MMA News Thread

[Shogun Locc]

Werdum graduates black belts and confirms fight with Vera

Back to after the great win against Gabriel Napão at UFC 80 and a fast travel to Europe , Fabrício Werdum spoke with exclusivity to TATAME’s site about his victory at ultimate and confirmed his fight against Brandon Vera. “It’s 100% confirmed. It’ll be at June 7th. Everybody was saying that I’d go right to fight for the belt, but I knew it wouldn’t happen. Fighting this one, I believe the next one will be for the belt”, said. The Chute Boxe’s athlete told that the days he spend at Europe after his victory at UFC were to graduate his new black belt fighters “Cabeça”, Ricardão, Emilio Perez and Ramon Dias, besides Matias Ribeiro, graduated by him and Mario Reis.

 

[RED HEAD STEVE]

I don't see chuck Koing Fedor I actually see a stand up war similar to the fight he had with cro cop. I believe Fedor will definitely get him to the ground and keep him there. If Chuck takes him down chucks geting subed. I think Chuck moving to heavyweight will make him slower then at light heavyweight. I think a healthy Shogun would outstrike Chuck much like Jardine did. Forrest vs Rampage I gotta go with Rampage but I will not be suprised if Forrest wins.

I AGREE THAT CHUCK WOULD BE NO MATCH AGAINST FEDOR ON THE GROUND BUT I DONT THINK CRO COP'S STAND UP GAME IS ANYWHERE NEAR CHUCK'S. I THINK SHOGUN RUA AND CHUCK WOULD HAVE BEEN A GOOD ASS FIGHT BUT PROBABLY WOULD HAVE HAD THE SAME OUTCOME AS WANDY VS CHUCK. SHOGUN LOCC WHAT IS YOU OPINION ON CHUCK AS A FIGHTER AND HIS FUTURE IN MMA?

 

[BROWN GUERRERO]

I AGREE THAT CHUCK WOULD BE NO MATCH AGAINST FEDOR ON THE GROUND BUT I DONT THINK CRO COP'S STAND UP GAME IS ANYWHERE NEAR CHUCK'S. I THINK SHOGUN RUA AND CHUCK WOULD HAVE BEEN A GOOD ASS FIGHT BUT PROBABLY WOULD HAVE HAD THE SAME OUTCOME AS WANDY VS CHUCK. SHOGUN LOCC WHAT IS YOU OPINION ON CHUCK AS A FIGHTER AND HIS FUTURE IN MMA?

Your right! Cro Cop's stand up is nowhere near Chuck's cause CC's is like 1000x better. Don't be fooled by the shitty guy we've seen in the octagon. Dude was a legitimate world class kick boxer in k1. Personally I think Fedor would destroy Chuck and Chuck would beat Shogun.

 

[RED HEAD STEVE]

Your right! Cro Cop's stand up is nowhere near Chuck's cause CC's is like 1000x better. Don't be fooled by the shitty guy we've seen in the octagon. Dude was a legitimate world class kick boxer in k1. Personally I think Fedor would destroy Chuck and Chuck would beat Shogun.

I SEE WHAT YOUR SAYING. BUT CROP COP HANDLED WANDY THE SAME WAY CHUCK DID EXCEPT CHUCK DIDNT GET THE K.O. ALSO THE RULES WERE DIFFERENT OVER IN PRIDE. EITHER WAY THESE WOULD ALL BE GOOD FIGHTS. IT JUST SUCKS THAT CHUCK GETS TO FIGHT A FUCKING NOBODY LIKE RASHAD EVANS. EVANS DOES NOT DESERVE A SHOT WITH CHUCK I.M.O. I THINK ALOT OF PEOPLE UNDERESTIMATE CHUCK LIDDELL. CHUCKS RECORD SPEAKS FOR ITSELF. CHUCK HAS HANDLED HIS BUSINESS IN THE OCTAGON. I APPRECIATE YOUR FEEDBACK THOUGH PIMP.

 

[Shogun Locc]

I SEE WHAT YOUR SAYING. BUT CROP COP HANDLED WANDY THE SAME WAY CHUCK DID EXCEPT CHUCK DIDNT GET THE K.O. ALSO THE RULES WERE DIFFERENT OVER IN PRIDE. EITHER WAY THESE WOULD ALL BE GOOD FIGHTS. IT JUST SUCKS THAT CHUCK GETS TO FIGHT A FUCKING NOBODY LIKE RASHAD EVANS. EVANS DOES NOT DESERVE A SHOT WITH CHUCK I.M.O. I THINK ALOT OF PEOPLE UNDERESTIMATE CHUCK LIDDELL. CHUCKS RECORD SPEAKS FOR ITSELF. CHUCK HAS HANDLED HIS BUSINESS IN THE OCTAGON. I APPRECIATE YOUR FEEDBACK THOUGH PIMP.

yeah but wanderlei was able to knock Chuck down at least one time during there fight. Both fighters were throwing bombstho. I do believe Shogun has a legit chance against chuck. I don't think heavyweight would be a wise decision for chuck but If he wants to fight Big Nog then I would watch.

 

[Shogun Locc]

M-1 Loans Fighter to Inaugural DREAM Event

With match-ups recently finalized for Saturday's inaugural DREAM event in Saitama, Japan, one participating fighter will be on loan from the fledgling M-1 Global organization. And no, it's not Fedor Emelianenko. Instead, it's the only other announced commodity of M-1 Global: Eddie Alvarez (12-1).

Alvarez, who is making his debut at 155 lbs., will be taking on Chute Boxe's Andre "Dida" Amade (6-2-1) in the first round of a star-studded 16-man lightweight grand prix. He discussed his contractual status and upcoming bout while a guest on Monday's edition of TAGG Radio (www.taggradio.com), a content partner site of MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com)

"Monte (Cox, M-1 Global CEO) is my manager, so verbally we agreed I'd fight for M-1 when their shows come," Alvarez said. "And I physically signed with (EliteXC), and they both agreed that I'm first and foremost for M-1, and then I'm with (EliteXC) also when I don't have fights for M-1. But now M-1 would be lending me out to whatever. It's a confusing situation. All I know is this is the opportunity of a lifetime for me, and I really want to, I'm glad that they're letting me do it so I can take full advantage of it."

Much of the recent discussion concerning M-1 Global has focused on their potential loss of heavyweight superstar Emelianenko, as contract negotiations have faltered between the two parties, according to a recent report from ESPN.com. It has been rumored that that loss could lead to the folding of M-1 Global, as there were no other reported fighters under contract with the promotion.

Cox, famous for working without signed contracts in place with his fighters, manages many of the world's best fighters, including UFC veterans such as Rich Franklin and Tim Sylvia (to name a few). Could other fighters follow Alvarez's lead?

"I just verbally agreed that I'd fight for M-1," Alvarez said. "I didn't physically sign anything. It was just like, 'I'm going to fight for M-1 when they come.' Monte seems like a straight-up dude, and he has my best interests in hand. What's going to come of M-1? I don't know."

Regardless of contractual status, Alvarez remains focused on the match-up at hand.

"I like Dida as a first round match-up for myself and for the fans because he's just kind of wild, aggressive," Alvarez said. "He likes to come at you. And the match-up's intriguing because I'm the same way."

In the meantime, while a permanent home may not yet be possible for the up-and-coming Alvarez, the cross-promotional opportunities he's encountered have given him a chance to prove himself among the world's elite. For example he recently headlined a Jan. 25 "ShoXC" event and defeated highly touted Ross Ebanez (17-6).

He knows the DREAM tournament could bring even more notoriety.

"Monte is lending me to DREAM to do this tournament," Alvarez said. "It's a huge opportunity, so I'm glad they're willing to work together."

Alvarez also discussed his training methods, the early brawls of his youth, and his plan to get married later this year. To hear the full interview, download Monday's edition of TAGG Radio, available for free in the TAGG Radio archives.

This story was produced by TAGG Radio (www.taggradio.com) specially for MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com). The show -- which is hosted by fighter/broadcaster Frank Trigg, Gorgeous George and Goze -- books some of the biggest names in MMA. Download all the former episodes at www.taggradio.com, or tune into TAGG Radio's live shows Monday-Friday at noon ET/9 a.m. PT.

 

[Shogun Locc]

TITO ORTIZ STILL FIGHTING LYOTO MACHIDA AT UFC 84

Despite speculation that surfaced on Monday that former Ultimate Fighting Championship veteran Tito Ortiz was going to withdraw from his fight with Lyoto Machida at UFC 84 due to injury, MMAWeekly.com has confirmed with Ortiz that the fight is still happening.

“Not true,” said Ortiz via e-mail about the rumored withdrawal. “The fight is still a go.”

Ortiz’s fight with Machida is the last bout on his current UFC contract. He has stated in multiple interviews that he doesn’t intend on returning to the company after his deal ends.

The public feud between “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” and UFC president Dana White has hit a boiling point of late, but White stated in a previous interview with MMAWeekly.com that the door isn’t closed, at least in his eyes, for bringing back the former light heavyweight champion after this fight is over.

“He said he’ll never come back to the UFC as long as I’m running it,” White stated. But he continued, saying, “I’m not planning on quitting because Tito doesn’t want to fight if I’m here. Even with all the issues I’ve had with that moron, he’s still in the UFC, so we’ll see what happens.”

Ortiz is expected to work alongside his training partners at his facility in Big Bear, Calif. to prepare for the showdown with Machida.

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

 

[Shogun Locc]

JON FITCH WANTS TITLE SHOT

Jon Fitch has put together a win streak in the Ultimate Fighting Championship that only one other fighter has ever achieved. Fitch and Royce Gracie are the only two fighters in UFC history to win eight fights in a row and now Fitch wants a title shot.

"Me and Royce Gracie are the only ones who have ever gone 8-0, uncontested in the UFC," said the 30-year-old mixed martial artist. "That puts me right next to a legend. I'm not saying I'm that great, but that's not an easy task. I rode a hard road to get to where I am. It was not easy winning eight fights in the UFC."

To put it in persepective, Chuck Liddell was able to string together a seven fight win streak in the UFC twice, but not eight. Matt Hughes won six UFC fights in a row twice. Tito Ortiz won six UFC fights in a row once. Randy Couture's longest win streak in the UFC was four wins.

All the before mentioned fighters are former or current UFC champions. Fitch feels he's earned a shot at the welterweight title.

"I've busted my ass and gotten to where I am by hard work and discipline and I think I deserve that shot," Fitch told MMAWeekly.

A fight many MMA enthuseists have wanted to see, including Fitch, is a bout between the American Kickboxing Acedemy trained fighter and Karo Parisyan. Asked about Parisyan, Fitch commented, "I've been asking for a fight with Karo for over a year. The last time I fought in Ohio I said after that I would like to fight Karo, and that was to kind of shuffle the deck and let everybody see where everybody stood in the division and see who deserved what shot when."

"That was the only reason for it. I respect Karo as a fighter. I think he's a great fighter. I think it would be a great fight between us. I've never said anything negative towards him in any way. I've never said anything bad about him in any way. That's not who I am. That's not how I work. Whatever he's saying, I'm not really paying attention to, but it sounds to me that he's digging himself into a hole. At least that's what I hear from the fans, but whatever."

"All I ever wanted to do is settle who was the best, and that's all I'm asking for, continued Fitch. "I don't know what happened with who got offered what fight, or whatever. All I know is I've been asking for that fight for over a year, and right now I don't think that's something to even consider anymore. I think I'm in line. I think I should get a title shot. I think the winner of Georges St-Pierre and Matt Serra, I should get to fight."

"I believe in the best guy should overcome regardless of what kind of s*** he talks or whatever. It's about the best fighter."

 

[Shogun Locc]

CAMP REPORT: TEAM SITYDOTONG

KENNY FLORIAN’S PREPARATION FOR JOE LAUZON

Over the past few years, Mark DellaGrotte has transformed his camp into one of the premier training facilities in all of mixed martial arts. From Kenny Florian to Patrick Cote, the list goes on and on of fighters that work with Team Sitydotong in Massachusetts as they continue to build a tradition of winning.

Recently, DellaGrotte appeared on MMAWeekly Radio to give fans an update on the fighters he is working with, including mainstay Kenny Florian as he prepares for his April 2 showdown with Joe Lauzon.

“Kenny Florian looks better than ever,” said DellaGrotte. “Things are going good. Kenny never stopped training after his last fight. The kid does not take a day off, I can’t pry him away from the gym if my life depended on it.

“Look for a whole new and improved Kenny Florian, even better than what you saw last time against Din Thomas.”

The pressure going into the fight would seemingly be on Florian, who may only be a win away from a lightweight title shot, but his coach says that he’s focused and preparing for Lauzon the same as any other fight.

“Kenny takes every opponent the same, whether it’s Sean Sherk, B.J. Penn, Joe Lauzon, it doesn’t matter who it is, Kenny treats every opponent the same,” DellaGrotte stated. “He’s not the type of fighter that will get himself thinking something that’s not true. He won’t hype himself up and put himself on a different wavelength. He always stays focused with the task at hand and that’s beating whoever’s in front of him.”


JORGE GURGEL SEEKING OUT DELLA GROTTE?

The world-class camp has attracted fighters from all over the globe and recently Jorge Gurgel disclosed in an interview with MMAWeekly Radio that he too planned on seeking the counsel of DellaGrotte and his camp.

“Marcus (Davis) has been pulling at Jorge (Gurgel) to come out here to Boston to train with us for a long time,” commented the Sitydotong trainer. “I think initially he was worried that he may run into Kenny (Florian) and at the time that was a possibility, because we were actually throwing names back and forth a couple years ago and that was one of the names that was tossed around.

“Jorge has expressed interest in coming out here and working with me and Kenny and the camp. He knows through Marcus Davis what we’re capable of doing and he’s seen what we’re capable of doing through our fighters and I think that’s something you’re going to see pretty soon.”


JORGE RIVERA IMPRESSES WITH HIS IMPROVEMENT
Another Jorge who is a longtime member of Sitydotong, Jorge Rivera, is a student that impressed his coach after his destruction of Kendall Grove in his last fight out.

DellaGrotte spoke praises about Rivera’s performance and expects much of the same out of him going forward into his next bout, possibly against Martin Kampmann at UFC 85 in London.

“Jorge made me very proud for that particular fight,” DellaGrotte said about the fight with Kendall Grove. “I knew he was capable of doing what he did. What it comes down to with Jorge a lot of times is a mental thing. He personally has a lot of things going on in his personal life, he’s got a family, he runs his own business too, he’s got a martial arts academy, USMMA out in Bellingham, Mass.

“When Jorge Rivera is on his mental game, and he’s 100% in my opinion, he is right up there with Anderson Silva and with Rich Franklin, and all these top 185er’s that are out there doing it.”


MARCUS DAVIS TO FACE MIKE SWICK

Marcus Davis has also worked alongside DellaGrotte and his team for many of his fights and his next step will be a showdown with American Kickboxing Academy welterweight Mike Swick, a match-up that DellaGrotte likes very much.

“I think this is a great opportunity for him to let everybody know just where he’s at. The last couple of opponents he’s had have been game and worthy opponents, but I think they really didn’t test Marcus,” DellaGrotte said. “I think you’ve yet to see Marcus, the new Marcus Davis, the new transformed Marcus Davis. I think you’ve yet to see him be tested in the Octagon.

“I’m sure Mike Swick is going to be the first guy that’s going to be the real formidable, new age Marcus Davis opponent. I’m looking forward to that fight, I’m looking forward to training Marcus for that fight for sure.”


ADD TRAVIS LUTTER TO THE SITYDOTONG ROSTER

Another fighter who is working with the camp currently is UFC middleweight Travis Lutter, as he prepares for his bout with Rich Franklin in Canada.

“Travis Lutter was just here,” DellaGrotte commented. “Lutter was here getting ready for (Rich) Franklin. He was here for the last week or so. Travis is looking really good, we’re getting him ready for the April 19 Montreal show.”

In Lutter’s last fight out he was submitted by current UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva in a bout that lost some of its luster after Lutter couldn’t make the championship weight limit of 185 pounds. DellaGrotte promises a different story this time around.

“I tell you what I’m going to do different for Travis this time… he’s going to make the weight,” DellaGrotte said with a laugh. “Travis is just so good at what he does, no matter who he’s in there with.”

While it’s no secret that DellaGrotte has worked wonders in the stand-up department for a great number of fighters, he doesn’t plan on reinventing the wheel when it comes to Lutter’s game plan for Franklin.

“Obviously it’s a no-brainer, I don’t think we’re going to take Travis Lutter and were going to turn him into a Thai boxer overnight down here at Sitydotong, and we’re going to go in there and tell him to trade kicks and punches with Rich Franklin,” said DellaGrotte. “I think it’s obvious where Travis wants to take the fight, and what it comes down to for Travis is just a matter of making that weight smooth, and having the gas. One thing about Rich Franklin, the guy is a superstar when it comes to training, he’s a hard worker.”

For now, DellaGrotte and the Sitydotong team will continue to ready star student Kenny Florian for his April 2 main event match-up with Joe Lauzon.

 

[Shogun Locc]

New CR 26 bouts announced

Cage Rage and Elite XC have announced some more fights for Cage Rage 26 Extreme, 10th May 2008 NEC Birmingham.

The main event features the return of Ian Freeman who takes on the British Light Heavyweight Champion, Paul Cahoon.

Paul “Semtex” Daley will also return to the cage for one last fight before he hangs up his gloves. His opponent is yet to be announced, but be sure to read it here first.

The two Ross's clash in a welterweight battle, as Ross "The Boss" Mason fights Ross Pointon, who we all remember from The Ultimate Fighter 3, fighting and training then as a Light-Heavyweight.

Mark Epstein is paired up against Matt Ewin, Epstein is one of the biggest fighters in the Middleweight Division.

Henrique Nogueira V's Marc Goddard in the a Light Heavyweight contest.

A Heavyweight bout between Kev Sims V's Popek

 

[Shogun Locc]

NEW Extensive Q&A with Aleksander Emelianenko

Will never fight Fedor

He is negotiating with M-1 Global and thinks will be fighting for them eventually

is confident that he would beat crocop in a rematch and would like the fight to happen

Would like to rematch against Cropcop and Barnett, but both of them are refusing

his next fight will be in canada before new year; opponent unknown

will be fighting on Nov 30 in sambo championship in Moscow

Ivan Emelianenko (their young brother) will be fighting in Sambo championship in Moscow as well (I believe this should be his first competition of any kind)

doesn't see a difference between ring and a cage

did not serve in the army (this is interesting b/c service in the Russian army is pretty much mandatory)

He says he is aware of his stamina problems and is working on his cardio all the time.

He's opening a charity in his name to help troubled kids and teenagers

doesn't own a car at the moment. His dream car Porsche Cayene

Why so many tattos? "It's my hobby. My Image". Will have explanation on all his tatoos on his website soon.

likes knitting, video games, bowling, swimming with dolphins, eating barbecue

Q: How do you feel about Fabricio Werdum and would you like to have a rematch.
A: I think NOTHING about him. He is refusing to fight me (later he mentions he wasn't ready for their first fight)

Q: Is it possible that you will be fighting in the UFC and what do you think about the fighters there.
A: It's possible. All the fighters are deserving.

Q: Assalam Aleikum Sasha! Today I participated in PIK (Aleks's autograph session) in armwrestling and took photos with you. I want to ask you: "There is a rumor that you're a Nationalist (Neo-Nazi), even though I don't believe it, and today I sort of confirmed it while talking to you. But still would like to hear it from you, if it's true? If you're going to lie, I would rather you not answer at all...
A: Assalam Aleikum Marat! I'm not a Nationalist! I have many friends and they're all different races.

Q: "Gott mit Uns" - is that from buckles of Wermacht (Nazi soldiers)?
A: My tattoo has nothing to do with those buckles

Q: Aleks, I read that you will never fight with Fedor, but I saw the video of you fighting him in Combat Sambo where you fought in the finals, and Fedor won with a submission. It seemed like you let him win. It's just that I also have an older brother and in a similar situation I would have probably done the same for my older brother. Or is just my imagination?
A: No, it's not your imagination

Q: Do you speak with Taktarov?
A: No

Q: Did you ever have to make weight, and if yes, what is your method?
A: I have a page on my site called Menu. Basically, get rid of dinner - and there is your diet.

Q: Aleksander, in February you are going to fight with Jeff Monson. What do you think about this fighter?
A: Jeff is a good fighter, we will have a beautiful fight. Thanks.

Q: Was it true that you tried to protect a girl and beat up a few young people in the middle of Moscow?...
A: I didn't hit anybody

Q: Can you name 3 things you don't like about people in general?
A: Tough question. I don't like people who don't have their own opinion. Sergei probably. (This is not too clear. Not sure if he says he doesn't like Sergei Kharitonov?)

Q: When was the last time you had to beat someone up outside the formal setting? Like on the street?
A: Long time ago when I was a kid.

Q: Do you agree that Anderson Silva is the strongest fighter in MMA? According to the latest rating on Sherdog. What do you think about him?
A: Silva won the UFC Championship belt, but me and my brother were not there.

More interesting tidbits:

Will not fight with Roman Zentsov because they are friends (this probably disputes a rumor that they will be fighting on dec 31)

Same about Igor Vovchanchyn. Will not fight him because they are friends.

He tried to measure his punching strength but the machine went off the scale

Never used steroids and doesn't recommend it to anybody

Thinks Fedor is the best fighter in the world (surprise...)

Runs 3.5 - 5 KM before every training session

Rarely does any weight training

Supports Putin

Doesn't believe in God

Currently plays Prince of Persia but can't beat some monster

Doesn't fight on the street and prefers to resolve conflicts with a conversation.

Bodog didn't want him to fight at the latest show on Nov 30

"UFC doesn't want to sign me. They're afraid I will beat all their fighters"

Is still negotiating with M-1.

Q: There are rumors on the internet that you have been affiliated with righ-wing extremists. Is that true.
A: None of that is true!

Q: Why weren't you on M-1 Global show on Dec 31?
A: The question is not for me

Q: Where can I get your song that was played on 104FM?
A: On this site.

Q: What do you think about Couture's chances against your brother?
A: Couture has no chance

Q: What would you do if you are out with a girl and some drunk people start making trouble. Would you work them over or try to solve the problem some other way?
A: Try to solve it some other way

Q: What is the best: Kickboxing or Tae Kwan Do?
A: Depends what is the goal. It's good to train at least something.

Q: Aleks, don't take it the wrong way, but you and your brother don't really have visual mucles, unlike Kevin Randleman or Mark Coleman, for example. What's the reason? You don't spend enough time lifting weights?
A: Every person has his own body type. We don't take any anabolic substances.

Q: In one of your previous answers you mentioned that you would not fight Roman Zentsov since you are friends. I remember you had a fight with Sergei Kharitonov, which you won. So does that mean you are not friends with Sergei. Just "sparring partners"? Also, with whom among friends(fighters) you can call brother (besides Fedor). I mean brother in spirit, etc.
A: Kharitonov wanted to fight with me himself. I don't have anyone closer than my brothers.

Q: What do you think about when you are entering the ring?
A: Thinking that with me is my family and all of Russia.

Q: When can we see you against a worthy opponent?
A: All my opponents are worthy.

Q: I found the video clips of your fights on the site, but they are all in Flash format. Is there anyway to get the DVD format with a great quality?
A: All the fight DVDs are not lawful in Russia, because Pride owns all the rights. That's why the quality suffers.

Q: Hi Alex, would you hit someone if they just come up to you on the street and ask for an autograph?
A: I AM VERY NICE! Come, don't be shy.

Q: What do you think about adding MMA to Olympics?
A: For starters it would be great if they made Combat Sambo an Olympic sport, then we can talk about MMA.

Q: How are you?
A: Good

Q: Gott mit uns Aleks! Good luck. Hello from Germany
A: HELLO GERMANY! THANK YOU for supporting me.

Q: Hi Aleks. question about Crocop. Some people think that the reason for his losses in UFC is connected with steroids; meaning they have a strict doping control, which was allegedly absent in PRIDE. What do you think about the reasons for his failure? Does it have to do with rule changes (Gonaza won the fight with elbows, highkick was just a finisher)? Or does it have to do with steroids? Or a psychological problem? And also if you can comment how strict was the doping control in PRIDE?
A: In PRIDE I took steroid test before every fight. About Crocop, I don't even know what to say, but it definitely has nothing to do with rule changes.

Other notes from his answers:

Ivan Emelianenko is training and expects to enter MMA.

He will open his online store soon with all the merch you can buy.

Does not feel nervous before a fight.

Will never fight his brother.

Will fight in Chicago in April. More info will be posted on his site.

Would like to try his skills in boxing.

Likes Football, Soccer, Hockey. Would like to try Rugby.

Would like to fight with Nogueira if he had a chance.

Would like to act in films. Just submitted his porfolio to Lenfilm (studio in Russia)

"It's easier to teach a wrestler stand up, than to teach a boxer how to wrestle"

Just bought himself a BWM SUV. Very happy (last time he said he did not have a car)

Would like to fight with Mirco again.

Trains from 4-6 hours a day.
http://www.alex.mixfight.ru/ae/questions/1/

 

[Shogun Locc]

Exclusive ChokeHimOut Interview: Kenny Florian

ChokeHimOut.com recently had an opportunity to interview Kenny Florian who is headlining the Ultimate Fight Night April 2nd on SpikeTV. Kenny talks about his upcoming fight with Joe Lauzon and his thoughts on MMA.

C.H.O: You've been fighting in MMA since 2004, how do you feel you've changed since you started fighting?

KF: You know I'm just training a lot and just starting really to find my game and find out what works best for me and how to mesh everything together. I still have a lot to learn, but I feel like I've made a huge accomplishment in all aspects you know, forget the mental and physical but also the technical. All aspects of the game and I think it is very important that you know you can constantly try to evolve, constantly try to improve it and be ready. If you're very well rounded, then you can fight anybody so I think that has been the key for me in training nonstop and it has really helped me.

C.H.O: How old were you when you started training in martial arts and MMA?

KF: Let's see I started doing karate when I was a kid. But as far as training for something as serious as Brazilian jiu jitsu, I started late, I started when I was about 20 years old. I started training when I was 20 and right now I'm 31, so I've been training Brazilian jiu jitsu for around 11 years. I started training in mixed martial arts when I was on the Ultimate Fighter in 2004/2005.

C.H.O: How long did it take you to earn your black belt under Gracie Barra?

KF: I earned my black belt in a little over 5 years.

C.H.O: What made you train in jiu jitsu?

KF: Originally I was inspired by martial arts, obviously when I watched Royce Gracie. That was my biggest thing, you know, I was just amazed by what he did out there against those monsters and I thought, 'Hey maybe I can do that too.' I was always a big martial arts fan, always a big Bruce Lee fan, always into boxing when I was a kid and actually all that stuff. I saw the UFC and I knew that's what I wanted to do. I wanted to do Brazilian jiu jitsu. I thought it was beautiful, efficient, effective and it's been perfect and I like that. The first martial art that did what they claimed it could do you know?

C.H.O: UFC fight night April 2nd. You are going into this fight 7/3 against Joe Lauzon. How important is this win for you?

KF: Every fight is important. There has never been a fight that hasn't been important. There has never been a fight that I haven't trained hard for and it's extremely important.

C.H.O: Joe has been training with BJ Penn and the majority of Joe's fights have been won via submission. You've also won a majority of your fight via submission. How do you train for someone like Joe?

KF: You get into it all. You have to train in all aspects to prepare for a fight because he could be working on different strategy. He would come out and try to strike with me. So yeah, I'm ready for it all. Obviously the ground is his strength and I think that is where he wants to take it and I'll be ready with whatever I need to be.

C.H.O: Can you walk me through an average day of your training, a month out from this fight?

KF: Yeah, basically, I'll have spar session every single day, always two sessions every day but Sunday is my day off. I do my strengthening, conditioning and cardio in the morning and I'll do my technical and training at night or my sparring at night. Possibly even have a session in the afternoon as well. It'll be two times a day, sometimes three and that's it. Just hard training, smart training and just pushing yourself to the limit every single day and approaching each training session with a beginners mind.

C.H.O: What's next for you after this upcoming fight?

KF: I don't know, I really haven't looked past it. You know, that's obviously up to UFC. I just want to fight the best guy. I just want to fight the best, the top fighters whoever that seems to be in the UFC. I'm just looking forward to this fight here and then whatever comes, let it come. I just want to focus on this fight, win this fight and we'll see what happens after that.

C.H.O: Besides yourself who do you think the biggest threat is in the lightweight division of UFC right now?

KF: Ah, there's a ton of great guys in the 155 division, it's tough to just say one guy. Obviously you want to look the champ, BJ Penn, Sean Sherk, Frank Edgar, Tyson Griffen, I mean there are some great fighters right there, Roger Huerta . Hopefully I get a chance to challenge myself against the best. I'm here to fight the best guys. I'm not in here to beat people up. I'm here to just fight the best guys and get the challenge. Hopefully that will happen.

C.H.O: Who's the toughest opponent you've had so far?

KF: Sean Sherk.

C.H.O: What made him the toughest?

KF: I just think his game plan, his strategy, his physical strength and everything. He's a well rounded fighter and he's great at getting his game plan. He does what he wants to do when he wants to do it and he's very strong physically and he's been around the game for a long time. He's an experienced fighter and those kind of guys are tough to beat.

C.H.O: How often do you get recognized since you started fighting in the UFC?

KF: You know it's pretty often. The Boston fans are pretty into it and the guys that I know are really into it. They are more than willing to come up and say hello and I definitely I find you get recognized in your hometown, traveling and airports. It ranges from all different people, from old ladies to young kids and you find a lot of people are into fighting and UFC.

C.H.O: Do you feel women approach you more now than they did before?

KF: I'd say the opportunity has definitely increased. Right now I have a steady girlfriend and I've had a steady girlfriend for a while but yeah, definitely, in my experience it's just the increase. It's kind of like driving a great car like driving a Ferrari and pretty much kind of like if you've been on TV you get more attention.

C.H.O: How often do you get challenged by guys on the street or if you are out in a club or a bar or something? Has that ever happened?

KF: You know it's never happened. No one has ever said anything to my face anyway. I'm sure they look at me and said "I can beat that little guy", but no challengers yet.

C.H.O: Anything you want to say to your fans before our upcoming fight?

KF: Yea, I just want to thank them for support and even if their not a fan of me, thank you for watching the sport and supporting the sport. I hope to be making more and more appearances all the time. The fans have been unbelievable with emails, Myspace messages and they are always encouraging wherever I go and it's amazing. It definitely pushing me in my training and pushes me during the fight to make them happy. So I'm going to keep on going out there and train hard and then finishing up hard for them.

You can get the latest news on Kenny at kennyflorian.com

 

[Shogun Locc]

UFC heavyweight division: Who's next for Nog?

On March 3rd 2007, Randy Couture came out of retirement and reclaimed the UFC's heavyweight title for a 3rd time by beating then champion Tim Sylvia. At the time, if anyone would have predicted the heavyweight division would be in the state it is currently in just one year later, they'd be called crazy for sure. Afterall, Couture was the new champ, Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic had just arrived from Pride, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira had just signed with the organization, Andrei Arlovski was considered a top contender, and guys like Fabricio Werdum, Cheick Kongo and Gabriel Gonzaga were dangerous up and comers... and most of all, Fedor Emelianenko was up for grabs, and the UFC was the favorite to land the worlds top heavyweight.

Fast forward to March 2008.

Randy Couture has left the UFC, and is currently in an ugly court battle with the UFC and Dana White. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira is now the "interim" heavyweight champion with his latest victory over Sylvia. Cro Cop was beaten twice and is no longer with the organization. Gabriel Gonzaga got his shot at Couture and lost, and was then beaten again by Fabricio Werdum, who suffered a set back to Arlovski in his UFC debut. Arlovski has most likely fought his last fight in the UFC due to the inability to work out an extension of his contract with the UFC brass. Cheick Kongo was slated to take on Nog for the interim title as long as he could get past jouneyman Heath Herring... but he didn't. Worst of all, the UFC was unable to sign Fedor, which to me was the biggest mistake the organization has made, possibly ever.

All of this makes me wonder... who is next for Nogueira? One would think that the most likely choice would be Werdum, however he's been booked for UFC 85 to fight Brandon Vera. Gonzaga has lost his last two fights and is now in the position of having to climb back up the ladder. In my opinion, Arlovski is as good as gone, expect to see him fighting in Dream or EliteXC for big money. Couture wants only one man, Fedor, so he won't be fighting Nog unfortunately. Heath Herring is in no position for a title shot, especially since he is already 0-3 against Nog in his career. Yes, this does come off as an absolute mess, and quite frankly it is.

Quite frankly... the answer has to be Frank Mir. To me, he is the only logical choice to fight Nog at this point. The problem is, giving Mir a title shot is very much a stretch in it's own right. He has made an incredible comeback from the motorcycle accident that cost him his heavyweight title, and nearly his life. He has won his last two fights in decisive fashion, with two beautiful 1st round submissions. The problem is those wins were against Antoni Hardonk (who has yet to prove he can hang with the big boys) and big name newcomer yet inexperienced Brock Lesnar. Even so, I believe Mir would be a great matchup for Nog. They are easily the top two heavyweights in the world when it comes to jiu-jitsu. This would be a classic chess match on the ground which I would love, and the casual fan would hate.

Unfortunately this is the position the division is in. With no clear cut #1 contender, the UFC is forced to, well "force" a top contender. There have been too many mistakes made, and some of the fighters who have been "groomed" to be top contenders (see Kongo and Gonzaga) haven't exactly lived up to their billing. Hopefully this mess will somehow start to resolve itself soon, because if this continues, no one will likely forget about the Couture/Fedor situation, and may tune in elswhere for REAL heavyweight action.

 

[Shogun Locc]

EXCLUSIVE ChokeHimOut Interview: Michael Bisping

Recently ChokeHimOut.com caught up with UFC middleweight fighter and "Ultimate Fighter" season 3 winner, Michael "The Count" Bisping. We found Bisping to be a friendly, humble guy with a great passion for the sport of MMA. Read on to learn how he got his start fighting in bare knuckle matches as a teenager, his thoughts on his new found fame and his plans for the future.

C.H.O: Right now MMA is exploding on the scene and fast becoming a household name. How do you feel the sport has changed since you started fighting?

MB: Well I suppose, you know, it's changed in popularity. When I started to fight mixed martial arts, a lot of people didn't really know what it was. You know my first professional fight, I prepared so much for it you know. But these days now, more people know what the sport is and what it's about. I mean they watch the UFC in England, and around the world. It's still in it's infancy so to speak over here but it has come an extremely long way. I think now that fighters are regarded as athletes and fighters alongside boxers.

C.H.O: Lets back up a bit, as a kid you trained in jiu jitsu. What lead you to train in the martial arts and jiu jitsu specifically?

MB: Well, I always enjoyed physical sports. You know anything physical mainly to be honest. I always loved martial arts and anything physical. I was a big Jean Claude Van Damme fan as a kid. My brother started going along to a jiu jitsu class and I didn't even know there was one. So I tagged along with him as brothers tend to do and probably annoyed the hell out of him. But I fell in love with it. You know I just loved it and I stuck it out and after a while got a black belt and stuff and moved on to kick boxing.

C.H.O: As a child growing up, did you get into a lot of street fights?

MB: Well yeah, I had enough, unfortunately. I was never the type of guy you know who would back away from a fight. I didn't go out starting trouble, but I may have been in one or two too many fights. Sorry I'm just being honest.

C.H.O: Is it true that you fought your first MMA fight at age 15?

MB: In England we didn't really call it mixed martial arts back then, but we have a tournament in the east called "Knock-Down Sport". It's not big in the world of mixed martial arts, but it was bare knuckles as well. Yeah I did that 2 or 3 times a year the first few years. I was fighting in them obviously and most of the time I won them as well.

C.H.O: Now you've been fighting for the UFC since 2006. What would you consider your toughest fight since joining the UFC?

MB: Ah my last two fights I fought were very tough, you know Mat Hamill and Rashad Evans were both very tough. They were both very strong wrestlers and both very strong people. So I would suppose that those two were my toughest fights. I suppose wrestlers are kind of like kryptonite to English fighters because we don't have strong wrestling. You really have to work hard to find a good wrestling coach, because there really just isn't many around. So yeah I mean wrestling is not natural for me but hey, my record has really improved now. But obviously my last fight I lost, that was my first loss so I suppose I would have to go with that. They were both tough fighters.

C.H.O: What was the deciding factor for you in dropping down to middleweight?

MB: I wasn't small for the division but after starting professionally, a lot of people around me, you know the ultimate fighters from UFC and in the UK, said I should try it anyway cause I can make the weight. I was going to try my normal weight. People said I should drop to middleweight now because a lot of heavyweights are huge you know, which they are, to be honest. But you know I won my first fight. Then I won my second time and third time and I thought 'well I'll keep going until I lose one' and then I'll drop down because I had to finally drop down at some point and I thought it's not fair while I'm still winning the fight. I thought, "I can I beat Rashad." He's a top 5 guy undefeated fighter at light heavyweight. If I beat him, then what's point in dropping down? I needed to keep going and see how far I got. So I said to myself 'I'm going to keep going until lose one' and that Rashad fight was hard and I lost the fight. He got the win so I decided to move down. To be honest it's the best thing I have ever done. My performance is so much better. I'm eating a better diet, my body is performing better. I'm gaining less weight so I am faster and I just happen to be more disciplined, you know, and perhaps reap the benefits.

C.H.O: I'm sure you watched UFC 82 the other night. What were your thoughts on the Dan Henderson / Anderson Silva fight?

MB: Yeah, I saw most of it. Well I mean you know obviously Silva has peaked, he is without a doubt the best middle weight in the world you know. He was fantastic. The fight didn't end the way I thought it was going to go. I thought the whole fight was going to play out where Dan Henderson would take him down and control him in the clinch and get the decision. But you know Anderson Silva obviously was very frustrated at the end of the first round and came out fighting. He came out letting his hands and feet go and dropped him and got the submission. I think he's proved he's the best and he is going to be a hard one to beat.

C.H.O: Do you think that Silva is beatable?

MB: Everybody's beatable you know. You know you're a fighter so all fighters need to win, 'I've got the plan you know?' I just dropped to this weight class so it's probably too early to be talking anything like that, you know? Yeah, yeah everyone's beatable.

C.H.O: What are your feelings on your upcoming fight with Charles McCarthy?

MB: I want to fight. It kind of feels like it's been a while, although talking in UFC terms it's not that long. I'm looking forward to the fight. Like I said it's my first one in middleweight so it's a bit of a fresh challenge and the best scenario is that it works out for the best. I know Charles McCarthy trains at the American Top Team and they have a lot of black belts down there. He is a great jiu jitsu guy. You know, I train with a lot of black belts myself and I've rolled with black belts a long time and never had any trouble, so I'm not too upset about it really. I think I've got the edge in stand up so I don't know. I mean, I hope he's training hard and he comes fighting hard and we put a great fight on for the fans. I'm hoping to knock him out.

C.H.O: How are you training for the McCarthy fight? Are you training a lot of stand up, ground or both?

MB: I mean I always train the same way, you know, I just try to train every fight to improve my overall game. I train my jiu jitsu, striking and weight lifting a lot.

C.H.O: Can you walk me through your thoughts minutes before you fight and as you enter the octagon?

MB: I just try to think about why I'm doing this and, you know, I'm doing this to provide for my family. I've never been to college and such and I never really knew how I was going to give my family a good life, so that is why I do this. I remember my first ever pro-fight, I was backstage and I thought to myself, 'I've got to beat this guy, I will beat this guy'. This is, you know, my first pro-fight so I'm not really sure. I thought how the hell am I going to go on to get into the UFC?

When I got to the Ultimate Fighter finale, I thought 'well I've got to win this fight for my family because I need that contract', so I'd better win this fight if I want to get, you know, closer and closer. So I think about my family and the reason why I am doing this. I look at my opponent and think they are trying to take away from my family and you know, it sounds corny and a bit cheesy but that's just the way it works. I think, well I need to beat this guy, you know and my family is going to have a better life and this guy is trying to take it away so you know I just go at the guy.

C.H.O: Since the Ultimate Fighter, do you get recognized most everywhere you go?

MB: To be honest yea. I don't think I'm famous or anything, some people here think I'm famous but to be honest, I do get recognized a lot. I think it's a sign of a draw for the sport as opposed to me being particularly famous. It's just a sport I'm involved in that's getting bigger. But yeah, you know anywhere I go there are people who come up whether it's shopping or if I'm at the airport or just whatever, they come up to you and want an autograph and a picture. It seems nice. You know, I work hard so it's nice to get that recognition I suppose.

C.H.O: Do people on the street or at bars challenge you or try to get you to fight?

MB: No, I think, you know, I think it's completely the opposite. You know you get these so-called tough guys, you know. But a lot of these tough-guys know it's worse in the UFC, so I think they kind of know what I do when they come up to me. To be honest, I'd say it's a lot less, you know, they just want to come up and shake my hand and I think they know. They just want to come up and shake my hand and get a picture.

C.H.O: I read you have two children and you're married. Would you allow your children to participate in mixed martial arts?

MB: Well, I asked my son you know, what he wants to do when he gets older and he said "The same as you daddy, I want to be a fighter". So that's what he wants to do. You know, he loves it, I take him to Thai boxing and jiu jitsu on Friday night and he loves doing that. But I always say to him he'd better go to university and get an education. I mean yeah he wants to do it and I'm training him up now. I show him a couple of little things here and there nothing drastic and he enjoys it, you know, I'm just showing him a couple of little things that goes along. If that's what he wants to do when he gets older, well that's great, but he is going to have to go out and get an education and qualification to do something else. If he wants to do that, then unfortunately for him, I will train his little ass off so he's not going in there unprepared. So unfortunately he needs to be prepared for a long hard road.

C.H.O: Would you like to say anything to your fans about your upcoming fight or your website?

MB: Okay yea, I'd just like to say thanks to all the fight fans for their support, it's really overwhelming you know for a normal guy from a normal background. This sport and the fans really just blow me away, so thanks to them. I would like to thank all my sponsors at Tapout, Affliction and Premier Security. If you want to know more about what I've been up to you can check it out on my website and hopefully stop by and buy some official merchandise while you're there. www.bisping.tv

 

[RED HEAD STEVE]

yeah but wanderlei was able to knock Chuck down at least one time during there fight. Both fighters were throwing bombstho. I do believe Shogun has a legit chance against chuck. I don't think heavyweight would be a wise decision for chuck but If he wants to fight Big Nog then I would watch.

OH MAN THEM GUYS WERE THROWING BLOWS. IVE PROBABLY WATCHED THAT FIGHT 40 TIMES. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF CHUCK AS A FIGHTER AND HIS FUTURE IN MMA?

 

[heyzel]

Spider' Silva Angry with Okami

March 12, 2008
by Josh Gross ([email protected])

Rising off the deck, Anderson Silva's invincibility felt imperiled.

With scorecards reflecting Silva's first dropped round since joining the UFC, the Brazilian stalker stood opposite Dan Henderson (Pictures), as real a test as there is at 185 pounds, taking the advice of trainers with the attitude of someone meandering his way through a stick of gum.

Perhaps it's simple to maintain poise when truth has revealed no one can mess with you. Not right now, at least.

Henderson, some said, was the fighter to derail Silva's impressive run. It didn't happen because, as the UFC champ sees it, he was just better.

"He really wasn't able to do anything once he took me down, and that's what everybody was saying," Silva told Sherdog.com days after his title defense in Columbus, Ohio. "Standing up I picked him apart. I feel every part of my game was effective in this fight."

Arguably the best striker in MMA, Silva's length makes fighting against him as fun as running wind sprints. With an affinity for walking through guys named Franklin and Henderson and everyone else, it's difficult to put into terms what more Silva could do at this point outside of remaining dominant against all comers.

"I don't think there's really anything else for him to prove," suggested Silva's manager, Ed Soares. "They say well, he's never fought a jiu-jitsu guy. He goes out and submits Travis Lutter (Pictures). They say that he's never fought a wrestler. Well Nate Marquardt was supposedly the superior wrestler. He out-wrestled Nate Marquardt. Now he wrestled a two-time Greco-Roman Olympic guy in Dan Henderson. I don't really think there's anything else out there for him to prove, man."

Soares' analysis supports what most believe: Silva belongs atop mixed martial arts' pound-for-pound lists. Accolades have filled media columns since his latest win, yet the 6-foot-2 Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt brushes them away like recent challengers.

Asked if the soft-spoken 32-year-old champion from Curitiba, Brazil, feels he is the best in the sport right now, Soares, who acts as Silva's full-time interpreter, interjected. The question had been asked enough and he didn't want to bother his fighter for an answer:

"He doesn't consider himself the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world and he feels that the only time he'll be able to consider himself the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world is after he's retired."

Against Henderson it was thought the strong but slender Silva could be bullied into the fence, where he'd grapple one of the grittiest fighters in MMA instead of creating room to employ what UFC color commentator Joe Rogan aptly dubbed a "ballet of violence."

The American's constant threat of takedowns never really materialized. And even when Silva, now 21-4, was tossed to the canvas, his extended frame made it difficult for Henderson to muster a meaningful offense. The round ended and so, it turned out, did Henderson's chances for victory.

Searching for answers as to why Silva has made great fighters look mediocre since joining the UFC middleweight ranks in 2006, some have looked to the Brazilian's ability to hit and hurt. Already one of the most accurate fighters in the business, Silva seems to have dialed in his power.

Chris Leben (Pictures)'s thrashing was instigated by a handful of punches. Right hands from the southpaw ruined Marquardt's shot. Franklin twice waded through strikes to get his face rearranged by knees in the Thai clinch. And though he didn't seem to possess much in the way of leverage, Silva's punches scrambled Henderson to the point that he was forced to submit for the first time in his career to a choke.

Silva doesn't see the favorable results as simply a matter of finding more pop. In reality, he said, there hasn't been a noticeable improvement in that area of his game; perhaps it's one of the things he still feels he needs to work on.

The reason for his devastating success?

"I just feel that I'm watching my opponents and taking advantage of the opportunity much better than I did before," Silva says.

Too bad for a thinning lot of UFC challengers. Silva has already cleaned out the division to the point that he has made headlines recently by calling out Roy Jones Jr.

"All these boxers out there talking s--- how MMA fighters aren't technical, well he's willing to step up and fight them in their own game," says Soares, who notes that the idea to challenge the aging Jones was the UFC champ's. "So, if anything, he's not trying to say there's nothing to prove in MMA; he's trying to plant a flag for every one of the fighters out there in the world that fight MMA."

Could Silva even get Jones? Locked in a UFC deal, Soares said that would be up to Dana White, but if they had their way the fight would get made.

"I think he's a great boxer, one of the greatest boxers to ever box," Silva says of Jones. "I would love the opportunity to test my skills against him."

Yet Yushin Okami (Pictures) is a much more realistic candidate to be Silva's next opposition. The Japanese middleweight is 6-1 in the UFC and scored a disqualification win over the UFC titleholder in January 2006.

Silva's tone regarding the DQ versus Okami in Rumble on the Rock's 175-pound tournament suggests he is, at the least, vexed.

In their short time together, Silva flowed in the cage, shifting angles and closing distance at will. Okami, showing no desire to stand and trade, made no real effort to bring the bout to the floor, though he finally put it there and sat high in Silva's closed guard.

Scoring his only effective strikes of the fight, Okami looked comfortable on top, though as he'd learn moments later, there aren't any resting positions against Silva.

Swinging one of his king crab legs pasts Okami's arms, Silva planted the bottom of his right foot on the Japanese fighter's face. Okami fell back, obviously hurt. He would have taken more punishment had referee Troy Mandaloniz (Pictures) not held Silva back.

Okami was given every chance to recover, though even if he'd been lucid the disqualification still could have been warranted.

"The Spider" doesn't see it that way.

"I feel it was a cheap, cowardly way of winning," a pointed Silva says more than two years after the scrap. "People that were there saw that he was in the condition to come back and keep fighting, and he didn't."

Silva says he doesn't "really think much of anything of Okami," but the Brazilian was more poised when stuck under Henderson than he is when discussing the Japanese fighter.

"It wasn't really a fight," Silva describes the disqualification loss before adding that he doesn't want to talk about it anymore.

Judging by how Silva treats opponents he likes, such as Rich Franklin (Pictures), Okami should be careful. He is a quality contender and could provide an intriguing matchup for the UFC middleweight champ, but he may also find out just what Silva fights like when he's angry.

 

[heyzel]

Thiago Tavares Vs Matt Wiman

Sherdog.com has learned that a lightweight match-up between Thiago Tavares (13-1) and TUF 5’s Matt Wiman(will take place on June 7th’s UFC 85 in London, England.

Tavares told Sherdog.com the following:

“My manager, Alex Davis, just confirmed this fight,”

“I am very happy with the choice of this opponent because he is a tough guy who is coming off three wins in a row, and I think we will make a great fight for the public. I like to face those tougher guys, and I thought this is a great opportunity.”

Tavares last fought at UFC Fight Night 12, where he scored a rather uneventful unanimous decision victory over Michihiro Omigawa.

‘Handome’ Matt Wiman’s last fight was also on UFC Fight Night 12. Wiman scored a quick submission victory (rear-naked choke) over Justin Buchholz.

UFC 85 is scheduled to be headline by a light heavyweight match pitting former UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell against “Ultimate Fighter” season two heavyweight winner Rashad Evans.

 

[heyzel]

Is Frank Mir Next?

With the recent news that Brandon Vera will be taking on Fabricio Werdum in June, Frank Mir looks to be the man to benefit the most. Coming off a 90 second win against Brock Lesnar, Mir appears next in line to challenge for the UFC “interim” heavyweight championship.

Interestingly enough, not even Mir is sure that he has earned the title shot. When asked if the in over Lesnar by itself was enough to earn a title shot, Mir replied:

With the way the heavyweight division is - one more win (is needed). One more win against a guy that is near the top, and I’ll probably be there,” said Mir.

But based on the current status of the heavyweight division, there are no other current heavyweights in the UFC that can be marketed for a title shot. Unless Andrei Arlovski suddenly resigns with the UFC, all signs point to former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir going against Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira for the championship sometime this summer.

FiveOuncesOfPain.com

 

[heyzel]

The Ultimate Fighter 7 Will Feature An Interesting New Wrinkle

By Jason Perkins | March 11, 2008




Page 1 of 2: 1 2 Next >>
Confirming what we've all known for weeks, the Spike TV sent out a press release stating that the Ultimate Fighter 7 will feature a 32 fighters competing for 16 spots in the house. Each fighter will have to fight another fighter to gain entry to the house and compete for the UFC contract that's up for grabs. The 16 fights will be shown over the first two episodes with the winners entering the house and the losers going home. Below is the official press release provided courtesy of Spike TV
New York , NY , March 7, 2008 -- For the first time in show history, Spike TV’s “The Ultimate Fighter” will begin the season with 32 middleweight fighters (185 lbs), with the caveat that each fighter must fight his way into the Ultimate Fighter House. Season seven of “The Ultimate Fighter,” premiering Wednesday, April 2 (10:00-11:00pm ET/PT), will feature current UFC light-heavyweight champion, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and “The Ultimate Fighter” season one victor and light-heavyweight contender, Forrest Griffin, as coaches.

The first two episodes (airing April 2 and April 9) will include a total of 16 fights, either airing in their entirety or featuring extensive highlights. The 16 fighters who win will advance to the Ultimate Fighter House and the 16 fighters who lose will go home. The winning fighters of these preliminary bouts will have the opportunity to win a six-figure contract with the preeminent mixed martial arts organization in the world, The Ultimate Fighting Championship.®

“The new format will give us two incredibly intense episodes to launch the season and will weed out some of the guys who might not have the heart and desire that it takes to become a UFC fighter,” notes Dana White, president of the UFC and host of “The Ultimate Fighter.”

During the six-week taping of “The Ultimate Fighter: Team Rampage vs. Team Forrest,” the 16 men endure a grueling regimen of jiu-jitsu, judo, muay thai, karate, boxing and wrestling. The intense competition between the fighters continues after they leave the gym ?" at The Ultimate Fighter House. These warriors must live together, knowing that any day they might be forced to fight each other in the famed UFC Octagon™. The two finalists will square off in a live finale Saturday, June 21 on Spike TV, when the winner will be declared The Ultimate Fighter® and net the aforementioned contract and a cash prize.

Spike.com will have 3-5 minutes of exclusive footage from each episode of “The Ultimate Fighter” and an exclusive video sneak peek of the upcoming episode.

 

[heyzel]

Bigger challenges await Silva at light heavyweight

Silva, right, is steps ahead of the competition, but will he meet his match if he moves up in weight?
The thorough manner in which UFC middleweight champ Anderson Silva disposed of Dan Henderson on Saturday won't allow him to rest comfortably atop MMA's pound-for-pound list. He will have to up the ante.

At 185 pounds, Anderson doesn't just win, he dominates. Not one of his fights in the past three years has lasted more than two rounds.

And he won all of them, except one -- a disqualification against Yushin Okami on Jan. 20, 2006, for an illegal kick. For the record, Silva was winning that fight before being DQ'd.

The bottom line is Silva (21-4, 12 KOs) has been incredible. He has taken on all comers, the very best middleweights UFC president Dana White has put before him and demolished them all.

Two eye-opening wins over former UFC middleweight champion Rich Franklin and one against Nate Marquardt, along with heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko's inactivity, propelled Silva to the top of respectable pound-for-pound lists.

But something was missing. Silva needed a win over a marquee opponent.

Henderson fit that bill.

Silva, bottom, showed off his ground skills in tapping out Henderson.
Henderson entered the unification bout at UFC 82 in Columbus, Ohio, as the most decorated opponent Silva had ever faced. The reigning Pride titleholder promised to prove that he, not Silva, was top dog at 185 pounds.

To make his words stick, Henderson vowed to pressure Silva immediately and never let up. But looking at Silva from across the Octagon, Henderson had second thoughts.

He knew attacking Silva with reckless abandon would be foolhardy. That strategy would make him an easy target for one of Silva's patented leg strikes.

Silva, who is second to none in Muay Thai, also owned a 3½-inch reach advantage over Henderson. With proper spacing in the standup, all Silva needed to do was counter Henderson.

So wisely, Henderson modified his approach. He came out cautiously in the first, throwing a few punches before getting a body lock for a takedown.

On the ground, Henderson's tremendous wrestling skills kicked in. He was able to get a half-mount and eventually gain control from the side. From his dominant position, Henderson (22-7) landed several hard hammer fists and elbows.

While Henderson won the first round, he was unable to do much damage on the ground. And that was where he planned to win the fight. But Silva showed excellent ground defense.

Despite being in a defensive guard for much of the stanza, Silva never lost his composure. On several occasions he looked at the clock to see how much time remained. Little did anyone know that Henderson's time that was running out.

The second round was vintage Silva. He got caught in the first round and taken down. That would not happen again.

He would get some help in Round 2 from Henderson, who opted to be a bit more aggressive standing up. The two traded punches. Henderson landed a couple of hard strikes. But when he missed, Silva made him pay.

Coming out of a clinch, Henderson was stunned by a left knee. Silva then landed several punches. A dazed Henderson fell to the ground and Silva jumped on top of him.

"I'm not surprised I controlled him on the ground," Silva said. "When you train with the guys I do, you are prepared to let the fight go wherever. My jiu-jitsu is getting better every day."

Silva quickly kicked into jiu-jitsu mode and gained Henderson's back. He then applied a choke and Henderson was forced to tap out with 10 seconds remaining in the round.

"He kind of dazed me a little on the ground and got me under control," Henderson said. "I needed to control the standup a little better.

"I didn't pressure him enough. I kind of let him get his offense going while I stood there. I didn't execute the game plan well."

Henderson never looked so overwhelmed. He was totally dominated by Silva in that second round. And if Henderson can't hang with Silva at 185, who can?

Stephen Martinez

You'll never see Silva sharing the cage with Black House teammate Paulo Filho, top.
There are several good fighters in the middleweight division. A possible rematch looms with Okami, who stopped Evan Tanner in the second round on Saturday night's card. But he's just two fights removed from a loss to Franklin.

The only other viable middleweight is undefeated WEC champion Paulo Filho, who has made appearances on a couple of pound-for-pound lists. But Filho struggled in his most recent fight, a second-round submission of Chael Sonnen on Dec. 12, 2007.

Filho and Sonnen have a rematch set for March 26. But should Filho win impressively, a showdown with Silva is highly unlikely. The two are stablemates at Black House in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

"No way, it's impossible," Silva said after his win over Henderson. "We train together, so that's not going to happen."

To remain the No. 1 fighter in the world, Silva can't simply feast on mandatory 185-pound opponents who pose no threat. He must up the ante.

Silva is a very large middleweight and can easily move to light heavyweight. That's where the true tests await.

At 205 pounds, Silva would have his pick of the litter: UFC champion Quinton Jackson, rising star Forrest Griffin and veteran Chuck Liddell all call the division home. To his credit, Silva doesn't rule out a possible move upward.

"I will face anybody," Silva said. "If the UFC wants me to move up in weight and that's the fight the fans want, I will do it."

Franklin McNeil covers boxing and mixed martial arts for The Star-Ledger in Newark, N.J.