UFC 154 hits theaters on Saturday with fighter meet-and-greets around country
(mmajunkie.com)The UFC returns to movie theaters on Saturday for UFC 154.
As the promotion has done for several past shows, UFC 154 will be available on the big screen through Fathom Events. And in conjunction, more than 20 UFC fighters will attend screenings around the country to watch the card with fans and participate in meet-and-greets.
UFC 154 takes place at Montreal's Bell Centre and features a main event welterweight title unification bout between champion Georges St-Pierre and interim titleholder Carlos Condit.
The event is scheduled to be shown at more than 350 movie theaters in the United States.
Nam Phan Replaces Eddie Yagin, Fights Dennis Siver at ‘UFC on FOX 5'
(5thround.com)Ask and you shall receive. Shortly after requesting to replace fellow Asian fighter Eddie Yagin in his December 8th scrap against Dennis Siver, the UFC has granted featherweight Nam Phan (Pictured) his wish.
“if 1 azn brother falls than another must take his spot. Who wants 2 c me fight Dennis Siver? tweet 2 @ufc & @danawhite lol : ) ,” Phan tweeted to the powers that be.
It has been reported Yagin was forced to pull out of the contest after suffering a head injury during a recent practice session.
Shinya Aoki Wants to Avenge His Evolve MMA Team Mate By Fighting Kotetsu Boku for the ONE FC Lightweight Belt
(mmamania.com)Longtime mixed martial arts (MMA) veteran Shinya Aoki reluctantly returned his DREAM lightweight belt recently as, with the Japanese promotion's future looking bleak, he had elected to sign an exclusive contract with the new force in Asian MMA, ONE FC.
That means the Japanese submission wizard is without a title for the first time since 2008, when there was a brief gap between him giving up his Shooto welterweight belt and winning the DREAM lightweight strap.
It leaves a space in the 29 year old's trophy cabinet which he is in a hurry to fill and he already has a replacement belt in his sights.
Tom DeBlass retires after UFC: Macao loss
(bloodyelbow.com)After two consecutive losses in the UFC, middleweight Tom DeBlass has decided to end his fighting career.
Following a 3 round fight against Riki Fukuda at UFC Macao, Middleweight Tom DeBlass has announced his retirement from MMA. Last Saturday, he opened up the first ever UFC event out of China on the Facebook prelims. After 15 minutes of action, the judges decided that Fukuda had outworked DeBlass and handed him his second consecutive UFC loss in as many fights.
DeBlass announced his retirement though his Twitter account:
After a lot of talk with my family and Coaches. I have decided to retire from fighting and focus on my family, my Academy, and helping my students to achieve their goals. I have had the opportunity to win the Pan American games, the No Gi World Championships, and National Championships, the Abu Dhabi trials and compete in Abu Dhabi. I have competed all over the world at 30 years old. I fought for Ring of Combat and won their titles. I made it to UFC in a year and a half. I know I am no where near my prime, however I feel my time is better spent else where. I want more then one Academy. At this time I feel it's best for me to give my time to others, and spend more time with my family. The drive to keep fighting is not there any longer. I have an amazing Academy and feel my students need my full attention. Maybe I will return to Jiu-Jitsu competition. Thanks to everyone for the support. It's been an awesome ride. God Bless.
Mats Nilsson vs. Denniston Sutherland middleweight bout added to Cage Warriors 50
(mmajunkie.com)A middleweight battle has been added to next month's Cage Warriors 50 event.
Promotion officials on Tuesday announced a bout between Sweden's Mats Nilsson (9-2-1) and Jamaica-born, England-based Denniston Sutherland (18-8). Both fighters will compete under the Cage Warriors banner for the second time.
Cage Warriors 50 takes place Dec. 8 at Kelvin Hall in Glasgow, Scotland. The main card streams on MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) following prelims on Facebook.
Nilsson earned a second-round submission win over UFC veteran Tommy Speer at Cage Warriors Fight Night 3 this past February in Beirut, his debut with the promotion. He followed that with a submission win in Switzerland in March.
Martin Kampmann: Georges St. Pierre vs Anderson Silva is not the ‘super fight’ to make
(mmamania.com)According to Martin Kampmann, a bout between Georges St. Pierre and Anderson Silva is not the 'super fight' to make after UFC 154. 'Hitman' argues that a showdown between Silva and light heavyweight champion Jon Jones is much more intriguing ... and way more super.
What do Tito Ortiz, Freddie Roach and Martin Kampmann have in common?
They all believe a contest between Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) middleweight and welterweight champions, Anderson Silva and Georges St. Pierre, is not the 'super fight' to make because of the fact "The Spider" is simply too big for the French-Canadian.
They all could very well be spot on with their assessments, given that Silva walks around at 215 to 220 pounds, while "Rush" probably doesn't even break the 200-pound mark on any given day.
Furthermore, Ortiz believes a showdown between heavyweight title holder Junior dos Santos and light heavyweight kingpin, Jon Jones, is a much more even fight. Kampmann, meanwhile, shares the same sentiments as just about any other mixed martial arts (MMA) fan, saying a fight between "Bones" and "The Spider" is the "super fight" to make.
In the Dane's conversation with ESPN, he declares St. Pierre would get knocked out by the Brazilian bomber:
"I think [St-Pierre] is going to get knocked out. That's my honest answer. Everything aside, I'd much rather see Anderson Silva fight Jon Jones. [Silva] is calling out the smaller guy. I'd like to see him fight Jon Jones. I think that's a much more interesting fight, and that's not just from my personal perspective. It's also from a fan's perspective."
Ronda Rousey's manager responds to Cyborg's life-threatening weight cut claims
(mmamania.com)Ronda Rousey's manager takes 'Cyborg' Santos and her professional medical opinion that warns a 10-pound weight cut could harm the Brazilian to task, saying opinions (paraphrasing here) are like belly buttons ... everyone has got them.
Everyone has got them, including medical professionals who are charged with protecting the health -- and possibly even the self interests -- of their patients.
The cardiologist who former Strikeforce female champion Cristiane Santos relies on to ensure that her lub-dub lub-dubs properly to keep her blood pumping, recently warned her that cutting 10 pounds could have detrimental effects on her ticker. In addition to the potential pulmonary problems, the drop from her current fighting weight of 145 to pounds to 135 pounds could prohibit "Cyborg" from "carrying a child later in life."
Risking life and possibly motherhood for a mixed martial arts (MMA) fight seems like a pretty easy decision: No thanks.
Then again, it's only one opinion and, as we've already explained, everyone has got them, including medical professionals who are charged with protecting the health -- and possibly even the self interests -- of their patients. Just because it's one opinion, naturally, doesn't mean it's the correct or accurate reflection of the current situation.
Rather than let me try and explain it, I'll turn it over to Darin Harvey, who represents current Strikeforce female champion -- and possibly future big-money "Cyborg" opponent -- Ronda Rousey, who just so happens to weigh 10 pounds less than the Brazilian.
Harvey breaks it down to Yahoo!Sports.com:
"If you ask five doctors, you'll get five different opinions. I guarantee you, you can find doctors that'll say the weight cut will be fine.... It all depends on what side they're working for. It's her doctor. If you're going to trial, I can find a professional witness to make you look innocent or make you look guilty.... I don't want to see anyone get hurt long-term ... but my personal belief is she can lose the weight. She would just prefer an advantage to fight at 145 pounds. And I think we have the advantage at 135."
"We want that fight because it's a big money fight. We want to fight Cyborg and I think Ronda can beat her at any weight. But I believe if she's not taking drugs, 135 pounds will be absolutely no problem.... At the end of the day, it's up to Ronda. I would advise against it because I would like to do everything to get Cyborg down to 135 pounds, but I know it's the fight the world wants to see. I think it's a million-plus Pay-Per-View fight, so we have to take those things into consideration."
New and improved UFC welterweight Jon Fitch says he's caught his second wind
(mmamania.com)After 10 years of plodding away at his MMA career, in hot pursuit of a title, top UFC welterweight Jon Fitch feels like he's never been in a better position to make a run at the 170-pound belt.
Jon Fitch is boring, Jon Fitch doesn't finish fights, Jon Fitch "lays and prays" and will never be an Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) title holder.
Whether you've made or believed the aforementioned statements, you're certainly aware of them if you're a fan of mixed martial arts (MMA). After what's been an absolute grind of a career, it felt, for many, as though the perennial UFC welterweight contender was destined to forever be a bridesmaid and never a bride.
However, all that may have turned around, after Fitch's recent unanimous decision win over top prospect Erick Silva at the UFC 153 event in Rio de Janeiro back on Oct. 13, 2012. Sure, he still was unable to procure a finish, but it was the complete antithesis of a Jon Fitch fight.
It was exciting.
He brought the fight from opening horn to the end. And even though it had to go to the judges' scorecards, the win was a dominant one, and it was against a very tough and athletic fighter.
The victory gives Fitch hope for a dynamic contrast in his not so far off future:
"Erick Silva's a very tough fighter, but I believe this is the new Jon Fitch. I kinda got a second wind in my career, and we're gonna see a lot of bigger and better fights for me."
So, what's the difference? Was it just one fluke fight, or are we seeing a new improved version of the American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) product?
If you ask him, it's decidedly the latter:
"I think it's partly an accumulation of years of training and finally having the confidence in my full skill set, to really open up and not worry about making mistakes in a fight, knowing that even if I do make a mistake, I'll be able to find my way back on top for the win."
Dan Henderson vs. Lyoto Machida Bout Now in Doubt for UFC 156
(mmaweekly.com)A UFC light heavyweight showdown between two of the top fighters in the division, Dan Henderson and Lyoto Machida, has been targeted for UFC 156 on Super Bowl weekend, but a shadow of doubt lingers over the fight… at least for the Feb. 2 event slated for Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.
While Henderson said on last week’s edition of MMA Uncensored Live on Spike TV that he was told that UFC 156 was the target for such a bout, the injured knee that kept him out of the UFC 151 headliner against Jon Jones may delay a bout with Machida.
Henderson has returned to training, but has been taking things slow, making sure that he allows his knee to fully heal, so as not to set him back any further.
UFC officials, according to a report on Tuesday night’s UFC Tonight on Fuel TV, aren’t quite comfortable pulling the trigger and setting a Henderson vs. Machida bout for UFC 156 just yet.
The fight still looks likely to happen, it’s just a matter of if it will happen at UFC 156, and if not, when?
The UFC has already announced a handful of dates that closely follow Super Bowl weekend event with UFC on Fuel TV 6 on Feb. 16, UFC 157 on Feb. 23, and UFC on Fuel TV 8 on March 2. So there is ample opportunity to move that bout back by two or three weeks to ensure Henderson’s knee is fully recovered.
Overeem vs Bigfoot booked for Superbowl Weekend
(lvrj.com)
The Ultimate Fighting Championship's annual major Super Bowl weekend card in Las Vegas just got a whole lot bigger.
Alistair Overeem is now expected to make his return to the cage against Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva in a matchup of massive heavyweight contenders at UFC 156 at Mandalay Bay on Feb. 2, the Review-Journal has learned.
Overeem's appearance on the card is pending approval from the Nevada Athletic Commission as he is currently serving a nine-month suspension for an out-of-competition drug test conducted by the NAC that revealed elevated testosterone levels. The 32-year-old is eligible to re-apply for a license on Dec. 27.
Alistair Overeem vs. Antonio Silva Targeted For UFC 156
(fightline.com)Former Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem and Antonio Silva are on tap to face each other at UFC 156: Aldo Vs. Edgar, according to a report by the Las Vegas Review-Journal. The card goes down February 2 from Las Vegas.
Overeem is currently suspended, but is set to appear in front of the Nevada Athletic Commission on December 27. He has not fought since defeated Brock Lesnar last year.
Silva is coming off a victory over Travis Browne that followed a loss to Cain Velasquez in his UFC debut.
Overeem would likely move into a title shot with a victory over "Bigfoot."
UFC confirms UFC on FUEL TV 7, UFC on FUEL TV 8 in Japan, UFC 157 in California
(mmajunkie.com)The UFC's spring plans are quickly materializing, and the promotion today confirmed a trio of previously reported fight cards for the first quarter of 2013.
As MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) first reported, UFC 157 takes place Feb. 23 at the 15,000-seat Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.
The promotion also confirmed a Feb. 16 event previously announced will serve as UFC on FUEL TV 7, though a venue for the fight card was not revealed. Additionally, officials revealed the March 3 event announced this past weekend will serve as UFC on FUEL TV 8.
The fight cards were confirmed on Tuesday's new edition of FUEL TV's "UFC Tonight."
The three fight cards take place on consecutive weekends, and the official announcement of the events now means the UFC has a run of six events in the seven weeks between "UFC on FX 7: Belfort vs. Bisping" on Jan. 19 and UFC on FUEL TV 8 on March 3.
Flyweight John Lineker credits manager's plan for UFC on FUEL TV 6 win
(mmajunkie.com)Flyweight John Lineker's first trip outside of his native Brazil wasn't exactly his finest hour.
With no team around him and no knowledge of how to properly cut weight, Lineker was heavy for his UFC debut and wound up losing by submission.
It would be understandable, then, if Lineker was less-than-thrilled about the task of traveling to Macau for this past weekend's UFC on FUEL TV 6 event.
Hong Kong's Legend Fighting Championship inks broadcast deal with ESPN International
(mmajunkie.com)The Hong Kong-based Legend Fighting Championship and ESPN on Tuesday announced a new broadcast partnership to air the promotion's content in more than 100 different countries.
Branded as "the Asia-Pacific Championship of MMA," Legend FC debuted in 2010 and has promoted 10 events in total, with six taking place in Hong Kong and four more in Macau.
The new broadcast deal begins with the promotion's upcoming Legend Fighting Championship 11 event.
The troubles of dealing with Anderson Silva and other UFC superstars
(mmajunkie.com)After Anderson Silva successfully defended his UFC middleweight title against Chael Sonnen for the second time, UFC President Dana White sat down in front of reporters and tried, as best he could, to explain to us what it was like to work with the world's greatest fighter.
"I swear to God, it's like dealing with an artist," White said. "It's like dealing with an artist or some big, crazy, talented actor. That's what it's like."
The thing is, White wasn't complaining.
Nike Brasil inks UFC champion Junior Dos Santos to endorsement deal
(mmajunkie.com)UFC heavyweight champion Junior Dos Santos is the latest Nike-sponsored athlete.
UFC Brasil recently inked the Brazilian fighter and UFC 155 pay-per-view headliner to an endorsement deal, SporTV.com confirmed with the global-sports giant.
Terms of the Nike deal, which is the third for a current UFC fighter, were not disclosed.
Bellator 80 ratings: Viewership dips below Season 7 average
(mmajunkie.com)After scoring a season-high 220,000 viewers with Bellator 79 a week prior, ratings dropped this past weekend for Bellator 80.
The Nov. 9 event, which featured a main-event win for former champ Joe Warren, averaged 148,000 viewers on MTV2, MMAjunkie.com today confirmed with industry sources.
That's well below the previous season average of 172,200 viewers.
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