MMA News Thread

[Shogun Locc]

MARQUARDT READY FOR TITLE SHOT, WILL WAIT

The dominance of UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva cannot be denied. The defending titleholder has dispatched of all challengers, but one fighter that previously lost to Silva could be the most dangerous match-up for the Brazilian left on the horizon.

That fighter is Nate Marquardt.

After a stunning performance in his last fight, a win over Wilson Gouveia at UFC 95, Marquardt is again sitting dead center for the debate of who should get a shot at the winner between Anderson Silva and Thales Leites, two fighters the Colorado native has dealt with before.

Silva and Leites are set to do battle in the main event of the Ultimate Fighting Championship's return to Montreal at UFC 97.

Marquardt says that his post fight comments after the win over Gouveia, in which he stated that he was a completely different fighter from the person who lost to Silva in 2007, were completely correct, and while he's not sure of the UFC's plan for his next fight, he has to believe a title shot isn't far off.

"I can't imagine that they're not talking about it," Marquardt commented about a title shot recently during an appearance on MMAWeekly Radio. "Do I think or even know that I'll get the spot, I don't know. To be honest I'm just happy with the way things are going right now and I'm going to continue to improve and work on things."

Patience is the key according to Marquardt who will gladly keep knocking off top contenders until it's his time to challenge for the 185-pound gold once again.

"When the time comes I'm going to be ready," said Marquardt. "I'm ready now, but if it doesn't happen for a couple more fights, I'll be happy with that and if I get the shot right away I'll be happy."

The Colorado based fighter continues to work and train full time alongside his teammates at Greg Jackson's school, and he knows that the UFC will make things right for him, when the time is right.

"Whatever's in God's plan and whatever the UFC (wants)," stated Marquardt. "The UFC is a great company to fight for and they know what they're doing so I think when they say it's time, it will be time."

 

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SYLVIA TALKS HUNTING, MMA RETURN & BOXING

If you weren’t very familiar with former Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight titleholder Tim “Maine-iac” Sylvia, you might be surprised to find out that during his time away from the sport he would rather be 20 feet off the ground, hiding in a tree in the crisp Midwestern winter than on some beach in a tropic paradise. But that’s what he does.

An avid hunter, Sylvia has spent much of his time wearing camo and stalking prey, since his most recent fight in July of last year.

“I had a really good hunting season,” he exclaimed. “As a lot of people know, I’ve got a hunting company, TST Outdoors and we shot a DVD that we’re selling now. We’ve been working on that for a few years.”

Not only have Sylvia’s prospects been good out of the ring, it appears to be picking up inside the ring as well, as he recently announced his involvement at Adrenaline 3 to face former Olympic gold medal winner and WBO world heavyweight champion “Merciless” Ray Mercer in a boxing match on May 30.

“I’m just strictly boxing now,” he said of his current training regiment. “I go to a boxing gym two to three days a week putting in about 24 rounds.

“It’s just boxing mitts now, not doing any Thai pads. Nights when we grapple at a gym, I’ll go in and do strictly boxing conditioning. When I spar, I’m just bringing some sparring partners in and boxing for 12 rounds straight.”

Sylvia explains that not only is he doing this boxing match to keep busy, but he feels it will be an added benefit to his MMA game as well.

“I don’t think it’s going to hurt me in MMA at all,” he stated. “My hands are getting faster and I’m throwing more power shots now. I think if anything it’s only going to help my MMA career.”

After facing Mercer in the squared circle, it appears that Sylvia will be headed to the third installment of Affliction, date and opponent still pending, though most speculation is pointing towards July or August.

“It’s still being kind of worked out,” said Sylvia. “They want me on the card for Affliction 3 – and I want to be on the card – but we don’t know about opponents or what’s going to happen yet.”

If making his professional boxing debut and returning to MMA for the first time in nearly a year isn’t enough, he will be making his return to the acting world as well this summer.

“I’m going to be up in the Boston area shooting a movie called OxyMorons,” he announced. “I’m one of the main characters and will be up there for three weeks (filming).”

According to Sylvia, the film’s name derives from the drug craze surrounding OxyContin addiction, and how it takes control of people’s lives and all the bad things that surround it.

If things go as he predicts, a return to fighting and a myriad of projects away from the ring has all the makings of a big year for the “big man” of MMA.

“This is definitely going to be a busy year for myself in fighting,” he concluded. “I’m looking to have three fights between now and the end of summer. I’m getting back in there and I’m looking to get into title contention in whatever organization I make a home.

“Thank you for sticking by me. My MySpace, website and stuff has been great; fans have been wonderful and they’re anxious for me to get back in there, and I appreciate it. Thanks to the sponsors that have stuck behind me and still support me.”

 

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SHIELDS TALKS CHANGE OF HEART

Jake Shields has a lot of eating to do.

The former EliteXC welterweight champion says he’s “ripped” at 180lbs., a byproduct of his preparation for Joe Riggs at “Shamrock vs. Diaz” on April 11. But when an opportunity to face former Elite middleweight champion Robbie Lawler in May, he shifted gears.

“Nothing against Riggs, he’s a great fighter, I just feel like his last few fights have been fifty-fifty, and I was never too excited about it,” Shields tells MMAWeekly.com. “I let Scott Coker know that I wasn’t too thrilled about the fight, but I would do it if that’s what he wanted, so he said he’d look around a little bit. He called me back last week and asked me what I thought about Lawler. I said, ‘yeah, let’s do it.’

Shields has previously suggested a move up to the 185lb. division, and was once rumored to fight Matt Lindland for Affliction’s postponed “Day of Reckoning” last October. But the challenge of facing Lawler, a fighter who can end nights quickly with his hands, was too good to pass up.

“He’s top five ranked in most of the rankings in middleweight, and I’m top five ranked in welterweight in most of the rankings, so it’s a big challenge,” he says. “A lot of the fights lately, part of it is that it gets me motivated. It’s just hard to get yourself motivated day in and day out. Lawler, he’s a dangerous guy. If I don’t show up ready, he can knock me out. It’s something that gets me excited. I have a real fight on my hands.”

He’s having trouble scarfing down the seven meals a day his strength and conditioning coach wants him to eat.

“There’s no way I’m going to get up to weight, but hopefully I can put on five, six pounds of solid muscle,” he says.

Nevertheless, he doesn’t believe his size will play a big factor in the fight.

“I’m competitive right now,” he says confidently. “I train with 185 pounders all the time. I feel I could tap anyone out. Obviously, Lawler’s a guy who can knock anyone out, but I think I’m capable of giving up my weight and tapping out any 85 pounder in the world.”

And therein lies the not-so-secret plan. While the two compete in a sport of many disciplines, they have made their names for different things; Lawler has heavy hands, and Shields, great submissions.

“I think everyone knows; it’s a typical striker versus grappler,” he says. “I want to take him down and submit him, he wants to try and take my head off. But anything can happen, it’s not like I’m going to not throw punches, he might take me down. You never know what’s going to happen.”

Shields has one fight remaining on his Strikeforce contract after the May fight, and while the UFC continues to be a long-term goal, he’s content to be back in action.

“Scott Coker’s being really good to me,” he says. “I said I wanted a bigger fight than Riggs, then he gives me Lawler in the main event. So right now I’m pretty happy with Strikeforce. But again, for a while I’ve wanted to go and fight some of the top welterweights in the UFC.

“I hate sitting around; I get bored. Luckily, I just opened a gym, so I was concentrating on that, but now, I’m ready to go out there and fight.”

 

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CHRIS LYTLE VS. KEVIN BURNS AT TUF 9 FINALE

The June 20 finale of “The Ultimate Fighter” season nine is filling out rapidly, with a welterweight meeting between veteran Chris Lytle and Kevin Burns booked for the Las Vegas event.

Sources close to the fight broke the news to MMAWeekly.com, with both fighters agreeing to the match-up and bout agreements expected to be inked soon.

Lytle is coming off a disappointing split decision loss to Marcus Davis in a much-hyped fight at UFC 93. He has alternated between losses and wins in his last five fights, going 5-9 in fourteen Octagon appearances. He carries an overall professional record of 26-17-5.

Iowa native Burns last fought Anthony Johnson at the TUF 8 finale in a “do-over” of their controversial meeting at UFC Fight Night 14. Johnson exacted his revenge for the first fight's injury stoppage with a brutal head kick, knocking Burns out in the third round.

Burns made his debut at UFC 85, choking out the highly touted submission specialist Roan Carneiro. He carries an overall record of 7-2 in professional competition.

 

[Shogun Locc]

DANA WHITE EXPLAINS FRANKLIN VS. SILVA AT 195

Former UFC middleweight titleholder Rich "Ace" Franklin and former long-time Pride champion Wanderlei "The Axe Murderer" Silva headline the Ultimate Fighting Championship's debut event in Germany at UFC 99 on June 13 at the Lanxess Arena in Cologne.

Franklin recently moved back up to the light heavyweight division from the 185-pound weight class. Silva has stated his intentions to move down to middleweight after competing his entire career in heavier divisions. Their UFC 99 main event bout will take place at a catchweight of 195 pounds.

"I met Rich in the middle," UFC president Dana White said of the decision for the catchweight. "Rich didn't want to cut weight. He didn't want to go back to 85, and Wanderlei hasn't been to 85 yet."

Franklin fought the first half of his career as a light heavyweight before switching divisions and capturing the UFC 185-pound crown from the late Evan Tanner at UFC 53 in June of 2005. After losing to current middleweight titleholder Anderson Silva twice, Franklin decided to return to light heavyweight. Since making the transition back to 205 pounds, Franklin has defeated Matt Hamill and lost a razor close decision to Dan Henderson.

After losing three of his last four outings as a light heavyweight, Silva made the choice to move down to middleweight. He's spent much of his storied career fighting bigger opponents, but before shedding the 20 pounds to weigh in at 185, Silva will only have to make it half way there for his scheduled 195-pound match with Franklin.

The UFC doesn't usually do catchweight bouts unless a fighter fails to make weight, like Joe Riggs against Matt Hughes at UFC 56 or Travis Lutter against Anderson Silva at UFC 67. But the UFC has put together catchweight bouts, such as Matt Hughes vs. Royce Gracie at UFC 60, if it's a match up the fans want to see. Wanderlei Silva and Rich Franklin definitely fit into that category.

"I think it's a fun fight and it will be a fun fight to watch," said White.

Regardless of the outcome, Franklin will continue to compete at light heavyweight while Silva is expected to debut as a middleweight in his next scheduled bout following the Franklin fight.

 

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Junie Browning: Cole Miller isn’t spectacular on the ground

I think that this is a really good match up for me. The thing that kills me the most is really good wrestlers. I feel like Cole won’t be able to take the fight to the ground and I’ll have the ability to dictate where the fight goes … I think his submission win over Jorge Gurgel was more just a mistake on Gurgel’s part. I don’t think it had anything to do with Cole Miller having slick jiu-jitsu. It wasn’t really like he was really technical in setting him up with it, it was more than Gurgel slipped and just got caught. Anyone else he’s fought, he hasn’t really shown me anything spectacular on the ground.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Brett Rogers preparing for Strikeforce debut on April 11

After having been tentatively scheduled to make his debut for Strikeforce during a May event in Seattle, Washington, undefeated heavyweight prospect Brett Rogers recent got the call from Strikeforce officials that he is expected to be moved up to its April 11 event in San Jose in a bout to be televised on Showtime.

FiveOuncesOfPain.com confirmed the news on Saturday with a source close to Rogers’ camp. As of now, Rogers’ participation is not official as bout agreements have yet to be presented. However, several options for opponents have been discussed and his addition to the card could be finalized shortly.

Strikeforce and Showtime are looking to fill the fifth and final slot of the televised portion of its April 11 event at the HP Pavilion due to the fact that a planned welterweight bout between Jake Shields and Joe Riggs was scrapped after Strikeforce officials decided to move Shields into a headlining slot in May against former EliteXC middleweight champion Robbie Lawler.

If tapped to compete on short notice, Rogers is expected to be ready as word from inside his camp is that his training was going extremely well in preparation for May. In an effort to expand his game, Rogers has also added a jiu-jitsu coach and has been receiving additional instruction regarding submissions.

One of many fighters caught in limbo after ProElite suspended operations last October, Rogers has not competed since recording a first round knockout over Jon Murphy on May 31 of last year. The historic fight vs. Murphy served as the first-ever mixed martial arts fight to be televised live on prime-time network television as a part of CBS’ Saturday Night Fights franchise. The win improved Rogers’ official record to 8-0 including notable wins under the EliteXC banner against James Thompson and Ralph Kelly.

Rogers had been scheduled to compete on Nov. 8 vs. Paul Buentello during a planned EliteXC event in Reno, Nevada but the entire card was canceled follow ProElite’s decision to suspend operations. A proposed fight vs. Josh Barnett during Affliction’s “Day of Reckoning” in January was never finalized after ProElite and Affliction became embattled in an argument over territorial issues such as who would own the television rights to the fight.

 

[Shogun Locc]

5 Oz. Video Interview with Eddie Alvarez: Top lightweight talks Bellator debut

 

[Shogun Locc]

Pat Healy: Turning heads at 170 pounds

There were more than just a few people that believed that up and coming Canadian welterweight sensation, Ryan Ford, could very well be the one of the weight classes premier prospects. At 8-0, Ford had carved a path of destruction in Canada’s welterweight ranks before meeting up with the much more experienced and less talked about, Pat Healy at MFC 17. The meeting did no go as planned for the highly regarded Ford.

A third round armbar submission victory for the battle tested Healy forced a lot of people to take notice of the tougher than nails Team Quest welterweight. It must have been a fluke, many thought, an upset if you will

After Ford had the chance to reel of two consecutive wins following his loss to Healy, the Canadian stand out looked to settle the score and erase the only loss on his record, and for the second straight time, Ford came up short against Healey, dropping a five round decision to Healy and the MFC welterweight championship in the process.

For years, Healy has flown under the radar in mixed martial arts, but his recent move to Team Quest and back to back victories have him standing out in a division packed with talent.

In an exclusive interview with FiveOuncesOfPain.com, the one that is known as “Bam-Bam” admitted that he feels completely ready to take the next step in his career and face the best the game has to offer. If his journey to face the sports very best competition leads him to an organization such as Strikeforce, then it’s a move that the competition driven Healey will welcome.

Cory Brady with FiveOuncesOfPain.com: What was the first form of martial arts that you became involved with?

Pat Healy: I first got into wrestling when I was in sixth grade but I didn’t really get serious with it until I got into high school. During high school me and my twin brother, Ryan, found a judo/jiu-jitsu school. It was a Rickson Gracie satellite school, so I started doing jiu-jitsu and wrestling when I was about fourteen.

FiveOuncesOfPain.com: So when did you get your introduction the striking side of things?

Pat Healy: The striking came along from a guy that lived up the street from us who was doing Muay Thai. he basically wanted a couple of punching bags so me and my brother would just go up to his house and have the crap beaten out of us. he would leg kick us and brutalize us until we got stronger. We just kept learning the game.

FiveOuncesOfPain.com: What were some of the factors that went into you wanting to become a professional fighter?

Pat Healy: I’ve always been really competitive by nature. With fighting, I mean, you can’t really get more of a pure competition than that.

FiveOuncesOfPain.com: Where do you train out of and who are some of your main training partners?

Pat Healy: I’m training at Team Quest in Portland, Oregon. I get a lot of rounds with Ed Herman, Matt Lindland, my brother, Ryan Healy and a bunch of other really good up and coming fighters.

FiveOuncesOfPain.com: It must work out really good for your motivation and training to have a twin brother that’s also involved in the fight game.

Pat Healy: Yeah, he’s my twin brother, so we’re pretty much best friends. we work together, train together and we were living together up until about two weeks ago. We spend a lot of time training together and it definitely motivates you because you never want to lose a round to your brother.

FiveOuncesOfPain.com: Are you able to train full time or are you holding down a day job as well?

Pat Healy: I work a part time job right now doing water restoration service. I basically just rip things out. Stuff that’s damaged and wet, I take it out. They’re really cool and understanding about letting me go in time for me to make practice and all of that stuff.

FiveOuncesOfPain.com: I don’t think many people realize that you were fighting some of the best guys in the business right off the bat. I was looking over your record and early on you fought, Brad Blackburn, Dennis Kang, Dan Hardy, Chris Lytle, Paul Daley, and Jay Hieron among others. Do you think your experience with such tough competition early on has made you a more skilled fighter today?

Pat Healy: Oh yeah, because I fought a lot of those guys when I was twenty one or twenty two and I’ve seen what the top level is like and I know I can get there.

FiveOuncesOfPain.com: I heard you one crazy trip up to Canada to fight Ryan Ford. What can you tell me about that?

Pat Healy: I’ve been up there like five or six times and I’ve never had a problem. I flew up there, and when I got to Vancouver they pulled me out of line and sent me through customs. They went through all of my baggage, then they took my passport and I wasn’t really thinking anything of it. I was sitting there and like forty five minutes later they came back. I guess what had happened is, when I was in college I was at a party doing a little under age drinking and I ran off when the cops came. I didn’t have an altercation with the cops, they didn’t even come close to catching me, but someone had ratted me out from the party. They ended up charging me with disorderly conduct and it ended up showing up when they ran my passport. They said that I was criminally inadmissible to the country. They took me away and held me in customs for like three hours. They ended up sending me back to Portland. Once I got back there, I flew up to Seattle a friend of the promoters and my agent came and picked me up. From there we just drove across the border. I showed them my passport and they just let me right through. That led to a fifteen hour Greyhound bus ride that got me into Edmonton at 1 a.m. the night before the weigh-ins. I won my fight and then I had turn right around and catch a thirty three hour ride back on the bus the next day.

FiveOuncesOfPain.com: So looking back on your rematch with Ryan Ford, did it unfold the way expected it to?

Pat Healy:I knew if I was more aggressive with my takedowns that I would be able to gain top position and I knew that my ground would be better than his. It went pretty well. I would have much rather been able to finish the fight, but I was happy with the way it went.

FiveOuncesOfPain.com: The two wins over Ford have forced a lot of people to take notice, what would you attribute the recent upswing of your career to?

Pat Healy:I think a lot of it has to do with me training at Team Quest. the two fights that I’ve had since coming over to team Quest have been both of the Ryan Ford fights. I think a lot of it are the coaches that I have that keep me focused and learning every day. I’ve also kind of changed my lifestyle a little. Not that I was living a bad lifestyle, but I’ve just really gotten into running a lot more and just really trying to make my whole life centered around my mixed martial arts career. Just always staying in shape and doing all of the things that are going to get me in better shape.

FiveOuncesOfPain.com: I know Nick Thompson issued a challenge your way after your fight with Ford. What happened at the sushi bar?

Pat Healy: You know, Nick’s a really good friend of mine and we were just kind of clowning around. We figured if we were ever going to have to fight, we might as well try to sell it. There was no big event at the sushi bar.

FiveOuncesOfPain.com: It seemed like both of you guys were trying to stop yourselves from laughing.

Pat Healy:Yeah, neither of us have ever really done anything like that, and I don’t know, we just wanted to get people talking.

FiveOuncesOfPain.com: How do you feel you guys would match up?

Pat Healy: Nick’s really tough. I think I could control the top position, but he’s really good standing and he’s really slick with his submissions. His stand up is definitely better than mine, so I don’t know, I think it would be a back and forth kind of fight.

FiveOuncesOfPain.com: Would you be interested in fighting for an organization like Strikeforce sometime in the future?

Pat Healy:I sure wouldn’t mind being around the U.S. a lot more and not have to deal with the hassle of getting into Canada. The MFC’s treated me really well so i’d like to fight for them and then get into Strikeforce. Someone that would let me do a duel contract.

FiveOuncesOfPain.com: How do you feel you would match up with guys like Joe Riggs, Nick Diaz or Jake Shields?

Pat Healy: They definitely have a stable of really cream of the crop fighters, but I think I could be right in the mix to move on up towards a title shot.

FiveOuncesOfPain.com: Is a move up in competition in the future something you are looking for?

Pat Healy: I’m feeling really good right now and I feel like my training at Team Quest has been paying off tremendously, so I wouldn’t mind having a big fight in the U.S.

FiveOuncesOfPain.com: A lot of people don’t realize that you hold the last win over Carlos Condit. What can you tell me about that fight?

Pat Healy: That was a tough fight. It was a real crowd pleasing fight. It was like a non stop scramble. We would exchange on the feet, go into the clinch, I would take him down, we would scramble on the ground and get right back to the feet, the whole fight was like an endless cycle like that until I ended up catching him with the rear naked choke. He has a really good armbar and triangle type of attack and that’s one of my strong points, my submission defense. I think it was a good match up for me.

FiveOuncesOfPain.com: If there came a point where he wanted to get you back in the cage for a rematch, is that something you would welcome?

Pat Healy: Definitely. Actually, right before the WEC decided to do away with the 170 pound division we had a deal worked out for the rematch in WEC. Now it’s obviously scratched but it was supposed to happen. I know that he wants it really bad still.

FiveOuncesOfPain.com: What does the future hold for Pat Healy?

Pat Healy: People can just expect a lot more exciting fights and a lot more victories from me. I’m training right, doing all the right things down at Team Quest and I really think this change is going to make me successful.

FiveOuncesOfPain.com: Is there anyone you would like to thank.

Pat Healy: I want to thank Robert and Jake at Denaro Sports Marketing. TapouT, Gamma-O, Panther Arms and all of my teammates for getting me ready for those five round championship fights.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Report: Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic offered new three-fight deal with DREAM/K-1

After publicly stating his interest in bringing Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic back to the UFC in January, UFC President Dana White may have just missed his chance to bring the Croatian heavyweight back to the company.

According to a report from British MMA magazine, Fighters Only, Filipovic has been offered a new three-fight deal from DREAM/K-1 that would include a fight with Alistair Overeem conducted under K-1 rules, as well as a possible future match-up with Fedor Emelianenko.

Filipovic had stated in recent weeks that he was considering a move back to the UFC where he went 1-2 with the company back in 2007. After drawing a ton of hype upon his debut in the UFC where he defeated Eddie Sanchez via first round TKO, “Cro Cop” went on to drop his next two consecutive bouts to Cheick Kongo and Gabriel Gonzaga which then led to his mutual release from the company. Filipovic then headed back to Japan where he has gone 2-0-1 since then.

The report also states that DREAM is looking to run a heavyweight grand prix this year that could include Emelianenko, Filipovic, Semmy Schilt, and others.

 

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Dana White wants a strong showing from Chuck Liddell at UFC 97 or else

Despite being one of UFC President Dana White’s best friends, even three losses in his past four fights isn’t enough to provide former UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell total immunity.

In a new interview with Neil Davidson of the Canadian Press, White goes so far as to essentially put his good friend on notice leading up to Liddell’s co-headlining bout vs. Mauricio “Shogun” Rua scheduled for UFC 97 on April 18 at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Canada.

“I’ve made it very clear to Chuck. Very clear,” White began to tell Davidson. “It’s not about money, it’s not about this, that. Chuck is one of my good friends. Chuck (has) cemented his legacy in the UFC and in the fight game. I’m not even saying if he wins, unless he looks incredibly impressive (in Montreal) - I mean, he’s going to have to go out there and dazzle me, for me to want Chuck to still fight.”

“I love him, and I don’t want to see what I saw in his last fight ever again,” he added.

Once considered the top light heavyweight in the world, Liddell began to see his immense stock drop following a TKO loss to Quinton “Rampage” Jackson at UFC 71 in May of 2007. Jackson needed just one minute and 53 seconds to end Liddell’s four-fight title reign.

In what was perceived as nothing more than a showcase fight to bounce back following the disappointing loss to Jackson, Liddell was matched up with Keith Jardine a little over three months later at UFC 76. However, Jardine proved to be a difficult matchup for Liddell and utilized an array of leg kicks to win an upset split decision victory.

Liddell then rebounded at UFC 79 in December of that same year when he recorded a unanimous decision victory over Wanderlei Silva in a long-awaited dream match between the two 205 pound icons.

Unfortunately, Liddell’s comeback was short lived as he was knocked out in devastating fashion by Rashad Evans at UFC 88 this past September. Despite being 12-0-1 heading into the fight, Evans was still the clear cut underdog but appeared to have scouted Liddell well when he countered one of Liddell’s looping punches en route to a KO stoppage at 1:51 of round 2.

While White is claiming that money is not an issue, public records indicate that Liddell has been receiving a $500,000 guarantee for his past several fights. It is believed that Liddell easily makes over $1 million per fight due to the fact that his contract also includes a clause that entitles him to a percentage of pay-per-view sales.

While Liddell finds himself in a must-win situation, the UFC has matched him up with an opponent who has been just a big of a disappointment as Liddell in recent fights.

Once considered one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world, Rua has performed as one of the biggest busts in UFC history since signing a lucrative contract with Zuffa during the final days of the Japan-based PRIDE promotion.

Rua showed poor stamina during his UFC debut at UFC 76 against Forrest Griffin and tapped to a rear naked choke at 4:36 of round 3. Even if Rua had not been finished by Griffin, he was well on his way to suffering a decision defeat.

After requiring multiple knee surgeries, Rua was unable to compete for a year and a half. The 27-year old Brazilian native returned at UFC 93 this past January against 44-year old UFC Hall of Famer Mark Coleman. Both fighters gassed early in the fight and in spite of Rua’s youth, he was only able to finish Coleman with 24 seconds remaining in the contest.

While UFC officials awarded both fighters a “Fight of the Night” bonus, critics panned the bout and were extremely critical of Rua’s performance during the fight.

While a poor performance by Liddell could signal the end of his UFC career, the same could also likely be said for Rua.

 

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Follow-up On UFC Moves on Fighter Sponsors

MMAPayout has reported previously on the UFC entertaining the idea of 360 deals as well as their moves to be the conduit between sponsors and fighters. Steve Sievert of MMAJunkie.com has also reported on the structure this could take:

MMAJunkie has learned through an industry source that the UFC is considering a new sponsorship business model, which would require any company interested in sponsoring a fighter to work directly with the UFC. The UFC would negotiate the deal for the fighter and charge the sponsoring company a promotional fee for the right to have its brand on display on fighters in the octagon.

In theory, that new fee could reduce the value of the deal for the fighter, especially since sponsor dollars are going to be in shorter supply in the foreseeable future due to the economic downturn. Hypothetically, if the UFC charges a 15 percent promotional fee, that’s 15 percent less revenue from the deal earned by the fighter.

MMAPayout has learned that structure outlined in the SI piece and more fully fleshed out in the MMAJunkie piece have been acted upon, while the 360 idea seems to have stalled and possibly abandoned. MMAPayout.com has learned through industry sources that the UFC has gone so far as to contact major fighter sponsors and have informed them of the particulars of how this new sponsorship structure will work. Some major sponsors have worked out the terms and are already paying while some will have to soon. Others have been apprised of the new paradigm but haven’t been contractually obligated to cut the UFC in yet. The plan at this point seems to be piecemeal and patchwork at best.

The general consensus with those speaking to MMAPayout.com feel that the possible backlash from sponsors against the backdrop of a generally horrific sponsorship market right now has led the UFC to wait out the economic downturn before taking steps to fully implement their plans with respect to sponsorships. The situation as it sits now puts the brands endemic to MMA (like MMA apparel) in a compromised situation that has them signing on while non-endemic brands have a bit more leverage.

 

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Gray Maynard New Face of Everlast MMA

New York, NY – March 16, 2009 – Everlast is proud to announce the signing of Gray “The Bully” Maynard to a one-year deal that will make him the face of Everlast’s 2009 MMA campaign. As part of the agreement, Maynard will become an official Everlast MMA spokesperson across all Print Advertising, Visual Merchandising, Digital Marketing and Direct Marketing.

“Gray Maynard is an exciting up-and-coming MMA fighter,” said Neil Morton, CEO of Everlast Worldwide, Inc. “He is determined, hard-working and dedicated to his craft. His past achievements at the collegiate level will certainly help catapult him at the professional level. Everlast has supported the greatest fighters in the sport’s history, and we are very excited to welcome Maynard to our family.”

“I cannot begin to describe what an honor it is to sign with Everlast,” said Maynard. “For my whole career, I have worked hard to get to where I want to be, and with help from Everlast, I will make them proud as I continue working to become UFC’s Lightweight champion.”

Maynard, an avid boxing fan, competes as an MMA fighter in the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s lightweight division, posting an unbeaten record of 9-0-1 in his professional MMA bouts. He wrestled at Michigan State University from 1999-2003, and was a three-time All-American in the sport. His nickname, “The Bully,” stems from his bull terrier, Hank, who is relentless in his pursuit of bullying any other dogs that come in his path. The name stuck because of Maynard’s work ethic and aggressiveness in the practice room and in competition.

 

[Shogun Locc]

UFC: Thiago Silva vs. Forrest Griffin possible

Former UFC light heavyweight champion, Forrest Griffin doesn’t step up the octagon since when he lost to the current champion Rashad Evans, but the time off might be over at August 8th, when UFC 101 takes place. After losing his first fight ever in the MMA career, Thiago Silva might be his opponent, according to several rumors. Alex Davis, Silva’s manager, commented the fight to TATAME.com. “It’s an interesting fight for Thiago, a high level fight. But that’s nothing confirmed yet”, said Davis

 

[Shogun Locc]

Arona and Paulo Filho's return to training

The WEC 36 was traumatic for the MMA fans. Not to mention the first defeat of Paulão Filho in his career, what was marked was the poor performance of the fighter, clearly fighting very much below the potential that showed in the Pride ring. However, after treating himself of the dependence on drugs, the fighter returned to train Jui-Jitsu in Rio de Janeiro, for the happiness of Ricardo Arona, a friend of the fighter.

"I was there with him in Rio and he is very determinate. He is slowly returning to practice to recover and returned to the essence of the sport", says Arona, betting on the fighter to return to dominate the category. "Paulão is a monster and will pass over the difficulties and return to be a champion again, it's just a matter of time. The warrior always returns", prophesied the black belt

 

[Shogun Locc]

CROCOP is Back!

Hi everyone, let's hope that I'm back to my blogging habits again, I apologize for not being with you on MMA-ID lately. I took a long break from fighting but the surgery was the only option to fix up my knee. Now the things are looking great and my recovery goes even beyond expectations. I feel healthy and strong and my motivation is really strong. I've used this break to give my mind a good rest and now I have a clear look on my career and which paths to take. The retirement is not an option - I'm going to keep fighting for couple of years more, as long as I stay healthy. I've digged deep inside and I've found a lot of spare energy and motivation. Also, I've learned once again that fighting is my life, I feel quite empty without it. The bottom line is that I can't wait to fight again, I'm training like a maniac and I'm definitely going to be ready for another comeback. So what is my next move? I need to finish the recovery process first and then take it from there. I should be able to use my leg for kicking in early May so I should be OK to fight 5 weeks from there. My cardio and absolute power have quite increased since I've build a strong base, something that I rarely did in the past due to my intense fight arrangements. So maybe this long break is not too bad at all - after a long time I'm going to enter the arena perfectly healthy and 100% prepared for a fight. Trust me, this is going to be so relieving! At the moment I'm still considering my options about where and who I'm going to fight next. My goal is to fight top competitors and there are some people that I really want to see in the opposite corner. I don't forget certain statements but I'm definitely not going to base my career on delivering those people what they deserve. I want new challenges, I want to be the best and I know I can still do it. I plan on having three fights this year and I won't be looking for a warm-up fight. I don't need to prove myself all over again to me or to the people that I care about, but I definitely need to show those people who counted Cro Cop out already that they were terribly wrong! In a week or two I should be able to reveal my plans for this year so thank you for your patience. Thanks for your numerous messages of support and I promise to provide more updates for you guys through www.mma-id.com.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Yuya Shirai moves on to DREAM Welterweight GP

Yuya Shirai and Yoon Young Kim fought at clubDEEP on March 14. Shirai moves on to the DREAM welterweight tournament which starts on April 5.

Shirai is a teammate of Ryo Chonan. He fought a non title fight with a DEEP Middleweight champion Yuichi Nakanishi last December and won by decision. Today he defeated Yoon Young Kim by chokehold in Round 3.

DREAM.8. ~ Welterweight 2009 1st Round~
Date: April 5, 2009 16:00~
Place: Gaishi Hall, Aichi

Welterweight GP
* Hayato "Mach" Sakurai
* Shinya Aoki
* Seichi Ikemoto
* Yuya Shirai

Featherweight GP:
* Hideo Tokoro vs Daiki "DJ Taiki" Hata

One Match:
* Minowaman vs Katsuyori Shibata
* Zelg "Benkei" Galesic vs Andrews Nakahara

 

[Shogun Locc]

NSAC seeks closure in Penn vs. St. Pierre case at Tuesday meeting

The six weeks that have passed since UFC welterweight title holder Georges St. Pierre earned a TKO win over lightweight champ B.J. Penn at UFC 94 have been filled with investigation requests, formal complaints, witch-doctor technique explanation and multimedia presentations surrounding the alleged improper use of Vaseline by the victor.

Tuesday morning, the Nevada State Athletic Commission will seek to put a formal end to the proceedings.

"I think we have everything we need to (reach a conclusion)," NSAC Executive Director Keith Kizer told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com). "Both camps sent in voluminous documents. We have the video. It happened right in front of us. I don't know what we don't have that we would need. It's almost been two months."

While Penn and his attorney Raffi Nahabedian have been quite vocal about their intentions to challenge the actions of St. Pierre's team since the bout was first contested, the formal complaint wasn't filed with the NSAC until just a week ago.

In the complaint, Penn said he was seeking to declare St. Pierre's victory in the Jan. 31 fight a "no contest," that the NSAC suspend the licenses of St. Pierre, trainer Greg Jackson and cornerman Phil Nurse and that a $250,000 fine to be levied against the trio.

Kizer said he's looking to forward to putting the weeks of debate to rest.

"I know this stuff has been analyzed over and over again on the internet," Kizer said. "It's been five or six weeks, and you've got two different sides.

"You've got the [St. Pierre] fans that are like, 'Hey, what's the big deal? This wouldn't have made any difference.' But I don't know how you would prove that it didn't make a difference.

"On the flip side you've got the [Penn] fans that say, 'This is the worst thing ever. Suspend Georges.' But I'm not sure how you prove that it did make a difference, either. I'm not sure how you prove it either way.

"But it's good that these fighters are such great fighters that they have such fanatical fans, I guess."

Kizer, who as Executive Director doesn't have a vote in the commission's final decision, said that overturning the result of the bout is a possibility, but that the recorded outcome of the bout is not the group's primary concern.

"[Overturning the bout] is really not what it's about, but anything is possible, I guess," Kizer said. "I guess the first thing is if there's even a basis to overturn the decision even if the commission wanted to -- is there a legal basis?

"The commission isn't prohibited from considering that issue. That's not why it's on the agenda, but they can consider anything with respect to that bout."

Instead, the NSAC will be looking to determine if the actions of St. Pierre's corner, in which Nurse was clearly seen massaging his fighter's back after applying petroleum jelly to his hands to rub St. Pierre's face between rounds, are something that require a change to current regulations.

"It's about what happened that night, why it happened that night, and how do we make sure it doesn't happen again," Kizer said. "It's kind of both giving Greg and Phil an opportunity to explain what happened that night and also finding out whether there's a way to make things even easier."

Kizer said he expects representatives from both camps to appear at the meeting, but isn't sure if the fighters themselves will be on hand. Kizer also said that Nurse and Jackson were the only two people required to attend.

"Both sides have told me they plan to (be at the meetings in person)," Kizer said. "I don't know if the fighters will or not, but both camps have informed me that they're going to at least have some people here, if not the fighters.

"The only two people I said needed to be here were Phil and Greg. But anyone else affiliated with the fight who wants to come and speak is more than welcome."

Regardless of what the NSAC's ultimate decision entails, Kizer said he hopes the commission's decision is finalized on Tuesday so that any new policies can be instituted before Nevada hosts another MMA event.

"Basically, we had some controversy, we had some issues that perhaps we might want to change our procedure on," Kizer said. "So we had to put it on the agenda through the chairman for the commission to discuss, and it's up to the five of them. They make the policy here that I enforce. So it's up to them to decide what, if any, changes they want to make going forward with how Vaseline is handled in the corner.

"First and foremost we do want to make sure these fights are fought as fairly as possible and as safely as possible. Hopefully we get things resolved before our next MMA bout... so if there does need to be a change we can put it in place by then."

 

[Shogun Locc]

Rick Roufus vs. Jeremy Williams to headline second WCA event on May 8

Looking to promote an old school-style kickboxer vs. boxer matchup, the World Cagefighting Alliance has finalized an intriguing headlining match for its second-ever show on May 8 at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City that will feature former K-1 standout Rick Roufus taking on former professional boxer Jeremy Williams.

FiveOuncesOfPain.com learned of the matchup after speaking with the WCA’s matchmaker Gary Marino late Saturday night. Marino was quick to add that all matchups for the May 8 event are still pending approval by the New Jersey Athletic Control Board and that the card is subject to change.

With the nickname “Half-man, Half-amazing,” Williams was one of the first-ever boxers to leave the “Sweet Science” in order to pursue a full-time career in mixed martial arts. The 34-year old accumulated a record of 168-4 as an amateur and is a member of the Golden Gloves Hall of Fame.

As a pro, Williams was 42-5-1 with 35 of his victories coming by way out knockout. A two-time WBC Continental Americas Heavyweight Champion, he made his MMA debut in December of 2005. Competing just five times in MMA in the last four years, Williams is a perfect 5-0 with four of his fights having taken place under the ICON Sport banner in Hawaii.

Williams last MMA fight took place in March of 2008 during the undercard for an Icon card that was headlined by Kala Kolohe Hose defeating Phil Baroni via fifth round TKO. Facing Auggie Padeken in a co-main event, Williams was victorious following a TKO just 2:18 into the fight.

Nicknamed “The Jet,” Roufus holds an impressive kickboxing record of 57-7 with 40 wins by way of knockout. He has held six world titles in kickboxking including International Kickboxing Federation titles in two separate weight classes. He is also a former ISKA Full Contact Light Heavyweight Champion as well as a former K-1 U.S. Champion.

Roufus made his MMA debut on Feb. 23, 2008 during a Strikeforce event at the Tacoma Dome in Tacoma, Washington. Facing K-1 legend and former UFC heavyweight champion Maurice Smith, Roufus was forced to tap to an armbar at 1:53 of round 1. He has competed in MMA eight times since losing to Smith and holds an overall MMA record of 4-5.

In addition to Roufus vs. Williams, another featured fight includes a featherweight showdown between former IFL standout Deividias Taurosevicius and top-flight Northeast prospect Dwayne “Diesel” Shelton.

A native of Lithuania, Taurosevicius is known for his nasty cut kicks and has improved greatly the past two years as a complete mixed martial artist. With an overall record of 10-3, Taurosevicius holds notable victories in seven-year career over Dan Lauzon, Zac George, Trenell “Savant” Young, and Bart Palaszewski.

Despite having signed a multi-fight contract with Affliction last year, May 8 will mark Taurosevicius’ first fight since a unanimous decision loss to then-IFL lightweight champion Ryan Schultz during the IFL’s final event on May 16, 2008.

Shelton is 6-4 overall with his early losses coming as an undersized lightweight. Since beginning his career 0-3 with defeats to former UFC veterans Din Thomas and Joe Veres as well as current UFC lightweight Cole Miller, Shelton has gone 6-1.

A former alternate for The Ultimate Fighter season five, Shelton has been gradually working his way down to the bantamweight division but will move back up to featherweight for his fight vs. Taurosevicius. His last fight took place in August of 2008 during a Combat Sport Challenge event in Colonial Heights, Virginia. Fighting at 135 pounds, Shelton recorded a unanimous decision victory over jiu-jitsu black belt Sidemar “Sedico” Honorio.

Additionally, a welterweight matchup featuring Doug Gordon vs. Jose Rodriguez and a featherweight bout between Anthony Morrison and Tim Troxell have also been signed as well.

Tickets for the WCA’s May 8 event at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City are expected to go on-sale later this week.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Betting Odds for the Next 6 UFC Events

* Martin Kampmann -135 vs Carlos Condit +105
* Ryan Bader -550 vs Carmelo Marrero +350
* Tyson Griffin -400 vs Rafael Dos Anjos +340
* Cole Miller -140 vs Junie Browning +110