In this boxing video, Mia St. John talks about her WBC award and her thoughts on Ronda Rousey and if she should do Playboy. For more Boxing and MMA videos log onto http://www.fighthubtv.com Like us:http://on.fb.me/xWRC1f follow us:http://bit.ly/wACkIv Boxing videos! MMA videos! uploaded daily! Subscribe:http://goo.gl/vnzIbRalek Gracie Renzo Gracie Rickson Gracie Rodrigo Gracie Roger Gracie
Invicta FC returns Friday night with its 10th event, as Michelle Waterson defends her atomweight title against Hercia Tiburcio. The entire card airs on UFC Fight Pass, and you can prepare yourself for that fight with a replay of Waterson’s recent title defense vs. Yasuko Tamada from earlier this year. Check out the complete fight […]
The post Michelle Waterson In Action Ahead Of Invicta FC 10 appeared first on Five Ounces of Pain.
Source: http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2014/11/30/michelle-waterson-in-action-ahead-of-invicta-fc-10/
David Heath Delson Heleno Dan Henderson Josh Hendricks Ed Herman
Since UFC 181 will feature�Johny Hendricks-Robbie Lawler II and Anthony Pettis-Gilbert Melendez, it’s not terribly surprising that Urijah Faber’s next bout has gotten lost a wee bit in the mix. Of course, none of this means that Faber’s next fight shouldn’t be watched by all, as he’ll take on punishing striker, Francisco Rivera. In advance […]
Source: http://mmafrenzy.com/112577/ufc-181-watch-urijah-faber-tap-alex-caceres/
Takanori The Fireball Kid Gomi Akihiro Gono Gabriel Gonzaga Lyman Good Gary Goodridge
Megan Olivi sits down with UFC light heavyweight Phil Davis for an extended interview. Hear Davis discuss life growing up, his famous pink shorts and his bout against Glover Teixeira at UFC 179. Watch the full interview here: http://www.ufc.tv/video/the-exchange-phil-davisSource: http://mmalice.com/videos/ufc-179-the-exchange-with-phil-davis-teaser-video_hiklwyu6.html
Gregor Gracie Ralek Gracie Renzo Gracie Rickson Gracie Rodrigo Gracie
The main card for UFC on FOX 14 is almost set, as officials added light heavyweights Ryan Bader and Phil Davis on Friday. Set for January 24 from the Tele2 Arena in Stockholm, Sweden, the card will feature Alexander Gustafsson vs. Anthony Johnson in a No. 1 contender match. Also previously announced was a middleweight […]
The post Former NCAA Wrestlers Bader, Davis To Collide At UFC On FOX 14 appeared first on Five Ounces of Pain.
"My favorite is Gennady Golovkin...he's a good fighter...he always goes to fight. And I have shared training camp with him...he's a really cool guy...of course I would love to fight with him in the future," stated undefeated hard-hitting super middleweight contender Gilberto Ramirez, who exlpained why he's a big fan of undefeated middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin. Check it out!Randy The Natural Couture Dan Cramer Alberto Crane Marcio Pe de Pano Cruz Luke Cummo
UFC on FOX 14 has picked up another high profile, light-heavyweight fight, as the promotion has announced that Phil Davis will face Ryan Bader at the event. That card will go down on January 24th in Stockholm, Sweden, and will also feature #1 contender Alexander Gustafsson taking on the #3 ranked, 205’er, Anthony Johnson (which […]
Source: http://mmafrenzy.com/112561/ufcs-ryan-bader-thrown-phil-davis-next/
David Heath Delson Heleno Dan Henderson Josh Hendricks Ed Herman
"You'll see why so many Latinos fight, and it's not so much for the trophies or the medals; it's really out of necessity and one thing you can find on every corner in a hispanic town is a boxing gym, and that's why I started my foundation, El Saber Es Poder, because I wanted to change that to start promoting education in the inner cities," stated 3-time world champion Mia St. John, who talked about her foundation and the reasons why Latinos fight. Check it out!Hiroyuki Abe Cyril Abidi Daniel Acacio Bernard Ackah Terrance Aflague
Only UFC fighters themselves know what they feel as they walk into the cage, glove up and fight one another. One can only imagine that it has to be a daunting sense.
First time ?Octagon jitters? are almost legendary among debuting UFC combatants.� The lights, cameras, large arena, and quite conscious sense of how what?s about to happen is both an incredible career opportunity, after years of work and dedication, as well as perhaps the most dangerous and high-level fight you?ve ever been in, can doubtless make for an interesting brew of nerves for most fighters.
Maybe featherweight Charles Rosa (9-1) felt all of that, heavily, as he stepped into the cage for the first time on October 4 and fought top 10 fighter Dennis Siver (22-9). After all, Rosa had been thisclose to getting a UFC contract for some time, now, as a top prospect.
And when he finally got the call, it was to fight on short notice against a much more experienced fighter in Siver, on another continent, and after cutting nearly 30 pounds in one week. If Rosa felt the ?Octagon jitters,? he sure didn?t show it.
For three rounds, Rosa looked to be not just a top-level UFC fighter, but someone who was so at home in the Octagon, that he enjoyed every second of his close battle to Siver.
Rosa lost a close decision, but earned a performance bonus check and put the division on notice that he was for real. Perhaps he was able to look so comfortable, and even happy, while fighting a Hercules look-a-like on short notice because of how far he?d gone to get there.
Rosa, at just 28 years old, is a young man. He has already, however, lived plenty, and persevered through a lot already.
In fact, MMA may have very well helped him save his own life.
Ultimate Rehab
Charles Rosa is from the Boston area, yet he began his fight training down in South Florida. When we spoke with the featherweight some months ago, while he was still fighting on regional circuits and hoping to get a call up to the major leagues of MMA, Rosa revealed that it wasn?t training that initially brought him to Florida from Massachusetts years ago, but rather a drug rehabilitation program.
Rosa had experienced things many other young people his age had ? a sense of aimlessness, coupled with frustration and anger ? after losing both his first athletic love in hockey, and a beloved brother. Charles wasn?t doing a whole lot up North, and was eventually compelled to go to rehab.
Florida, he hoped, would be a fresh start. It became just that, thanks to a new sport for the man who would go on to be called, ?The Boston Strangler.?
?I was on the bus one day, heading to the facility and I saw a guy with a gym bag,? Rosa recalled, to us.
?I recognized it as a fight gym bag, and I asked him where he trained. He told me, and I decided to go check it out.?
Rosa had an uncle who boxed, and thought of himself as a tough guy, though he had little in the way of formal training. Still, when he walked into American Top Team black belt, and UFC veteran Charles ?Chainsaw? McCarthy?s gym for the first time, he sought out as much action as possible.
First, he unintentionally insulted Cole Miller by challenging him to spar. Miller obliged him and battered the rookie around a bit.
Most importantly, however, Rosa came back the next day. And the next, and the next day after that.
?I thought I was tough, and I was expecting them to say, ?good job,? or something like that. But nobody said anything, so I kept coming back and training more,? he said.
Eventually, Rosa?s diligent attendance in class did get McCarthy?s attention, and he sat the newbie down for a talk. ?He told me that he thought I could be good, if I trained hard,? Rosa recounted.
?When I first walked in, I knew nothing about MMA, so I didn?t know who all the guys around me were. Eventually, I learned that a lot of them were some of the best fighters in the world. I realized who I was working with. These were world-class guys and I was surviving with them, on just guts.?
Rosa took McCarthy?s talk seriously, and trained harder than ever, with the hopes of landing his own MMA debut, sooner than later. McCarthy initially rebuffed Rosa?s many attempts to have a fight booked, but there was a reason.
?Every week I?d come in and ask, ?do you have a fight for me?? And he would say, ?not yet, not yet.? Later, he told me that he had a plan for me,? Rosa said.
?They thought I could become a world champion one day. So, they wanted to take things seriously, slowly, and build a career.?
The planning and deliberation paid off for Rosa because once he made his pro debut, in 2012, he would rattle off nine straight wins over the next two years. More than that, Rosa had gotten clean and found a new calling.
?MMA kind of replaced hockey for me, I think,? he told us.
?This was something new that I loved, and got good at.?
To be sure, Rosa had a lot on the line when he made his UFC debut a week ago against Siver. More than that, perhaps, he was exactly where he wanted to be, and so he was able to look so fluid and confident against a savvy veteran, many years and battles his elder.
?I don?t think I could do a regular, nine to five job,? he told us.
?[MMA] fits my personality and temperament well. This is what I?m supposed to do.?
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To get you in the mood for next Saturday’s UFC 181 card, check out the extended preview for the event. Johny Hendricks defends his welterweight title vs. Robbie Lawler in the main event, while Anthony Pettis puts his lightweight strap on the line vs. Gilbert Melendez in the co-main.
The post Extended Video Preview For UFC 181 appeared first on Five Ounces of Pain.
Source: http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2014/11/29/extended-video-preview-for-ufc-181/
Don Frye Tony Fryklund Kazuyuki Fujita Masakatsu Funaki Zelg Benkei Galesić
Keith Hackney Matt Hamill Volk Han Joachim Hansen Antoni Hardonk
Source: http://www.mmatko.com/joe-rogan-experience-with-rory-macdonald-talks-metamoris-5/
Rashad Evans Urijah Faber Wagnney Fabiano Kevin Kimbo Slice Ferguson Paulo Filho
You look at a hulking pro wrestler like Bobby Lashley, and the tendency is to think you know the type. Of course, Lashley (11-2) isn?t just a pro wrestling entertainer ? he?s also an MMA fighter with a long and healthy career.
Hearing from Lashley the day before his Bellator bout tonight in Kansas against undefeated Karl Etherington (9-0), the former WWE star says there?s quite a bit fans don?t know about him. A sampling:
Lashley is a single dad.
?I don?t have the time to rest between workouts like many fighters do, because I?ve got to take my kids to the park, or the circuit, or the doctor. It?s great, but it takes a lot of my time,? he says.
Lashley is a vegetarian. Whoah.
Yeah, he?s got muscles, but he isn?t nearly as big as you may have thought.
?They announce me in pro wrestling at over 300 pounds and I just shake my head. People ask me, ?how do you go from 300 pounds down to heavyweight to fight in MMA?? I?m like, ?dude, I?m no where near 300 pounds.?
The fighter sticks around 240 pounds, he says. And, despite the bad rep big muscles often have in functional sports like MMA, the cerebral fighter says he trains the right way, for both pro wrestling performance, and competition.
?I just look really big because I?m pretty lean, and I have a lot of definition in my body,? he explains.
?But that?s because I know exactly what I?m doing. I eat very specifically, and train very specifically, so that I can have endurance and size.?
Here?s another point of clarification for Lashley ? he loves MMA. Like, really.
Whenever a celebrity professional wrestler gives MMA a shot, there?s almost always just as much skepticism about their commitment, as there is excitement. Lashley was a stand-out amateur wrestler before getting into the sports entertainment game, however, and says he loves the return to hard training that MMA has given him.
And Lashley has proven to not be a flash in the pan, and shown a willingness to work past set-backs in MMA. If his near six-year career, spanning many different promotions hasn?t proven that, he says that opening his own MMA gym should.
?Getting into MMA was definitely a transition period,? he admits.
?It took time to get used to it. But, I also loved it right away, because I loved the training. I love to train hard. That?s why I opened my own gym.?
Lashley appears to be involved in MMA for just that reason ? the love of it. He believes that, at 38, he?ll have more longevity in pro wrestling but he?s game for one last push as a competitor.
?I think my longevity will be more in pro wrestling,? he says.
?Would I like another 5-6 years in MMA? Sure. But that?s probably not going to be possible. That?s why I tell people that I think this might be the last run. I think I have one more run in me.?
Follow Elias on Twitter @EliasCepeda & @YahooCagewriter
Robert Berry David Bielkheden Michael Bisping Dan Bobish Vagam Bodjukyan
When Jeff Meyer first joined his brother Barry Meyer in promoting amateur bouts, he wasn?t altogether convinced that fight fans would pay good money to watch anything other than pros. A couple decades of filling venues later, however, and the brothers? Tuff-N-Uff promotion is not just a fan favorite in the Las Vegas area, it is also the top amateur MMA organization in North America.
As for how, exactly, that happened, Jeff is modest. ?To be honest, I think a big part of that is because we luckily have been riding the coattails of the UFC,? he tells Cagewriter.
?For twenty five dollars, fans can come to a Tuff-N-Uff event, at a nice venue, and watch amazing fights. Let?s face it ? MMA is usually a lot more expensive to watch, live. But it?s amazing to watch, live. Making a great live card, affordable, during a time when the UFC has grown so much, helps. Also, Las Vegas doesn?t have a professional sports team, and it?s historically been a big fight city. ?
An inexpensive product wouldn?t be worth buying if it wasn?t also a quality one, however.� Scores of talented and exciting future UFC fighters, including current world champ Ronda Rousey and former title challenger Jon Fitch, first went through the Tuff-N-Uff ranks.
Tuff-N-Uff?s expert talent scouting and matchmaking has consistently resulted in top talent putting on great fights in their ring and cage. Jeff says that, up until his passing in 2013, his brother Barry did a great deal of the scouting for the event.
?My brother did a lot of scouting,? he says.
?Now, we?ve got talent scouts who watch more fights than anyone, and who also go to local gyms and check fighters out, first hand.?
Jeff says that a big part of how Tuff-N-Uff is able to attract top amateur talent is the professional feel to its shows. ?If you put on a professional show that runs smoothly, it gives the competitors the feeling they might expect at the next level,? he explains.
?It?s also no secret that we produce top level fighters. Fighters often go from our events to big professional events. To me, the blue print is kind of like this ? Tuff-N-Uff as an amateur, then the RFA, as a pro, and after that, the UFC.?
Alan Jouban, a UFC welterweight who fights Saturday in Brazil against Warlley Alves, echoes Meyer?s sentiments. Jouban fought as an amateur in Tuff-N-Uff, before getting the call to go pro by the RFA, and then the UFC.
?Fighting in Tuff-N-Uff prepared me for what it was like as a professional,? he said.
?They?ve got the lights, cameras, and nice venues. They really helped me develop to the point where I was ready to go pro, and be successful.?
Eight female competitors will look to take their next steps towards professional success at Tuff-N-Uff?s Friday event in Las Vegas. The promotion has partnered with Invicta FC to host two tournaments (one at featherweight, and one at lightweight), with professional contracts with the top all-female promotion. As expected, the eight women come from all over (they hail from seven different states, in all), and have solid records thus far (their combined record is 26-5).
Meyer says the potentially star-making event tonight is simply carrying on Tuff-N-Uff?s top-notch tradition. ?We want to put on fights with the world?s best talent,? he says.
?Always.?
Follow Elias on Twitter @EliasCepeda & @YahooCagewriter
The UFC's performance-enhancing drug self-regulation looks more fraught, unreliable and inconsistent than ever in the face of the promotion rescinding a suspension of middleweight fighter Cung Le Tuesday. Le fought and lost to Michael Bisping Aug. 23 in Macau.
The UFC routinely effectively regulates itself in new international territory like Macau. In regulated territory, state athletic commissions like those of Nevada, New Jersey, California, and other U.S. states, are responsible for impartially testing fighters for banned drugs, both recreational and performance-enhancing.
For the show in Macau, the UFC tested Le themselves. Late last month, they announced that Le was to be suspended for nine months because his test supposedly showed evidence that he had used banned Human Growth Hormone (HGH) treatments. There is no way to directly test if an athlete has undergone HGH treatments, but the UFC said that the Le's HGH (a naturally occurring hormone) level was outside of their "reference level," so the assumption was that he cheated, and he was suspended.
After being criticized for being too lenient on Le, the UFC arbitrarily added three months to Le's suspension. It was unclear what, if any, reasonable appeal process might be available to the fighter.
Le, 42, denied doping. Both the fighter and his manager cast aspersions on not just HGH testing, overall, but on what they said were the UFC's substandard testing and sample-handling methods.
In the end, it would appear that the UFC couldn't deny the legitimacy of Le and his manager's doubts and concerns. In a statement, the UFC said Tuesday that they were provided with new medical information which led them to realize that their previous two suspensions of Le were not warranted.
"Following the announcement of Le?s suspension, UFC officials have been provided with medical advice regarding the elevated total HGH present in Le?s system," the statement reads.
"In accordance with such medical advice, UFC has determined that Le?s elevated total HGH by itself does not prove that he took performance-enhancing drugs before the August 23rd bout.� As a result, UFC has informed Le that his suspension is rescinded.
"Le had requested an appeal of his suspension, and was entitled to arbitrate the drug test results and suspension.� However, based on the lack of conclusive laboratory results, UFC officials deemed it appropriate to immediately rescind the suspension without the need for further proceedings."
We may not ever find out what, if any internal suspension appeals process fighters like Le are entitled to, with this back-track by the UFC. However, it is clear that the UFC has a problem reading their own drug test results, and making determinations based on those results.
If the idea of the UFC self-testing and regulating itself seemed dubious at the onset, it seems downright scary these days.
�
Follow Elias on Twitter @EliasCepeda & @YahooCagewriter
He Peng David Heath Delson Heleno Dan Henderson Josh Hendricks
Bellator wrapped up their season on Saturday night with Bellator 131: Bonar Vs Ortiz, and in the main event it was Tito Ortiz who was able to pick up the split decision win over Stephan Bonnar. In the co main event, Will Brooks was able to finish Bellator Champion Michael Chandler to become Bellator?s Lightweight […]
The post Bellator 131: Ortiz Vs Bonnar Full Results appeared first on Fighters.com.
Source: http://www.fighters.com/11/16/bellator-131-ortiz-vs-bonnar-full-results/
Manvel Gamburyan Sean Gannon Edgar Garcia Leonard Garcia Andrew Gardner
Source: http://www.mmaforum.com/sports/188930-r-i-p-phil-hughes-1988-2014-a.html
Luciano Azevedo Ba Te er Ryan Bader Siyar Bahadurzada Bao Ligao
Bad news - Cain Velasquez (13-1) will no longer fight Fabricio Werdum (18-5-1) in defense of his UFC world heavyweight championship next month in Mexico City. Good news - We're still getting an intriguing world title bout, albeit an interim one, in exchange.
Fabricio Werdum will take on Mark Hunt (10-8-1) for the newly created UFC heavyweight interim title Nov. 15 at UFC 180 in the main event of the promotion's first ever show in Mexico. The fight will not only pit two of the division's hottest contenders against one another, it's also a match up that has so many x-factors that we're racking our brains to pick a winner.
Here's our first crack at breaking down a few key categories of Werdum vs. Hunt. Read on, and let us know how you see things playing out in the comments section!
Standing striking:
Few fighters in MMA can boast the kickboxing credentials that Mark Hunt has. And, absolutely no one has as many walk-off knockout wins as Hunt.
The New Zealander has dynamite in his fists and granite in his chin, both of which make give him an advantage in stand-up striking against most opponents. Werdum would appear to be no exception.
The Brazilian Jiu Jitsu submission expert should definitely look to get Hunt on his back, to have his best chance at winning on Nov. 15. However, when it comes to stand up striking, Werdum is greatly improved and a live dog.
In 2011, Werdum arguably out-struck K-1 Grand Prix champion Alistair Overeem before losing a razor-close, and admittedly mostly slow-paced decision. In his very next fight, Werdum lit up Roy Nelson with a Muay Thai clinic.�
Is Werdum good enough to out-strike Hunt? Maybe not in terms of straight skill-set, but perhaps he's got enough to give Hunt something to think of, wear him down a bit and take advantage of Hunt's lack of preparation for this short-notice fight.
Still, Werdum would be wise to find a way to get Hunt on the ground and not play around on the feet, too long. On that note...
Wrestling:
In switching opponents from Velasquez to Hunt, Werdum is also switching from someone who he had little hope of taking down, to a rival he likely has a wrestling advantage over. Werdum has to be careful, however, not to telegraph take down attempts, and instead remain gutsy and patient enough to stand and strike until he can time a smart and efficient take down attempt.
Hunt may not be an NCAA wrestling All-American, but he's gotten much better at using his substantial size and good timing to avoid take down shots, and muscle out of clinch attempts. The biggest threat to Hunt getting taken down will likely be when he over commits to his power shots (like his left hook), and leaves himself off balance and completely open to shot attempts.
Werdum will have to be patient, stay safe on his feet, give Hunt something to think about with his own strikes and use timing to take Hunt down if the slugger over commits to one of those wide punches. Hunt may want to consider being very patient himself, and using mostly straight punches, to mitigate risk of getting taken down.
Hunt may not win the battle of who can stay tight and patient for the following reason, however...
Conditioning:
Listen, despite his appearances, Hunt has proven that he can go five rounds, hard, before. Werdum has not.
Unfortunately for the K-1 champ, Hunt only has a couple weeks to get conditioned for his fight against Werdum - a pretty impossible task in any case. Add on to that the fact that Hunt is still likely worn out from his recent training camp, drastic weight cut and fight, and that Hunt has admitted to weighing over 300 pounds this week, and the smart money is on Hunt huffing and puffing a great deal if the fight reaches the later rounds.
Werdum faces a lot of unknowns in his new opponent, but we can be almost certain he'll be the better conditioned athlete come fight night...unless he eats one too many Hunt bombs early on, that is.
Ground:
Sure, Werdum is much better, here and we've already recommended he make sure to get Hunt to the mat. If he gets on top, it is bound to be a rough night for Hunt.
Unlike most other fighters, Werdum likely has the sharpness to pounce on a limb and take it home with him if Hunt muscles up in his typically sloppy manner. That is to say, if you're a beast like Hunt and find yourself mounted, you can grab hold, bridge out, or turn and stand with your arms straight out, against most fighters without getting arm barred.�
Against Werdum, that's not a great idea. Even though Werdum has an amazing submission game, he would still be smart to look to solidify top position if he gets the take down, and use strikes to wear down and take out Hunt.
Most submissions are simply not high-percentage in a real fight - they are useful last resorts. Hunt has an amazing chin but he can't last as long taking shots on the ground (with the mat there to bounce his dome around) as it can on the feet.
Even if Hunt ends up on top, on the ground, he?ll be in trouble. Heck, Werdum has shown himself dangerous off his back even after getting rocked and dropped (see his win over Fedor Emelianenko).�
We don't know who will win the main event at UFC 180 - that's why they fight the fights. We do know that we sure are looking forward to it.�
Either guy could win, and in shocking fashion. Who are you picking, and why?
Let us know in the comments section!
Follow Elias on Twitter @EliasCepeda & @YahooCagewriter
�
Pat Barry Vitor Belfort Robert Berry David Bielkheden Michael Bisping
Here at Cagewriter, we're all for some ground and pound action. That type of�expert MMA display is best suited for the cage or ring, however, in actual MMA competition.
Rugby players Ben Flowers and Lance Hohaia�took things way too far on the pitch, Saturday in the Super League final, slugging it out on the feet and on the ground. In the video above, you can see Hohaia strike first with a forearm strike to Flowers.
Apparently enraged, Flowers then followed up with a right punch which knocked Hohaia out, and to the ground. From there, Flowers grabbed his opponent's lapel and punch him in the face once more, as he lay prone and unconscious on the ground.
Rugby is already a rough sport - perhaps even more dangerous than professional fighting, in many ways - but punches and forearms are clearly against the rules. Who do you fault more for the frenzied mess?
Hohaia for initiating the foul play with a forearm, or Flowers for continuing to hit back, even after Hohaia was knocked out?
Let us know in the comments section.
Follow Elias on Twitter @EliasCepeda & @YahooCagewriter
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http://fightnetwork.com/ - Fight Network's John Pollock, John Ramdeen & Robin Black bring us the latest including Chris Weidman vs. Vitor Belfort in works for middleweight title bout at UFC 182; Belfort reportedly not tested since NSAC hearing, Conor McGregor vs. Dennis Siver set for UFC Fight Night 59 and Diego Sanchez off UFC 180 with a knee injury on Newsmakers. For additional coverage of MMA, boxing and pro-wrestling check out http://fightnetwork.com/ or follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/fightnet or find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/FightNetworkJason Grace Crosley Gracie Gregor Gracie Ralek Gracie Renzo Gracie
Back when testosterone-replacement-therapy was still in play, fighters who used the treatments went out their way to defend why they needed to be on it, including Vitor Belfort. Well, as the latter approaches his February 28th scrap with Chris Weidman, sans TRT, “The Phenom’s” claiming he’s better off without it…Confused? Recently Belfort spoke with Brazil’s […]
Source: http://mmafrenzy.com/112485/ufc-184-vitor-belfort-explains-hes-better-without-trt/
Jeff Big Frog Curran Dai Shuanghai Mac Danzig Karen Darabedyan Viacheslav Datsik
Instant replay review capabilities will return to MMA competition this Saturday in Atlantic City, NJ during the Cage Fury Fighting Championships (CFFC) 43 card.� Head of the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board Larry Hazzard instituted instant replay review capabilities during fights, years ago.
After his departure in 2007, however, New Jersey ceased with the practice. Now that Hazzard is back in the saddle in New Jersey, he?s brought back instant replay review with him for boxing and MMA contests.
?These are sports that are certainly subject from time to time, to errors, mainly by referees,? Hazzard told Cagewriter.
?These types of errors can have an impact on a bout. I think that unless necessary corrections are made, at the time, it?s just unfair to the fighters. These are individual sports, and the fighters don?t often get a second chance at big opportunities. After a kid works his or her butt off for several years, to finally reach that upper echelon where he or she are making good pay days, it?s unfair to them not to have the ability to correct costly official mistakes.
?I think that with instant replay, we will be able to make these corrections, if necessary, on the spot?It?s the fairest way to go in the 21st century.?
The first MMA card to have those capabilities under the re-institution will be the CFFC in Atlantic City, at the Borgata. The card will air live via pay per view on Go Fight Live, cable through InDemand, and through the promotion?s website.
The presence of television cameras is crucial to the use of instant replay review, because Hazzard says that the cost of the tool will be paid for by promotions, like the CFFC.
?This will mainly be used in pro fights, fights that are big enough to be televised,? Hazzard explained.
?Or, it?s going to happen if a promoter requests and pays for the cameras and monitors. The cost of this is going to be on the promoter. This is in it?s infant stages, and we?ll see how it goes as time goes on, but right now it will be in the events that want it.?
The decision to apply instant replay review capabilities once more on this Saturday?s particular Atlantic City event came just weeks ago. CFFC CEO Rob Haydak says the topic came up in conversation between he and New Jersey Athletic Control Board Counsel Nick Lembo a couple weeks ago, and the state made its decision soon after.
Welterweight champion Jonavin Webb (7-0) will defend his title in the main event of CFFC 43 against Lyman Good (16-3), this Saturday, and was told of the development only this week. ?I think I found out this week,? he told Yahoo! Sports.
?I think it?s a good thing, for certain.?
Webb, however, said that he was not sure when, exactly, instant replay review could occur during fights, or how the whole process is supposed to occur. ?I don?t really know, to be honest,? he said.�
?I?m more concerned with getting punched in the head than that, though. I?m not too worried.?
How, exactly, instant replay review would or will work during fights seems to be a relative unknown to state regulators as well. Hazzard admitted that the program is still in development.
?It?s an additional tool for me, or a designate of mine to use during fights,? he said.
?I?m sure that there are certain fouls, or certain situations where it could help. Like, whether a fighter tapped out or did not tap out. These are things where, if a ref makes a mistake, we can correct it.?
Hazard says that he, or a designee will be watching fights on monitors and if they believe ?conclusively? that a referee has made a mistake through the use of instant replay, they will have the ability to change or reverse a call. ?It will have to be done in between rounds,? he detailed.
Hazard says that instant replay review will not be used for decisions that fighters may appeal and get a hearing on. ?It has to be done right there, in the moment,? he explained.
?If there?s anything that has the capability to impact a final decision, we can review and change upon review. It has to be conclusive, though. We are not going to be nit-picking referee calls. We are not going to have debates on issues. It has to be something we?re sure of. And, it?s not something we?re looking forward to using. We hope we never have to. But, it is a safe guard for the fighters? sake.?
With a loosely-defined set of circumstances where decisions can be reversed, and a very small window of time to not just review but put in effect a referee decision reversal (in between rounds, according to Hazzard), it would seem that New Jersey has a great deal of planning and process-construction yet to do with regards to instant replay review capabilities. However, the decision to even re-open the door to correcting perceived mistakes made during fights is encouraging, and it will be interesting to see how it plays out, and if other major states follow New Jersey?s lead.
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Former UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar (17-4-1) is set to face Cub Swanson (21-5) next month in what looked like a No. 1 contender's fight until UFC president Dana White all but dismissed the pair as potential repeat opponents for title-holder Jose Aldo (24-1), and lined up Conor McGregor as the likely next title challenger if the champ gets past Chad Mendes (16-1) later this month. Edgar lost a decision to Aldo in 2013, and Swanson was quickly KO'd by "Scarface" back in 2009.
Since that time, Swanson has won six straight, and Edgar has won two in a row. McGregor has won his first four UFC fights and became a fast global star in the promotion.
It's because of that rapid rise to fame that Edgar understands White and the UFC's motivation in pushing the brash Irishman ahead of the title challenger's pack.�
"It doesn't surprise me," Edgar told ESPN.com in a recent interview. "As a promoter, it's probably the smart thing to do. He's got a lot of buzz going. Why have him lose before they can make money on that fight?"
Of course, Edgar wants another crack at Aldo and the featherweight title, should he get past Swanson on Nov. 22. Don't expect "The Answer" to do much more than get back to work if he doesn't get the opportunity, however.
"I do want to fight for the title after I beat Cub, but if I have to fight somebody else, what am I going to do?" he asked. "I can't sit around and feel sorry for myself. I have to go to work and get it done."��
As for how he thinks he himself would fare against the "Notorious" McGregor, Edgar was succinct.�I know I match up well against him," he said.
Would you rather see McGregor face the winner of Jose Aldo vs. Chad Mendes II, instead of having Edgar or Swanson vie for the featherweight title? Let us know in the comments section!
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ESPN's somewhat surprising decision to hire former UFC fighter Chael Sonnen as an on-air mixed martial arts analyst is bound to draw strong reactions, on both sides.
Sonnen's career imploded in the late spring, when he failed two random drug tests given to him back-to-back by the Nevada Athletic Commission. That ultimately led to him receiving a two-year suspension which effectively ended his fighting career.
But the test failures -- and Sonnen's over-the-top way he spoke about them on the air -- cost him his second job as an MMA analyst at Fox.�
It's only been five months since this all went down, and it seems way too fast. It was inevitable that Sonnen would return to television, because he's too good at what he does.
But ESPN announced Tuesday it had hired the so-called "American Gangster," and that he would appear on its MMA coverage beginning on Friday when he discusses UFC 180 in Mexico City. According to an ESPN news release, Sonnen will appear on SportsCenter and other UFC platforms.
It's a boon for the UFC, because it's a commitment by the most powerful sports television network in the world to more regular MMA coverage. One would assume that Sonnen won't just be limited to UFC coverage, either; Fox had a business deal with UFC and didn't cover other promotions, but ESPN does not and it would seem likely that Sonnen will talk about other MMA promotions as well, most notably Bellator.
But Sonnen's hiring is also going to bring it increased scrutiny for bringing back one of the worst, most blatant drug cheats in the history of sports.
ESPN made no mention of Sonnen's notorious past in its news release. But Glenn Jacobs, ESPN's senior coordinating producer for MMA coverage, told the Associated Press' Greg Beacham that he is unconcerned about Sonnen's numerous past failures.
We know Chael has made some mistakes in the past. He's been honest. He's been up-front about it. He has paid for the mistakes that he has made, and he's moving forward.
After Sonnen eviscerated Fox's Mike Hill on the air while discussing his drug test failures, it was clear he was a short-timer with that network. It was a classless thing to do and he deserved to lose his job for that.
Because he lied on the air so repeatedly about his drug usage, it's going to be hard for him to regain credibility with a large segment of the ESPN audience. Sonnen, of course, is now singing a different tune when he says he's in favor of increased drug testing and against the use of performance-enhancing drugs.
I am for clean sport. The rules have changed during my career. The rules have changed during this year, which landed me in a tough spot because I didn't change with them. But the reality is, the rules are good, and to have clean sport is good.
There are times when you can turn to science and medicine, and that looks like a pretty seductive route. But if I had to choose one of the two, I would not choose the side that I was on. I would support the other side. We need a clean sport, and we've got to follow the rules, and that's it. I accept the consequences.
In order to regain credibility, Sonnen has to become an outspoken leader in the anti-drug crusade. He needs to say what he knows, and discuss how fighters have been able to beat the system. Just passing a drug test is no guarantee that one was not doping, as Dr. Lawrence Bowers notably said during his testimony for the United States Anti-Doping Agency during the Lance Armstrong case.
In addition, he's no longer working for a company with a deal with the UFC. He's going to have to speak bluntly about UFC management and discuss its failings as well as its successes.
He said he'll speak out, but time will tell if that is true.
I wouldn't shy away from a topic, even if it's one that brought me shame. There are topics like that, and there are opponents I'm going to have to cover that have also embarrassed themselves, but that's part of the sport, man. I cherish those moments.
Though what Sonnen did in failing those drug tests and then repeatedly lying about it was reprehensible, he did it in his role as a fighter, not a broadcaster. It's not like he harmed anyone by lying; he only made himself and the company that gave him a platform look bad. He deserves the right to make a living.
He forfeited his right to make a living as a fighter, at least until the middle of 2016, and he says he's retired as a fighter. Any athletic commission should quickly oppose any attempt by Sonnen to return during the two-year suspension he was given by the Nevada commisison for his failure.�
And if he chooses to return after his suspension is up -- which he says he will not do -- then he should be tested regularly to make certain he is clean.
But as a broadcaster, the man paid a heavy price. He lost a high-profile, high-paying gig and was disgraced in the process.
Still, he deserves the right to make a living.
ESPN can say that it's not concerned about his past, but it will ultimately be up to the public to decide. If�the public doesn't forgive him, and if he can't regain his credibility with the audience, then it won't matter what any executive in Bristol, Conn., might believe.
There are dozens upon dozens of UFC fighters who have shown immense promise as broadcasters, and ESPN could have hired any one of them and avoided the controversy that is sure to surround Sonnen.
But it opted to cast its lot with a guy who, frankly, lied to people's faces with regularity.
It's hard to believe he'll do what he says because of his past, but if he does, he can be a clear asset to ESPN's broadcast coverage of MMA.
He shouldn't be given any breaks when it turns to the resumption of his fight career, but he served his time as a broadcaster and ESPN was within its rights to hire him.
�
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As he tries to become UFC lightweight champion, Gilbert Melendez is working with a current champion in the promotion. Check out the video below courtesy of Fight Hub TV to see “El Nino” rolling with Ronda Rousey. Melendez, a former Strikeforce titleholder, will challenge Anthony Pettis next Saturday night at UFC 181 for the title.
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Johny Hendricks and Robbie Lawler will attempt to duplicate their performances from earlier this year next Saturday night when they collide at UFC 181 for Hendricks’ welterweight title. While you enjoy your Thanksgiving time with family, check out the complete fight replay of the first Hendricks-Lawler encounter, and make sure you come back next week […]
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"You'll see why so many Latinos fight, and it's not so much for the trophies or the medals; it's really out of necessity and one thing you can find on every corner in a hispanic town is a boxing gym, and that's why I started my foundation, El Saber Es Poder, because I wanted to change that to start promoting education in the inner cities," stated 3-time world champion Mia St. John, who talked about her foundation and the reasons why Latinos fight. Check it out!Marcus Davis Tony DeSouza Edwin Dewees Nick Diaz Tadhg Steamfist Dixon
UFC heavyweight title challenger Fabricio Werdum (18-5-1) found out early Tuesday evening that the champion Cain Velasquez (13-1) was out of their scheduled Nov. 15 title fight in Mexico City. That, was the (quite) bad news.
The good news, for Werdum, was that he'd still fight for UFC gold. Former K-1 Grand Prix kickboxing world champ Mark Hunt�(10-8-1) would replace Velasquez, and he and Werdum would now fight for an interim belt.
The Brazilian - who has been in Mexico preparing for Velasquez for some time already - told Thomas Gerbasi in a recent interview that he's just as primed to fight Hunt as he was to fight the Mexican-American.�?The important thing for me is that I?m ready to fight,? Werdum said.
?The object was never�Cain Velasquez; it?s always been the belt. Since I got back to the UFC, it?s been about getting the belt and it doesn?t matter from who. I just want the belt and I?m ready to fight anybody. Of course, I?m a little bit sad for Cain and about not fighting him right now, but I?m ready to fight for the belt.?
The 37 year-old has won four straight fights, and seven out of his last eight. In fact, few top heavyweights have been as consistent over the past five years as he has been.
So, as long as he's fighting for a championship, Werdum says he's happy. Of course, he faces a quite different fight against Hunt than he would have against Velasquez.
For more on that matchup, check out our early break down of Werdum vs. Hunt. "Vai Cavalo" understands quite clearly that he and his team will now suddenly have to put together a different approach and strategy, to beat Hunt.
?They?re two completely different fighters,? Werdum said of Velasquez and Hunt.
?We all know that�Mark Hunt�is a really good striker, so of course I have to change up the game plan a little bit, but I?ve known�Mark Hunt�since the beginning, since the K-1 days, so I?ve watched and admired him for a long time. We?re going to do a great fight and put on a great show.?
Who's your early pick to walk away with the interim heavyweight belt, Hunt or Werdum? Let us know why in the comments section!
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Originally scheduled to meet at UFC 166, middleweight contenders Luke Rockhold and Tim Boetsch finally get their chance to meet in the Octagon tonight, and with the division as stacked as it’s ever been, a win is crucial. Don't miss Rockhold's main event match-up against Michael Bisping at Fight Night Sydney.Eric Butterbean Esch Efrain Escudero Rashad Evans Urijah Faber Wagnney Fabiano
The Octagon lands for the first time in Mexico as UFC 180: Werdum Vs Hunt takes place tonight live from Mexico City Arena. In the main event, submission ace Fabricio Werdum will be taking on knockout artist Mark Hunt for the Interim Heavyweight Championship. As always, Fighters.com will be bringing you complete coverage of UFC […]
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Source: http://www.fighters.com/11/15/ufc-180-werdum-vs-hunt-live-results-play-play-7pm-est/
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When UFC Middleweight Champion Chris Weidman fought Anderson Silva and Lyoto Machida, you could tell he had a large amount of respect for both former champions. However, Weidman has a remarkably different tone in his voice when he talks about his upcoming opponent Vitor Belfort. Belfort has a storied history with Performance Enhancement Drugs and […]
The post Chris Weidman Eviscerates Vitor Belfort At UFC Press Conference appeared first on Fighters.com.
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"You'll see why so many Latinos fight, and it's not so much for the trophies or the medals; it's really out of necessity and one thing you can find on every corner in a hispanic town is a boxing gym, and that's why I started my foundation, El Saber Es Poder, because I wanted to change that to start promoting education in the inner cities," stated 3-time world champion Mia St. John, who talked about her foundation and the reasons why Latinos fight. Check it out!Cyril Abidi Daniel Acacio Bernard Ackah Terrance Aflague Yoshihiro Akiyama
When UFC Middleweight Champion Chris Weidman fought Anderson Silva and Lyoto Machida, you could tell he had a large amount of respect for both former champions. However, Weidman has a remarkably different tone in his voice when he talks about his upcoming opponent Vitor Belfort. Belfort has a storied history with Performance Enhancement Drugs and […]
The post Chris Weidman Eviscerates Vitor Belfort At UFC Press Conference appeared first on Fighters.com.
Source: http://www.fighters.com/11/18/chris-weidman-eviscerates-vitor-belfort-at-ufc-press-conference/
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http://fightnetwork.com/ - Fight Network's Corey Erdman brings us the boxing headlines including Luis Ortiz failing his post-fight drug test for steroids following his interim WBA title KO win over Lateef Kayode, Cris Arreola & Austin Trout return on December 11 and Top Rank's Bob Arum gives his prediction on the PPV buys for Manny Pacquiao vs. Chris Algieri in Boxing News. For additional coverage of MMA, boxing and pro-wrestling check out http://fightnetwork.com/ or follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/fightnet or find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/FightNetworkVitor Belfort Robert Berry David Bielkheden Michael Bisping Dan Bobish
RFA 20 returns to the Mile High City, Denver, Colorado. Undefeated Luke Sanders and hard-hitting Jarred Mercado go face-to-face in what will be an all out war... only one walking away with the vacant RFA Bantamweight Title. AXS TV is Your Home for MMA every Friday Night! Find AXS TV HERE: http://bit.ly/WtTUDrSource: http://mmalice.com/videos/axs-tv-fights-presents-rfa-20-live-from-denver-nov-7-video_yfo7tutf.html
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If �you’re one of the few who doesn’t believe Ronda Rousey is one of MMA’s biggest names, you might want to rethink that position really, really fast… Of course, not only is Rousey a massive star due to her success in the cage and her ongoing reign as UFC Bantamweight Champion, she’s received a ton […]
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UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo (24-1) has a title fight rematch coming up later this month against Chad Mendes (16-1), but it seems that all the talk in the 145 pound division has been about Conor McGregor (16-2), of late. UFC president Dana White has gone on the record, saying that it makes sense to have McGregor fight Aldo next.
To the champ, all this talk of a new possible contender is premature and disrespectful given that he's still got "Money" Mendes on tap in the UFC 179 main event.�"I'm really focused on�Chad Mendes�right now and I do think it's a little bit disrespectful [to discuss a possible McGregor fight]," Aldo told FoxSports' Damon Martin recently.
"This fight hasn't even happened. There's nothing set yet. I do need to keep my feet on the ground and keep focused on�Chad Mendes�and not think of anyone else...He's not in this competition and it makes no difference."
No doubt, Mendes also believes the talk of McGregor fighting Aldo is a bit hasty, as he plans to dethrone the champ Oct. 25 in Brazil. In fact, Mendes has suggested that the UFC may not make McGregor the number one contender, should he beat Aldo and become the new champion, because his wrestling-based style would be a bad match up for the Irishman.
Who do you think will be the champion, the day after UFC 179, and who do you want to see him fight next? Let us know in the comments section!
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Will Brooks overcame more than just his opponent in winning the Bellator lightweight title recently. Brooks told MMAjunkie.com Radio that he suffered a torn hamstring two months prior to his recent fight vs. Michael Chandler, but never looked at backing out or delaying the contest. “I just refused to not fight,” said Brooks, who suffered […]
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As reported last week on Fighters.com, the UFC is expected to announce their calendar year for 2015. At a press conference scheduled for today in Las Vegas, the UFC will unveil their plans for the year and you can watch the whole thing right here! The press conference is set to start at 5:00 PM […]
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UFC bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey is undefeated in her MMA career, and she intends to keep it that way. In fact, during a recent interview with Showtime, the "Rowdy" one said she'd rather die than lose a fight.
?I know that I would rather physically die than die inside from losing a fight. I remember every single loss of my career, but have forgotten so many of my victories," she said. ?It?s not that I?ve never lost; it?s that I?ve lost at the worst times, so I know what a loss is. That?s why I want to win so much more than these other girls."
According to the 135-pound queen, she's already psychologically faced that choice during fights and pushed through.�
?There have been times during a fight when I thought I was going to die,? Rousey said. ?I thought to myself, ?I would rather break my neck than lose this fight.?"
The former two-time Judo Olympian has lost throughout her athletic career. If an MMA fighter is going to beat Rousey, however, she insists it won't be because she gave up.
?I will never tap out of a fight because I know the feeling of losing," she said. "I know that I would rather die than lose a fight.?
Rousey next defends her UFC championship in January against No. 1 contender Cat Zingano.
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Check out the incredible video highlights from UFC 180 courtesy the Fight Motion cameras put in use by FOX Sports.
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