Barnett says favorable things about the UFC
Original Poster: Martial-Arts-Blogs
Forum: Mixed Martial Arts Forums
Posted On: 22-06-2007, 18:53

Orginal Post: Martial-Arts-Blogs: In the June 4 edition of the Wrestling Observer, Dave Meltzer reported that Josh Barnett felt insulted after he asked the UFC for tickets to UFC 71 and was told to buy them on his own.*Meltzer is usually on the money but it appears he may have gotten some bad info in regard to this one instance because*in a recent interview on the Internet audio show “The Clinch,” Barnett tells a completely different story.
In the interview, which apparently was conducted in Las Vegas right after UFC 71, Barnett was asked about how his relationship with Dana White was doing and he said “It’s going great.” Barnett also added that he showed up for UFC 71 with no tickets and that*White put him in the front row. In addition to speaking with White, Barnett also said he spoke to the Fertittas and that he feels there’s now a mutual understanding when it comes “to making business.”
When asked about doing business with the UFC, he said that there’s a difference in*the vision of how he believes MMA should be and their vision,*but that*” as far as me as a fighter and them as a promoter, I think we get along just fine.”
When asked if the UFC might be the next place where he’ll fight, he said it’s definitely “a possibility and*not far-fetched by any means.” He went on to add that there are some problems with his contract as far as the “DSE side of things” and that “technically he’s still under contract to PRIDE.” I think he might not have been aware at the time he made the comments that the sale to the Fertittas has been finalized.
Barnett was asked about Bodog and if there was anything “going on from a fighting standpoint” and Barnett responded “Not from a fighting standpoint…” He*was complementary about*the promotion though, saying doing some commentary work was a possibility and that he thinks they are doing business the right way.*
The fact that Barnett is opening to doing business with Zuffa is a good thing considering all the bad blood between both sides in the past. However, it still appears that Barnett’s MMA future is up in the air. EliteXC had made an attempt to have him fight one the June 2 K-1 card in LA against Sergei Kharinotonov but couldn’t make the match due to Barnett’s contract with PRIDE. Barnett will also be doing some pro wrestling in Japan this summer, which*is something he’s*done in the past.
From a fan’s perspective, I’d love to see him back in the UFC. He’s a talented, tough fighter, who would be an instant contender for the UFC heavyweight title. He’s extremely intelligent and charismatic and as such, would be extremely marketable here in the U.S. from a mainstream perspective. You can listen to the interview at:
[URL="http://www.ringbadabing.com/stream/062007tc.mp3" www.ringbadabing.com/stream/062007tc.mp3[/URL 
The interview starts around the 27:00 mark.

Report: Sokoudjou balks at UFC offer, signs with EliteXC
Original Poster: Martial-Arts-Blogs
Forum: Mixed Martial Arts Forums
Posted On: 22-06-2007, 17:52

Orginal Post: Martial-Arts-Blogs: Looks like Brandon Vera was on to something.
After much speculation, Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou has agreed to terms on a four-fight contract with Showtime’s EliteXC, according to a report from [URL="http://www.sherdog.com/news/news.asp?n_id=8027" Sherdog.com[/URL .
This agreement comes in the wake of the UFC’s “less than spectacular” offer that [URL="http://ufcmania.com/2007/06/14/ufc-exclusive-quick-quote-team-quest-to-decide-sokoudjous-future/" UFCmania confirmed[/URL  was made to the Cameroonian combatant last week.
Like Vera, the UFC apparently didn’t see much value in a*young, talented fighter with a penchant for striking.
And their laissez-faire approach to negotiating didn’t sit well with Sokoudjou’s managers Dan Henderson and Ryan Parsons.
In our [URL="http://ufcmania.com/2007/06/14/ufc-exclusive-quick-quote-team-quest-to-decide-sokoudjous-future/" exclusive report[/URL , Sokoudjou explains his “hands off” approach to contract negotiations, instead letting the guys at Team Quest decide what’s best for his future.
I guess they decided the better money — not the better competition — was best for Sokoudjou’s future.
During my [URL="http://ufcmania.com/2007/06/03/i-want-shogun-an-exclusive-interview-with-the-african-assassin-rameau-thierry-sokoudjou/" exclusive interview[/URL  with the African Assassin, Sokoudjou made it clear that Mauricio “Shogun” Rua was the fighter he wanted to face next.
Now that opportunity may pass him by as he heads to the land of milk and honey - which by all intents and purposes should be the UFC.
I guess after the purchase of PRIDE they’re a little strapped for cash.
At just 23, there’s no question*Sokoudjou still has a very bright future ahead of him.
But the way this sport is evolving, spending a year or two toiling in the ranks of unknown and unproven fighters may cost him the momentum he’s built up after shocking KO wins over Brazilian superstars Antonio Rogerio Nogueira and Ricardo Arona.
And the desire fans have to see him face the division’s best.
Shogun included.

Friday Fight Fun Video: Bad Blood
Original Poster: Martial-Arts-Blogs
Forum: Mixed Martial Arts Forums
Posted On: 22-06-2007, 17:52

Orginal Post: Martial-Arts-Blogs:

The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 5 Finale weigh-in details and information
Original Poster: Martial-Arts-Blogs
Forum: Mixed Martial Arts Forums
Posted On: 22-06-2007, 17:15

Orginal Post: Martial-Arts-Blogs: The field of 18 fighters — including BJ Penn and Jens Pulver — set to compete tomorrow at The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) Finale all tip the scales today from 6-8 p.m. EST for the official weigh-in.
For some reason I just can’t wait for that staredown.
Anyway, here are all that particulars from [URL="http://www.ufc.com/index.cfm?fa=eventdetail.home&eid=764" UFC.com[/URL :
Location:
The Palms Hotel & Casino
Soprano Ballroom
Second Floor
Address:
4321 West Flamingo Road
Las Vegas, NV 89103
The weigh-in is FREE and open to the public. It will not be televised or broadcast over the Internet like the major pay-per-view (PPV) events from what we can gather.
UFC.com mentions that “highlights” will be available later in the day on its Web site. In fact, weigh-in videos and photos are often posted on UFC.com relatively soon after each event.
In the meantime, we will post the results as soon as that information becomes available later on today.
TUF 5 Finale will take place tomorrow on Saturday, June 12, at The Palms Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. For the complete fight card click [URL="http://ufcmania.com/2006/11/23/tuf-5-finale-fight-card-ufc-ultimate-fighter/" here[/URL .
Sidenote: If you missed “Bad Blood: B.J. Penn vs. Jens Pulver” on Spike the other night don’t fret … the network is running it again at midnight tonight. In addition, Spike will also air a TUF 5 season marathon all day tomorrow (Saturday) leading up until showtime. Check your local listings.

Ultimate Fighter 5 Finale results coverage ? LIVE
Original Poster: Martial-Arts-Blogs
Forum: Mixed Martial Arts Forums
Posted On: 22-06-2007, 16:40

Orginal Post: Martial-Arts-Blogs: [IMG http://ufcmania.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/tuf5finale_results.jpg[/IMG 
It’s been almost three months since episode one of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 5 debuted on Spike television.
The season will culminate tomorrow with the TUF 5 Finale, which is set for Saturday, June 23, at The Palms Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The televised portion of the card will begin at 9 p.m. ET, naturally, on Spike. We’ll have live blow-by-blow blogging during the main card action.
We’ll also have up-to-the-minute quick updates for the undercard action that is scheduled to begin around 6 p.m. ET.
There’s been a lot of talk between the two coaches — BJ Penn and Jens Pulver — during the TUF season and leading up to this rematch. I honestly can’t wait to see who shuts who up tomorrow night.
I’m even more interested I think to see BJ make and compete at 155 pounds.
As always, remember to stop-in for our LIVE coverage and commentary of the TUF 5 Finale. Feel free to leave a comment or 10 before you leave and chat with many of our readers during the show — it always turns out to be a good time.
Don’t forget also that we will be the spot for the latest news, recaps and post-fight analysis following the TUF 5 Finale.
For the complete TUF 5 Finale fight card click [URL="http://ufcmania.com/2006/11/23/tuf-5-finale-fight-card-ufc-ultimate-fighter/" here[/URL .

UFC Quick Quote: WEC deal will be bigger than PRIDE FC
Original Poster: Martial-Arts-Blogs
Forum: Mixed Martial Arts Forums
Posted On: 22-06-2007, 16:04

Orginal Post: Martial-Arts-Blogs: [INDENT [IMG http://ufcmania.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/danawhite_onpridedeal.jpg[/IMG “You acquire another company when they have things that you need or things that you want. The WEC was a small little show in California. They had a good reputation, and they had a good relationship with this Indian reservation at the time. When I went in and bought that company, I had a completely different idea for the WEC. But when I acquired them, we ended up doing something else with them. We ended up putting it on Versus Network and doing a deal with the Hard Rock in Las Vegas. You never know; you might buy a company for one reason, and you might hit it right somewhere else. That WEC deal will be way bigger than the Pride [a premier fight promotion company in Japan  deal, believe it or not.”
[/INDENT  – UFC President Dana White tells [URL="http://www.entrepreneur.com/startingabusiness/successstories/article180692.html" Entrepreneur.com[/URL  that the recent acquisition of the World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) promotion will be bigger than the more recent Zuffa purchase of PRIDE FC.

UFC 76: Shogun to make Octagon debut; Fedor ?close? to signing
Original Poster: Martial-Arts-Blogs
Forum: Mixed Martial Arts Forums
Posted On: 22-06-2007, 14:23

Orginal Post: Martial-Arts-Blogs: [IMG http://ufcmania.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/shogun_ufcdebut.jpg[/IMG Mauricio “Shogun” Rua will make his long-awaited Octagon debut at UFC 76 in Anaheim, Calif., according to quotes attributed to UFC President Dana White in [URL="http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/sports/1182477312164070.xml&coll=7&thispage=2" The Oregonian[/URL .
No opponent has been named at this point.
Here’s a snip from White:
[INDENT “He’s signed and ready to roll. You couldn’t meet a classier guy in your whole life. He will be so marketable.”
[/INDENT The Brazilian light heavyweight — who is considered the top 205-pound fighter in the world — is the 2005 PRIDE FC Middleweight Grand Prix Champion. He destroyed Alistair Overeem and highly touted Ricardo Arona in the same night — both in the first round — to capture the coveted title.
Shogun also dismantled current UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson with a first round knockout at PRIDE: “Total Elimination” in 2005.
His only loss is to Mark Coleman. But that was because Rua fell at an awkward angle and broke his arm during the fight.
There’s no telling who UFC matchmaker Joe Silva will put in the cage with him at the Honda Center during UFC 76. But Shogun has made short work of some of the very best fighters in the sport throughout his career.
Look for that trend to continue in the UFC.
[CENTER ***[/CENTER 
In other news, White mentions in the article that he is, “moving close to signing a contract that would bring PRIDE FC heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko, widely considered the best fighter in the world, to the UFC.”
Take it for what it’s worth because this had been speculated since the beginning of 2007. However, there is some unsubstantiated news coming out of some reliable Russian message boards that corroborates White’s latest claim.
Let’s hope this time the news is closer to fact than it is rumor.

Preview of Shamrock vs. Baroni card
Original Poster: Martial-Arts-Blogs
Forum: Mixed Martial Arts Forums
Posted On: 22-06-2007, 10:26

Orginal Post: Martial-Arts-Blogs: My full preview of tomorrow’s Frank Shamrock vs. Phil Baroni main event and most of the undercard matches is available at:
[URL http://cbs.sportsline.com/mmaboxing/story/10232977[/URL 
According to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer, both Shamrock and Baroni opened up at -115 ($115 needs to be wagered in order to win $100) but the line moved to -140 after heavy betting on Baroni.
For the record, I am picking Shamrock to win via decision but I wouldn’t bet the fight because it’s a match that could truly go either way.
Back when UFC couldn’t even get televised on PPV in the late ’90s, I would watch tapes of Shamrock. He was simply the man and was the first true dual-threat in MMA. However, a first round knockout in March ‘06 against Cesar Gracie didn’t impress me. Gracie is a great MMA trainer with the likes of Jake Shields, Gilbert Melendez, Nate Diaz, and Nick Diaz in his camp but he was 40 and making his MMA debut.
I was even less impressed with Shamrock after Renzo Gracie took him down at will this past February. Renzo’s pure Jiu-Jitsu is great but is “MMA Jit-Jitsu” is questionable. He isn’t a good wrestler and isn’t a strong leg attacker but was able to clutch Shamrock and get him to the ground. That said to me that Shamrock may not have kept up with contemporary MMA. Maybe that’s why he went to Team Quest in Temecula, Calif. a few weeks before the Friday’s fight?
Baroni is going to have a huge size advantage on Frank and is a threat because of his punching power. Cardio is a question mark even though he usually catches a second win in the third round when his non-title fights go the distance. But I received word from inside Baroni’s camp at Xtreme Couture that he’s in amazing shape.
So while I am picking Shamrock to win, it wouldn’t surprise me in the least if Baroni won. Taking a decision in Shamrock’s backyard might be impossible so*Baroni will need to take it via*KO or TKO.
Another name to watch on the card is Cung Le. I can’t say enough about the guy. If you haven’t seen him fight before, do yourself a favor and order the pay-per-view.
I’m also eager to see Carter Williams. Are we going to see the same Williams who won the ‘03 U.S. leg of the K-1 Grand Prix at the age of 23 or the guy who just never was able to live up to the hype after that?
Make sure you check out the CBS Sportsline MMA page*at cbs.sportsline.com/mmaboxing*because I have interviews up with Phil Baroni, Cung Le, B.J. Penn, Jens Pulver, and Manny Gamburyan along wiht my story on Sokoudjou.

UFC 75: Michael Bisping vs. Matt Hamill is official ? finally
Original Poster: Martial-Arts-Blogs
Forum: Mixed Martial Arts Forums
Posted On: 22-06-2007, 04:19

Orginal Post: Martial-Arts-Blogs: It’s official:
Michael Bisping and Matt Hamill will meet in a light heavyweight bout at UFC 75 on September 8 in London, England, according to [URL="http://www.ufc.com/index.cfm?fa=eventDetail.FightCard&eid=758" UFC.com[/URL .
Just last week, we [URL="http://ufcmania.com/2007/06/14/ufc-75-michael-bisping-vs-matt-hamill/" passed along news[/URL  that Ticketmaster.com announced the showdown on its Web site. In the wake of UFC 72, however, just a few days later FightNetwork.com [URL="http://ufcmania.com/2007/06/18/ufc-75-michael-bisping-vs-ken-shamrock-seriously/" claimed[/URL  that Ken Shamrock would face “The Count.”
Then, two days ago Dave Meltzer [URL="http://ufcmania.com/2007/06/19/meltzer-hamill-not-shamrock-still-bisping-ufc-75-opponent/" reported[/URL  that the Shamrock announcement was an error and that Hamill was indeed still the opponent.*
The back-and-forth speculation has been nothing short of maddening. It’s good to finally get the official word on this fiasco.
While Bisping-Hamill is not a dream come true, it is a solid test for the British star.
Hamill is a phenomenal wrestler, who displayed another facet of his skill set with a first round technical knockout of Rex Holman at UFC 68 in March.
Bisping, of course, has made a name for himself as a striker, finishing nearly 70 percent of his opponents via T(KO). The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) season three 205-pound winner will more than likely see a step up in competition if he can dispatch of Hamill in front of his hometown crowd at the 02 Arena.
For the developing UFC 75 fight card click [URL="http://ufcmania.com/2007/04/22/ufc-75-fight-card/" here[/URL .

Bennett taken off EliteXC card
Original Poster: Martial-Arts-Blogs
Forum: Mixed Martial Arts Forums
Posted On: 22-06-2007, 04:19

Orginal Post: Martial-Arts-Blogs: EliteXC and Strikeforce conducted their weigh-ins on Thursday in anticipation of Friday’s card featuring Frank Shamrock vs. Phil Baroni for the vacant Strikeforce middleweight title.
Everyone made weight, with the lone exception being Charles “Krazy Horse” Bennett, who didn’t make it at all. Edson Berto has been officially added to tomorrow’s card and will fight Victor “Joe Boxer” Valenzuela.

New Dear Don column?
Original Poster: Martial-Arts-Blogs
Forum: Mixed Martial Arts Forums
Posted On: 22-06-2007, 04:19

Orginal Post: Martial-Arts-Blogs: Don Frye is back with another advice column on the IFL’s web site. I highly recommend you check it out:
[URL http://www.ifl.tv/News-07June21-Dear-Don-9.html[/URL 

Bas Rutten to be radio guest this Saturday
Original Poster: Martial-Arts-Blogs
Forum: Mixed Martial Arts Forums
Posted On: 22-06-2007, 04:19

Orginal Post: Martial-Arts-Blogs: It’s time for some shameless self-promotion.
IFL commentator and former UFC heavyweight champion Bas Rutten will be a guest on the radio this Saturday on ESPN 920 in Philadelphia.
Bas will join my co-host John Floyd and I for a segment on The Saturday Morning Sports Hangover at 11 a.m. ET. Bas will probably be on during the third segment, sometime around 11:40 a.m. ET. If you have a question for Bas you can call into the show at 866-459-ESPN.
If you’re not in the Philly area you can hear the show at 920ESPN.com.

MMAPlayground.com: New fight season begins tomorrow
Original Poster: Martial-Arts-Blogs
Forum: Mixed Martial Arts Forums
Posted On: 22-06-2007, 04:19

Orginal Post: Martial-Arts-Blogs: Think you know everything about mixed martial arts (MMA)?*
Well,*head over to [URL="http://www.mmaplayground.com" MMAPlayground.com[/URL *and prove it.
The premier MMA fantasy site on the Web will kick-off a new fight season tomorrow, which means that you can get a taste of $5,000 worth of cash and prizes.
All you have to do predict the winners of upcoming fights.
That’s right, with each accurate prediction you will recieve points. And the person with the most points at the end of a “season” — the time it takes to cover 10 major MMA events — receives a pretty sick reward.
There’s also the option to place “fantasy bets,” which means that you can bet the house and not have to worry about losing it.*
The best part is that you do recieve points for second place. In fact, you’re in the money if you land in the Top 10 at season’s end.
Yep, both the top 10 point scores and top 10 fantasy bankrolls are rewarded at the end of the MMA Playground fight season.
And, [URL="http://www.mmaplayground.com" MMAPlayground.com[/URL *now issues rewards to top player performances for each individual event.
Sign-up is FREE so there really is no reason not to check it out.
We’ve even created a fight camp for UFCmania and our readers, which means that we have an exclusive message board*and are able to compete head-to-head in a private area of the Web site.
Ralph and the guys over at [URL="http://www.mmaplayground.com" MMAPlayground.com[/URL *really offer a unique experience over at their site. And, MMAPlayground.com supports us here at UFCmania with frequent news feeds and sponsorships.
It’s worth checking out — there is literally nothing to lose and some cool rewards to gain.
Not to mention bragging rights, which in this*sport — even if we’re a bunch of keyboard warriors — often means more than cold hard cash.*
Go get some.

UFC Quick Quote: Vera says ?I?ll be ready in 2008?
Original Poster: Martial-Arts-Blogs
Forum: Mixed Martial Arts Forums
Posted On: 21-06-2007, 20:02

Orginal Post: Martial-Arts-Blogs: [INDENT “I’m not afraid of any of them. And that goes for Chuck Liddell, Quinton Jackson, Tito Ortiz and anyone else in the lightheavyweight division. I’m more well-rounded than all of them. I’ve still got holes in my game. The only guy who doesn’t is Fedor. But Irvin and I are working on it, fixing my flaws, hunting for his. It’s almost programmed, playing out as planned. I’ll be ready in 2008. And when Fedor slips, I’ll be there.”
[/INDENT – Undefeated UFC heavyweight star Brandon Vera — who has not fought inside the Octagon since late 2006 because of contract and management issues — is quoted on [URL="http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=81860" ABS-CBNNews.com[/URL  as saying that he’s a more well-rounded fighter than some of the best in the sport … except for PRIDE FC Heavyweight Champion Fedor Emelianenko.

David Terrell eyes UFC return at 205 later this year
Original Poster: Martial-Arts-Blogs
Forum: Mixed Martial Arts Forums
Posted On: 21-06-2007, 16:50

Orginal Post: Martial-Arts-Blogs: One-time UFC middleweight title contender David Terrell is eyeing a return to the Octagon later this year, according to [URL="http://www.graciefighter.com/index.php?page=news" GraceFighter.com[/URL .
However, he’ll compete at 205 pounds this time around and not 185 to eliminate the injuries that have dogged him for the better part of two years.
Here’s the full snip:
[INDENT “From a fighting perspective, the past 2 years have been hard ones on David Terrell. The Gracie Jiu-jitsu Black belt has endured a string of injuries that have kept him out of the cage. Forced to sit on the sidelines he has instead been focusing on a successful school he runs out of Santa Rosa, California. Meanwhile the sport of MMA has exploded onto the American market in ways no one envisioned just a few years ago.
Now injury free and wanting a piece of the pie, Terrell eyes a return to fighting. This time however he seems determined to fight at the 205lbs weight limit instead of his recent 185lbs outings. The drastic weight cut to 185 proved too demanding and often left him drained of energy and susceptible to sickness. We should see Dave back in the UFC at the new weight mark later this year and those of us who know him can’t wait.”
[/INDENT Terrell burst onto the scene in his UFC debut in 2004, knocking out Matt Lindland just 24 seconds into their bout at UFC 49. The upset earned him a shot at the middleweight title, which was vacated by Murilo Bustamante.
He lost that championship bout to Evan Tanner via technical knockout at UFC 51 in 2005.
Terrell — a jiu-jitsu student of Cesar Gracie — would fight just one more time after the loss to Tanner, submitting Scott Smith with a rear naked choke at UFC 59 in 2006.
He was scheduled to fight Yushin Okami at UFC 66 in December 2006, but had to pull out of that bout with an injury. It marked the third time in his UFC career that he had to withdraw from a fight.
Terrell has some sick ground skills and obviously some power in his hands as evidenced with his destruction of one of the top middleweights in the world, Matt Lindland.
However, with Rampage Jackson, Dan Henderson, Mauricio Shogun Rua and all of the other superb additions to the 205-pound division lately, it’s going to take a big effort on the part of Terrell to get to the top of the heap.
More than just one punch, that’s for sure.

David Terrell to return to the UFC at 205 lbs.
Original Poster: Martial-Arts-Blogs
Forum: Mixed Martial Arts Forums
Posted On: 21-06-2007, 16:00

Orginal Post: Martial-Arts-Blogs: GracieFigther.com is reporting the following:
[INDENT From a fighting perspective, the past 2 years have been hard ones on David Terrell. The Gracie Jiu-jitsu Black belt has endured a string of injuries that have kept him out of the cage. Forced to sit on the sidelines he has instead been focusing on a successful school he runs out of Santa Rosa, California. Meanwhile the sport of MMA has exploded onto the American market in ways no one envisioned just a few years ago.
Now injury free and wanting a piece of the pie, Terrell eyes a return to fighting. This time however he seems determined to fight at the 205lbs weight limit instead of his recent 185 lbs. outings. The drastic weight cut to 185 proved too demanding and often left him drained of energy and susceptible to sickness. We should see Dave back in the UFC at the new weight mark later this year and those of us who know him can’t wait.
[/INDENT Terrell was once a top prospect in the UFC before all the influx of new talent as a result of all the seasons of TUF. Unfortunately, injuries have derailed his career and it will be interesting to see if fighting at 205 lbs. will allow him to be more durable. It will also be interesting to see how he holds up against bigger fighters in the light heavyweight division.
Also, David Terrell is not the same guy as Dave Terrel, who fights for Zuffa in the WEC.

Nick Diaz won?t corner Nate Diaz
Original Poster: Martial-Arts-Blogs
Forum: Mixed Martial Arts Forums
Posted On: 21-06-2007, 16:00

Orginal Post: Martial-Arts-Blogs: GracieFighter.com is reporting that Nick Diaz will not be allowed to corner his younger brother, Nate Diaz, for Nate’s upcoming fight this Saturday against Manny Gamburyan in the lightweight final of the fifth season of The Ultimate Fighter.
Diaz is still serving a six-month suspension imposed by the Nevada State Athletic Commission for testing positive for marijuana leading up to his fight against Takanori Gomi at Pride 33 in Las Vegas.
Jake Shields, who trains with the Diaz brothers as a part of Cesar Gracie’s camp, will join Gracie as a cornerman for Nate Diaz.

Yamamoto in the U.S.
Original Poster: Martial-Arts-Blogs
Forum: Mixed Martial Arts Forums
Posted On: 21-06-2007, 16:00

Orginal Post: Martial-Arts-Blogs: Various eyewitness accounts place K-1’s Kid Yamamoto at the American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose, Calif.
Josh Thomson said on Beatdown Radio that Yamamoto is training at AKA and getting ready for an upcoming match. There are also images circulating around the Internet where Yamamoto can be seen training at AKA.
For those of you who do not know, Yamamoto is one of the top amateur wrestlers in Japan and was even training to make the next Olympics but was injured while doing so. He’s considered by many to be the top 145 lbs. fighter in the world and has fought many times at 155 lbs., against guys who outweighed him by at least 20 lbs.

Sokoudjou confirms talks with UFC
Original Poster: Martial-Arts-Blogs
Forum: Mixed Martial Arts Forums
Posted On: 21-06-2007, 16:00

Orginal Post: Martial-Arts-Blogs: I was able to speak with Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou recently and he confirmed that his management team of Ryan Parsons and Dan Henderson have had direct talks with the UFC on his behalf. Sokoudjou also mentioned that he expects to know what promotion he’ll be fighting for by the end of the week and that K-1 and Bodog Fight are just two of the other promotions that have expressed an interest in his services.
You can read the entire article at:
[URL http://cbs.sportsline.com/mmaboxing/story/10232109[/URL 

Update on EliteXC/Strikeforce card
Original Poster: Martial-Arts-Blogs
Forum: Mixed Martial Arts Forums
Posted On: 21-06-2007, 16:00

Orginal Post: Martial-Arts-Blogs: Follow the link for an update on this Friday’s co-promoted card by EliteXC and Strikeforce:
[URL http://cbs.sportsline.com/mmaboxing/story/10232110[/URL 

Doerksen rumored to be fighting Filho
Original Poster: Martial-Arts-Blogs
Forum: Mixed Martial Arts Forums
Posted On: 21-06-2007, 16:00

Orginal Post: Martial-Arts-Blogs: The rumors section of MMAWeekly.com is reporting that former UFC middleweight Joe Doerksen is rumored to be fighting former Pride middleweight Paulo Filho at WEC 29 on August 5 in Las Vegas. The card will be telecast on the Versus Network, starting at 9 p.m. ET.
Also rumored is a welterweight title defense by Carlos Condit against Brock Larson and matches between Jeff Curran vs. Stephen Ledbetter and Eric Schambari vs. Logan Clark.

Video: The Chuck Liddell and Wanderlei Silva saga
Original Poster: Martial-Arts-Blogs
Forum: Mixed Martial Arts Forums
Posted On: 21-06-2007, 14:27

Orginal Post: Martial-Arts-Blogs: – Chuck Liddell recently told the [URL="http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-spw-ufc21jun21,1,134424.story?coll=la-headlines-sports&ctrack=1&cset=true" Los Angeles Times[/URL  that he wanted to fight at UFC 76 in Anaheim, Calif., on September 22, but UFC President Dana White wants it to be sometime in October or November. It is widely speculated that his next opponent will be Wanderlei Silva, who seems to have dedicated a good portion of his official [URL="http://www.wanderleisilva.com.br/site/" Web site[/URL  to the highly anticipated showdown (including this video). Nothing is official at this time.

Report: PRIDE not dead, scheduled to return August 18th
Original Poster: Martial-Arts-Blogs
Forum: Mixed Martial Arts Forums
Posted On: 21-06-2007, 13:22

Orginal Post: Martial-Arts-Blogs: [IMG http://ufcmania.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/pridefc_august18.jpg[/IMG Japanese sports newspaper [URL="http://www.nikkansports.com/" Nikkan Sports[/URL  is reporting that the entity formerly know as PRIDE FC will debut under Zuffa control on August 18th at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.
Yesterday [URL="http://ufcmania.com/2007/06/19/sianara-pride-fc/" UFCmania revealed[/URL  that UFC President Dana White was considering dissolving the PRIDE organization. In the wake of all the recent signings of PRIDE fighters, this news didn’t come as much of a surprise.
This new report however, though not confirmed by the UFC, will undoubtedly keep PRIDE fans feeling optimistic about the future.
While I’ve always been a proponent of separate entities, I wonder how much star power the PRIDE name has left when so much of its talent has already set sail for the sands of Nevada.
One of the names mentioned for the August “All-Stars” event is Hidehiko Yoshida. No question he’s a competent and recognizable grappler, but he turns 38 in September and is coming off two tough losses.
Not exactly the kind of fighter you want to build an organization around.
Then again there’s a certain Russian cyborg who’s been floating in limbo for quite some time.

Baroni and Rua cleared to fight
Original Poster: Martial-Arts-Blogs
Forum: Mixed Martial Arts Forums
Posted On: 21-06-2007, 13:22

Orginal Post: Martial-Arts-Blogs: The California State Athletic Commission has cleared both Phil Baroni and Murilo Rua for this Friday’s pay-per-view card from San Jose, Calif. that is being co-promoted by EliteXC and Strikeforce.
Rua will fight Joey Villasenor for the vacant EliteXC middleweight title while Baroni will take on Frank Shamrock for the vacant Strikeforce middleweight title.

GracieFighter.com is at it again?
Original Poster: Martial-Arts-Blogs
Forum: Mixed Martial Arts Forums
Posted On: 21-06-2007, 13:22

Orginal Post: Martial-Arts-Blogs: A day after reporting that Phil Baroni could be off Friday’s EliteXC/Strikeforce card due to some questions about a past MRI and then deleting the report from its web site, GraceFighter.com is reporting today that Baroni is awaiting results from a new MRI in order to get cleared for Friday’s fight vs. Frank Shamrock.
The site goes on to claim that if Baroni isn’t cleared, Cung Le will be moved up from the undercard in order to fight Shamrock.

NSAC weeds out Nick Diaz from corner team at The Ultimate Fighter Finale 5
Original Poster: Martial-Arts-Blogs
Forum: Mixed Martial Arts Forums
Posted On: 21-06-2007, 13:22

Orginal Post: Martial-Arts-Blogs: [IMG http://ufcmania.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/03/nickdiazsmokingweed.jpg[/IMG 
On Saturday June 23, Nate Diaz will have the biggest fight of his career when he faces Manny Gamburyan at The Ultimate Fighter Finale 5.
Only he’ll have to do it without any help or guidance from his older brother and UFC veteran Nick Diaz, according to [URL="http://www.graciefighter.com/?page=news&PHPSESSID=ceee6246fd2764cc08f8ce3aa9bfb04f" GracieFighter.com[/URL .
As UFCmania reported [URL="http://ufcmania.com/2007/03/05/up-in-smoke-nick-diaz-tests-positive-for-weedo/" here[/URL  back in March, Nick Diaz tested positive for marijuana after his surprising and sensational win over PRIDE FC 160-pound champion Takanori Gomi at PRIDE 33.
That win was quickly overturned by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) and Diaz was suspended for six months. Because of that suspension, Diaz was unable to secure a corner’s license for Saturday’s fight.
Diaz will be replaced by ROTR and Shooto phenom Jake Shields, who will share cageside duties with Gilbert Melendez and Camp Instructor Cesar Gracie.
What effect his absence has on the performance of younger brother Nate remains to be seen.

Video: Anderson Silva and ?Big Nog? spar
Original Poster: Martial-Arts-Blogs
Forum: Mixed Martial Arts Forums
Posted On: 20-06-2007, 18:02

Orginal Post: Martial-Arts-Blogs: [ytembed VdnG_eWz3-E[/ytembed 

Audio: Tony Montana, er Karo Parisyan, calls out Gomez and the Diaz brothers
Original Poster: Martial-Arts-Blogs
Forum: Mixed Martial Arts Forums
Posted On: 20-06-2007, 16:28

Orginal Post: Martial-Arts-Blogs: [IMG http://ufcmania.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/karo_mmatv.jpg[/IMG 
Here’s the audio via [URL="http://www.scarface1983.com/wav/cockrchsw.wav" MMA.tv[/URL .
Very clever photoshop and “Scarface” tie-in with Karo Parisyan’s feud with Nick and Nate Diaz.
Good stuff.

UFC Quick Quote: ESPN reporters MMA vs. boxing battle
Original Poster: Martial-Arts-Blogs
Forum: Mixed Martial Arts Forums
Posted On: 20-06-2007, 14:30

Orginal Post: Martial-Arts-Blogs: [INDENT “Boxing does have history. But the UFC, IFL and MMA as a whole are making history. This isn’t going anywhere. Track interest in every big sport except the NFL and you’ll see interest is dwindling. Reality is, MMA is exploding upward. It is. By any measure. It will be even bigger in five years, and bigger than that in 10 years, and on and on. Lots of sports people are underestimating that, and that might be why every year audiences for the so-called “major sports” dwindle. You’re giving boxers too much credit for being amazing technicians. Give us a break. They punch people in the face and take punches in the face.”
[/INDENT – [URL="http://proxy.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?id=2908429" ESPN The Magazine[/URL  reporters Ken Hockensmith (MMA) and Tim Struby (boxing) go toe-to-toe and battle it out to see which sport is better, boxing or MMA. This is a nice spin on a tired topic … check out the entire clip.
(Thanks to UFCmania reader “BigPaul” and all the others for the assist.)

Train with UFC fighter Jon Fitch in Indiana on June 30
Original Poster: Martial-Arts-Blogs
Forum: Mixed Martial Arts Forums
Posted On: 20-06-2007, 13:43

Orginal Post: Martial-Arts-Blogs: [IMG http://ufcmania.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/jonfitchseminar.jpg[/IMG 
Props: [URL="http://nomercyathletics.com/" No Mercy Athletics[/URL