Recent Success Has Lyle Beerbohm Targeting UFC
(mmaweekly.com)Heading into last year, Lyle “Fancy Pants” Beerbohm was making a name for himself in the Strikeforce lightweight division when back-to-back losses not only cost him his undefeated record, but his contract with the promotion as well.
“My loss to Pat Healy was in a really, really close fight, and in my fight with (Shinya) Aoki, I made a mistake I shouldn’t have,” said Beerbohm. “I’m not a really patient fighter – and on the ground you have to be patient – and I just wanted to get up and get out of there so I gave up my back and he ended up choking me out pretty fast.”
So when Beerbohm was getting ready for 2012, he felt some change was needed to get him back on track.
Daniel Cormier Would Love a Shot at UFC Gold, But Loyalties Are With Strikeforce
(mmaweekly.com)Newly crowned Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix champion Daniel Cormier isn’t in a rush to get to the UFC, but he sure wouldn’t mind a title shot when he gets there.
The former Olympian, who dominated Josh Barnett en route to a unanimous decision victory to cap off the tournament, is excited about his UFC future, but right now he’s still committed to at least one more fight in Strikeforce.
Happy in Retirement, Randy Couture Can’t Think of a Reason for a UFC Return
(mmaweekly.com)Retirement isn’t something any high level athlete or competitor ever looks forward to.
Just ask former Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre about that one because he’s retired and un-retired numerous times over the last several years.
But sometimes when the decision is just right, it sticks.
That’s the case for UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture, who officially walked away from active competition in MMA following a loss to Lyoto Machida at UFC 129 in April 2011.
A legend of the sport, Couture ended his career with a 19-11 record, but it’s not his overall wins and losses that made the former Olympic hopeful such an icon in MMA history. Couture seemed to make the impossible, possible, and he did it on more than one occasion.
But at 48 years of age and a budding movie career still humming along, including an extended role in the upcoming Sylvester Stallone action sequel The Expendables 2, Couture is happy in retirement and doesn’t see anything changing his mind.
UFC 148: Patrick Cote Discusses His Return Against Cung Le
(bloodyelbow.com)Former UFC middleweight title challenger Patrick Cote was released from the organization following a loss to Tom Lawlor at UFC 121, and he's been steadily working to get back into the promotion ever since. Four straight wins earned him that phone call, and he'll be facing Cung Le on the main card of UFC 148 on July 7th. Cote spoke to Sportsnet about his opponent, and his rebirth in the biggest promotion in the world.
Donald Cerrone battled through intestinal problems to beat Jeremy Stephens at UFC on FUEL TV 3
(mmamania.com)When Donald Cerrone squared off against Jeremy Stephens at UFC on FUEL TV 3: "Korean Zombie vs. Poirier" on May 15, 2012, in Fairfax, Virginia, he did so not long after dealing with a particularly nasty illness.
Dude "rolled" his intestines. He explains to Sherdog.com what happened this time and how it originally got to this point:
"I rolled my intestines. From my surgery years ago, I have a lot of intestinal and stomach problems still to this day, and I was in the ICU and they almost had to do surgery on me. ... I was racing some motocross and I wrecked real bad and just kind of spilled my guts out. They had to take a bunch of my intestines and part of my stomach. What happened this time is, my stomach basically rolled around the intestine. Man, talk about pain. It was like someone was stabbing me. Oh, it was so brutal. I had to go to the ER, and basically they had to empty all of my intestines out and then rush water down my stomach and try to get it to unspin, kind of like a garden hose. If you have a kink in the hose, you run water and the pressure will cause it to unravel. It worked, so thank God."
Report: Octagon girl Arianny Celeste receives July 2 hearing date in Las Vegas
(mmajunkie.com)Longtime UFC octagon girl Arianny Celeste will get her day in court on July 2.
That's according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, which recently reported Celeste's domestic violence case was delayed a month while prosecutors continue to review details of the incident between the octagon girl and her boyfriend, Praveen Chandra.
Celeste, whose real name is Arianny Lopez, was arrested in Las Vegas, charged with domestic violence and booked into Clark County Detention Center in the early hours of May 26 but was released in time to work that evening's UFC 146 pay-per-view event.
TUF: The Smashes Settles on Two Weight Classes for First Aussie Ultimate Fighter
(mmaweekly.com)The UFC recently announced the second international version of The Ultimate Fighter would be Australia vs. the U.K.
The Australian series, dubbed The Smashes – a play on the 130 year-old cricket rivalry – will see undiscovered professional MMA fighters from Australia and the United Kingdom live together in The Ultimate Fighter house in Australia and compete against each other for a UFC contract.
When announced, the call went out for applicants ranging from 135 to 170 pounds.
The UFC has now settled on two specific divisions. The Smashes will feature welterweights (170 pounds) and lightweights (155 pounds), according to Marshall Zelaznik, the UFC’s director of international development.
Jake Ellenberger: ‘I Felt Like I Could Have Kept Fighting’
(mmaweekly.com)Just moments into the first round of the main event at the Ultimate Fighter Live finale, Jake Ellenberger cracked Martin Kampmann on the jaw with a vicious left hook.
Kampmann dropped to the mat in a flash and immediately Ellenberger swarmed looking to put him away. As the Nebraska native flurried with a barrage of punches, Kampmann grabbed at his arms to try and control the situation and regain his composure.
As close as it was to being over, Kampmann was able to eventually pull Ellenberger in his guard and keep the fight moving.
In the 2nd round the roles were reversed after Kampmann clipped Ellenberger with a short right hand that stunned him, and after three consecutive knee strikes, it was Ellenberger who crashed to the ground.
Jon Fitch Latest Fighter to Bow Out Due to Injury
(mmaweekly.com)Murphy’s law says “anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.”
The old adage appears to be true for the UFC these days as an injury has claimed another top fighter from an upcoming card.
Jon Fitch has suffered a knee injury in training that will force him out of his scheduled bout against Aaron Simpson at UFC on Fuel TV 4 on July 11.
UFC Tweet Of The Day: TUF Winner Michael Chiesa Shaves Off Beard
(bloodyelbow.com)Michael Chiesa pulled off one of the most memorable runs in Ultimate Fighter history, culminating in a first round rear naked choke win in the TUF finale last night. On the season, Chiesa battled through one of the worst distractions imaginable as his father passed away very shortly after Michael moved into the house. Never truly a favorite to win the competition, Chiesa just kept on winning before putting the very tough Al Iaquinta to sleep to take the championship.
The Ultimate Fighter Live Finale draws reported 1,628 attendance for $195K live gate
(mmajunkie.com)The Ultimate Fighter Live Finale, which took place Friday at The Pearl at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, drew a reported attendance figure of 1,628 and a live gate of $195,250.
UFC officials announced the figures at the evening's post-event press conference, which MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) attended.
The Nevada State Athletic Commission will release verified numbers in the coming weeks.
While the number of complimentary tickets distributed was not revealed, the figures mark an average revenue of $119.93 per ticket issued.
Despite emotional TUF Live Finale win, Mike Chiesa says there's little time to celebrate
(mmajunkie.com)UFC president Dana White said it best in an off-camera conversation with Mike Chiesa just moments after "Maverick" submitted Al Iaquinta in the final bout of The Ultimate Fighter Live Finale.
"Congratulations," White told Chiesa. "Storybook ending."
Indeed it was after Chiesa survived the heartbreak of losing his father during the first week of filming of this season's edition of the reality competition show, especially since the bout took place on his mom's birthday. And yet Chiesa refused to enjoy the moment too much, viewing the result as just the beginning of his journey.
"I'm definitely happy I won the show," Chiesa said. "It's the culmination of a lot of hard work. But I've got my next line of goals set up. I'm ready to go to the UFC."
With UFC title bid nearing, Martin Kampmann eyes new plan: Get hit less
(mmajunkie.com)Once again, UFC welterweight Martin Kampmann was a bloody, battered mess – and once again, his arm was raised in victory.
Kampmann added to his growing legacy of come-from-behind victories with a second-round win over the highly touted Jake Ellenberger in the main event of Friday night's The Ultimate Fighter Live Finale card. But after surviving another opponent's assault, Kampmann said he's formulating a new plan moving forward.
"I would definitely prefer to get hit less," Kampmann deadpanned.
Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 15 Finale bonuses and awards
(mmamania.com)The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 15 Finale from the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada, has officially wrapped, which means it's time for those select fighters who went above and beyond in their respective fights to get a little extra grease for their efforts.
To the tune of $40,000 each.
The promotion dished out its standard post-fight monetary bonuses to four out of the 22 fighters on the card, and it's probably no surprise who's headed home with a second sack of simoleons.
Submission of the Night -- Michael Chiesa
Knockout of the Night -- Justin Lawrence and
Knockout of the Night part deux -- Martin Kampmann
Fight of the Night -- Justin Lawrence vs. John Cofer
Frank Mir Received TUE For Testosterone Use For Junior Dos Santos Fight
(bloodyelbow.com)It wasn't long ago that everyone began talking about how fans and media could breathe a sigh of relief after the Nevada State Athletic Commission e-mailed the press to say that all UFC 146 fighters' drug tests came back clean. It appeared there'd be no controversy on that front.
And then Larry Pepe tweeted this:
NSAC's Keith Kizer confirmed to me that Frank Mir met all requirements for & received TUE for TRT for UFC 146 fight against JDS.
This, of course, has led to a considerable amount of reaction.
Thiago Silva out of UFC 149: Glover Teixeira Possible as Replacement!
(mmajunkie.com)The UFC's injury woes continue as Brazilian light heavyweight Thiago Silva has been forced to pull out of July's UFC 149 event in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Luckily for UFC president Dana White, promotional newcomer Glover Teixeira (18-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC) is both healthy and hungry for a big fight after a scintillating win over Kyle Kingsbury at this past weekend's UFC 146 event.
There's just one problem: According to White, Mauricio "Shogun" Rua (20-6 MMA, 4-4 UFC) – Silva's original opponent – won't take the fight.
"With Thiago hurt, we turned to Glover and asked him to go right back in to fight 'Shogun' at UFC 149," White told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com). "But 'Shogun's' people are adamantly refusing to take the fight. They want nothing to do with Glover."
Daniel Cormier has undergone surgery and is already looking toward his next bout.
(sherdog.com)After breaking his hand in his Strikeforce grand prix win over Josh Barnett, Daniel Cormier has undergone surgery and is already looking toward his next bout.
“I had the surgery on Monday,” Cormier told the Sherdog Radio Network’s “Beatdown” show. “[Thursday] I go in and see my doctor, get my splint off and then I can start rehab and start preparing to fight again. He’s telling me now that in six weeks I can start punching again, but as early as Monday I can start grappling and running and everything. I’m going to try to stay in shape, and in six weeks hopefully start getting ready for a fight some time in the fall.”
Cormier first broke his hand in the grand prix semifinals against Antonio Silva. He chose not to have surgery then, but after beating Barnett and with a move to the UFC on the horizon, he elected to fix the hand this time
Cung Le vs. Patrick Cote targeted for UFC 148
(mmajunkie.com)With Rich Franklin (28-6 MMA, 13-5 UFC) now headed to UFC 147 for a rematch with Wanderlei Silva (34-11-1 MMA, 4-6 UFC), onetime middleweight title challenger Patrick Cote (17-7 MMA, 4-7 UFC) has been tapped to fight Cung Le (7-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC) at UFC 148.
Multiple sources close to the event today told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) that verbal agreements have been reached for the matchup.
UFC 148 takes place July 7 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Main-card fights air live on pay-per-view while preliminary-card fights air on FX
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