Ortiz Still With UFC, Liddell Fight Could Still Happen
(mmaweekly.com)The last episode of “The Ultimate Fighter" ended with UFC president Dana White telling Chuck Liddell that Tito Ortiz pulled out of their proposed fight in June. While this week's episode is sure to answer more questions about the fight being canceled, the immediate question about Tito's future with the organization seems to answered for now. White commented on Ortiz's situation with the company on Saturday night following UFC 114, stating that if the surgery he had on his neck was successful and doctors clear him to return to action, he'll be back in the Octagon. "As long as the doctors say he's safe to fight and he's healthy enough to fight. They do amazing things these days," said White. As far as a timeline for his return, that was not discussed, but Chuck Liddell has already stated very clearly that if Ortiz makes it back to the UFC, he should have to fight him in his return bout. White says that Liddell vs. Ortiz 3 could still be a possibility when Tito returns because of the animosity they built while doing the reality show. "It could be possible," White said about the fight. "They did that season of ‘The Ultimate Fighter;’ we'll see what happens."
Is Sonnen in Silva's Head?
(cagepotato.com)Apparently Anderson Silva is fed up with Chael Sonnen's pre-fight posturing and he wants his Team Quest opponent to lay off.
In the above interview with Pro MMA Radio, Sonnen recalls a tense situation that occurred at this weekend's UFC Fan Expo in which Silva approached him to tell him to "relax."
Sonnen said that he told the UFC middleweight champ, who seemed frustrated by the amount of autographs he had to sign for fans at the event, that "in two months, he wouldn't have to sign any more because nobody will care about him again." Apparently Sonnen's remark was lost in translation at the time, but when one of Anderson's entourage later informed the Brazilian fighter what was actually said, he decided to seek Chael out and tell him to lay off.
Bellator 115-LBs Women's Tourney Taking Shape
(mmaweekly.com)Bellator Fighting Championships recently began a push into women’s mixed martial arts announcing the signing of Megumi Fuji and Rosi Sexton, widely regarded as two of the top female fighters in the world.
Late last week, Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney talked with a little bit more detail regarding the promotion’s plans for an eight-woman tournament.
“The goal and the entire idea was to put together a tournament with the greatest female fighters in the world: Megumi Fuji, Rosi Sexton we’ve announced; Jessica Penne, Lisa Ward, as well.”
I think Bellator has been doing great job and with Strikeforce really dropping the ball in alot of ways Bellator is in a great position to slide into the number two spot. I just wish I could see the fights on Thursday nights...Comcast has not been airing them at all where I live...the format is great and will definitely be sending guys into the UFC before too long...and they can really capitalize on the womens division...its always been said that a tourney would be a great way to develop the division quickly and now they are making it happen....what is wrong with Strikeforce?
MMA Live presence on ESPN 2 extended to August 2010
(mmamania.com)Congratulations are in order for Jon Anik, Kenny Florian, Franklin McNeil, and the countless others at ESPN who played a significant role in the development and production of MMA Live over the last couple years.
But most of all, congratulations are in order for you, the fans, for making the show as popular as it is today. ESPN has granted MMA Live a three-month extension on ESPN 2 until August due to the loyal viewers, like yourself, that have supported the mixed martial arts news show from jump street.
UFC 114 winner Rashad Evans says wrestling-oriented fight style here to stay
(mmajunkie.com)Like many wrestlers who begin acquiring standup skills and have success in the striking department, Rashad Evans found himself more and more comfortable on his feet.
But in his two most recent appearances – unanimous-decision wins against Thiago Silva in January and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson this past weekend at UFC 114 – the former Michigan State wrestler returned to his roots.
And for those who complain that it's a lay-and-pray style light on entertainment value, Evans has a message for you: Get used to it.
UFC 114 Fighter Payouts
(mmaweekly.com)The NSAC has announced the official fighter payouts from UFC 114. The total disclosed payouts were $1,371,000 with the biggest share-$435,000-going to Rashad Evans.
Beerbohm vs. Thompson For June SF Now Off
(mmaweekly.com)A proposed Lyle Beerbohm vs. Josh Thomson fight for one of Strikeforce's upcoming June events will not happen. Beerbohm's manager said he won't be able to fight due to an elbow injury suffered against Vitor Ribeiro in April. No word yet on if Thomson will get a replacement opponent, and SF says Beerbohm will get a TV fight when he returns.
UFC Will Honor Suspension If Diaz Punished
(mmaweekly.com)The bad decisions surrounding the Strikeforce brawl in April may affect a UFC fighter's upcoming bout in August depending on what the Tennessee Athletic Commission ultimately decides. Nate Diaz, who was in the corner of his friend and teammate Jake Shields, was also a part of the melee that broke out between the Cesar Gracie team and Jason Miller in April when a fight erupted after Shields' victory over Dan Henderson. Diaz is expected to be disciplined along with Miller, Shields and others involved in the brawl, according to a report by Sherdog.com earlier this week. If Diaz lands a suspension, it could affect his scheduled fight against Marcus Davis in August. While the suspensions could range anywhere from three to nine months, if that timeline falls in with Diaz's fight, the UFC will honor the suspension and he would have to be replaced. "If he gets suspended we're going to honor it," said UFC president Dana White on Saturday following UFC 114.
Former UFC champ Matt Hughes latest UFC Hall of Fame inductee
(mmajunkie.com)
LAS VEGAS – Nine-time UFC welterweight champion Matt Hughes today was named the eighth and latest UFC Hall of Fame inductee.
After a brief presentation on his achievements, 36-year-old Hughes met UFC president Dana White on UFC Fan Expo 2010's main stage at the Mandalay Bay Convetion Center to receive the commemorative award. He thanked fans for their support.
UFC president Dana White still interested in Strikeforce's Nick Diaz
(mmajunkie.com)White told UFC fans today that he's still interested in Diaz, the older brother of current UFC lightweight Nate Diaz, just hours before the brash welterweight headlines DREAM.14 in Japan against Hayato Sakurai.
"I like Nick Diaz, and I've talked to Nick Diaz many times about coming back to the UFC," White said during a keynote speech at UFC Fan Expo 2010 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.
But there are conditions to White's interest – to say nothing of the Strikeforce contract Diaz currently holds.
"The problem with Nick Diaz is that he won't even play the game this much," White said. "You can't be crazy all the time."
Joey Beltran vs. Matt Mitrione Scheduled For UFC 119
(411mania.com)In a recent interview, a briefclip of which has been posted on bjpenn.com, Joey Beltran confirmed that he will be fighting Matt Mitrione at UFC 119. Mitrione is coming off his big victory over Kimbo Slice at UFC 113. Beltran also won at UFC 113, defeating Tim Hague by unanimous decision. No venue has been announced for UFC 119 but the event is scheduled for September 25.
DANA WHITE: "If you don’t like it, and you’re not into it, f*** it—don’t watch it"
(weeklyseven.com)Everybody has an opinion on Dana White. Just bring up his name next time you are out on the town and see what happens. “Guy’s an idiot,” “ignorant loudmouth,” “super nice guy,” “one of the most real people in Vegas,” “totally down to earth” and the age-old classic, “asshole.” Those are just a few samples from people I encountered in the run-up to this interview, but one conclusion is clear: The jury is all over the place, except in the middle. That’s one area in which you’ll never find an opinion about the UFC alpha male. That’s because whatever he does or says, he’s all in. Maybe that’s why he recently made the list of 2010’s most influential people in both Time and Esquire.
DANA WHITE: "We're probably going to end up doing 100 fights a year."
(mmaweekly.com)The UFC’s global expansion has been a goal of the promotion for several years. Stretching out into England, German, Australia, and many other areas has kept everyone in the industry on their toes, and now with a Canadian office opening, more expansion is on the way.
UFC president Dana White told MMAWeekly.com on Tuesday in Toronto that they would be "aggressive" and increasing the number of shows they do might be the first step in that.
Diaz Thinks He's No. 1 Pound-for-Pound, Better Than GSP
(mmafighting.com)You won't find many people who think Strikeforce welterweight champion Nick Diaz is a better mixed martial artist than UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre. But Diaz thinks he's better than GSP -- and better than every other fighter in the sport as well.
Asked what he wants Japanese fans to see when he fights in Japan on Saturday, Diaz answered, "I'd like them to see that I'm the best mixed martial arts fighter pound for pound in the world."
Alan Belcher and Demian Maia to Meet at UFN 22
(mmafighting.com)In a follow-up to Belcher's desire to fight more notable talent, singling out recent title contender Demian Maia:
"A middleweight match-up between Alan Belcher and Demian Maia has been verbally agreed to by both fighters for Ultimate Fight Night 22 on Sept. 15, MMA Fighting has learned from sources close to the event."
Trio of Fighters Leave American Top Team
(cagepotato.com)Heading into his fight this weekend against UFC newcomer Cyrille Diabate, Luis "Banha" Cane tells TATAME that he feels that he is better prepared than ever thanks in large part to his recent move to Elite Mixed Fighters, a team helmed by his fellow former American Top Team mate Marcus "Maximus" Aurelio and coach Andrei Benkei.
"My life is going well, the new camp is serious and I had no problems training with guys that were my teammates before like former UFC fighter Marcus Aurelio in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, Andre Benkei as strength and conditioning coach and wrestler Chris Bohn."
TAC Targets 5 For Disciplinary Action Following SF Brawl
(mmajunkie.com)The Tennessee Athletic Commission is considering disciplinary action – including fines and suspensions – for five individuals following a post-event brawl at the April 17 "Strikeforce: Nashville" event at Bridgestone Arena. The state will not release the identities of the individuals until administrative actions are finalized. In three of the cases, the commission found probable cause to authorize a formal hearing for a civil penalty of $20,000 each and associated costs, as well as a nine-month suspension. Each individual can agree to a "consent order" that would allow him to skip the hearing and agree to a $5,000 fine and three-month suspension. In the fourth case, all of the particulars are the same except that the settlement fine would be $7,500. The larger amount represents an additional civil penalty because the individual did not respond to the commission's inquiry as instructed. A fifth case also recommends the larger $7,500 settlement fine because the individual did not respond to the commission's inquiry. The individual is not licensed with the state, and the complaint also alleges "unlicensed activity." State officials did not immediately confirm when the hearings would take place in the event one or more of the individuals requests one.
Tito Ortiz Had Neck Fusion Surgery
(411mania.com)According to Dave Meltzer, Tito Ortiz was finally allowed to speak on his neck injury after last night's edition of The Ultimate Fighter aired. Ortiz revealed that he had neck fusion surgery on March 15th. Back in February, Ortiz had a major scare after a training session. When complete, he went home for some rest and fell asleep on the couch, but when he woke up, he couldn't walk and was scared to death. He was diagnosed with bone spurs and a disc pressing on his spine, which started to cause numbness in his arms. Ortiz hopes to get back to light training in a month, and hopes to fight again in October or November. He still hopes to fight Chuck Liddell. He has a total of five fights remaining on his contract.
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