory comments Serra made in the aftermath of their first meeting last July, when Serra took the title away from St-Pierre with a first-round TKO."

technorati tags:ufc, mixed martial arts ,mixed martial art ,mixed martial arts fights ,mixed martial arts fighting ,mixed martial arts news ,female mixed martial arts ,martial arts karate ,martial arts ,martial art ,japanese martial arts ,filipino martial arts

UFC to get some TV time

2008-04-01T07:40:00.001-05:00

UFC to get some TV time

Spike to air card, reality show this week

By ADAM HILL
REVIEW-JOURNAL
The Ultimate Fighting Championship will take center stage on Spike TV on Wednesday night.

Spike (Cox Cable 29) will air the Ultimate Fight Night card from Broomfield, Colo., at 7 p.m. (tape delayed), followed by the season premiere of "The Ultimate Fighter: Team Rampage vs. Team Forrest," at 10 p.m.

The card will be headlined by a lightweight fight between Kenny Florian and Joe Lauzon.

The winner of that bout could challenge for the lightweight belt, which B.J. Penn holds. Penn is scheduled to defend his title against former champion Sean Sherk in May.

In other action, Matt Hamill was scheduled to take on Stephan Bonnar, but instead will fight Tim Boetsch.
full story here:
http://www.lvrj.com/sports/17182181.html

Josh Koscheck vs. Chris Lytle Likely for UFC 86 - MMAjunkie.com

2008-03-26T11:01:00.001-05:00

Josh Koscheck vs. Chris Lytle Likely for UFC 86 - MMAjunkie.com:

"Welterweight contender Josh Koscheck (10-2 MMA, 8-2 UFC) and 'The Ultimate Fighter 4' runner-up Chris Lytle (25-15-5 MMA, 4-7 UFC) will likely meet at UFC 86.

Rumors of Lytle's involvement in the event surfaced last week, but Ken Pavia, Lytle's manager, would only tell MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) that Lytle got a 'big opponent' for the event. Since then, a sponsor for one of the fighters tells us the fight is close to being announced."

Never Back Down

2008-03-13T08:13:00.002-05:00

BOXING - CBSSports.com:

"It was only a matter of time before mixed martial arts found its way into the movies. As much as Hollywood loves fast-paced action and sports sagas, it's amazing it took this long for an MMA-themed film to hit the box offices.
This Friday, Never Back Down, starring Academy Award nominee Djimon Hounsou (Blood Diamond, Gladiator) becomes the first MMA movie to hit American theatres, with several more, including David Mamet's Redbelt following close behind."

technorati tags:mixed martial arts ,mixed martial art ,mixed martial arts fights ,mixed martial arts fighting ,mixed martial arts news ,female mixed martial arts ,martial arts karate ,martial arts ,martial art ,japanese martial arts ,filipino martial arts ,shaolin martial arts ,chinese martial arts

The Canadian Press: Anderson Silva solidifies status as best pound-for-pound MMA fighter

2008-03-03T10:40:00.001-05:00

The Canadian Press: Anderson Silva solidifies status as best pound-for-pound MMA fighter:

"COLUMBUS, Ohio — While other fighters nursed swollen faces or headed to hospital for X-rays, an unmarked Anderson Silva nibbled on chocolate and smiled at the UFC 82 post-fight news conference.
Another victory to savour. Another body in his wake.
The soft-spoken Brazilian middleweight choked out former Pride champion Dan Henderson to defend his UFC title Saturday night at UFC 82 and solidify his claim as best pound-for-pound fighter in mixed martial arts."

technorati tags: mma, mma news, ufc, ufc fighting

MMA sanctioning proposal set to move forward in Md. Senate

2008-02-27T09:31:00.001-05:00

MMA sanctioning proposal set to move forward in Md. Senate
By Childs Walker Sun Reporter

Efforts to get mixed martial arts sanctioned in Maryland appear on track after a senate committee showed no signs of opposition yesterday to a bill that would give the state athletic commission regulatory power over the sport.

The committee on education, health and environmental affairs likely will decide by Friday whether to forward the bill to a vote by the entire state senate, said sponsor Joan Carter Conway, a Baltimore Democrat.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/custom/mma/bal-sp.mmabill27feb27,0,1822639.story

technorati tags: mma, mma news, ufc, ufc fighting

All Things MMA: UFC Scorecard | Bleacher Report

2008-02-17T17:13:00.003-05:00

All Things MMA: UFC Scorecard Bleacher Report:

"Brock Lesnar vs. Frank Mir

Although short, this fight lived up to the hype. Questions about Lesnar’s legitimacy were answered and Mir proved he had heart and exhibited flawless jiu-jitsu.
Lesnar was overwhelming; his sheer strength will be unrivaled in all of MMA. He was able to instantly gain a takedown while making it look effortless. The ground-n-pound Lesnar administered was vicious and relentless. Even when striking, Lesnar landed good looking jabs and seemed sharper on his feet than Mir. One thing is certain, Lesnar is the real deal. As he continues to progress, I foresee him becoming a legitimate force in the division."

http://www.squidoo.com/mmaufc/

Mixed martial arts ’Mass.’ appeal growing - BostonHerald.com

2008-02-11T11:45:00.000-05:00

Mixed martial arts ’Mass.’ appeal growing - BostonHerald.com:

"Through the years, the Boston area has been a hotbed for top fighters. From Rocky Marciano to Marvelous Marvin Hagler, there is a long line of legendary boxers with Massachusetts roots. Boston is still producing great fighters, but with the popularity of boxing fading, that fertile training ground now belongs to mixed martial arts."

MMA notebook: Two big shows by Pro Elite this week - Other sports- msnbc.com

2008-01-25T15:20:00.000-05:00

MMA notebook: Two big shows by Pro Elite this week - Other sports- msnbc.com:

"By David A. Avila
MSNBC contributor
updated 9:03 p.m. ET, Thurs., Jan. 24, 2008
Pro Elite is flexing its newly found muscles with two mixed martial arts shows this week.
Last year the Beverly Hills-based organization gobbled up several mixed martial arts promotion companies both nationally and internationally and they’re eager to show them off in 2008.
First, newly acquired King of the Cage begins it’s first show of the year featuring Charles “Krazy Horse” Bennett in a rematch against Victor “The Boxer” Valenzuela at San Manuel Casino on Thursday Jan. 24. The next day it’s Pro Elite’s own EliteXC showcasing Philadelphia’s Eddie Alvarez against Ebanez of Hawaii in Atlantic City."

technorati tags:martial arts,karate ,tai chi ,judo ,muay thai ,kick boxing,aikido ,kung fu ,tai chi chuan ,ninjitsu ,shaolin kung fu,sambo,wing chun kung fu

Frank Shamrock and Ken Shamrock, brother vs. brother MMA mega-fight?

2008-01-15T10:51:00.000-05:00

Brother vs. brother MMA mega-fight?
By Dan Stupp

Monday, January 14, 2008

All it took was one cryptic Web site teasing what could be the most intriguing matchup in mixed martial arts history. All the speculation, analysis — and outcry — soon followed.

Last week, a new Web site popped up — bloodbrothersppv.com — with the distinct images of two MMA legends: Frank Shamrock and Ken Shamrock. The longtime MMA fighters and adoptive brothers were shown chin-to-chin, complete with menacing looks. Any fan of combat sports has seen the trademark pose used in event posters for as long as fighters have been punching either for sport.

full story:
http://www.daytondailynews.com/s/content/oh/story/sports/pro/2008/01/13/ddn011408inside.html

technorati tags:mixed martial arts ,mixed martial art ,mixed martial arts fights ,mixed martial arts fighting ,mixed martial arts news ,martial arts karate ,martial arts ,martial art ,japanese martial arts ,filipino martial arts ,shaolin martial arts ,chinese martial arts

baltimoresun.com - MMA Insider: Baltimore MMA update

2008-01-06T14:22:00.000-05:00

baltimoresun.com - MMA Insider: Baltimore MMA update:

"About a month ago, I mentioned that Baltimore had two representatives in the top 32 of the TUF 7 tryouts -- Lee Synkowski and Tenyeh Dixon. While Spike TV has been understandably mum about which fighters will actually be on the newest season featuring the middleweight division, all indications are that neither Synkowski nor Dixon will make their small-screen debut this spring. Still, both did very well in the initial tryouts and both are part of a growing contingent of Baltimore MMA fighters that is enjoying success."

Bloody Elbow :: UFC 79: Recap, Results and Reactions

2007-12-30T14:12:00.000-05:00

Bloody Elbow :: UFC 79: Recap, Results and Reactions:

"Overall Grade: B+/A-
This was an excellent event, though I hesitate to give the full A- rating due to some of the lackluster fights on the undercard as well as the ultra-unimpressive Palelei vs. Sanchez fight."

Inside Bay Area - New TV show to feature mixed martial arts founder

2007-12-17T16:29:00.000-05:00

Inside Bay Area - New TV show to feature mixed martial arts founder: "New TV show to feature mixed martial arts founder
Great Grandmaster Gaylord founded kajukenbo fighting style
By Martin Ricard, STAFF WRITER
Article Last Updated: 12/17/2007 02:35:38 AM PST

With televised cage matches and scores of professional fight leagues, mixed martial arts stands as one of the most popular and exciting sports to follow these days.
But what we see now probably wouldn't have been possible if it weren't for guys like Great Grandmaster Charles Gaylord, who brought mixed martial arts from Hawaii — where the art form was created — to the mainland and introduced it to the rest of the world.
Back in his day, though, when it was just about street fighting, there were no cameras, no corporate sponsorships, no cages. Just survival skills.
'In the street, there are no rules,' he said. 'But a poke in the eye, a chop in the throat, putting a guy out at one vital area, you can't do that (in the professional mixed martial arts world) because there are rules.'"

Fat City Fight Night II mixed martial arts coming to Germain on Nov. 3

2007-10-06T11:43:00.000-05:00

Fat City Fight Night II mixed martial arts coming to Germain on Nov. 3
By Special to the Daily News
Thursday, October 4, 2007

Harmful Intent Promotions, LLC, is hosting Fat City Fight II on Saturday, Nov. 3 at Germain Arena. This is the second Fat City Fight Night in Southwest Florida, following up the first event in July. A 10-bout fight card will feature some of Florida’s best Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) professional fighters.

MMA is currently one of the fastest growing sports in the nation. Sanctioned by the Florida Boxing Commission, only professional fighters are allowed to compete. Fat City Fights are dedicated to providing a first-class platform for highly trained dedicated fighters to showcase their skills and providing fans the best live sporting event in the area.
full story:
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2007/oct/04/fat_city_fight_night_ii_mixed_martial_arts_coming_/?sports

technorati tags:mixed martial arts ,mixed martial art ,mixed martial arts fights ,mixed martial arts fighting ,mixed martial arts news ,female mixed martial arts ,martial arts karate ,martial arts ,martial art ,japanese martial arts ,filipino martial arts ,shaolin martial arts

Mixed martial arts returns to Cayman

2007-10-06T11:41:00.001-05:00

Mixed martial arts returns to Cayman

America’s fastest growing contact sport must be mixed martial arts which is gaining ground on boxing with each pulsating televised show. Fighters from various combat disciplines such as judo, karate, jujutsu, muay Thai, wrestling and boxing get in an octagon and mix it for three all–action rounds. Shorter than boxing but often far more action because of the kicks, punches, locks and holds.

The Ultimate Fighting Championship is leading the way in championing MMA which is so compelling that the Hollywood A–listers seem for once to be happy not being the centre of attention.

Cayman fans of MMA get another chance to enjoy the super–fit athletes pitting their brawn, skills and courage against each other tomorrow.
full story:
http://www.caycompass.com/cgi-bin/CFPnews.cgi?ID=1025549

technorati tags:mixed martial arts ,mixed martial art ,mixed martial arts fights ,mixed martial arts fighting ,mixed martial arts news ,female mixed martial arts ,martial arts karate ,martial arts ,martial art ,japanese martial arts ,filipino martial arts ,shaolin martial arts

Can MySpace Save Boxing?

2007-08-16T15:38:00.000-05:00

Article about how MMA and the WWE are driving Boxing into extinction, and how MySpace might save it......
http://www.webpronews.com/topnews/2006/08/30/can-myspace-save-boxing

Muay Thai Training Techniques

2007-08-13T16:23:00.000-05:00

Muay Thai Training Techniques by Shin Chang

Muay Thai is a Thai mixed martial art form. It has many techniques of fighting. While using Muay Thai techniques, also known as "Mae Mai Muay Thai," fighters use the entire body including fists, elbows, shins, feet and knees.

The basic Muay Thai training techniques include punch techniques (jab, straight right/cross, hook and uppercut), elbow techniques (horizontal, diagonal-upwards, diagonal-downwards, uppercut, downward, backward-spinning and flying) and kicking techniques (push kick, roundhouse kick, etc.). The following are some special Muay Thai techniques:

The Clinch

This technique is exclusively used in Muay Thai fights. While combating the fighter applies this technique by holding his opponent either around the neck and head or around the body. It is known as Thai clinch.

To apply the clinch, the fighter has to hold his opponent either around the neck and head or around the body. The fighter also has to press his forearm against his opponent’s collar bone while his hands are around the latter’s head rather than his neck.

A common clinching technique used in Muay Thai fights is to just tap the head downward then give a throw. The fighter can also throw the opponent to his left in case the latter is using a knee from the right. It can cause the opponent to lose his balance.

The Kru

This is a tough technique. A new fighter takes a lot of training and hard work to learn this technique. The technique is provided by the fighter’s Krue or Thai boxing training. The trainer makes the fighter work hard and learn the technique. It is a tradition for the fighter to express his respect to his trainer through a ritual called Wai Kru.

There are some elements that are part of Muay Thai training techniques. These include:-

•Running – A trainee has to run 18 km running per day (around 12 km in the first half and around 6 km in the second half).

•Stretching – The trainee has also to do stretching for around 20-30 minutes. It improves muscular elasticity and reduces the stretch reflex.

•Shadow boxing – This training includes around 20 minutes of shadow boxing. Shadow boxing is usually practiced in front of a mirror.

Muay Thai training takes a lot of hard work. To become a good fighter young people have to go through a lot of physical and mental strain. It takes sheer dedication, commitment, and “never-say-die” attitude that a trainee transforms himself into a sound Muay Thai fighter.

Shin Chang writes about various Muay Thai
training and Muay Thai training techniques. His articles have been published in various sports magazines. He lives in New York. For information visit us at: http://www.muaythai.cc/

Article Source: ArticleRich.com

Mixed fighting gains appeal

2007-08-05T15:44:00.000-05:00

Mixed fighting gains appeal
Sports: Style trumps violence as reason to watch martial arts.
By Paul Clinton, Staff writer

At first, Nancy Cheever was repulsed by the tableau of two men beating each other up.

The fighters appeared to be street thugs engaged in a back alley-style rumble, she thought.

But the assistant professor of communications at Cal State Dominguez Hills soon made some discoveries about mixed martial arts, the combat sport that has exploded in popularity with young men.

As she learned more, Cheever found deeper layers of meaning. And after interviewing more than 3,500 fans - mostly men ages 18 to 34 - Cheever became fascinated with the television-driven sport and its increasing appeal.

"We wanted to find out their viewing habits, their motives for watching, whether they watch it with friends and what they talk about when they watch it," Cheever said. "Some of them said they enjoyed the violent aspects and the blood and all that stuff. But most of them watch it because they appreciated the skills of the fighters."

full article here:
http://www.presstelegram.com/news/ci_6547269

technorati tags:ufc, media, pride, japan, mixed martial arts, k-1, news, ifl, whaledog, boxing

Missing man well-known for martial arts skills

2007-08-04T14:18:00.000-05:00

Missing man well-known for martial arts skills
By ELIZA BARLOW, SUN MEDIA

A mixed martial artist with "extraordinary drive" vanished from northwest Edmonton seven weeks ago, baffling cops and fellow athletes.

Jessy Alain Lessard, 29, was last seen June 13 near 137 Avenue and 127 Street, city cops said yesterday.

"He just kind of fell off the face of the earth," said Mike Yackulic, owner of Arashi-Do Martial Arts, in an interview with Sun Media.

Lessard had been training at Arashi-Do for about eight months before he disappeared.

His bag was mixed martial arts King of the Cage fighting - and Yackulic said Lessard stuck out for his intense dedication to training.

"When he was in town he'd be training four to five hours a day. I would say he was an average fighter, but with extraordinary drive. The guy would just bust his ass."

Yackulic said Lessard worked in Rocky Mountain House, apparently on the oil rigs, so he was out of town a lot.

He had recently moved to another home within the city.

full story here:
http://www.edmontonsun.com/News/Edmonton/2007/08/04/4393321-sun.html

technorati tags:ufc, media, pride, japan, mixed martial arts, k-1, news, ifl, whaledog, boxing

UFC 75: Champion vs. Champion on Spike TV!

2007-07-16T16:25:00.000-05:00

UFC 75: Champion vs. Champion on Spike TV!

Reigning UFC(R) Champion Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson Takes On PRIDE Champion Dan Henderson in Historic Unification Bout in LondonUFC 75 Also Features Top Heavyweight Contenders Mirko 'Cro Cop' vs. Cheick Kongo and The Ultimate Fighter(R) 3 Alums Michael Bisping vs. Matt Hamill
July 16, 2007: 03:21 PM EST

NEW YORK, July 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Spike TV will telecast "UFC 75: Champion vs. Champion," its most star-studded fight card ever, including the network's first-ever UFC(R) title fight, a unification bout between UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Quinton "Rampage" Jackson and PRIDE's 205-pound Champion Dan "Hollywood" Henderson, on Saturday, September 8 at 9:00 PM ET/PT (same day tape) from The O2 Arena in London, England. UFC 75 also features a major heavyweight battle with international superstar Mirko "Cro Cop" when he takes on France's Cheick Kongo. As a special feature, England's own and "The Ultimate Fighter(R) 3" Light Heavyweight Champion Michael "The Count" Bisping takes on fellow "The Ultimate Fighter 3" cast member Matt "The Hammer" Hamill.

full story here:
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/prnewswire/NYM11516072007-1.htm

technorati tags:ufc, media, pride, japan, mixed martial arts, k-1, news, ifl, whaledog, boxing

UFC looking at Hawaii

2007-07-14T15:50:00.001-05:00

UFC looking at Hawaii
'Prodigy' says it's time to get a world title

Before the sudden rise in popularity of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Dana White made many trips to the islands to watch local mixed martial arts shows.

Now, the man behind the biggest mixed martial arts organization in the world is planning on holding a UFC event at Aloha Stadium some time next year.

"I'm working on that right now as a matter of fact," White said in an exclusive interview with the Star-Bulletin. "I've wanted to bring one there for a long time and now that we have acquired PRIDE, I think it's the perfect time to do that big stadium because it would pull a lot of Americans and a lot of Japanese fans."

full story here:
http://starbulletin.com/2007/07/14/sports/story01.html

technorati tags:ufc, media, pride, japan, mixed martial arts, k-1, news, ifl, whaledog, boxing

Some familar faces are ready for action at UFC

2007-07-04T00:09:00.001-05:00

Some familar faces are ready for action at UFC
Posted: Monday July 2, 2007 3:31PM; Updated: Monday July 2, 2007 3:47PM

For many years, there were two preeminent organizations in the world of mixed martial arts: The US-based Ultimate Fighting Championship and the Japan-based Pride Fighting Championships. That is no longer the case. Following a scandal over mob connections, Pride lost its lucrative Japanese television deal with Fuji TV in 2006. That put the promotion in financial peril, and earlier this year the UFC purchased Pride. With this development, many of Pride's elite fighters have dispersed to other organizations.

full story at:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/todd_martin/07/02/foreign.invasion/

technorati tags:ufc, media, pride, japan, mixed martial arts, k-1, news, ifl, whaledog, boxing

Unbeaten Fil-Am UFC grappler on the rise

2007-06-21T17:10:00.000-05:00

Unbeaten Fil-Am UFC grappler on the rise
SPORTING CHANCE By JOAQUIN M. HENSON

The Philippine Star

NEW JERSEY – Unbeaten Fil-Am UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) rising star Brandon (The Truth) Vera hasn’t seen action in the octagon lately because of a disagreement with manager Mark Dion but he’s going forward with a five-year plan to become both the heavyweight and lightheavyweight champion then retire in the Philippines.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=81860

technorati tags:ufc, media, pride, japan, mixed martial arts, k-1, news, ifl, whaledog, boxing

Griffin-Ramirez could be the ones to deliver fireworks at UFC 72 in Belfast

2007-06-13T16:27:00.000-05:00

Griffin-Ramirez could be the ones to deliver fireworks at UFC 72 in Belfast
By NEIL DAVIDSON
Wednesday, June 13, 2007

(CP) - Rich Franklin and Yushin Okami may be the main event of UFC 72 but Forrest Griffin and Hector (Sick Dog) Ramirez could be the ones bringing the fireworks to Belfast on Saturday.

Both light-heavyweights like to bang and are motivated coming off losses - Griffin to Keith (The Dean of Mean) Jardine and Ramirez to James (The Sandman) Irvine. The pressure Saturday is probably more on Griffin, who is the favourite and higher up the UFC food chain than Ramirez.

"If I lose this fight, my contract’s cancelled or something? I don’t know, boss," Griffin said. "Can’t really worry about it."

But the sudden TKO to Jardine has Griffin questioning his approach in the ring.

"Maybe I don’t have the chin I thought I did. And maybe I need to re-evaluate my game plan for this sort of thing."

full article at:
http://www.chroniclejournal.com/CP_stories.php?id=48988

technorati tags:ufc, media, pride, japan, mixed martial arts, k-1, news, ifl, whaledog, boxing

Canadian Sam Stout takes on Spencer Fisher in UFC rematch

2007-06-11T17:06:00.000-05:00

Canadian Sam Stout takes on Spencer Fisher in UFC rematch

(CP) - Canadian lightweight Sam (Hands of Stone) Stout entered the UFC with a bang in March 2006, with a rousing majority decision over Spencer (The King) Fisher at UFC 58.

On Tuesday, the two go at it again - this time as the main event of a televised Ultimate Fight Night card (Spike TV, 9 p.m. ET) at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla.

On the surface, the 23-year-old mixed martial arts fighter from London, Ont., has little to gain. He has already beaten Fisher, catching the veteran somewhat unprepared last time out.

Full article at:
http://www.canada.com/topics/sports/story.html?id=666c3088-c657-4d59-9a0a-1cf8ef2b5b21&k=8035

technorati tags:ufc, media, pride, japan, mixed martial arts, k-1, news, ifl, whaledog, boxing

PRIDE Superstar trains with UFC Champion

2007-06-09T17:37:00.000-05:00

PRIDE Superstar trains with UFC Champion
Posted by Caleb Newby on 06.09.2007

When Captain America met the Axe Murderer...

XTreme Couture has confirmed to 411mania that Wanderlei Silva worked out with Randy Couture in recent days at their Florida gym. Apparently this is a professional relationship that could continue, as Couture has expressed excitement at working with the former PRIDE Light Heavyweight Champion while he transitions back into American MMA. No word on if, or when, Silva will be travelling out to Las Vegas to continue his training.

Full article here:
http://www.411mania.com/MMA/news/55565/PRIDE-Superstar-trains-with-UFC-Champion.htm

technorati tags:ufc, media, pride, japan, mixed martial arts, k-1, news, ifl, whaledog, boxing

UFC a real low point in TV

2007-06-04T21:55:00.000-05:00

UFC a real low point in TV
Monday, June 04, 2007By Brian VanochtenThe Grand Rapids Press
Is UFC a sport or not a sport?

The so-called sport of ultimate fighting, which is little more than glorified street fighting, has become America's fastest-growing and most controversial form of televised entertainment. And the most repulsive form of television programming.

Here's what UFC fans have in common:

Read the full article here:
http://www.mlive.com/sports/grpress/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/1180961716147840.xml&coll=6

technorati tags:ufc, media, pride, japan, mixed martial arts, k-1, news, ifl, whaledog, boxing

Mixed martial arts (MMA), part 1

2007-05-25T20:05:00.000-05:00

Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a combat sport in which a wide variety of fighting techniques are used, including striking and grappling. The term "Mixed martial arts" also refers to a martial arts style; see Hybrid martial arts.

Modern mixed martial arts emerged in 1993 with the Ultimate Fighting Championships, based on the concept of pitting different fighting styles against each other in competition with minimal rules, in an attempt to determine which system would be more effective in a real, unregulated combat situation. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, MMA competitions implemented additional rules for the safety of the athletes and to promote acceptance of the sport, while maintaining as much of the original no-holds-barred concept as possible. Since these changes, MMA has grown rapidly, to the point of setting pay-per-view records.

The history of the modern sport can be traced to the Gracie family's vale tudo ("anything goes") martial arts tournaments in Brazil starting in the 1920s, and early mixed martial arts matches hosted by Antonio Inoki in Japan in the 1970s. MMA gained international exposure and widespread publicity in the US in 1993, when Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fighter Royce Gracie dominated the Ultimate Fighting Championship, sparking a revolution in the martial arts, while in Japan in 1997 the continued interest in the sport resulted in the creation of the PRIDE Fighting Championships.

Though rules have been adopted, there is no general sanctioning body for the sport, and the sets of rules vary according to the laws of individual organizations and localities. It was thought that Olympic recognition would be forthcoming for the 2004 Summer Olympics, held in Athens, under the banner of pankration. However, the International Olympic Committee was unconvinced that Greece could handle the total number of sports proposed. To placate the IOC, the organizers removed all new medal sports and pankration missed out.

The techniques utilized in MMA competition generally fall into two categories: striking techniques (such as kicks, knees and punches) and grappling techniques (such as clinch holds, pinning holds, submission holds, sweeps, takedowns and throws). Some unarmed hand to hand combat techniques are considered illegal in arguably all modern MMA competition, such as biting, eye-gouging, fish-hooking and small joint manipulation. Over the last ten years, strikes to the groin have become illegal in all sanctioned MMA organizations. The legality of other techniques such as elbows, headbutts and spinal locks vary according to competition or organization.

A victory in an MMA bout is normally gained by the judges' decision after an allotted amount of time has elapsed, a stoppage by the referee or the fight doctor (in the event that the competitor is injured or can no longer defend himself intelligently), a submission, by a competitor's cornerman throwing in the towel, or by knockout.

While MMA competition is occasionally depicted as brutal by the media, there has never been a death or crippling injury in a sanctioned MMA event in North America. The only verified fatality in MMA competition is the 1998 death of Douglas Dedge in a fight in Ukraine. There are unconfirmed reports that Dedge had a pre-existing medical condition prior to the fight.

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Boxing has lost its punch

2007-05-20T15:10:00.000-05:00

Boxing has lost its punch

By JOSE RODRIGUEZ

It would be overstating the matter to say boxing's dead.

On life-support? Maybe. In critical condition? Perhaps.

But not dead -- at least, not yet.

In the brawl for pugilistic supremacy, boxing delivers a once-every-three-years knockout while serving up a boring existence of no-names to fill the gaps in between.

At the moment, it's relishing one of its infrequent successes -- a record pay-per-view draw for its Oscar De La Hoya-Floyd Mayweather Jr. bout.

But, if recent history is any indication, the celebration will be short-lived.

As boxing stands poised to blow a tire on the train track, the locomotive of mixed-martial-arts, in particular the Ultimate Fighting Championship, shows no sign of slowing down.

There is no greater testament to that than the events that have transpired over the past few weeks.

Leading up to the De La Hoya fight, Mayweather said: "(The UFC) ain't nothing but a fad ... These are guys that couldn't do boxing."

UFC President Dana White took offence and offered Mayweather a scrap against UFC Lightweight Champ Sean Sherk.

http://winnipegsun.com/Sports/OtherSports/2007/05/20/4194486-sun.html

technorati tags:ufc, media, pride, japan, mixed martial arts, k-1, news, ifl, whaledog, boxing

UFC 71: Odds Moving in Quinton Jackson's Direction

2007-05-19T19:52:00.000-05:00

UFC 71: Odds Moving in Quinton Jackson's Direction

Although Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell is still a heavy favorite to beat Quinton "Rampage" Jackson at UFC 71 next weekend, a survey of Vegas sports books makes one thing clear: Most of the money has been bet on Jackson.

Although the odds aren't uniform across all the sports books, in all of them they've moved toward Jackson since the opening line made Liddell a -280 favorite. That doesn't mean bettors think Jackson will win, but it does mean Liddell isn't quite the overwhelming favorite that you might assume from his ESPN Magazine cover appearance and the rest of the media hype surrounding the fight.

http://www.aolsportsblog.com/2007/05/19/ufc-71-odds-moving-in-quinton-jacksons-direction/

UFC challenges Mayweather

It would be overstating the matter to say boxing’s dead. On life-support? Maybe. In critical condition? Perhaps. But not dead — at least, not yet.

In the brawl for pugilistic supremacy, boxing delivers a once-every-three-years knockout while serving up a boring clutch-and-grab existence of no-names to fill the gaps in between.

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Columnists/Rodriguez/2007/05/17/4189381-calsun.html

UFC LEGEND RANDY COUTURE BRINGS OPERATION XTREME SACRIFICE TO LAS VEGAS

Hosting this event is Randy Couture, who has become the face of the UFC. Couture began as a collegiate Greco-roman wrestler and quickly became the world�s most dominant professional mixed martial arts fighter. Randy is the current UFC heavyweight champion and the fourth fighter inducted into the UFC hall of fame. He is the only athlete to have held championship titles in both the heavyweight and light heavyweight divisions of the UFC and is the only five-time champion in the league�s history. His reputation and accomplishments have earned him the nicknames "The Natural" and "Captain America."

http://media-newswire.com/release_1049906.html

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Okami to face Franklin in UFC 72 Main Event

2007-05-12T21:06:00.000-05:00

Headline Posted by Joe Gentry on 02:41:02 AM May 12, 2007
The following comes from from UFC.com:

Okami to face Franklin in UFC 72 Main Event

By Thomas Gerbasi

After a knee injury forced Danish striker Martin Kampmann to withdraw from his UFC 71 main event bout against Rich Franklin earlier this week, Japanese standout Yushin Okami has agreed to replace ‘The Hitman’ on June 16th at The Odyssey in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

http://www.twnpnews.com/messages2/17161.shtml

technorati tags:ufc, media, pride, japan, mixed martial arts, k-1, news, ifl, whaledog, boxing

UFC: Light Heavyweight Title Too Cold for Rampage?

2007-05-03T18:11:00.000-05:00

UFC: Light Heavyweight Title Too Cold for Rampage?
Bardia Mehrabian

The overdose of April MMA has come to a close giving way back to the normal “once-a-month” schedule of UFC fighting. However, the May 23rd card isn’t anything short of epic. It cab be considered a continuation of a chapter that was written three years ago; Liddell and Jackson once again have a date with destiny. Other than a now defunct clash between CroCop and Couture, Liddell and Jackson is 2007’s most highly anticipated match-up. Yet, there seems to be something missing. Something lacking.

http://www.buddytv.com/articles/ufc/ufc-light-heavyweight-title-to-6188.aspx

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UFC: UFC 70 A MASSIVE RATINGS SUCCESS FOR SPIKE TV

2007-04-24T12:36:00.000-05:00

UFC: UFC 70 A MASSIVE RATINGS SUCCESS FOR SPIKE TV
by Phil Lowe
http://www.wrestlemag.com/news/index.php?p=5393
24 April 2007, 1:17 pm
Spike TV this afternoon issued the following press release touting the ratings success of last Saturday night’s UFC 70 show, which has come in with some extremely impressive numbers.

UFC 70: NATIONS COLLIDE SPARKS HUGE RATINGS FOR SPIKE TV

More Men 18-34 Watch UFC 70 Than NASCAR on FOX, NBA Playoffs On ESPN, and MLB Rivalries Yankees vs Red Sox and Cubs vs Cardinals on FOX

New York, NY April 24, 2007 - Highlighted by Gabriel Gonzaga’s stunning upset of Mirko Cro Cop in the night’s main event, UFC70: NATIONS COLLIDE, the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s first foray into Europe since 2002, garnered tremendous ratings with fans back in the United States on Spike TV. The three hour fight card on Saturday, April 21 (9:00 PM - Midnight, ET/PT) from the M.E.N. arena in Manchester, England drew an average of 2.8 million viewers. The telecast peaked with a 4.36 rating in M 18-34 and a 2.24 household for an average of 3.5 million viewers during the 11:45 PM - Midnight quarter hour. It was the 2nd most watched UFC fight card in history, after the 3rd bout between Ken Shamrock and Tito Ortiz on Spike TV last October. The historic event drew more Men 18-34 than the NASCAR Subway Fresh 500 on FOX head to head in primetime, as well as first round coverage of the NBA playoffs on ESPN, and Saturday afternoon baseball on FOX featuring marquee matchups between perennial rivals the Yankees and Red Sox and the Cardinals and Cubs. The fight card featured Gonzaga’s victory over Cro Cop, as well wins by UFC heavyweights Andrei Arlovski and Chieck Kongo, and, in light heavyweight competition, Liverpool native Michael Bisping.

Overall, the fight card drew a 1.84 household rating (1.7 million homes), a 2.59 in M18-49 (1.4 million), and a 3.23 in M18-34 (885, 000).

Full story at:
http://www.wrestlemag.com/news/index.php?p=5393

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UFC 70 Preview for Spike TV

2007-04-16T15:21:00.000-05:00

UFC 70 Preview for Spike TV

The UFC's first major event since last month's shocking UFC Welterweight title change is this coming Saturday, April 21st. It takes place in Manchester, England and for the first time ever will be broadcasted in the United States and Canada for free on cable on Spike TV. It will air on a slight delay for North Americans at 9 P.M. eastern. For Europe, the show will be on regular pay-per-view. This event will feature some of the biggest names in mixed martial arts (MMA) and will have far reaching effects for the summer.

The main event is a heavyweight fight pitting one of the best fighters in the world, Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic (22-4-2 MMA) against Gabriel Gonzaga (7-1 MMA). The winner of this fight is poised to challenge UFC Heavyweight Champion Randy Couture for the championship in late August. The heavy favorite is Cro Cop who is as dominant a fighter you'll find in the sport. However, after all the recent upsets (Couture over Tim Sylvia and Matt Serra over Georges St. Pierre), you can't discount Gonzaga's chances. Cro Cop will look to keep the fight standing and using his highlight-reel kicks and fists to score a knockout ASAP. Gonzaga is a black belt Brazilian jiu jitsu artist whose chances of winning increase dramatically if he can keep the fight on the ground. Cro Cop's takedown defense should be the key to the fight.

In other heavyweight action, former heavyweight champion Andrei "The Pitbull" Arlovski (12-5 MMA) will take on Fabricio "Vai Cavalo" Werdum (9-2-1 MMA). Arlovski is still looking to get a shot at the title he lost last year. He's an amazing striker who can end the fight at any time, but he also has some decent ground skills. Werdum is a black belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu so much like the main event, he will look to keep the fight on the ground. Arlovski is the favorite while Werdum is making his UFC debut.

In a light heavyweight contest, England-native Michael "The Count" Bisping (13-0 MMA) will battle veteran Elvis "The King of Rock n Rumble" Sinosic (8-9-2 MMA). To some this probably seems like a fight booked to protect Bisping. Sinosic has been in the UFC on and off since 2001 and he hasn't won a fight in the promotion since then. In fact, he's 1-5 in the UFC and if he adds another loss, this could be his last fight in the top promotion. Sinosic is a 36 year-old veteran who loves to work towards a submission. On the other hand, Bisping loves to work on his feet using strikes and the occasional high leg kick. Being the hometown guy, Bisping should get a hero's welcome at the M.E.N. Arena.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/216379/ufc_70_preview_for_spike_tv.html

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Serra on rise in UFC after stunning St. Pierre

2007-04-12T15:05:00.000-05:00

MIXED MARTIAL ARTS NOTEBOOK
By David Avila
MSNBC contributor
Updated: 1 hour, 50 minutes ago
A couple of New Yorkers named Matt “The Terror” Serra and Josh Koscheck walked into a Texas arena and emerged with a bucket full of respect and awe after their respective victories.

Serra captured the UFC welterweight title with a first-round dismantling of Canada’s Georges St. Pierre, while fellow New Yorker Josh Koscheck put the first loss on Diego Sanchez’s resume at UFC 69.

“It was beautiful, bro’,” said Serra while driving from one of his fight academies Tuesday night. “I’m happy to be where I’m at.”

Where he’s at is the new champion of the UFC and in the middle of the welterweight cauldron after the merger with Pride FC and its coterie of outstanding welterweight fighters.

A number of potential fights loom, but the arrow seems to point toward former champion Matt Hughes who was viciously dethroned by St. Pierre. Now the circle is complete, and Serra seems destined to defend against the Illinois strongman.

But the victory over St. Pierre proved not only can Serra master the wrappings of ground warfare, but also he can let the fists fly.

Before a single punch was exchanged in the octagon on April 7, Serra and his support group exchanged ideas and tactics in his New York City gym, where his strength coach and trainer grappled with ideas.

“My trainer, Ray Longo, and I tried everything out in sparring,” said Serra, 32, who captured the Ultimate Fighter 4 reality television title last Nov. 11, 2006. “I knew Georges was going to be a tough guy to get down. He’s too good a wrestler.”

Step one for Serra was to attack from the top with punches, though his modus operandi was reared in wrestling and jujitsu. But what to do about St. Pierre’s lethal kicking power that led to the eventual knockout over Hughes last year?

“We trained 80 rounds for this fight practicing defending leg kicks,” Serra said. “I knew going in I had to rely on my standup.”

Fighting against a champion with a four-inch height advantage, Serra immediately found himself protecting against the lightning leg strikes of St. Pierre. Slowly he began to time the incoming blows and began firing body punches. At first the punches seemed to be mere reflex, but St. Pierre began lowering his guard in response. That was the moment Serra fired a punch at the chest, then a right hand behind the Canadian’s left ear. Immediately his equilibrium was affected.

It was evident that St. Pierre was dazed and Serra began picking his spots with left hooks. A right hand-left hook sent St. Pierre to the ground, and Serra pounced on him and poured a flurry of blows that left his opponent defenseless.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18075615/

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LIer Serra grabs title, stuns UFC

2007-04-09T12:04:00.000-05:00

LIer Serra grabs title, stuns UFC
BY JOE FERNANDEZ
joe.fernandez@newsday.com
April 9, 2007

He walked out to the Octagon with a remix of the old "Rocky" theme song playing in the arena. In the end, Matt Serra couldn't have scripted it any better.

Serra, 32, of East Meadow scored a stunning first-round TKO to win the Ultimate Fighting Championship's welterweight title. Serra knocked out former champ Georges St. Pierre at UFC 69 Saturday night at Toyota Center in Houston to win the belt.

Serra, who owns two Brazilian jiu-jitsu academies on Long Island, earned his title shot after winning the fourth season of SpikeTV's reality show "The Ultimate Fighter: The Comeback."

"It feels great to bring the title to Long Island," Serra said by phone last night. "A lot of people doubted me."

Not many gave Serra a chance against St. Pierre, who recorded a vicious knockout of Matt Hughes in November to win the belt. Many consider Hughes to be the greatest welterweight in UFC history.

Serra's strength is his grappling. He is the first American to earn a black belt under Brazilian jiu-jitsu legend Renzo Gracie.

The 5-6 Serra stood in the center of the Octagon and decided to go toe to toe with the 5-10 St. Pierre. He avoided the Canadian's high kicks and sharp jabs. Midway through the first round, Serra landed a flurry of punches that stunned St. Pierre, and Serra swooped in to finish him off.

"When I hurt him, I pounced on him," Serra said. "I think it was a different fight than he expected. I sparred with a lot of guys for this fight. I did at least 80 rounds of sparring."

Serra earned his title shot after getting a split decision over Chris Lytle in the reality show's season finale in November. The show was labeled "The Comeback" because each one of the fighters had at least one prior fight in the UFC.

"I couldn't be prouder of the guy," Serra's striking coach Ray Longo said in the Octagon after the fight. "All I wanted him to do was believe in himself and fight the way he spars. He fought better than he spars. He has the heart, he has the desire and that's why he's the champion."

Two of Serra's top students were on Saturday night's undercard. Bay Shore native Pete Sell lost by unanimous decision to Brazilian Thales Leites. New Hyde Park's Luke Cummo overwhelmed Josh Haynes before the referee stopped the fight in the second round.

Serra has been overcome by the reception he is receiving from fans and friends. "My [cell phone) mailbox is full," Serra said. "I have to delete messages to get new ones. I'm trying to call everyone back."

http://www.newsday.com/sports/ny-spufc095164372apr09,0,5714112.story?coll=ny-sports-headlines

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UFC 69: Serra versus St. Pierre

2007-04-07T13:27:00.000-05:00

UFC 69: Serra versus St. Pierre
Sat, Apr 7, 2007By Jason Logan

If Matt Serra is going to knock off reigning UFC Welterweight champ George St. Pierre at UFC 69 Showdown, he’s going to have to get down and dirty.

Serra’s submission and mat wrestling skills are his only chance, according to oddsmakers who set the TUF 4 winner as a +500 underdog for tonight’s fight.

The man known as “The Terror” (15-4-0) is one of the best ground fighters in the mixed martial arts world, but his struggles against upright strikers like St. Pierre are prompting books to open with the champ (13-1-0) set as a -600 favorite for his first title defense.

Ultimate Fighting bettors are siding with St. Pierre, forcing bookies to adjust the favorite's price to -800 on Saturday morning. The 25-year-old from Montreal, Quebec shocked MMA analysts in November when he knocked out then-Welterweight champion Matt Hughes for his fifth straight win. His length and explosiveness could exploit Serra’s vulnerability to stand-up fighters, which was evident in losses to B.J. Penn, Din Thomas and Shonie Carter, but Serra is prepared to prove the books wrong.

"Everybody's said the same thing about me my whole career," Serra told the Canadian Press. "If I don't get it down (to the ground), I'm getting knocked out … When was the last time I got knocked out or even hurt really, standing? The only time I got stopped was Shonie Carter and that was in 2001 and that's out of my entire career. You see me take beatings and keep on going.”

To be effective in tonight’s main event, Serra has to get the 5-foot-10 St. Pierre on his back quickly and keep him there. Despite giving up four inches and likely some weight coming into tonight’s event (both men weighed in at 169.5 pounds but St. Pierre is known to bulk up in water weight), Serra, who is a black belt in jiu-jitsu, must use his ground attack to expose perhaps the only flaw in St. Pierre’s game.

As well, Serra might have the inside track on any chinks in the champion's armor since both fighters train with Brazilian jiu-jitsu trainer Renzo Gracie in New York City. St. Pierre, who is seven years younger than Serra, didn't train with Gracie for this fight because of his opponents’ seniority and history with the Gracie program.

http://www.covers.com/articles/articles.aspx?theArt=135370&t=0

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UFC Fight Night 9 from Las Vegas on Spike TV

2007-04-05T17:30:00.000-05:00

UFC Fight Night 9 from Las Vegas on Spike TV

Tonight on Spike TV, the Ultimate Fighting Championship will hold it's 9th edition of UFC Fight Night. The live two-hour fighting event will be on cable TV for two hours, leading into the debut of the Ultimate Fighter 5 season. The card for UFN9 is interesting and should prove to be some good fights.

There are only three scheduled matches as of now to air on television but barring time constraints, more will air. The main event is a lightweight bout (both competitors weighed in at 155 pounds even) between former competitors on the Ultimate Fighter. Joe Stevenson is 3-1 in the UFC and will take on Melvin Guillard, also 3-1 in the UFC. The two have been tossing words back and forth through various mediums in recent weeks. This should be the best fight on the show as both guys are explosive in their territories. Stevenson is a great ground fighter while Guillard is a powerful striker capable of getting a knockout with one punch quickly. Look for both guys to try and keep the fight the way they want it, Stevenson on the ground and Guillard standing.

The second bout is a heavyweight fight between Justin McCully and Antoni Hardonk. McCully is making his UFC debut tonight while Hardonk is 1-0 in the UFC. McCully is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu but is an underdog in this fight. Hardonk is a striker who likes to use his feet. So it would seem if McCully were going to win, he'll try to win via submission. Hardonk on the other hand will try to knock his opponent out either with hand strikes or with his feet.

The last scheduled television fight is a lightweight contest between Kenny Florian and Dokonjonosuke Mishima. Florian was a fighter on the original season of The Ultimate Fighter reality show and has since had decent success in the UFC, with a 3-2 record. Mishima is 0-1 in the UFC after losing to Joe Stevenson at UFC 65 last year. Mishima isn't known for his knock out ability and will likely have to get the fight on the ground if he has a shot at winning. Florian is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and has some history with using strikes to his advantage. Most notably in his UFC career, he elbowed Sean Sherk and opened a cut on his face but ended up losing the fight on a UFC pay-per-view last year. Mishima is a veteran of the sport, in his mid-30s so don't count him out at any point.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/204626/ufc_fight_night_9_from_las_vegas_on.html

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Exclusive Interview: UFC Fighter Marcus Davis, "The Irish Hand Grenade"

2007-04-04T16:18:00.000-05:00

Exclusive Interview: UFC Fighter Marcus Davis, "The Irish Hand Grenade"

Marcus Davis, dubbed "The Irish Hand Grenade", has a big upcoming fight versus Pete Spratt (a The Ultimate Fighter alumnus). The two will face-off this Saturday, April 7, at UFC 69: Unleashed. Marcus Davis has had a long career, fighting in all sorts of venues (boxing, K-1, kickboxing, MMA), and will take that veteran presence into his fight against Spratt. Marcus recently took the time to stop by and talk with us at BuddyTV about his career and his upcoming fight.

Below you will find a partial transcript of the interview. For the full interview, listen to the full MP3 audio, which you can also find below.

http://www.buddytv.com/articles/ufc/exclusive-interview-ufc-fighte-5577.aspx

Rumor: UFC Title on the Way?
by Matt Gibbs

Could we be seeing a UFC video game on next generation consoles? It certainly looks to be on the cards at least thanks to a now deleted forum post by UFC president Dana White.

M&C report that a member of the MMA.tv forums posted the following question directed at White:

"Fire the previous game developers who seem to think making the same game 4 times with just a few fighters added is improving on the game and bring in someone like THQ, EA or (dare I say it?) RockStar and make a next gen UFC game that includes a deep create-a-fighter (like in the PrideFC game), a TUF Career mode which includes special challenges and guest coaches that will help develop certain attributes and a more complex interface that allows the player to grapple and strike."

http://www.planetxbox360.com/index.php/articledetails/show/1665

UFC 69 - THE SHOOTOUT
By BetUS Staff

Saturday, the warriors of the Octagon enter the cage for another stellar night of bone crushing betting action in UFC 69 - THE SHOOTOUT. If you haven't checked out the sport that's sweeping the world off its feet, now's the time.

The great card includes a main event featuring Georges ''Rush'' St-Pierre, or GSP, vs. Matt ''The Terror'' Serra. A native of Montreal, St-Pierre brings a record of 13-1-1 into the fight. GSP's only defeat came at the hands of former champion Matt Hughes. St-Pierre utilizes great take downs, strength, and ground-n-pound techniques to beat his opponents.

Serra owns a solid record of his own, at 15-4-0. Serra is a scrappy New Yorker, who is not only a world-renowned ground fighter, but someone who is not afraid to trade blows, something he’s done with some of the best in the world over the years.

http://www.betus.com/sports-betting/UFC_69_THE_SHOOTOUT-4715.aspx

2007 UFC 69 Shootout set for April 7

2007-04-01T12:02:00.000-05:00

2007 UFC 69 Shootout is set to take place in Houston, Texas on April 7, 2007. The UFC has announced a full card for the event, which consists of four televised bouts, as well as five other bouts that will be televised if time permits.

The main event features the highly anticipated return of French-Canadian Welterweight Champion Georges St-Pierre (13-1). In his first title defence since destroying UFC legend Matt Hughes, St-Pierre is being challenged by Matt "The Terror" Serra (15-4). Serra was the Season 4 winner of the "Ultimate Fighter" television reality show and hopes to upset the new champion, which would surprise most people, based on the public opinion polls which have St-Pierre a 90% favourite.

The undercard has another top-ranked welterweight by the name of Diego "The Nightmare) Sanchez (19-0), who takes his undefeated record in the Octagon against powerhouse Josh Koscheck (10-1). This will be Sanchez's toughest fight to date and promises to be a fast-paced hard-hitting affair. Sanchez is coming off an impressive win over Joe Riggs last December, but we'll all see how he handles things against a powerful submission specialist in Koscheck.

There is also a featured lightweight bout on the card between Roger "El Matador" Huerta (18-1) and Leonard "Bad Boy" Garcia (13-1-0). Both fighters have impressive MMA records and Huerta is 2-0 in the Octagon. Expect a fast-paced fight that will most likely go to the ground. Garcia will be motivated to win his first UFC fight, but I expect Huerta to eventually outclass Garcia and win late in the fight or by a decision.

The final featured bout has local Texan Mike "Quick" Swick (10-1-0) fighting Yushin Okami (20-3-0) of Japan. Both fighters are coming off of multiple UFC wins; Okami the winner of three and Swick the winner of five straight. Okami will look to take the fight to the ground, and work the ground and pound, but he may have difficulty against the aggressive well-rounded fighter that is Mike "Quick" Swick.

Full article here: 2007 UFC 69 Shootout

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MMA Star Pleads Not Guilty

2007-03-29T15:44:00.000-05:00

PWInsider - XTRA - [New Site] - Pro Wrestling News Inside & Out:

"Eleven people denied playing any part in Britain’s biggest ever robbery in which £53 million cash was stolen from the Securitas depot Tonbridge, Kent, on February 22 last year when they appeared in court at the Old Bailey earlier today.
The gang, which include MMA star Lee Murray, are alleged to have masterminded or taken part in the raid at the depot, during which the depot manager’s family were held at gun point as the gang made off with around £53m after tying up employees.
Murray, who made an apperance at UFC 46 in January 2004 (defeating Jorge Rivera), was arrested in Morocco last June and is currently on remand in custody, pending extradition proceedings.
All the defendants are due to appear again at the Old Bailey on April 20 for a case management hearing. "

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UFC; Chuck Liddell vs Quinton Jackson Update

2007-03-27T13:46:00.000-05:00

UFC; Chuck Liddell vs Quinton Jackson Update
By Media Report (March 27, 2007) Doghouse Boxing

Las Vegas, NV – Over the last four years Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell has been unstoppable. He has dominated his last seven fights and gained legendary status in the Octagon™ as the UFC® World Light Heavyweight Champion. In what will be the mega-fight of the summer, Liddell will meet Quinton “Rampage” Jackson for the second time in an attempt to avenge his loss to the last man who defeated him. Liddell will face his greatest challenge to date when The Ultimate Fighting Championship® organization presents UFC 71: LIDDELL vs. JACKSON live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena Saturday, May 26.

“I'm excited to make this long awaited rematch a reality for UFC fans,” said UFC President Dana White. “Chuck has been on a mission to avenge all of his losses. He avenged Randy Couture, then Jeremy Horn and now standing in the way is Quinton “Rampage” Jackson. Rampage is extremely excited to finally be in the UFC, and is very confident that his second fight in the UFC will earn him the light heavyweight championship. This is without a doubt the blockbuster fight of the summer.”

Tickets for UFC 71: LIDDELL vs. JACKSON (not including applicable services or taxes) are priced at $750, $500, $300, $200, $100 and $50 and go on sale Friday, March 30 at 10 a.m. Tickets are available at the MGM Grand Garden Arena box office, all Ticketmaster locations, and by telephone at 800-929-1111 or 702-891-7777 (Smith’s Food and Drug Centers, Macy’s stores and Ritmo Latino). To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (702) 474-4000. Tickets also are available for purchase at www.ufc.com, www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.
http://www.doghouseboxing.com/chee/cheeUFC_032607.htm

technorati tags: ufc ,muay thai ,boxing kick ,pride fighting ,jiu jitsu ,mma,mixed martial arts ,brazilian jiu jitsu ,grappling ,ufc fighting ,fight ufc ,nhb

ufc

UFC Owners Purchase PRIDE FC - Associated Content

2007-03-26T11:41:00.000-05:00

Japan Media: UFC Owners Purchase PRIDE FC - Associated Content:

"The long-standing rumors took one more step to being confirmed. According to MMAWeekly.com, the Japanese media is beginning to report that the Fertitta brothers (UFC majority owners) have purchased Pride. The Tokyo newspaper, SportsHoci in particular is the first to report the story. Pride has had a press conference scheduled for Tuesday in Japan, according to reports to announce the new ownership group. UFC minority owner/promoter Dana White is believed to be attending the press conference although we won't know until tomorrow.

The current operating company for Pride, Dream Stage Entertainment will hold one last show under their regime. It will take place on April 8th. However, according to Japanese reports, Pride won't be disintegrated. The current plan is for UFC and their new purchase, Pride to co-exist. Pride will still hold regular shows in Japan and the occasional show in the United States. However the joint ownership between the two would lead towards one mega event during the year, similar to the Super Bowl or other such championship sporting events. Pride fighters against UFC fighters on one (obviously very much anticipated) show would likely do record numbers on pay per view and live attendance figures."

technorati tags: ufc, pride, media, mixed martial arts, mma, tv, boxing, whaledog, news, tito ortiz

UFC: Márcio Cruz

2007-03-24T15:09:00.000-05:00

Nickname Pe-de-Pano
Height 6'4"
Weight 232 lb (105 kg)
Nationality Brazilian
Born April 24, 1978
Fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Town of birth Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Fighting style Brazilian jiu-jitsu

Márcio Ribeirio Da Cruz (born April 24, 1978) is a Brazilian mixed martial arts fighter and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner trained by Marco Ruas. He has fought in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, defeating former champion Frank Mir by TKO at UFC 57. He also holds a win over Keigo Kunihara at UFC 55, and a controversial split decision loss to Jeff Monson at UFC 59. He lost to Andrei Arlovski at UFC 66 in December of 2006 by first round knockout.

technorati tags: ufc, pride, media, mixed martial arts, mma, tv, boxing, whaledog, news, tito ortiz

"MMA: UFC FIGHTER MIKE SWICK CAST IN 'NEVER SUBMIT' MMA FEATURE FILM

2007-03-21T13:35:00.000-05:00

PWInsider - XTRA - [New Site] - Pro Wrestling News Inside & Out:

"MMA: UFC FIGHTER MIKE SWICK CAST IN 'NEVER SUBMIT' MMA FEATURE FILM
by Mike Johnson @ 1:51:00 PM on 3/21/2007

Imperia Entertainment Casts UFC Fighter Mike Swick in Mixed Martial Arts Movie 'Never Submit'

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., March 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Imperia Entertainment, Inc. (Pink Sheets: IPEI) announced today that it has cast UFC fighter Mike 'Quick' Swick in a fighter role in the Mixed Martial Arts feature film, 'Never Submit'. 'We are thrilled to have Mike join our cast of legendary fighters, who will be joined by seasoned actors in this first feature film surrounding the sport of mixed martial arts,' said Kenneth Eade, Executive Producer. Imperia's casting director, Rosemary Welden, is currently in the process of making offers to name actors for anchor roles in the film. "

technorati tags: ufc,pride, media, mixed martial arts, mma, tv, boxing, whaledog, news, tito ortiz

Liddell-Rampage II Update, Another Big UFC Title Fight

2007-03-20T15:12:00.000-05:00

ProWrestling.com - Your Ultimate Wrestling Source!:

"Liddell-Rampage II Update, Another Big UFC Title Fight
Date Added: March 20, 2007
Story By: Matthew Boone
The following is an article from www.MMANEWS.com:

UFC.com Confirms Liddell-Rampage II For May 26th PPV

It's been rumored for a while now and recently seemed like a sure thing when additional reports surfaced from Sherdog and PPV distributor websites.

Well now you can officially pencil in the most anticipated rematch in quite a while, as Light Heavyweight champion 'The Iceman' Chuck Liddell will be defending his belt against the only man left to beat him that he hasn't beaten-back in a rematch - Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson.

UFC.com confirmed today the rematch for UFC 71, which is being appropriately dubbed 'Liddell vs. Jackson.' Fans who missed their classic first bout in PRIDE, which saw Rampage hand Liddell his (to this day) only unavenged loss by knockout, watch the full video at http://forums.mmanews.com"

ufc

Pro wrestling and MMA news - WWE, TNA, UFC, Ring of Honor and more - WrestleMag.com

2007-03-17T14:32:00.000-05:00

Pro wrestling and MMA news - WWE, TNA, UFC, Ring of Honor and more - WrestleMag.com:

"UFC: HEATH TO REPLACE GRIFFIN AT UFC 70
by Phil Lowe
15 March 2007, 6:34 pm
David Heath has been announced as Forrest Griffin’s replacement to face Lyoto Machida at UFC 70 in Manchester on April 21 after Forrest Griffin was forced to withdraw yesterday due to a severe staph infection.
The decision to give the nod to Heath - who is unbeaten in UFC thus far - was made after UFC officials were unable to give the place to either Keith Jardine or Jason Lambert as they recover from injury.
In other UFC 70 news, it has today been confirmed that several British fighters will be part of the Manchester event. Paul Taylor, David Lee (who was last seen at UFC 63), Terry Etim and Jess Liaudin have all been confirmed to have spots on the undercard."

ufc

MMA: UFC SEEKING COMPETITORS

2007-03-16T12:01:00.000-05:00

PWInsider - XTRA - [New Site] - Pro Wrestling News Inside & Out:

"MMA: UFC SEEKING COMPETITORS FOR SIXTH SEASON OF ULTIMATE FIGHTER REALITY SERIES
by Mike Johnson @ 12:13:00 PM on 3/16/2007

The Ultimate Fighting Championship announced the following this morning:
UFC's The Ultimate Fighter® season 6 fighter tryouts will be held at the Palms Hotel and Casino, Tuesday, April 10th beginning at 8am PT.
If you'd like to compete for a spot on the next season, fill out the application and send it to the address on the application. It must be postmarked no later than April 7th."

UFC Heavyweight Champion: Randy Couture, part 2

2007-03-14T17:49:00.000-05:00

After two consecutive losses in the heavyweight division to larger opponents (Ricco Rodriguez and a title loss to Josh Barnett) Couture moved down a weight class to fight at 205 lbs in the UFC's light-heavyweight division. In his light-heavyweight debut, Couture took on long-time number one contender Chuck Liddell for the Interim Light-Heavyweight Championship. Couture won by TKO in the third round, and became the only UFC competitor to win championship titles in two weight classes. His next match was billed as a "Champion vs. Champion" fight in order to settle who was the rightful, undisputed champion of the division; Couture faced the five-time defending champion Tito Ortiz for the Undisputed Light-Heavyweight title. He scored a unanimous decision and became the undisputed UFC Light Heavyweight Champion at age 40.

On April 16, 2005, Couture lost his title and suffered the first knockout loss of his career in a rematch with Chuck Liddell. Couture came back in August with a win over Mike van Arsdale to reestablish himself as a top contender. He faced Liddell again for the third and final time in a championship match on February 4, 2006 at UFC 57; he did not succeed, and lost due to knockout. Immediately after the match, he announced his retirement from the sport.

On June 24, 2006, during the Ultimate Fighter 3 Finale broadcast on Spike TV, Couture became the fourth fighter to be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame, joining Royce Gracie, Dan Severn, and Ken Shamrock.

Couture, after retiring from the professional fighting circuit, began embarking on a variety of activities, including appearing at UFC events as a regular broadcast commentator and as co-host of Before/After The Bell on The Fight Network. He will also appear in the upcoming Rob Schneider comedy Big Stan, along with fellow mixed martial artists Don Frye and Bob Sapp. Couture would still compete athletically; on November 17, 2006, he faced Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu champion Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza in a submission wrestling match. The bout ended in a draw.

On January 11, 2007, Couture appeared for an interview on the Spike TV magazine show, Inside the UFC to announce his return from retirement. In a conversation with Joe Rogan, Couture confirmed that he would be facing Tim Sylvia for the UFC Heavyweight Championship title on March 3, 2007 and revealed that he had signed a four-fight, two-year deal with the company. He will be 45 years old when the contract expires.

Randy was featured on Spike TV's reality show "Pros vs. Joes" Season 2, which premiered on January 25, 2007. His teammates on the episode were Michael Irvin, Kevin Willis, and Jose Canseco.

On March 3, 2007, at UFC 68, Couture defeated then-champion Tim Sylvia by unanimous decision to claim his third UFC Heavyweight Title, at the age of 43. Couture landed a heavy punch in the opening seconds of the bout which sent the 6'8" Sylvia to the mat. Couture went on to control the pace of the fight for the remainder of the 5 round championship bout, both out-grappling and out-striking his younger, larger opponent. Couture's dominating performance earned him a 50-45 on all of the judges scorecards, making him the first five-time champion in UFC history. He is also one of very few athletes to win a championship after a becoming Hall of Fame member.

UFC President Dana White has stated that Couture's next fight may be against Mirko Cro Cop in the summer of 2007, with the stipulation that Cro Cop is not defeated by Gabriel Gonzaga at UFC 70.

UFC Heavyweight Champion: Randy Couture, part 1

2007-03-14T17:46:00.000-05:00

Nickname The Natural,,Captain America
Height 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight 220 lb (100 kg)
Nationality American
Born June 22, 1963
Town of birth Lynnwood, Washington
Fighting style Greco-Roman Wrestling

Randy Duane Couture (born June 22, 1963, Lynnwood, Washington, U.S.) is a Greco-Roman wrestler and professional mixed martial arts fighter. He is the current UFC Heavyweight Champion and a member of the UFC Hall of Fame. He is the only athlete to have held championship titles in both the heavyweight and light heavyweight divisions of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, as well as the only five-time champion in UFC history, earning him the nicknames "The Natural" and, later, "Captain America". He, along with Robert Follis, once headed Team Quest, a camp of fighters based out of Gresham, Oregon. In 2005, Couture moved to Las Vegas, where he currently resides.

Couture lived in Corvallis, Oregon throughout most of his professional career. He also served as an assistant wrestling coach and strength and conditioning coach for Oregon State University. Couture's preferred method of offense in mixed martial arts competition is what is commonly referred to as 'Ground and Pound', in which a fighter uses his wrestling ability by taking his opponent down to the mat, establishing top position, and successively striking the opponent. In addition to his wrestling background, Couture has displayed a variety of skills in both boxing and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and has submitted two opponents using different chokeholds.

Before entering the UFC, Randy Couture served in the U.S. Army from 1982–1988. Upon discharge, he was a three-time Olympic team alternate (1988, 1992 and 1996); a semifinalist at the 2000 Olympic Trials; a three-time National Collegiate Athletic Association D-I All-American; and a two-time NCAA finalist.[1]

Randy Couture debuted in the UFC on May 30, 1997 as part of UFC 13: The Ultimate Force. At the time, the event consisted of two four-man tournaments: one in the lightweight (under 200 lb) division and one in the heavyweight (200 lb and over) division. Couture fought in the heavyweight tournament, defeating Tony Halme and Steven Graham to win it. His next match was an elimination bout for the heavyweight title against the young Brazilian "Phenom", Vitor Belfort. Randy scored a TKO victory.

Couture won his first Heavyweight title via decision in a 1997 match against kickboxer Maurice Smith. Couture was afterwards stripped of the title when he could not come to contractual terms with the UFC and its parent company at the time, Semaphore Entertainment Group. After leaving the UFC, Couture signed with the RINGS organization, a fightsport promotion primarily based out of Japan. His tenure with RINGS would prove to be short-lived. He returned to the UFC in 2000, where he recaptured the Heavyweight title from Kevin Randleman at UFC 28 on November 17 of that year.

UFC: Patrick Côté

2007-03-12T22:13:00.000-05:00

Height 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight 185 lb (84 kg)
Nationality Canadian
Born February 29, 1980
Fighting out of Quebec City, Canada
Town of birth Rimouski, Quebec, Canada
Fighting style Boxing,Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Wrestling, Muay Thai

Patrick Côté (February 29, 1980) is a Canadian mixed martial arts fighter. He currently fights as a middleweight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Patrick Côté started his martial arts training in the Canadian Army, where he took up boxing. Côté added kickboxing and wrestling to his repertoire, and then started studying Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Fabio Holanda.

Côté served in the army until 2004, when he started training full time. He currently trains with Team Union. He also periodically trains with another Canadian MMA fighter, Georges St. Pierre, who he met while competing in TKO Major League MMA, where they’ve become friends. He also trained with Mark Dellagrotte in preparation for his UFC 67 fight against Scott Smith.

Côté began his career in TKO, where he went undefeated with five wins and captured the TKO Light Heavyweight Championship. His big break came after Lion’s Den veteran Guy Mezger had to pull out of the main event fight with Tito Ortiz at UFC 50 due to injury and Côté was called in with four days notice that his original opponent against Marvin Eastman at UFC 50 was switched for Ortiz. Côté lost by unanimous decision. He did not win at a UFC pay per view until UFC 67.

In 2006, Côté joined the competition at The Ultimate Fighter 4 in the middleweight tournament, and finally won his first UFC match (albeit an exhibition match) over Jorge Rivera. He advanced to the semi-finals – where he beat Edwin Dewees – and proceeded to the finale, where he lost by first round submission to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fighter Travis Lutter. With the loss to Lutter factored in and none of The Ultimate Fighter exhibition bouts included, Côté's official UFC record fell to 0-4.

Côté is a former TKO Light Heavyweight Champion, King of the Cage Canadian Light Heavyweight Champion (victory over Bill Mahood at KOTC: Anarchy), and the Maximum Fighting Championships World Middleweight Champion (victory over Jason MacDonald at MFC 9 in March 2006).

Côté earned his first win in the UFC at UFC 67, defeating Scott Smith by unanimous decision

UFC President Dana White Speaks On Kurt Angle, Brock Lesnar

2007-03-10T15:33:00.000-05:00

gle UFC President Dana White Speaks On Kurt Angle, Brock Lesnar:

"The Vince McMahon of MMA speaks out!
CBS Sportsline has an interview up with UFC President Dana White. The main notes of interest for wrestling fans are below.
On Kurt Angle's recent comments that White made him choose between wrestling and fighting and that he is now talking to EliteXC and UFC again: I like Kurt. I've talked to Kurt a bunch of times. I'm just not sure how committed he is to fighting. I made him an offer before, and he went over and did TNA wrestling. I don't know. If the guy is seriously interested in fighting, then he should be fighting with the UFC.
On whether Angle needs to choose between wrestling or fighting: I'd prefer he did one or the other. I mean, how the hell are you going to professional wrestle and professional fight? It doesn't work that way. It takes a lot of time and training to dedicate to fighting."

UFC: COUTURE’S RETURN LANDS HIM $250,000 PAY DAY AS UFC 68 DOES $3M GATE

2007-03-08T18:15:00.000-05:00

UFC: COUTURE’S RETURN LANDS HIM $250,000 PAY DAY AS UFC 68 DOES $3M GATE
by Phil Lowe
8 March 2007, 10:30 am
Randy Couture received a whopping $250,000 pay day for his return to the UFC last Saturday night in Columbus, OH.

As previously noted, Couture’s win last weekend made him the UFC’s first ever five-time champion, and also sets up the possibility of a Couture-Cro Cop match this Summer, with Mirko Cro Cop in line for a shot at Couture’s title in the near future, providing Cro Cop can defeat Gabriel Gonzaga at UFC 70 in Manchester, England on April 21.

Couture’s opponent last weekend, Tim Sylvia, picked up $100,000.

UFC 68 did a massive $3 million gate, with over 19,000 attending the show live. There is already talk of UFC returning to Ohio as a result of the numbers this show drew.

http://www.wrestlemag.com/news/index.php?p=4817

JOE “DADDY” STEVENSON AND MELVIN “THE YOUNG ASSASSIN” GUILLARD DO BATTLE IN KEY LIGHTWEIGHT MATCH ON SPIKE TV APRIL 5

2007-03-07T12:00:00.000-05:00

“THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER” ALUMS JOE “DADDY” STEVENSON AND MELVIN “THE YOUNG ASSASSIN” GUILLARD DO BATTLE IN KEY LIGHTWEIGHT MATCH ON SPIKE TV APRIL 5

Boston Bruiser and TUF 1 Finalist

Kenny Florian vs. Dokonjonosuke Mishima in Co-Feature

First Ever UFC® Fight Night™ From The Pearl at The Palms in Las Vegas

New York, NY ��" March 5, 2007 " Joe “Daddy” Stevenson and Melvin “The Young Assassin” Guillard step into the Octagon® in a match-up of top UFC lightweight contenders on Spike TV’s UFC® Fight Night™ live from The Pearl at the Palms Casino Resort on Thursday, April 5 at 8:00pm ET. Stevenson (31-7) was The Ultimate Fighter 2 champ in the welterweight division and will drop down in weight to fight at 155 lbs. against fellow The Ultimate Fighter 2 alum, Guillard (39-6-3).

In the co-features, The Ultimate Fighter 1 finalist and Boston native Kenny “Ken-Flo” Florian (7-2) takes on Japan’s Dokonjonosuke Mishima (17-4-2). Florian recently lost a 5-round grueling battle to Sean Sherk for the vacant UFC lightweight crown. Veteran UFC heavyweight Frank Mir (9-2), whose impressive UFC resume includes victories over Tim Sylvia and Tank Abbott, takes on Antoni Hardonk (4-2).

Fighting out of Las Vegas, “Daddy” Stevenson is known for his overwhelming wrestling and ground and pound. Like Guillard, Stevenson fought his way through The Ultimate Fighter 2 competition to the finals where he defeated Luke Cummo by unanimous decision in a classic fight to earn his claim as the welterweight winner. Since then, Stevenson scored a second round TKO over Yves Edwards at UFC 61, and recently won a first round submission over Mishima at UFC 65. At the upcoming UFC Fight Night™, Stevenson is planning a convincing victory over Guillard to show he will be the new favorite in the UFC lightweight division.

Fighting out of Baton Rouge, LA, Guillard is an explosive fighter with good wrestling and striking skills. His brash personality made him stand out immediately on The Ultimate Fighter 2, but with a decisive win over Marcus Davis in the finale, Guillard proved he has more than just attitude. After a setback against Josh Neer at welterweight, Melvin dropped down to the lightweight division at UFC 60 and destroyed Rick Davis quickly in the first round. Continuing as a lightweight, he followed that win with a second round TKO over Gabe Ruediger at UFC 63. Now Guillard is ready to take on Stevenson and prove his new-found dominance in the UFC’s 155-pound division.

The complete card of UFC Fight Night will be announced shortly.

About The Ultimate Fighting Championship:

The Ultimate Fighting Championship® brand is the world’s leading professional mixed martial arts organization and offers the premier series of MMA sports events. Owned and operated by Zuffa, LLC, and headquartered in Las Vegas, Nev., the UFC® organization produces approximately twelve to fourteen live pay-per-view events annually that are distributed through cable and satellite providers. In addition to its U.S. distribution, UFC fight programs are distributed throughout the world including broadcast on WOWOW, Inc. in Japan, on MAIN EVENT in Australia, Globosat in Brazil and Bravo in the United Kingdom. For more information, or current UFC fight news, visit www.ufc.com.

Ultimate Fighting Championship®, Ultimate Fighting®, UFC®, The Ultimate Fighter®, Submission®, As Real As It Gets®, Zuffa™, The Octagon™ and the eight-sided competition mat and cage design are registered trademarks, trademarks, trade dress or service marks owned exclusively by Zuffa, LLC in the United States and other jurisdictions. All other marks referenced herein may be the property of Zuffa, LLC or other respective owners.

About the UFC on Spike TV:

Spike TV began airing UFC programming in January, 2005 and was the first television network in North America to air a live UFC bout. Thus far, nine live UFC Fight Nights have averaged 2.2 million viewers - more than the average regular season telecasts of the NBA, NHL, MLB, and NCAA basketball on cable television. Spike TV is available in 91 million homes and is a top five cable network for Men 18-34 featuring such popular UFC branded shows as The Ultimate Fighter, UFC Unleashed, UFC Fight Night, UFC Countdown, Ultimate Knockouts, UFC All Access, UFC Live and Inside and Inside The UFC. The Ken Shamrock/Tito Ortiz III fight on October 10, 2006 peaked at a viewer ship of nearly six million and drew more men 18-34 than Game 1 of the ALCS that same night. For more information on Spike TV, please visit www.spiketv.com.

About The Pearl:
The Pearl is Las Vegas’ premier concert theater boasting accommodations for up to 2,500 ticket holders. Featuring a stage just four feet from the floor and the farthest seating area being a mere 120 feet from the stage, The Pearl offers the utmost in intimate viewing of your favorite acts. Private and semi-private skyboxes are located on each side of the venue offering private bars, lounges and restrooms. The Pearl is a marvel of modern technology using only top quality sound and video equipment throughout. Hard wired to The Studio at The Palms, The Pearl allows artists to create a cost-effective live album with efficiency and without additional venue set-up. For more information, please visit www.palms.com.

http://www.prowrestling.com/article/mma/322

UFC provides punch

2007-03-05T20:33:00.000-05:00

The Advocate - www.newarkadvocate.com - Newark, Ohio:

"COLUMBUS -- Ultimate Fighting Championship president Dana White was exhausted by 2 a.m. Sunday. He had spent most of Saturday night in Nationwide Arena mingling with fans, settling business and taking in what turned out to be a historic evening.
But amidst that exhausted look was a smile that wasn't about to be wiped away.

"This was an amazing, amazing weekend," White said. "We're pretty blown away. I'm just so excited. "We've done some big events, but, seriously, in the six-year history of our company, I've never seen anything like I've seen tonight. It was amazing. I was so blown away. The response we've had here is incredible."
In one great night at UFC 68 at Nationwide Arena, 43-year-old Randy Couture sent shockwaves through the sport of mixed martial arts, Ohio made itself known as an MMA hotbed, and records were shattered.
Couture captured heavyweight gold for the third time in a hall-of-hame career in front of a crowd of 19,044, the largest total not only for the UFC but in North America for an MMA event."

Has boxing tapped out to UFC?

2007-03-03T13:21:00.000-05:00

Despite the growing popularity and exposure of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, there are still many sports fans who would equate UFC more with Vince McMahon's World Wrestling Entertainment than the sweet science of boxing.
However, a UFC enthusiast would be quick to counter by rattling off the sport's lengthy and growing roster of Olympic champions in wrestling and judo, black belts in jiu-jitsu and judo, world and national wrestling champions, kickboxing world champions, and those with impressive credentials in more than one of these disciplines.

With boxing's heavyweight division in shambles, it's no surprise UFC continues to surge in popularity among "combat" sports fans.

The Bee went to the Fat Cat Music House and Lounge in downtown Modesto to find local residents' thoughts on the matter.

"UFC is gaining in popularity because it better represents actual street fighting," said Kevin Mayhew, 30, of Turlock. "In real life, 80 percent of fights end up on the ground. No one stands toe-to-toe."

Cornelius Jordan, 27, of St. Louis added: "That's why boxing at its best is better than UFC.

"There's more strategy. I've never seen a UFC fight that rivaled Ali-Frazier or Leonard-Hearns."

Others countered the best boxer would most likely lose to a mixed martial artist.

"Take Roy Jones Jr., pit him against a decent MMA (mixed martial arts) fighter, and I don't think Roy Jones would last. Even in his prime," said Jackson Carlson, 35, of Modesto.

"The MMA fighter would work wonders against any boxer. Boxers aren't trained for the type of fighting MMA does, and MMA is used to jabs, punches."

http://www.modbee.com/sports/story/13346818p-13970571c.html

MMA

UFC 68: "The Uprising" Weigh-In Results

2007-03-02T20:55:00.000-05:00

UFC 68: "The Uprising" Weigh-In Results: "UFC held its weigh-ins for 'The Uprising' Friday afternoon. The event takes place Saturday evening at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.

All fighters made weight for their respective fights.

Main Card Fights:
Tim Sylvia (263) vs. Randy Couture (222.5)
Rich Franklin (185) vs. Jason MacDonald (183.5)
Matt Hughes (171) vs. Chris Lytle (169)
Renato Sobral (204) vs. Jason Lambert (204)
Martin Kampmann (185.5) vs. Drew McFedries (185)

Preliminary Card Fights:
Rex Holman (205) vs. Matt Hamill (202.5)
Jon Fitch (171) vs. Luigi Fioravanti (171)
Jason Dent (156) vs. Gleison Tibau (155.5)
Jamie Varner (155.5) vs. Jason Gilliam (155.5)"

MMA: Wesley "Cabbage" Correira

2007-03-02T11:46:00.000-05:00

Nickname Cabbage
Height 6 ft 3in (190 cm)
Weight 260 lb (118 kg)
Born 11/14/1978
Fighting out of Hilo, Hawaii
Town of birth Hilo, Hawaii
Fighting style Boxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Wesley "Cabbage" Correira is an American mixed martial arts fighter. He trains with BJ Penn in Hawaii at BJ Penn MMA. He is well known for his strong "jaw" (ability to sustain blows to the head without being knocked out), which was displayed in his fight with Andrei Arlovski at UFC 47. Although Correira lost the fight by TKO, he was not knocked down until 1:12 of round 2, after sustaining constant punishment for almost 2 entire rounds. This fight led UFC play by play announcer Mike Goldberg to say "This man is not human." Correira has been quoted as saying his skull is full of "concrete and stuff".

Kit "The Havoc" Cope

2007-03-01T12:30:00.000-05:00

Nickname Havoc, Dr. Kit Cope
Height 6 ft (183 cm)
Weight 155lbs lb (77.1 kg)
Born March 17, 1977
Fighting out of Las Vegas, Nevada
Town of birth
Fighting style Muay Thai

Kristopher "The Havoc" Cope (born March 17, 1977 at Williams Air Force Base, Arizona), is an American kickboxer, mixed martial arts fighter, and television personality. He is the former IPMTO Light Heavyweight Muay Thai World Champion (23-1, 9 KO) and in mixed martial arts he has a record of 1-4. His career accomplishments include a win at the 2004 Songkran Festival, four time Muay Thai World Champion at Jr. Welterweight, Welterweight, Jr. Middleweight & Light Heavyweight weight divisions. Cope is currently an instructor for LA Boxing.

Cope was featured on Fear Factor, a reality television game show, on March 15, 2004. Cope was also featured along with Ben Garcia in MTV's True Life: I'm a Muay Thai Figher. In 2006, he was one of three hosts on Wild World of Spike, a television series featuring amateur sports footage and the hosts' attempts at recreating them.

While competing in Muay Thai, Kit was featured in MTV' True Life series. The show chronicled Kit's training and journey to Thailand to fight in a bare knuckle match. Kit traveled to Mae Sot, Thailand on April 13, 2004 to fight Burmese opponents, Mojo, in the bare-knuckle fight event during the Songkran Festival. Kit won the fight by knockout in the first round.

After fighting in two professional boxing bouts, going 1-1, and continuing to prove himself in Muay Thai, Kit began his venture into the world of mixed martial arts. Looking to make the same impact on MMA as he did with Muay Thai, Kit is currently training with Team Punishment with the likes of UFC veterans such as Tito Ortiz. Kit made his UFC Pro Wrestling Debut: on November 5th, 2005 on the TUF 2 Finale. He lost by submission to Kenny Florian in the second round due to a rear naked choke. Kit also suffered a shoulder injury that required surgery due to an armbar at the end of the first round.

Cope's latest fight was yet another loss in a WEC Lightweight bout against “Razor” Rob McCullough on January 20th, 2007 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Cope tapped out due to strikes at 2:53 of the first round, and tested positive for the steroid Boldenone (Equipoise) according to the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

MMA:Mark "The Hammer" Coleman

2007-02-28T11:19:00.000-05:00

Mark "The Hammer" Coleman (born December 20, 1964) is an American mixed martial arts fighter, and pro wrestler, who is also known for his amateur wrestling career.

Coleman began his career freestyle wrestling, and would go on to win a NCAA wrestling championship, and compete in the 1992 Summer Olympics, taking seventh place overall. Following his amateur career, Coleman made the transition the then-new sport of mixed martial arts, winning his first two tournaments, UFC 10 and UFC 11 in 1996, and becoming the UFC's first ever Heavyweight Champion.

Currently, Coleman fights for PRIDE Fighting Championships in Japan, while also making appearances with the pro wrestling promotion HUSTLE in Japan. He is also the founder of Team Hammer House, a mixed martial arts team and training facility in Columbus, Ohio.

In 1999 the up and coming Japanese MMA promotion PRIDE Fighting Championships signed Coleman to fight at PRIDE 5, facing popular Japanese pro wrestler Nobuhiko Takada. Coleman lost to Takada by Heel Hook. In a fight that many critics suspect to be a "work". The fight would be one of Takada's 2 wins in his 7 MMA fights

Coleman returned to Japan in November of 1999 at PRIDE 8, taking on Ricardo Morais. After two ten minute rounds, Coleman received the decision victory, breaking his losing streak, and taking his first win in more than two and a half years.

In early 2000, Pride FC announced a Grand Prix tournament to take place over two separate events. In the first round, Coleman took on Japanese fighter Masaaki Satake, winning quickly by neck crank. Four months later, at the PRIDE Grand Prix 2000 Finals(also the first PRIDE event available on pay per view in the USA) Coleman faced Akira Shoji in the quarterfinals, winning by decision. Later that same night in the semifinals, Coleman won a quick TKO at 0:02 of the first round by corner stoppage over Kazuyuki Fujita, who was injured and could barely stand from his first fight of the night. With Coleman rested after not having to fight his second fight, he faced Igor Vovchanchyn in the final match. At 3:09 of the second round, the referee called a stop to the bout due to strikes, and Coleman became the first ever Pride Grand Prix Champion. In his joyous celebration after winning the title, Coleman actually fell off of the top rope while running out of the ring to celebrate with fans.

After a quick TKO victory over Allan Goes at PRIDE 13, Coleman faced possibly his toughest challenge ever in Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira at PRIDE 16. The "Submission Magician" was able to catch Coleman in a triangle/armbar at 6:10 of the first round, breaking Coleman's six fight winning streak.

Don Frye takes a punch from Mark Coleman at Pride 26: Bad To The Bone, 2003Coleman would take nearly two years off following the fight with Nogueira, Spending time with his wife and children, and focusing on developing his martial arts training facility and stable of fighters at Team Hammer House. Training such fighters as Kevin Randleman, Wes Sims, and Phil Baroni, Team Hammer House quickly gained a reputation of turning out world class fighters.

Coleman returned to MMA competition at PRIDE 26 to face Don Frye in a rematch of their meeting at UFC 10. In what proved to be a much tougher battle, Coleman ultimately won a unanimous decision victory after 20 minutes of action.

Between training fighters and spending time with his family, Coleman was now fighting roughly once a year. He returned to competition to take place in the Pride 2004 Heavyweight Tournament, as the returning Grand Prix Champion. His first round match up at PRIDE Total Elimination 2004 was against feared Heavyweight Champion Fedor Emelianenko. In what turned out to be a short bout, Coleman was submitted by armbar at 2:11 of the first round, eliminating him from the tournament.

Mark Coleman with his foot on the neck of Pride Middleweight Champion Wanderlei SilvaFebruary of 2005 saw Coleman return to the Pride ring, this time facing Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipović at PRIDE 29: Fists of Fire. Suffering the second brutal knockout of his career, Coleman fell to strikes by Cro Cop in the first round. In November of 2005, Coleman appeared in Bushido Europe-Rotterdam Rumble, Europe's first Bushido event, and choked out Milco Voorn at just 0:56 of the first round.

Coleman returned to action at PRIDE 31 to face Chute Boxe team member Mauricio "Shogun" Rua. With Team Hammer House member Phil Baroni in his corner, Coleman began the match by taking Shogun to the ground. At 0:49 of the first round, Rua got up and as he took the first step Coleman grabbed his feet. Rua fell and broke his arm at a disturbingly unnatural angle. Not seeing the injury, Coleman continued to fight, peppering Rua with strikes before the referee stopped the fight, though not before Coleman threw the ref away and began to shout violently at Murilo Rua, Mauricio's brother, who entered the ring following the injury. This seemingly aggressive act towards Mauricio set off Chute Boxe members outside the ring, including current Pride Middleweight Champion Wanderlei Silva, who jumped into the ring, and began struggling with cornerman Phil Baroni. In the ensuing melee, Baroni landed several shots on Silva before taking Silva to the ground, where Coleman then stomped on Silva's throat. Still unaware of the injury sustained by Rua, Coleman and Baroni began celebrating. After the ring was cleared and order was restored, both camps vowed to settle the score at a future event. Coleman later apologised to Chute Boxe backstage, but an outraged Chute Boxe refused to accept.

Currently, Coleman trains fighters at Team Hammer House, and continues to fight roughly once a year. In June 2006, it was announced that Coleman was one of the new coaches in the International Fight League, but unable to assemble a team, he was replaced by Frank Shamrock

On October 21 2006, Coleman faced Pride Heavyweight Champion Fedor Emelianenko for the second time at PRIDE's first ever American show, PRIDE 32: The Real Deal.and lost via submission (armbar) at 1:17 of round two. Emelianenko threw heavy punches at Coleman, who sustained brutal cuts and massive swelling around the eyes.

Richard Thomas "No Love" Clementi

2007-02-27T10:41:00.000-05:00

Nickname No Love
Height 5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
Weight 155 lb (70 kg)
Born March 31, 1977
Fighting out of Slidell, Louisiana
Town of birth Edison, New Jersey

Richard Thomas "No Love" Clementi (born March 31, 1977) is an American mixed martial arts fighter. He currently fights as a lightweight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Clementi was featured as a welterweight on The Ultimate Fighter 4, losing his preliminary bout against Shonie Carter by unanimous decision. Clementi had only made one previous appearance in the UFC, losing by submission to Yves Edwards at UFC 41.

Although Clementi did not secure a slot in the finals of The Ultimate Fighter 4, he appeared on the undercard of the season finale as a lightweight, losing by rear naked choke submission to Din Thomas.

Clementi secured his first victory in the UFC via rear naked choke submission against Ross Pointon at UFC Fight Night 8, although the fight was not aired during the broadcast

Ryo Chonan

2007-02-26T10:55:00.000-05:00

Nickname Piranha
Height 5'9 (175 cm)
Weight 185 lb (84 kg)
Born 10 August or 8 October 1976
Fighting out of Team M.A.D.
Town of birth Yamagata, Japan
Fighting style Kyokushin, Muay Thai

Ryo Chonan is a Japanese mixed martial arts fighter, who currently fights for the PRIDE FC and DEEP promotions.

One of Chonan's most memorable fights was against Anderson Silva in PRIDE: Shockwave 2004, where he executed a flying scissor heel hook. Chonan holds wins over such fighters as Carlos Newton, Daijiro Matsui, Antonio Schembri, and Joey Villasenor. In the PRIDE Welterweight Grand Prix, Chonan suffered a broken orbital bone at the end of his match against Villasenor due to a stomp, but was able to continue in the tournament, fighting Paulo Filho in the next round. Chonan was submitted by a Filho armbar early in the first round, bringing an end to Chonan's Grand Prix title run.

In February 2007, Chonan defeated former DEEP Middleweight Champion Ryuta Sakurai to retain the Middleweight Championship.

http://ryo-chonan.com/main.html

ufc

Mearion Shonie Bickhem III

2007-02-25T16:45:00.000-05:00

Mearion Shonie Bickhem III, also known as "Mr. International" Shonie Carter, is a mixed martial arts fighter who was featured as a welterweight on The Ultimate Fighter 4 and is well known to fight in the 170, 185, and 205 weight classes in his career and his great experiences as a fighter with a record of 81-16-7. His UFC record is 3-3, winning fights against Brad Gumm at UFC 24, Adrian Serrano at UFC 26, and Matt Serra at UFC 31, and losing fights to Pat Miletich at UFC 32 and Nathan Quarry at UFC 53. He defeated Gumm and Serrano by unanimous decision, and knocked out Serra with nine seconds left in that fight. He was knocked out by Miletich at 2:42 in the second round, and lost to Quarry by TKO (strikes) at 2:27 of the first round.

On The Ultimate Fighter 4, Carter defeated Rich Clementi in the opening round of the competition, but lost to Matt Serra in the semifinals in a rematch requested by Serra. Unlike most of the other cast members, Shonie Carter did not fight at the live finale.

During the show, much was made of Carter's flamboyant personality and dress.

Additionally, considerable emphasis was placed on his patented strike-the spinning back fist. Carter had used the move to knock out Serra in their first fight, and the show depicted both Serra focusing on defending against the attack and Carter claiming that he could hit it from anywhere. In the end, Carter did successfully connect with the spinning back fist, though not to the knock-out effect that he had previously.

Carter's last fight was at UFC Fight Night 7 where he lost to Marcus Davis via unanimous decision.

http://www.shoniecarter.com/

UFC: Ultimate Fighting Championship on Squidoo

2007-02-25T12:56:00.000-05:00

UFC: Ultimate Fighting Championship on Squidoo:

"UFC is the main fighting group in the United States for the presentation of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. The UFC is run by Zuffa, Inc. Dana White is the president of Zuffa and therefore the UFC. The UFC puts on at least 10 pay-per-view events during the course of a year. The next event will be in Columbus Ohio on March 3rd. Continue to keep this site bookmarked as more information will be added with ways to get tickets to this and all future UFC events!"

Brawl Sports: Cro Cop gets top billing at UFC's UK return

2007-02-24T17:03:00.000-05:00

Brawl Sports: Cro Cop gets top billing at UFC's UK return:

"Cro Cop gets top billing at UFC's UK return
Mirko 'Cro Cop' Filipovic will take another step toward an inevitable title shot as the top draw at UFC 70 - Nations Collide, set for April 21 at MEN Arena in Manchester, England.
Cro Cop stalked and walked through his first UFC opponent, Eddie Sanchez, earlier this month at UFC 67. Gabriel Gonzaga is next in line for the Croatian star. On paper, Gonzaga offers more formidable opposition than Sanchez, but Cro Crop will still enter the bout as an overwhelming favorite.
The rumored UFC 70 bout between Forrest Griffin and Tito Ortiz didn't materialize. Instead, Griffin will face Ryoto Machida in a fight with huge implications in the light heavy division. Machida just beat Sam Hoger at UFC 67 and owns wins over a pair of former UFC champs in BJ Penn and Rich Franklin. He's also beaten K-1 superstar Michael McDonald. This fight has the potential to steal the show.
Andrei Arlovski and Michael Bisping are also on the card. 'The Pitbull' draws recent Pride importee Fabricio Werdum, while Bisping takes on Elvis Sinosic, who hasn't been relevant in the Championship since 2001 ... seems like a ready-made opponent for Bisping to continue his UFC maturation in the front of the hometown blokes.
The Manchester show is the first in a series of UFC events planned for Europe, and organizers have already sold 5,000 tickets."