UFC confirms Urijah Faber's new opponent to be revealed on Friday's edition of 'TUF: Live'
(mmajunkie.com)Friday's 11th episode of "The Ultimate Fighter: Live" features the season's final two quarterfinal fights, but the most newsworthy moment of the night will involve one of the season's coaches.
As expected, UFC president Dana White will on Friday announce Urijah Faber's new opponent for UFC 148, where "The California Kid" and the soon-to-be-named foe will compete for the newly minted UFC interim bantamweight title.
The replacement slot was necessitated when opposing coach and current bantamweight champ Dominick Cruz was forced to bow out of the card with a blown ACL.
"TUF: Live" features Cruz and Faber as opposing coaches. Following a two-and-a-half-hour debut episode in which an initial group of 32 was whittled down to 16, the series continues with one or two fights each week. After pre-taped content, the lightweights-only show concludes with live bouts.
The 11th episode sees Team Cruz's Vinc Pichel vs. Team Faber's Chris Saunders and a bout between teammates, as Team Faber's Al Iaquinta faces Andy Ogle. The winner advance to the season's semifinal bouts.
Leading candidates to face Faber in July include Renan Barao, who is currently scheduled to face Ivan Menjivar at UFC 148, and Michael McDonald, who recently earned an impressive knockout win over Miguel Torres.
Nick Penner vs. Tom DeBlass targeted for UFC on FUEL TV 4
(mmajunkie.com)UFC light heavyweights Nick Penner (11-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC) and Tom DeBlass (7-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC) will meet this summer at UFC on FUEL TV 4.
MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) confirmed the planned matchup, which theScore.com first reported earlier today.
UFC on FUEL TV 4 takes place July 11 at HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Broadcast plans for the event haven't been announced, but main-card action airs on FUEL TV, and prelims are expected to stream on Facebook.
Penner vs. DeBlass is expected to be part of the prelims.
UFC officials: Jason MacDonald not retiring following UFC on FUEL TV 3 loss
(mmajunkie.com)Despite his quick knockout loss to Tom Lawlor at Tuesday's UFC on FUEL TV 3 event, the 36-year-old Canadian middleweight isn't calling it quits.
"To set record straight ... [MacDonald] never said he's retiring," officials stated via the UFC Canada Twitter account. "Tough break last night. Hope to see him back soon."
In a FUEL TV-televised main card bout at the Patriot Center in Fairfax, Va., MacDonald suffered his third loss in four fights. Lawlor connected on a left hand to the chin and a right to the temple to drop MacDonald and pick up the TKO victory in just 50 seconds. He also earned a $40,000 "Knockout of the Night" bonus with the effort.
Prior to the fight, MacDonald hoped he could pick up a win and get booked for UFC 149, which takes place in his home country on July 21 in Calgary, Alberta. With the knockout loss, MacDonald likely faces a decent-sized medical suspension, which would make the UFC 149 plans unlikely.
UFC on FUEL TV 3 bonuses and awards: Chan Sung Jung pockets $80,000 extra
(mmamania.com)UFC on FUEL TV 3: "Korean Zombie vs. Poirier" from the Patriot Center in Fairfax, Virginia, 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 24 fighters on the card, and it's probably no surprise who's headed home with a second sack of simoleons.
In a shocker, Tom Lawlor was awarded "Knockout of the Night" honors for unloading some heavy leather on Jason MacDonald in the opening bout of the main card on FUEL TV. Of the 12 bouts that took place this evening, only one of them ended by way of knockout.
Way to make Dana White's job easy, Lawlor.
Dana White Explains Virginia Absence, UFC Boss To Undergo Surgery On Wednesday
(themmanews.com)For the first time in eleven years, UFC president Dana White will not be cageside for a live event.
Instead of being in Fairfax, Virginia for tonight’s UFC on FUEL TV 3 event, White is instead back home as he prepares to undergo surgery on Wednesday in Las Angeles, California.
White explained his absence to fans on Twitter (@DanaWhite), later revealing in a different Tweet that he was having surgery for Meniere’s disease.
- first fight I will miss in 11 years and it is KILLING me!!! I have to have surgery in LA 2 morrow or trust me I would be
Cyrille Diabate vs. Jorgen Kruth Rescheduled For UFC Event This September
(themmanews.com)Swedish kickboxer Jörgen ‘The Last Viking’ Kruth (5-0) was to have tested his striking against French fighter Cyrille ‘The Snake’ Diabaté (18-8-1) last month at the UFC on FUEL TV 2 event in Stockholm, but Kruth was forced off the card due to a rib injury and was replaced by Tom DeBlass.
Kruth has a new date for his Octagon debut, September 29, 2012 at a yet-to-be-announced UFC event, and it will be against Diabaté in a light heavyweight matchupl.
‘The Last Viking’ broke the news to Swedish news agency Expressen.SE on Sunday.
UFC 148's Chael Sonnen likely to appear on agenda for May 21 NSAC meeting
(mmajunkie.com)So the red carpet might not exactly roll out for Chael Sonnen.
The UFC middleweight may appear at the Nevada State Athletic Commission's next meeting – scheduled for May 21 in Las Vegas – to answer questions about a therapeutic use exemption he applied for two weeks prior.
NSAC Executive Director Keith Kizer confirmed to MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) that Sonnen's application is for doctor-prescribed testosterone.
Sonnen (27-11-1 MMA, 6-4 UFC) is expected to rematch Anderson Silva (31-4 MMA, 14-0 UFC) at UFC 148, which takes place July 7 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The event's main-card airs live on pay-per-view while preliminary-card fights air on FX.
The onetime title challenger has spoken openly about his use of testosterone following a failed drug test post-UFC 117 that led to two separate suspensions and a fine from the California State Athletic Commission.
UFC's Bonnar pines for ultimate full-circle with 'TUF' coaching gig opposite Griffin
(mmajunkie.com)While he currently doesn't have a bout on tap, Stephan Bonnar (14-7 MMA, 8-6 UFC) said he's hoping to land another superfight with Forrest Griffin (18-7 MMA, 9-5 UFC).
"Everyone out there please harass Dana White on Twitter to let me and Forrest coach the next season (of 'The Ultimate Fighter')," Bonnar told MMAjunkie.com Radio (www.mmajunkie.com/radio). "If he does that, I can guarantee a barn-burning slugfest.
"I won't go for any takedowns. I won't block any punches. I'll just be moving forward. I'm serious I would just go and slug it out and try to top our first one. What the hell do I have to lose? I want to give the fans a good one."
Bonnar and Griffin's first battle royal in April 2005 at the conclusion of the first season of "TUF" has been voted the greatest fight in UFC history. White often refers to the slugfest as "the most important fight in UFC history" because it took place as part of the first UFC fight card to air live on national television and helped the promotion score its landmark deal with Spike TV.
Nick Diaz's Injunction Denied, Forcing Him to Wait Until NSAC Hearing for Career Clarity
(mmafighting.com) Nick Diaz will be forced to wait at least one more week before learning about the status of his stalled mixed martial arts career.
In a Monday hearing in Clark County (Nevada) district court, judge Rob Bare denied an injunction request that would have effectively overturned his temporary suspension by the the Nevada state athletic commission, stemming from a February drug test that was positive for marijuana metabolites.
The official minutes of the hearing will not be available until Wednesday, but Judge Bare's executive assistant Tara Duenas confirmed the ruling to MMA Fighting.
NSAC executive director Keith Kizer told MMA Fighting that Diaz's hearing with his sanctioning body would be placed on the May 21 docket.
UFC on Fuel 3 Weigh In Results
(mmafighting.com)Main Card
Dustin Poirier (145) vs. Chan Sung Jung (145)
Jorge Lopez (171) vs. Amir Sadollah (171)
Jeremy Stephens (155) vs. Donald Cerrone (155)
Jeff Hougland (135) vs. Yves Jabouin (135)
Fabio Maldonado (205) vs. Igor Pokrajac (205)
Tom Lawlor (186) vs. Jason MacDonald (185)
Preliminary Card
Brad Tavares(185) vs. Dongi Yang (186)
Marcus LeVesseur (155) vs. Cody McKenzie (155)
T.J. Grant (155) vs. Carlo Prater (155)
Rafael Dos Anjos (156) vs. Kamal Shalorus (155)
Jeff Curran (135) vs. Johnny Eduardo (135)
Francisco Rivera (134) vs. Alex Soto (135)
Phil Davis vs. Chad Griggs added to August's UFC on FOX 4 event
(mmajunkie.com)Chad Griggs (11-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC) is making the move to light heavyweight, and "Mr. Wonderful" will be there to meet him.
UFC officials today announced that the former heavyweight is dropping to 205 pounds, where he'll meet Phil Davis (9-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) at UFC on FOX 4.
UFC on FOX 4 takes place Aug. 4 at Los Angeles' Staples Center, and the main card airs on FOX.
Today's release did not detail where the Davis vs. Griggs fight will fit on the evening's fight card.
TUF9 winner Wilks forced to retire
(espn.co.uk)TUF 9 winner James Wilks has announced his retirement from the sport.
The English welterweight, who earned a contract with the UFC after beating DaMarques Johnson in the final of 'The Ultimate Fighter: UK vs. USA', has been forced to end his career due to injury. He has not fought for 18 months.
"A few of you have been asking when my next fight is," Wilks said on Twitter. "Unfortunately, I have had to retire due to injury. Now coaching at Lightning MMA."
UFC on FUEL TV 3's Stephens on Cerrone: 'I'm going to break him'
(mmajunkie.com)Lightweight veteran Jeremy Stephens believes he can get Donald Cerrone to wilt under pressure.
"I couldn't care less about his kicks," said Stephens, scheduled to face Cerrone in the co-main event of UFC on FUEL TV 3 on Tuesday at the Patriot Center in Fairfax, Va. "I couldn't care less about his punching power. And I'm going to break him."
Both coming off losses to top-10 opponents, Cerrone and Stephens could use a win to start new runs at the elite ranks at 155 pounds. Pitting them against each other gives the UFC a good chance of an action-packed affair; between them, Cerrone and Stephens have combined for 13 fight-night awards under the banner of UFC parent Zuffa.
Yet Stephens doesn't go into the cage with the notion of winning a bonus for action.
UFC on FUEL TV 4 adds Dillashaw vs. Lee, Assuncao vs. Tamura, Cariaso vs. Ferguson
(mmajunkie.com)A trio of lighter-weight fights has been added to July's UFC on FUEL TV 4 event, as T.J. Dillashaw (5-1 UFC, 1-1 UFC) vs. Vaughan Lee (12-7-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) and Rapahel Assuncao (16-4 MMA, 1-1 UFC) vs. Issei Tamura (7-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC) take place at bantamweight, while Chris Cariaso (13-3 MMA, 3-1 UFC) and Josh Ferguson (8-4 MMA, 0-1 UFC) each drop to 125 pounds for a flyweight scrap.
UFC officials today announced the new fights.
UFC on FUEL TV 4 takes place July 11 at HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif. Broadcast plans for the event haven't been announced, but main card action airs on FUEL TV.
John Alessio vs. Shane Roller booked for UFC 148 in July
(mmajunkie.com)A lightweight matchup between longtime vet John Alessio (34-15 MMA, 0-4 UFC) and Team Takedown's Shane Roller (10-6 MMA, 1-3 UFC) has been booked for July's UFC 148 event.
UFC officials today announced the new matchup.
UFC 148 takes place July 7 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view, and FX and Facebook are expected to carry the prelims.
The positioning of the Alessio vs. Roller matchup on the night's card was not revealed.
TUF International Round Two: Australia vs. the U.K.
(mmaweekly.com)The Ultimate Fighting Championship has confirmed it will film an Australian edition of its hit reality television series The Ultimate Fighter, giving Aussie and British mixed martial artists the opportunity to secure a lucrative contract with the world’s preeminent mixed martial arts (MMA) organization.
Registration is now open to all aspiring UFC fighters from Australia and the UK. Prospective competitors should visit www.au.ufc.com/TUFForm (Aus) or www.uk.ufc.com/TUFForm (UK) for registration forms, rules and qualification criteria. The live tryouts, scheduled for June 12 in Sydney and June 15 in London, will be open to fighters ranging in weight from 61 to 77 kilograms (135 to 170 pounds). Participants must be between 21 and 35 years of age and have had at least three verified professional fights (having won two).
Hendo vs Bones at UFC 151!
(sherdog.com)Jon Jones will defend his light heavyweight title for the fourth time at UFC 151.
“Bones” will square off with former Strikeforce champion Dan Henderson at the Sept. 1 event, according to a statement recently released by promotion officials. UFC 151 will take place in Las Vegas, though a specific venue for the show has not yet been announced
UFC on FOX 4 adds Mitrione vs. Broughton, Thompson vs. De Fries
(mmajunkie.com)August's UFC on FOX 4 lineup has added a pair of heavyweight fights.
They include Matt Mitrione (5-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC), who looks to rebound from his first career loss when he meets British fighter Rob Broughton (15-7-1 MMA, 1-2 UFC), as well as English fighters Oli Thompson (9-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC) vs. Phil De Fries (8-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC).
UFC officials today confirmed the matchups.
UFC on FOX 4 takes place Aug. 4 at Los Angeles' Staples Center. The main card, including a Brian Stann vs. Hector Lombard headliner, airs on FOX. Today's new additions are likely to be part of the preliminary card, which is expected to air on FUEL TV and stream on Facebook.
Retired UFC vet Chris Lytle falls short in Indiana Senate run
(mmajunkie.com)Chris Lytle's Indiana Senate run came up a bit short.
Lytle, who retired from the UFC this past year after a long and productive fighting career, lost the Republican bid for a state Senate nomination in District 28.
In Tuesday's three-horse race, Lytle (30 percent of the vote) finished behind winner Mike Crider (41 percent) but ahead of John Merlau (29 percent).
"Almost," Lytle tweeted on Tuesday after the vote tallies. "I finished 2nd. It was a good fight."
John Dodson Sidelined ’6 to 7 Weeks’
(mmaweekly.com)Dodson broke his hand in the opening round, and literally had to fight with one less weapon for the majority of the fight.
The injury occurred early in the first round. As he goes back and watches the fight now, Dodson knows exactly where it happened.
“It happened in the first round. I re-watched it. It happened at like 2 minutes, 24 seconds into the fight, and I hit him with that overhand left and I tried to double up on it with two punches. I couldn’t make a fist anymore,” Dodson told MMAWeekly Radio following the fight.
“I was trying to make a fist in my glove and it wasn’t working out too well. I even told Greg (Jackson) after the first, ‘I think I broke my hand.’ He goes, ‘punch him with it,’ and I was like cool.”
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