Off-Topic/Minor MMA News and Notes

[oligarchy]

Yoshiro Maeda signs with WEC -- former King of Pancrase
-- look at the cards to see a rumored (but mostly confirmed) card with Maeda expected to fight

"Dreams" is the supposed name of the new promotion that is a new partnetship between Dream Stage Entertainment (DSE the former Pride owner) and K-1 Hero's. Hero's will now become defunct.

[oligarchy]

Joe Rogan vs a myspace challenger -- saw this on CagePotato

a556pUcVgO0

[LEONARD]

Still funny... :lol

[LEONARD]

BJ Penn vs Ryoto Machida in K1 Hero’s
http://mmafightvideos.blogspot.com/2008/01/bj-penn-vs-lyoto-machida-k-1-heros-1.html

Gonzaga vs Werdum 1
http://mmafightvideos.blogspot.com/2008/01/gabriel-gonzaga-vs-fabricio-werdum-1.html

Rampage visits Marines at Camp Pendleton
http://bloodyelbow.com/story/2008/1/11/162642/318

Best of 2007 Highlight
http://mmafightvideos.blogspot.com/2008/01/best-of-mma-2007-by-onepunchkocom.html

Ex-Pride employees joining forces with K-1 Hero’s to form “Dreams”??? Hmmm…Pride lives on maybe… :fro
http://nightmareofbattle.wordpress.com/2008/01/11/rumor-dreams-to-replace-heros/

[Evan]

Ex-Pride employees joining forces with K-1 Hero’s to form “Dreams”??? Hmmm…Pride lives on maybe… :fro
http://nightmareofbattle.wordpress.com/2008/01/11/rumor-dreams-to-replace-heros/

Cause they did such a smashing job the first time...
:p:

[LEONARD]

Cause they did such a smashing job the first time...
:p:

I have a stack of Pride DVD's that says they did ok... :smokin

Entertaining and great fights...not the greatest business model though... :lol

[Evan]

...not the greatest business model though... :lol

Which is my point. The game has changed so much since then that any decent talent will be quickly recognized and signed away.

K-1 will smother them.

[LEONARD]

but K-1 Hero's is merging with them...so as far as MMA goes you'd have Dreams and that's it...

Unless you mean that K-1 kickboxing will smother Dreams in terms of popularity, money, etc...

[dallaskd]

Best of 2007 Highlight
http://mmafightvideos.blogspot.com/2008/01/best-of-mma-2007-by-onepunchkocom.html

very nice. im suprised they went with free bird but it worked well.

[Evan]

but K-1 Hero's is merging with them...so as far as MMA goes you'd have Dreams and that's it...

That story didn't make much sense to me but this one does..

MMANews.com's Jacob Spharler sent along the following:

# According to Gryphon's blog there are reports in Japan that K-1 (FEG) and former PRIDE employees will unite for a new MMA event called "Dreams". The blog also states that Akira Maeda will leave K-1 HERO'S and the HERO'S format will be finished. DREAMS will take the place of HERO'S. They will use FEG's TV deal and DSE's new company production.

[LEONARD]

Urijah Faber talks about a mod that tried to kill him :lol
http://youtube.com/watch?v=rOQLg7Kc8So

[Evan]

The strained relationship between the Ultimate Fighting Championship and its heavyweight champion Randy Couture has taken another bad turn -- directly into a Las Vegas courtroom.

Lawyers for Zuffa, LLC, the UFC's parent company, on Monday filed suit in Clark County District Court, alleging chiefly that Couture's comments about the UFC and its senior management caused the business irreparable damage and that he is in breach of the contract he signed with the company in December 2006.

"We are alleging numerous intentional torts, which have caused Zuffa and the UFC significant harm," attorney Donald J. Campbell said. "Based upon that harm we are seeking to address these matters before a court of law."

The lawsuit seeks damages in excess of $10,000 and states that the amount of both compensatory and punitive damages would be proven at trial. It also seeks an injunction restraining Couture from participating in any way in any promotion competing against the UFC.

The lawsuit is the latest episode of discord between Couture and UFC President Dana White, who said he has considered Couture a friend for eight years.

"What's really tough for me, to be honest, is we have been friends for a very long time," White said. "The hard part is that he is not living up to his obligations. Captain America is not keeping his word."

Couture is listed as the UFC heavyweight champion, even though the fighter and organization have been engaged in a public dispute that included his resignation from the company. An interim title match has been scheduled.

The tense relationship between Couture and the UFC, namely White and co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta, became public on Oct. 11 when Couture held a news conference at his Las Vegas gym. Couture detailed his frustrations with the company and announced he was resigning from the UFC.

Couture claimed Fertitta and White had lied to him; that the company paid "off-the-books" bonuses to fighters; that he never was paid a signing bonus that had been negotiated in his December 2006 contract; and that the company treated many of its athletes poorly.

Fertitta and White held their own news conference the following week, during which they addressed Couture's allegations and produced copies of checks cashed by Couture, including the signing bonus. The checks showed the heavyweight to be making much more money than he had claimed.

In the months since, the battle of words has continued and the sides have been unable to work things out.

"I expect Randy to honor the obligations in his contract that he signed (a year ago). I tried to resolve it by talking to this guy that I've had a relationship with for eight years and was unsuccessful," White said. "Now this thing's in the hands of the justice system."

Monday's lawsuit claims Couture's negative statements about the company constituted "injurious falsehood and trade disparagement," that has led to significant financial losses for the UFC.

The lawsuit also alleges conspiracy, stating that several unnamed parties to be identified at a later date worked with Couture to intentionally inflict harm on the UFC.

According to the lawsuit, Couture is also in breach of a stipulation that prohibits him from engaging in "direct or indirect competition" with the UFC for a period of 12 months following the termination of his contract.

Thus, Couture's sponsorship and promotion of a team in the International Fight League would be in direct violation of the stipulation. Currently, the IFL's Web site lists Couture's Xtreme Couture team taking on Mario Sperry's World Class Fight Center at the IFL's Feb. 29 card at the Orleans Arena.


http://www.lvrj.com/sports/13794082.html

[LEONARD]

Randy and Fedor met in LA for an Affliction commercial
http://reach.no/div/fed_cout_1.jpg
http://reach.no/div/fed_cout_3.jpg

Video here
http://www.bloodyelbow.com/story/2008/1/20/105840/653

Bob Sapp wants Fedor
http://mmajunkie.com/2008/01/21/bob-sapp-vs-jan-nortje-headlines-feb-23-strikeforce-event/

Tank says he’s going to put his fist between Kimbo’s eyes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nfysg6QSlo0

Frank Mir Road to 81 episode 2
http://www.mmaontap.com/mma/entry/road-to-ufc-81-frank-mir-episode-two/

Kim Couture has her first fight in Feb
http://mmajunkie.com/2008/01/19/kim-couture-to-make-mma-debut-feb-23/

New HW to the rescue…signed by the UFC...maybe he's got something.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAlAneaYjqU
http://bloodyelbow.com/story/2008/1/21/104215/602

[Evan]

Ok so it looks like Tito may be gone from the UFC.

So be it. See ya.

It doesn't matter because Tito has never once lived up to the massive hype the UFC built around him which Tito fed in this second go round. His one crowning moment since coming back to the UFC was a decicion win over Forrest Griffin which could have gone either way (but that’s what decision are all about)

There is no effing way Tito will ever hold the LHW belt in the UFC again. There is far too much elite talent ahead of him and you simply can't have a big name fighter who is B class results. I have always said Tito has not evolved with modern MMA but I also wonder if he has a host of injury's. Rumor has him dealing with a nasty back issue.

Tito wants big time money but where is he going to get it?

But I think this issue is more than money and a lot of this has to do with ego. If he is going to move on, EliteXC is a good place for him. His talent matches well with what they have and he can probably hold a title for quite some time as it stands over there. He can have the spotlight of an entire org focused on him and a belt.

Tito has been a failure in the UFC. He has never come close to a belt and his "team punishment" who was going to tear through the UFC has fallen to pieces with members leaving and losing fights.

[oligarchy]

Ok so it looks like Tito may be gone from the UFC.

So be it. See ya.

It doesn't matter because Tito has never once lived up to the massive hype the UFC built around him which Tito fed in this second go round. His one crowning moment since coming back to the UFC was a decicion win over Forrest Griffin which could have gone either way (but that’s what decision are all about)

There is no effing way Tito will ever hold the LHW belt in the UFC again. There is far too much elite talent ahead of him and you simply can't have a big name fighter who is B class results. I have always said Tito has not evolved with modern MMA but I also wonder if he has a host of injury's. Rumor has him dealing with a nasty back issue.

Tito wants big time money but where is he going to get it?

But I think this issue is more than money and a lot of this has to do with ego. If he is going to move on, EliteXC is a good place for him. His talent matches well with what they have and he can probably hold a title for quite some time as it stands over there. He can have the spotlight of an entire org focused on him and a belt.

Tito has been a failure in the UFC. He has never come close to a belt and his "team punishment" who was going to tear through the UFC has fallen to pieces with members leaving and losing fights.

I think you are missing a big piece to this. Tito is, and will continue to be a big draw. The Apprentice can only garner him new fans. I believe this is more telling of the UFC. Do you know the UFC's three biggest draws? Randy, Chuck, Tito. How many of those are gone?

Tito can say that Machida isn't anyone, because from a business perspective who is bigger? We can all play the "I want this fight because.." or "Machida is someone because he is a top 10", but in the end it's business. Can Machida draw anyone? NO! He is boring and will stay boring. He also doesn't speak english. A. Silva is great, but will never put fans in the seats. It appears that Randy and Tito both have more business sense than Dana and the UFC currently.

Again, I think Dana hurts the UFC more now. He did great things in the past (when it was really about reviving), but he isn't helping with furthering or improving the sport. He is an idiot.

[Evan]

I think you are missing a big piece to this. Tito is, and will continue to be a big draw. .

I don't think so. You can only keep yourself inflated with talk and name equity for so long before people become bored. Show us something. Wins of Ken Shamrock and a draw with Rashad does little to excite the masses. His story has become tiresome.


The Apprentice can only garner him new fans. .

Possibly some..how big are those rating? Isn't that show kind of a joke? He isn't even referenced as a UFC fighter on the show.


I believe this is more telling of the UFC. Do you know the UFC's three biggest draws? Randy, Chuck, Tito. How many of those are gone?.

Chuck just redeemed himself with a big win with a legndary fight. Chuck is still relevant.


It appears that Randy and Tito both have more business sense than Dana and the UFC currently

I am not sure about that. Why does Tito deserve a raise? What has he done. His star power is fading as his exposure as little more than mediocre talent is becoming clear.


Again, I think Dana hurts the UFC more now. He did great things in the past (when it was really about reviving), but he isn't helping with furthering or improving the sport. He is an idiot.

This wasn't all on Dana. Tito went above his head on this one. He negotiated with Lorenzo Feritta. Does he ever have a chance at becoming a belt holder again? Probably not. He is 33 with a wrecked body. He is what he is.

[LEONARD]

I don’t really understand WHY, but Tito does draw well still.

I think it’s very unlikely that he’ll get back to a LHW title fight.

I think there is a place in the UFC for him and I’m sure he’d be worth the money in the long run due to the buys he draws.

It won’t be the 1st time Dana has run him off and it won’t be the last guy Dana runs off either.

I’d rather Tito stay…wouldn’t mind seeing a rematch with Wandy…or a fight with Shogun…

[Evan]

I think it’s very unlikely that he’ll get back to a LHW title fight.…

I would love to see him force the UFC into giving him one. Personally I do not like him but I truly believe his is great for entertainment value but he needs to back it up in fights otherwise he is simply a mascaott.


It won’t be the 1st time Dana has run him off and it won’t be the last guy Dana runs off either.…

True. My biggest complaint with the UFC is Dana's effing mouth.


I’d rather Tito stay…wouldn’t mind seeing a rematch with Wandy…or a fight with Shogun…

Completley agree. Would be nice to see either Wandy or Shogun get back on track by kicking his head into the rafters!!!

[Evan]

And yeah I do agree with both of you he is a big draw of course but I believe that draw is dimming fast and will not be there in 2 fights, let alone 4 or 5 fights which is probably the contract length Tito would require.

[oligarchy]

I still disagree. Whatever the reason, Tito is a bigger draw than even Randy. Look at the numbers. I don't like Tito, but in this case, he is actually right. Why shouldn't he want more money when he is drawing more people than almost any other fighter?

I bet Tito vs Wandy rematch would be as big or bigger than Chuck vs Wandy. I'm not sure I can say how many fights would be still be draws, but I do think a few more fights would still be big draw.

[Evan]

I still disagree. Whatever the reason, Tito is a bigger draw than even Randy. Look at the numbers. I don't like Tito, but in this case, he is actually right. Why shouldn't he want more money when he is drawing more people than almost any other fighter?

I bet Tito vs Wandy rematch would be as big or bigger than Chuck vs Wandy. I'm not sure I can say how many fights would be still be draws, but I do think a few more fights would still be big draw.

oligarchy

I think we are agreeing here for the most part. My argument is based on him completely falling off the map very soon for being exposed.

With the monster contract he will require it won't be worth it. Fans will grow tired of it.

No matter how big of a draw he is, he isn't near as much as he was a year ago and IMO he will continue to decline rather fast. I think him facing Wandy or Shogun would be a monster fight leaving Tito as a rather worthless fighter soon. The UFC LHW division is far too stacked. He has no place left really. You have 5 or so people fighting for a title and this one guy who talks a lot. Everybody would get tired of that eventually.

I think Tito is a very smart businessman and knows this. All of his negative comments about the UFC will be face saving ones raising his value to other clubs as it will get his name out with higher frequency during his free agent period. Whoever lands him will be getting a B or maybe even a C class fighter with an A class mouth who will spout anti UFC propaganda.

He will be a valuable commodity to a lower org.

With all of that said I think the UFC should have re-signed him for another 2 fights and set him up to get his head knocked off but my thinking is "Homey don't play that."

[LEONARD]

Randy talks about Fedor on ESPN
http://mmamania.com/2008/01/24/espn-first-take-randy-couture-determined-to-make-fedor-emelianenko-fight-happen-video/

Ricco Rodriguez joined Celebrity Rehab this week…look for re-runs during the week…
http://www.cagepotato.com/2008/01/25/ricco-rodriguez-can-sense-the-hostility-mma-tv-roundup/

Tank on Jimmy Kimmel tonight
http://mmajunkie.com/2008/01/24/tank-abbott-booked-for-tonights-jimmy-kimmel-live/

Sweet backflip escape (HS wrestling)
http://bloodyelbow.com/story/2008/1/24/152435/434

[Evan]

IFO closes its doors.

http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=5576&zoneid=13

[LEONARD]

UFC deal with Gomi fell thru…Frankie Edgar will fight Manny Gamburyan at UFC Fight Night 13 instead of Gomi
http://www.mmanews.com/ufc/Report:-UFC-Deal-With-Takanori-Gomi-Falls-Through.html

[dallaskd]

UFC deal with Gomi fell thru…Frankie Edgar will fight Manny Gamburyan at UFC Fight Night 13 instead of Gomi
http://www.mmanews.com/ufc/Report:-UFC-Deal-With-Takanori-Gomi-Falls-Through.html

:bang

[dallaskd]

so where will gomi go?

[Evan]

Dan Henderson says Paulo on roids...

http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/01/31/dan-henderson-thinks-paulo-filho-was-a-juicer/

[Evan]

so where will gomi go?
World Victory Road

meh.........

http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/01/31/gomi-signs-with-world-victory-road/

will have to wait for videos to hit the intenet to be able to see him fight now...

[LEONARD]

Filho appears to be a solid roid candidate, especially as lethargic as he's looked in his last 2 fights...

[LEONARD]

so he's fighting Sonnen again in March...then moving up to LHW. He claims the huge weight cut is what's causing him look like hell, but he fought at 183 lbs in Pride.

http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/01/31/filho-to-rematch-chael-sonnen-in-march/

[dallaskd]

MMA Junkie Quick Hits...

1) Patrick Cote to fight at UFC 83 against Alan Belcher OR Johnny Rees, Update coming soon

2) Ultimate Fighter 7 FInale targeted for June 21st in Vegas at the Palms

3) Rich Franklin vs Travis Lutter official for UFC 83

4) Jon Koppenhaver may drop to 155

5) Josh Barnett vs Hidehiko Yoshida scheduled for March 5th

6) Chuck Liddell's book has hit the shelves. Be sure to pick it up. Matt Hughes book was released a few weeks ago

7) Frankie Edgar vs Gray Maynard at UFN 13 in Bloomfield CO

8) Charles McCarthy vs Michael Bisping at UFC 83 official

9) Chuck Liddell vs Mauricio Rua is a VERY good possibility

10) Keith Jardine vs Wanderlei Silva MAY also happen in May

[oligarchy]

so he's fighting Sonnen again in March...then moving up to LHW. He claims the huge weight cut is what's causing him look like hell, but he fought at 183 lbs in Pride.

http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/01/31/filho-to-rematch-chael-sonnen-in-march/

Exactly what I thought when I read his stupid interview and his coach saying the same crap. I think I believe Dan Henderson. If I recall all of his Pride fights were at 183, and at DEEP and Pancrase. Something like 10 fights at 183 and he suddenly has a problem cutting to 185?

[LEONARD]

Sean Sherk is officially in my cross-hairs…what a tool. What champ did Sean beat to get the LW beat? Oh that’s right, he didn’t…he just had to beat Kenny F’n Florian (who he couldn’t even finish). The last LW “champ” before that was Jens Pulver…who BJ beat 2 fights ago. Oops… :dizzy
http://mmamania.com/2008/02/05/sean-sherk-to-bj-penn-if-you-want-to-be-the-champ-you-have-to-beat-the-champ-video/#comments

Dana disses Kimbo…while we certainly don’t know exactly what Kimbo is, or will be…calling him a scrub because of his streetfight with Gannon is about as ignorant of a supporting argument as you could make… :lol
http://15rounds.com/boxing/News/2008/02/ufcnotes-020308.php

[dallaskd]

Didnt Gannon have one fight in the UFC? also i watched that fight on youtube and its basically two guys in a basement and they say gannon won. "the only guy ever to beat kimbo".

p.s dont watch it its 10 minutes long and all it is is guys screaming and cussing and everyone screams at gannon when he gets kimbo in headlock.

[LEONARD]

Yea, Gannon lost in the UFC. It was a terrible fight with poorly defined rules and other BS.

Kimbo today is a completely different guy...

[Evan]

Dana disses Kimbo…while we certainly don’t know exactly what Kimbo is, or will be…calling him a scrub because of his streetfight with Gannon is about as ignorant of a supporting argument as you could make… :lol
http://15rounds.com/boxing/News/2008/02/ufcnotes-020308.php

Ugh...

2 months ago Dana said all kinds of good things about Kimbo. This is the number one thing I hate about Dana...his mouth forgets the stuff it pooped 1 minute ago.

I don't think he is a liar, I just don't think he can help himself when he gets mad.

So this tells me there was talks with Kimbo's people about using a clause in his contract to break it and come to the UFC and talks broke down. Mark my words that is what happened.

[Evan]

http://img.perezhilton.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/wenn1737988__oPt.jpg

Somehow I think lyoto machida is taking this fight more seriously. :lol

[LEONARD]

Ugh...

2 months ago Dana said all kinds of good things about Kimbo. This is the number one thing I hate about Dana...his mouth forgets the stuff it pooped 1 minute ago.

I don't think he is a liar, I just don't think he can help himself when he gets mad.

So this tells me there was talks with Kimbo's people about using a clause in his contract to break it and come to the UFC and talks broke down. Mark my words that is what happened.

There is NO QUESTION. Just look at the hype they gave Lesnar...they'd have done the same thing for Kimbo. You know they tried to get him...

He does it with everybody that doesn't end up signing for whatever reason. Fedor, the "not even top 5" "farce" that's never fought anybody (aside from beating the current UFC HW champ twice) is the prime example... :lol

He also does the opposite. He ripped Wanderlei up one side and down the other after "getting his head kicked off" by Crocop and then losing to Hendo, then came in his pants 5 months later when he signed him and even posted a video of it on ufc.com (which I'd never seen before). Gotta love the Dana...here are my fav Dana quotes:

"Brock Lesnar and K-1 is a circus act!"
"We're excited to announce the signing of Brock Lesnar!"

"We're in negotiations with Fedor, the number one Heavy Weight on the planet."
"I'll have Fedor by November after he gets done with his Sambo tournament."
"We're confident we'll have Fedor by the end of the year."
"Fedor and Randy will be the biggest fight in MMA history."
"Randy would smash Fedor easily. he's overhyped and untested. He hasn't fought anyone in the last year and a half."
"Fedor is a fraud...he isn't even a top five fighter!"
"Fedor is a farce"

:lol

I guess he thinks people won't notice all the flip-flopping BS...most fans don't have a clue, so he's right in a way I guess...

[LEONARD]

Tito & Jenna on Stern
http://www.cagepotato.com/2008/02/06/tito-and-jenna-do-howard-stern/

Sokoudjou audio interview
http://www.jarrypark.com/2008/02/04/whats-next-for-rameau-thierry-sokoudjou/

[Evan]

I really think Tito is overestimating his current day popularity. Why would you buy a PPV with him on the card as a stand alone?

Unless he fights Frank then it has to be on Showtime and there is no way they can afford to pay him what he wants.

Roughly 2 years ago I was certain Team Punishment would be another MFS or CB type powerhouse but uh...no_so_much.

Hopefully it all works out. I am not a big fan of his but his dynamic personality would be great for the UFC if he can back it up as a contender. If he could string together 3 legit wins in a row he would get a title shot I think. Big if!

[dbreiden83080]

I really think Tito is overestimating his current day popularity. Why would you buy a PPV with him on the card as a stand alone?

Unless he fights Frank then it has to be on Showtime and there is no way they can afford to pay him what he wants.

Roughly 2 years ago I was certain Team Punishment would be another MFS or CB type powerhouse but uh...no_so_much.

Hopefully it all works out. I am not a big fan of his but his dynamic personality would be great for the UFC if he can back it up as a contender. If he could string together 3 legit wins in a row he would get a title shot I think. Big if!

I like Tito very much but i think the sport evolving and injuries have really hurt him in the 2nd half of his career. He had quite a dominant run there for a while though. I don't kill him for the stuff he has pulled in regards to making money, holding out and all that because this is a sport especially when he was early in his career where fighters getting screwed was the norm. This is such a dangerous sport, so you want to make all you can when you are still able to do it. He is probably done as a legit threat to the title but he had a very good career, i think he is a hall of famer. Hell if Shamrock is in there, Tito has to be.

[dallaskd]

There is NO QUESTION. Just look at the hype they gave Lesnar...they'd have done the same thing for Kimbo. You know they tried to get him...

He does it with everybody that doesn't end up signing for whatever reason. Fedor, the "not even top 5" "farce" that's never fought anybody (aside from beating the current UFC HW champ twice) is the prime example... :lol

He also does the opposite. He ripped Wanderlei up one side and down the other after "getting his head kicked off" by Crocop and then losing to Hendo, then came in his pants 5 months later when he signed him and even posted a video of it on ufc.com (which I'd never seen before). Gotta love the Dana...here are my fav Dana quotes:

"Brock Lesnar and K-1 is a circus act!"
"We're excited to announce the signing of Brock Lesnar!"

"We're in negotiations with Fedor, the number one Heavy Weight on the planet."
"I'll have Fedor by November after he gets done with his Sambo tournament."
"We're confident we'll have Fedor by the end of the year."
"Fedor and Randy will be the biggest fight in MMA history."
"Randy would smash Fedor easily. he's overhyped and untested. He hasn't fought anyone in the last year and a half."
"Fedor is a fraud...he isn't even a top five fighter!"
"Fedor is a farce"

:lol

I guess he thinks people won't notice all the flip-flopping BS...most fans don't have a clue, so he's right in a way I guess...


Dana's dumbest quote is on UFC.com under the ufc 83 press conference announcing from Montreal. When talking about GSP he said...


"If this sport is where basketball is...this kid would bury Michael Jordan."

[dallaskd]

I noticed on sherdog, Glover Teixeira, the guy who KO'd Sokoudjou in WEC....he just had his first fight since then which was a long time ago on the 17th against Jorge Oliveira and it says he TKO'd the guy in 5 seconds. someone care to explain how this happened?

[Evan]

Jake Shields Will Fight Frank Shamrock “Any Day, Any Weight”

http://mmajunkie.com/2008/02/07/jake-shields-will-fight-frank-shamrock-any-day-any-weight/

Well one thing is for sure, Frank's career is back on track.

Perhaps Jake should just focus on Ficket for now...

[Evan]

I noticed on sherdog, Glover Teixeira, the guy who KO'd Sokoudjou in WEC....he just had his first fight since then which was a long time ago on the 17th against Jorge Oliveira and it says he TKO'd the guy in 5 seconds. someone care to explain how this happened?

Didn't he screw up his hand? Not sure really.

[LEONARD]

Jake Shields Will Fight Frank Shamrock “Any Day, Any Weight”

http://mmajunkie.com/2008/02/07/jake-shields-will-fight-frank-shamrock-any-day-any-weight/

Well one thing is for sure, Frank's career is back on track.

Perhaps Jake should just focus on Ficket for now...

I'd love to see that fight...

He's going to massacre Fickett...and I'm a Fickett fan.


I noticed on sherdog, Glover Teixeira, the guy who KO'd Sokoudjou in WEC....he just had his first fight since then which was a long time ago on the 17th against Jorge Oliveira and it says he TKO'd the guy in 5 seconds. someone care to explain how this happened?

He landed his 1st punch? :lol

[Evan]

I agree he will probably win but it never sits well with me when fighters talk about fights beyond their current one.

Unless his contract is coming up then more power to him to negotiate with fan excitement. Smart man if that's the case.

[LEONARD]

Tim Sylvia will be at the Dallas Autorama the weekend of the 16th
http://www.autorama.com/casi/dallas.htm

I'll pass... :lol

[cornbread]

Tim Sylvia will be at the Dallas Autorama the weekend of the 16th
http://www.autorama.com/casi/dallas.htm

I'll pass... :lol
Forget Tim Sylvia. Virgil, former bodyguard to Ted "The Million Dollar Man" Dibiase, will be there!

I'm there.

[LEONARD]

It appears we’ve lost Mark Hunt…wtf??? :madrun
http://www.bloodyelbow.com/story/2008/2/6/104827/6453

I don't get it...he CAN make 265 lbs...he's got a head of stone...he's perfect for the UFC HW division...fans would love his style. He's Cabbage with K-1 striking skills and a better chin... :madrun

[LEONARD]

Kimbo (and Dr Phil... :lol ) on Jimmy Kimmel tonight
http://www.bloodyelbow.com/story/2008/2/7/16659/38347

[oligarchy]

It appears we’ve lost Mark Hunt…wtf??? :madrun
http://www.bloodyelbow.com/story/2008/2/6/104827/6453

I don't get it...he CAN make 265 lbs...he's got a head of stone...he's perfect for the UFC HW division...fans would love his style. He's Cabbage with K-1 striking skills and a better chin... :madrun

I dont think he wants to

[Evan]

I am sure he makes more money for half the work. He had mentioned retiring a few times if I remembrr right.

[Evan]

Ok…

So M-1 claimed within 2 weeks they would announce a roster. It's been a very long time…about 3 1/2 months right? Nothing.

So far Hunt, Josh, and Gomi (The bigger names) have all gone elswhere. They were all Japan friendly orgs that were considered a post PRIDE Haven.

So does anyone still believe this M-1 thing is stable and won't head south soon?

So sick of hearing about the next PRIDE. :) M-1 is about the 5th one when you add them all up.

I think a lot of people see a very loyal and excited MMA fan base that is growing but not as fast as some people want it to. This thing is so new…it was nothing a few years ago. In the past 18 months…roughly 10 orgs have been created, folded or absorbed.

A lot of people are trying to capatalize soooo fast who have no business sense. Mark Cuban with HDNet Fights and EliteXC seem to be the only one who is trying to compete with MMA who is handling this the right way. Slow and steady with a plan.

I think Fedor will be free to go elswhere by December. I would love to ask Monte Cox off the record what he really thinks.

Anyone have any thoughts on it?

[Evan]

He's Cabbage with K-1 striking skills and a better chin... :madrun

Thats a very good way to describe him.

[LEONARD]

M-1 is a turd right now...we'll see what they pull together in May...

Shogun talks about Chuck
http://www.sherdog.com/news/interviews.asp?n_id=11193

Fedor 3-0 in less than 2 min’s of his most recent Combat Sambo tourney
http://bloodyelbow.com/story/2008/2/7/192425/5814

Kimbo on Jimmy Kimmel last night
http://bloodyelbow.com/story/2008/2/7/16659/38347

Evan Tanner article
http://mmamania.com/2008/02/08/former-champ-evan-tanner-steps-into-the-octagon-alone/

[Evan]

Fedor 3-0 in less than 2 min’s of his most recent Combat Sambo tourney
http://bloodyelbow.com/story/2008/2/7/192425/5814


I hear they were all in their 40's and light weights.

Pretty standard Fedor matchup. :fro

[LEONARD]

I heard they were 7'6" 400 lbs robots that can bench press 700 lbs and run a 4.15 40...

[Evan]

I heard they were 7'6" 400 lbs robots that can bench press 700 lbs and run a 4.15 40...

I just read in another story

all the internal parts were missing so they were empty cans. :elephant

[LEONARD]

:ihit

[Evan]

:lol :toast

[polandprzem]

umm :bang




























:lol

[polandprzem]

If you are not stable you are gone.

You are starting with a set up on everything and then go on. It looks like Feor is in trap, how can he get out of that cage?

[polandprzem]

Well Kimbo thinks he is the best right now, with new skills, professional training etc. but his firs MMA fight was not convincing. Him against Tank Abott will be nice to see.
I saw his backyard fight - awefull. :)

[Evan]

If you are not stable you are gone.

You are starting with a set up on everything and then go on. It looks like Feor is in trap, how can he get out of that cage?

Could you rephrase that?

[TheTruth]

If I'm Dana White or someone else in charge of the bigger fight Leagues, I'm rooting hard for Kimbo. The guy is good in front of a camera and has a huge built in following.

[polandprzem]

Could you rephrase that?

It means that not having a fundamental, and that is stable leauge or stable anything you can't concentrate on training and everything what should be your concern - fighting and winning.

Right now we have no clue where Fedor is. He stucked in M-1 and we have no idea what is this M-1. We do not know the fighters they have and no card was showed yet right?

So how can M-1 last long? Even if Fedor will fight few fight in that organization it doesn't mean squat as it will (M-1) dissapear in one year or so. Till that day Emelianenko will be out of fighting rythym and unexperienced in the cage and will be one year older. And not everybody is Courture right?


Evan - are you accepting it or do I need to rephrase it once again ... :dizzy

[Evan]

Evan - are you accepting it or do I need to rephrase it once again ... :dizzy

No you made very good points. I just wasn't sure what you meant the first time.

Fedor is stuck in a very odd place right now. He deserves to be paid highly but he doesn't want to fully commit himself to one organization. Which is his right and I cannot fault him whatsoever.

With the state of MMA right now, as it is a growing sport, there aren't many options for him to chose from.

So that left him doing the M-1 thing that nobody is really buying into now months later.


Till that day Emelianenko will be out of fighting rythym and unexperienced in the cage and will be one year older.

More than anything else this should be the most alarming aspect of this mess.

[Evan]

Chris Leben reups with the UFC 25/25

I have gone full circle with the guy and I like him a lot.

http://mmajunkie.com/2008/02/12/chris-leben-signs-contract-extension-with-ufc/

[Evan]

Fedor reality TV show and he will fight the winner... :smokin

http://mmajunkie.com/2008/02/12/m-1-global-teases-new-reality-series-winners-gets-fight-with-fedor-emelianenko/#comments

[polandprzem]

I agree with most voices.

Waste of time for Fedor. Another year lost. :depressed

M-1 having 'no fighters' got into that kind of idea. Insaine ...

[LEONARD]

Leben has certainly re-invented himself after being THAT close to being out of the UFC...

I still like to see him lose though :D

[Evan]

So...Cro Cop gets cut/leaves the UFC.

I think this was a mutual decision. CC simply did not pan out here and was not worth his contract and CC's style is is best under more liberal rules. Best of luck to him.

http://www.mmanews.com/ufc/Report:-CroCop-Done-With-UFC-Returning-To-Japan-MMA.html

what a effing disaster...

[desflood]

Roman Mitichyan/George Sotiropolous... from mmajunkie.

“The Ultimate Fighter 6” cast members George Sotiropoulos (8-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC) and Roman Mitichyan (5-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) will meet April 2 at UFC Fight Night 13.

The fight was revealed overnight on UFC.com.

UFC Fight Night 13 takes place at the Broomfield Event Center near Denver, Colo. The event, broadcast by Spike TV, is headlined by a lightweight bout between Kenny Florian and Joe Lauzon.

Sotiropoulos, a semifinalist on the show, earned victories Jared Rollins and Richie Hightower before he was stopped by eventual show runner-up Tommy Speer in the show’s semifinals. The 30-year-old then returned at the show’s live finale and defeated Billy Miles with a first-round submission. The Australian is now training with UFC welterweight champ Matt Serra, who served as his coach on “The Ultimate Fighter.“

Mitichyan was also a cast member on the show, though his stint would be a short one. The Armenia showed up in Las Vegas with a pre-existing elbow injury. After an X-ray revealed that it was a broken bone, he was sent home and replaced by John Koppenhaver. However, the UFC invited him to compete at the show’s live finale, where he scored a stunning, 23-second submission (via achilles lock) of Dorian Price.

Given the depth of the event’s card, the Sotiropoulos-Mitichyan fight has been relegated to the night’s un-televised preliminary card.


Interesting fight.

[LEONARD]

That card is just crazy for a UFC Fight Night! It can't just be 2 hrs...hopefully they bump it to 3!!

[Evan]

Fighters commenting on Mirko leaving the UFC

Kevin Randleman:

"My first response is oh well. I am not fighting in the UFC so it really doesn't matter to me one way or the other. Alot of people didn't believe in him anymore but he is good enough to win in the UFC. It takes time to adjust to the cage. I don't think it is good or bad for the sport and I am really not surprised that he left."

Mark Coleman:

"Basically, I could really care less. It was his choice, he came into the UFC and got whipped and now he left. I wouldn't say that I am suprised but now he is going to have to live with coming in, getting smashed and not finishing the job."

Bas Rutten:

"I feel bad to hear that he is leaving because I really wanted to see the Cro Cop that I knew from Japan because I think that he wasn't the same Cro Cop in the UFC, so I can understand if he wants to go to another organization. God Speed!!"

"Babalu" Sobral:

"I have heard of the new organization and I am surprised the UFC isn't suing him yet. Good for Cro Cop, he didn't have a good experience in the UFC so it is good that he is able to go fight somewhere else. He is a very good fighter."

[Evan]

Pretty heated stuff...

This is about as fast as I have ever seen an elite athlete fall in the eyes of fans or peers. I still support the guy but wow it's been rough watching him lately.

[Evan]

SOURCE: http://www.wanderleisilva.com.br/blog/

"I just arrived in Vegas and I'm heading to UFC's office to know more about my next fight. Everyone is talking about Jardine but there's nothing official yet, and I think it would be a good opponent because his style matches mine and he would be a good pick for my next fight. At the same time there will be the match between Anderson Silva and Dan Henderson which will be a great bout and if Henderson underdogs and wins I wouldn't think twice about dropping weight class to fight him. Respect on the side, I have him stuck on my throat since our last fight because I wasn't on my best days on that ocasion. I'm thinking seriously about changing my weight class on the UFC because I'm very small and the average fighter on here are 1.90cm (6’3).. and at the moment I'm only 1.80 (6'0).. there's been some time that I've been waiting.. but so far I haven't grown anything else and I believe my size will be this! Would you guys like to see me at another weight class? what do you think? I'll do my best to keep this blog updated and I'll keep you guys informed, including everything that happens with this friend [refering to him] that you have here on Vegas! A hug, stay with God!"

[LEONARD]

Wand definitely needs to drop...

and he's definitely NOT 6'...5'10" max...

[Evan]

Paul Buentello calls out Kimbo.

If this fight happens this will tell us everything we need to know about Kimbo.

http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=5726&zoneid=13

[LEONARD]

Would be a great test IMO...at least to bring him up to the next tier...

[Evan]

Yeah you really can't ask for much more at this point and for where he is fighting.

[LEONARD]

Joe Lauzon highlight...includes grappling, MMA, and some front yard fights with his brother Dan...which look pretty damn heated! :lol
http://mmamania.com/2008/02/18/backyard-brawl-joe-lauzon-vs-dan-lauzon-and-other-j-lau-fight-highlights-video/

[dbreiden83080]

SOURCE: http://www.wanderleisilva.com.br/blog/

"I just arrived in Vegas and I'm heading to UFC's office to know more about my next fight. Everyone is talking about Jardine but there's nothing official yet, and I think it would be a good opponent because his style matches mine and he would be a good pick for my next fight. At the same time there will be the match between Anderson Silva and Dan Henderson which will be a great bout and if Henderson underdogs and wins I wouldn't think twice about dropping weight class to fight him. Respect on the side, I have him stuck on my throat since our last fight because I wasn't on my best days on that ocasion. I'm thinking seriously about changing my weight class on the UFC because I'm very small and the average fighter on here are 1.90cm (6’3).. and at the moment I'm only 1.80 (6'0).. there's been some time that I've been waiting.. but so far I haven't grown anything else and I believe my size will be this! Would you guys like to see me at another weight class? what do you think? I'll do my best to keep this blog updated and I'll keep you guys informed, including everything that happens with this friend [refering to him] that you have here on Vegas! A hug, stay with God!"

Wow, Wandy sounds like a really cool guy. He should move down in weight i think as well.

[Evan]

His is 0-3 in his last 3. I think this massive humbling will be incredible for his future.

Dude is a massive beast that will hold a UFC title one day.

[dallaskd]

Wandy-Ortiz II would be a good way to work tito out of the UFC and get Silva a win, but if Tito were to win it would be a huge mess. But I think Ortiz will beat Machida anyways.

[desflood]

Well, well well...

HDNet Fights Has Contract with Couture; Question is When It Begins


February 20, 2008
by Adam Swift ([email protected])

Last week Mark Cuban's HDNet Fights made headlines when it sued Zuffa, parent company of the UFC, in district court in Dallas. As first reported by Sherdog.com, the suit seeks declaratory relief concerning Randy Couture (Pictures)'s contractual status under a promotional contract with Zuffa.

New details of the action have been revealed in the complaint obtained by Sherdog.com. According to the filing, HDNet Fights has entered into a contract with Couture that is scheduled to commence upon the expiration of his Zuffa promotional agreement. At that time, the company plans to promote a fight between Couture and Fedor Emelianenko (Pictures) in Dallas, assuming terms can be reached with the highly regarded Russian heavyweight.

The existence of an actual contract between HDNet Fights and Couture is believed to be key to the company's action in Texas. Without it, it is unlikely that the court would find an actual controversy ripe for adjudication.

According to the filing, Couture has stated that he believes his Zuffa promotional contract expires with the stated term of the agreement in July, while Zuffa maintains that the contract remains valid indefinitely under the infamous "retirement clause." In the complaint, HDNet Fights characterized Zuffa's contention as "outrageous."

"Zuffa's position regarding Couture is both illegal and involves critical timing," the filing states. "First, like all fighters, Couture's ability to fight at a championship level will diminish as he ages. Through their actions, Zuffa seeks to ensure that Couture is prevented from gainful employment and practicing his craft until he cannot be an elite fighter. Importantly, the law in Texas is clear that indefinite employment restrictions such as Zuffa claims to be enforcing are per se illegal and against public policy."

Both sides agree that the one-year non-compete provision contained in Couture's employment contract with the UFC expires on Oct. 12, meaning that even with a favorable outcome concerning the term of Couture's promotional contract, the earliest Couture-Fedor could take place would be in the fall.

The complaint also recognizes Zuffa as the undisputed market leader in the MMA industry.

"A key technique utilized by Zuffa to maintain their iron grip on the MMA industry is litigation and intimidation," the complaint reads. "Just a cursory review of court dockets in Nevada demonstrate the remarkably litigious nature of Zuffa and their willingness to tie their opponents down with expensive and lengthy court battles regardless of merits."

In a nod to pending litigation in Nevada, where Zuffa has sued Couture and as yet unnamed defendants for, among other things, conspiracy to commit tortous acts, the complaint notes that "HDNet did not want or intend in any way for such an agreement to induce or cause Couture to breach his UFC Fight Contract or any other agreement(s) he might have with Zuffa and/or UFC or to interfere with any valid contract that Couture might have."

Accordingly, HDNet Fights' contract with Couture will only become effective upon a declaration by the court that Zuffa's promotional agreement is void, invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part, or upon a declaration of the effective date on which Couture's contract with HDNet Fights may begin without violating any provisions of his contract with Zuffa.

[LEONARD]

“company plans to promote a fight between Couture and Fedor Emelianenko in DALLAS”

:elephant :elephant :elephant :elephant :elephant :elephant :elephant :elephant :elephant :elephant :elephant :elephant :elephant :elephant

[Evan]

“company plans to promote a fight between Couture and Fedor Emelianenko in DALLAS”

My goal is to get our lil buddy to somehow get me a pic with Fedor chocking me. I will be wearing a t-shirt with a can on it. Maybe a pic of Dana instead.

If Fedor did it for your brother hopefully he will do the same for me

[LEONARD]

You can't do the can if he's fighting Randy, bitch!! :lol

I like the Dana idea...

My brother was wearing his Fedor shirt under his sweatshirt when we met Randy in Dec...it wasn't til afterwards that we realized we should've asked him if he'd choke him if he had a Fedor shirt on...that would've been a great pic!

[desflood]

In Dallas... oh, how did I miss THAT? Looks like the old man and I will be taking a road trip without the kids for once. Ya'll need to start recommending places for us to stay :lol

[Evan]

Yeah I imagine my gf and I will just get a hotel room as well so we can enjoy the after parties.

[Evan]

But I still say the odds of this happening are slim to none.

[LEONARD]

But I still say the odds of this happening are slim to none.

if it's before the end of the year you best bring my $20!! :lol

[Evan]

was it only $20? alrighty then. Still holds.

[Evan]

Imagine if Fedor or Randy doesn't sign to fight.....

bwaaaaaaaaaaa hahahahahahahah

Armageddon

[cornbread]

It suprises me that he would risk his million dollar hands throwing bareknuckle punches at the Big Show's watermelon head. For somebody that goes to great lengths to protect and preserve his hands it seems like strange behavior.

Oops. Wrong thread.

[LEONARD]

Trailer for the new movie “Red Belt” featuring Couture
http://mmamania.com/2008/02/14/movie-trailer-for-david-mamets-mma-movie-red-belt-with-ufcs-randy-couture/

Goldberg HL's from last event
http://mmamania.com/2008/02/21/wwe-bill-goldberg-good-for-elitexc-video/

Sapp videos on ESPN...Strikeforce on Saturday on HDNet
http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/02/21/the-beast-is-back/

Debut of "Inside Xtreme Couture" reality show...
http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/02/21/new-inside-xtreme-couture-reality-tv-show-watch-it-now-on-5-oz/

[dallaskd]

Trailer for the new movie “Red Belt” featuring Couture
http://mmamania.com/2008/02/14/movie-trailer-for-david-mamets-mma-movie-red-belt-with-ufcs-randy-couture/

Someone explain me this plot

[Evan]

A Sherdog.com writer actually said something sorta negative about Fedor which I am sure goes completely against company policy. I hope he gets his resume ready.

**********************************************

Fedor

You wrote in response to the first letter in your [letters] article that people don't realize that Zuffa tried [to make the Emelianenko/Randy Couture (Pictures) fight]. I agree they tried but to me the contract they offered (from what I know about it) basically "owned" Fedor. I for one am glad that he stood up to them. I say this as a fighter that probably won't ever have the power to make a difference like him. So, in a way he is standing up for the one-sided repressive contracts Zuffa offers. - Name withheld by request

The UFC was set to make Emelianenko a multi-millionaire, offer him the toughest competition available and likely provide a U.S. portal to market his image with merchandise, gym affiliations and the inevitable action figure. (Naked Russian Sauna Fedor being the rare variant.) That's not exactly slave labor.

It's been nearly six months since he signed with M-1 Global, and the company has yet to even announce an event. There are rumors of infighting in the organization, with the American and Russian arms having disparate ideas of how to proceed. Emelianenko doesn't appear to have a solid promotional foundation underneath him, which is one thing the UFC could've easily provided.

There's a lot to be said for job security, particularly when the market for non-Zuffa MMA is volatile at best, guaranteed bankruptcy at worst. I don't think Emelianenko made the right decision. We'll see.


http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles.asp?n_id=11474

[LEONARD]

Looks like EliteXC will hit major network TV first…
http://mmajunkie.com/2008/02/27/elitexc-expected-to-announce-deal-with-cbs/

Top 10 street fights of all time…entertaining
http://www.cagepotato.com/2008/01/16/best-street-fight-videos-of-all-time/

and the nastiest illegal KO’s of all time.
http://www.cagepotato.com/2008/02/26/the-seven-nastiest-illegal-knockouts-of-all-time/

[Evan]

Looks like EliteXC will hit major network TV first…
http://mmajunkie.com/2008/02/27/elitexc-expected-to-announce-deal-with-cbs/

Not good news.

[Evan]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v89/pharcyde/20080221003.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v89/pharcyde/20080221004.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v89/pharcyde/20080221014.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v89/pharcyde/20080221015.jpg

[dallaskd]

Not good news.

No its not. When people are channel surfing its not what you want people to see in their first MMA fight.

[LEONARD]

F'n Hunt!!

[Evan]

No its not. When people are channel surfing its not what you want people to see in their first MMA fight.

It's fine for die hards but not the general public.

Kimbo is still too recently removed from street fighting.
Diaz is a childish ass.
Shaw is a boxing promoter.

Thankfully the UFC can have a fight ready for television fast. They could easily have UFC 83 ready for prime time.

[cornbread]

About a month ago I saw Sam Hoger coaching some guys at a bjj tournament in SA (he runs a Militech satellite in Houston) and I couldn't believe the guy ever made 205. He was huge! I meant to mention it but I never got around to it. Today I came across this recent picture.

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t306/cornbread311/Hoger.jpg

[Evan]

crikey!

He looks 260-ish there.

[cornbread]

Easily.

[LEONARD]

I've read that he's been around 300 lbs lately...

I believe it after seeing him at HDNet Fights in Dec...

[dallaskd]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v89/pharcyde/20080221003.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v89/pharcyde/20080221004.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v89/pharcyde/20080221014.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v89/pharcyde/20080221015.jpg

Fedor's last legit fight? :lol

[dallaskd]

Question:

Did Arona ever sign with the UFC?

[dallaskd]

and the nastiest illegal KO’s of all time.
http://www.cagepotato.com/2008/02/26/the-seven-nastiest-illegal-knockouts-of-all-time/

yvel also has been DQ'd for eye gouging and biting...freak

[LEONARD]

Fedor's last legit fight? :lol

Mark Hunt is a tough test for anybody...he gave Fedor more problems than many others have. Regardless of the wrestling thing, he's a legit HW. He would be great in the UFC...

and he's still doing K-1...fighting Schilt in April... :ihit

Barnett has also been doing the Japanese wrestling bit, but that doesn't mean he's a scrub...

[LEONARD]

Question:

Did Arona ever sign with the UFC?

The last I recall from him he hadn't...he was in limbo waiting for them to do something with him...

[dallaskd]

Mark Hunt is a tough test for anybody...he gave Fedor more problems than many others have. Regardless of the wrestling thing, he's a legit HW. He would be great in the UFC...

and he's still doing K-1...fighting Schilt in April... :ihit

Barnett has also been doing the Japanese wrestling bit, but that doesn't mean he's a scrub...

What happened to the Schilt-Fedor rumors?

[LEONARD]

Disappeared...possibly because of the reality those that M-1 is going to try to do where the winner fights Fedor? Not sure. Haven't heard anything else on the May 3rd M-1 event in Chicago. Rothwell was being mentioned too...

[Evan]

Disappeared...possibly because of the reality those that M-1 is going to try to do where the winner fights Fedor? Not sure. Haven't heard anything else on the May 3rd M-1 event in Chicago. Rothwell was being mentioned too...

It's good ol day PRIDE fight card chaos

:smokin

[Evan]

There was a time in the not-so-distant past when Andrei Arlovski (Pictures) was "the guy" in the UFC. In a period of perceived Pride preeminence, he was seen as Zuffa's star heavyweight.

After Fedor Emelianenko (Pictures) had vanquished Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (Pictures) and Mirko "Cro Cop," some even thought Arlovski was the guy would could topple "The Last Emperor."

A prototype heavyweight with all the physical endowments you could hope for in a prizefighter, he would just as soon leglock you as jaw-smash you. Arlovski certainly looked the part, too, with an image predicated on designer lycanthropy. He was 26 years old and destined for bigger and brighter things.

That all seems like ancient history now.

The Belarusian, who looked set to reign as a lion among lepers, had his title reign cut short in his April 2006 rematch with Tim Sylvia (Pictures). In their much-maligned rubber match the following July, Arlovski was defeated again. The loss forced him into a painful predicament, professionally and promotionally.

Since that defeat, the heavyweight landscape has changed drastically. The demise of Pride brought several touted heavies to the Octagon. Randy Couture (Pictures) returned, and Randy Couture (Pictures) resigned. A former king in Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (Pictures) regained some measure of his glory and is now the UFC's heavyweight champion. Now, this Saturday in Columbus, Ohio, Arlovski will look to step back to the forefront of the division when he takes on undefeated, emerging heavyweight Jake O'Brien (Pictures).

"I look forward to getting back in the Octagon," says the former champ, who resides in Chicago. "Jake O'Brien (Pictures) is a very accomplished fighter with a perfect record. He has excellent wrestling and ground skills and cannot be taken lightly by anyone."

O'Brien came through as a serious spoiler in his last Octagon appearance when he upset veteran Heath Herring (Pictures). Although he was dropped once in the January 2007 bout, O'Brien otherwise pitched a shutout against Herring on the strength of effortless takedowns and positional dominance.

Arlovski is appropriately professional in discussing his opponent, but he's clearly unconcerned by the fact O'Brien aced his last step up in competition.

"My training camp was the same as always," Arlovski says.

The plainness of the response shows his faith in his team -- anchored by BJJ coach Dino Costeas and boxing trainer Mike Garcia -- and his intent to bring the same style into the Octagon that once earned him championship status.

However, despite the fact that the Arlovski-O'Brien fight pits an established top heavyweight against an undefeated up-and-comer, that is not the storyline garnering the most interest heading into the fight. Instead, attention has been heaped on the fact that this bout is the last on Arlovski's contract, prompting questions as to his future in the Octagon.

Arlovski seemed back on track as a contender last April. He took a clear if not exciting decision over Fabricio Werdum (Pictures) in one of the first much-awaited Pride-UFC clashes. With more top heavyweights making their way to the UFC, fans grew excited about prospective fights involving the "Pitbull." Rumors immediately surfaced, though, that Zuffa was reluctant to schedule Arlovski's next fight without him signing a contract extension. More speculation suggested that Arlovski and his management were content to wait out the remainder of the contract -- a claim that they've vehemently denied.

"I am a professional fighter and I love competing in the Octagon, and 10 months is definitely a long time for me," Arlovski says. "Sometimes things happen beyond your control, and you just have to deal with them in the most professional and ethical manner."

For whatever reason -- either a deep, stacked card or a power play on Zuffa's part -- Arlovski's upcoming bout is slated as a preliminary fight and is not scheduled to be aired on the live pay-per-view telecast. Yet the Minsk native doesn't seem overly concerned.

"I am concentrating on a fight," he says. "My job is to compete in the Octagon and do whatever I have to do to win the fight. It is not my job to decide what goes on the air and what doesn't.

"My recent inactivity was not my fault," Arlovski adds. "I tried to make the most out of this time by training and improving my skills. It was a difficult period in my life, but life doesn't end here, and there are other things in life besides fighting."

Zuffa has taken some criticism during Arlovski's time on the shelf, and the former champion hasn't been immune to critique either. He is well known for the "other things in life" he enjoys, including custom clothes and jewelry, model girlfriends and the other trappings that go with the nightlife. During the last 10 months he has dated Playboy cyber girl Patrycja Mikula, had Soyo design a custom LCD TV bearing his likeness, promoted his Team Pitbull gear and made an awkward if not amusing appearance as a guest bouncer on the ever-devoid "Jerry Springer Show." As a result, many have questioned if Arlovski is more drawn to a fighter's lifestyle than actually fighting.

"I grew up wearing the same clothes for years and not being able to afford things that I wanted," he explains. "I don't see anything wrong with rewarding myself with certain things after all the hard work I put into my career everyday."

Arlovski is adamant of his status as a fighter first. Coming from a family with a proud military tradition, he cites idols such as famed Russian field marshal Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov. However, in himself, he sees an even older spirit of combat.

"I would compare myself to a gladiator in ancient Rome, fighting in the Coliseum," Arlovski says.

If he does prefer an abstract chest of chainmail to Armani, it should be evident when he steps into the arena against O'Brien. Win or lose, though, what's next?

"To this day and for the last seven years, the UFC has been my home for most of my career," Arlovski says. "I have a very good working relationship with the UFC and I am concentrating on this fight, and this is the most important thing for me. Right now I am a UFC fighter that is having a fight on March 1st against Jake O'Brien (Pictures)."

When Arlovski steps into the cage against O'Brien on Saturday, it should be as revealing as it is relevant for two standout competitors in the heavyweight division. However, no matter the stakes, the question on the minds of most will remain the same: After we hear "Onward to Victory" this time, will Arlovski be able to reemerge as a major player in the UFC's heavyweight division, or will he end up being "the guy" in another Coliseum?

[polandprzem]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6-rznpfwCI

:D

Patrycja is a polish girl :D

You can find some pics here http://images.google.com/images?client=opera&rls=pl&q=patrycja+miku%C5%82a&sourceid=opera&ie=UTF-8&oe=utf-8&um=1&sa=N&tab=wi

[dallaskd]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6-rznpfwCI

:D

Patrycja is a polish girl :D

You can find some pics here http://images.google.com/images?client=opera&rls=pl&q=patrycja+miku%C5%82a&sourceid=opera&ie=UTF-8&oe=utf-8&um=1&sa=N&tab=wi

what does that have to do with anything? shes fine though.

[polandprzem]

what does that have to do with anything?

It's got to do with that even if he loses the fight he still can be happy about his sex life.

Damn if there was only the way I could watch that fight (dan-anderson) on live.

Stay coool tit man :D


j/k

[polandprzem]

Anybody heard that interview with Dana?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_jZs38PdNE&feature=related

[dallaskd]

oh no....

Currently, Randy Couture, Royce Gracie, Ken Shamrock and Dan Severn are the four entrants in the UFC's Hall of Fame. Mark Coleman will be inducted at UFC 82 on March 1 in Ohio.

White said he has a plan for when Abbott announces he is done gloving up that will honor the colorful brawler, whose record is an underwhelming 9-14 but who undeniably helped grow the sport out of its infancy and into young adulthood.

"Tank Abbott," White said, "absolutely will be in our Hall of Fame."

http://sports.espn.go.com/extra/mma/news/story?id=3251964

[djohn14]

oh no....

Currently, Randy Couture, Royce Gracie, Ken Shamrock and Dan Severn are the four entrants in the UFC's Hall of Fame. Mark Coleman will be inducted at UFC 82 on March 1 in Ohio.

White said he has a plan for when Abbott announces he is done gloving up that will honor the colorful brawler, whose record is an underwhelming 9-14 but who undeniably helped grow the sport out of its infancy and into young adulthood.

"Tank Abbott," White said, "absolutely will be in our Hall of Fame."

http://sports.espn.go.com/extra/mma/news/story?id=3251964
What do you think about Coleman versus Lesnar?

[dallaskd]

Not a good fight for Lesnar. Basically the same fighting styles. Im picking Lesnar to win but Coleman has fought the best of the best while in PRIDE.

[polandprzem]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ygDWtURZUYM&feature=related

Quinton system, great analys by rampage talking about the strategy and details which can help him win the fight. So if you are looking for some secrets of Rampage being successfull click the link!

[LEONARD]

Kim Couture’s debut (muy thai rules)
http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/x4jzq8

Raven LB Ray Lewis is in talks with the UFC? Longshot rumor, but I’d love to see him get KO’d or choked out…
http://bloodyelbow.com/story/2008/3/2/22112/56676

[Evan]

What do you guys think of the new www.mmajunkie.com layout? They killed the simplistic genius of blogs…barely ever having to click on anything. People want a full story with no effort.

So it's risky but I am sure it does a lot of things for them behind the scenes a simpel blog layout may not allow them.

[Evan]

What do you guys think of the new www.mmajunkie.com layout? They killed the simplistic genius of blogs…barely ever having to click on anything. People want a full story with no effort.

So it's risky but I am sure it does a lot of things for them behind the scenes a simple blog layout may not allow them.

[LEONARD]

Looks fine to me...but I'm not picky...

[Evan]

It's hard to get people to click on anything. I think the standard rule on websites (forums aside) only about 1 out of 500 people who visit a site will click on anything.

Personally I like it as well but that's a risky move on their part.

[cornbread]

Check out this picture I took a couple of days ago. Tapout rulz! :lol
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t306/cornbread311/001-1.jpg

[LEONARD]

:lol

genius...maybe he likes reading it in the rearview mirror :D

[Evan]

bwaaaaaaaaaa hahahahahahahahaha

how fitting!

[polandprzem]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=PEdfMx8T2lo&feature=related

Courture Torture !

:wow


btw. I've got a thread with tons of funny picks and movies of MMA

[polandprzem]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lxcdfYFFbk

[Evan]

good luck with all dat

************************************************** *************

Tyler from GoCast.com sent along the following:

Settle The Score: UFC Style! A New TV show starring Tito Ortiz is looking for people interested in settling a problem inside The Octagon.

Do you have a beef with someone and tried everything to solve it but can't? Did your best friend steal your girl? Did your old roommate shaft you on your rent? Did you have a falling out with your best friend and have no way to solve it? We're also looking for competitive friends or friends with a problem they need to solve and the only way to do it is to fight it out!

UFC Champion Tito Ortiz is going to train you to battle out your problems in The Octagon!! We are looking for ALL SHAPES AND SIZES to walk into the ring and settle it once and for all.

$1000 to each person booked for the show.

[Evan]

http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/6522/andersonsilvagg7.jpg

[LEONARD]

ouch! you'd think he would've tried to brace himself... :lol
http://i30.tinypic.com/x3ixqe.jpg

from here...
http://bloodyelbow.com/story/2008/3/10/20586/8885

Tito interview (audio) on JarryPark.com
http://www.jarrypark.com/2008/03/11/tito-ortiz-will-fight-for-respect/

New Fedor interview (talks about UFC, Barnett, Penn, etc)
http://www.m1mixfight.com/info/interviews/2008/3/11/Fedor-interview/

New site by the UFC with the goal of getting MMA into NY…
http://www.mmafacts.com

The future at HW might not be Lesnar…might be Cain Velasquez, who debuts at UFC 83 finally...
http://mmajunkie.com/news/3899/brad-morris-vs-cain-velasquez-added-to-ufc-83.mma

Ed O’Neil (Al Bundy!!) on Sherdog Radio
http://www.sherdog.com/news/radio.asp?id=525

[Evan]

New Fedor interview (talks about UFC, Barnett, Penn, etc)
http://www.m1mixfight.com/info/interviews/2008/3/11/Fedor-interview/

I see that flying around all over the place...

That is not a new interview by any means. That has been posted before. Those idiots at M-1 just re-arranged a few words.

Major foul!!!!

[LEONARD]

I was kinda thinking that too??? lol

[Evan]

I was kinda thinking that too??? lol

One of the last stories I did on my website.

MAJOR BS!!!!!!!!!!

[Evan]

Chuck may move up to HW and fight.

http://mmajunkie.com/news/3914/chuck-liddell-willing-to-fight-for-heavyweight-title.mma#comments

I know it got annoying when the UFC pushed him so much but he is an awesome fighter. Time and time again he fights the best.

[LEONARD]

Would be interesting to see...

Anderson Silva wants a boxing match with Roy Jones Jr…
http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=5868

[Evan]

UFC working on TUF 8. LHW's is my guess.

http://mmajunkie.com/news/3915/boston-to-host-the-ultimate-fighter-8-tryouts-on-april-10.mma#comments

[LEONARD]

Pele is nuts
http://bloodyelbow.com/story/2008/3/11/122127/406

http://i32.tinypic.com/2co05z5.jpg

Can't believe this doesn't happen often...

[LEONARD]

"Iron Ring" reality show debuts on BET on Mar 18th
http://www.bet.com/OnTV/BETShows/ironring

Promo video
http://youtube.com/watch?v=iRCpfjJjwnI

Info
http://mmajunkie.com/news/3729/bets-iron-ring-fighting-finale-taped-monday-in-new-orleans.mma

Always glad to see more MMA on TV, but not so sure about the "celebrity managers" angle, especially since only one is a trained fighter of some type (Floyd). At least they'll have some legit coaches on the show too, although there are some wheels-off choices there too, like Krazy Horse Bennett. They must've caught him between arrests... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BhISMFnMb0 :lol

[Evan]

This happened in K-1 a few years ago but yeah...its amazing how little it happens.

[Evan]

the size of his head....

http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/tools/med/2008/03/ipt/1205206615.jpg

[LEONARD]

the legs on her...HIV?

[Evan]

She is vile...so gross....

His fight with Lyoto is on the udnercard. I wondered how they were going to control his microphone post fight rant. Guess this is it.

"
The bout is part of the undercard of UFC 84 in Las Vegas on May 24 featuring a main event lightweight title bout between champion B.J. Penn and former titleholder Sean Sherk. "

[Evan]

the legs on her...HIV?

She has a problem for sure...not the HIV I imagine. No way does Tito risk that and he has to pass blood tests.

[LEONARD]

yea, I know...it's probably something else...

[Evan]

The thing is…she isn't that old…she is only like 31 or 32 I think.

[desflood]

Nah, plain old anorexia.

Love it... "The Law" goes into politics:

Matt Lindlnd's resume is impressive: a 20-5 career MMA record, former UFC middleweight contender, International Fight League coach, Olympic silver medalist, two-time Pan-American champion.

However, the 37-year-old Northwest-based fighter could add an all-together-different gig to his list of accomplishments: Oregon state represenative.

Lindland has entered the Oregon political race, filing on Tuesday's deadline day, for a State House of Representatives seat, according to a report from the Associated Press.

The 11-year professional MMA fighter is running for the House seat vacated by retiring Rep. Patti Smith in District 52, which includes rural portions of Clackamas and Multnomah counties, and all of Hood River County in Oregon. Lindland is hoping to become the Republican nominee for the seat.

Lindland, who was born and still lives in Oregon, attended junior college in the state (and won a junior national championship) before finishing his collegiate wrestling career at the University of Nebraska.

Lindland is familiar with at least one part of the state's political process: he was a key player in the effort to legalize MMA in Oregon. After becoming the state's first licensed promoter, he introduced professional MMA (via his Sportfight organization) to the state in February of 2004.

According to the AP report, Lindland recently signed a fight deal with Affliction, the popular clothing line that's expected to launch its own fight organization in June. Lindland reportedly inked a three-fight deal with the company.

Lindland hasn't fought professionally since an April 2007 loss to heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko. It was just his second loss in his past 11 fights.

[Evan]

Saw this post on a MMA forum...haven't clicked the link so I can't vouch for it...no way am I clicking it at work...

"it a japan youtube style site, but has great videos, full ufc events, full pride gp and tons of fights. i dont understand anything thats written on the page, but just tipe pride or ufc.
I live in argentina and the only way for me to watch fights its from the internet, so its pretty cool to have full events to watch and also ufc firsts shows.

http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_ce00XMTQ1NDE2NDg=.html"

[Evan]

UFC Programming Schedule for March 17• March 23, 2008

UFC Unleashed
Telecasts Wednesday, March 19 (9:00• 10:00 PM, ET/PT).

Jon Fitch vs. Luigi Fioravanti
Matt Serra vs. Georges St. Pierre
Matt Hughes vs. BJ Penn

UFC Unleashed
Telecasts Wednesday, March 19 (10:00 • 11:00 PM, ET/PT).

Din Thomas VS Jeremy Stephens
Roger Huerta vs John Halverson
Eric Schafer VS Rob MacDonald
Stephan Bonnar VS Mike Nickels
Anderson Silva VS Nate Marquardt

[LEONARD]

Chris Leben HL :lol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xsLVWmA5ws

[polandprzem]

it's not news or something like that but I recomand

http://www.dailymotion.com/related/5174120/video/xie73_cro-cop-scares-mauro-ranallo_sport

[Evan]

Joe Rogan...

ownage to heckler and affliction

http://www.break.com/index/joe-rogan-owns-ufc-heckler.html

[dbreiden83080]

She is vile...so gross....

His fight with Lyoto is on the udnercard. I wondered how they were going to control his microphone post fight rant. Guess this is it.

"
The bout is part of the undercard of UFC 84 in Las Vegas on May 24 featuring a main event lightweight title bout between champion B.J. Penn and former titleholder Sean Sherk. "

I'm sure that is just a rumor. Tito is one of the bigger names in the sport, and that is one of the their big fights of the night. Tito will never be on a undercard. If that is true expect him to walk from the fight. Tito hates being disrespected and he is already promoting this fight. No way he goes through with it if the UFC lowballs him like that, but i don't see it happening. It's just too big of a fight. Love him or hate him Tito sells tickets like crazy. People aren't paying good money for him to not be in the main card.

[dbreiden83080]

AHH here we go see they have Tito on the main card and even he and Machida are on the poster.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UFC_84

No way the UFC would be so crazy as to take Tito off the main card.

[Evan]

He is in a pretty nasty contract dispute with the UFC. He is being extremely vocal anti UFC. I keep going back and forth on whether or not he will be on the main card. And I wouldn't go by what wiki says…the card order won't be final until about 2 weeks out on ufc.com

[dbreiden83080]

He is in a pretty nasty contract dispute with the UFC. He is being extremely vocal anti UFC. I keep going back and forth on whether or not he will be on the main card. And I wouldn't go by what wiki says…the card order won't be final until about 2 weeks out on ufc.com

I understand that but the UFC also knows who they are dealing with in Tito. If they treat him like that, do NOT expect him to go through with that fight. I would not be surprised one bit if Tito has expressed this to the UFC already with Rumors flying around. He has started promoting this fight, the UFC has him on the main poster for the fight, anything can happen i am just saying i doubt the UFC will dog TIto like that because they know he will walk from the fight.

[Evan]

Well...we will just have to see.

They have just done this to Arlovski…

Dana now admits it was a mistake but who knows. For all the talk and bluster they could easily re-sign him any day on a whim.

[dbreiden83080]

Well...we will just have to see.

They have just done this to Arlovski…

Dana now admits it was a mistake but who knows. For all the talk and bluster they could easily re-sign him any day on a whim.

Yes but Arlovski is not Tito in terms of name recognition. If they want to DOG Tito like that, they might as well just re-lease him from his contract. What is the point of holding him to it if you are not promoting him on the main card anyway??? That is why they won't let Randy out of his contract. They want him on the main card against another UFC Heavy. If they did not really care and were going to stick him on the undercard where nobody would see him he probably would have been let go by now.

[Evan]

Yes but Arlovski is not Tito in terms of name recognition. If they want to DOG Tito like that, they might as well just re-lease him from his contract. What is the point of holding him to it if you are not promoting him on the main card anyway??? .

You're right...

but...I really think Lyoto will dismantle Tito. Send him out with a loss.

[dallaskd]

Would be interesting to see...

Anderson Silva wants a boxing match with Roy Jones Jr…
http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=5868

Silva would lose.

[Evan]

In the ever changing story by Randy...now he says he doesn't want to fight Fedor in the UFC.

http://mmamania.com/2008/03/17/randy-couture-vs-fedor-emelianenko-anywhere-just-not-in-the-ufc-video/

I love Randy but the guy is full of shit. His story keeps changing.

[dbreiden83080]

You're right...

but...I really think Lyoto will dismantle Tito. Send him out with a loss.

We'll see Machida has not really fought anyone yet to know if he is ready i think Tito has more left in the tank than some of his critics do. I am pulling for him.

[dbreiden83080]

In the ever changing story by Randy...now he says he doesn't want to fight Fedor in the UFC.

http://mmamania.com/2008/03/17/randy-couture-vs-fedor-emelianenko-anywhere-just-not-in-the-ufc-video/

I love Randy but the guy is full of shit. His story keeps changing.

Yeah i love him too and you can see in that interview that he is still a class act and a great guy. It is funny i was just watching the behind the scenes features of his fight with Gonzaga last night. It was all peaches and roses backstage with Dana and the company. I think it is clear that Randy thought the Fedor fight in the UFC was a lock to happen. Fedor did not sign with the UFC and some other issues creeped in there and before you know it things got real ugly real fast. I just want to see the fight happen, it would be an epic event.

[Evan]

We'll see Machida has not really fought anyone yet to know if he is ready i think Tito has more left in the tank than some of his critics do. I am pulling for him.

I disagree. Lyoto IMO has fought better opponents in the last few years than Tito. Tito's last legit win was almost 2 years against Forrest and that was a spotty decision.

I am very curious to see what he does against Lyoto.

I am not a big fan of Tito as I think his mouth is 10times bigger than his talent. Regardless...I truly think it would be better for the UFC if he won and re-signed. One more loss and I think he even realized his career is in fairly serious trouble.

SINCE 2002
Draw against Rashad
Loss to Chuck
2 worthless wins against Ken
Bad decision win against Forrest. Forrest should have won IMO.
Solid win against Vitor
Worthless win against Cote
Loss to Chuck
Loss to Randy
Win against Ken Shamrock

The case can me made he has been the most protected fighter in the MMA (You could argue Gomi). On the other hand Chuck claims he dodges tough fights. So who knows?

That list has 3 solid wins. Vitor, the first fight with Ken and the iffy win against Forrest but a win is a win.

Tito just seems to be more mascot than fighter...he certainly has a very loyal following. I am not a Tito hater... I just don't buy into his hype. If he beats Lyoto that is a pretty big signal he is still capable of competing.

I think it's better for MMA if he wins. MMA needs talented spokesman that can do the interview circuit. Unlike Chuck who passed out on the big interview stage. :sleep

[dbreiden83080]

I disagree. Lyoto IMO has fought better opponents in the last few years than Tito. Tito's last legit win was almost 2 years against Forrest and that was a spotty decision.

I am very curious to see what he does against Lyoto.

I am not a big fan of Tito as I think his mouth is 10times bigger than his talent. Regardless...I truly think it would be better for the UFC if he won and re-signed. One more loss and I think he even realized his career is in fairly serious trouble.

SINCE 2002
Draw against Rashad
Loss to Chuck
2 worthless wins against Ken
Bad decision win against Forrest. Forrest should have won IMO.
Solid win against Vitor
Worthless win against Cote
Loss to Chuck
Loss to Randy
Win against Ken Shamrock


I disagree with you about the Forrest fight as i had Tito winning that one. I thought he crushed him in RD 1, had Forrest down taking elbows most of the RD, he cut him and hurt him. I had that a 10-8 Rd, gave Forrest the 2nd 10-9 and the 3rd i had even, great close RD and a great overall fight. Tito was also fighting with a bad knee and he pulled it out. The Evans fight he had it won. Won the first Rd easy. 2nd Rd he had Evans in a guilatine choke, locked in tight, he was in deep trouble and got saved by the bell big time. Tito fought a poor 3rd RD against Evans in the last min or so. People are hyping Machida a lot these days and i am not sure if that is more about where he is at right now or just the Tito haters wishful thinking that Tito will get his ass kicked.

Personally from what i have seen of Machida, i don't think he is kicking Tito's ass. A lot of people were stunned he beat Sokoudjou and now he is going to own Tito, i am not so sure.

Looking at his record he is 12-0, people say he has great hands but he's got only 3 KO's. They say he has great Sub but he has only 3 of them. 7 Victories by decision and i can see Tito winning a decision here. I was not impressed with Machida's takedown defense in his last fight and Tito is a strong wrestler. If he gets top position he is very tough to Sub, has only happened twice in his career, not since the Frank shamrock fight ages ago. I don't see Tito getting Sub here i really don't. If Machida wins it will be on Pts or by KO. Tito wins it will be on Pts or overwelms him with the GNP. Interesting fight, i think Tito can win it.

[Evan]

I disagree with you about the Forrest fight as i had Tito winning that one. I thought he crushed him in RD 1, had Forrest down taking elbows most of the RD, he cut him and hurt him. I had that a 10-8 Rd, gave Forrest the 2nd 10-9 and the 3rd i had even, great close RD and a great overall fight. Tito was also fighting with a bad knee and he pulled it out. The Evans fight he had it won. Won the first Rd easy. 2nd Rd he had Evans in a guilatine choke, locked in tight, he was in deep trouble and got saved by the bell big time. Tito fought a poor 3rd RD against Evans in the last min or so. People are hyping Machida a lot these days and i am not sure if that is more about where he is at right now or just the Tito haters wishful thinking that Tito will get his ass kicked.

Personally from what i have seen of Machida, i don't think he is kicking Tito's ass. A lot of people were stunned he beat Sokoudjou and now he is going to own Tito, i am not so sure.

Looking at his record he is 12-0, people say he has great hands but he's got only 3 KO's. They say he has great Sub but he has only 3 of them. 7 Victories by decision and i can see Tito winning a decision here. I was not impressed with Machida's takedown defense in his last fight and Tito is a strong wrestler. If he gets top position he is very tough to Sub, has only happened twice in his career, not since the Frank shamrock fight ages ago. I don't see Tito getting Sub here i really don't. If Machida wins it will be on Pts or by KO. Tito wins it will be on Pts or overwelms him with the GNP. Interesting fight, i think Tito can win it.

Fair enough my friend. :toast

I think we can at least agree this is one hell of an important fight for both.

More so for Tito...would you agree on that?

[Evan]

And for the record I don't think Lyoto will beat his ass...decision

[dbreiden83080]

Fair enough my friend. :toast

I think we can at least agree this is one hell of an important fight for both.

More so for Tito...would you agree on that?

No doubt about it. Tito needs this one BAD!! If Tito wins i am still not so sure he will leave the UFC because their are other big fights out there for him. If he loses then for sure his career in the UFC is over.

[dallaskd]

I think Tito will come after Machida...decision him. or Lyoto could sub him. Im leaning towards one of those.

[dallaskd]

I think Tito will come after Machida...decision him. or Lyoto could sub him. Im leaning towards one of those.

[Evan]

TUF 8 to feature Heavyweights and Lightweights.

[Evan]

geez dallaskd...I go to vbookie to see if anything is open and looks who's rich...

Position: Pass-First Guard
Team: Philadelphia 76ers
vBookie Cash: $320000
Post Count: 5,321

[Evan]

http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/5977/slide32maoq4.jpg
http://members.aol.com/Chays14/tankabbotgi.jpg

[Evan]

UFC Programming Schedule for March 24• March 30, 2008

UFC Unleashed
Telecasts Wednesday, March 26 (9:00• 10:00 PM, ET/PT).

The Ultimate Fighter 4 alums Rory Singer and Josh Haynes face off along with Georges St-Pierre and Sean Sherk. From UFC 64, see Anderson Silva fight Rich Franklin for the Middleweight Title.

UFC Unleashed
Telecasts Wednesday, March 26 (10:00 • 11:00 PM, ET/PT).

From UFC 66, Keith Jardine battles Forrest Griffin and Chuck Liddell gives Tito Ortiz a shot at the Light Heavyweight title. Also, features an encore of Diego Sanchez against Joe Riggs from Ultimate Fight Night Live.

The Ultimate Fighter Marathon
Telecasts Saturday, March 29 (9:00 AM • Midnight, ET/PT).

Marathon will feature all thirteen episodes from season 6 of The Ultimate Fighter.

[LEONARD]

wtf???

[polandprzem]

Hendo will stay at 185lbs

He would like to fight Wandy (who probably will move to 185 as well)
Next fight for him will be either Okami or Franklin

In both cases it would be great matchups

[Evan]

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z75/gorillagrappling/get.gif
http://www.mmagifs.com/albums/uploads/UFC64/ken3.gif
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa296/ajax3006/11w3bef.gif
http://i26.tinypic.com/108flls.gif
http://www.mmagifs.com/albums/userpics/10001/titodance.gif

[Evan]

http://i28.tinypic.com/ic8vus.gif
http://i24.tinypic.com/e9wyti.gif

[Evan]

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc13/mbarrello/cats.gif

[polandprzem]

http://cyber-sport.us/zalaczniki/l_08e31f894400a25ba7b745b53ea51bd5_818.gif

http://cyber-sport.us/zalaczniki/markcoleman3_508.jpg

http://cyber-sport.us/zalaczniki/nwwiua_778.gif

[polandprzem]

http://cyber-sport.us/zalaczniki/mma_195.jpg

[Evan]

hahah...I love Randy dancing...hahahaha

[Evan]

Oh wow...the sh-t is about to hit the fan...

http://www.sherdog.com/news/articles.asp?n_id=12007

Diaz got taken off this weekends card...

"The issue, as described to him by Garcia, said Shaw, was Diaz's prescription for medical marijuana, which is legal in California based on the Compassionate Use Act of 1996. "

[desflood]

I fail to see how pot can make you more focused :lol

[desflood]

Found this article on Drudgereport this morning:

ULTIMATE FIGHTS EXPAND TO INCLUDE KIDS

CARTHAGE, Mo. - Ultimate fighting was once the sole domain of burly men who beat each other bloody in anything-goes brawls on pay-per-view TV.

But the sport often derided as "human cockfighting" is branching out.

The bare-knuckle fights are now attracting competitors as young as 6 whose parents treat the sport as casually as wrestling, Little League or soccer.

The changes were evident on a recent evening in southwest Missouri, where a team of several young boys and one girl grappled on gym mats in a converted garage.

Two members of the group called the "Garage Boys Fight Crew" touched their thin martial-arts gloves in a flash of sportsmanship before beginning a relentless exchange of sucker punches, body blows and swift kicks.

No blood was shed. And both competitors wore protective gear. But the bout reflected the decidedly younger face of ultimate fighting. The trend alarms medical experts and sports officials who worry that young bodies can't withstand the pounding.

Tommy Bloomer, father of two of the "Garage Boys," doesn't understand the fuss.

"We're not training them for dog fighting," said Bloomer, a 34-year-old construction contractor. "As a parent, I'd much rather have my kids here learning how to defend themselves and getting positive reinforcement than out on the streets."

Bloomer said the sport has evolved since the no-holds-barred days by adding weight classes to better match opponents and banning moves such as strikes to the back of the neck and head, groin kicking and head butting.

Missouri appears to be the only state in the nation that explicitly allows the youth fights. In many states, it is a misdemeanor for children to participate. A few states have no regulations.

Supporters of the sport acknowledge that allowing fights between kids sounds brutal at first. But they insist the competitions have plenty of safety rules.

"It looks violent until you realize this teaches discipline. One of the first rules they learn is that this is not for aggressive behavior outside (the ring)," said Larry Swinehart, a Joplin police officer and father of two boys and the lone girl in the garage group.

The sport, which is also known as mixed martial arts or cage fighting, has already spread far beyond cable television. Last month, CBS became the first of the Big Four television networks to announce a deal to broadcast primetime fights. The fights have attracted such a wide audience, they are threatening to surpass boxing as the nation's most popular pugilistic sport.

Hand-to-hand combat is also popping up on the big screen. The film "Never Back Down," described as "The Karate Kid" for the YouTube generation, has taken in almost $17 million in two weeks at the box office. Another current mixed martial arts movie, "Flash Point," an import from Hong Kong, is in limited release.

Bloomer said the fights are no more dangerous or violent than youth wrestling. He watched as his sons, 11-year-old Skyler and 8-year-old Gage, locked arms and legs and wrestled to the ground with other kids in the garage in Carthage, about 135 miles south of Kansas City.

The 11 boys and one girl on the team range from 6 to 14 years old and are trained by Rudy Lindsey, a youth wrestling coach and a professional mixed martial arts heavyweight.

"The kids learn respect and how to defend themselves. It's no more dangerous than any other sport and probably less so than some," Lindsey said.

Lindsey said the children wear protective headgear, shin guards, groin protection and martial-arts gloves. They fight quick, two-minute bouts. Rules also prohibit any elbow blows and blows to the head when an opponent is on the ground.

"If they get in trouble or get bad grades, I'll hear about it and they can't come to training," he added.

In most states, mixed martial arts is overseen by boxing commissions. In Missouri, the Office of Athletics regulates the professional fights but not the amateur events, which include the youth bouts. For amateurs, the regulation is done by sanctioning bodies that have to register with the athletics office.

The rules are different in Oklahoma, where unauthorized fights are generally a misdemeanor offense. The penalty is a maximum 30 days in jail and a fine up to $1,000.

Joe Miller, administrator of the Oklahoma Professional Boxing Commission, said youth fights are banned in his state, and he wants it to stay that way.

"There's too much potential for damage to growing joints," he said.

Miller said mixed martial arts uses a lot of arm and leg twisting to force opponents into submission. Those moves, he said, pressure joints in a way not found in sanctioned sports like youth boxing or wrestling.

But Nathan Orand, a martial arts trainer from Tulsa, Okla., said kids are capable of avoiding injuries, especially with watchful referees in the rings. He thinks the sport is bound to grow.

"I can see their point because when you say 'cage fighting,' that right there just sounds like kids shouldn't be doing it," Orand said.

"But you still have all the respect that regular martial arts teach you. And it's really the only true way for youth to be able to defend themselves."

Back in the Carthage garage, Bloomer said parents shouldn't worry about kids becoming aggressive from learning mixed martial arts. He said his older son was picked on by bullies at school repeatedly last year but never fought them, instead reporting the problem to his teachers.

And fighters including his 8-year-old son get along once a bout is over, Bloomer said.

"When they get out of the cage, they go back and play video games together. It doesn't matter who won and who lost. They're still little buddies."

[Evan]

I would let my young kid to jjitsu but full MMA is a bit much

[Evan]

Tim Sylvia was cut by the UFC and will probably join M-1.

[LEONARD]

Look for Bob Sapp on Pro’s vs Joe’s on Spike…it air’d last night and should be replaying some.

So much for Leonard Garcia and his run at 145 lbs in the WEC!!
http://mmajunkie.com/news/4022/report-wecs-leonard-garcia-arrested-in-drug-trafficking-bust.mma

Gina Carano will be on the CBS primetime card for Elite in May
http://bloodyelbow.com/story/2008/3/26/164338/599

EliteXC has signed an ex-NFL player
http://samcaplan.proelite.com/stuff/blog/103812/Exclusive:_EliteXC_signs_former_NFL_player_Bobby_J ones

What would Kimbo Do?
http://www.cagepotato.com/2008/03/26/wwkd-the-stunning-conclusion/

[dallaskd]

Tim Sylvia was cut by the UFC and will probably join M-1.

link? and fedor is official out. great...

[Evan]

link? and fedor is official out. great...

http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2008/03/28/report-tim-sylvia-and-the-ufc-part-ways/

[dallaskd]

over money... :rolleyes

[Evan]

over money... :rolleyes

Yeah he can't seem to comprehend Brock Lesnar draws huge attention and he is...well....laughed at.

Let me show you a trick I saw on sherdog.

IF YOU HAVE GOOGLE toolbar installed...

type in tim sylvia and look what the suggestion is.

:lol

[dallaskd]

i didnt get anything. just google results

[Evan]

i didnt get anything. just google results

Don't hit enter...just look at the suggestions that drop down.

[dallaskd]

tim sylvia shit pants :lol

by far the best

[Evan]

tim sylvia shit pants :lol

by far the best

:lol

Google bases suggestions on popularity of links and searches.

And that....is why the UFC did not re-sign him.

[LEONARD]

Sweet Pride video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2C66NYJh23o

JT vs Kimbo?
http://mmajunkie.com/news/4040/kimbo-vs-james-thompson-at-may-31-elitexc-cbs.mma

Dana on kids MMA
http://mmamania.com/2008/03/31/kid-fights-and-mma-good-idea-or-bad-video/

Fight Night and IFL odds
http://bloodyelbow.com/story/2008/3/31/192710/009

Dana says heck no to Silva vs Roy Jones Jr
http://bloodyelbow.com/story/2008/3/31/205411/569

MMAWeekly's videos are now free thanks to Bodog! It's about time...
http://mmaweekly.com/

UFC on ABC/ESPN? I'll believe it when I see it...
http://www.mmapayout.com/2008/03/ufc-espn-strategic-parternship.html

Rachelle Leah to be on the cover of Playboy?
http://mmamania.com/2008/03/31/rachelle-leah-playboy-cover-coming-soon/

Tito’s lame new reality show will be on the G4 channel...lol
http://www.cagepotato.com/2008/03/31/ken-flo-not-feelin-lauzon-love/

[Evan]

The 25 Toughest Athletes

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/extramustard/03/28/25.toughest.athletes/index.html

[dallaskd]

JZ-Aoki II :fro

http://www.sherdog.com/news/news.asp?n_id=12159

[cornbread]

Breaking News: Fedor Confirms Sylvia Fight
Options: Email Article | Printer Friendly
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
by Evgeni Kogan and Greg Savage

Top ranked heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko (Pictures) will fight Tim Sylvia (Pictures) on July 19. The Russian mixed martial arts champion confirmed the bout to Sherdog.com on Tuesday.

"[Sylvia] is a good fighter, a strong fighter, the former UFC heavyweight champion, which is important," Emelianenko said via telephone from Stary Oskol, Russia. "I am looking forward to fighting him and training hard for this fight."

While Emelianenko was short on details, Sherdog.com has learned through sources close to the negotiations that Fedor-Sylvia would headline a card tentatively scheduled for the American Airlines Arena in Dallas, the home base of HDNet Fights.

HDNet Fights CEO Andrew Simon declined to comment on the report, however sources indicate the bout will air on the Mark Cuban-owned network and is rumored to be promoted by Affliction, a clothing brand closely tied to MMA.

Affliction had been connected with Oscar De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions, however a June 28 Las Vegas date has since been discarded.

Emelianenko, a 31-year-old sambo practitioner, has faced criticism from media and fans alike after a string of fights against less than stellar competition. Sylvia would represent the Russian's first ranked opponent since his unanimous decision over Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic nearly three years ago.

Widely regarded as the top heavyweight fighter in the world, Emelianenko (27-1-0, 1 NC) was recently freed from a letter of intent binding him to the now-defunct M-1 Global promotion.

Sylvia, 32, is coming off a submission loss to Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (Pictures) in February at UFC 81. After a spirited performance that saw him batter his foe at will with strikes, Sylvia (24-4-0) eventually fell victim to a classic Nogueira come-from-behind performance and succumbed to a guillotine choke early in the third round.

http://www.sherdog.com/news/news.asp?n_id=12220


I bet Leonard will be there.

[Evan]

Sherdog has been very off with Fedor news so lets wait and see…

But if true. This is the exact fight I want Fedor to take. I am extremely pleased with this…I just hope its in a cage with elbows.

[LEONARD]

If they do elbows, I hope they clarify the rules unless their last event where forearms were allowed but nothing with the point. They still had guys using the point of the elbow with no warning.

And damn right I’ll be there…maybe Fedor could draw Evan out too… :lol

[Evan]

hah...

we'll see

[dallaskd]

holy shit im jumping all over that the second it is confirmed.

[dallaskd]

anyway one of yall could get me a good deal on some tickets for this?

[dallaskd]

anyway one one yall could get me a good deal on some tickets for this?

[oligarchy]

If true, Fedor by arm bar

[Evan]

anyway one one yall could get me a good deal on some tickets for this?

If this happens...

I am sure between LEONARD and myself we can possibly take care of the regulars on this thread with discounts as long as its not a crazy fast sell out.

Trust me guys..I just off the phone with someone (who LEONARD knows as well) and this isn't done yet.

Nothing has been signed, yet.

NOT saying it won't happen...just not done yet.

[dallaskd]

awesome video!...

4g2yhEsYmGA

http://youtube.com/watch?v=4g2yhEsYmGA

[dallaskd]

the second one....even better!...

VUkD-tz4dzg


http://youtube.com/watch?v=VUkD-tz4dzg

[polandprzem]

http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/9726/fedorsylviabs9.jpg



http://cyber-sport.us/zalaczniki/2235506053_2b0e7f999c_932.jpg



http://youtube.com/watch?v=hrlXCMPq3UY

[desflood]

If this happens...

I am sure between LEONARD and myself we can possibly take care of the regulars on this thread with discounts as long as its not a crazy fast sell out.

Trust me guys..I just off the phone with someone (who LEONARD knows as well) and this isn't done yet.

Nothing has been signed, yet.

NOT saying it won't happen...just not done yet.
What are you, nuts? Of course it's going to be a crazy fast sell-out.

That being said, I'll need taking care of if/when this happens :lol

[desflood]

And what's with the naked Trigg? Eww.

[Smokeybearme]

How many of you guys fight localy at gyms or whatever and where would a good place to go in maine to start traning

[LEONARD]

I do BJJ with my 3 yr old and work on my sparring with my wife...

That's about it... :lol

[LEONARD]

Please tell me that this is a photoshop? :lol
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2225/2399450898_b43bb63097.jpg

I saw this naked singing cowboy douche on Judge Judy one time...his wife was suing him because they had a webcam always running in their bedroom :lol

[Evan]

If Fedor fought him next I wouldn't be surprised.Dead serious

and I checked the pic info and it doesn't say it was generated by photoshop.

[Evan]

And what's with the naked Trigg? Eww.

Trigg has a very high opinion of his looks.

Honestly...I always thought he was bi or gay until I heard him mention his wife.

[tlongII]

Sylvia will win. Fedor is making a big mistake.

[Evan]

Sylvia will win. Fedor is making a big mistake.

It all depends on what the rules are.

[LEONARD]

Sylvia will win. Fedor is making a big mistake.

Tim via knee to the forehead...

[LEONARD]

It all depends on what the rules are.

Rules schmules...Fedor wins under any set against Timmy...

[Evan]

Rules schmules...Fedor wins under any set against Timmy...

Well....can he grab the ropes and will Tim be allowed to use knees? :elephant

[LEONARD]

Tim can use knees, soccer kicks, stomps, and a bazooka...won't matter...

[Evan]

Yamma weigh-ins

MASTERS SUPERFIGHTS

Mark Kerr (266.2) vs. Oleg Taktarov (221.2)
Eric "Butterbean" Esch (416.2) vs. Patrick Smith (240.0)

HEAVYWEIGHT TOURNAMENT

George Bush (231.6) vs. Ricco Rodriguez (264.6)
Marcelo Pereira (219.4) vs. Travis Wiuff (242.8)
Tony Sylvester (262.8) vs. Chris Tuscherer (264.0)
Alexey Oleinik (220.2) vs. Sherman Pendergarst (264.6)

ALTERNATE TOURNEY BOUTS

Antwain Britt (228.2) vs. Bryan Vetell (266)
Lamont Lister (212.6) vs. Oleg Savitsky (199.4)

[dallaskd]

Tim via knee to the forehead...

:lol

[Evan]

Best Interview of all time...here are the highlights...

http://mmarated.com/articles/article/news/20080410/_i_will_eat_ninja_sushi_for_dinner_-10456.html

***********************************************

Ariel Helwani: How did it feel to get back in the ring after a long layoff?
Phil Baroni: I felt like shit after about four minutes. I was out of shape (and) I didn't train for seven months. (It's) nobody's fault but my own. Oh well, I made a mistake. Fuck it, I'll take it out on Ninja. Poor Ninja.

Ariel Helwani: Were you happy with your performance against Hose?
Phil Baroni: What the fuck do you think? Was I happy with my performance against Hose? What are you retarded?

..............


Ariel Helwani: What did you think of Frank Shamrock's performance against Cung Le?
Phil Baroni: I think he won the first round. I think he hurt Cung in the third (round). Watching the fight I kept thinking to myself: "how the fuck did I lose to that guy." I'm so much better than him.

Ariel Helwani: Any interest in fighting Shamrock again?
Phil Baroni: Fuck yeah man. That fight is my dream rematch. That's the fight I want to get back more than any.

Ariel Helwani: Have you ever spoken to Frank Shamrock since your fight against him in June 2007?
Phil Baroni: Yeah, I talk to him all the time. It's a secret what we say to each other . None of your fucking business. Let's just say I want another shot at him and he is a business man.

..............

Ariel Helwani: Are you happy with the way they have treated you thus far?
Phil Baroni: What did I just say. They are treating me great. I'm real happy with the company. Everyone there has been fan-fucking-tastic.

............

Ariel Helwani: Are you willing to explain the entire steroid story from last year? Do you feel like you were mistreated by the California State Athletic Commission?
Phil Baroni: It was bullshit man. That was not my first rodeo. I'm not fucking stupid. Nobody's going to try and cheat and take steroids. If you take steroids you're going to get caught. I think the lab fucked up. When the sample they collected was retested it came back clean just like every other test I ever took. I got fucked...fucked hard. Its almost a year ago and your inquiring mind is still asking me about it. Fuck, steroids don't win fights anyway. All the guys who get caught are the losers anyway. They make your muscles big but big muscles are not what wins fights. Skill, heart, and conditioning are what make a champion not a shot or a pill.

.........

Ariel Helwani: How many more years/fights do you have left in you?
Phil Baroni: Fuck, I have a lot. Chuck Liddell didn't win his first world title until he was 36. Maybe too many for you motherfuckers. I ain't going anywhere for a long time.

Ariel Helwani: You've trained with Kimbo Slice before, what are your thoughts on him?
Phil Baroni: He is a big, black, tough motherfucker. Could it be anymore obvious?

............

Ariel Helwani: Sheesh, you've certainly said a mouthful. Any final words?
Phil Baroni: Go fuck yourselves. No I'm just kidding. I just want to thank everyone for their support. I've grown a lot over the years as a fighter and a person (and) my best years are yet to come. I'm still in this to be a world champion. I have a lot of fight left in me. Check me out on CBS May 31st when I will eat Ninja sushi for dinner.

[dallaskd]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvoElSkzgMo&feature=related

watch this and read the comments. the guys record is 2-6 but for some reason everyone is saying giant silva has beaten fedor, CC, wandy, ect...?

[Evan]

Someone is screwing with the fans. He never fought them...I think the only top guy he fought was Heath Herring.

This guy was one of PRIDE's freakshow props.

[dallaskd]

thats one reason i like american orgs over jap leagues. no freak shows.

[dallaskd]

lol he took rampage being KO'd by wandy and fedors face from the CC fight and put it in there.

[dallaskd]

Best Interview of all time...here are the highlights...

http://mmarated.com/articles/article/news/20080410/_i_will_eat_ninja_sushi_for_dinner_-10456.html

***********************************************

Ariel Helwani: How did it feel to get back in the ring after a long layoff?
Phil Baroni: I felt like shit after about four minutes. I was out of shape (and) I didn't train for seven months. (It's) nobody's fault but my own. Oh well, I made a mistake. Fuck it, I'll take it out on Ninja. Poor Ninja.

Ariel Helwani: Were you happy with your performance against Hose?
Phil Baroni: What the fuck do you think? Was I happy with my performance against Hose? What are you retarded?

..............


Ariel Helwani: What did you think of Frank Shamrock's performance against Cung Le?
Phil Baroni: I think he won the first round. I think he hurt Cung in the third (round). Watching the fight I kept thinking to myself: "how the fuck did I lose to that guy." I'm so much better than him.

Ariel Helwani: Any interest in fighting Shamrock again?
Phil Baroni: Fuck yeah man. That fight is my dream rematch. That's the fight I want to get back more than any.

Ariel Helwani: Have you ever spoken to Frank Shamrock since your fight against him in June 2007?
Phil Baroni: Yeah, I talk to him all the time. It's a secret what we say to each other . None of your fucking business. Let's just say I want another shot at him and he is a business man.

..............

Ariel Helwani: Are you happy with the way they have treated you thus far?
Phil Baroni: What did I just say. They are treating me great. I'm real happy with the company. Everyone there has been fan-fucking-tastic.

............

Ariel Helwani: Are you willing to explain the entire steroid story from last year? Do you feel like you were mistreated by the California State Athletic Commission?
Phil Baroni: It was bullshit man. That was not my first rodeo. I'm not fucking stupid. Nobody's going to try and cheat and take steroids. If you take steroids you're going to get caught. I think the lab fucked up. When the sample they collected was retested it came back clean just like every other test I ever took. I got fucked...fucked hard. Its almost a year ago and your inquiring mind is still asking me about it. Fuck, steroids don't win fights anyway. All the guys who get caught are the losers anyway. They make your muscles big but big muscles are not what wins fights. Skill, heart, and conditioning are what make a champion not a shot or a pill.

.........

Ariel Helwani: How many more years/fights do you have left in you?
Phil Baroni: Fuck, I have a lot. Chuck Liddell didn't win his first world title until he was 36. Maybe too many for you motherfuckers. I ain't going anywhere for a long time.

Ariel Helwani: You've trained with Kimbo Slice before, what are your thoughts on him?
Phil Baroni: He is a big, black, tough motherfucker. Could it be anymore obvious?

............

Ariel Helwani: Sheesh, you've certainly said a mouthful. Any final words?
Phil Baroni: Go fuck yourselves. No I'm just kidding. I just want to thank everyone for their support. I've grown a lot over the years as a fighter and a person (and) my best years are yet to come. I'm still in this to be a world champion. I have a lot of fight left in me. Check me out on CBS May 31st when I will eat Ninja sushi for dinner.


bad ass. :tu

[polandprzem]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvoElSkzgMo&feature=related

watch this and read the comments. the guys record is 2-6 but for some reason everyone is saying giant silva has beaten fedor, CC, wandy, ect...?

Where is your sense of humor?



Ariel Helwani: Are you willing to explain the entire steroid story from last year? Do you feel like you were mistreated by the California State Athletic Commission?
Phil Baroni: It was bullshit man. That was not my first rodeo. I'm not fucking stupid. Nobody's going to try and cheat and take steroids. If you take steroids you're going to get caught. I think the lab fucked up. When the sample they collected was retested it came back clean just like every other test I ever took. I got fucked...fucked hard. Its almost a year ago and your inquiring mind is still asking me about it. Fuck, steroids don't win fights anyway. All the guys who get caught are the losers anyway. They make your muscles big but big muscles are not what wins fights. Skill, heart, and conditioning are what make a champion not a shot or a pill.

RU kidding?

Most of the sportsmen taking steroids. And yea go fool everybody that steroids just give you muscles :rolleyes
What a jerk.
I saw that fight against Shamrock, and Frank could finish him sooner. baroni saw birds and stars few minutes earlier in the fight. Unimpressive guy.

---------
Joe Rogan - too much f words

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Di3NAFhDKI4&feature=related

[Evan]

If anyone was dumb anough to fall for that rumor Joe Roganwas leaving the UFC.......

http://blog.joerogan.net/archives/230

[desflood]

B.J. PENN TESTED BY NSAC, COMES BACK CLEAN
Thursday, April 24, 2008 - by Ivan Trembow and Ken Pishna - MMAWeekly.com

The first test results are in from the Nevada State Athletic Commission's newly instituted out-of-competition drug testing program. According to NSAC executive director Keith Kizer, all of B.J. Penn's test results for steroids and recreational drugs came back negative on Wednesday, April 23.

Penn was the first mixed martial arts fighter to be tested since the program was announced in a memo to "All Nevada Licensees" on Jan. 7, 2008.

In the memo, NSAC chairman John Bailey noted that some fighters “... have become very sophisticated in the timing of taking prohibited substances,” which is why the Commission has instituted additional random testing.

“Random testing throughout the year will further deter any fighters considering taking non-approved substances,” said Kizer. “The additional testing, which will be paid for by the Commission, will help us keep the sport of unarmed combat safe and fair for all fighters.”

The program has also tested two boxers, Shane Mosley and Zab Judah, both of whom tested negative.


This is a joke, right? If somebody needs to be tested, it sure as f*ck needs to be Sean Sherk!

[LEONARD]

I'm sure they'll be testing Sean very soon...

Glad to see them doing this and even gladder to see BJ pass...

[Evan]

New PRIDE indeed...:lmao:lmao:lmao:lmao

cant wait to see it on HDnet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

**************************************************

In a less-than-dreamy scenario, Fight Entertainment Group's Dream MMA brand has been ousted from primetime television on the Tokyo Broadcasting System.

The change comes after the debut edition of Dream garnered lackluster ratings in a make-or-break scenario for FEG and TBS.

The event grabbed only an 8.9 percent rating average on TBS in primetime, according to Japan's Video Research Ltd. The telecast's peak was a 12.7 for the Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic bout against Tatsuya Mizuno (Pictures), which was edited into the main event slot due to the no-contest debacle in the Shinya Aoki (Pictures)-Gesias Calvancante (Pictures) fight -- the show's true main event. TBS was fifth out of the six major Japanese networks during the time slot, besting only the perennial sixth-place finisher, TV Tokyo.

The ratings were crucial for the primetime continuation of FEG's MMA product. Rumors within the Japanese MMA community surfaced late last year suggesting that TBS could take FEG's Hero's promotion out of primetime due to sagging, lackluster ratings.

Although FEG's restructuring of its MMA program and the invention of Dream were celebrated by hardcore MMA fans, the move was not an altruistic one. Rather, it was an attempt to revitalize FEG's MMA product and ignite interest on television.

TBS is now scheduled to air the forthcoming April 29 Dream card on a week's tape delay in heavily edited one-hour installments. The broadcasts will air both in afternoon and after-midnight timeslots. However, future Dream events will air live on SkyPerfecTV pay-per-view.

The announcement is in no way a death knell for the revamped promotion. Pay-per-view is not a lucrative medium in Japan, though, as it is in North America. Being forced out of primetime does heavily slash advertising revenues for FEG, which will limit the ability for the promotion's growth in the foreseeable future.

For the time being, FEG continues to have television success with its central kickboxing brands, K-1 and K-1 Max. The April 9 K-1 Max telecast on TBS garnered a 12.4 percent rating average in primetime on TBS, and the April 13 K-1 telecast in primetime on Fuji Television scored a 12.8 percent. The only sports programming to score higher thus far in April was the April 5 Nippon Professional Baseball game between the Yomiuri Giants and Hanshin Tigers, which notched a 13.8 rating on NHK.

Despite the disappointing news, there is some measure of a silver lining for hardcore fans. With the shift to pay-per-view, Dream's future events will air unedited, in their entirety. This will resolve the usual griping regarding the heavily edited product created to air in a two-hour primetime television slot, which often leaves many fights unaired or shown only in highlight form. The April 29 Dream pay-per-view telecast is scheduled for roughly six hours of pay-per-view time, broadcasting live from 4:00 p.m. to 9:55 p.m. Tokyo time.

Also, with the shift out of primetime on TBS, the Dream pay-per-view telecast will feature the return of Daisuke Sato, the influential video director who was responsible for the much-celebrated pre-fight promo packages for Pride.

[Evan]

More money than meets the eye in the UFC
By Kevin Iole, Yahoo! Sports
12 hours, 44 minutes ago

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Return to Original Buzz Up PrintMore From Kevin IoleMailbag: Where should UFC visit? Apr 22, 2008 UFC cuts Starnes after disgraceful performance Apr 21, 2008

One of my passions in life is technology. I’m obsessed with gizmos and gadgets and am all but in love with my iPhone.

A friend who knows about my obsession had a computer he wanted to sell on eBay and asked me what I felt it was worth. He went to a Web site that showed an estimated street value, one I felt was considerably too high.

He argued that his asking price was justified because this web site was made up of experts and they agreed with him.

True, I said, but something is only worth what someone else will pay for it. And when we went to eBay and looked at completed listings for a computer with specs similar to his, he was shocked. People were only paying about half of what he thought he could get.


And that same analogy is true when it comes to fighter compensation. There is a lot of debate in the mixed martial arts media over what the UFC pays its fighters. It’s easy to take the stance that the fighters deserve more pay.

Of course they do. Getting punched in the face or kicked in the head is about as difficult a profession as one could choose. You only get paid when you actually compete, meaning an injury in training — by your or by your opponent — means you’ve worked two months for free.

So fighters deserve as much as they can get. I have always and will always advocate for the athletes in this sport.

But, when Kalib Starnes split ways with the UFC last week, he called his deal with the UFC an oppressive contract. He complained about his pay.

Clearly, the top UFC fighters don’t make nearly the amount that the top boxers make. But there is an incorrect perception that the other UFC fighters are being underpaid compared to boxers of the same level as well as fighters in the mixed martial arts community.

So I called the Nevada Athletic Commission and got the payment verification sheets for the last two major boxing shows (Bernard Hopkins-Joe Calzaghe on April 19 and Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez on March 15) as well as for the last major UFC show in the state, UFC 81 on Feb. 2.

According to state records, Hopkins and Calzaghe were each paid $3 million for their work. The next highest-paid fighter on that card was Audley Harrison, who made $20,000. There were nine fighters who made $5,000 or less, including two men, Marcos Mendias and Jermell Charlo, who made but $1,500.

Pacquiao made $3 million and Marquez $1 million for their epic rematch, but there were five fighters of the 14 on that show who made $3,500 or less.

At the UFC show, the lowest base pay for any of the 18 fighters on the card was the $4,000 that Kyle Bradley made.

The UFC also paid out $60,000 bonuses that night for knockout of the night, submission of the night and fight of the night. Plus, most of the fighters had bonuses for winning, so the opportunity was there for them to double their pay, which was not for the boxers.

And several agents, speaking on the condition of anonymity, have said the UFC occasionally pays its fighters bonuses it chooses not to announce to the public. These bonuses apparently go to fighters who perform superbly in a big fight.

Welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre reportedly received a $500,000 bonus and a Hummer when he knocked out Matt Hughes at UFC 65 in Sacramento, Calif.

Additionally, fighting in the UFC makes an athlete significantly more attractive to a sponsor. Frank Mir made $85,000 for the logos he wore into the cage for his fight with Brock Lesnar that night. Had he been fighting in another organization, there’s zero chance he would have earned half that in sponsorship money and he likely wouldn’t have gotten 20 percent as much.

So Mir that night earned a base pay of $40,000, a win bonus of another $40,000, a submission of the night bonus of $60,000 and then hauled in $85,000 in sponsorship dollars.

He’s not going to be able to retire after that bout, but bringing in $225,000 for one night’s work isn’t bad at any time, especially in this economy. A fighter like Chuck Liddell is making around $6 million a year between his salary and his sponsorships and was making at least $9 million little more than a year ago. He was getting $75,000 a month from Xyience and received $1 million for just two weekends of promoting the movie, “300.”

“The UFC will pay you if you perform,” said fighter agent Dean Albrecht, Mir’s agent. “It’s like in the NFL. They’re not going to rip up your contract after one great game, but if you perform over a period of time, they’ll pay you and pay you extremely well. In the UFC, if you go out and fight and put on a great show, believe me, they pay extremely well and they can make some of these kids rich.”

Albrecht said another of his clients, Joe Lauzon, earned $8,000 for his bout with Kenny Florian earlier this month on Ultimate Fight Night 13. He would have gotten an $8,000 bonus had he won. Albrecht conceded the pay was low, but it was mitigated by a $20,000 fight of the night bonus and $52,000 in sponsorship money Albrecht negotiated.

He said if Lauzon had been fighting in a regional promotion, he would have made $2,000 to show, gotten $2,000 had he won and may have picked up another $500 in sponsorship. Even in the best case scenario, then, he would have made less than $5,000.

The IFL is bleeding money and likely won’t last past its next show. Elite XC in its most recent SEC report also conceded it may not have the funds to last the rest of the year. If it’s not able to pull at least a 2.5 rating on CBS for its May 31 show, it may be in jeopardy of failing.

The UFC, on the other hand, continues to thrive. It will provide a place for the fighters to sell their wares long into the future. There is no other North American-based promotion that can say that now other than the UFC.

So while the UFC should bump up the salaries of the fighters up and down the cards, given the rising merchandise sales, gate receipts and pay-per-view revenues, you also have to remember that they’re the only ones who are thriving and can pay consistently. It’s a two-way street.

[desflood]

Chris Leben, a UFC middleweight who recently signed to fight Michael Bisping at UFC 85, was arrested in Oregon on Wednesday for a parole violation stemming from a previous DUI offense, according to the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office.

As of late Wednesday evening, Leben remained behind bars.

A representative from the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office told MMAjunkie.com that Leben will go before a judge at 3 p.m. on Thursday. It was determined upon his booking that he was not eligible for bail because of the probation violation, according to the representative.

[dbreiden83080]

UFC 84 is Tito's last fight in the UFC, i know he has a lot of haters but i still like the guy. Too bad he is leaving. :depressed

[Evan]

Tito hasn't done anything in a looooooooooooooong time. If you're going to have his mouth you have to back it up. I would love for him to stay even though I root against him but it's not going to happen. He would be awesome for MMA if his talent matched his mouth.

Rumor has him having massive back problems.

Either thats true or he simply has not evolved with MMA.