MMA News Thread

[heyzel]

Daley Says He's Done, For Now

In his brief career, Paul "Semtex" Daley has more than lived up to his nickname with his explosive and brutal striking style in the cage. He was especially impressive recently, carving his way through talented opposition such as Duane Ludwig (Pictures) and Sam Morgan (Pictures).

The world was starting to take note of the Rough House fighter's capabilities just as he appeared at the very top of his game. However, the striker from Nottingham, England, shocked the U.K. MMA community this week by relinquishing his three MMA titles and announcing his retirement from the sport in a concise, slightly abrupt post on an Internet forum.

"As of now I will be stepping down as Cage Rage champion (British and world), FX-3 champion and [King of the Ring Thai boxing] champion," he wrote in a message on the Cage Warriors Web site. "I vacate all these titles. Furthermore I consider myself retired (from all MMA/Thai boxing) as of March 29th. March 29th I will fulfill my contracted commitment for Pro Elite, against a yet unnamed opponent."

As of Wednesday, EliteXC executives said they remain in the dark regarding Daley's sudden decision. A source told Sherdog.com that EliteXC vice president Jared Shaw intends to sit down with Daley when he visits the UK for March 8's Cage Rage event in London.

FX-3 promoter Paul James confirmed Daley's decision to relinquish the promotion's belt.

When reached for comment via text messaging by Sherdog.com, Daley declined to discuss his decision because, he wrote, he didn't want to make a big deal of it. Through his message online, Daley included a slightly cryptic capitalization of the word "sport," and left open the possibility for a return in as early as six months.

Said Daley: "Once I've found the path I originally set out on in the Martial Arts, I may return to this SPORT."

After smoking Morgan with a brutal series of knees and a hard right elbow in late January, Daley had placed himself securely at the front of the queue for a title shot in the EliteXC welterweight division. That fact gives fans and critics yet more reason to marvel at his decision.

One thing is for sure: the U.K. MMA community is rife with whispers as to the motivating factors behind the 25-year-old fighter's announcement. Despite Daley's calls to refrain from frenzied speculation, any deeply talented athlete who steps away from a sport he has the potential to dominate can expect nothing less.

As fans come to terms with the fact that one of the most talented fighters in the United Kingdom may have prematurely called time on his promising career, many fighters in the welterweight division could be forgiven for raising a glass and toasting Daley's decision

 

[Impalas]

Anybody see Bob Sapp get fucked up this weekend that shit is sad dog is such a fucking joke he doesnt even look like he trains at all and then gets into the ring and hopes to get a sloppy knock out. His been doing MMA for years now and looks damn near the same as he did like five years ago still no style at all. Anyhow Jardine vs Silva will be a good fight same with Jackson vs Griffin.

Sapp vs Nortje
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=019Q9e8H6v0

 

[heyzel]

Bisping Q'n'A

By MARK GILBERT


THOUSANDS of you e-mailed us with posers for top mixed martial arts fighter Michael Bisping, and here's part one of our exclusive reader question and answer session with Britain's Ultimate Fighter...


After fighting Rashad Evans do you not think Charles McCarthy is a drop down in class for you? Should you not be fighting one of the top-ranked middleweights? Andy, Corby

Bisping: "I suppose you could look at it like that because Rashad is one of the top contenders at 205lbs.

"McCarthy isn’t one of the guys you’d look at as a top contender at 185lbs but I have to establish myself at middleweight.


"I never underestimate an opponent. This is the first match the UFC have given me at this weight and hopefully I’ll pass the test then move on to bigger and better things.


"I’ve not spoken to anyone at the UFC about why they matched me with him, I just got an e-mail with his name on it and I accepted the fight.

"I want to fight the best guys out there and although McCarthy hasn’t fought for a while I’ve got to establish myself first before I can start looking forward to more high profile bouts and I think he’s the best person for me to do that."


Dan Henderson faces Anderson Silva for the middleweight title at UFC 82, how do you see the fight going and how would you match up against both fighters? Brian, Dublin

Bisping: "Anderson Silva is a very good fighter but I think Henderson is a bad match up for him style-wise and I think Dan can beat him.


"I think Silva will try and keep the fight at a distance to maintain his striking advantage while Henderson will try to keep the fight close and try to press him up against the fence.


"Obviously Silva is very dangerous in the clinch – we all saw what he did to Rich Franklin - but I think Henderson is more savvy than that and will have a bit too much for him.


"As long as Henderson can keep the distance close I can see him grinding out a decision. If I had to fight either of them, I think I’d match up better against Henderson.


"Dan’s proved time and time again that he’s a very tough and durable opponent, but I think I could possibly outpoint him. Me and Rampage were talking about this recently and he thinks I could outpoint him as well.


"But a fight with either of them would be tough – both are incredible fighters and it’d be a tough night!"

Do you have what it takes to become one of the UFC’s superstars – a figure as big as Chuck Liddell or Rampage Jackson? Marc, Liverpool

Bisping: "That’s a good question, and only time will tell. I believe in myself, I’m dedicated and I live for this sport, I give my life to it.

"I think I can, I think I’m a born fighter and I think that’s what I was put on this earth to do. When I was younger I was floating around a bit and didn’t really know what I was going to do but I think I can go all the way.

"I want to be the first Englishman to have a UFC world title belt."

Do you think you should have been a little more humble in the press conference after your UFC 75 victory over Matt Hamill? Do you have any regrets about your comments? Will, Manchester

Bisping: "To be honest I do have a lot of regrets, I should have been a bit more humble. Matt Hamill fought a great fight and had a good strategy.


"I thought he was going to come out and take me down and he surprised me because he caught me off guard and it was a very, very tough fight.


"Fortunately I was good enough to get the decision on the day – perhaps I wasn’t as gracious as I could have been but at the time the adrenaline was flowing.



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"We don’t like each other. We didn’t like each other in the house, there’s certain things about him I don’t like, he doesn’t like me but I do have respect for the guy for what he’s overcome.


"But at the time I was more concerned that I’d stuck one to him. Looking back I should have congratulated him on his performance and said ‘well done’ but I didn’t, I made a mistake in the heat of the moment.


"Everyone’s made mistakes and said wrong things, the only problem was I did it in front of millions of people! I wish I could change it and I know what I said upset some people and I apologise for that.


"I’d love to fight him again one day but right now I’m focusing on my career at middleweight. Who knows, maybe one day we can get it on again but the whole thing was a bit of a let down for me.


"I didn’t perform well and I made a mistake but life’s a lesson and I’m learning all the time."

As wrestling isn’t a sport offered in UK schools, does this give potential British fighters a disadvantage when they fight in the UFC? Steve, Liverpool

Bisping: "Yes, because I think one of the best foundations for mixed martial arts is wrestling because if you’re a wrestler, you can determine where the fight takes place.


"If you’ve got good striking you can keep the fight on your feet, if you’re under pressure and want to take it down to the ground, you can do that as well.


"There are good mixed martial arts gyms available now in this country where you can go and learn how to wrestle.


"My wrestling’s at a good level, I fought Rashad Evans and he struggled to take me down and he’s one of the best wrestlers in the light heavyweight division in the world.


"So having good wrestling skills does put you at an advantage but you’ve got to focus on what you’re good at, look at your weaknesses and try and improve them. It just takes hard work."

With Mayweather appearing in the WWE, and Brock fighting in the UFC, should a UFC fighter go on a WWE show? Simon, East London

Bisping: "I saw something about the Floyd Mayweather and Big Show incident on the internet but I’ve never heard of the Big Show!


"I’m not too ken on the idea of a UFC fighter appearing on a WWE show simply because some people think the UFC’s fake.


"I remember doing an interview with Dana White and someone called in and said ‘it’s a very good show but come on, let’s admit it, it’s all fake’ and so because of that, and because the WWE is fake – it’s entertainment, it’s a show – it’s not something I’d be keen on because the UFC is as real as it gets.

"Mixed martial arts ias a real sport whereas the WWE is fake and is entertainment so to be honest I’d like to see the two kept at a distance."

 

[heyzel]

Could the UFC be close to making a network announcement of their own?

February 28, 2008 By: Sam Caplan Category: Dana White, UFC

Expect UFC president Dana White to have a few tricks up his sleeve during today’s UFC 84 press conference in Columbus.

According to MMAjunkie.com, the UFC could announce the addition of a blue chip sponsor to the fold by day’s end:

MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) has learned from a source close to the UFC that the organization will likely announce the addition of a new blue-chip sponsor.

If I was a betting man, I’d put my money on Budweiser.

While Bud would be big for the UFC and for the sport, the UFC apparently is working on a new television deal:

There have been some rumblings that the UFC may closing in on its own TV deal — one that would supplement the coverage provided by Spike TV — though we were unable to confirm the rumors.

Who could that new television deal possibly be with? Well, according to MMAPayout.com, it could be FOX:

Multiple sources have told MMAPayout.com that FOX is believed to have interest in MMA with rumors suggesting that the network even went so far as to make a bid on the UFC during recent negotiations.

It should be noted that UFC 85 in London this June has not been declared a PPV event. Reports indicate that Spike TV has been approached about televising the show, but we shall

 

[heyzel]

Anybody see Bob Sapp get fucked up this weekend that shit is sad dog is such a fucking joke he doesnt even look like he trains at all and then gets into the ring and hopes to get a sloppy knock out. His been doing MMA for years now and looks damn near the same as he did like five years ago still no style at all. Anyhow Jardine vs Silva will be a good fight same with Jackson vs Griffin.

Sapp vs Nortje
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=019Q9e8H6v0

sapp has no skill at all he just tries to use his size on smaller fighters he has a good trainer in matt hume but, I don't think sapp heart in the mma game, don't get me wrong he made a shit load of money in japan just of marketing himself as a big beast

 

[heyzel]

EliteXC Officially Announces Broadcast Deal with CBS

Pro Elite, Inc., the parent company of Elite Xtreme Combat, today confirmed the news that MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) broke on Wednesday: the fight promotion has inked a deal with the CBS Television Network that will put MMA on major network TV for the first time in history.

According to the press release, the two companies have signed a multi-year agreement that calls for four live EliteXC events per year. The two-hour live primetime specials will be held on Saturday nights.

“Mixed martial arts is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country and a wildly popular entertainment vehicle for upscale, young adult audiences,” Senior Executive Vice President of CBS Primetime Kelly Kahl stated. “It’s original programming for Saturday night. It’s live, creating an event-atmosphere, and it’s something that hasn’t been seen on network television, until now.“

The International Fight League previously broadcast on MyNetworkTV, which is technically considered a “network.” However, it’s the lowest-rated of the six major US English-language commercial broadcast networks — and its overall audience pales in comparison to a broadcast staple such as CBS.

“Our world-class fighters and the high production value of our events continue to drive ProElite as a global MMA organization that is fortified by the bedrock foundation of a partnership with CBS,” EliteXC President Gary Shaw stated. “Broadcasting our events on CBS will instantly engage a new fan base, as well as provide an opportunity for EliteXC to further establish itself as the world’s premier MMA organization.“

Other than confirming that CBS and ProElite.com will work on some joint online ventures to promote the events, today’s announcement confirmed few additional details of the deal.

So, for information about the deal and its possible ramifications (including Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson as a likely headliner), check out MMAjunkie.com’s original report and our follow-up story.

EliteXC was founded as a partnership with Showtime Networks in 2006. Showtime is owned

 

[heyzel]

Bud Light Partners with UFC for Three-Year Sponsorship

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ultimate Fighting Championship has inked a three-year deal with Anheuser Busch, arguably the biggest sports marketer of them all, that will go into effect at UFC 84 in May.

The deal, which will focus solely on the Bud Light brand, was announced today at a pre-UFC 82 press conference at Nationwide Arena — the same Columbus, Ohio venue that hosts Saturday’s pay-per-view event.

Early this morning, the UFC’s official website stated that a “special announcement” would be made at today’s press gathering. MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) first reported that it would likely be the unveiling of a new blue-chip sponsor.

And as far as blue-chip sponsors go, they don’t get much bigger than Anheuser-Busch. The St. Louis-based brewer is responsible for 48.5 percent of all beer sales domestically. The company, founded in 1852, brews more than 40 different beers and malt liquors.

However, the deal with the UFC will focus solely on the Bud Light brand. In addition to becoming the exclusive beer sponsor for the UFC, the brand will be showcased with the UFC’s sister organization, World Extreme Cagefighting, as well as future seasons of “The Ultimate Fighter” reality series on Spike TV. The WEC deal begins June 1.

“The UFC has developed a huge following in recent years and is wildly popular with the 21-34 year old fans we want to reach,” stated Tony Ponturo, vice president of global media and sports marketing for Anheuser-Busch, Inc. “The number of people attending live events, buying the pay-per-views and talking about UFC around the water cooler continues to grow. It’s just a great place for us to be”

Financial terms of the deal were not released.

Bud Light signage will appear prominently in UFC events, including on the cage’s mat and on vertical posts/bumpers. Signage will also be displayed during UFC weigh-ins and press conferences.

“Seriously, this is a historic moment for the UFC,” UFC president Dana White said.

Bud Light will be the presenting sponsor of UFC pay-per-views twice per year. It’ll also become the official beer sponsor of UFC Fight Night events on Spike TV

 

[heyzel]

Injury Scratches March 29 Gilbert Melendez-Jorge Masvidal Fight

Posted by MMA Junkie on February 28, 2008 at 11:25 am ET
A planned fight between Strikeforce world lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez (13-1) and challenger Jorge Masvidal (13-2) has been scratched from the March 29 Strikeforce/EliteXC show.

Strikeforce Vice President Mike Afromowitz told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) that Masvidal injured his shin during this past weekend’s “Strikeforce at the Dome” show, which prompted the cancellation of next month’s fight with Melendez.

Masvidal scored a unanimous-decision victory over Ryan Healy at Saturday’s event, which took place at the Tacoma Dome in the state of Washington’s first-ever Strikeforce show.

Strikeforce officials are currently on the search for a replacement to fight Melendez. Although the event is headlined by a highly marketable fight between Strikeforce world middleweight champion Frank Shamrock and Cung Le, Melendez had been considered one of the night’s other top draws.

The Melendez-Masvidal fight was first reported by fiveouncesofpain.com‘s Sam Caplan in January.

Melendez won Strikeforce’s world lightweight title (Josh Thomson is Strikeforce’s U.S. lightweight champ) with a win over Clay Guida in June 2006. After 13 consecutive victories to start his career, he suffered his first loss in December at the “Yarennoka!” New Year’s Eve show in Japan. Mitsuhiro Ishida edged the 25-year-old for a close but unanimous decision victory.

Masvidal, an American Top team product, had earned the title shot after success in BodoFIGHT and Strikeforce. Saturday’s victory pushed his current win streak to seven fights. He had previously scored victories over UFC fighters Joe Lauzon, Yves Edwards, Steve Berger and Brian Geraghty.

Masvidal was a recent guest on TAGG Radio (www.taggradio.com), an MMAjunkie.com content partner, and said the injury would keep him from training properly for the five-round fight with Melendez.

“Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Cung Le” airs on Showtime and takes place at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif.

(Touch of gloves: TAGG Radio)

 

[heyzel]

Anderson Silva wants Roy Jones JR., after Hendo

February 28, 2008
by Cesar Garcia ([email protected])

Whoever said nice guys finish last never met Anderson Silva.

Of course, watching him fight, you would never think that. Inside the Octagon, Silva is as vicious a fighter as there ever was. He punishes opponents to the point that you might actually begin to show some concern for their well being, when minutes earlier you were hoping that same opponent would get knocked out in highlight-reel fashion. Just not that bad.

The thing is, he never actually gets mad at anybody.

You get the feeling that if someone mugged him, he'd happily hand over his wallet and say, "That's OK, he needs it more than I do."

Ask Silva about his next opponent -- in this case, Dan Henderson (Pictures) on Saturday -- and the UFC middleweight champion doesn't go off on a long rhyming diatribe that ends with him predicting a victory. He gives credit where credit is due and just calls it a challenge.

"I respect him a lot," Silva says. "He's a great champion. Business is business. I'm prepared to fight the best, and if he's the best, that's what I'm here for."

It's no concern to him that Henderson has said that Silva isn't the top pound-for-pound fighter. That Silva's ground game isn't great despite being a black belt under Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (Pictures). That his victories are a byproduct of having fought guys that complement his style.

Without a care, Silva shrugs. He just seems happy to be fighting. It doesn't matter against whom.

Then what does? Does he want to secure his legacy? Or maybe live up to the "pound-for-pound best" tag he's recently been anointed with?

"A fight is a fight," Silva says. "If I get through the Henderson fight with a victory and bring the belt back to my camp, then at that point in time I'll focus on the next match. There's really no time to be thinking about legacies."

How proper.

"He's just doing what he loves to do," adds Silva's manager, Ed Soares. "It's like when they ask him how he feels about being the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. The only way he'll say that is after he's retired. He could sit back and say, ‘You know what? I was the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world at that point.' But until then it's hard for him to say he's the best pound-for-pound fighter."

Basically, Silva is just following the road where life took him. Ask him how he became a fighter: "It just happened." Really, he followed in the footsteps of his brother, who trained in muay Thai and had a lot of friends who fought. At about 9 years old, Silva began training in tae kwon do.

The UFC middleweight champion never expected to be where he is today. He never trained -- or, for that matter, trains -- with the goal of being the best or even being a champion.

He's not chasing glory either. He's one of those guys that Evan Tanner (Pictures) calls a "soul fighter." A fighter "who cares very little for fame, glory or money."

To a soul fighter, fighting is a search of the self -- it is a challenge. Those are soul fighters, and Silva is one.

He's not arrogant about his talent, just grateful for it.

And if there's one attribute about him that sticks out the most, it's confidence. Enough of it to one day even challenge a top boxer to a fight, and perhaps sooner than most think.

"Maybe after this fight," says Silva, who if he beats Henderson will pretty much have cleaned out the UFC's middleweight division. "I'll challenge whoever is the champion [in my weight range] in boxing."

Or, if not a champion, perhaps the boxer he respects and admires the most, Roy Jones, Jr.

A joke? Well, according to Soares, maybe not.

"Anything is possible," Soares says. "At the end of the day, that's a fight that would sell to both markets [boxing and MMA], so why not do it? Let's find a promoter that will put up the money, and lets do it! And we fight him in boxing, not MMA. His rules."

Would Silva, who has one professional boxing bout on his record (a knockout victory in the second round), stand a chance against one of boxing's all-time best? Over the hill or not?

Well, he submitted a jiu-jitsu black belt in Travis Lutter (Pictures), one of the best ground guys in the UFC. He outmuscled Rich Franklin (Pictures), who was supposedly the strongest fighter in the middleweight division, and he outgunned Nate Marquardt, one of the most skilled fighters in the sport.

It would have to be soon, though, since Jones is on his way out as a boxer and Silva says he plans on fighting for only three more years.

Then perhaps Silva could dedicate himself to his favorite downtime activity: playing video games. It's a hobby that surely keeps Soares at ease and is another testament of how Silva is truly like Tom Hanks in the movie "Big."

"It definitely could be worse," says Soares.

The fighter loves playing video games so much that at a Maxim-promoted event, he once shunned a chance to meet Michael Jackson just to play some of the games that were being displayed at the party. Silva, who does not drink or smoke, will also endorse a new Tom Clancy game on his fight shorts in his title defense in Columbus, Ohio.

Fighting is clearly Silva's first love, and his jiu-jitsu coach, Giorge Martins, says the UFC champion is an even better trainer than mixed martial artist. Believable given the fact that one of Silva's current understudies, Rafael Feijao, won in spectacular fashion on the Kimbo vs. Tank EliteXC card and is beginning to make some serious noise in the light heavyweight division.

Or maybe if he's out there, Silva could take on the only other fighter he's dared to call out.

Who?

"My clone," he says with a confident smile

 

[PsyDaL]

Im hoping UFC and Fox could wrap up a deal. I mean Fox production for football is top notch and their HD format is one of the best as far as football and baseball games go. Plus Fox network aint the one to follow a script and always have more ground breaking formatted shows on TV....

 

[MOREBASS]

Thats big for the sport. I don't know why Dana white is so bull-headed...if this CBS thing is a success...thats a huge loss for the UFC.

 

[heyzel]

Im hoping UFC and Fox could wrap up a deal. I mean Fox production for football is top notch and their HD format is one of the best as far as football and baseball games go. Plus Fox network aint the one to follow a script and always have more ground breaking formatted shows on TV....

I agree ^^^

 

[Shogun Locc]

Latest happenings in Xyience/Bergeron case

Yesterday, we pointed out that Xyience has shifted to a third legal team in their lawsuit against Rich Bergeron. That legal team is trying to, through motions, drag the court case out over a longer period of time. It’s interesting news, given that April 1st is the final date in regards to Xyience’s bankruptcy proceedings for finding the highest bidder.

Throwing another curveball into the case is that judge Tim Williams has recused himself from the Xyience/Bergeron court case. From the Clark County court:

It has come to the Court’s attention, based upon recent filings in this case, that one of Plaintiff’s newly substituted counsel of record is a former client. Although the Court feels it could be fair and decide this matter on the merits, to avoid the appearance of impropriety or appearance of potential bias, this Court hereby recuses itself and, as a result, this matter shall be REASSIGNED at random.

A hearing has been scheduled for March 3rd at 8:30 AM. At the hearing, Xyience’s motion for a time extension will either be granted or denied. The new judge in the case is Elizabeth Halverson.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Golden Boy Promotions Set To Team With Affliction To Form New MMA Promotion, HBO involved?

According to MMAWeekly Affliction and Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions have teamed up to form their own promotion. It's first show is expected to take place in June of this year in Las Vegas. They have already been rumored to have signed Matt Lindland who will fight at their inaugural show.
Golden Boy Promotions has strong ties to HBO and rumors are circulating that HBO could be involved as a TV broadcasting partner. Stay tuned for the latest as this exciting story develops.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Gary "Smiler" Turner Interview

Firstly, I would like to thank you for doing this Interview. How are you?

I’m really well thank you, life is good, hope you are too!

Cage Rage Promotions plays host to yet another star studded card on the 8th of March at the Wembley Arena. On that card is yourself facing London Shoot fighter and tough grappler Mustapha al Turk. How’s the training and conditioning going?

My work for this fight has gone very, very well. I’m stronger, fitter, better conditioned and more technically improved than ever before. All the pieces are falling into place. My team is very pleased with my development, although my boxing coach Steve Fox is not always pleased with his part in my training! When you are doing intense 45minute rounds on the pads without a break, his arms start to get a bit tired! My kickboxing coach, Andre Daltrey, has worked with Steve to ensure that whatever scenario happens in the fight, no matter how much Mus takes me out of my comfort zone, I remain focused on the task and strategy at hand.

His bread and butter are the ground aspect. Have you brought any one specially to spar with that is similar to Mustapha al Turk’s attributes?

My fights always seem to be bigger than me, and perceived as being better on the ground. I’ve continued to do no-gi grappling 2-3 times each week with my training partner ‘Tiny’, who’s managed to drop down to 145kg at the moment! We do lots of work where he is in guard, half guard and mount with me totally under pressure. I’ve continued to be on the judo mat, working with Osaka Judo Club, where we get people like the British Army +100kg champion each week. So I’ve got a few tricks to pull out of the bag on the ground!

But he is also an accomplished boxer, so through my army contacts at the judo club, I’ve been in with the British Army Boxing Team on their sparring sessions. They are so sharp, so fast with their hands, that its really seen me learn to box them fast!

What is your strategy facing some one like al Turk?

My exact strategy has to remain a secret, but the ‘gist’ of it is to take all his tools away and be better across whatever situation we find ourselves in.

Elite XC the parent company of CRC just had there last show in the U.S. You where supposed to be on that card against Antonio Silva but without telling you they replaced you with UFC veteran Ricco Rodriguez. This caused you to post an open letter to Elite XC team on public forums about this situation. Have they since contacted you and is the matter been sorted?

No, this hasn’t been sorted. I’ve heard through a third party that they wish to speak with me prior to Cage Rage to go through all the issues, but I’ve had no contact direct in this respect. So I still don’t know their side of the story. They are the ones that released that I was fighting onto the internet; I then promoted the show, and then a couple of week’s later I was unceremoniously dropped. So I wasn’t happy, so putting the open letter online was a way of explaining to my fans who bought tickets to see me, or were thinking of coming, why I wasn’t fighting and that it had nothing to do with me. It was me being honest.

Maybe they felt they should pull you out cause you would have two hard fights booked too close and could be a risk to your health?

Although I don’t know the reasons, I’m still asking the question, I don’t think that was the issue. They were fully aware of my fight against Mus, discussions were something that took place prior to the fight being agreed, and everything in this respect was agreed by all parties.

All of your fights you’ve been in either MMA or K-1 you’ve been in absolute wars. What was your best bout and who was the hardest hitter?

Any bout is good if I win! Its hard to pick one really, so it may be easier to go through my last three fights.

Against Tank Abbott I stepped outside my strategy and it nearly went pear-shaped! I took a big hit, and had to rise through his blows to turn the fight around. That was a great fight, as I had to dig deep and get back on track under unbelievable pressure. This fight proved that I was a fighter at heart.

My next fight was Edson Draggo, and he had knocked Tengiz out in under 10 seconds, and had real talent. Here we had to find and implement a strategy during the fight, while doing our best to stay out of trouble. You note I say ‘we’ not ‘I’? It’s because we are a team that go out, and perform as a team. In this match the first round was fact finding, learning his weaknesses, and the second round was the tightening of the screw and implementing attacks on his weaknesses, and that achieved the stoppage. This fight proved we could adapt and implement a successful strategy.

My last fight was against Julius Francis, who was much better than everyone gives him credit for. Unfortunately for Julius, I stuck 100% to strategy, didn’t even deviate to achieve an earlier win as our strategy was basically risk free. This fight proved I have grown up after the previous two fights and was 100% focused on the task.

I’ve never really noticed which shots were the hardest during a fight – sometimes I look at a fight afterwards and see me take a shot and think ‘oooh!’, but never at the time. I guess when I trained with K1 star Peter Aerts I discovered what raw power was – he can really hit!

know you said in the past you’re not interested in titles but if you are victorious at the next show, in many peoples eyes that would then set up a bout with the current Cage Rage British Heavy Weight Champion Tengiz Tedoradze. How do you feel about that match up in the future?

I’m not worried about Tengiz physical ability, but his fighting mind is really strong, and it’s his experience that is his strength. Saying that, I know I have the skills to beat him presently, and with a few week’s of adjusting training I think that I could achieve a very comfortable win. If it comes, it comes, but there are bigger challenges, I feel, out there for me.


Do you plan on competing in any Kickboxing fights this year?

Yeah, for sure! My manager is constantly in talks with other promoters and at present fights in South Africa and Oceana are being discussed. Though any fights must take place outside of my Cage Rage commitments though. I’m still training kickboxing twice a week, Thai boxing once a week, and boxing three times a week all as a minimum, so I’m more than ready to take a fight at a moment’s notice if there’s room in the schedule.

You’re not just a world class kick boxer and Mixed Martial Artist. You’re also a bit of a Gordon Ramsey in the kitchen but without the swearing and bad temper [laugh]. Is that how you like to relax from life’s pressures?

Oh I don’t know! I’m not a trained chef and sometimes my recipes don’t go to plan, and there can be a bit of the Ramsey from my mouth when that happens! But yeah, I cook from fresh nearly every day for all my meals, and I really enjoy cooking. It relaxes me, and it’s a great hobby – you get to munch on your work!

What’s the best dish in your opinion?

I think any of Aussie chef Bill Granger’s recipes. They are so fresh and natural, really clean tasting, really healthy and full of flavor. I especially love some of his curry recipes.

If your fight was a meal what would it be? [Laugh]

Less of a meal, more a snack I’d say. Cadbury’s Dairy Milk, the old chunky one nice big chunk. You get the anticipation, then you have to do a bit of work to chomp the chocolate and melt it, and then when you’ve achieved the win you can enjoy the total melted chocolate flavor in your mouth. Do you think I’ve had too many head shots?!

Ok Gary I wish you the entire best against al Turk do you have any last departing words for MMA Universe readers?

Thanks for all your continued support! Mus’s style is not good for me, so you should come along to Wembley on the 8th to see a total battle! See you there!

 

[Impalas]

sapp has no skill at all he just tries to use his size on smaller fighters he has a good trainer in matt hume but, I don't think sapp heart in the mma game, don't get me wrong he made a shit load of money in japan just of marketing himself as a big beast

He sure did make a lot of money in japan I was reading something about him on yahoo sports before this last match and they were say that he almost never even knows who he is going to fight until like a few short weeks before his match with them. He is just dumb to fuck what could have been a good career up and make a big joke of himself who ever is training him is just collecting a check there not helping him none. Said his next fight is in japan and he has no idea who he is going against just a dumb shit and the fight at the end of march that one way to lose another fight fast.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Rafael Dias on Move to IFL
link: http://www.sherdog.com/videos/videos.asp?v_id=1462
Sherdog.com's Martins Denis caught up with Rafael Dias (Pictures) to discuss his bout with Santino Defranco (Pictures) this weekend in the International Fight League.

 

[heyzel]

He sure did make a lot of money in japan I was reading something about him on yahoo sports before this last match and they were say that he almost never even knows who he is going to fight until like a few short weeks before his match with them. He is just dumb to fuck what could have been a good career up and make a big joke of himself who ever is training him is just collecting a check there not helping him none. Said his next fight is in japan and he has no idea who he is going against just a dumb shit and the fight at the end of march that one way to lose another fight fast.

U can't hate on him he is making paper while taking ass whippings, his mma records is not bad at all 9-3-1, not to sure about his k-1 record right now but he is one of the highest paid combat sport fighter out there he just needs to focus on training with matt hume and josh barrent and he will be a beast in a year time.

 

[Shogun Locc]

Brother Versus Brother, With A Twist

Hearing about the upcoming fight between welterweights Jake Ellenberger and Pat Healy is kind of like hearing about the confusing plot of a sci-fi sports-thriller.

Both fighters are twins, and both have been “training” with their respective twin brothers since they were kids raising hell in the backyard. Both pairs of boys grew up to be fighters to one degree or another – and both pairs continue to push each other when they’re together, or settle for encouraging one another in their fighting dreams when they are apart.

Just the chances that two sets of twin brothers would both grow up to be fighters who even knew each other seems somewhat unlikely. That one twin would fight the training partner of the other, that’s just weird. Let’s see if we can’t sort it out.

Jake Ellenberger and Pat Healy will meet in the IFL ring in Las Vegas this Friday night.

Jake’s twin, Joe Ellenberger, is currently an All-American wrestler at University of Omaha – Kearney and ranked in the top ten in the nation going into his senior year.

Pat Healy’s twin, Ryan, is one of Jake’s teammates at Team Quest in Portland.

Worlds collide and loyalties are tested. It boggles the mind.

Then again, when you think about it makes a certain degree of sense. Ellenberger and Healy’s respective childhoods were largely spent fighting spitting images of themselves in their backyards and basements. Both fighters are well-rounded, both fighters are known for their impressive cardio, and both fighters have proved to be unrelenting in the ring.

One could almost say that constantly fighting someone a lot like you from the time you both could crawl is a very good way to become an effective and dangerous mixed martial artist.

So what’s it like for Jake Ellenberger to fight Pat’s other half as a teammate as he prepares to face someone almost exactly like him in Friday’s match?

“It’s crossed my mind that they might be talking about it with each other, but it doesn’t affect me,” said Ellenberger. “There’s nothing he can tell his brother that could affect the outcome of our fight.”

This seems to be the general philosophy of Ellenberger – he doesn’t waste his time brooding over factors in the fight that he can’t control.

“A fight’s a fight and he’s going to do what he’s going to do. I don’t believe you can go in with a specific plan. I’m not going to think about what the other guy’s going to do – I can only expect him to be at 100%.”

Of course, that’s not to say that Ellenberger hasn’t been watching a lot of tape and noting Healy’s strong suits and weak spots.

“He’s a very good wrestler, but I think I can put him on his back any time I want to,” he said. “If he wants to wrestle, we’ll wrestle. I’ve been working on my hands and on my feet. I’m prepared to go anywhere the fight’s going to go.”

Some of his strategy is based on Healy’s last loss almost a year ago – a three-round battle against Rory Markham that ended in a knockout.

“[Healy] forced the takedown too much,” Ellenberger explained. “He got tired and started taking bad shots while Rory kept scrambling and moving. He was too worried about taking him down.”

“The longer the fight goes, the more to my favor. I tend to pick it up more in the second and third rounds. The later it gets, the better I feel. I’m going to pressure him a lot. I’m going to wait for him to take stupid shots.”

Those backing Healy claim that he has the edge because of his superior wrestling ability, but Ellenberger isn’t concerned. He not only spent all of last summer training with his All-American wrestler of a brother in Omaha – trading kickboxing advice in exchange for wrestling moves -- but he knows that mixed martial arts is a multifaceted sport.

“Even if he is a better wrestler than me, it doesn’t matter to me. It’s not a wrestling match.”

What it is, however, is a rare moment in MMA. One twin fights his brother’s training partner, who knows what it means to grow up battling a facsimile of himself. It almost sounds like something that a team of university scientists should be studying. And while it’s hard to know how this one might turn out, it should at the very least be memorable.

 

[Shogun Locc]

IFL Las Vegas Preview, Championship Fights

We’re one day away from the IFL’s 2008 opener in Las Vegas, and with three titles on the line there’s a lot still to be decided. The fighters get on the scales this afternoon, and Friday night the fights will be coming to you live on HDNet.

Now let’s breakdown our three title fights and see who will have the edge tomorrow night.

155 lbs: Ryan Schultz (champion) vs. John Gunderson (challenger)

This is a fight both guys have been looking forward to for a long time. They both came up in the Northwest MMA scene and after years of watching one another in action they have a healthy amount of respect for each other. Of course, that doesn’t mean they don’t both have something they’re looking to prove in this fight.

For Gunderson, this is not only a shot at the title but also an opportunity to prove that he’s better than his 2-2 record in the IFL thus far. He feels that he hasn’t lived up to his potential in any of those fights, and is eager to show fans that he has what it takes to stand on top of the 155-pound heap in the IFL. Naturally, a win over Schultz would go a long way toward making his case.

Schultz wants to show everyone that his dominating victory over Chris Horodecki wasn’t a fluke. He says he’s putting all the aspects of his game together for the first time in his career, and the results speak for themselves. Not only is he a dangerous wrestler, but his brawling style on the feet makes his takedowns harder to defend against. That might be why no one in Schultz’s camp was at all surprised by the win over Horodecki.

Both these guys are well-rounded and both have a score to settle on Friday night. Don’t be surprised if it takes several rounds to answer this question. These guys wouldn’t want it any other way.

185 lbs: Matt Horwich (champion) vs. Ryan McGivern (challenger)

Horwich’s TKO victory over Benji Radach to claim the IFL middleweight title came as a surprise to some people, though not those who have witnessed his evolution as a mixed martial artist over the last year. Once primarily a submissions specialist, Horwich has added an impressive stand-up arsenal to his game. Most importantly though, Horwich remains relentless in the ring, wearing opponents down before closing the deal.

It should be interesting to see how that style plays against McGivern, who is known for similar tactics himself. He’s won many of his fights by simply outworking his opponents, utilizing his excellent cardio and forcing opponents to tire before he does.

The question here is, what happens when two guys meet who both like to stay constantly on the attack, forcing their opponents backwards from the opening bell? Will they clash like two rams fighting over a patch of rock, or will they adjust their styles?

It’s hard to say, but these two have met before so they should know what to expect. The only trouble is that both have changed so drastically, it could be a brand new fight this time around.

265 lbs: Roy Nelson (champion) vs. Fabiano Scherner (challenger)

For a guy known for his grappling and submissions abilities, “Big Country” sure does win a lot of fights with his fists. He knocked out Antoine Jaoude to win the heavyweight title in December, and he TKO’s Bryan Vetell before that after a brutal three-round war of attrition. It’s almost as if Nelson has purposefully gotten opponents worried about his ground game so that his ability as a striker will slip under their radar.

Scherner, a Team Quest product new to the IFL, probably won’t make that mistake. He’s a jiu-jitsu specialist himself, but has also shown his willingness to stand in the pocket and trade punches. He’s a big, battle-tested Brazilian who can match Nelson in almost every category, so it’s hard to say where this fight will be decided.

Nelson didn’t fight his way through a grueling year in 2007 just to give up his belt in the first title defense, so expect him to be thoroughly prepared for this bout. Scherner has a chance to announce his presence in the IFL with authority, but he’s going to have to find the secret to Roy Nelson first, and that has eluded several men before him.

Catch the IFL on HDNet this Friday night at 7:30 pm PST/10:30 EST. You can also check back all night for a live play-by-play of the action as it unfolds on IFL.tv.