Joe Stevenson doesn't want to train with BJ Penn ...
(mmamania.com)UFC lightweight Joe Stevenson (via Fighter's Only) passes on the opportunity to train with current division champion BJ Penn heading into his UFC 110 fight against George Sotiropoulos on Feb. 21 because "Daddy" is planning on another title shot against the Hawaiian by year's end.
Wanderlei To Train With Anderson At UFC 110
(mmaweekly.com)There is no doubt that Brazilian fighters are a proud people, and when rivalries rise up sometimes there's not much anybody can do to put out the fire. One rivalry that came and went recently was between former training partners Wanderlei Silva and UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva.
UFC Quick Quote: Wanderlei Silva feels 'fast' at 185-pounds
(mmamania.com)"I feel so great. I feel fast. My timing is better. I think I’m going to have a great performance in the division. The surgery I make because I broke my nose a lot of times before. I reconstruct my nose because before I don’t sleep very well. Now, I sleep better and my recovery’s better, no? I feel great. My cardio is better now and I’m ready to fight (again). For my next fight, I trained a lot of wrestling, jiu-jitsu, and Muay Thai. I’m going to try and use it now."
Mixed Martial Arts icon Wanderlei Silva (32-10-1) talks about the advantages of his cut to middleweight (via Sherdog.com) for his upcoming middleweight scrap against Michael Bisping at UFC 110 from the Acer Arena in Sydney, Australia, on Feb. 21.
Gegard Mousasi severs ties with M-1 Global
(mmamania.com)One of mixed martial arts most promising talents will no longer answer to the powers that be under the M-1 Global banner, as Gegard Mousasi announced the end of his business relationship with the Vadim Finkelchtein-led fight promotion.
From "The Dreamcatcher," courtesy of Sherdog.com:
"After careful consideration, I have decided that it is in my best interest to part ways with M-1 Global. During the time I spent under their wing, M-1 Global, as a promoter and management company, allowed me to achieve many great things. I appreciate all they have done for me. My management is [now] being taken care of by someone close to me."
UFC Cuts Rolles Gracie
(mmaweekly.com)Say Goodnight, Gracie. It's one and done for the latest Gracie in UFC, as Heavyweight Rolles Gracie has been given his pink slip just 5 days after making his UFC debut. He was TKO'd by Joey Beltran in round 2 at UFC 109. It was Rolles' first loss in 4 career fights.
Belfort Injured, Off 112
(sports.yahoo.com)
The Ultimate Fighting Championship’s plans for a spectacular debut in the Middle East took a hit on Thursday when an injured shoulder forced Vitor Belfort to withdraw from his middleweight title fight with champion Anderson Silva at UFC 112 on April 10 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Belfort possibly injured; title fight canceled?
(tatame.com)Jayme Sandall, Karate trained of the challenger, revealed to TATAME.com that Belfort had a shoulder injury, but he doesn’t know how bad it is. “He was training but not using the arm for a long time because of the injury, he said he’d stop for a while. He said he’d have it scanned to know how bad it is, but I don’t talk with him for 15 days and I don’t know about the results”, said.
Josh Koscheck Is Being Photoshopped Into a Living Death
(cagepotato.com)Who knows what will happen when Josh Koscheck and Paul Daley mix it up at UFC 113 (May 8th, Montreal), but Semtex has scored a first-round KO in the battle of insulting pre-fight Photoshops. Peeved at Koscheck's recent Twitter outbursts, Daley stopped by The UG earlier today to post this call to arms.
History Proves Quality Performances Are Essential to Title Aspirations
(bloodyelbow.com)While the "what have you done for me lately" ideology that the UFC seems to be using to justify the title match-ups is evident, there are plenty of other factors. That concept also includes how impressive you've been in your performances, your drawing power, and the ability to produce hype around fights. Jon Fitch hasn't shown any of those attributes in his performances, and some would say he's putting himself into a problematic situation of being the next Yushin Okami.
Evan Dunham, if you're listening, keep winning ...
(mmamania.com)I performed like crap. He’s a good fighter. He came in and did what he had to do, but I went in there not thinking about the fight. I had a lot of other things on my mind so it kind of hurt me. There was no doubt in my mind that I was going to beat Cole Miller when I fought him, but against Dunham I had a lot of problems going through my head.
Vera Still Mad About Couture Decision
(mmaweekly.com)"Hell no, (expletive) that decision man," Vera said. "I'm still mad about that decision." When the scorecards were read, Couture got the nod on a unanimous decision from the judges, but many felt that Vera's ability to land damage whenever the two did engage was enough for the win.
Courtney Buck Replaces Caraway On March 6 WEC Card
(mmaweekly.com)A change has been made to the upcoming WEC card in Columbus, OH as Bryan Caraway has been forced off the show with a knee injury. Stepping in to replace him will be Courtney Buck who will now face Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ace, Fredson Paixao in a featherweight contest.
