MMA News Thread

[RM211]

Friend of Bellator's Maiquel Falcao remains in hospital following brutal beating

theres also a video for this, but i dont know how to post it, its pretty fuccin brutal if you haven't seen it...





Undefeated MMA fighter Kaue Mena (7-0) remains in a Brazilian hospital after an altercation that involved Bellator fighter Maiquel Falcao (31-6 MMA, 3-1 BFC) turned violent.

Falcao's wife, Danielle, wrote on Facebook that Mena's condition is improving after surgery, though "his condition remains very grave." She asked friends and loved ones for their prayers.

"Great news," she wrote in her native Portuguese. "Our brother Kaue has shown improvements. We are following his recovery. Glory be to God. We will continue praying in earnest."

Falcao and Mena were at a gas station this past Saturday when Falcao apparently got into an argument with a pair of women, one of whom he pushed away, according to a news report from a Brazilian TV station Band Santa Catarina.

A group of men then came into the store and began fighting with the two, and the violence spilled outside. Surveillance video shows a man hitting them with a piece of wood, and Mena falls to the ground after being knocked out by a blow. The men then punch and kick him repeatedly as he lies defenseless, and one returns a few moments later to deliver another kick to his head.

Both Falcao and Mena were rescued and taken to a local hospital. Falcao was treated for his injuries and released, while Mena was put in the intensive care unit at Hospital do Coracao in Balneario Camboriu, Santa Catarina, where he remains, according to the report.

Police are looking into the assault, the report said. The owner of the fuel station said eight MMA fighters assaulted his employees this past year.

A Bellator official declined comment when contacted by MMAjunkie.com (UFC blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps*–*MMAjunkie.com), but said an official statement could come tomorrow.

Falcao and Mena train with the Renovacao Fight Team in Balneario Camboriu. Falcao most recently fought in February at Bellator 88, where he was knocked out by Alexander Shlemenko in a bout for the promotion's vacant middleweight title. The loss snapped a four-fight win streak, which included winning the Season 6 middleweight tournament.

Mena fought this past month at a regional event in Rio do Sul, Santa Catarina, and earned a first-round TKO.

Falcao signed with Bellator after being released by the UFC in 2011. The industry-leader reportedly cut him after being notified of a 2002 assault charge that saw him arrested seven years later by authorities.

"In 2002, I was at a club with a couple of friends, and one of them had an argument with another group of guys," Falcao told MMAjunkie.com in December 2010. "They started fighting, and soon it became a fight between two groups. One girl got injured in the lips during this mess and took me and my friends to court. I was considered guilty for aggression."

In late 2011, reports surfaced that Falcao had suffered a heart attack, but the fighter said on Facebook that he had simply overtrained and would be back to fighting soon.

 

[RM211]

Bellator's Maiquel Falcao, Kaue Mena kicked off Renovacao Fight Team

Following a public brawl caught on tape, Bellator middleweight Maiquel Falcao (31-6 MMA, 3-1 BFC) and undefeated featherweight Kaue Mena (7-0) have been kicked off their MMA team.

Marcelo Brigadeiro, who heads the Renovacao Fight Team in Balneario Camboriu, Santa Catarina, Brazil, today issued a statement that said the fighters' behavior was not compatible with his team's philosophy.

Falcao appears to have initiated a brawl at a gas station near the team's home by shoving a female, which prompted several men to brawl with he and Mena both inside and outside the establishment. Both were hit with a wooden board, and Mena was badly beaten while unconscious, according to a Brazilian news report that contained surveillance footage of the incident.

Both were taken to Hospital do Coracao in Balneario Camboriu, as previously reported. Falcao was released, but according to Brigadeiro, featherweight Mena remains in a coma. Falcao's wife wrote on Facebook that the fighter's condition was improving.

Brigadeiro said the men that responded to Falcao's initial shove of the woman bear equal responsibility for the brawl and said their beating of Mena was "cowardly and criminal" in a statement released to Portal Do Vale Tudo. But he added that Falcao and Mena shouldn't have been in that position in the first place as professional fighters.
I, Marcelo Brigadeiro, in my role as leader of team Company Fight/RFT through this letter voice my official stance regarding the regrettable fight episode involving the athletes Maiquel Falcao and Kaue Mena.

Initially I’d like to make it clear that as far as my interpretation of the facts, I don’t believe any of the involved are innocent, all were wrong, in greater or lesser proportions. The actions of Maiquel Falcao which triggered all that occurred, despite it not being an aggression as many have characterized it, was disrespectful and not compatible with the behavior of an athlete. The reaction of the aggressors was in turn exaggerated, cowardly and criminal. Kaue Mena himself, who remains in a coma in the ICU at Hospital do Coracao (Coração) in Balneario Camboriu (Balneário Camboriú), also carries with him part of the guilt of what occurred; as a professional MMA athlete, he should not be on the streets at the hour of the event.

I also make it clear that the attitude of these two athletes does not reflect on the behavior of our entire team. We are known as one of the most successful teams in the world and also as a true family of athletes, good men of character, of exemplary behavior, as should be expected from true practitioners of martial arts. The attitudes of Maiquel Falcao and Kaue Mena do not meet what is taught by myself and practiced by my students, nor is it what’s expected by our sponsors and commercial partners.

I know that as professionals and practitioners of martial arts we should not and cannot be associated with night life, fights, altercations and the consumption of alcohol. We have the obligation to serve as an example to society and above all to children who see us as heroes.

Whoever knows me knows the immense love that I feel for my work and for my students, whom I treat as sons, including Maiquel Falcao and Kaue Mena. However, as master or ‘father’, as they call me, I must not and cannot close my eyes to the flaws of my 'boys'. Due to the aforementioned, it is with a broken heart and great sadness that I officially announce that Maiquel Falcao and Kaue Mena no longer are a part of team Company Fight/RFT.  

Lastly, I hope that this tragedy serves as a lesson to all of us. May we be aware how much a simple and unfortunate action can affect our lives in negative and permanent ways. May those who are starting in this profession understand that choosing to be an athlete is not the selection of a job, but that of a philosophy of life that requires self-sacrifice, discipline and obedience.
Falcao most recently fought in February at Bellator 88, where he was knocked out by Alexander Shlemenko in a bout for the promotion's vacant middleweight title. Mena fought this past month at a regional event in Rio do Sul, Santa Catarina, and earned a first-round TKO.

Bellator said a comment on the incident could be forthcoming today.

 

[RM211]

UFC 162's Mark Munoz sees himself, Belfort, Bisping in 185 title picture

lol @ munoz or bisping being in the title picture




Mark Munoz wanted to dismantle Tim Boetsch in the truest sense of the word.

He worked over his head. He worked over his body. He worked over his legs. He tried to wear him down. He tired to knock him out. He even tried to submit him. He couldn't get the finish, but the win came, and it was a big one – maybe even the biggest of his career.

And that dismantling? It absolutely took place.

Munoz (13-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC) beat up Boetsch (16-6 MMA, 7-5 UFC) at UFC 162 on Saturday with dominant ground-and-pound in his first fight back after nearly a year off with injuries and a depression that led him to take his stress out on food, ballooning up over 260 pounds.

But with the victory, he's got five of six in the win column with the only loss coming to new middleweight champion Chris Weidman. Munoz said after the fight that if former champ Anderson Silva doesn't want a rematch, he'd gladly step up to have another crack at the man who knocked him out in July 2012.

On Monday, he told MMAjunkie.com Radio (MMA Radio, UFC Radio - MMAjunkie Radio*–*MMAjunkie.com) in the breakdown of the new middleweight landscape in the UFC, he sees himself very much in the picture along with Vitor Belfort and Michael Bisping.

"After being out and losing to Weidman, and Vitor winning the way he did against Luke Rockhold, if I don't get it, Vitor should be able to get it," Munoz said. "Or me and Vitor might fight for No. 1 contender. Maybe Bisping is up there, too. Or I fight Bisping and we go for No. 1 contender. We'll see what happens.

"I'm definitely ready, whoever they want to give me, and I plan on wrecking whoever they put me in there with."

And "wrecking" is exactly what "The Filipino Wrecking Machine" did to Boetsch, though there were some competitive moments early in the fight.

Boetsch was a slight favorite in the fight against Munoz, which took place on the main card of UFC 162 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, airing on pay-per-view. And Munoz said he knew he was in for a test in his first fight back.

"I was trying to dismantle his body," Munoz said. "I hit him in the leg, I hit him in the hip. Even his butt. By hitting those parts of the body, when he stands up on his feet, it's not going to be the same. I even tried to hammerfist the side of his head to get him dizzy at the same time. But it's just a testament to who he is. He's tough. I knew it was going to be a tough fight and he was just going to keep coming."

At 35, Munoz established himself as one of the guys at the front of the pack at 185 pounds. The three losses in his career have come to Weidman, onetime title challenger Yushin Okami and Matt Hamill – a head kick knockout loss in his UFC debut in March 2009 that really can be chalked up to wrong place/wrong time as much as anything.

That Munoz was gone for a year after the Weidman loss might have had some people forgetting he was hanging around, but the win over Boetsch probably reestablished things for him.

"I was finally 100 percent going into that fight," he said. "Usually when I go into a fight, I have something wrong with me. I can't even remember a time where I was 100 percent going into a fight. So that was the real me going into the octagon, for sure.

"I'm 35 years old and I'm kind of just hitting my stride right now. ... I'm ready. I'm definitely ready to go for a world title, for sure."

 

[RM211]

Anderson Silva already 2-to-1 favorite over Chris Weidman in potential rematch

Former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva already is a 2-to-1 favorite over the man who just took his title, Chris Weidman, should a potential rematch happen.

Veteran oddsmaker Joey Oddessa on Tuesday confirmed the opening lines with MMAjunkie.com (UFC blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps*–*MMAjunkie.com). Oddessa said the line opened at -175, but within the first few hours already had been bet up to -200 for Silva.

Silva (33-5 MMA, 16-1 UFC) put his title on the line against Weidman (10-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) at this past Saturday's UFC 162. After a first round that saw Silva win on one judge's scorecard, but Weidman on the other two, Silva started the second by continuing a pattern he has shown in the past – trying to bait his opponent in by ducking and dodging and asking Weidman to hit him.

But right after getting hit and playing possum, Silva got hit with a Weidman left that put him on the canvas, and a few quick shots on the ground later his 16-fight UFC win streak and 10 middleweight title defenses had gone by the wayside.

UFC President Dana White said following the event that he'll be pushing for a rematch – even though Silva said Weidman is the new champion and he doesn't want to fight for the title anymore. A rematch between the two, White said earlier this week, could happen at UFC 168 in Las Vegas this December.

"There's nothing much to say – it's pretty simple," said Oddessa, who can be found at @mmaodds on Twitter. "We all watched the first fight and formed different opinions. In the first fight, Silva didn't fight intelligently. He got caught speeding with his hands down. If he fights smart in the rematch, he wins.

"I love Chris Weidman the man, the champion, the overachiever, the mixed martial artist, and New York wrestling alumni, but I don't like him in the rematch."

Silva was nearly a 3-to-1 favorite at some online sportsbooks for Saturday's fight against Weidman. But even still, in the leadup to the fight, those were the most consistently closeodds for any fight involving him since he fought Dan Henderson at UFC 82 in March 2008.

Some talk after the fight centered on a theory that the fight was fixed – that Silva took a dive, considering the way he played around in the octagon, encouraging Weidman to hit him, and the way he talked after the fight, calmly saying Weidman was the new champion and he didn't have interest in fighting for the title anymore.

White, of course, said such conspiracy theories are the talk of "f---ing idiots," and Oddessa agrees.

"There's been a lot of nonsense talk about fixes," he said. "Those beating that drum sicken me. I'd bet my life against it. The fight wasn't fixed. People look to explain the unexpected by conspiracy theories. No one threw anything except Weidman in the form of a left that landed at a perfect spot, and he put 'The Spider' to sleep. It happens. And no individuals or syndicate combined bet $1 million on Weidman. It's nonsense, just like many of the now debunked Floyd Mayweather wagers."

Silva losing and opening as a favorite over the new champion is not necessarily unusual. When current welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre lost his title to Matt Serra at UFC 69, he was a 4-to-1 favorite in the rematch at UFC 83 – and took his title back with relative ease. When B.J. Penn lost his lightweight title to Frankie Edgar at UFC 112, he did so as a 7-to-1 favorite. In the rematch, he came in around -250 – but still lost to Edgar, who went on to hold the title for two fights against Gray Maynard before losing it to current champ Benson Henderson, then losing the rematch, as well.

Oddessa said there will be plenty of opinions on both sides of the Weidman-Silva line leading up to the rematch, if it winds up happening. And considering the fight could become one of the biggest in UFC history, most analysts expect it that to be the case.

"There are tons of 'what-if's,' but if Silva played around and KO'd Weidman or beat him, people would be calling Weidman overrated," Oddessa said. "Silva's now the media machine's 'overrated.' As usual, hindsight will be 100 percent when they fight again, and everyone will have a strong opinion either way."

 

[RM211]

Chuck Liddell defends UFC fighter pay, tells critics ‘you picked the wrong profession

Grumbles about low fighter pay remain a thorn in UFC officials' sides, despite their best efforts to quell the ruckus. But if you're to believe one Hall of Famer, the discussion is much ado about nothing.

"Okay, look. I just had this conversation with a top-10 fighter, and he's saying the same thing. [Lower paid] guys have got to understand, this is a performance based sport, like all sports," former UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell recently explained to SiriusXM Fight Club. "You fight good, you win, you get paid. Alright? You're starting out, no one knows who you are, no one cares, you don't get paid. Period. It's simple. I mean, my first contract I was offered by the UFC, or my second contract, it was 1-and-1, 2-and-2, 3-and-3. That's $12,000 for the year. Don't complain to me about fighter pay. It was $12,000 for a year and it was exclusive.

"Everybody doesn't want to hurt to lower guys from getting paid, but it comes down to, it's a performance based business. You get good, you win, then you get paid. Guys are getting paid plenty, trust me. I got paid plenty, trust me."

Liddell, who currently serves as the UFC's Executive Vice President of Business Development, continued to defend the UFC's pay structure, then grew animated as the topic turned to the negative comparisons drawn between MMA salaries and the lavish, multi-million dollar purses pulled in by boxing's biggest stars.

"Everybody points to, ‘Oh, boxing these guys are getting [paid].' There's a couple guys that make these big huge paydays. That's it," Liddell explained. "The undercards don't make anything. There's bottom guys on some of those cards that are making $100 a round. $100 a round. That's $400 for a four-round fight.

"People got to understand, the fighters at the top are the fighters that are supposed to get paid because they're the guys that are bringing people in, bringing eyes to the TV, getting pay-per-views buys, and putting people in the seats. I mean, that's what it comes down to. You want to get that? Beat everybody. Be good enough. If you're not good enough to get there -- sorry. It's not a welfare state."

"You picked the wrong sport," Liddell said in closing. "Hey, you made a good run at it. You tried. Eh, try another sport because this one doesn't work for you."

 

[drunkaholic707]

theres also a video for this, but i dont know how to post it, its pretty fuccin brutal if you haven't seen it...





Undefeated MMA fighter Kaue Mena (7-0) remains in a Brazilian hospital after an altercation that involved Bellator fighter Maiquel Falcao (31-6 MMA, 3-1 BFC) turned violent.

Falcao's wife, Danielle, wrote on Facebook that Mena's condition is improving after surgery, though "his condition remains very grave." She asked friends and loved ones for their prayers.

"Great news," she wrote in her native Portuguese. "Our brother Kaue has shown improvements. We are following his recovery. Glory be to God. We will continue praying in earnest."

Falcao and Mena were at a gas station this past Saturday when Falcao apparently got into an argument with a pair of women, one of whom he pushed away, according to a news report from a Brazilian TV station Band Santa Catarina.

A group of men then came into the store and began fighting with the two, and the violence spilled outside. Surveillance video shows a man hitting them with a piece of wood, and Mena falls to the ground after being knocked out by a blow. The men then punch and kick him repeatedly as he lies defenseless, and one returns a few moments later to deliver another kick to his head.

Both Falcao and Mena were rescued and taken to a local hospital. Falcao was treated for his injuries and released, while Mena was put in the intensive care unit at Hospital do Coracao in Balneario Camboriu, Santa Catarina, where he remains, according to the report.

Police are looking into the assault, the report said. The owner of the fuel station said eight MMA fighters assaulted his employees this past year.

A Bellator official declined comment when contacted by MMAjunkie.com (UFC blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps*–*MMAjunkie.com), but said an official statement could come tomorrow.

Falcao and Mena train with the Renovacao Fight Team in Balneario Camboriu. Falcao most recently fought in February at Bellator 88, where he was knocked out by Alexander Shlemenko in a bout for the promotion's vacant middleweight title. The loss snapped a four-fight win streak, which included winning the Season 6 middleweight tournament.

Mena fought this past month at a regional event in Rio do Sul, Santa Catarina, and earned a first-round TKO.

Falcao signed with Bellator after being released by the UFC in 2011. The industry-leader reportedly cut him after being notified of a 2002 assault charge that saw him arrested seven years later by authorities.

"In 2002, I was at a club with a couple of friends, and one of them had an argument with another group of guys," Falcao told MMAjunkie.com in December 2010. "They started fighting, and soon it became a fight between two groups. One girl got injured in the lips during this mess and took me and my friends to court. I was considered guilty for aggression."

In late 2011, reports surfaced that Falcao had suffered a heart attack, but the fighter said on Facebook that he had simply overtrained and would be back to fighting soon.

 

[RM211]

UFC's Brian Stann added to FOX Sports South's ACC football crew

checc out brian stann tho...


UFC middleweight Brian Stann has been spending plenty of time in television studios lately, and his on-camera work will continue this fall – just not breaking down fights.

Stann will be part of the FOX Sports South football broadcast team covering the Atlantic Coast Conference. Stann will join play-by-play voice Wes Durham and Emmy Award-winner Jenn Hildreth.

FOX Sports South made the announcement on Wednesday.

"FOX Sports South is very excited to welcome Wes Durham and Brian Stann to our newly-expanded ACC football package," Jeff Genthner, Senior Vice President and General Manager of FOX Sports South, stated. "Wes is nationally recognized as one of the great football play-by-play announcers at both the college and pro level, while Brian brings a dynamic and energetic perspective to the booth. We are also pleased to have Jenn Hildreth return to the ACC sidelines, where she has provided informative and insightful coverage on FOX Sports South football telecasts for eleven years."

Stann (12-6 MMA, 6-5 UFC) is no stranger to the gridiron. He was a linebacker at the Naval Academy before serving in the United States Marine Corps, where he was a Silver Star winner.

In the UFC, Stann has dropped three of his past four fights. But prior to that stretch, he was on the cusp of a possible title shot at middleweight before a loss to Chael Sonnen at UFC 136.

"I am honored and excited for this opportunity with FOX Sports South," Stann stated. "I am a lifelong fan of college football and feel so fortunate to be a part of ACC football."

Stann has become a fixture in the analyst's chair for FUEL TV and FOX on pre- and post-fight UFC shows, which is no doubt where his on-camera skills were recognized by the FOX Sports brass.

Stann most recently fought in Japan in March, where he was knocked out by Wanderlei Silva in the second round of that card's "Fight of the Night." The former WEC light heavyweight champion has three "Fight of the Night" wins in the UFC.

FOX Sports South will broadcast 17 regular-season ACC games starting Aug. 31. FOX Sports South is part of a set of FOX Sports regional networks that reach more than 13 million households.

 

[RM211]

Matt Mitrione injured, UFC on FOX 8 fight with Brendan Schaub put on hold

The little beef between Matt Mitrione and Brendan Schaub will have to be put on hold for a while.

An injury to Mitrione (6-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) has forced him out of his fight with Schaub (9-3 MMA, 5-3), which was set for the preliminary card of UFC on FOX 8 later this month. With Mitrione's injury, Schaub will be removed from the card without a new opponent.

Sources close to the fight confirmed the news to MMAjunkie.com (UFC blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps*–*MMAjunkie.com), saying the hope is that it will merely be pushed back and not canceled entirely. MMA Fighting first reported the news.

UFC on FOX 8 takes place July 27 at KeyArena in Seattle. The card is headlined by a main event flyweight title fight between Demetrious Johnson and top contender John Moraga. The main card airs on FOX following prelims on FX and Facebook.

Mitrione and Schaub, housemates on Season 10 of "The Ultimate Fighter," the heavyweight edition of the show, have been going back and forth on Twitter in a newly established grudge – mild as it may be.

Mitrione was going after his second straight win after back-to-back losses, his first setbacks as a pro. At UFC on FUEL TV 9 in February, he knocked out Philip De Fries in just 19 seconds. But two days later, he ran into a little trouble when he called transgender fighter Fallon Fox a "lying, sick, sociopathic, disgusting freak." That got him a temporary suspension and a fine by the UFC. But that suspension was lifted when the fight with Schaub was announced.

Schaub is looking to build on the strength of a UFC 157 win over Lavar Johnson. He previously had dropped back-to-back fights with first-round knockout losses to Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Ben Rothwell.

 

[RM211]

Daron Cruickshank replaces Spencer Fisher, meets Yves Edwards at UFC on FOX 8

"The Ultimate Fighter 15" cast member Daron Cruickshank (12-3 MMA, 2-1 UFC) has stepped in to replace and injured Spencer Fisher (24-9 MMA, 9-8 UFC) and now meets Yves Edwards (42-19-1 MMA, 10-7 UFC) at this month's UFC on FOX 8 event.

UFC officials today announced the new booking, the fourth injury-related switch of the day on the FOX-broadcast event.

Featuring UFC flyweight champ Demetrious Johnson defending his belt against John Moraga, UFC on FOX 8 takes place July 27 at Seattle's KeyArena. The evening's main card airs on FOX following prelims that air on FX and stream on Facebook.

Cruickshank vs. Edwards is expected to air on the evening's FX-broadcast portion.

A 16-year veteran of the sport, Edwards made his UFC debut in 2001 and has since fought 17 times for the promotion. In between his multiple stints in the octagon, the "Thugjitsu Master" has also fought under the PRIDE, Strikeforce, EliteXC and Bellator MMA banner, among others.

Edwards has fought exclusively in the UFC since September 2010, posting a 4-3 mark in the promotion since that time. Most recently, he appeared at February's UFC 156 event, where he lost a split decision to Isaac Vallie-Flagg.

Cruickshank looks to bounce back from a March loss to John Makdessi that snapped a six-fight win streak for "The Detroit Superstar." Prior to the result, the 28-year-old had earned UFC wins over Henry Martinez and Chris Tickle.

 

[RM211]

Siyar Bahardurzada out at UFC on FOX 8, Bobby Voelker faces Robbie Lawler

Injury replacement Siyar Bahadurzada (21-5-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC), who took a spot originally intended for Tarec Saffiedine, has now also been forced with withdraw from UFC on FOX 8.

Taking his place is five-time Strikeforce vet Bobby Voelker (24-9 MMA, 0-1 UFC), who now becomes Robbie Lawler's third scheduled opponent.

UFC on FOX 8 takes place July 27 at KeyArena in Seattle. The main card airs on FOX following prelims on FX and Facebook. Lawler vs. Voelker is expected to air on the main card.

Voelker, perhaps best known for an entertaining trilogy series with Roger Bowling during the pair's Strikeforce run, made his UFC debut in March, where he dropped a hard-fought decision to veteran Patrick Cote, ending a three-fight win streak.

Lawler recently returned to the UFC after a long run with EliteXC and Strikeforce. At UFC 157 in February, he halted a 1-3 skid after dropping from middleweight to welterweight and knocking out perennial contender Josh Koscheck.

Bahadurzada had looked to rebound from a UFC on FUEL TV 8 decision loss to Dong Hyun Kim earlier this year. Prior to that, the Netherlands-based Afghan fighter posted seven consecutive victories, which included winning a 2011 Ultimate Glory tournament and knocking out Paulo Thiago (in just 42 seconds) in his UFC debut.

 

[RM211]

'TUF: China' debuts in November, UFC plans return to Macau, debut in Singapore

The recently discussed Chinese version of "The Ultimate Fighter" is set for a November debut. The series marks the start of a new, multi-year deal which promises "regular live UFC events to Asia," including sites in Macau and Singapore.

UFC officials today announced the plans, which include a "series of live events at both The Venetian Macau and Marina Bay Sands, the luxury Singapore property of Sands China's parent company" in 2014.

"We are very excited to announce these new partnerships with Sands China and Liaoning Radio Television," UFC Executive Vice President and Managing Director of UFC Asia Mark Fischer said. "With Sands China's support, we will be bringing regular events to the region, as well as the Chinese edition of 'The Ultimate Fighter.'

"This is an unprecedented initiative for any global sports league in China. With national distribution through Liaoning Satellite TV, we will not only develop the next generation of UFC fighters from China, but also introduce the UFC to millions of new fans across the region."

"The Ultimate Fighter: China" will be co-produced by the UFC and Liaoning Radio Television. The show airs on Liaoning Satellite TV, which the company said reaches more than 830 million viewers across China. The live finale takes place in March 2014 at The Venetian Macao's CotaiArena. North American broadcast plans for the series and the live finale were not revealed.

Interested fighters in the featherweight, lightweight and welterweight divisions can find full details and an application at sports.sohu.com/tuf2013. Applicants must be male, between 18 and 34 years old, have professional MMA experience, speak Mandarin and be of Chinese descent.

Tryouts are scheduled in Beijing on July 21 at the Lido Hotel and in Singapore on July 25 at the Marina Bays Sands. Coaches for the show have not been announced, though Cung Le has been linked to the project. "TUF: China" is expected to air over 12 episodes. As with other versions of "The Ultimate Fighter," the winner earns a six-figure UFC contract.

The UFC made its Chinese debut in November 2012 with "UFC on FUEL TV 6: Franklin vs. Le," which also took place at Macau's CotaiArena.

 

[RM211]

UFC middleweight Brian Stann retires from MMA to focus on broadcasting, family

UFC middleweight Brian Stann, a former WEC light heavyweight champion, has announced his retirement from the sport.

Stann (12-6 MMA, 6-5 UFC) exits the sport after a "Fight of the Night" loss to Wanderlei Silva in March in what will be his final fight. Stann confirmed his retirement to MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com); he made his official announcement on "The MMA Hour."

Stann will now focus his career on broadcasting and his family. On Wednesday, FOX Sports announced the Atlanta-area resident is part of the new Atlantic Coast Conference football crew for FOX Sports South. Since the UFC's broadcast deal with FOX began in 2012, Stann has been active as an analyst for both FOX and FUEL TV's pre- and post-fight UFC event coverage.

"Yesterday, news broke that I'm going to be branching out and doing some college football," Stann said on the show. "But a couple months ago, I had made the decision and just wasn't sure when I would announce it, that I was no longer going to continue fighting. So I wanted to use this opportunity to say thank you. The relationships and experiences I've gotten from fans and fellow fighters have honestly made me a much better person. I leave fighting having taken more from fighting I have ever gave."

Stann said a desire to devote more time to his family helped him come to the decision.

"There's a lot of reasons that have caused me to retire from the sport," he told Helwani. "But really for me, it's the best thing for me, and more importantly for my family right now. I'm still going to be involved as much as the UFC will allow me to be in the UFC, and continuing to be an ambassador for the sport. But as far as competing anymore, as sad as it makes me, it's not the best thing for me as a husband and a father – which by far is the most important thing to me. I sacrificed more than I gained, and it's time for me to focus on my family."

Stann, who attended the Naval Academy and played linebacker on the football team, started his pro MMA career in 2006. As a Captain in the U.S. Marine Corps, his tours of duty included time in Iraq, where his service during "Operation Matador" earned him the nation's third-highest military honor – the Silver Star.

During time away from the Marines, Stann trained and fought. His second pro fight was for the WEC prior to that promotion's purchase by Zuffa, owners of the UFC. Stann started his career 6-0 with six first-round knockouts. At WEC 33 in March 2008, he won the promotion's light heavyweight title against Doug Marshall.

But at WEC 35, not long after leaving active duty in the Marine Corps, Stann lost the belt in his first defense to Steve Cantwell – a loss he would avenge in his second UFC fight a little more than a year later.

Stann debuted with the UFC at UFC 97 in Montreal, but was submitted by Krzysztof Soszynski in the first round. He rebounded with decision wins over Cantwell and Rodney Wallace in 2009 before a loss to Phil Davis at UFC 109, all at light heavyweight.

But then "All American" went on a nice little tear after dropping to 185 pounds. He submitted Mike Massenzio for a "Fight of the Night" bonus, knocked out Chris Leben at UFC 125 , then stopped Jorge Santiago in the second round at UFC 130 for another "Fight of the Night" bonus.

That three-fight streak of stoppages earned him a crack at Chael Sonnen in Sonnen's first fight back after a suspension for elevated testosterone levels. A win there would have cemented him in the UFC's middleweight title picture. But Sonnen submitted him in the second round at UFC 136 in Houston, then went on to a win over Michael Bisping that led to another shot at Anderson Silva's title.

After a knockout win over Alessio Sakara in Sweden in April 2012, Stann lost a decision to Michael Bisping at UFC 152 in Toronto this past September. And in March, Wanderlei Silva knocked him out in the main event of the UFC's return to Japan on FUEL TV, giving Stann three losses in his final four fights.

Now Stann turns his attention to the broadcast booth and analyst's chair, where his UFC work already for FUEL TV and FOX has been lauded.

Along with his military service and pro MMA career of more than seven years, Stann is married with two daughters with a third daughter on the way. He also is the author of a book, "Heart for the Fight: A Marine Hero's Journey from the Battlefields of Iraq to Mixed Martial Arts Champion," his memoir of his service in the Marine Corps and first few years as a fighter, and his Hire Heroes charity helps military veterans find employment after returning from service.

 

[RM211]

Nick Diaz pays final installment of UFC 143 fine, CSAC awaits WAR MMA paperwork

Nick Diaz is settled up with the Nevada State Athletic Commission but still owes California following his first venture as an MMA promoter.

Diaz recently paid $19,500 to the NSAC in the third and final installment of a $79,500 bill owed to the commission for his second marijuana suspension, NSAC Executive Director Keith Kizer wrote in an email to MMAjunkie.com (UFC blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps*–*MMAjunkie.com).

However, he has yet to submit a final report and pay taxes to the California State Athletic Commission for War MMA, which took place June 22 in his home town of Stockton, Calif. A preliminary CSAC report said the onetime UFC title challenger's event generated a live gate of approximately $50,000, said CSAC Executive Director Andy Foster. Attendance figures were unavailable.

CSAC rules state that promoters have five days to submit the final report, which helps determine taxes owed to the state from the number of tickets sold and unsold, said Foster, who added he is working with Diaz rep Jonathan Tweedale to resolve the matter. Tweedale was unreachable for comment.

"He basically paid half of what he owes," Foster said. "It's not like he fell off the planet; he's been communicating. If they don't pay us in the next week or so, I'll probably have to move to plan B, which maybe says we might have to assess a penalty, but I have full confidence that they will pay.

"We thought he did a fine job (at the event). He's promoting the sport and doing a good thing. I'm pleased to have him here in California."

Diaz might be on the move soon if his Twitter account is any indication. After retiring in the octagon with a loss to Georges St-Pierre at UFC 158, which came approximately one month after his second NSAC suspension ended in February, he recently expressed his desire to fight again.

UFC President Dana White said he'd be happy to oblige Diaz, though his efforts to secure the fighter a hotel room for this past weekend's UFC 162 apparently went unrecognized.

"I got him a hotel room and got it all set up. And he never f---ing showed up," laughed White. "He's the best. Now I'm starting to think he's just f--ing with me."

Diaz paid his NSAC fine in three installments of $20,000, $40,000 and $19,500, wrote Kizer. The fine reflected 30 percent of his $200,000 purse ($60,000) for UFC 143, as well as the same portion of a $60,000 bonus ($19,500) he received for completing his press obligations for UFC 143.

Diaz, whom the NSAC first suspended for pot in 2006, is free to apply for a fight license in Nevada, though he would be required to submit a clean drug test.

 

[RM211]

USA TODAY: Chris Weidman believes Anderson Silva rematch will erase doubts

Chris Weidman is less than a week removed from shocking the world, and all he can think about is doing it again.

"I stress a lot about fighting," Weidman told USA TODAY Sports in an exclusive interview. "I want to be the best in the world so bad, and I want to always shine and look spectacular. I put a lot of pressure on myself to do that and work hard.

"I thought once I won the belt, I'd kind of have a weight lifted off my shoulder and could relax a little bit. Unfortunately, I can't do that."

Weidman (10-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) upset pound-for-pound great Anderson Silva (33-5 MMA, 16-1 UFC) at Saturday's UFC 162 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, ending the Brazilian's unparalleled run of 2,458 days as the UFC's middleweight titleholder.

Before the fight, Weidman was confident of victory and promised to offer Silva an immediate rematch. After scoring a second-round knockout, the new champ isn't withdrawing his offer. Instead, he's even more intent on beating Silva a second time to prove his worth.

"No matter what I did, even if I submitted him the first round or knocked him out in the first round, there were going to be people who doubted me," Weidman said. "I can't worry about that. I just have to go out and fight him again and try to win."

Silva, 38, was generally considered the world's top pound-for-pound fighter coming in. After the loss, he seemed hesitant to accept an immediate rematch and suggested he might be done with title fights. However, UFC President Dana White insisted he would put the fight together, and multiple news reports have indicated Silva had a quick change of heart.

"The guy just got knocked out for the first time in his career," Weidman said. "He's not thinking straight. I think he was just down and out and not sure what was going on. I'm sure it was a surreal feeling for him, so you can't just take what he says and run with it. But the rematch is happening."

Despite his win, Weidman has been installed as an underdog in the planned rematch by Las Vegas oddsmakers. That didn't matter much to the 29-year-old in the first meeting, and he said it also would mean nothing the second time.

"It's really good for anybody that wants to bet on me," he says. "Good for them. You can get good value on me."

White is said to be considering the UFC's traditional year-end event in Las Vegas or a Super Bowl weekend event in New Jersey to host the rematch.

Weidman said he was fine with either date and looked forward to the opportunity to hand a legend a second unexpected defeat. And he promised it would be more spectacular than the first.

"I want to be known as one of the greatest of all time," Weidman said. "You get there one fight at a time. First up is Anderson Silva again. We'll go from there. I want to dominate my next fight really bad. Like, completely dominate."

 

[RM211]

Chael Sonnen says contract expired, offers list of demands for new UFC deal

We've heard this bit from Chael Sonnen (27-13-1 MMA, 6-6 UFC) before, but if the self-proclaimed "Gangster from West Linn, Oregon" is to be believed, he's waiting to sign a new contract before his headlining bout with Mauricio "Shogun" Rua – and he's apparently got a list of demands in hand.

"My contract with the UFC has expired," Sonnen said during fan-driven Q&A session at this past weekend's UFC Fan Expo. "So I went to Dana White, and I went to him with a list of my demands because he's getting my contract together. He thought this was a gag, but I was being serious because it's not all about money with me."

Sonnen, of course, remains one of the UFC's most outspoken characters. He frequently claimed in advance of his UFC July 2012 rematch with Anderson Silva that he hadn't signed a bout agreement, but the contest went on exactly as planned. As it stands now, Sonnen is scheduled to headline the UFC's Aug. 17 debut event on FOX Sports 1 against Rua.

But if you take Sonnen's word, there may be a few hurdles to clear before that contest takes place. Sonnen said he communicated his requests to UFC President White via text message, and they include some rather interesting ideas.

"It says, 'Dana, my manager said you guys talked and are getting a contract together for me,'" Sonnen explained. "'I think you should be aware of my demands. First, Jello Biafra replaces Bruce Buffer as ring announcer. Secondly, every fight I'm in must be a No. 1 contender fight or a title match. If I lose, I get an immediate rematch until I win. No media can look me in the eye, or they will be removed from the room.

"'No. 5: Headset legalized through the commission so I can call my own fights. No. 6: No longer will I walk to the ring. I need to be carried. No. 7: Keys to your least favorite Ferrari – I'm not asking too much. No. 8: I can Skype or FaceTime my fights if I feel like flying. No. 9 – and it's non-negotiable: tell 'GSP' to stop being such a dick. I'll return his truck when I'm done with it.'

"See, I'm not all about money, people. There's more to these contracts. They're very sophisticated."

Sonnen's tongue-in-cheek demands obviously drew laughs from the crowd, leaving the exact status of his contract with the UFC in the dark. However, Sonnen remains one of the sport's biggest draws, and his on-camera work outside of the cage is valued as much as his performances in it. In short, it wouldn't seem Sonnen is going to be a free agent anytime soon.

So does he actually need to sign a new deal? As with everything the 36-year-old claims, you have to take it with a grain of salt.

"First thing to remember is when you answer a question, you are not under oath," Sonnen said. "I don't answer questions. I handle questions. That's very important to know.

"Secondly, don't ever apologize for anything. You're a grown up. If it comes out of your mouth, stand by it."

"UFC on FOX Sports 1 1: Shogun vs. Sonnen" takes place Aug. 17 at Boston's TD Garden. The evening's main cars airs on FOX Sports 1 following preliminary bouts on the new all-sports channel, as well as three prelims that stream on Facebook.

 

[RM211]

Josh Koscheck injured, out of UFC 163 fight with Demian Maia in Rio

osh Koscheck has been injured and forced out of his UFC 163 welterweight fight against Demian Maia next month.

UFC officials on Friday announced the news. Details of the precise nature of Koscheck's injury were not revealed. The card now will go on with 12 scheduled fights instead of 13.

Koscheck (17-7 MMA, 15-7 UFC) and Maia (18-4 MMA, 9-4 UFC) were scheduled to meet as part of the main card of the event, which takes place at HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro on Aug. 3. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on FX and Facebook. UFC officials have not yet revealed which preliminary card fight will take the place of Koscheck-Maia on the pay-per-view broadcast, though it is likely a featured prelim between Brazilian Vinny Magalhaes and Anthony Perosh will be elevated to the main card.

Koscheck has dropped two straight fights, including a decision to current No. 1 welterweight contender Johny Hendricks and, most recently, a first-round TKO to Robbie Lawler. Prior to that, he had won back-to-back bouts over Matt Hughes and Mike Pierce after losing a title fight to champion Georges St-Pierre at UFC 124.

Maia was looking for his fourth consecutive win and potentially the next shot at the welterweight title. Since dropping from 185 to 170 pounds, the submission specialist has won bouts against Dong Hyun Kim, Rick Story and Jon Fitch.

It is not yet known if the fight will be shifted to a different date and location, or if new opponents will be found for each.

 

[RM211]

Now healthy, ex-UFC champ Tito Ortiz considers comeback, hints at Bellator talks

lol...


Have Tito Ortiz's comeback flirtations ended, or just hit a brief pause?

Just one day after getting the media all atwitter about returning to the cage, possibly to fight in Bellator, the UFC Hall of Famer's message today was: "Don't count your chickens before they hatch! Damn time to look else where. #Positive."

Of course, Ortiz could just as easily be talking about a lottery ticket as a fight contract. But still, his recent messages are something of a departure from his role as a retired champ turned manager.

In May, Ortiz gave the impression that family was far more important than a return to the octagon, where he left the sport in July 2012 with a 16-11-1 record.

"As far as the glory, I don't miss any of that stuff at all I've been doing it for 15 years, and I still can't walk around without somebody asking for a picture or an autograph or just saying what's up," he said in an interview with MMAjunkie.com (UFC blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps*–*MMAjunkie.com). "Maybe at some point I'll get that feeling of wanting to compete again, but right now I'm pretty satisfied with what I'm doing with my children. My kids are my No. 1. My family, when I grew up, there was nothing there. I'm going to make sure my kids are No. 1."

But this week, the 38-year-old ex-champ gave strong impressions that he is prepared to play the field in a comeback to the UFC or its chief rival. A quickly deleted message even featured Ortiz at the steps of Bellator's office in Southern California, which is a short drive from Ortiz's longtime residence in Huntington Beach.

"Nice 2be a free agent," Ortiz wrote on Twitter. "Need 2make a big decision 4my future 4my kids future. Nice 2 have a great surrounding and 2be healthy.#Positive 7yrs."

With a history of flirtations with promotions other than the UFC, including a very close brush with the now-defunct EliteXC, Ortiz's messages largely have been met with skepticism.

And yet with his body apparently on the mend after multiple neck and knee surgeries, the fighter is getting back into the type of shape that could make fighting possible. Among his tweets was a shirtless self-portrait that showed he isn't exactly "The Huntington Beach Flab Boy."

"I'm just trying to get my physical being back together," Ortiz said in May. "It's been a long road of recovery. I started training a little bit, just lifting some weights to try and get my body back in shape."

Ortiz acknowledged the tug of competition looking from the outside in.

"You just see how good the talent is getting," he said. "Guys are getting so much better, and you can see how great the sport has become."

A return undoubtedly would bring attention to whatever promotion wants to employ Ortiz, who's a consummate promoter with more name recognition than some of the sport's current top fighters. Now, it's just a matter of whether he's serious about reigniting his career.

 

[:ab:]

wow nice post

goes to show that some mma dudes have no concept of what true martial arts is about

 

[drunkaholic707]

T.J. Grant injured, Anthony Pettis now meets champ Benson Henderson at UFC 164

Benson Henderson (19-2 MMA, 7-0 UFC) and Anthony Pettis (16-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC) will meet again, but this time the UFC lightweight title will be on the line.

MMAjunkie.com (UFC blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps*–*MMAjunkie.com) today learned from sources close to the fight and subsequently confirmed with UFC President Dana White that T.J. Grant (21-5 MMA, 8-3 UFC) has been forced to withdraw from a planned UFC 164 contest with Henderson, and Pettis has agreed to step into the open slot.

UFC 164 takes place at MIlwaukee's Bradley Center on Aug. 31, four weeks after Pettis' expected UFC 163 featherweight title bout with Jose Aldo in Rio de Janeiro. Injury forced Pettis out of that fight, but Grant's poor fortune now allows "Showtime" a chance to fight in his hometown in a bid for the UFC lightweight title.

The nature of Grant's injury wasn't immediately known, and it's unclear when he'll return to action.

Henderson and Pettis, of course, have a history together, as "Showtime" scores a unanimous decision win over "Smooth" in the now-shuttered WEC's final event to become the promotion's final champion. Henderson hasn't lost since, reeling off seven straight wins en route to claiming the UFC lightweight title in February 2012 and already racking up three successful defenses of the belt. Pettis, meanwhile, lost his UFC debut but has rebounded in style with three straight wins, including back-to-back "Knockout of the Night" wins over Donald Cerrone and Joe Lauzon.

UFC 164's main card, including Henderson vs. Pettis, airs on pay-per-view following prelims on FOX Sports 1 and Facebook. The evening's bout order has yet to be confirmed, but the lineup now currently includes:

Champ Benson Henderson vs. Anthony Pettis - for UFC lightweight title
Josh Barnett vs. Frank Mir
Clay Guida vs. Chad Mendes
Erik Koch vs. Dustin Poirier
Ben Rothwell vs. Brandon Vera
Gleison Tibau vs. Jamie Varner
Chico Camus vs. Kyung Ho Kang
Nikita Krylov vs. Soa Palelei
Tim Elliott vs. Louis Gaudinot
Derek Brunson vs. Yoel Romero
Magnus Cedenblad vs. Jared Hamman
Pascal Krauss vs. Hyun Gyu Lim
Ryan Couture vs. Quinn Mulhern

 

[InfamousICON]

After Pettis asked for the title shot against Benson, Dana White was all like