The spearhead of the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s first trip to Massachusetts is rapidly taking shape.
The promotion is already targeting co-headlining fights for an as-yet-unnamed pay-per-view event – potentially UFC 118 – expected to take place Aug. 29 at the TD Garden in Boston, MMAjunkie.com has learned from sources close to the event.
A headliner and rematch between new UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar and ex-champ B.J. Penn, as well as a co-headliner between top lightweight contender Kenny Florian and Gray Maynard, are both under heavy consideration. However, the health status of a few fighters could affect the plans.
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Dan Hardy: GSP Is An Athlete Not A Fighter
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The learning curve in MMA is a tough road to walk sometimes.
British fighter Dan Hardy treaded on that very path at UFC 111 when he faced welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre and lost by unanimous decision after a five round fight. No one questioned Hardy’s heart after the fight, but he admits it was tough to swallow.
Staying in the United States for a few months after the fight, Hardy spoke candidly with MMAWeekly Radio about the fight with GSP, and how he looks back on the bout just a couple of weeks later.
Admitting that he only went back to watch the fight once, Hardy believes that St-Pierre did play it safe, but it doesn’t matter because he got the win.
“He obviously didn’t want to take any risks in the fight, fair enough. He’s got a lot riding on the fight, that’s fair enough,” said Hardy. “There’s winning, and ‘winning’ and no disrespect to Georges, but that’s not how I would want to win a fight. But he got the job done and that’s why he’s got the belt and I haven’t.”
GSP did lock up a Kimura during the fight that saw the British fighter’s arm go in a direction that no one’s should, and Hardy even let out a scream in pain when the Canadian was twisting and turning the hold. Still, there was never a thought to give up.
“I’m just stubborn. That’s about 98 percent of my ground game is stubbornness,” said Hardy. “He got me in the position, and I knew it was coming as soon as he got a hand on my wrist. It’s a position that he likes and I knew as soon as he felt like he got a lock on the arm, he was going to try and wrench it around my back. I’ve got a really flexible shoulder, or at least I have now, but I’m fine. It wasn’t something that was going to get me to tap, that’s for sure.”
From MMAWeekly – Click here for full article
Chael Sonnen is optimistic he’ll get to fight middleweight champion Anderson Silva. But he also says he’s a bit worried that it won’t happen.
“I don’t know if Anderson’s going to accept,” Sonnen told MMAjunkie.com.
UFC president Dana White on Wednesday told Jim Rome that Silva and Sonnen will face off in what would be the champions’s seventh consecutive title defense. But there’s a twist: after another lackluster fight against Demian Maia this past Saturday, Silva must deliver excitement or risk being cut from the organization.
From MMAJunkie – Click here for full article
Bobby Lashley Likely Returning In May Or June
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The card for the upcoming Strikeforce event in Nashville has been filled. Conspicuous in his absence from the roster is WWE Superstar turned fighter Bobby Lashley, who was originally planned for the promotion’s return to CBS.
Lashley, who trains out of his own American Top Team gym in Colorado, underwent nasal surgery that pushed back his training camp, and according to Strikeforce president Scott Coker, they decided it was best to let him recover and fight another day.
“We had hoped he was going to be on the card in the very beginning, and as we were getting closer to the fight, he had to have a surgery procedure, and I just don’t think the timing was right,” said Coker
Working with ATT in Florida for past fights, Lashley was simply not able to put a full camp together around his surgery. Coker believes that if timing works out, Lashley will end up on either of two events planned for May and June.
“We both agreed maybe it would be best for everybody, and us waiting until the next one or the one after and see how it goes,” said Coker. “Cause he didn’t have a chance to go back to ATT and go train and do it properly because of his surgery procedure, so when I found out it was affecting his training we both felt maybe it was the best thing to pass.”
From MMAWeekly – Click here for full article
Edgar-Penn Rematch in Works for Late Summer / Fall
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A rematch of last Saturday’s UFC 112 lightweight championship tilt between Frankie Edgar and B.J. Penn is looking likely for late summer or fall.
Representatives in both fighters’ camps told Sherdog.com on Tuesday that UFC officials have approached both sides to lock down a second bout between the lightweight fighters. No date or venue has been solidified yet. Edgar earned a unanimous decision over Penn at UFC 112 on April 10 in Abu Dhabi, U.A.E., to become the promotion’s lightweight champion.
Edgar’s victory, which delivered Penn his first loss in the 155-pound division since 2002, did not come without controversy. Both the media and fans were split on the bout’s outcome, as the 28-year-old New Jersey fighter was awarded 50-45, 48-47 and 49-46 scores in a tight contest some thought Penn had won.
Edgar told the Sherdog Radio Network’s “It’s Time” show host Bruce Buffer on Tuesday that he’d agree to the rematch.
“If anybody’s earned a rematch, it’s B.J.,” said Edgar. “He’s a legend at 155. I’m ready for it if that’s definitely going to happen. I’m the champion. I don’t get to pick who I fight; they tell me who I fight.”
From Sherdog.com – Click here for full article
Ed Soares is again stuck between a rock and a hard place.
He understands fans who wish UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva would have finished Demian Maia during the main event of UFC 112. He does, too. He doesn’t excuse the lack of action.
On the other hand, he’s Silva’s friend and manager and has a duty to understand – and to a certain degree, defend – the champion’s actions this past Saturday night at Concert Arena on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
From MMAJunkie – Click here for full article
The Ultimate Fighting Championship today announced the full card for UFC 115. But there’s one loose end that needs to be tied up: Thiago Alves vs. Jon Fitch.
The promotion did not announce the long-awaited rematch because the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board has not yet cleared Alves, who was suspended two days before a scheduled meeting with Fitch at March’s UFC 111 event due to a failed CT scan and subsequent brain surgery, to fight.
Alves will return to New York April 21 to get medical clearance to fight Fitch on June 12. If all goes well, an official UFC announcement will follow.
From MMAJunkie – Click here for full article
Shields The First Step In Hendo’s Grand Plan
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Just when it looked like Dan Henderson would be fighting Anderson Silva for the UFC middleweight title, contract negotiations kicked into high gear, and in the end the former Pride champion decided to move on and sign with Strikeforce instead.
Henderson will still get his title shot at 185 pounds, except this time he’ll face Jake Shields on April 17 in Nashville, Tenn.
Coming into the fight with Shields, Henderson is a big favorite in the betting lines, but he knows that anytime you face a fighter everyone expects you to beat, the unexpected can surely happen.
“Jake’s dangerous and I’m not taking him lightly at all,” said Henderson on MMAWeekly Radio recently. “I just need to make sure that I’m still implementing my game plan, and going out there and trying to beat him up, and not getting taken down and humped to death, still be exciting. It’s still a challenge of a fight for me, I’m looking forward to it.”
When Henderson references Shields “humping” him to death, he’s eluding back to the fight the champion had with Jason “Mayhem” Miller last year to win the title. Shields controlled the action for all five rounds en route to a unanimous decision win.
“I wasn’t surprised at all at the outcome,” Henderson said about Shields vs. Miller. “Jake’s good at taking guys down and controlling them, and Mayhem doesn’t have the best takedown defense.”
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WEC: Henderson vs Cerrone Rematch – Video
By · CommentsLast year these two fighters went at it for 5 gritty, battle-filled rounds. Now, they will get to do it all over again. Don’t miss Aldo vs Faber Live on Pay-Per-View on Apr. 24th at 7pm PT/10 pm ET.
Sherdog.com’s Pound-for-Pound Top 10 Update
By · CommentsThis is an unexpected update, to say the least.
After all, UFC 112 was supposed to be fairly status quo, marked by two straightforward and easy title defenses for pound-for-pound stars Anderson Silva and B.J. Penn. In actuality, “The Spider” turned in a positively surreal performance, which sparked enormous debate over his psyche, desire to compete and status as the sport’s top fighter. As for Penn, a more-competitive-than-expected bout with Frankie Edgar went from pleasantly surprising to all-out shocking when “The Prodigy” lost a unanimous decision on the scorecards.
Penn’s fall makes the lightweight division vastly more intriguing in the immediate future. For the first time in quite a while, there arises a legitimate debate as to who can call himself the true king of a particular weight class. Better still, three of these pound-for-pound entrants are in action in the next two weeks, including Dream lightweight champion Shinya Aoki, who meets Gilbert Melendez for the Strikeforce crown on April 17. Will we get lightweight clarity in Nashville, Tenn.?
From Sherdog.com – Click here for full list
Fabricio Werdum Expects To Fight Fedor
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Once he signed on with Strikeforce, it seemed that Fedor Emelianenko had found a home, but lately, questions have swirled around the Russian crusher.
First he was expected to be on Strikeforce’s upcoming return to CBS. Then he was not. He was set to face Fabricio Werdum. Then he was not. He was renewing talks with the UFC. Then he was not.
Just what is going on with the world’s number one ranked heavyweight?
That’s a good question.
Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker told MMAWeekly.com recently, “We have a date in June on hold for him, and we’re hoping we work things out where he can come fight that fight.”
So it seemed, at least, that Fedor’s opponent, should he finalize negotiations with Strikeforce, was set. But even that was put under a cloud of speculation after Fedor reportedly spoke with the media this past weekend, saying Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva might be another option for him.
“I have no intentions leaving M-1 Global,” Fedor said at an M-1 Selection press conference last weekend, according to LowKick.com. “We have a very good partnership, so I don’t see any reasons why I should break-up my current deal with that organization. My next opponent will be Fabricio Werdum. We are currently negotiating with his team, but if something goes wrong we will try to reach an agreement with Antonio Silva.”
From MMAWeekly – Click here for full article
“The Ultimate Fighter 11″ coach Chuck Liddell will fight fellow UFC legend Rich Franklin in the main event of UFC 115, after all.
MMAjunkie.com first reported earlier this month that Liddell, who originally was slated to fight fellow “TUF 11″ coach Tito Ortiz at the June 12 show at Vancouver’s GM Place, will instead fight replacement coach Franklin.
However, UFC president Dana White initially denied the report and said he instead planned to pit Franklin against Randy Couture. But later, he said fans simply would need to tune into “TUF 11″ to see what happens.
From MMAJunkie – Click here for full article
UFC 112 – “Anderson Silva Does Not Deserve GSP”
By · CommentsA pissed off Dana White talking at the UFC 112 post-fight press conference…
UFC 112: Interview Ed Soares
By · CommentsKimura.se managed to get a video interview with Anderson Silva’s manager Ed Soares…
Matt Hughes Not Riding Into The Sunset Yet
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It’s inevitable in sports. When an athlete hits a certain again the question comes time and again about calling it quits.
Despite a dominating performance over an again foe on Saturday night at UFC 112, the question was once again fired at 36-year-old Matt Hughes.
He is easily one of the most decorated champions in UFC history, a shoe-in for the promotion’s Hall of Fame, but Hughes certainly doesn’t sound as if he’s ready to ride off into the sunset.
“I have three more fights on my contract. I don’t know how long I’m gonna stay fighting. I’m 36 years old. I’ve had a lot of changes over the last five years, but I still love to compete and I still love going to the gym,” said the two-time welterweight champion. “As long as I still love to compete in the Octagon and as long as I still enjoy working out, I’ll still be here.”
From MMAWeekly - Click here for full article
Shields Not Short On Motivation For Hendo
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Marketing and advertising are an important part of any successful business plan. Strikeforce forging an alliance with CBS, and having ads run during the popular NCAA March Madness games was a perfect example of tying in commercials aimed at the right demographic.
One piece of the puzzle that was placed strategically in the ads was new Strikeforce middleweight signee Dan Henderson, but conspicuous by his absence was middleweight champion Jake Shields, Henderson’s debut opponent.
The ads running have been almost exclusively for Henderson’s debut, and the champion hasn’t seen near as many commercials with his face or even his name running beside Henderson’s.
“I haven’t seen that much of it, but I keep hearing it’s pretty much all pushed towards Dan,” said Shields when appearing on MMAWeekly Radio. “I think it’s a little unfair, me being the champ and all, but I’m not worried about it too much.”
From MMAWeekly – Click here for full article
Dana White ‘Embarrassed’ By Anderson Silva At UFC 112
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Hughes Now 2 For 2 Against Gracie Family
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Former UFC welterweight champion Matt Hughes made it 2 for 2 against the Gracie family on Saturday in Abu Dhabi as he decided to out strike Renzo Gracie for three round, punishing the Brazilian with leg kicks before blasting him with punches to end it late in the fight.
Two ground fighters stepped into the octagon at UFC 112, but a stand-up fight broke out with both Hughes and Gracie deciding to stand instead of ever hitting the mat during the bout.
The early going showed a strong counter attack from Renzo Gracie, who tried to time Hughes and catch him with punches, but never connected with anything heavy. On the other side, Hughes employed a disciplined striking attack centered around leg kicks that punished the Brazilian’s legs at every turn.
By the third round, Gracie’s legs were like rubber as he started to wear out and fell to his back a couple times in the round as Hughes continued to blast away at his lead leg. Hughes knew Gracie was fading so he stepped in and threw heavy uppercuts, as Gracie wilted under the pressure and referee Herb Dean stopped the fight.
“I was actually pretty happy,” said Hughes about his performance. “I knew Renzo came in throwing strong, wide looping punches, so I tried to stay in tight, move away and just do things real simple.”
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Edgar Shocks Penn; Silva Plays with Maia
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A man who had been urged by many to drop to 145 pounds ended the reign of the sport’s most dominant lightweight Saturday in the co-main event of UFC 112 at the Ferrari World Concert Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Frankie Edgar used his speed, movement and a pair of takedowns, as he outpointed B.J. Penn to capture the lightweight crown. Scores were 50-45, 48-47 and 49-46, all in Edgar’s favor, as he authored what will undoubtedly go down as one of the biggest upsets of 2010. The decision seems certain to inspire debate in the mixed martial arts community.
“This is it. B.J. is the greatest lightweight ever, and I just beat him,” Edgar said. “I just hope I can be half the champion he was.”
Penn, bearing bruises under both eyes, seemed resigned to defeat as he awaited the decision from the judges. The 31-year-old Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt had not lost as a lightweight in more than eight years.
From Sherdog.com - Click here for full article
UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva is here to entertain you – or at least himself.
While lightweight Frankie Edgar earned one of the biggest upsets in UFC history with an impressive decision win over champion B.J. Penn in the co-main event of Saturday’s “UFC 112: Invincible” card in Abu Dhabi, Silva did his best to make the night all about “The Spider” in the evening’s main event.
Silva toyed with Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist Demian Maia early but was unable to finish late, and the champion walked away from the UFC’s first event in the Middle East with yet another uninspired victory.
From MMAJunkie – Click here for full article
UFC 112 Weigh-In Results
By · CommentsAll 22 fighters taking part in Saturday’s “UFC 112: Invincible” event successfully made weight for the show.
Yesterday’s weigh-ins took place at Marina Mall in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Concert Arena (at the Ferrari World theme park on Yas Island) plays host to Saturday’s pay-per-view event (1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT).
UFC middleweight champ Anderson Silva (185 pounds) and fellow headliner Demian Maia (184), as well as lightweight champ B.J. Penn (155) and fellow co-headliner Frankie Edgar (154), were all well within the limits of their respective title fights.
UFC 112 marks the UFC’s first trip to the Middle East in the company’s history.
From MMAJunkie - Click here for full article
UFC president Dana White has been especially coy in recent interviews when asked to address a potential signing of top heavyweight fighter Fedor Emelianenko.
White’s patented answer is recent weeks has been framed with a wry smile and usually consists of a, “I’ve talked to his people more recently than you would think,” followed with a gaze that suggests he knows far more than he’s willing to let on.
But Emelianenko’s M-1 Global reps remain steadfast in their denial of any contact with White and insist that settling their minor differences with Strikeforce is still goal No. 1.
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Huerta, Warren Deliver At Bellator 13
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Bellator Fighting Championships kicked off its second season on Thursday night with a quartet of tournament bouts that certainly must have left the promotion brimming with promise for an exciting season.
Bellator went all out to land former UFC fighter Roger Huerta and he did not disappoint. Despite this being just his third bout in the past two years, he showed no signs of rust. He was taken down several times early by a powerful Chad Hinton, but he adjusted, taking Hinton down in the second stanza and softening him up with ground and pound for the majority of the round.
Hinton tried to overcome his visible fatigue, storming out in round three. He clinched Huerta from behind after the former UFC fighter missed with a flying knee, but Huerta rolled out of it. A scramble ensued.
Huerta emerged on top, dropping down hammerfists, but Hinton’s leg was served up for the taking and Huerta took it, finishing the fight with a kneebar.
“That guy was so strong,” Huerta later commented. “I was trying to finish by TKO, ground and pound, but I had to take the leg.”
From MMAWeekly – Click here for full article
Things didn’t go so well in Terry Etim’s first few UFC appearances.
Despite a “Submission of the Night” win in his UFC debut, the Brit went on to drop two-straight decisions to Gleison Tibau and Rich Clementi.
But since that time, Etim (14-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC) has reeled off four-straight UFC wins and looks to be one of the lightweight division’s most promising prospects. And at Saturday’s UFC 112 event in Abu Dhabi, Etim believes he’ll face his toughest test to date.
From MMAJunkie – Click here for full article
