Thiago Tavares vs. Kurt Pellegrino at UFC 88
(mmamania.com)Lightweight submission specialists Thiago Tavares (13-2) and Kurt Pellegrino (15-4) will tangle at UFC 88: “Breakthrough” at the Philips Arena in Atlanta, Ga. on September 6.
It’s a match up between two 155-pound fighters who up until recently were in the title hunt. However, recent losses for both fighters have temporarily dashed those hopes, making this showdown super important for the winner — it will get him back in the mix much faster.
After bursting on the UFC scene with two straight wins, Tavares created quite a buzz — he was being touted as a possible threat to the champion. However, he has since come back down to Earth, losing two of his last three fights. And the last one — a knockout defeat courtesy of Matt Wiman at UFC 85: “Bedlam” last month — was a huge setback.
Miller Time: 2 More Millers Signed By UFC
(mmajunkie.com)As part of the continuing exodus of IFL talent to the UFC, UFC today signed IFL Middleweight Champion Dan Miller and his brother Jim Miller to 4-fight exclusive deals. Terms were not disclosed and no word on UFC debut dates for either.
UFC Quick Quote: St. Pierre ‘needs to prove himself’ before fight against Anderson Silva
(mmamania.com) “That sounds great … I think GSP is an incredible fighter. But I think GSP needs to prove himself. He still hasn’t had a successful title defense [at 170 pounds]. I don’t really feel that he deserves (a fight against Anderson Silva fight) yet. Go defend your title a few times and then we’ll talk.”
– Ed Soares, the manager and translator for UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva, tells Pro MMA Radio that UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St. Pierre still has a little work to do before locking horns with the Brazilian anytime soon. “Rush” has often talked about taking on new challenges in the middleweight division as long as he clears out his 170-pound class first and no friend of his (Patrick Cote included) is a current champion.
Eleven UFC Fight Night 14 Fighters Drug Tested
(mmafrenzy.com)MMAFrenzy.com (www.mmafrenzy.com) has confirmed with the Nevada State Athletic Commission that eleven UFC Fight Night 14 fighters were tested for performance enhancing drugs and drugs of abuse.
The eleven-bout Spike TV event took place on Saturday, July 19th, at The Pearl at The Palms in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The tested fighters were Anderson Silva, James Irvin, Tim Credeur, Cale Yarbrough, Hermes Franca, Frank Edgar, Cain Velasquez, Brandon Vera, CB Dollaway, Nate Loughran, and Shannon Gugerty.
Anthony Johnson’s agent to appeal loss
(fiveouncesofpain.com)Ken Pavia, the agent for UFC welterweight Anthony “Rumble” Johnson, recently revealed that he will be filing a formal appeal as a result of Johnson’s TKO loss on Saturday during UFC Fight Night 14.
During the bout, Johnson had been on the receiving end of several eye pokes from his opponent, Kevin Burns. In spite of multiple warnings, Johnson still received a severe poke during the third and final round of the fight. After taking the finger to the eye, Johnson retreated to the canvas and covered up. Referee Steve Mazzagatti then called a stop to the fight and later ruled Burns the winner via TKO.
UFC Video Game to Feature Joe Silva's Rankings?
(bloodyelbow.com)
Finally, the most exciting feature of this game for me is that this game may serve as the way to determine the definitive top 10 rankings in the UFC. Joe Silva is working with the developers to determine the fighter attributes. Therefore, if the game says Chuck Liddell is the number 2 contender to Forrest Griffin at Light Heavyweight, that means that is what Silva thinks. The attributes of the fighters will be determined based on Silva's assessment of their talent. In the fluid world of the UFC, where a fighter is only as good as his last fight, THQ is trying to get a system in place by launch that would enable updated fighter rankings and statistics throughout the year.
Therefore, if Wanderlei Silva were to beat Chuck Liddell and Joe Silva then thought Wanderlei is the new number one contender and should get the next title shot, an update over XBOX Live or the PlayStation Network could come out on Monday dropping Liddell down and moving Wanderlei up. Fans would not have to guess at who should get the next title shot, just turn on their consoles and see the new rankings.
There is an interesting report up over at Figure Four Online for premium members only on the new UFC game coming out next year.
This would make the UFC game far more important than any sports game out there that I know of. The game would actually become a crucial part of being a UFC fan, which would be pretty revolutionary in the sports gaming world.
Affliction, Fedor Prove MMA is Bigger Than UFC
(sherdog.com)There’s much to be said for selling out. For Affliction, it happens to be a good thing.
The clothing company turned mixed martial arts promoter packed the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., on Saturday. Nearly 14,000 fans were treated to highlight reel moments of Dominique Wilkins proportions throughout the night. But it wasn’t all fashionable fun in the organization’s inaugural show.
From the try-hard red carpet that ushered VIPs in and out of the arena to the distracting, unnecessary smoke machines that went on through most of the event, Affliction’s presentation had enough plot holes to compete with the latest batch of summer blockbusters...
UFC Pay-per-view Revenue Up, Buys Flat; UK Expansion Turns Profitable
(mmapayout.com)On Friday S&P released its latest credit rating assessment for Zuffa, parent company of the UFC. The headline was a change from negative to stable in the company’s rating outlooking with its BB- rating affirmed. However, beyond the headline, the report contains a valuable glimpse into the current industry environment and the financial standing of the company.
According to the report, “overall pay-per-view (PPV) revenues, which represent nearly 75% of total revenues, have trended up in recent quarters, albeit largely due to an increase in the number of events, higher pricing, and more favorable contract terms, rather than an increase in the number of buys.”
UFC 90: Silva vs Okami
(en.wikipedia.org)According to Wikipedia, Anderson Silva will defend his middleweight title against Yushin Okami at UFC 90 on October 25th at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois.
I don't know how accurate this is, but I figured I'd post it.
UFC Fight Night 14 medical suspension and injuries from NSAC
(mmamania.com)ames Irvin – “The Sandman” is suspended until September 3 with a right cheek laceration and there in no contact allowed until August 19.
Hermes Franca – The charismatic Brazilian fighter is suspended until August 19 and there is no contact allowed until August 10.
Frank Edgar – “The Answer” is suspended until August 19 with a chin laceration and there is no contact allowed until August 10.
Jake O’Brien – “Irish” is suspended until September 3 and there is no contact allowed until August 19.
Cain Velasquez – The up-and-comer must have a meniscal/ligament tear in his knee cleared by an orthopedic doctor or no contest until January 7, 2009. His minimum suspension will last until August 9 and there is no contact allowed until August 10.
Anthony Johnson — “Rumble” must have Johnson must have a right eye conjunctiva laceration cleared by an ophthalmologist before he can return to action. His minimum suspension and no contest will last until August 19 and there is no contact until August 10.
|
|
