CM Punk signs multi-fight deal with UFC

Phil ?CM Punk? Brooks has signed a multi-fight deal with Ultimate Fighting Championship and will make his Octagon debut in 2015, the promotion announced Saturday night.

The UFC teased a big announcement following the first match of the UFC 181 pay-per-view portion and delivered. Joe Rogan interviewed Brooks cageside at the Mandalay Bay Events Center. Brooks, 36, wasn?t sure of a weight class yet, but said both middleweight and welterweight were options.

?I have a background in kempo and I?ve been doing Brazilian jiu-jitsu for a long time," Brooks told Rogan. "This is my new career, 100-percent.�I'm going to go full steam ahead, all systems go after today, and it's going to be fun.�I have nothing but respect for everybody here at the UFC, everybody who steps in the Octagon to fight.�And when it's all said and done, when I'm finished, everybody's going to have to respect me because I have come here to fight."

The former WWE champion has made headlines last week for a series of podcast interviews where he ripped Vince McMahon?s company for how he was treated during his eight years as a performer. The WWE fired Brooks earlier this year and he has now stated on multiple occasions that he has no intentions of ever returning.

That opens the door for mixed martial arts, a sport that Brooks has followed closely while competing in the WWE. He?s no stranger to UFC pay-per-views and has made several ?Gracie Breakdown? cameos alongside friend and Gracie Jiu-Jitsu instructor Rener Gracie.

?I felt like it was now or never," Brooks added. "I have a limited window most fighters don't have.�I'm either here to win or get my ass kicked.

What kind of impact will the 6-foot-2 Brooks have in UFC? It's hard to say until he settles on a weight class and trainer. In terms of being a pay-per-view draw, there's only one Brock Lesnar, so we can stop with that comparison.

But Brooks will be able to attract new eyeballs to the sport and the UFC should see a noticeable spike during his debut fight. Before he left the WWE, Brooks developed a cult following and was easily one of the most popular wrestlers on the roster.

Plus, let?s not forget one of the reasons why Brooks? popularity surged was his gift of gab on the microphone. As Conor McGregor has proven in 2014, you can get a long way in MMA if you know how to turn it ?on? for the cameras.

Dana White hit a home run the last time he brought over a former WWE champion. We shall see if White's latest pro wrestling investment will once again deliver.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/cm-punk-signs-multi-fight-deal-with-ufc-035256156.html

Karn Grigorian Karen Grigoryan Kendall Grove Clay Guida Jason Guida

UFC 179: Why I Fight - Neil Magny - Videos

Neil Magny reflects on his experience on The Ultimate Fighter and what compels him to perform at his best every time he enters the Octagon.

Source: http://mmalice.com/videos/ufc-179-why-i-fight-neil-magny-video_wxxz6yma.html

Steve The Snake Claveau  Rich No Love Clementi  Mark The Hammer Coleman Wes Soldier Combs  Ray Cooper 

UFC 179: Official Weigh-Ins - Videos

Watch the official weigh-in for UFC 179: Aldo vs. Mendes 2 live Friday, October 24 at 2pm/11am ETPT.

Source: http://mmalice.com/videos/ufc-179-official-weigh-ins-video_cntfsuv1.html

Tomasz Drwal Joe Hybrid Duarte Aldrin de Jesus 

Is Nate Diaz Cut??

https://twitter.com/NateDiaz209/status/549856399715340289

Source: http://www.mmaforum.com/ufc/191145-nate-diaz-cut.html

Branden Lee Hinkle Tank Abbott Hiroyuki Abe Cyril Abidi  Daniel Acacio

Conor McGregor steals the show at UFC news conference

LAS VEGAS ? Behind the slogan, ?The Time is Now,? the Ultimate Fighting Championship rolled out its 2015 calendar on Monday at a news conference in Las Vegas. Of the 45 events slated for next year, 13 will be on pay-per-view. The other 32 will be UFC Fight Night events, including 18 on Fox Sports 1, 10 on UFC Fight Pass and four shows on FOX.

And if Conor McGregor somehow fought on all 45 UFC cards next year, the sport might be better off.

The brash Irish featherweight ? scheduled to fight Dennis Siver at UFC Fight Night 59 in Boston on Jan. 18 ? stole the show at the Smith Center for the Performing Arts. McGregor has never been shy and it didn?t take much probing from the media in order to get the instant quote machine rolling in discussing his competition in and out the featherweight division.

?It is a mismatch,? McGregor said on fighting the veteran Siver. ?I?m going to whoop his a**, collect a check and then I?m gone.?

McGregor was just getting started as champions Ronda Rousey and Jon Jones tried to hold back their laughter whenever ?The Notorious? one grabbed the mic.

McGregor was cageside at UFC 179 in Rio de Janeiro to get a first-hand look at featherweight champion Jose Aldo, who he?s rumored to fight next if he defeats Siver.

?I believe there are a lot of holes I would capitalized on,? McGregor said about Aldo?s successful title defense against Chad Mendes. ?He showed his frustration in the contest. Both competitors were very similar in styles. I pose different movements and different reactions than anybody on the roster, not just the division. I?m highly confident I will shut Jose Also down in spectacular fashion and take over the game.?

McGregor is a champion trash-talker, but some have questioned his talent in the octagon and fast rise in the featherweight division. Back-to-back wins and performance of the night bonuses against Diego Brand�o and Dustin Poirier silenced some of the critics, but McGregor doesn?t appear to be phased by the naysayers.

?Let?s see by the end of the 2015 who has the highest pay-per-view numbers,? McGregor said. ?Let?s see who has the highest gate. Let?s see who has the highest attendance. Again, I won?t look past Dennis. I will look through him exactly on where I plan on going. I believe 2015 will be my year. I know a lot of the featherweights are bitching and moaning and hating on it but they don?t have to love it. They can even hate it, but they will be forced to accept it.?

Fourteen fighters in total were in attendance, including the headliners for UFC Fight Night 58 (Lyoto Machida vs. C.B. Dollaway), UFC 182 (Jones vs. Daniel Cormier), UFC on FOX 14 (Alexander Gustafsson vs. Anthony�Johnson), UFC 183 (Anderson Silva vs. Nick Diaz) and UFC 184 (Chris Weidman vs. Vitor Belfort and Ronda Rousey vs. Cat Zingano).

And as for the big announcement the UFC teased, well ?

?I hate to disappoint you, but we didn?t get it done in time for this,? UFC president Dana White told the crowd.

Let the speculation continue.

Related Video:

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/conor-mcgregor-steals-the-show-at-ufc-press-conference-023908568-mma.html

Yoshihiro Akiyama  Gilbert Aldana  José Aldo  John Alessio  Houston Alexander

UFC 182 Embedded, Episode 2: 'At one point, I thought we were wrecking'

Source: http://www.mmafighting.com/2014/12/31/7473945/ufc-182-embedded-episode-2-at-one-point-i-thought-we-were-wrecking

Jeff Big Frog Curran Dai Shuanghai  Mac Danzig  Karen Darabedyan Viacheslav Datsik

Jon Jones Misled NAC Regarding Nike Sponsorship Loss

I’m not going to say UFC light heavyweight king Jon Jones (pictured) blatantly lied when he stood before the Nevada Athletic Commission in September awaiting his punishment for brawling with Daniel Cormier in the MGM Grand lobby, but Jones certainly bent the truth in hopes of receiving a lighter fine from the NAC. When the [...]

Source: http://www.5thRound.com/179222/jon-jones-mislead-nac-over-nike-sponsorship-loss/

Chris Brennan Marcelo Brito  Rob Broughton  Mike Brown  Junie Browning

Did Dana White had the "talk" and made the "decision"?

We all know that Mr. White (not Walter :D) is a great promoter and he enjoys speaking out his mind. He did a lot of press until recently (interviews,...

Source: http://www.mmaforum.com/ufc/191121-did-dana-white-had-talk-made-decision.html

Yoji Anjo  Ao Hailin  Shinya Aoki  Andrei Arlovski  Ricardo Arona 

Anthony Pettis becomes first to submit Gilbert Melendez, keeps belt

LAS VEGAS -- Anthony Pettis insisted that his 15-month layoff since his last bout would have no impact upon him. And after submitting No. 1 contender Gilbert Melendez less than two minutes into the second round of their lightweight title fight at UFC 181 at Mandalay Bay, it was hard to argue.

Melendez, the former Strikeforce�champion and one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world, shot in on Pettis in the decisive sequence. Pettis appeared ready and got Melendez in a guillotine. He quickly forced Melendez to tap, the first time in a 12-year career Melendez was finished.

Asked what message he wanted to send to other lightweight contenders, Pettis cut to the chase.

"I just showed the message right there," Pettis said. "The No. 1 guy in the world [and I finished him in] two rounds."

It was a good first round and Melendez had more than his share of moments. He took Pettis down and also landed a series of good punches.

But the harder, more impactful strikes were coming from Pettis.

"He was fast, striking tight in the pocket," Melendez said. "I was trying to load up on that punch and he popped in that jab."

Pettis hurt Melendez several times, once with a right hand and another time with a kick. He seemed unsettled at first when Melendez came after him, but that was part of Melendez's strategy.

Pettis is a striker, but Melendez wanted to make him trade.

"I wanted to stay in his face and bang it out, and try to test his chin as much as possible," Melendez said. "He's good and quick."

Pettis, 27, has made a phenomenal rise. He won the title last year in his hometown of Milwaukee, finishing Benson Henderson in the first round with an arm bar.�

On Saturday, he was just as impressive in beating a guy no one else could really handle. Melendez was coming off a dynamic win over Diego Sanchez that some thought was the 2013 Fight of the Year.

But Pettis showed he's unquestionably the best at 155 pounds.

"GIl is tough,and he was throwing heat," Pettis said. "I give big ups to Gilbert. I've been watching him a long time. When I was a kid, I was watching him. But now I'm here."

And it's going to take one exceptional fighter to get past him.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/anthony-pettis-becomes-first-to-submit-gilbert-melendez--keeps-belt-044827761.html

Mark The Hammer Coleman Wes Soldier Combs  Ray Cooper  Kit Cope  Wesley Cabbage Correira 

Did Dana White had the "talk" and made the "decision"?

We all know that Mr. White (not Walter :D) is a great promoter and he enjoys speaking out his mind. He did a lot of press until recently (interviews,...

Source: http://www.mmaforum.com/ufc/191121-did-dana-white-had-talk-made-decision.html

Kotetsu Boku  Tony Bonello Stephan Bonnar Lorenzo Borgomeo  Kyle Bradley 

Wanderlei Silva Done Fighting, Wants Changes in MMA For Fighters

Wanderlei Silva at an Evolucao Thai seminar where he talks about his career and the changes he wants to see in MMA.

Source: http://www.mmatko.com/wanderlei-silva-done-fighting-wants-changes-in-mma-for-fighters/

Heath Herring Branden Lee Hinkle Tank Abbott Hiroyuki Abe Cyril Abidi 

Selling Throwdown 24' Octagon

Hello everybody, we are selling a 24 foot Pro Event Series Octagon manufactured by Throwdown Industries. This cage is 3 years old and in immaculate...

Source: http://www.mmaforum.com/mma-classifieds/191170-selling-throwdown-24-octagon.html

Gregor Gracie Ralek Gracie Renzo Gracie Rickson Gracie Rodrigo Gracie

Countdown to UFC 182 Video for Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier Fight on January 3, 2015

Countdown to UFC 182 goes behind the scenes with four of the world’s best athletes. Light heavyweight king Jon Jones braces for the most challenging – and personal – fight of his career against Daniel Cormier, a former Olympic wrestler with an undefeated record.

Source: http://www.mmatko.com/countdown-to-ufc-182-video-for-jon-jones-vs-daniel-cormier-fight-on-january-3-2015/

Rolles Gracie Royce Gracie Royler Gracie Ryan Gracie Peter Graham

Complete Replay Of UFC ?Bad Blood?

Relive all the incredible moments already between Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier as put together in the UFC special “Bad Blood” that aired on FOX Sports 1 recently. The complete replay of the episode can be seen in the video below. Jones will defend his light heavyweight title this Saturday night against Cormier at UFC […]

The post Complete Replay Of UFC “Bad Blood” appeared first on Five Ounces of Pain.

Source: http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2014/12/30/complete-replay-of-ufc-bad-blood/

Sean Gannon Edgar Garcia Leonard Garcia Andrew Gardner Tiki Ghosn

Video: Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier on ESPN SportCenter has 'Bones' keeping secrets, 'DC' predicting UFC 182 rematch

Source: http://www.mmamania.com/2014/12/30/7469241/video-jon-jones-vs-daniel-cormier-ufc-182-espn-sportcenter-mma

Crosley Gracie Gregor Gracie Ralek Gracie Renzo Gracie Rickson Gracie

2014 Top 5 Boxing Matches Of The Year ? By Behind The Gloves

The top five boxing matches of the year from Gorilla Production & Behind the Gloves.

Source: http://www.mmatko.com/2014-top-5-boxing-matches-of-the-year-by-behind-the-gloves/

John Alessio  Houston Alexander Ricardo Almeida  Eddie Alvarez Thiago Alves 

Chael Sonnen returns from exile, hired by ESPN as MMA analyst

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.

�

Related Video:

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/chael-sonnen-returns-from-exile--hired-by-espn-as-mma-analyst-210222365.html

John Alessio  Houston Alexander Ricardo Almeida  Eddie Alvarez Thiago Alves 

Ricardo Liborio and his blind daughter Bella ? Story by Bobby Razak

MMA filmmaker Bobby Razak tells the story of Liborio’s blind daughter Bella and her jiu-jitsu training.

Source: http://www.mmatko.com/ricardo-liborio-and-his-blind-daughter-bella-story-by-bobby-razak/

Siyar Bahadurzada Bao Ligao  Josh Barnett  David Baron  Phil Baroni

UFC 179: The Exchange with Phil Davis Teaser - Videos

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-davis

Source: http://mmalice.com/videos/ufc-179-the-exchange-with-phil-davis-teaser-video_hiklwyu6.html

David Heath Delson Heleno Dan Henderson Josh Hendricks Ed Herman

UFC rescinds doping suspension for Cung Le

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

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/ufc-rescinds-doping-suspension-for-cung-le-230800120.html

Andre Gusmao Alexander Gustafsson Jaime Gutierrez Dave Gomez Keith Hackney

Nick Diaz Vs BJ Penn Full Fight Video

UFC Welterweight Nick Diaz makes his return to the octagon when he faces former middleweight champion Anderson Silva at UFC 183. When Diaz moved over to Strikeforce from the UFC, it was BJ Penn who rolled out the welcome mat for Diaz, and it was Diaz who put the UFC Welterweight Division on notice. The […]

The post Nick Diaz Vs BJ Penn Full Fight Video appeared first on Fighters.com.

Source: http://www.fighters.com/12/24/nick-diaz-vs-bj-penn-full-fight-video/

Luiz Azeredo  Luciano Azevedo  Ba Te er  Ryan Bader  Siyar Bahadurzada

Journalist Spencer Lazara Tells What It's Like to Step Into the Cage - Videos

MMA Journalist Spencer Lazara stepped into the cage last week for an amateur bout at the Tuff-N-Uff event in Las Vegas. Watch Lazara discuss his transition from the keyboard to the canvas in this video clip. AXS TV is Your Home for MMA every Friday Night! Find AXS TV HERE: http://bit.ly/WtTUDr

Source: http://mmalice.com/videos/journalist-spencer-lazara-tells-what-its-like-to-step-into-the-cage-video_pmkior1c.html

Joe Hybrid Duarte Aldrin de Jesus  Todd Duffee  Marvin Eastman  Stav Crazy Bear Economou 

Fox Sports tabs Daniel Cormier as permanent co-host of UFC Tonight

After the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, Daniel Cormier was living in Stillwater, Okla., trying to determine what would be next in his life. He was selling advertising for a public access television station while mulling his future.

He began to host a wrestling coach's show on the channel, the first step in a not-so-long journey that led to Monday's announcement by Fox Sports that Cormier has been appointed the permanent co-host of UFC Tonight with host Kenny Florian.

Cormier steps in to replace Chael Sonnen, who was fired after failing two random drug tests and then lying about it.

It's a major step forward in his career, and one he hardly could have foreseen not that long ago.

"It's crazy to think what's happened," he said. "When you think of a TV station in a town of 50,000 people like Stillwater, I'm talking about public access TV. I was selling ad space and the guy came up to me and said, 'You know, Daniel, you actually do a pretty good job talking to people. Would you want to host a coach's show?' I said, 'I'll try it,' and I made a set. I took a square piece of cardboard ? not actually cardboard, but like a shadow box ? and we painted it the color of an international wrestling mat. We painted one the colors of Oklahoma State, one the colors of OU and another of Stillwater High School.

"We sat in front of a desk, and every week, the college coaches and the high school coaches would come in and I would sit and talk to them and interview them. We had a one-hour show where we'd break down the matches from the week before and then talk to the coaches. It was called 'On the Mat with Daniel Cormier and Ethan Kyle.' It was one camera on a tripod pointed at me and Ethan.�That was my TV experience prior to Fox."

Cormier began working as a part-time analyst for Fox at UFC 155 on Dec. 29, 2012. He's done studio work, pre-fight, post-fight and weigh-in shows for Fox since.

He's excelled, along with Brian Stann and Dominick Cruz in particular, and deservedly got the nod to replace Sonnen as Florian's sidekick.

"We?re thrilled to have Daniel join the UFC Tonight team on a permanent basis,? Steve Becker, the coordinating producer for the show said. ?He?s been working with us as an analyst and fill-in co-host for almost two years and has proven to be a natural talent in front of the camera, providing excellent insight and a fantastic personality."

The job will give Cormier an option to fall back on when his fighting career ends, but he's not thinking about that any time soon. Despite his enthusiasm for the job, he told Yahoo Sports on Monday he's first and foremost a fighter.

He loves his television work, but said fighting is what he does best.

"I'm on the cusp of something very special," Cormier said. "Januay 3 will be the culmination of a lifetime of competitive sport for me. Football, wrestling, everything I have done has led me to the MGM Grand [in Las Vegas] on Jan. 3 at UFC 182. The TV stuff is great, and I love doing it, but at the end of the day, fighting is what I do still.

"As I said before, sometimes it seemed like fighting became secondary for other guys when they made it on TV. That's not the case with me. Fighting is what I do. Fighting is what I love to do. Fighting is my present and TV is second. I love doing it, but there is more value to me sitting at that desk with the UFC�championship than without it."

More UFC coverage from Yahoo Sports:

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/fox-sports-tabs-daniel-cormier-as-permanent-co-host-of-ufc-tonight-172256293.html

Junie Browning Paul Buentello  Josh Burkman  Mikey Burnett  Murilo Bustamante 

UFC 179: How'd You Get Your Nickname - Videos

Stars from UFC 179 reveal how they received they nicknames. UFC 179 goes down this Saturday, October 25th on Pay-Per-View!

Source: http://mmalice.com/videos/ufc-179-howd-you-get-your-nickname-video_gv3acwfa.html

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With pressure gone, Stephan Bonnar ready to let it all hang out

Stephan Bonnar�(15-8) felt relieved. It was the spring of 2005 and the light heavyweight had just lost a razor-thin decision in the finals of the first ever Ultimate Fighter (TUF) series to Forrest Griffin.

The stakes were high for fighters like Bonnar and Griffin, all throughout the TUF season. The winner in each weight class (Kenny Florian and Diego Sanchez met in the middleweight finals) was to get a UFC contract.

Sitting with Cagewriter after a lunch in his home of Las Vegas, Bonnar remembers the pressure at that time feeling great. After laying it all out in a desperate attempt to win the light heavyweight UFC contract and losing the decision, he felt a weight had been lifted off his shoulders.�

The feeling wouldn?t last.

Bonnar and Griffin both fought so well that, moments after the decision was rendered and announced, UFC president Dana White came into the Octagon and announced that both fighters were receiving contracts. ?The whole time, we were all convinced that one winner in each division would get a contract,? Bonnar remembers.

?We tried so hard to win it, and when I lost, I was relieved. I thought, ?cool, I guess I can get back to my life now.? Then, Dana offered me the contract as well, and it was kinda scary. I thought, ?Ok, looks like I?m going to do this for a living.?

Bonnar had fought extensively from his then home of Chicago, but did so for virtually no money. It was the college-educated fighter?s day job, and continued studies that paid the bills.

Suddenly, that was about to change. Bonnar?s professional life and identity was about to be swallowed by MMA.� ?April 9, 2005,? he says of the TUF 1 Finale date.

?That was really when I saw myself as a professional fighter.?

�

Identity crisis�

About a decade of big fights, wins, injuries and other tribulations later, Bonnar retired for a second time, and was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame. Stepping away from active competition was not easy on Bonnar, however much his body may have appreciated the break. But his mind, which had almost his whole identity wrapped up in being a professional fighter, had a harder time making the adjustment.�

?Yeah it was hard,? he says, of retirement.

?I had stepped down from fighting, and had a position with the UFC, was getting my health insurance and all that. Then, I was offered the fight with Anderson [Silva]. Once again, opportunity knocked. I thought that I might as well jump on it. Things didn?t work out, though.

?I ended up getting suspended, losing my job, and all that. That?s when it really crumbled. I took stock and realized that every part of my identity was UFC-related. I was doing a lot of TV work, I had the t-shirt company, I was working with the company. My whole life was UFC, and when that all got wiped away, I had to look at what was left. It was a hard thing to go through. It was good for me to have had to deal with it, then, though. I got into day trading and finally found something outside of fighting that I could pour my heart and energy into. It got easier. It was kind of a relief to be able to pour my energy into something outside of fighting, and the day trading also became kind of my security blanket, financially. There was no longer the pressure of, ?I?ve got to win to support my family.??

Of course, Bonnar is back in fighting. At least, for now.

Juice worth the squeeze

?Robocop? will face off against fellow UFC Hall of Famer Tito Ortiz (17-11-1) on November 15 inside a Bellator cage. Bonnar was offered the bout with the former world champion after his suspension was over, saw an opportunity to fight without all the usual down sides, and jumped at it.

?It does seem like the last couple years of fighting was all about getting wins so I could parlay that into getting a big fight where I could then let it all hang out and give a crowd-pleasing fight,? he says.

?With this, I?m catapulted right to that point of a big fight.?

Bonnar says that the feeling, and thrill, leading up to the fight with Ortiz feels about the same as his big UFC bouts did. However, preamble isn?t why he stepped out of retirement ? the fight itself is why.

?It feels pretty much the same,? he says.

?But, when it comes down to it, it?s going to be me and him locked in a cage. It doesn?t matter what banner it?s under. The rules are the same.?

Bonnar has always loved a great scrap, and never wilted at the prospect of training hard to be prepared for them. However, over a decade of training and fighting has taken its physical toll on the man.

He says that for his final couple years in the UFC, training camps began to tax him more than they were worth. After some time off, however, he has begun to enjoy the grind again.

?To be honest with you, the last couple of years, training started to become burdensome,? he admits.

?I had a lot of injuries, pain. I got staph [infections] all the time. It was something that I was getting sick of. I had to take a break from it. Now, it is not as bad. I?m a lil? more tolerant of it. I have a silver lining, now. For so long you just push through injuries, and surgeries, and suck it up. I had a nice break from it and I do feel a little refreshed. I?ve been pushing hard these last couple of months.?

Bonnar has done much of his training with coaches Sergio Penha and ?One Kick Nick? Blomgren in his home of Las Vegas. In addition to that, Bonnar says he focused on wrestling with intensity, at the outset of his camp to prepare for Ortiz.

Bonnar knows a fight is unpredictable, and he can?t be certain how things will play out in his return bout against ?The Huntington Beach Bad Boy.?

That said, when he visualizes the fight, he does have a simple, and beautiful set of images play through his battle-loving mind. ?I just imagine sticking and moving,? he says.�

?Shutting his take downs, down, and hitting him in the face.?

Follow Elias on Twitter @EliasCepeda & @YahooCagewriter

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/with-pressure-gone--stephan-bonnar-ready-to-let-it-all-hang-out-030131611.html

Ricardo Almeida  Eddie Alvarez Thiago Alves  Andre Amade  Dean Amasinger 

Bellator MMA: Tonight - October 24th on Spike TV - Emanuel Newton vs Linton Vassell - Videos

Tonight, October 24, 2014 - Emanuel Newton makes his 2nd title defense against Linton Vassell. Plus, Bobby Lashley returns to face Karl Ethrington & more! Full Fight Card: http://bit.ly/1y8z1SI

Source: http://mmalice.com/videos/bellator-mma-tonight-october-24th-on-spike-tv-emanuel-newton-vs-linton-vassell-video_yk1zatsz.html

Edwin Dewees  Nick Diaz  Tadhg Steamfist Dixon Joe Doerksen  Chris Dolman

Watch UFC 182?s Nate Marquardt Tap Out James Te Huna

Nate Marquardt is to fight Brad Tavares at UFC 182 next Saturday, in what is a huge fight for both middleweights. Tavares is looking to rebound from consecutive losses to Yoel Romero and Tim Boetsch, which halted the noted striker’s ascension up the 185 rankings. Marquardt, meanwhile, is coming off a pivotal, submission win over […]

MMAFrenzy.com

Source: http://mmafrenzy.com/113753/watch-ufc-182s-nate-marquardt-tap-james-te-huna/

Dave Gomez Keith Hackney Matt Hamill Volk Han Joachim Hansen

UFC Now Ep. 146: Top 5 Deceiving Fighters

Source: http://mmasportsreport.com/7103/ufc-now-ep-146-top-5-deceiving-fighters

Andrei Arlovski  Ricardo Arona  Noboru Asahi Marcus Aurelio  Mikhail Avetisyan

UFC's Luke Rockhold: I'm better than Michael Bisping, everywhere

UFC middleweight contender Luke Rockhold (12-2) is confident heading into his UFC Fight Night: Sydney main event contest against Michael Bisping (25-6) Nov. 8. Like, really confident.

By all appearances, he should be. Rockhold has lost only once since 2007 (whereas Bisping has lost half of his last six fights), is a half-decade younger than the British star, and has stopping power on the feet and on the ground.

And, oh yeah, Bisping was recently dominated by a fighter who Rockhold has a win over, in Tim Kennedy. All that said, the American Kickboxing Academy stand out insists that he respects Bisping's abilities, though he can't stand his abbrasive personality.

"There are definitely up-sides to fighting Bisping," Rockhold tells Cagewriter.

"He's well-known, and I have a win over Tim Kennedy, who beat him. But, Bisping is a tough guy. You can't write him off. He's good at everything. He's been able to beat some of the top guys out there because he can expose their weaknesses. Usually, guys have a weaknesses somewhere. He's strong in all three areas - wrestling, stand up striking, and on the ground. Bisping has been able to isolate guys in their weak realm, and beat them."

Despite their war of words, during interviews, conference calls, and on Twitter, Rockhold clearly respects Bisping as a fighter. If surfer-turned-fighter believes Bisping is elite, he's certain that he himself is simply the best in the division, however.

"With me, he's running into a problem," Rockhold explains.

"I'm better than him in every area. I'm one of the most well-rounded fighters out there. I think this is a good stylistic match up for me. I believe that I'm the best fighter in the division, and I can't wait to show everyone how much I've improved, and where I'm at, at this point in my career."�

"The Count" seems to relish his role as a villain, and has told all who will listen that his barrage of trash talk is getting to Rockhold. The San Jose fighter maintains that Bisping is sorely mistaken, if he believes that he's unfocused in any way.

"I?m completely focused," he says.

"I keep hear him mentioning that he's getting under my skin. If anything, I think he's the one who is riled up. On all the conference calls, interviews together, and things like that, I've been pretty calm. He keeps getting upset and raising his voice. I think I've been cool, calm and collected. I'm very confident going into this fight. I'm just going to relax and do my thing."

Follow Elias on Twitter @EliasCepeda & @YahooCagewriter

�

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/ufc-s-luke-rockhold--i-m-better-than-michael-bisping--everywhere-182820591.html

Ryan Bader  Siyar Bahadurzada Bao Ligao  Josh Barnett  David Baron 

Damacio Page Wants Back in the UFC - Videos

Recently crowned Legacy FC flyweight champion Damacio Page joined INSIDE MMA tonight following his electrifying knockout of Brian Hall which has gone viral since his fight last Friday on AXS TV FIGHTS: LEGACY FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP 36. In this clip, Page tells the story of his journey back to fighting after neck surgery and discusses the future of his fighting career after winning the Legacy FC title. AXS TV is Your Home for MMA every Friday Night! Find AXS TV HERE: http://bit.ly/WtTUDr

Source: http://mmalice.com/videos/damacio-page-wants-back-in-the-ufc-video_nlyaajg9.html

Andrew Gardner Tiki Ghosn Dennis George Kultar Gill Allan Goes

Journalist Spencer Lazara Tells What It's Like to Step Into the Cage - Videos

MMA Journalist Spencer Lazara stepped into the cage last week for an amateur bout at the Tuff-N-Uff event in Las Vegas. Watch Lazara discuss his transition from the keyboard to the canvas in this video clip. AXS TV is Your Home for MMA every Friday Night! Find AXS TV HERE: http://bit.ly/WtTUDr

Source: http://mmalice.com/videos/journalist-spencer-lazara-tells-what-its-like-to-step-into-the-cage-video_pmkior1c.html

Yoji Anjo  Ao Hailin  Shinya Aoki  Andrei Arlovski  Ricardo Arona 

The Ultimate Fighter Finale - Tickets on Sale Now! - Videos

UFC History will be made as the first women's strawweight champion will be crowned at The Ultimate Fighter Finale. Tickets are on sale now, get yours today: http://bit.ly/1sZJr5r

Source: http://mmalice.com/videos/the-ultimate-fighter-finale-tickets-on-sale-now-video_zky2haua.html

Gary Goodridge Gerard Gordeau Jonathan Goulet Wilson Gouveia Jason Grace

Watch ?Twas The Night Before Christmas? Featuring Anderson Silva, Daniel Cormier, Chris Weidman and More

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays folks! If you’re feeling a wee bit Scroogy this AM, perhaps the vid below, featuring several of the UFC’s biggest names may provide a change of heart…

MMAFrenzy.com

Source: http://mmafrenzy.com/113698/watch-twas-night-christmas-featuring-anderson-silva-daniel-cormier-chris-weidman/

Dai Shuanghai  Mac Danzig  Karen Darabedyan Viacheslav Datsik Marcus Davis 

Report: Brock Lesnar losing weight, expected to ditch WWE for UFC return in 2015

Source: http://www.mmamania.com/2014/12/28/7457481/report-brock-lesnar-losing-weight-expected-ditch-wwe-for-ufc-return-2015-mma

Nick Diaz  Tadhg Steamfist Dixon Joe Doerksen  Chris Dolman Edson Drago 

How Did the Rockhold-Bisping Rivarly Begin? Luke Rockhold Explains - Videos

In anticipation of his headlining bout versus Michael Bisping at UFC Fight Night in November, UFC fighter Luke Rockhold joined AXS TV’s INSIDE MMA tonight for an interview with series hosts Kenny Rice and Bas Rutten. In addition to breaking down his matchup with Bisping, Rockhold went into detail about the history of their relationship going back to a sparring match years ago. AXS TV is Your Home for MMA every Friday Night! Find AXS TV HERE: http://bit.ly/WtTUDr

Source: http://mmalice.com/videos/how-did-the-rockhold-bisping-rivarly-begin-luke-rockhold-explains-video_od0edmgo.html

David Baron  Phil Baroni Don Barr Pat Barry  Vitor Belfort 

Frankie Edgar says Conor McGregor push is no surprise

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!

Follow Elias on Twitter @EliasCepeda & @YahooCagewriter

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/frankie-edgar-says-conor-mcgregor-push-is-no-surprise-045950382.html

Don Frye Tony Fryklund Kazuyuki Fujita Masakatsu Funaki Zelg Benkei Galesić

UFC 182: Watch the Preview for ?Bad Blood: Jon Jones?

Yes, UFC 182 is just one a week away, and chances are you’re pretty, pretty excited to see Jon Jones battle Daniel Cormier on January 3rd. After all, the fight will feature one of the sport’s greatest fighters ever in light-heavyweight champ Jon Jones, taking on a man who many believe is for real, his […]

MMAFrenzy.com

Source: http://mmafrenzy.com/113735/ufc-182-watch-preview-bad-blood-jon-jones/

Cody Guinn Jorge Gurgel Andre Gusmao Alexander Gustafsson Jaime Gutierrez

Instant Replay to return to New Jersey MMA this Saturday

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 21^st 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.

Follow Elias on Twitter @EliasCepeda & @YahooCagewriter

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/instant-replay-to-return-to-new-jersey-mma-this-saturday-192336823.html

Noboru Asahi Marcus Aurelio  Mikhail Avetisyan Luiz Azeredo  Luciano Azevedo 

Fabricio Werdum TKOs Mark Hunt with massive knee to win interim heavyweight belt

MEXICO CITY -- Mixed martial arts is the most unpredictable sport in the world, and Fabricio Werdum proved that yet again on Saturday before a raucous sell-out crowd at Mexico City Arena in the main event of UFC 180.

Mark Hunt was controlling the bout with his punching power, keeping the Brazlian on edge and wary of engaging. But as Hunt moved in for what appeared to be a right hand, he ducked his head. At the same time, Werdum leaped and hit the iron-jawed Hunt squarely on the chin with a crushing knee.

Hunt went down and Werdum quickly followed him to the ground. He landed a series of hard shots that forced referee Herb Dean to stop it at 2:27 of the second round. He won the UFC's interim heavyweight title and will meet champion Cain Velasquez when Velasquez recovers from knee surgery.

The main event was the only one on the main card to go past the first round, but it finished in dramatic and unexpected fashion. Hunt seemed in control and it appeared to be a matter of time before one of the power bombs he was firing at Werdum would land and end the fight.

That unpredictability is what makes the sport so great and it made Werdum a champion.

He and his team celebrated like young children, huddling in a group and dancing and jumping up and down after it was over. The large crowd, which saw one of�the finest top-to-bottom shows of the year, cheered lustily as Werdum celebrated.

In the co-main event, a new star might have been born. Kelvin Gastelum was exceptionally impressive in dominating Jake Ellenberger, winning an important fight that should move him into the welterweight division's top 10.

Gastelum, The Ultimate Fighter Season 17 winner, was out-striking Ellenberger in the early going, pumping his jab and firing a left hand behind it.

In the final minute of the round, Ellenberger took Gastelum down. But Gastelum was lightning quick in the scramble, got Ellenberger's back and sunk in the rear-naked choke.

Ellenberger tapped at 4:46 for his third consecutive loss. Gastelum not only improved to 11-0, but he sent a message with his all-around performance that he's going to be a factor in the welterweight division.

No fighter on the card was hotter coming into the show than Dennis Bermudez. He'd won seven in a row and was making a strong case for himself as the next title challenger in the tough featherweight division.

But former title challenger Ricardo Lamas derailed Bermudez's hopes with an impressive finish of his own.

Lamas dropped Bermudez with a jab and quickly rushed in to catch Bermudez in a guillotine choke at 3:18 of the first round. As he celebrated his victory, he shouted to UFC president Dana White seated at cageside, "Hey Dana, make sure my bonus is in dollars, not pesos."

Lamas has now won back-to-back fights since losing earlier this year to champion Jose Aldo and is fighting his way back into contention for another crack. He's won six of his last seven, the only blemish being a decision defeat to Aldo at UFC 169.

Augusto "Dodger" Montano was the only Mexico City resident on the card, and he walked to the cage to a loud roar. He proved he deserved the crowd's respect by overwhelming Chris Heatherly.

Montano used a series of knees to double over Heatherly and force referee John McCarthy to come in to stop it at 4:50 of the first.

Montano, who was in his UFC debut, improved his record to 14-1 with the stoppage.�

In the opener on the pay-per-view card, Hector Urbina made his UFC debut a successful one by submitting Edgar Garcia with a guillotine choke.

The finish for the former "The Ultimate Fighter" contestant came out of nowhere. He was grappling along the cage with Garcia when Garcia dropped his head into Urbina's chest.

Urbina quickly spun into the guillotine and locked it in, forcing the submission at 3:38 of the first.

�

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/fabricio-werdum-mark-hunt-interim-title-043047847.html

Leonard Garcia Andrew Gardner Tiki Ghosn Dennis George Kultar Gill

Should Ronda Rousey do Playboy? Mia St. John gives her advice - Videos

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/vnzIb

Source: http://mmalice.com/videos/should-ronda-rousey-do-playboy-mia-st-john-gives-her-advice-video_lymsmoo8.html

Eddie Alvarez Thiago Alves  Andre Amade  Dean Amasinger  Jimmy Ambriz

Bellator's Josh Neer: 'Paul Bradley made it personal'

Josh Neer (36-13-1) says that he started fighting before he even began real training. The 31 year-old began competing in MMA, essentially as a pure wrestler.

Back then, over twelve years ago, he was just a teenager who wanted to mix it up, and so he did. A lot.

Of course, he eventually began real MMA training, became ?The Dentist? and is now a veteran of fifty professional fights, in addition to a relatively long amateur career. Neer doesn?t use more words than he has to in interviews, and doesn?t seem one to become overly effusive with his language, but he has no problem admitting to Cagewriter that he?s passionate about the sport of MMA.

?I wouldn?t say I thought I?d make a career out of it, back then,? he reminisces of the sport.

?Because, I wasn?t making any money doing it (laughs). But I did love doing it, and I wanted to do it for as long as I could.?

In his next bout, taking place this Friday in the main event of Bellator 129 in Council Bluffs, Iowa, Neer will fight another Iowan, and he?s not too happy about it. Paul Bradley (21-6) wrestled at Iowa University, but also spent time training at Team Miletich when Neer was still on the team.

Neer says that he and Bradley trained together. What?s more, he never had a ?problem? with Bradley.

That is precisely why Neer wasn?t keen on fighting his former teammate this week. ?It?s kind of annoying,? he admits.

?When I fight, I like to make it personal. It?s like, why fight someone I?m cool with, when there are a million other fighters out there??

Still, Neer says he won?t have a problem flipping the switch and becoming a ruthless fighter once he looks across the cage at Bradley on Friday. If he didn?t start out with a grudge against Bradley, he?s sure got one now.

?He made it personal when he signed to fight me,? Neer explains.

?It?s like, ?alright, I guess he wants to fight me.? Now, he won?t be a person I?m cool with, he?s a person who is trying to take me out.?

Follow Elias on Twitter @EliasCepeda & @YahooCagewriter

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/bellator-s-josh-neer---paul-bradley-made-it-personal-125950644.html

Hiroyuki Abe Cyril Abidi  Daniel Acacio Bernard Ackah  Terrance Aflague

UFC champ Ronda Rousey: ' I would rather die than lose'

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.

Check out what's buzzing on the Yahoo Sports Minute:

Follow Elias on Twitter @EliasCepeda & @YahooCagewriter

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/ufc-champ-ronda-rousey----i-would-rather-die-than-lose-041625665.html

Tadhg Steamfist Dixon Joe Doerksen  Chris Dolman Edson Drago  Tomasz Drwal

Anthony Pettis becomes first to submit Gilbert Melendez, keeps belt

LAS VEGAS -- Anthony Pettis insisted that his 15-month layoff since his last bout would have no impact upon him. And after submitting No. 1 contender Gilbert Melendez less than two minutes into the second round of their lightweight title fight at UFC 181 at Mandalay Bay, it was hard to argue.

Melendez, the former Strikeforce�champion and one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world, shot in on Pettis in the decisive sequence. Pettis appeared ready and got Melendez in a guillotine. He quickly forced Melendez to tap, the first time in a 12-year career Melendez was finished.

Asked what message he wanted to send to other lightweight contenders, Pettis cut to the chase.

"I just showed the message right there," Pettis said. "The No. 1 guy in the world [and I finished him in] two rounds."

It was a good first round and Melendez had more than his share of moments. He took Pettis down and also landed a series of good punches.

But the harder, more impactful strikes were coming from Pettis.

"He was fast, striking tight in the pocket," Melendez said. "I was trying to load up on that punch and he popped in that jab."

Pettis hurt Melendez several times, once with a right hand and another time with a kick. He seemed unsettled at first when Melendez came after him, but that was part of Melendez's strategy.

Pettis is a striker, but Melendez wanted to make him trade.

"I wanted to stay in his face and bang it out, and try to test his chin as much as possible," Melendez said. "He's good and quick."

Pettis, 27, has made a phenomenal rise. He won the title last year in his hometown of Milwaukee, finishing Benson Henderson in the first round with an arm bar.�

On Saturday, he was just as impressive in beating a guy no one else could really handle. Melendez was coming off a dynamic win over Diego Sanchez that some thought was the 2013 Fight of the Year.

But Pettis showed he's unquestionably the best at 155 pounds.

"GIl is tough,and he was throwing heat," Pettis said. "I give big ups to Gilbert. I've been watching him a long time. When I was a kid, I was watching him. But now I'm here."

And it's going to take one exceptional fighter to get past him.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/anthony-pettis-becomes-first-to-submit-gilbert-melendez--keeps-belt-044827761.html

Lyman Good Gary Goodridge Gerard Gordeau Jonathan Goulet Wilson Gouveia

Dana White Builds Snow Ramp In Yard For Christmas

Dana White Builds Snow Ramp In Yard For For The Kids This Christmas In Las Vegas 2014. A video posted by Dana White (@danawhiteufc) on Dec 12, 2014 at 5:48pm PST

Source: http://www.mmatko.com/dana-white-builds-snow-ramp-in-yard-for-christmas/

Logan The Pink Pounder Clark  Steve The Snake Claveau  Rich No Love Clementi  Mark The Hammer Coleman Wes Soldier Combs 

Bobby Lashley: Separating fact from fiction

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

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/bobby-lashley--separating-fact-from-fiction-180238282.html

Dave Gomez Keith Hackney Matt Hamill Volk Han Joachim Hansen

A Very Stockton Christmas With The Diaz Brothers

A Very Stockton Christmas With The Diaz Brothers by Tommy Toe Hold 2014.

Source: http://www.mmatko.com/a-very-stockton-christmas-with-the-diaz-brothers/

Tiki Ghosn Dennis George Kultar Gill Allan Goes Takanori The Fireball Kid Gomi

UFC 182: Myles Jury Plans Says His Results ?Speak For Themselves? as Pivotal Fight Approaches

UFC 182′s co-main event may not have the same amount of buzz as the headlining Jon Jones vs Daniel Cormier, but Donald Cerrone-Myles Jury is a compelling and pivotal fight. In Cerrone, you have one of the lightweight division’s most accomplished, dangerous and popular fighters, who has been in the title shot hunt for years.�Jury, […]

The post UFC 182: Myles Jury Plans Says His Results “Speak For Themselves” as Pivotal Fight Approaches appeared first on Five Ounces of Pain.

Source: http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2014/12/27/ufc-182-myles-jury-plans-says-results-speak-pivotal-fight-approaches/

Justin Eilers  Jon Olav Einemo Per Eklund Jason Ellis Aleksander Emelianenko

Daniel Cormier ? ?I NEED To Be Locked In A Cage With Jon Jones?

UFC Light Heavyweight Number One Contender Daniel Cormier faces the most dominant Light Heavyweight Champion of all time when he fights�Jon Jones on January 3 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Cormier has no problem being honest about the skill set that Jones possesses, but he also feels that he will be the toughest test he has […]

The post Daniel Cormier – “I NEED To Be Locked In A Cage With Jon Jones” appeared first on Fighters.com.

Source: http://www.fighters.com/12/23/daniel-cormier-need-locked-cage-jon-jones/

Jaime Gutierrez Dave Gomez Keith Hackney Matt Hamill Volk Han

Anderson Silva vs. Rich Franklin full fight video: 'The Spider' destroys 'Ace' at UFC 64 to win middleweight strap

Source: http://www.mmamania.com/2014/12/27/7455423/anderson-silva-vs-rich-franklin-full-fight-video-spider-destroys-ace-ufc-64-mma

Todd Duffee  Marvin Eastman  Stav Crazy Bear Economou  Yves Edwards  Justin Eilers