Author Topic: MMA/Fighting news-thread! (Read 41141 times)

Bluto · « **Reply #150 on:** November 28, 2007, 04:02:29 AM »

UFC 81 "Breaking Point" tickets go on sale starting December 5th (to UFC Fight Club members).

The event will be held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada (formerly scheduled for the Mandalay Bay Events Center) on February 2nd.

Tickets go on sale to the general public starting Sunday, December 9th at 1PM EST.

The only confirmed fight set for the card as of this writing is the mega-main event with Brock Lesnar's UFC debut against former UFC Heavyweight champion Frank Mir.

Fights rumored for the card at this point include: Nathan Marquardt vs. Thales Leites, Tyson Griffin vs. Gleison Tibau and Ricardo Almeida vs. Alan Belcher.

Bluto · « **Reply #151 on:** November 28, 2007, 04:06:46 AM »

"HEATH VS. GUSMAO SET FOR UFC 81"

Thales Leites vs Nate Marquardt CONFIRMED for ufc 81

Bluto · « **Reply #152 on:** November 28, 2007, 12:42:52 PM »

"Ruben “Warpath” Villareal, who last faced Jimmy Ambriz at Galaxy Productions’ World Cage Fighting Organization event on Nov. 7 in Hollywood, Calif., has been fined and suspended for testing positive for 4-Hydroxytestosterone according to Bill Douglas, a representative of the California State Athletic Commission.

He has been fined a total $2,500 and suspended for 365 days.

4-Hydroxytestosterone is the same anabolic steroid that Vitor Belfort tested positive for following his Oct. 21, 2006 loss to Dan Henderson at Pride’s American debut in Las Vegas.

Villareal lost the bout to Amriz via TKO in the first round. It was his 13th bout in the past two years. Known for stepping in on short notice, Villareal has a 4-7-2 record in that time span."

Bluto · « **Reply #153 on:** December 01, 2007, 04:50:37 AM »

CHARGES DROPPED AGAINST UFC'S DIN THOMAS

It was announced on Friday that prosecutors in Florida dropped charges against Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight Din Thomas after he was arrested in October and charged with organizing illegal fights.

MMAWeekly.com spoke to Thomas after the news broke that the charges were dropped and he explained the story of how his arrest came to be.

“I had a ‘smoker’ utilizing all my guys, all my students. If you don’t know what a smoker is, it’s basically just, even lower than, way lower than even an amateur event,” he explained. “It’s an opportunity where you invite your friends and family to come out and these guys get to perform in front of a crowd. So that’s basically what we do. This was the second time I’ve ever done this.

“So we had a smoker and the police came … there were police there, not on duty, but just there watching. Apparently somebody tipped them off that there were illegal fights going on … about six of them came. Four of them just kind of sat up and watched the whole thing and I kind of dealt with the other two for the rest of the time. They left and were like, ‘have a nice night.’ They stayed and watched everybody leave.”

Thomas continued, “About a week and a half later, the guys called me like, ‘we’re going to arrest you for what you did’ and I was like, ‘what, this is crazy!’ So then they came and got me. Next thing I know it was all over the newspaper, illegal fights are going on.”

Assistant State Attorney Jeff Hendricks spoke to the Palm Beach Post and reported that the state’s attorney’s office decided not to file any formal charges after a formal investigation.

The state of Florida currently doesn’t have a set of laws in place for amateur events for mixed martial arts and this is something Thomas feels is necessary for not only his students, but also anyone looking to propel to the professional level in the sport.

“There need to be amateur events. There’s no amateur events, only pro,” he stated. “So you have guys who want to fight that ain’t ready for the pro level yet … they cant’ fight amateur. We drive to Louisiana every couple months just so my guys can get amateur experience. Now it’s to the point where I want to throw my own events. I’m trying to get the laws changed in Florida and I’m going to see what I can do.”

With the weight of a long legal fight now behind him, Thomas can once again concentrate on getting healthy and finishing the rehab on his surgically repaired knee. He hopes to return to the UFC sometime in the first part of 2008.

Bluto · « **Reply #154 on:** December 03, 2007, 03:52:13 AM »

Report: Sylvia vs. Nogueira Title Fight Set For UFC 81

The following is a translated note from an article on Portaldovt:

"In first hand, the fight between Minotauro and Tim Sylvia was signed hours ago, and it will take place in UFC 81, feb. 2nd, in Las Vegas.

Randy did not reach agreements with UFC and the vague title will be disuputed between Minotauro and Tim"

Bluto · « **Reply #155 on:** December 03, 2007, 03:52:49 AM »

Former PRIDE Middleweight Grand Prix champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, in London for this weekend’s Cage Rage 24 event, told fans and press that he would be returning to the UFC Octagon at UFC 83 in April. The light heavyweight contender did not reveal an opponent.

Bluto · « **Reply #156 on:** December 03, 2007, 03:53:46 AM »

Chuck Liddell Seeks Advice From Motivator Tony Robbins?

[Tony] Robbins relayed examples from his work with tennis stars Serena Williams and Andre Agassi, as well as Ultimate Fighting Championship star Chuck Lidell.

“I just got a call from Chuck Lidell. Chuck is finding himself in a position where he’s famous, because his sport has grown in popularity so rapidly. All of a sudden you have a posse and you’re going out to dinner before your fights and not working like you used to. He’s not as hungry as when he made it. We’re just starting the journey with him to find out what drives him.”

Bluto · « **Reply #157 on:** December 03, 2007, 03:54:45 AM »

Jason MacDonald Confirms Fight For UFC 83 In Canada

I was told last week that my next fight will be in April. Joe Silva (the UFC matchmaker) told me they want to save me for the April card in Montreal.

I don’t know the date or an opponent or even if it will for sure be in Montreal. But he said he needed me on the Canadian card.

I was slightly disappointed to have to wait until April to fight again, but in hindsight it might be good because I’m pretty busy these days. I don’t even know if I can squeeze in a couple hours of training a day.

MindSpin · « **Reply #158 on:** December 03, 2007, 07:20:16 AM »

If GSP has the belt by then, it'll be a good event for Dana...

Bluto · « **Reply #159 on:** December 05, 2007, 06:43:35 PM »

Tim Sylvia Confirms He'll Be Fighting At UFC 81

I just want to apologize to everybody that i haven't been on my website or MySpace in a while. I just moved to a new house and don't have internet yet, because they have to run a new cable. So, I'm hoping in the next couple of weeks it will be up and running.

Just found out I'm fighting February 2nd, on the Super Bowl show in Las Vegas. I can't say who I'm fighting yet, but I'll let you all know as soon as I can.

Deer season went really well. I'm back in training now, been training for the last three weeks. -Tim

Bluto · « **Reply #160 on:** December 05, 2007, 06:47:42 PM »

“He [Fedor Emelianenko] is crazy. I don’t know why the guy doesn’t want to fight here. These are the best events. This is the biggest promotion. The guy could be a symbol here. He could have money for the rest of his life. He could do well with the promotion, with sponsors, with commercials, and many other possibilities. Japan is a good market, but the US is different. The American fans love the fighters. Everyday, people come up to me in the street. He needs to come to the UFC.”

- Former Pride FC champion Wanderlei Silva talks about his thoughts on Fedor Emelianenko opting to fight for M-1 rather than inside the Octagon. “The Axe Murderer” competed under the Pride FC banner alongside the Russian for almost five years. He recently signed a four fight deal to return to the organization is training for a fight with Chuck Liddell at UFC 79: “Nemesis” on December 29.

Bluto · « **Reply #161 on:** December 07, 2007, 02:37:31 PM »

A source has confirmed to Sherdog.com that standout 145-pounder Hiroyuki Takaya has signed a multi-fight deal with Zuffa-owned World Extreme Cagefighting. The 30-year-old Japanese fighter is expected to debut on the February WEC card, which is tentatively scheduled to feature a lightweight title clash between "Razor" Rob McCullough and Jamie Varner, as well as a welterweight title defense by reigning champion Carlos Condit.

Bluto · « **Reply #162 on:** December 07, 2007, 02:46:29 PM »

Matt Hughes new book ‘Made in America: The Most Dominant Champion in UFC History’ set for 2008 release

“If you know anything at all about mixed martial arts and the UFC, then you know the name Matt Hughes. With devastating slams and ground-and-pound — and nine championship belts to his credit — Matt is the most dominant fighter in UFC history…. Matt discloses his most private thoughts and feelings during both his epic victories and his crushing losses. But when the gloves come off, there’s Matt Hughes the man. He talks with unflinching honesty about his early hell-raising and his near-death experience, the moment he let God into his heart, falling in love with his wife, the birth of his daughter, and all the important events of his life — and he shares personal photographs never before seen by the public. A Christian, a family man, and a fighter, Matt Hughes could only have been made in America.”

The publication date is set for January 1, 2008, from Simon Spotlight Entertainment. It’ll cost 24 clams.

Bluto · « **Reply #163 on:** December 13, 2007, 04:10:49 PM »

All Access™ Wanderlei Silva with Rachelle Leah

Date Time: 12/28/2007 10pm ET/PT on MTV2
Event Type: TV

UFC® All Access™ Wanderlei Silva Hosted by Rachelle Leah on MTV2 - Go behind the scenes with Octagon Girl Rachelle Leah as she hangs out with UFC light heavyweight fighter Wanderlei Silva. See what's happening with Wanderlei as he prepares to fight Chuck Liddell - the fight everyone in MMA has wanted to see for years.

Bluto · « **Reply #164 on:** December 13, 2007, 04:11:32 PM »

The following are the official REPORTED pay outs to fighters who participated on the live finale of The Ultimate Fighter 6: "Team Hughes vs. Team Serra" on Spike TV, on December 8th:

-Roger Huerta ($38,000) def. Clay Guida ($11,000)
-Mac Danzig ($16,000) def. Tommy Speer ($8,000)
-Jon Koppenhaver ($16,000) def. Jared Rollins ($8,000)
-George Sotiropoulos ($16,000) def. Billy Miles ($8,000)
-Ben Saunders ($16,000) def. Dan Barrera ($8,000)
-Troy Mandaloniz ($16,000) def. Richie Hightower ($8,000)
-Matt Arroyo ($16,000) def. John Kolosci ($8,000)
-Roman Mitichyan ($16,000) def. Dorian Price ($8,000)
-Jonathan Goulet ($14,000) def. Paul Georgieff ($8,000)

Total fighter pay out: $239,000

Bluto · « **Reply #165 on:** December 13, 2007, 04:12:15 PM »

Belfort will meet UFC matchmaker Joe Silva on Wednesday, the Brazilian told Sherdog.com, and is specifically looking to avenge his last bout in the UFC, a split decision loss to Tito Ortiz.

"I want to rip his big head off," said a re-motivated Belfort. "The last time I had a back problem, and he just laid on top of me with a broken nose bleeding all over me and I tired in the last round."

But now the 30-year-old "Phenom" said he no longer has "a building" on his back, referring to a slew of personal issues, and has concentrated on improving his cardio.

He also explained that while other promotions, like EliteXC and M-1, have contacted him, he is more concerned with re-establishing his legacy in the UFC, beginning with Ortiz.

"I'm willing to fight him winner take all, the loser gets nothing," Belfort said of the former UFC light heavyweight champion. "He's a millionaire, he doesn't need money -- he has to have pride."

Bluto · « **Reply #166 on:** December 13, 2007, 04:15:43 PM »

It was announced during a press conference on Thursday, December 13th that "The Beast" Bob Sapp will fight mixed-martial arts in Japan for the first time since November of 2005, as he will work the K-1 Dynamite!! show on New Year's Eve.

His opponent will be a man who has only fought on New Year's Eve in Japan his entire MMA career, a total of 3 fights (2 wins, 1 loss) under the K-1 banner - Bobby Ologun. Ologun's last fight was his only pro MMA loss, to the giant Hong-Man Choi last year on New Year's Eve.

As long as Sapp isn't injured in this fight, he will have another MMA bout - his first ever in the United States as he makes his Strikeforce debut on February 23rd, fighting at the Tacoma Dome in Washington state.

Bluto · « **Reply #167 on:** December 13, 2007, 04:16:39 PM »

MMAWeekly: Ultimate Fighting Championship president Dana White has been quoted as saying, "I don't think Fedor is a top-five heavyweight in the world, and I'm not saying that because I didn't get Fedor. I've always felt that way about Fedor and I always felt Randy Couture would beat Fedor … Fedor is a farce." How do you feel about these comments?

Emelianenko: Dana talks a lot and uses words lightly. Let Randy Couture fight me. Allow this fight that everyone wants to take place. Me, Randy and MMA fans all over the world want it. The only obstacle is Dana.

MMAWeekly: What is your opinion of Randy Couture? He has announced publicly that at this point in his career you are the only fighter that he feels it is worth it for him to face in the ring.

Emelianenko: People want to see this fight and I want to meet him in the ring. I have the greatest respect for Randy and have always admired him. I am also thankful that he has such a high opinion of me.

Bluto · « **Reply #168 on:** December 13, 2007, 04:18:08 PM »

UFCs Chuck Liddell book ‘Iceman: My Fighting Life’ set for January release

“When I walk out of the tunnel, I can see the lights, hear the music, feel the crowd, but it all begins to close off as I near the cage. By that point I’m thinking, I’ve been training hard, it’s time to focus … Every man is born with a fight-or-flight instinct, and mine is to fight. It always has been.”

Snip from former UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell in the prologue of his new book that will be in stores in early 2008 for $25.95. “The Iceman” will get to showcase his fight instinct at UFC 79: “Nemesis” against former PRIDE FC middleweight champion, Wanderlei Silva, on December 29.

Bluto · « **Reply #169 on:** December 14, 2007, 06:43:15 PM »

“I’m not fighting for 6, 7, 8 months. I did everything I could this year, I tried to keep helping promote the sport, keep making it grow, but I think I didn’t get a lot of R&R. I trained through Thanksgiving for this fight, I didn’t even go home to Texas to spend time with my family. I think I’m going to take some time off. You know the truth is I need to finish school too. I fought 5 times this year and I think that’s the most anybody’s ever done in the UFC and I think I’m going to take some time off.”

Lightweight phenom Roger “El Matador” Huerta reveals he’s burned out from a frantic 2007 and looks to regroup after his epic battle against Clay “The Carpenter” Guida at UFC’s Ultimate Fighter Finale 6.

SinCitysmallGUY · « **Reply #170 on:** December 20, 2007, 12:03:29 PM »

RICH FRANKLIN IS OUT UNTIL JUNE WITH A TORN MENISCUS!

*ChuteBoxe* · « **Reply #171 on:** December 20, 2007, 02:34:40 PM »

IFL on HBO Latino done deal, details soon.

Bluto · « **Reply #172 on:** January 01, 2008, 05:40:06 PM »

Bodog Fight recently announced that the promotion would resurface on Feb. 1 at the Las Vegas Sport Center in Las Vegas.

Welterweight champion Nick Thompson will defend his title against John Troyer in the main event.

Thompson, who suffered a shoulder injury in November and was forced to withdraw from a scheduled bout in Indiana, says he's back to 100% and will be at his best for this title match with Troyer.

"From what I hear, Troyer's a tough guy," said Thompson. "He is undefeated and recently beat three guys in one night to win an 8-man HOOKnSHOOT tournament, so I'm expecting a tough fight."

Troyer, who fights out of Louisville, Ky., may be tough, but after knocking out the previously undefeated Eddie Alvarez to win the welterweight title belt last April and Cage Rage veteran Mark Weir four months later, Thompson is supremely self-confident.

"You'd be a fool not to bet on me," said the Minnesota native. "The fact this fight is taking place in Vegas on Super Bowl weekend just means that a lot of people are going to get to see me whoop his ass."

"Not necessarily," says Bodog Fight commissioner and HOOKnSHOOT founder, Jeff Osborne. "Troyer is one of those 200-pound guys who cuts down to 170 pounds, and he's a monster. He holds four different titles at middleweight, so Nick will have his hands full."

The February fight card will also feature a four-man tournament, plus the return of Bodog Fight's newest female knockout sensation, Kaitlin Young.

Bluto · « **Reply #173 on:** January 03, 2008, 05:04:51 AM »

“I’m not gonna come out here and be somebody’s highlight reel. It’s just not me. I just have to go back to the drawing board and see what’s going on, see what I want to do. I’ve got to see what my family wants to do and I’ve got to pray on it. Dana White and the UFC have treated me like family, so I’ve got to see what they want me to do and I’ve got to see where my heart is at…. Do I want to fight Matt Serra? Yah, I do. But am I going to die if I don’t get to fight him? No, not at all. There’re bigger things out there than fighting Matt Serra.” - Matt Hughes

Bluto · « **Reply #174 on:** January 08, 2008, 03:58:35 PM »

Since his last fight with Jon Fitch, not much has been heard from Ultimate Fighter season one winner Diego Sanchez, but he recently released some news about his next possible fight and at what weight class he would be fighting in via his official MySpace page.

Sanchez says that he is hoping to have his next opponent signed to fight by February, although he has no definite person in mind and will fight anyone the Ultimate Fighting Championship presents as a potential opponent.

He also mentions that the fight will be at 170 pounds keeping him in the welterweight division, dispelling the rumors of a move to 155 pounds, something that he mentioned as a possibility following the loss to Fitch in September.

The welterweight division in the UFC is still jam packed with talent. Opponents ready to face Sanchez should be at no shortage, and while again nothing is set in stone, the fighter is looking at a fight date in Las Vegas.

Opening his career with an impressive undefeated run, Sanchez has fallen on harder times of late dropping his last two fights, albeit to top-level competition in Josh Koscheck and Jon Fitch.

Now, the former Ultimate Fighter seems refocused and having signed on with Powermoves Entertainment for his management, Sanchez is ready to return to the Octagon.

Powermoves Entertainment also manages former UFC ring girl Ali Sonoma.