MMA Community Insights: What is Your New Year’s Resolution for 2011?

MMA Community Insights: What is Your New Year’s Resolution for 2011?

First off...

Happy New Year’s to everyone who is reading this and all the best in 2011 (and beyond).

Over the years, I have been incredibly blessed and would consider myself to be a very lucky person for having had the opportunity to spend the majority of my adult career working as a team member in the Health & Fitness Industry.

As a father, teacher, martial arts instructor, writer, and youth football coach (role model)—my ability to help and serve others to live a healthy and active lifestyle has become a very important part of who I am today as a man.

With health-related resolutions topping the to-do list this time of year, January 1st offers the opportunity for many people to become rejuvenated, and in some cases—reborn.

At least, that’s usually the objective.

And yet, good intentions aside, many people struggle to maintain those resolutions and eventually seem to recycle the same goals, year after year.

Hmmm...I wonder why that is?

"It's human tendency to look for an easy way of doing things. Nothing can replace hard work."—Dan Gable

For the most part, it all boils down to self-discipline (which many of us lack) and priorities (which can change almost daily, depending on how you are feeling from day to day).

In order to make your resolutions stick this year, I strongly suggest that you first concentrate on making your new goals HABIT FORMING, which is a process that usually takes no less than three months.

In fact, if you are completely new to fitness, it is often said with regards to exercise, that if you miss so much as ONE DAY in your first three months of a new program, then you are at serious risk of dropping out all together.

But don’t worry—the fitness clubs will graciously keep cashing your monthly payments.

It is their ultimate pleasure.

So please remember to set short term goals for yourself, and to reward yourself after achieving each of those short term goals. But above all else—continuously find new ways to make exercise fun.

And if you haven’t already...please quit smoking.

Okay, anyway...that’s enough from me.

Now let’s hear what some of my other friends in the MMA Community have to say about New Year’s Resolutions.

Please enjoy.

Rob Maysey (MMAFA)
My New Year’s Resolution is to continue assisting fighters and agents, and developing the growth of the Mixed Martial Arts Fighters Association (MMAFA) throughout the upcoming year.

Will Ribeiro (Former WEC Fighter)
My New Year’s Resolution is that I want to show other people, to people who are disabled, that life goes on. Even if you have no one to support you, you have to go on anyhow. Even if life is cruel and unfair, you have to be strong and have faith in God. This is how I think. This is who I am.

Read: Will Ribeiro Cries for Help through Social Media

Paul Bradley (Mixed Martial Arts Fighter)
My New Year’s Resolution is to have a breakout year, while going undefeated. Whatever organization I am fighting for—be it the UFC, Shark Fights, etc., I want to test myself against the best fighters in the world and showcase myself as someone to definitely watch out for.

Read: Paul Bradley Released by Strikeforce after...a WIN?

Daniel Roberts (UFC Fighter)
My New Year’s Resolution is to win all my fights in 2011, starting with Greg Soto at UFC 125.

Read: COFG Exclusive Interview: Daniel “Ninja” Roberts (UFC)

Coach DJ Jones (Coach at Greg Jackson’s Gym)
Thanks for asking me to be a part of your article James, but I don’t make New Year’s Resolutions. When I decide to make a change, I just do it—no matter the day or time of year. Right now, we are putting the final touches on Clay and I’ll be in Las Vegas for UFC 125. Woooohoooo!!! Guida!!!! Guida!!!!! Guida!!!!!! Thank you again James and God bless!!

Read: Coach DJ Jones from Jackson-Winklejohn’s MMA: One Tough Family

Clay Guida (UFC Fighter)
My New Year’s Resolution is for everyone to enjoy the classic “Wrestler vs Striker” in Clay Guida vs Takanori Gomi at UFC 125. Enjoy everyone and Happy New Year!!!

Read: Clay Guida: The Greatest Experience of his Life Leading into UFC 117

Camilo Ortiz and Randall Villafane (El Octagono)
El Octagono's New Year’s Resolution for 2011 is to attend more live events and to bring our fans and friends all the latest news and interviews on a bigger platform. We want to keep bringing fans and fighters closer together even if it’s via free giveaways, thanks to our great sponsors. But above all in 2011, we will work harder than ever to keep helping this amazing sport grow, by educating and introducing more fans to MMA no matter the language differences, distance or lack of knowledge. After all, we here at El Octagono are fans first. And most importantly, we do this for the love of MMA!!! Happy New Year’s!!!!!!!!

Read: El Octagono: MMA Education is the Key to Success in Hispanic Communities

Jerry Sargeant (Jerry Sargeant Fitness – New Zealand)
My New Year's Resolution for 2011 is to not let anything negative derail me from my set goals! Have a great New Years everyone!!!

Exclusive Interview Coming Soon!

Pat Miletich (Founder of Miletich Fighting Systems)
My New Year’s Resolution is to focus more on family and loved ones.

Gilbert Yvel (Mixed Martial Arts Fighter)
My New Year’s Resolution is to lose 20-lbs, win every fight and come back in the UFC to show everyone what I'm really about.

Aaron Tru (MMA Journalist, MMAPrime.tv)
Simple. Every time that I want to quit or give up, my Resolution is to work harder than I already was.

Read: Aaron Tru: The “Ultimate Risk Taker” of MMA Sports Journalism

Dr. John Williams (70-Year Old MMA Fighter, Guinness World Record Holder)
My New Year’s Resolution is to fight again after my March 7th birthday. This time, I will be 71-years old. I want to fight a 21-year old , making a 50 year age difference. This time I will fight at 185 and be in great shape. This time, I will not disappoint the fans. It looks like it will happen on March 12th, 2011.

Read: Dr. John Williams: 70-Year Old MMA Fighter Setting Guinness World Records

Aaron Brooks (10-Year Old Guinness World Record Holder)
My New Year’s Resolution is to win as many National Championships as possible. I don’t really care which ones. Just as many as I can. So far, I am attending “The War at the Shore” and “Brute North East Nationals” in Pensylvania. I will be competing in more National duals than individual events. The duals offer better competition.

Read: Aaron Brooks: 10-Year Old Guinness World Record Holder Training for MMA

Scott Hirano (Scott Hirano Fight Photography)
I don't think I've ever really made a "New Year's Resolution," but I have one that I could use here that was made and developed over the last several months and will, no doubt, still be in the maturing process through the New Year. So here it is: I'm going to push my photography harder. I want to reflect the fighter in a way that touches those who don't fight and I want to show the parallels between the struggles that happen in the ring with those that happen outside of it. I believe people should be able to identify with the fighting that I photograph because they themselves have fought for something in their own lives.

Mark Pavelich (Owner/President of Maximum Fighting Championship)
My New Year’s Resolution is to be a better person outside of business, and inside of business. My Resolution is to be more aggressive and to not run on fear in order to take the Maximum Fighting Championship to the next level. I will not bow down to anyone. Yeah...I said it!

Adam Clark (Access MMA)
My personal goals for New Year’s are to improve on my writing skills. My professional goals are to broaden the fan base of Access MMA and develop more professional relationships in the MMA world. Also, I would like to begin developing an Access MMA website. Happy New Year’s to everyone!

Todd Jackson (HurtsBad)
My New Year’s Resolution if to stop thinking that GSP is somehow an actual human being, and to start believing that he may actually possess undetectable super human powers. Unfortunately, I had to jump in a cold pool as the losing end of a bet a couple weeks back.

Tom Lawlor (UFC Fighter)
My New Year’s Resolution is to train a lot—preferably clothed.

Gerald Chopik (President, MMA Expo)
Sorry, but I never make "New Year’s Resolutions". But I did start a 90-Day Fitness Program mid-December.

Pat Cummins (Strikeforce Fighter)
A New Year’s Resolution is just another opportunity for an unmotivated person to fail.

Read: Pat Cummins Discusses Strikeforce Debut and Fighter Exchange Program

Jim Arvanitis (Kirios Grandmaster, Founder of Modern Pankration/MMA Pioneer)
My New Year’s Resolution is to continue training, to maintain my skills, while continuing to teach and help others develop their own. I hope to bring modern Pankration to the next phase of it’s evolution as a combat sport, that preserves both the legacy and the Olympic ideal.

Angel Rafael Cordero Candelaria (MMA Truth)
This is the end for a very, very emotional year for me. 2010 proved to be a turning point in my life—a true milestone. Starting out with huge monetary and emotional losses, the year of 2010 sent me on a very dramatic whirlwind of events. Sadness and anger were prevailing but somehow, I turned it all around. In the course of this year I have quit smoking, started drawing, writing a book, and writing about MMA. I have met such amazing friends in this MMA world, friends that have stuck up for me, supported my work, and just been incredible friends to me.
My New Year’s Resolutions for 2011 are simple. First, I hope to continue to mould and shape these ties of friendship with many amazing new people on my path. Second, I would like to finish my book and my current MMA projects. Third, I will continue to support, help, and contribute every time my help is needed by whoever needs it, regardless if they deserve it or not. But never again throw my pearls to the pigs. Last and most important, I need to get back in shape so that I can last a lot longer and enjoy the loves of my life...my family and friends!

Nikki (MMA Candy)
Professionally, my New Year’s Resolutions are to film two amazing documentaries about MMA in 2011, find two more sponsors for our calendar for 2012, find distributors and websites that would carry our 2012 MMA Candy calendar, and to get a new RED Film camera.
Personally, my New Year’s Resolutions are to lose weight, train BJJ more, eat much healthier, spend way more time with family and friends, attend more live fights, and read more James Ryan articles.

Read: UFC 125 Fight Predictions Featuring MMA Candy Girl Kelly

Richard Duguay (MMeh Fighter)
My New Year’s Resolutions are to focus on my health and take MMeh Fighter to the next level business-wise.
Happy Holidays and all the best in 2011!

Melanie Lemieux (MMeh Fighter)
My New Year’s Resolution is to not have my laptop at the dinner table when my son is present.

Eric Bradley (Mixed Martial Arts Fighter)
For my New Year’s Resolution, I am considering pulling a Christian Bale in “the Machinist” and dropping to 155. I wanna see how skinny I can get.

Read: Eric Bradley: Re-defining the Mould of an MMA Fighter

Tazito G (Toronto MMA Film Maker)
My New Year’s Resolutions are to finish directing, acting, choreographing, and marketing the “Dark Side movie, take a long overdue vacation since late 2001, grow as an actor, polish up all of my acting, stunt work, and fighting skills—and donate a larger sum of money than my previous amount to the Sick Kids Hospital.

Exclusive Interview Coming Soon!

Misfit (MMA Crypt)
For myself, my New Year’s Resolution is to get back in shape. I've had a bad few years of working out or of not working out. I'm going to start training martial arts again. Silat is my focus since I'm living by my instructor now. My goal or "rez" is to lose 1 pound or % of body fat a week. Meaning I need to drop a total of 52 "things." Something like 35 pounds and maybe 17%, or any combo like that.
As far as the site, I don't have any real targets. I need to keep it growing the way I want it and that's pushing the "respect" side of things. I think it would be easier to grow it if we pushed fighter bashing and such, but it's not what I want. I want to talk MMA as if we were chilling and drinking a beer. Luckily, so do a few other guys. I'm having an artist design our first shirt now so I hope to have those available by the end of the first quarter of 2011. But the site side is endless, just so much I need to get down, from fighter bio's and more.

Sam Jones (Mixed Martial Arts Fighter)
Each year at this time, many take the time to go back and assess the past year. Being a fighter doesn’t make me any different. I go though the following process:
First, I consider what negative results I have caused. We need to recognize, no matter your status or profession, that there are no questions about whether or not each of us has done harm. Whether it be from something as simple as leaving behind a large carbon-footprint or something as heinous as preying on the desperate and ignorant to make profit or inflicting serious physical damage on a fellow human. The only question is—how much damage have I done? Though it is sobering to realize and sometimes dejecting, making every effort to understand the results of our actions is the responsibility of every conscientious adult. You must do it.
After determining the hurt inflicted, I think of tactics that will create less harmful results and commit to implementing a few of them. Basically, this is my way of trying to make sure I’m not going to be a douche for the New Year. Be a more active father. Try harder to save the planet. Train like this is the last year I will be able to fight. Communicate more often with my elder relatives. Refrain from letting certain asses in my life, or get under my skin. These are a some of my commitments for the New Year.
And now that the important part is over—the remainder is pretty self-centered.
What makes you deeply happy? What fulfills you? Think about these questions in regards to the past year and commit to organizing yourself enough and allow more time for whatever your answers are. This isn’t about cheap thrills. If drinking or playing Xbox is what your life revolves around, then you probably have deep seeded issues and your only resolution should be to seek professional help. In my case, time with my son Jayden makes me feel good on some fundamental level that I don’t even fully understand. I just moved to South Florida mainly to be close to him, so I got a head start in that department. Keep fighting. I eat, sleep, and breathe MMA, so there is no way that I’m letting that go while it’s not affecting my long term health. Read more. I know I know—it’s pretty much the resolution your parents always wished you would have. What can I say? I love to read and I’m proud of it. For those who have a similar love, if you’re into fiction read “A Game of Thrones ” by George R. R. Martin. If you prefer non-fiction, read “Shock Doctrine” by Naomi Kline. Rant over. Happy New Year. Peace.

Read: Sam Jones Interview: Meet the Prototype for all Future MMA Athletes

Kevin Cabezas (Carried Out Fight Gear)
My New Year’s Resolution is to take Carried Out Fight Gear to the next level, which will hopefully make it one of the biggest and most popular brands in all of MMA. I am absolutely grateful to the thousands of fans that we currently have on our multiple Facebook groups and I am proud to say that our social networking family is growing larger by the day. These fans are just the best and most knowledgeable people in all of MMA!!!! I wish you all and your loved ones a wonderful and safe holiday season. God bless you all!

via mmacrypt.com

Posted via email from MMACrypt.com

Chuck Liddell Retires, Named UFC Vice President of Business Development

Chuck Liddell Retires, Named UFC Vice President of Business Development

UFC president Dana White and CEO Lorenzo Fertitta, at Wednesday’s UFC 125 prefight press conference, announced the official retirement of former UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell.
Perhaps a little more surprising was that they also named Liddell to the promotion’s executive staff. Instead of UFC superstar, Liddell will now be known as UFC Executive Vice President of Business Development, on par with the rest of the promotion’s executive staff, which White characterized as five or six people.
“A lot of people have worked hard, fighters who have gone out and put on incredible performances, great shows, traveled all over the world, but there’s one guy who really stands out and who has been a great partner, a great friend, a great champion, the list goes on and on,” said White. “I’m here today with my partner Lorenzo Fertitta to announce his retirement.”
“For more than 10 years, Chuck Liddell has been more than I can say. More than a friend, more than a fighter, more than a champion, and we’re also here today to announce that he is also becoming one of the top executives in the UFC.”
Fertitta isn’t typically a fixture at UFC press conferences, but he made an exception for Liddell, adding to the praise that White heaped upon the promotion’s former star, but also explaining why they chose Liddell as a rare addition to the UFC’s executive ranks.
“We think (Liddell) is really in a unique position. Chuck has been involved in martial arts as a professional fighter for 18 years and he has literally seen this sport evolve from a very small niche sport to what it is today… a global sport that is becoming worldwide.”
Fertitta went on to clarify that, while Liddell would be involved in issues such as regulatory affairs and fighter relations, he is not going to be an executive in name only. Liddell will be actively involved with the promotion’s expansion efforts throughout the world focusing mainly on business development.
Liddell will finally get to put his degree from Cal Poly to use.
His eyes wet and shiny, Liddell took to the podium for the final time as a UFC fighter. His voice more gravely than usual, the UFC Hall of Famer said little, fighting for the last time just to maintain his composure.
“I want to thank Frank, Lorenzo, and Dana for everything they’ve done for me over the years, and the sport,” he said nervously, forcing the words out.
“Most of all I want to thank my fans and my family. I love this sport and I’m excited to go to this new stage in my life and keep promoting the best sport in the world, the sport I love… now that I’m retired.”

via mmacrypt.com

Posted via email from MMACrypt.com

Merry X-mas from the Crypt and Britney, Lindsay & Paris kinda NSFW

Merry X-mas from the Crypt and Britney, Lindsay & Paris kinda NSFW

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Posted via email from MMACrypt.com

Strikeforce’s top 10 finishes in 2010

Strikeforce’s top 10 finishes in 2010

STRIKEFORCE ended 2010 with an awesome show and some devastating knockouts.
Dan Henderson, Paul Daley, and Antonio “Big Foot” Silva destroyed their opponents in dramatic fashion at STRIKEFORCE’s show in St. Louis on Dec. 4.
But the truth is that 2010 was rich with spectacular finishes – both knockouts and submissions.
Before you vote in the STRIKEFORCE Best of 2010 Fan Voted Awards, here’s a look at STRIKEFORCE’s Top 10 most explosive, shocking and stunning finishes of 2010.
Paul Daley vs. Scott Smith
Let’s start off with the STRIKEFORCE debut of Paul “Semtex” Daley. The Englishman is one of the sport’s most exciting fighters. Daley has ridiculous power in both hands, and no one knows this better than Scott “Hands of Steel” Smith.
On Dec. 4, Daley knocked Smith into oblivion with a wicked left hand – an impressive feat, considering that Smith is regarded as a guy who can take a good punch.
After a good exchange between the two fighters, Smith led with his jaw – never a good idea – and Daley dropped him, scoring an impressive debut. Is master striker KJ Noons next? Or will Daley get a shot at the seemingly unbeatable Welterweight Champion, Nick Diaz?
Roger Gracie vs. Kevin Randleman
The name Gracie is synonymous with submission.
And Roger Gracie is keeping that legacy alive in STRIKEFORCE.
The 6-foot-4 inch Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu master just might have a claim as the future of the light heavyweight division.
In May, Gracie put on a proverbial clinic in his performance against former UFC Heavyweight Champion and two-time NCAA National Wrestling Champion Randleman.
Gracie dominated the first round with his mat wrestling skills. Going into the fight, Randleman knew that it would be a deadly mistake to go to the ground with Gracie.
But he just couldn’t avoid Gracie’s grip.
Gracie controlled the entire fight with his Jiu-Jitsu. In round two, Randleman couldn’t escape. With a boa constrictor-like leg lock around the smaller Randleman, Gracie sunk in a textbook rear naked choke.
Randleman tapped. And then he went to sleep.
Gracie is now 3-0, and with his pedigree and opportunities that come with the Gracie name, he could emerge as a big player in 2011.
8. Cris Cyborg vs. Jan Finney
Who doesn’t love the women of STRIKEFORCE?
This year saw Cris Cyborg continue her reign as Middleweight champion and the number one pound for pound female fighter in MMA.
Cyborg fights with the fury of Manny Pacquiao, and the power of Dan Henderson. When Cyborg faced Jan Finney on June 26 in San Jose, well, it was less than pretty.
Cyborg clobbered Finney with lefts, rights, hooks, crosses and powerful combinations. Finally, at 2:56 of the 2nd round, a Cyborg knee to Finney’s mid-section left referee Kim Winslow no choice but to stop the fight.
“Ruthless” Robbie Lawler vs. Melvin Manhoef
Robbie Lawler can knock you out at any moment in any fight – even when he’s being victimized by a sharpshooting leg striker like Melvin Manhoef.
Manhoef dissected Lawler for about three minutes in their January Florida fight that kicked off 2010. With every kick, Lawler winced in pain.
Halfway through the first round, he began to limp. The outcome looked inevitable.
But Lawler proved why he’s always dangerous. With desperation setting in, Lawler landed a right hand that knocked Manhoef into the middle of next week at 3:33 of the first round.
Manhoef laid flat on his back, his eyes bulging out, and in serious pain.
One punch.
“Ruthless” Robbie Lawler vs. Matt Lindland
Lawler just can’t help himself. On December 4, he needed all of 50 seconds to dismantle former Olympic wrestling silver medalist Matt Lindland.
Lawler has devastating knockout power in both hands, but it was his overhand right to the side of the Lindland’s head that scrambled the 40-year-old.
Sporting a full beard, the rugged Lawler managed to look even more intense than usual. Lindland chose to stand up with Lawler and paid the price.
The victory, after a June loss to Renato “Babalu” Sobral, put Lawler back into the middleweight title picture.
5. Alistair Overeem vs. Brett Rogers
Some fighters peak early in the career. For others, like fine wine, they get better with time.
That’s the case with Alistair, “The Demolition Man” Overeem, who is probably the baddest heavyweight on the planet.
Overeem’s annihilation of Brett “The Grim” Rogers in May was pure brutality. Rogers, coming off of an impressive losing performance against Fedor Emelianenko, appeared concerned about Overeem’s power from the opening bell.
Rogers, tentative, backed up and never went on the offensive. For a guy like Rogers, whose main claim to fame is his heavy hands, that’s not a good strategy. Overeem tossed Rogers across the ring like a sack of potatoes, then laid on top of him, wearing him down.
Finally, a series of rights and lefts put an end to Rogers in the first round. Rogers never seemed into the fight.
Just last week, Overeem continued his rampage, winning the K-1 World Grand Prix Championship, thus becoming the only fighter to ever hold a K-1 and major MMA title.
Sarah Kaufman vs. Roxanne Modafferi
We all love a good body slam. Remember when Hulk Hogan slammed Andre the Giant at the Pontiac Silverdome at WrestleMania? Well, that was nothing, compared to Sarah Kaufman’s thump of Roxanne Modafferi at STRIKEFORCE Challengers in July.
Kaufman, who once dreamed of being a heart surgeon, was defending her STRIKEFORCE welterweight (135 pounds) championship in a close fight with Modafferi when Kaufman decided to put an end to it all.
Modafferi had Kaufman in her guard while looking to place Kaufman in a triangle. Once the triangle is applied properly, it’s tough to escape (ask Fedor, but more on that later).
So what did Kaufman do? She picked Modafferi up from the floor and slammed her straight back down on her back, like a good, old-fashion pro wrestling power bomb.
Modafferi was done. Kaufman was triumphant. And once again, the women of STRIKEFORCE dazzled the crowd.
“That may be one of the best female finishes in history,” screamed Mauro Ranallo, on the live SHOWTIME telecast of the fight.
Ryan Couture vs. Lucas Stark
Like father, like son.
Ryan Couture needed 1:15 to defeat Lucas Stark and emerge victorious in his professional MMA debut.
The son of the legendary Randy “The Natural” Couture, Ryan took the fight quickly to Stark. He took him down with a side throw and then established control on the mat.
From his back, the quick Couture applied the triangle choke with a vicious intensity.
Stark tapped and Couture made his father and MMA fans proud. Who’s next?
Sarah Kaufman vs. Marloes Coenen
Both STRIKEFORCE superstars were coming off of tremendous performances in their previous fights. Kaufman crushed Roxanne Modafferi with an epic power bomb. Coenen gave Cyborg a run for her money, going toe-to-with her for nearly three rounds.
So when the two collided in San Jose in October, even though Kaufman was the champ, the fight could have gone either way.
The two were tentative during the first round, neither one wanting to open up too much. They traded light punches and danced around for a majority of the first round.
Round two was much of the same, but Coenen seemed to step up her aggression, landing a good kick and taking her to the ground. The two wrestled to end the second round, with Coenen attempting to submit Kaufman with a triangle armbar, but Kaufman threw several strikes to break free.
In round three, Kaufman wouldn’t be so lucky.
Kaufman immediately took her down, and Coenen spent most of the next two minutes on her back, the recipient of Kaufman’s blows to the head.
But like a spider waiting for its prey, Coenen snagged Kaufman’s arm and locked her up in a triangle armbar.
It was over right then and there.
Coenen pulled back the arm and didn’t let go, winning welterweight gold. Kaufman is hungry in 2011 for revenge.
Fedor Emelianenko vs. Fabricio Werdum
“The Last Emperor” went a decade without losing a fight. Fedor Emelianenko always seemed to find a way to win. Either by crushing knockout, quick submission, or a sensational come from behind victory.
If anybody in MMA deserves the title of “Human Highlight Reel,” it’s Fedor.
So when he stepped into the cage June 26 in San Jose against Fabricio Werdum, no one really expected Fedor to lose.
With a ring entrance that was almost eerie because of the 12,000 plus people chanting “Fedor,” in unison, it was supposed to be a triumphant night for the humble Russian.
Fedor knocked Werdum down seconds into the fight, hammering him with right hands. Werdum looked done.
But you can never count out someone with a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
As Fedor pounded away, Werdum grabbed his arm and slapped on the triangle choke.
Impressively, Fedor actually stayed in the hold several seconds longer than most other fighters would have. But it ended the same way.
Fedor tapped. The crowd was in shock. The Last Emperor had finally lost.
Fedor uncharacteristically made a couple of tactical mistakes. He should have let Werdum get back on his feet, rather than follow the Brazilian into his guard.
And because Fedor knocked him down so early, neither fighter was sweaty, so it was hard for Fedor to slip out of the move.
Had the same exchange happened in the later rounds, Fedor likely would have escaped.
Still, even in defeat, Fedor managed to maintain a certain aura of superiority.
Fans and pundits saw it for what it was; he got caught in a submission hold early, and couldn’t escape. It’s not like he got brutally knocked out.

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UFC champ Dominick Cruz: I'm on another level than Urijah Faber

UFC champ Dominick Cruz: I'm on another level than Urijah Faber

GLENDALE, Ariz. – For 25 minutes, Dominick Cruz (17-1 MMA, 7-1 WEC) made Scott Jorgensen look like anything but the top contender for the UFC's first-ever bantamweight title.

Cruz out-struck, out-wrestled, out-shucked and out-jived Jorgensen on the way to a lopsided unanimous-decision win at Thursday's WEC 53 event that further cemented the champ's claim to be the world's top 135-pounder.

And soon after the win, Cruz made little attempt to play the "whatever the UFC brings me" card. Instead, Cruz knows exactly what he wants: Urijah Faber (24-4 MMA, 9-3 WEC).

"Yes," Cruz flatly said when asked if he'd be interested in the matchup.

The pair has some history together. Cruz's lone loss came in a bid for the WEC featherweight title in a March 2007 bout against then-champion Faber. Since then, the two have each traded verbal jabs with each other and openly welcomed the matchup.

Cruz believes he's matured greatly since then and hopes the rematch comes to fruition sooner rather than later.

"When I first came in, I have no excuses," Cruz said. "[Faber] beat me fair and square that day. He was a better fighter than me that day, but it's been three years. That was my very first training camp I ever had with my coach, Eric Del Fierro. Before that fight, I was still working a full-time job, and now I can devote every ounce of energy into fighting to become the best fighter I can.

"I just know that I'm a completely different fighter than I was then. My ground game is better. My wrestling is better. My standup is much better. I have weapons everywhere. I just know I'm on another level than him."

The door was opened to the rematch when Faber recently dropped down to the bantamweight division after competing for much of his career at 145 pounds. While Faber dispatched of Takeya Mizugaki with ease at November's WEC 52 event, Cruz said he'll be more impressed if "The California Kid" is able to do the same against some of the division's more accomplished athletes.

"[Faber] looked good in his last fight," Cruz said. "He finished the guy very quickly, but still, he didn't fight somebody that was at the super-top level at 135 pounds at this particular moment.

"Some of the things that he's going to improve on are just basically trying to adjust to my game. That will be hard for him because it's hard to find people that move as much as I do. There's certain things he can do and certain things he can come up with – good luck, I don't know what – but I'll be ready."

There's been some speculation Cruz and Faber could be cast as opposing coaches in the upcoming 13th season of "The Ultimate Fighter," which begins taping in January.

Cruz has a lingering hand injury he hopes to address shortly, but the 25-year-old said he's be willing to wait on that surgery if it means a chance to coach opposite Faber and fight him at the conclusion of the season.

"I would accept it very much, and I'd be stoked, and it would be awesome because I would get my loss back," Cruz said. "An opportunity like that, I might have to deal with the hand again.

"I'll get my hand checked out, and I'll take it stride by stride – talk to my camp, my coaches. They want what's best for me, and I want what's best for the longevity of my career, as well. This is something that just needs to get taken care of. I've known it because it's been bothering me. Everybody goes into fights with injuries. It's just part of the sport. I've been blessed, and I've been able to tolerate it."

Coaches for the next season of "The Ultimate Fighter" are expected to be announced shortly. Until Cruz's exact plans are determined, he'll have to stick to reflecting on a tactical masterpiece that saw him land 283 strikes to Jorgensen's mere 55, according to CompuStrike.

Cruz's detractors will undoubtedly point out that the win was the UFC champ's sixth decision result in his past seven fights, but he thinks it's imperative to look beyond his method of victory and analyze the performance as a whole.

"I'm always disappointed when I don't get a finish," Cruz told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com). "I am; I mean that. I'm trying to go out there and finish the dude. I almost broke a record with landing punches and kicks. What else can you do? I was trying.

"I'm fighting the best guys on the planet in my division, and that's basically all I can say. These guys are tough. They're not going down. I dropped the dude. I wobbled him twice.

"Everybody says I don't hit hard. Come on. What else do you want me to do? I'm doing what I can, and you know, I really believe that's something I need to improve in my game, and I'm going to. Everybody evolves as a fighter. Everybody has something they need to get better at. That's the next step for me."

Whether or not that next step involved Faber remains to be seen, but for now, Cruz walks away from the WEC as the promotion's final 135-pound champion and heads into the sport's biggest entity as the UFC's first-ever bantamweight champ.

It's a responsibility Cruz doesn't take lightly, and he hopes to to build on his eight-fight win streak just as quickly as possible.

"I still don't know what to think about it, to be honest," Cruz said. "It hasn't set in. It's just surreal. It really is. You hear that a lot, but it really is a surreal moment.

"I was able to get better and improve because of the fighters in my division in the WEC. Now I've been able to have the opportunity to win the UFC championship. It's awesome. There's no words to explain it. It's a dream come true. I thank God every day for it."

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Crypt Bookie: WEC 53: Henderson vs Pettis

Crypt Bookie: WEC 53: Henderson vs Pettis

Live, December 16th on Versus
From the Jobing.com Arena in Glendale, Arizona

Main Card:

WEC Lightweight Championship Bout:
Ben Henderson (c) (12-1-0) vs. Anthony Pettis (11-1-0)

WEC Bantamweight Championship Bout:
Dominick Cruz (c) (16-1-0) vs. Scott Jorgensen (11-3-0)

Lightweight Bout:
Donald Cerrone (12-3-0) vs. Chris Horodecki (16-2-0)

Lightweight Bout:
Jamie Varner (16-4-1) vs. Shane Roller (8-3-0)

Lightweight Bout:
Bart Palaszewski (35-13-0) vs. Kamal Shalorus (6-0-1)

Preliminary Card:

Lightweight Bout:
Danny Castillo (9-3-0) vs. Will Kerr (9-2-0)

Bantamweight Bout:
Brad Pickett (19-5-0) vs. Ivan Menjivar (21-7-0)

Bantamweight Bout:
Renan Barao (23-1-0, 1 NC) vs. Chris Cariaso (10-1-0)

Lightweight Bout:
Danny Downes (6-1-0) vs. Zhang Tie Quan (12-0-0)

Lightweight Bout:
Yuri Alcantara (20-3-0) vs. Ricardo Lamas (9-1-0)

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Ovince saint preux will fight for third time in six weeks on jan. 7

Ovince saint preux will fight for third time in six weeks on jan. 7

Former University Of Tennessee Linebacker Will Seek Seventh Victory In A Row Against Abongo Humphrey;
Woodley-Saffiedine Bout Headlines at Nashville Municipal Auditorium
NEW YORK (Dec. 14, 2010) – There will be no Holiday Season for streaking light heavyweight Ovince St. Preux, who’ll try to make it seven wins in a row when he fights for the third time since Nov. 19 on a STRIKEFORCE Challengers Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fight card presented by Rockstar Energy Drink on Friday, Jan. 7, 2011,at Nashville Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn., live on SHOWTIME® at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).
Aformer University of Tennessee linebacker, Saint Preux (9-4) will be opposed by fellow quickster Ron “Abongo’’ Humphrey (7-2) of Atlanta. The first STRIKEFORCE event of the year will be highlighted by an eagerly awaited confrontation between two of the promotion’s premier, up-and-coming welterweight (170 pounds) stars, unbeaten Tyron Woodley (7-0), of St. Louis, and hard-hitting Belgian, Tarec Saffiedine (10-2).
Originally scheduled to take place on the card, the middleweight (185 pounds) matchup between Yancy “Frisson’’ Medeiros (9-0) of Waianae, Hawaii and John Salter (5-2) of Nashville has been scrapped due to a knee injury sustained by Medeiros.
The 6-foot-3, 27-year-old Saint Preux, of Knoxville, Tenn., will be the first fighter ever to compete on three consecutive STRIKEFORCE events. He is coming off a career-best, thoroughly dominant three-round unanimous decision over UFC veteran, Benji Radach, on Dec. 4, in St. Louis on SHOWTIME. Saint Preux registered a unanimous three-round decision over Antwain Britt during a STRIKEFORCE Challengers event on Nov. 19 in Jackson, Miss.
“I always thought I was fighting Jan. 7, but when I had a chance to take the fight (with Radach), I took it,’’ said Saint Preux, a member of Knoxville Martial Arts Academy who passed what most expected to be his toughest test in impressive fashion. “That was a good fight and a hard fight that we both took on short notice but there was no way I could turn down fighting in Tennessee.
“I like to stay busy and I’m in the gym training, working out and trying to improve all the time anyway. So why not fight again? Besides, this is like a home game for me.’’
Saint Preux, who won his STRIKEFORCE debut with a 0:47, first-round TKO (punches) over Chris Hawk last April 17 in Nashville, played for the Vols from 2001-2004.
After graduating with a degree in Sociology in ’04, he became heavily involved in MMA, utilizing his impressive wrestling skills and natural athletic abilities. He made history on Feb. 20, 2009, by not only competing in Tennessee’s first sanctioned MMA event, but also by recording the first knockout in the state.
One of six children, Saint Preux has one sister and five brothers. Four of his brothers are twins; one set is older and one set is younger. He has a couple of brands on his body. One is for his fraternity, Omega Psi Phi.
Humphrey, a military son who was born on a base in Vacaville, Calif., will be making his fourth appearance for STRIKEFORCE and third in a row on STRIKEFORCE Challengers onSHOWTIME. In his most recent outing, he was submitted (rear naked choke) in the second round by a red-hot Mike “Mak’’ Kyle at a Challengers event last July 23 at Everett, Wash.
In his outing before last, the previous March 26, Humphrey made George Bush tap (guillotine choke) at 1:44 of the first round on a Challengers card in Fresno, Calif.
The birth name of the 5-foot-11, 33-year-old is “Ronald,” but he prefers to be addressed as “Abongo,” the name of an African warrior spirit believed to protect a village located in The Republic of Ghana. The moniker was bestowed upon him a few years ago after he endured a series of mentally and physically grueling tasks during a rites of passage trip to Africa.
Humphrey’s experience there inspired him to establish a non-profit organization that allows him to introduce other African-Americans to their heritage by bringing them to Africa.
“There are certain things that are lacking in the black community here and one of them has to do with cultural identity,” said Humphrey. “Fighting and doing the community work in Africa is something that really drives and motivates me in life.”
Humphrey was introduced to a national audience as a contestant on BET’s MMA reality series “Iron Ring” where he was a member of a fight team coached by MMA star, “Mr. International” Shonie Carter, and managed by hip-hop artist and producer Lil’ Jon.
Among those Humphrey defeated during his stint on “Iron Ring” were former K-1 USA contender, Jeff “Big Diesel” Ford, and Carlos Moreno, whom Humphrey knocked out with a head kick.
Tickets for the STRIKEFORCE Challengers event are on sale at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium ticket office, all Ticketmaster locations (800) 745-3000 including Kroger and FYE, Ticketmaster online and STRIKEFORCE’s official website. The first non-televised, undercard fight on Jan. 7 will begin at 7:30 CT. Doors will open at 7.
Other televised fights: Undefeated up-and-coming heavyweight prospect and former U.S. Olympic wrestling star Daniel Cormier (6-0) of San Jose faces Devin Cole (18-8-1) of Medford, Ore., and promising Julia “The Jewel’’ Budd (1-0) of British Columbia, Canada, faces Amanda “Lioness Of The Ring’’ Nunes (5-1), of Salvador, Brazil, in a women’s middleweight (145 pounds) match. A fifth televised bout will be announced soon.

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Randy Couture Announces Retirement from MMA on Facebook

Randy Couture Announces Retirement from MMA on Facebook

More than anything, I really hope that I’m not jumping the gun here.

Or worse, jumping to conclusions based on the following message announced on Randy Couture’s Facebook wall about an hour ago (Dec. 14, 9pm ET).

“Appreciate everyone commenting on my fights. I didn't get the memo that they were being shown I think I'm at the end of it! It's time to move on and focus on all the other amazing things going on in my life! It's time. Thanks R”

It would appear that “the Natural” has finally decided to hang up his gloves for good in order to pursue other aspirations in his life.

And I think that’s great.

Therefore, as a farewell tribute, I would like to take a moment to tell you about some of the things that I truly respect the most about Mr. Couture.

For starters, Couture gave (and continues to give) everything of himself into this sport. Without a doubt, you will not find a greater ambassador to the culture of Mixed Martial Arts (let alone the UFC) than this man right here.

He is (not “was”) the epitome of a Champion, and of how a Champion should carry themselves both inside and outside of the cage.

In today’s modern era of what is becoming “sports entertainment,” where some athletes feel compelled to create fake personas in the hopes that their personal villainization will sell more pay-per-views (think Josh Koscheck), Couture has always conducted himself in a respectful and honourable way.

Couture always “kept it real.”

What’s not to love about that?

That level of behaviour is to be eternally commended and I sincerely hope that a lot of young fighters can learn from Couture and take that part away with them when they think about what it means to be a true Champion.

I would consider Couture to be an ideal role-model for all young and aspiring mixed martial artists (or athletes in general) around the world.

As a father and youth football coach, I see a lot of good in Randy, and I sincerely appreciate his efforts to help younger fighters by acting as a coach and as a mentor.

The world needs more leaders like Randy Couture.

For me personally, I would have loved to have seen Couture fight one last time (bring on Machida, eh Randy?! LOL).

Not that it wasn’t completely satisfying to see Couture absolutely dismantle and embarrass the obnoxiously over-confident James Toney this past summer in Boston—because it was.

Then again, if it were up to me, Couture would never retire, but I know that is both selfish and unrealistic.

It saddens me a bit to think that we are losing one of the greatest fighters (and personalities) that our sport has ever seen, but if I honestly reflect on my points mentioned above, I can certainly come to terms with Couture’s retirement much more easily because I know that he will always be a part of this sport in many other significant ways.

There’s a lot about MMA that I don’t like, but the pros always seem to outweigh the cons.

Couture has always been a big part of that.

Thanks for everything Randy and on behalf of your fans, we wish you all the best in wherever life takes you.

You’ve earned it.

Cheers.

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Salma Hayek To Star In MMA Film, just an excuse to post pictures of Hayek.

Salma Hayek To Star In MMA Film, just an excuse to post pictures of Hayek.

There is a good and bad to every story. I always like to start with the good. My hope is that the good news will still be lingering in your head as I proceed to give you the bad.
The beautiful Salma Hayek is being eyed by Sony (they aren't the only ones eyeing her) to co-star in their untitled MMA fighting movie. Salma currently has two films in the works. The first being The Driver followed by her voicing the character Kitty in Puss in Boots.
The bad news is that Kevin James would be playing the MMA fighter. To see that is a little bit of a stretch is an understatement, but this could be a comedic gold mine....but probably not. This is all we know about the film so far: "It's about a physics teacher whose school is facing cutbacks. In order to save the music teacher's job, James moonlights as an MMA fighter."

http://www.watchkalibrun.com/2010/12...lma-hayek-pics

Kevin James? Who is he playing? Roy Nelson?
Pics of Selma after the jump

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Frank Mir Vs. Brendan Schaub In The Works For Early 2011

Frank Mir Vs. Brendan Schaub In The Works For Early 2011

A fight between former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir and “Ultimate Fighter” season 10 runner-up Brendan Schaub is in the works for early 2011.

According to sources speaking to MMAWeekly.com, the bout between Mir and Schaub has at least reach verbal agreements, although no bout agreements have been issued at this point. Mir vs. Schaub would likely end up on one of the cards coming up in March, but an exact date has not been verified.

The match-up between Schaub and Mir locks up the fact that the former heavyweight champion will not be facing Brock Lesnar in a trilogy fight. UFC president Dana White had talked about the match-up but then backed off when fans on his Twitter page seemed very lukewarm about the idea of a third fight between the two heavyweights.

Since his win over Gabriel Gonzaga at UFC 121, Schaub has made no secrets for his desire to face Mir in the near future.

“If the UFC calls, I’m up for whatever they ask me to do… but I did say I think that next step up from Gonzaga would be a guy like Frank Mir or (Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic). For me, that’s kind of headed in the direction of getting closer to the title,” Schaub told MMAWeekly Radio after his win in October.

“I’m such a fan of Frank Mir and he poses such huge threats to me. I’m trying to get better and the only way to get better is knowing that I have to fight a guy like Frank Mir. That’s the reason (I said I wanted to fight him). Frank Mir is an absolute nightmare… stud jiu-jitsu guy and southpaw.”

It looks like Schaub got his match-up.

As for Frank Mir, the former champion is coming off a win over Mirko CroCop back in September, but not without some criticism for a fairly lackluster fight until landing the knockout blow late in the third round. Mir is 2-1 in his last three fights, and looks to climb back up the heavyweight ladder towards a title shot and faces a very tough test in Brendan Schaub.

Following the fight with CroCop, Mir seemed up for any challenge the UFC presented him including the fight with Schaub so now talk has become reality.

While no date has been determined for the match-up, the fight between Mir and Schaub would likely end up on a card in March 2011. Most of the major fights have been filled for cards earlier than that, and a heavyweight bout like this one will get a major slot on an upcoming show.

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Crypt Bookie: UFC 124: St. Pierre vs Koscheck II

Crypt Bookie: UFC 124: St. Pierre vs Koscheck II

UFC 124: St. Pierre vs. Koscheck 2

Live, December 11th on Pay-Per-View
From the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Main Card:

UFC Welterweight Championship Bout:
Georges St. Pierre (c) (20-2-0) vs. Josh Koscheck (15-4-0)

Lightweight Bout:
Jim Miller (18-2-0) vs. Charles Oliveira (14-0-0)

Welterweight Bout:
Thiago Alves (17-7-0) vs. John Howard (14-5-0)

Lightweight Bout:
Mac Danzig (19-8-0) vs. Joe Stevenson (31-11-0)

Heavyweight Bout:
Sean McCorkle (10-0-0) vs. Stefan Struve (20-4-0)

Spike TV Card:

Lightweight Bout:
Mark Bocek (8-3-0) vs. Dustin Hazelett (12-6-0)

Welterweight Bout:
Ricardo Almeida (12-4-0) vs. T.J. Grant (16-4-0)

Preliminary Card:

Middleweight Bout:
Dan Miller (12-4-0) vs. Joe Doerksen (46-13-0)

Middleweight Bout:
Jesse Bongfeldt (21-7-0) vs. Rafael Natal (12-3-0)

Welterweight Bout:
Matt Riddle (5-1-0) vs. Sean Pierson (10-4-0)

Lightweight Bout:
John Makdessi (7-0-0) vs. Pat Audinwood (9-1-0)

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Paul Bradley Discusses his Upcoming Fight at CFX/Extreme Challenge 170

Paul Bradley Discusses his Upcoming Fight at CFX/Extreme Challenge 170

“This guy is as good as ANY of the 170-pound fighters in all of MMA. Paul Bradley is a Beast, a Warrior, and most of all, a Survivor. For starters, Paul was asked to leave the TUF Season 7 show, but not until after he had already turned down a really great job offer just to be on the show in order to chase his dream of making it to the MMA big leagues. And more recently, Paul was also cut from Strikeforce after a WIN! Yes, a WIN—CRAZY!!!

“Many people with the wrong mindset would have simply quit, or “tapped out” (ugly words) after being cut by one big MMA Organization—never mind, two of them. But not Paul "the Gentleman" Bradley. He does not surrender—EVER.

“It’s just not how he rolls because Paul keeps fighting on like all good Americans do. They fight for what is right, and don't back down—EVER!!!!!!! Please support this warrior who is an inspiration to many because he keeps on coming no matter who or what tries to take him down or stand in his way!”—Carried Out Fight Gear

Indeed, truer were never spoken.

Training out of the Minnesota Martial Arts Academy, Paul Bradley is a role-model to many young fighters who dream of one day fighting professionally in the sport of Mixed Martial Arts.

Not because he has become a household name by fighting out of the largest MMA organization in the world (yes, I’m talking about the UFC), but because despite having an excellent record of 14-2, he has been privileged to compete for multiple national organizations, such as Strikeforce, Shark Fights, King of the Cage, Ultimate Cage Fighting Challenge, Ring of Combat, The Ultimate Fighter Season 7, and now he can add CFX/Extreme Challenge 170 to that growing list of impressive accomplishments.

His ultimate goal?

Simple—to be the best—any way possible.

Please enjoy my fourth interview with Paul.

James Ryan: Hey Paul, how have you been?

Paul Bradley: Hey James, I’ve been doing very well. How about yourself?

James Ryan: Super fantastic amazing!! [Laughs]

Paul Bradley: [Laughs] That’s good.

James Ryan: Thanks again for taking the time out of your busy schedule to speak with me about your upcoming fight.

Paul Bradley: My pleasure.

James Ryan: Sweet, so how’s the training been going?

Paul Bradley: It’s been going good. Really busy though. I’ve been selling a tonne of tickets and just trying to get things in order. But I hope that I don’t ever have to fight for ticket sales again—let’s put it that way. [Laughs]

James Ryan: So what’s the arrangement with that? I had noticed that you were quite active on Facebook trying to sell tickets to this event. Is there a direct tie-in with the ticket sales and how much you get paid for this fight?

Paul Bradley: Well, the thing is, I haven’t fought in Minneapolis, and I’m originally from Iowa, so I have a lot of friends and family coming up to support me. A lot of people from where I work at LA Fitness are coming out as well, and just a tonne of people that I know are coming out to watch. It was either take this fight for ticket sales or—my manager is helping to put this event on too, so that was another plus obviously—I wanted to help him out with the big show. But it was either take this fight or wait until possibly February again for Shark Fights, so I decided to take this fight.

James Ryan: Right, makes sense. So tell me about your upcoming fight. Who’s it with? What’s going on? Who are you fighting? Where are you fighting? That sort of thing.

Paul Bradley: I’m fighting in the CFX/Extreme Challenge 170, which is scheduled for this Saturday, December 11, at the Target Center in downtown Minneapolis.

My opponent is Ted Worthington. He’s out of Des Moines, Iowa. He’s a bit of a journeyman with a record of 29-28, but the guy has fought some really tough people. He’s gone to a lot of decisions with a lot of tough fighters.

We’re going to meet at a catch-weight of 175, which is nice, but he’s tough and has pretty good hands. I just have to be smart. He’s got a good uppercut and a good right hand—I’ve studied a lot of tape on him. I’m just looking to go in there to get a ‘W’ and stay active obviously.

James Ryan: So was that the biggest motivation in taking this fight—just to keep fighting and staying active?

Paul Bradley: Ya, I definitely want to stay active. While I’m healthy, I would like to get a little string of wins together, and build from there.

I’m keeping the UFC in mind too, but I think that I would like to enter the UFC with a record of 18-2, which is something that I definitely would like to accomplish before I make it. Or even 20-2.

James Ryan: And right now you’re at 14-2, correct?

Paul Bradley: Yes, that’s correct. With this fight, I could be at 15, and after that, I would only need three more wins to get to 18, which would turn out just perfect if I end up signing a three fight deal with Shark Fights in the New Year. We haven’t talked specifically about what the contract would offer, but they’ve already kinda mentioned that they would pay me more for three fights with them, then the UFC would.

James Ryan: Well, that’s alright then.

Paul Bradley: Ya, I don’t know. I’m gonna have to sit down with Monty after this fight, but obviously I would say that I just need to focus on the task at hand, and get this win first.

James Ryan: Definitely. Hey Paul, maybe you can help to answer a question for me. It’s something that’s been on my mind.

Paul Bradley: Shoot.

James Ryan: Lately, it seems that the UFC has been cutting a lot of talent, and in some cases, it doesn’t make a lot of sense, at least not from the perspective of the fans. Look at Gerald Harris—and I don’t know all of the ins and outs, but he had three great performances, and then after one not-so-great performance—out he goes.

And when that happened, I thought, ‘what kind of a message is that sending out to the younger guys that are actually trying to make it into the UFC?’

Is it discouraging to see something like that happening? Or do you think that it’s isolated and that it has more to do directly with Gerald and nothing else?

As someone who has goals of fighting some day in the UFC, what do you make of these types of situations?

Paul Bradley: You know, to be dead honest, I want to think that there’s more to it than just cutting the guy after a poor performance, but I’m not sure there is.

So, what it makes me think is that I might possibly be in a better position to just sign with Shark Fights—makes me think twice about the UFC, like maybe Shark Fights is the way to go as far as job stability and stuff, because honestly, this is a job and we need to make money and support ourselves. And here you have Gerald Harris, who was 3-1 in the UFC, including two knock-outs of the night, and he’s just gone!

It’s just...I don’t know man, I find it pretty odd. I guess I understand that he put on a bad performance, yes, but at the same time, there’s been plenty of other people who have put on a bad performance—granted Anderson Silva didn’t lose, but at the same time, he put on a much worse performance than that—in two title fights!

James Ryan: Well, that’s true. How about that fight in Abu Dhabi? That was terrible.

Paul Bradley: Precisely.

James Ryan: How about that same night that Gerald got cut? That fight between Matt Hughes and BJ Penn—you can’t tell me that Matt Hughes performed better than Gerald Harris that night. But he’s definitely not going anywhere, right?

Paul Bradley: No way. It’s like I said, you gotta think about it too I guess—Matt Brown is 0-3 and they’re not cutting him. Tyson Griffin lost his last three also. Granted, I don’t think a guy like Tyson should be cut, because the guys that he has lost to are top guys and you know, he just lost to one of my teammates recently, but the guys that he has lost to are at the top and are very good. Plus, he’s always been in exciting fights.

But then you have Matt Brown who can’t get out of a submission to save his life, and yet because he’ll stand and bang and get knocked out or knock someone out, he stays on the UFC’s roster.

I don’t know...I guess exciting fights are what they want and I guess they’re willing to cut you if you have just one bad one.

James Ryan: So how does that change the motivation for people in wanting to actually become a part of the UFC?

I think up until now, people have looked at the UFC and have thought that they are the end-all, be-all and that’s where they would want to end up with their careers. But if you see that they’re not being very loyal to their fighters, then to me, it would almost seem that it would make people second guess whether or not that’s what they really want to do.

Whether it’s the biggest show in the world or not, so what? If you are willing to sacrifice everything in your life to get there and then in a flash it’s gone—well then what good was that sacrifice?

Paul Bradley: Ya, don’t get me wrong, I’ve seen Dana do a lot of great things. Like this last fight with Nam Phan—giving him the win bonus in that fight. If you do him a favour, he’ll do you a favour.

I don’t know, sometimes like with the Gerald Harris incident, I get a little thrown back by it. I guess I don’t understand it—I understand he put on a crappy fight, don’t get me wrong, but at the same time, there’s been worse fights out there and the guy has gotten two knockout of the night bonuses and finished the other guy too, which probably should have been knockout of the night also, but I don’t know...

James Ryan: Well, maybe it was a good wake-up call for him? I read a recent interview with Gerald and he basically said, ‘ya, Dana sent me home. Luckily he didn’t say that I was done with the UFC, he just said to go home and think about your performance’ and he said that he had, and that he agreed with Dana that it was a terrible performance, and that he’s never going to let it happen again.

I suppose if Dana were the head coach of a football team, he would have done exactly the right thing. Basically, he benched him, right?

Paul Bradley: Right.

James Ryan: And then Dana reserves the option to call him back out ‘onto the field’ so to speak. So, I guess in that sense, Dana might just be trying to motivate these guys to perform and when they don’t, maybe cutting them is a badly needed wake-up call.

So, maybe it’s good not to read too much into it.

Paul Bradley: For sure, for sure.

James Ryan: So, is your fight this weekend going to be available for viewing on the internet or TV?

Paul Bradley: Unfortunately, I don’t think that they have anything lined up as far as viewing, but it’s gonna be a big local event. Us fighters are selling a tonne of the tickets. They’re actually doing a smart business model with this promotion. Last time that they had a big show, they paid the fighters way too much and then pretty much sacrificed their profits, but this time, they’re actually being pretty smart about it. Selling the tickets has been a lot of work and a bit of a pain in the ass, but at the same time, they’re doing it right because then this way, it’s not money out of their own pocket.

James Ryan: So what’s the idea? If you don’t sell any tickets, you don’t get paid? But if you sell lots, then you’re good?

Paul Bradley: The way it’s set up is that if I don’t sell any tickets, then I’m not going to make any money. Thankfully it’s going well though. [Laughs]

James Ryan: [Laughs] Well, that’s good.

So pretend that I’m a local fan and that this is a show that I should go to. Why is it worth my time? Why is it worth my money—especially right before Christmas?

Paul Bradley: Well, definitely the biggest draw right now is that we have four UFC veterans on the card, including former UFC champions, Tim “the Maine-iac” Silva and Jens Pulver. Also, other UFC veterans like Tommy Speer, Travis Wiuff, and myself, even though I don’t really consider myself to be a UFC vet.

And to be honest, we don’t get a lot of big shows around here, so this is a chance to go out and see some really good fights, to see some really good fighters right here in your hometown, and it’s probably the biggest show that we’ve had in this area since UFC 87.

The quality is good , you’re going to see a bunch of good fights, and you’re also helping support the local fighters like myself to make some money, because when it’s all said and done, this is our job and this is how we feed ourselves and pay for our families.

James Ryan: Do you know why there was a decision to put it on the same night as the biggest and final UFC event of the year? That’s some pretty tough competition that you’re going up against.

Paul Bradley: Ya, the big thing is too, we are starting the show at 6:30. The after party is at the Ugly Mug which is right here in Minneapolis. They’ll be showing the fights, so the plan is to have the event over by the time that the UFC fights come on.

James Ryan: Well, that’s perfect then! I was thinking that if I lived there and I was really into MMA and the UFC, then I probably wouldn’t want to miss one for the other. It’s great to support local events, but as a fan, I definitely want to watch GSP vs. Koscheck this weekend also.

But with it set up like this, it could be a great whole day for MMA fans. They could go to a live local event and then go out after to watch the UFC fights—perfect! Sounds like an amazing day actually.

Where can people buy the tickets?

Paul Bradley: Well, right now, tickets can be purchased directly through the event organizer, but like I said—I would advise people to try and buy them through a fighter. That’s the way to go, because then you’re actually helping the fighter out.

And you’re still getting the same ticket at the same price—you’re just getting it through a fighter instead and helping him.

James Ryan: Before we wrap up, is there anyone that you would like to thank?

Paul Bradley: I would really like to thank my sponsors who stepped up to the plate for this fight. Like I said, not a whole lot of recognition or TV for it, but I definitely have to help the people that are helping me when I take fights like this.

BAMF Fight Gear—they’re a big company out in California. Clinch Gear of course, who have always been behind me. Punch Drunk Gamer, who is a big company for fighters. Then I have Max Muscle out of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

And last but not least, Carried Out Fight Gear.

And I really appreciate you James, for writing these articles and helping to get my name out there. You’ve definitely gone above and beyond in helping me out.

James Ryan: It’s my pleasure, Paul. Anything to help out the future Champ. [Laughs] Best of luck this weekend.

Paul Bradley: Thanks again.

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Roger Huerta saved a drowning girl in Thailand

Roger Huerta saved a drowning girl in Thailand

In the future, Roger Huerta will lead a small community of people to a pacific island outside of America and create a Utopian society of citizens that will train diligently to protect all women standing in front of nightclubs from threatening college football players. People will call this place Rogersville until they realize that the name 'Rogersville' actually belongs to a small town in Tennessee. The small population will eventually leave the island when they realize that it was a horrible idea to move to an area of the planet that is void of any modern health-care and nutrition.
Ray Elbe took a visit to The UG to give the world a Roger Huerta update, including discussing the time when Huerta saved a drowning girl in Thailand.

A lot of people don't know this story---
But while Roger Huerta was out here training for his fight camp against Pat Curran he was swimming in the beach on the southside of the island of Phuket.
A small child got caught in the under current--and Roger Huerta preformed CPR on her until paramedics arrived (which in Thailand took sometime--greatly making 'survival odds' seem unlikely). Literally it was the type of experience that changes most peoples lives forever.
...I never really knew him before his trips to Tiger Muay Thai...but I can honestly say he is one of the most humble-down to earth guys in the fight game.
He's exciting--and exactly what type of fighter a promotion should look to build around. I hope he rebounds on his recent tough streak and continues to establish himself as one of the top lightweigts in the world.

I think Maggie Hendricks from Yahoo! Sports said the two sexiest men in MMA were Cheick Kongo and Roger Huerta. Generally, I'm a straight guy (although Project Runway is undeniably dope), but this picture of Roger Huerta kicking it with other dudes in red shorts makes me want to rethink my use of wearing coordinated track suits.

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Crypt Suicide Contest 2, Round 1 - UFC: GSP vs Koscheck II

Crypt Suicide Contest 2, Round 1 - UFC: GSP vs Koscheck II

ALL may enter, only 1 will leave when it's all said and done.

Crypt Suicide Contest 2, Round 1 - UFC: GSP vs Koscheck II
Date: December 11th
Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Venue: Bell Centre
Broadcast: Pay-Per-View
Broadcast Time: 9:00 PM ET

Pick your 1 fighter you feel the best about winning

Main Card:

UFC Welterweight Championship Bout:
Georges St. Pierre (c) (20-2-0) vs. Josh Koscheck (15-4-0)

Lightweight Bout:
Jim Miller (18-2-0) vs. Charles Oliveira (14-0-0)

Welterweight Bout:
Thiago Alves (17-7-0) vs. John Howard (14-5-0)

Lightweight Bout:
Mac Danzig (19-8-0) vs. Joe Stevenson (31-11-0)

Heavyweight Bout:
Sean McCorkle (10-0-0) vs. Stefan Struve (20-4-0)

********************************

Rules & Payouts :

1) This is a true Suicide contest, only 1 winner, the rest die. It may take several events for the 1 winner to be determined.

2) You pick the 1 fighter you guarantee will win from the main card. You fighter wins, you are in, if not, you are out.

3) The pool closes December 11th, 2010 at 4:00 PM East Coast Time.

• Prizes :

  1st Place : 100,000

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UFC 124: St. Pierre vs. Koscheck II Event Pool

UFC 124: St. Pierre vs. Koscheck II Event Pool

Event Pool XIII - UFC 124: St. Pierre vs. Koscheck II
Date: December 11, 2010
Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Venue: The Bell Centre
Broadcast: PPV
Broadcast Time: 10:00 PM ET

We are betting all the fights from this point on.

Main Card:

UFC Welterweight Championship Bout:
Georges St. Pierre (c) (20-2-0) vs. Josh Koscheck (15-4-0)

Heavyweight Bout:
Sean McCorkle (10-0-0) vs. Stefan Struve (20-4-0)

Lightweight Bout:
Jim Miller (18-2-0) vs. Charles Oliveira (14-0-0)

Welterweight Bout:
Thiago Alves (17-7-0) vs. John Howard (14-5-0)

Lightweight Bout:
Mac Danzig (19-8-0) vs. Joe Stevenson (31-11-0)

Spike TV Card:

Lightweight Bout:
Mark Bocek (8-3-0) vs. Dustin Hazelett (12-6-0)

Welterweight Bout:
Ricardo Almeida (12-4-0) vs. T.J. Grant (16-4-0)

Preliminary Card:

Middleweight Bout:
Dan Miller (12-4-0) vs. Joe Doerksen (46-13-0)

Middleweight Bout:
Jesse Bongfeldt (21-7-0) vs. Rafael Natal (12-3-0)

Welterweight Bout:
Matt Riddle (5-1-0) vs. Sean Pierson (10-4-0)

Lightweight Bout:
John Makdessi (7-0-0) vs. Pat Audinwood (9-1-0)

********************************

Rules & Payouts :

1) This pool requires that you pick a fighter to win for each fight.

2) If 2 players are tied for 1st Place, they will split the 1st & 2nd Place awards, leaving only the 3rd Place award for any other player or players in 3rd Place.

3) If 3 or more players are tied for 1st Place, they will split the 1st, 2nd & 3rd Place awards, and there will be no 2nd or 3rd place winner.

4) The pool closes December 11, 2010 at 4:00 PM East Coast Time.

ENTER HERE

• Prizes :

  1st Place : 20,000
  2nd Place : 10,000
  3rd Place : 5,000

Good luck all !

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MMA Crypt Prediction Contest 25 - UFC 124: St. Pierre vs. Koscheck 2

MMA Crypt Prediction Contest 25 - UFC 124: St. Pierre vs. Koscheck 2

UFC 124: St. Pierre vs. Koscheck 2

Live, December 11th on Pay-Per-View
From the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Main Card:

UFC Welterweight Championship Bout:
Georges St. Pierre (c) (20-2-0) vs. Josh Koscheck (15-4-0)

Lightweight Bout:
Jim Miller (18-2-0) vs. Charles Oliveira (14-0-0)

Welterweight Bout:
Thiago Alves (17-7-0) vs. John Howard (14-5-0)

Lightweight Bout:
Mac Danzig (19-8-0) vs. Joe Stevenson (31-11-0)

Heavyweight Bout:
Sean McCorkle (10-0-0) vs. Stefan Struve (20-4-0)

Spike TV Card:

Lightweight Bout:
Mark Bocek (8-3-0) vs. Dustin Hazelett (12-6-0)

Welterweight Bout:
Ricardo Almeida (12-4-0) vs. T.J. Grant (16-4-0)

Preliminary Card:

Middleweight Bout:
Dan Miller (12-4-0) vs. Joe Doerksen (46-13-0)

Middleweight Bout:
Jesse Bongfeldt (21-7-0) vs. Rafael Natal (12-3-0)

Welterweight Bout:
Matt Riddle (5-1-0) vs. Sean Pierson (10-4-0)

Lightweight Bout:
John Makdessi (7-0-0) vs. Pat Audinwood (9-1-0)

This "Fantasy MMA Challenge" contest requires that you pick the winning fighters offered in the events, the method in which they will win and when they will win.

Here is how it works:

4 points to pick the winner.
3 points to pick the style of win : decision, sub or KO
3 points to pick when the fight is over if you get the winner right.

Method :

KO (votes as TKO and KO count as the same)
Decision (split and unanimous count as the same)
Submissions (all count as the same)

Most points wins

If there is a tie, the poster with the most posts on MMACrypt.com wins the tie breaker.

* Prizes :

1st Place : 20,000
2nd Place : 10,000
3rd Place : 5,000

Fight picks must be entered in this thread by Dec. 11th, 2010 no later than 4:00 pm East Coast Time.

ClickHEREto enter!

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After shaky decision, Rogan unloads on judging and NSAC

After shaky decision, Rogan unloads on judging and NSAC

The UFC put on another quality fight card at "The Ultimate Fighter 12," but it may be be overshadowed by one shaky call by the judges. Leonard Garcia got what appeared to be a gift in taking a split decision from Nam Phan in the opener of the Spike telecast.
Twitter and the MMA blogosphere exploded. The crowd at the Palms in Las Vegas chanted bull[expletive], Phan looked shocked and Garcia apologized. All that was tame compared to the rant unleashed by UFC color analyst Joe Rogan.
As Johny Hendricks and Rick Story waged a fight that appeared to be headed towards another decision, Rogan cautioned the fighters to not leave it in the judges' hands.
"I don't think the last fight was close and the decision went the wrong way," Rogan said on Spike. "It puts a tremendous amount of pressure on fighters not knowing what kind of officiating you're getting."
Then Rogan got more heated.
"It's gross. You should be able to leave it in the hands of the judges. You should be able to just fight," Rogan said.
There's been some shaky decisions on UFC cards all over the world in 2010, but Rogan launched into an attack on the quality of judging in Nevada.
"And we should point out, that is the situation because of the Nevada State Athletic Commission. It has nothing to do with the UFC," said Rogan. "People keep saying 'oh the UFC!' We have no say whatsoever. And (NSAC executive director) Keith Kizer has denied that there's an issue"
Rogan wants most of the judges relieved of their duties.
"I think (Kizer) needs to clean house. There's a few very good judges surrounded by a bunch of incompetent morons, who know nothing about the sport," said Rogan.
The UFC color analyst then entered blogger, dopey sports talk radio guy, young media-member mode.
"They need to do something about that, because it's ruining MMA. It's making people think that this sport is corrupt," Rogan said. "It has nothing to do with corruption. It's sheer and total incompetence."
Rogan was speaking with some emotion and that's fine. It was just minutes after he saw a kid fight hard and lose because of a wacky decsion.
There are bad decisions now and there will be forever. That's the fight game. Judging is subjective. Boxing has dealt with this "controversy" for over a hundred years. But unlike boxing, the MMA judges are pulling from a sample of three and five rounds, not 10, 12, and in the past 15.
The UFC along with several other major companies are putting on more and more MMA cards each year. That's means hundred of televised and non-televised fights. More fights means more decisions, meaning a better chance they get some wrong.
It's not ruining the sport. And unless the broadcasters at the event - and the thing same goes for guys like HBO's boxing voices Jim Lampley and Max Kellerman - harp on this judging incompetancy thing, most casual fans will let shaky decisions slide after a few days.
These claims of corruption happen in every sport. There was a referee betting scandal in the NBA and fans have forever believed the league office asks the officials to give preferential treatment to its glamour teams. Has the league folded? Thursday night's LeBron James return to Cleveland beat the NFL game in the ratings.
The NCAA and major conferences like the SEC and Big 10 clearly back this stupid BCS and there's been some shaky calls that have helped teams like Oregon and Auburn along the way. In spite of how shady the Cam Newton eligibility decision was and the long history of selective prosecution when it comes to the power programs (aside from USC recently), college football hasn't been ruined.
Everyone who's up in arms about this should speak with Marc Ratner. Ratner, a VP with the UFC, would probably chuckle at the assertion that there's a judging epidemic. He was in Kizer's position for years, essentially serving as the czar of boxing. He heard the same thing in the 70's, 80's and 90's in boxing.
It probably bothers him even more now with MMA as he tries to sell dummies like N.Y. assemblyman Bob Reilly on the notion that the sport is safe and legitimate. It makes it difficult when some of the biggest people around the sport undermine the effort by saying MMA is way short on qualified referees and judges.

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