Demian Maia Evolves Each Fight
(mmamania.com)Previously scheduled to face Alan Belcher at UFN 22, Demian Maia had to set up a new camp and strategy for the upcoming fight at UFC 118 versus Mario Miranda on Saturday. The BJJ expert told SenseiSportTV he has trained with boxing coach Luis Dorea to improve his striking skills and become a more complete mixed martial artist. "The opponent and schedule changes affected me just a bit. I had to speed up the process a little. I was at Bahia and had excellent boxing preparation that couldn’t be better. At each fight I evolve more as a result of the training. I’m ready for everything. He has wrestling characteristics and owns just one loss. If he is in the UFC, that’s because he’s good and can face anyone. He is also tall for the division."
Silva vs. Sonnen Rematch Slated for NYE or Super Bowl Event
(5thround.com)Lance Pugmire of The Los Angeles Times, one of the few in the media with UFC president Dana White’s direct cell number, is reporting that Chael Sonnen will be granted an immediate rematch against middleweight king Anderson Silva.
According to the report, the highly anticipated mulligan will either go down on the UFC’s New Year’s Eve or Super Bowl weekend card.
UFC co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta told Pugmire that Silva’s bruised – NOT BROKEN – ribs will be the determining factor on when the scrap will take place. He added that it’s possible the champ may require a layoff until early February in order to get right, which would be pushing pigskin time.
Marcus Davis Has No Doubt He's A Better Boxer Than Nate Diaz
(mmamania.com)And "The Irish Hand Grenade" thinks it'll give him a clear advantage at UFC 118 this weekend when he faces Diaz. "He's similar to me as far as what he uses in his arsenal. I think that what Diaz does for his boxing, being long, throwing out his lead left hand a lot, he has some good things that he does. But I have more tools. I have better footwork. He moves forwards and backwards. I move side to side. I'm good at closing the gap quickly and getting my shots off and getting back out. I think that I'm the more powerful puncher. I don't think there is any question about that. I hit guys with one shot and they go out. As far as boxing skill goes, I think I have the advantage there."
Belfort Says He's Fighting In November, But Not Silva
(mmamania.com)Injured UFC fighter Vitor Belfort says on his Twitter he'll return to action in November, but he didn't say against who although it won't be UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva. “This year I am not going to fight for the title because the champion is hurt but November we will be in action for sure that is what I can say”
Oliveira replaces Wiman
(mmaweekly.com) The revolving opponent door has swung once again for Efrain Escudero. Originally slated to face John Gunderson at UFC Fight Night 22 in Austin, Texas, on Sept. 15, he was pulled from that fight after Mac Danzig was forced to withdraw from the co-main event versus Matt Wiman. Escudero was elevated to replace Danzig in the headliner.
UFC Prelims Returns At UFC 121
(mmajunkie.com)Spike TV today confirmed it will air another UFC Prelims special before the upcoming UFC 121 event on October 23. The 2 TV fights this time will be Ultimate Fighter 10 winner Court McGee vs. Ryan Jensen and Patrick Cote vs. Tom Lawlor.
More UFN 22 Changes Coming-Matt Wiman Likely Off
(mmajunkie.com)Just as soon as UFC Fight Night 22's co-main event was shuffled, things are in flux once again. While not official yet, Matt Wiman may now be off the card due to an injury suffered in training. Wiman had previously been booked for a rematch with Mac Danzig before an undisclosed injury forced Danzig to withdraw. Wiman was to have faced Efrain Escudero, who replaced Danzig in the fight. A replacement search is now underway.
Mac Danzig Off UFN 22, Escudero-Wiman Now Co-Headliner
(mmajunkie.com)The planned Mac Danzig vs. Matt Wiman rematch scheduled for UFC Fight Night 22 is now off for now. Danzig reportedly is now off due to an undisclosed injury. Efrain Escudero has been tapped as the replacement, meaning he's now out of his scheduled fight with John Gunderson. As a result, "The Busiest Fighter In MMA", Yves Edwards, will now likely make his return to UFC and face Gunderson in a prelim. Wiman-Escudero will be the co-main event.
UFC 118 Official With 10 Fights, But Harris-Vedepo Off
(mmajunkie.com)The fight card for next week's UFC 118 event is complete, UFC officials today announced. The 10-bout lineup features a champion rematch between lightweight champ Frankie Edgar and B.J. Penn, and Randy Couture meets boxer James Toney in the UFC 118 co-headliner. There were 11 fights planned, but Gerald Harris vs. Joe Vedepo is now off. A source says scheduling issues is the reason. They may be shifted to other cards, not necessarily facing each other.
Showdown Joe: Rory MacDonald vs. Matt Brown @ UFC 123
(showdown.ca)
Numerous sources have informed me that welterweight prospect Rory “The Waterboy” MacDonald (10-1) is likely set to square off against rugged veteran Matt “The Immortal” Brown (11-9) at UFC 123, tentatively scheduled for November 20th.
MacDonald, who hails from Kelowna, BC, suffered the first defeat of his young career, when, with seven seconds left in his UFC 115 bout vs Carlos Condit, the referee stepped in to halt the action.
Krzysztof Soszynski vs. Goran Reljic targeted for UFC 122 in Germany
(mmajunkie.com)
Goran Reljic's return to the light-heavyweight division appears set.
Reljic (8-2 MMA, 1-2 UFC) is expected to fight Krzysztof Soszynski (21-10-1, 4-2 UFC) at UFC 122, according to a source close to the event who told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) that verbal agreements are in place with bout agreements expected to be finalized shortly.
Backstage With Ed Soares
(mmafighting.com)Ariel Helwani interviews Ed Soares one of the most recognizable and influential managers in mixed martial arts. With a stable of fighters that includes the likes of Anderson Silva, Lyoto Machida, Jose Aldo, Junior dos Santos and the Nogueira brothers, Soares has quickly put together one of the most impressive list of clients in the entire sport.
2 Gracies Among 8 Announced For UFC 118 Grappling Superfights
(mmajunkie.com)Officials today announced a quartet of "superfights" for the UFC Fan Expo trade and exhibition show in Boston, which coincides with next month's UFC 118 event. Members of MMA's first family, other grappling notables and even a former WEC champion are part of the lineup. The bouts include Rolles Gracie vs. Roberto Abreu, Gregor Gracie vs. Pablo Popovitch, Hermes Franca vs. Ryan Hall, and Penny Thomas vs. Tracey Goodell. On Friday, Aug. 27 at 2 p.m. ET, Thomas, who defeated MMA veteran Shayna Baszler at May's UFC Fan Expo in Las Vegas, takes on Team Lloyd Irvin product Goodell. Additionally, Franca, a former WEC title-holder and UFC title challenger, meets 23-time Grapplers Quest champion Ryan Hall. On Saturday, Aug. 28 at 12:30 p.m. ET, the Gracie clan takes center stage. Rolles, a heavyweight MMA fighter who had a one-fight stint with the UFC earlier this year, takes on Abreu, an undefeated Grapplers Quest champ. And Gregor, a four-time Grapplers Quest champ and half-brother of Rolles', meets Popovich, an ADCC world grappling champion.
Cro Cop: I'm Not Going To Be 100% Against Frank Mir-But I Won't Disappoint The Fans
(mmamania.com)Mirko Cro Cop confirms his participation in the UFC 119 main event against Frank Mir after "Minotauro" Nogueira was forced to withdraw from the Sept. 25 fight card due to ailing hips. "Cro Cop" doesn't think he can be 100-percent prepared in just five weeks, but was not about to disappoint the UFC or his fans by turning down the fight. "I am aware that I am not going to be 100-percent for this fight because in this sport five weeks notice is basically last-minute notice. But I know the UFC had no other solution and so I could not refuse the owner of the UFC, who has made me financially secure, or the UFC fans, who I do not want to disappoint."
Did Vince McMahon Inadvertently Help Drive TUF Ratings?
(mmamania.com)According to former WWE employee and longtime wrestling personality Paul Heyman, yes-at least for the first season of TUF when Raw still aired on Spike. And Heyman tried to stop The Vin-Man from allowing it. "I was there in the room when we decided whether to let The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) come on after Monday Night Raw. They had the right to approve or decline any programming that followed them. I told [the WWE], they better not let [the UFC] on ... Yeah, I'm the a--hole that almost turned it down. [I said] 'You should be afraid of anything that will take away from your pay-per-view dollar. They are going to reach into your pocket, rip it open, and all those dollars are going to flow right there.' Here's the best way I can tell you about Vince McMahon. It's the ultimate Vince control story. If you're in the room with Vince McMahon and he sneezes, go on your Blackberry for the next 20 minutes because nothing you say to him is going to get through ... Cause he gets really p-----d off. Cause he can't control the sneeze."
German WW Pascal Krauss To Make UFC Debut At UFC 122
(mmajunkie.com)Undefeated Pascal Krauss is the latest European standout invited to the octagon. The German welterweight has signed a four-fight deal with the UFC and makes his debut at UFC 122, according to German MMA website groundandpound.de. Although not officially announced by the promotion, UFC 122 takes place Nov. 13 at the Konig Pilsener Arena in Oberhausen, Germany. Nicknamed "Panzer," Krauss trains with Grappling Arts in Freiburg, Germany, and is the welterweight champion of U.K.-based Cage Warriors Fighting Championships promotion. With an unblemished professional record, he has notched all but two of his nine victories by way of submission. A source close to the fighter said Krauss currently is awaiting an opponent for UFC 122. He most recently appeared in May and earned a second-round submission victory over John Quinn to win the Cage Warriors title.
|
|
