FX airs first UFC event in January with Neer vs. Ludwig, Barry vs. Morecraft
(mmajunkie.com)The first official UFC-FOX event takes place in January (exact date TBA) when the organization makes its debut on FX.
Officials today announced the event, though its name and venue weren't revealed.
Two fights are official for the card: welterweights Josh Neer (32-10-1 MMA, 5-6 UFC) vs. Duane "Bang" Ludwig (22-11 MMA, 4-2 UFC) and heavyweights Pat Barry (6-4 MMA, 3-4 UFC) vs. Christian Morecraft (7-2 MMA, 1-2 UFC).
Additional event details are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Spike TV to premiere 'MMA Junkie Live' news-magazine show in 2012
(mmajunkie.com)Spike TV will debut its first-ever primetime mixed-martial-arts news magazine show, "MMA Junkie Live," in January 2012, it was announced today by Jon Slusser, senior vice president, sports and multi-platform programming, Spike TV.
Broadcast live from the iconic MTV Studios in Times Square, the heart of New York City, this half-hour, multi-platform show will feature a look ahead at the weekend’s big mixed-martial-arts fights, and a look back at the action from recent bouts.
Partnering with the award-winning MMA news website, MMAjunkie.com (part of the USA TODAY Sports Media Group), the half-hour show will be hosted by an all-star team of MMA experts and journalists who will engage in discussion and debate regarding the latest news from the sport.
"MMA Junkie Live" will also feature live in-studio interviews with many of the world’s top fighters, in-depth features, action-packed highlights, as well as viewer interaction via Twitter, Facebook and other social-media channels.
M-1 Global says Bellator signee Vasilevsky still under contract, threatens legal action
(mmajunkie.com)M-1 Global to Bellator: not so fast.
The Russia-based promotion on Tuesday told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) that a recent Bellator talent acquisition, Vyacheslav Vasilevsky (15-1 MMA, 0-0 BFC), is still under exclusive contract with M-1 until February 2013.
"We were exceedingly surprised at [Tuesday's] announcement and disappointed at the lack of background work done by Bellator in this matter," wrote M-1 Global Director of Operations Evgeni Kogan in a statement.
Kogan said Vasilevsky was expected to fight UFC vet Mario Miranda at an M-1 Challenge event scheduled for Saturday in Ufa, Russia, but Vasilevsky withdrew from the bout citing a lingering hand injury. He alleges Vasilevsky's manager told Bellator officials the fighter was free and clear.
"We are currently working on resolving the situation with our legal counsel and will make sure that not only will Vyacheslav be appropriately handled but that this situation does not arise again," Kogan said.
Nam Phan vs. Jim Hettes slated for year-end UFC 141 event
(mmajunkie.com)Nam Phan (17-9 MMA, 1-2 UFC) will fight for the third time in fewer than five months when he takes on fellow featherweight Jim Hettes (9-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) at UFC 141.
Verbal agreements are in place for the fight, according to UFC officials.
Featuring a heavyweight headliner between former UFC champ Brock Lesnar and recent Strikeforce titleholder Alistair Overeem, UFC 141 takes place Dec. 30 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
The main card of the Friday-night event airs on pay-per-view, though Phan vs. Hettes likely will be part of the preliminary card.
Phan, a cast member on "The Ultimate Fighter 12," likely saved his UFC job with a unanimous-decision victory Leonard Garcia at UFC 136. The victory served as redemption after a December 2010 split-decision loss to Garcia, a decision widely panned by MMA fans. The questionable defeat was part of an overall 1-4 skid for the Strikeforce and World Victory Road vet.
Peralta camp unenthusiastic about rematch
(mixedmartialarts.com)On the UFC on FOX 1 prelim card, Robert Peralta landed a combination on Mackens Semerzier, sending him to the canvas, and into his fifth loss in eleven fights. However, instant replay revealed that the combination included a head butt, one referee John McCarthy did not see.
Brian Butler-Au of SuckerPunch Entertainment has filed an appeal with the California State Athletic Commission.
Semerzier took the high road saying "I don't blame it on the referee. That stuff happens so fast. You have to see it on video to know what really happened. Once the video's played, everyone could see."
In addition to being understanding, Semerzier rightly wants a rematch.
Palhares vs. Massenzio at UFC 142 in Rio
(mixedmartialarts.com)The UFC announced Tuesday that UFC 142 will feature Brazilian Rousimar Palhares vs. Mike Massenzio atmiddleweight.
Known for his devastating leglocks, Palhares has won five of his last six. Following a technical knockout defeat at the hands of Nate Marquardt in September 2010, Palhares has won back-to-back bouts, submitting Dave Branch with a heel hook in March before outpointing Dan Miller at UFC 134.
Bas Rutten slaps a verbal "hold 'til cold" on Alistair Overeem
(mixedmartialarts.com)Paul Lazenby recently caught up with Bas Rutten and asked him about Alistair Overeem, who recently split with Team Golden Glory.
There is no one in MMA with more colorful stories than Bas. For example, when he was a bouncer in Holland someone did something really bad at the door, so he choked them out, and then heel hooked each leg.
In this interview, Bas does the verbal equivalent to Overeem.
Oh no, you didn't go there! (laughs) I thought that if nobody asks, I won't say anything, but now that you ask me I have to! It's been bothering me a lot! OK, here I go.
It's a money thing. He simply doesn't want to pay the people who made him. When he lost three fights in a row...well, like pretty much five, I mean, he lost, won, lost three times in a row, won, and lost again...and nobody wanted to have him.
But his management kept pushing and using the power that they have because they have other great fighters. Like, for example: "If you want Semmy Schilt to fight, then you have to take Alistair as well."
It's funny how fighters think. When it goes bad with them, their team is everything to them, and they love their team. In interviews after they win a fight, they say: "I owe everything to my team". Then when the management starts to put great fights together for them, directing their careers and the fighter gets better and better, some of them simply can't handle it, and it gets to their head.
I had a bad feeling already when he called himself, after he won the K-1 Grand Prix, a "legend". He actually said in an interview right after he won: "I am a legend now". I don't think a fighter can ever make that comment about himself.
And talking about the Grand Prix, let's face it, he had a great deal of luck as well there. He fought Peter Aerts who had a WAR with Semmy Schilt [previously that night] and was completely banged up, and then he fought [Gokhan] Saki, who had a broken arm AND hand, in the finals! At that moment when you win, you should say: "I'm very happy with the result, the stars were in line for me tonight, I also got a little bit of luck". Because everybody is going to say that about you anyway, you might as well simply say it yourself to keep the people respecting you, but NOT: "I'm a legend".
Anthony Pettis vs. Joe Lauzon Set for UFC 144 In Japan
(mmafighting.com)A lightweight meeting pitting Anthony Pettis and Joe Lauzon has been agreed to for UFC 144 in Japan, MMA Fighting has learned.
The UFC confirmed the matchup to MMA Fighting's Ben Fowlkes on Tuesday.
The matchup had previously been rumored, with a possible date in Las Vegas. Instead, it will go international.
Bendo's Oral Fixation
(fightlinker.com)
Kenny Florian during the Fuel Postfight:
I actually brought Benson Henderson out to help me prepare for Clay Guida when I was about to fight him... you saw Benson, he had a toothpick in his mouth... he actually trains with a toothpick in his mouth. We were rolling and we probably trained, sparred for about 45 minutes to an hour, and he took a toothpick out of his mouth, I'm like 'what are you doing?' He had the toothpick in the whole time we were sparring. He may have even fought with it, who knows.
Erik Koch vs. Dustin Poirier added to February's UFC 143 event
(mmajunkie.com)Two exciting featherweight prospects are set to clash at UFC 143.
Officials today announced that Erik Koch and Dustin Poirer have been inked to meet at the Super Bowl weekend event, which takes place Feb. 4 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas and airs live on pay-per-view.
Poirer requested the fight after very recent win. Both fighters are undefeated inside the octagon.
Okami vs. Boestch scheduled for UFC 144 in Japan
(mixedmartialarts.com)Japanese middleweight contender Yushin Okami (26-6 MMA, 10-3 UFC) will finally get a home game.
UFC executives today announced that the recent title challenger faces Tim Boetsch (14-4 MMA, 5-3 UFC) at UFC 144.
Featuring a lightweight title contest between current champ Frankie Edgar and top contender Ben Henderson, UFC 144 takes place Feb. 26 at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.
UFC files suit in New York, seeks to overturn regulation ban
( mmajunkie.com)Take notice New York; the Ultimate Fighting Championship isn't going away without a fight.
UFC officials today announced they have filed a lawsuit against New York State officials "challenging the constitutionality of the state law banning live professional MMA events and associated activities."
Along with a group of plaintiffs that includes fighters, fans and trainers, UFC executives hope to overturn the state's current ban on MMA, citing several constitutional violations.
Dan Henderson: Shogun First Then Jon Jones
(sports.yahoo.com)If there’s one thing you can say about Dan Henderson, it’s that he doesn’t back down from a challenge.
The former Strikeforce light heavyweight champion has faced some of the best fighters in the world at 185 and 205 pounds, and even made a trip to heavyweight for his most recent fight where he knocked out former pound-for-pound king Fedor Emelianenko.
So it should be no surprise that when he signed his new deal with the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Henderson asked to fight UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones. Henderson saw no need in wasting time, so he wanted to get a title shot on day one, but when he was offered Mauricio “Shogun” Rua at UFC 139 instead, he happily accepted.
“I actually would have rather been in a fight for the title, but this fight excites me too. Shogun’s a tough guy, and it’s gonna be a big challenge,” Henderson told MMAWeekly Radio recently.
HDNet and BAMMA ink multi-year television deal
(mmamania.com)DALLAS (November 14, 2011) As announced earlier tonight on HDNet’s live broadcast of "Inside MMA", the network has signed a new agreement with Europe’s largest and most prominent Mixed Martial Arts Promotion, BAMMA.
This multi-year deal, negotiated by BAMMA distributor Content Television, will kick off on Saturday, December 10 with LIVE coverage of "BAMMA 8" from The Capital FM Arena in Nottingham, England.
"BAMMA puts on the best MMA shows in Europe and HDNet broadcasts the best fights from around the globe," said Andrew Simon, CEO of HDNet Fights. "It was the perfect fit. I had to get this deal done!"
Lawlor-Weidman demoted, McDonald-Soto promoted to UFC 139's Spike TV special
(mmajunkie.com)A bantamweight bout between Michael McDonald (13-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) and Alex Soto (6-0-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) has been promoted to the Spike TV "UFC Prelims" special for this weekend's UFC 139 event.
It's taken the spot of a middleweight bout between Tom Lawlor (7-3 MMA, 3-2 UFC) and Chris Weidman (6-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC), which now will stream on Facebook.
Spike TV officials today confirmed the change with MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com), though a reason for the switch wasn't given.
UFC 139 takes place this Saturday, Nov. 19, at HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Recent Strikeforce champ Dan Henderson returns to the octagon to meet ex-UFC champ Mauricio "Shogun" Rua in the night's headliner.
In addition McDonald vs. Soto, Spike TV airs light heavyweights Ryan Bader (12-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC) vs. Jason Brilz (18-4-1 MMA, 3-3 UFC) as part of its one-hour broadcast.
The 20-year-old McDonald, a former Tachi Palace Fights champion, is 3-0 under the Zuffa banner with a WEC victory over Clint Godfrey and UFC wins over Edwin Figueroa (which earned a "Fight of the Night" award) and Chris Cariaso. The Brazilian jiu-jitsu brown belt has now won six straight fights. He meets Soto, a former U.S. Army war veteran and U.S. Navy dolphin trainer who now makes his UFC debut fresh off a six-fight win streak that recently was halted with a draw against Seiji Akao (15-4-1) at June's DEEP 54 event in Japan.
Mackens Semerzier appeals headbutt loss to Robert Peralta at UFC on FOX
(mmajunkie.com)The manager for Mackens Semerzier is contesting the UFC bantamweight's TKO loss to Robert Peralta at this past Saturday's UFC on FOX event.
Brian Butler of SuckerPunch Entertainment today informed MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) that he has filed an appeal with the California State Athletic Commission.
Veteran referee "Big" John McCarthy officiated the bout and said he didn't see an accidental headbutt during the fight that ultimately contributed to its end.
Semerzier (6-4 MMA, 1-1 UFC) vs. Peralta (16-3 MMA, 2-0 UFC) took place on the preliminary card of UFC on FOX, which streamed live on Facebook and FOXSports.com.
The accidental clash of heads came well into in the third round as the two exchanged punches. In real time, it appeared as though Semerzier was dropped by a punch as he threw a combination at Peralta. However, video replays inside the arena showed he was sent to the canvas when Peralta's head caught him in the temple.
"I did not see their heads clash, causing the knockout," McCarthy said. "Because if you look where I was at, Robbie's head was toward me, so Semerzier's head was on the other side, and they both threw a left hand and then a right hand that came across, and I thought those punches were what caused Mack to be hurt. (I) didn't even know that it was a headbutt."
As expected, Remaining UFC 139 prelims to stream on Facebook
(mmajunkie.com)As expected the remaining preliminary-card fights from Saturday's UFC 139 event will stream live and for free on Facebook, UFC officials today confirmed with MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com).
The five-bout stream precedes a pay-per-view main card and Spike TV's "UFC Prelims" special.
UFC 139 takes place this Saturday, Nov. 19, at HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Recent Strikeforce champ Dan Henderson returns to the octagon to meet ex-UFC champ Mauricio "Shogun" Rua in the night's headliner.
Bouts slated for the Facebook prelims include ex-WEC bantamweight champ Miguel Torres (38-4 MMA, 1-1 UFC) vs. Nick Pace (6-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC), lightweights Rafael dos Anjos (15-5 MMA, 4-3 UFC) vs. Gleison Tibau (23-7 MMA, 9-5 UFC), bantamweights Alex Soto (6-0-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) vs. Michael McDonald (13-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC), welterweights Matt Brown (12-10 MMA, 5-4 UFC) vs. Seth Baczynski (14-6 MMA, 1-1 UFC), and lightweights Shamar Bailey (12-4 MMA, 1-1 UFC) vs. Danny Castillo (11-4 MMA, 1-1 UFC).
UFC 142 adds Stanislav Nedkov vs. Fabio Maldonado to Brazil card
(mmajunkie.com)A light-heavyweight bout between Bulgarian fighter Stanislav Nedkov (12-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) and Brazil's Fabio Maldonado (18-4 MMA, 1-1 UFC) has been added to January's UFC 142 event.
The UFC's Brazil division today announced the fight via Twitter. Although reports also have suggested Maldonado may instead fight Luiz Cane, UFC officials today confirmed with MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) that Nedkov vs. Maldonado is the fight.
UFC 142 takes place Jan. 14 at Rio de Janeiro's HSBC Arena.
The main card is expected to air on pay-per-view, though it's not clear if Nedkov vs. Maldonado will be part of the broadcast.
Siyar Bahadurzada meets Erick Silva at UFC 142 in Brazil
(mmajunkie.com)In September, Siyar Bahadurzada informed the world he was UFC bound.
Today, he released the details of his first fight.
"I'll be fighting Erick Silva at UFC 142!" Bahadurzada today stated on his official Twitter account. "Anxious to fight in Rio again!"
Bahadurzada most recently fought in Rio de Janeiro in August 2010, when he defeated Carlos Alexandre Pereira at a Shooto event.
UFC 142 takes place Jan. 14 at Rio de Janeiro's HSBC Arena. UFC executives have yet officially announce the Bahadurzada (20-4-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) vs. Silva (13-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) contest.
Yoshihiro Akiyama meets Jake Shields at UFC 144 in Japan
(br.ufc.com)Japanese superstar Yoshihiro Akiyama will have plenty of support from his home country fans on February 26th, when he makes his welterweight debut in UFC 144 action against 170-pound contender Jake Shields at Saitama Super Arena in Japan.
"Verbal agreements are in for a welterweight matchup in Tokyo, Japan between former Strikeforce champion Jake Shields and Asian superstar 'Sexyama' Yoshihiro Akiyama February 26th," said UFC President Dana White.
|
|
