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WANDERLEI OPPONENT TO BE NAMED TONIGHT
2007-10-24 00:25:00
The following announcement was posted today on the Baltimore Sun's MMA page:UFC has just notified me that president Dana White will be making an appearance tonight on Spike TV's Scream 2007 show to announce Wanderlei Silva 's first UFC opponent.Speculation has been rampant regarding Silva's debut ever since he was signed to the promotion a couple of months ago. Most rumors have centered around him debuting against former UFC light heavyweight champ Chuck Liddell at UFC 79.Scream 2007 will air tonight at 10 p.m. EST.
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PRIDE Fighters At A Disadvantage
2007-10-23 23:37:00
With the past losses of Mirko Filipovic, the near loss of Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, and the current loss of Mauricio Rua, it is easy to see the pattern developing. For one reason or another (Quinton Jackson being the exception), these PRIDE guys are having trouble translating their skills to the Octagon. Are the PRIDE fighters overrated, are the UFC fighters better than we all thought, or is it something else entirely?It?s possible that the PRIDE fighters are overrated, but it?s hard to justify when you consider that they?re all world-class athletes who have been fighting their entire lives. Cro Cop doesn?t just knock out Wanderlei Silva , switch boats to the UFC, and then just forget how to fight. Similarly, Nogueira shouldn?t go from hanging with Fedor to barely beating journeyman Heath Herring. It just doesn?t make logical sense. And while Shogun looked absolutely brilliant at times against Griffin (with his rolls, submission attempts and strikes), he looked downright tentati...
More About: Fighters , Pride

UFC 77: Silva vs. Franklin
2007-10-23 05:02:00
Anderson Silva Vs Rich Franklin 2Add to My Profile | More Videos

IWF Fighting Prediction Results
2007-10-23 00:25:00
Prior to UFC 77, our three main writers submitted their picks for the event. Let's check back in and see how they did.Anderson Silva vs. Rich Franklin Zeidler: Silva by DecisionArnold: Silva by KOAcosta: Silva by TKOResult : Silva by TKOBrandon Vera vs. Tim SylviaZeidler: Vera by TKOArnold: Vera by TKOAcosta: Vera by DecisionResult: Sylvia by DecisionJorge Gurgel vs. Alvin RobinsonZeidler: Gurgel by SubmissionArnold: Gurgel by SubmissionAcosta: Gurgel by KOResult: Robinson by DecisionEric Schafer vs. Stephen BonnarZeidler: Bonnar by TKOArnold: Bonnar by DecisionAcosta: Bonnar by TKOResult: Bonnar by TKOKalib Starnes vs. Alan BelcherZeidler: Starnes by DecisionArnold: Starnes by DecisionAcosta: Belcher by DecisionResult: Belcher by TKOYushin Okami vs. Jason MacDonaldZeidler: MacDonald by TKOArnold: MacDonald by SubmissionAcosta: Okami by TKOResult: Okami by DecisionRyan Jensen vs. Demian MaiaZeidler: Maia by SubmissionArnold: Jensen by TKOAcosta: Jensen by DecisionResult: Maia by Sub...
More About: Results , Fighting

UFC 77 Results
2007-10-22 00:38:00
A lackluster card in Cincinnati developed into a lackluster event with the majority of the action falling on the undercard, a HW fight that went nowhere, and a carbon copy of Franklin's previous loss to Anderson Silva . Props to UFCMania.com for the fight descriptions.UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva vs. Rich Franklin (185-pound limit)Round one: The crowd is going INSANE for Franklin. Franklin looks clear, calm, and confident. Very composed. Franklin is coming out to ?Welcome to the Jungle?. Silva as usual looks calm and ready to attack, hes one scary dude. Both fighters looking for distance. Franklin with leg kick. Franklin with a nice right left combo. Silva gets into the clinch. Franklin with the take down. Silva to the feet but Franklin has a single leg. Back to the clinch up against the fence. Silva with a knee and right. Great spinning side kick to the body by Silva. Silva with two stinging rights!!! Back to the clinch. Silva goes for a sweep then lands a sick knee to...
More About: Results , Tim Sylvia , Brandon Vera

Former champions Franklin and Sylvia gunning for victory against champion a
2007-10-19 01:31:00
When the roaring Cincinnati, Ohio crowd ushers in Rich Franklin to the Octagon against UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva on October 20, 2007, he will be minutes away from overcoming the most devastating loss of his career or reliving it. Can ?Ace? conquer demons of the past? By Danny AcostaRich Franklin must search for a way to spin his own web against Anderson ?The Spider? Silva in the main event. It was just inches past a year ago when the two mixed martial artists last met. The story was told in three minutes, but could be summed in one photo of Franklin?s redesigned nose.Gruesome knees by Silva?who dominated the clinch, where Franklin wanted the fight?saw the champion stuck in his Silva?s inescapable web.A dominating victory over Jason McDonald and a solid decision against Yushin Okami find Franklin challenging for the strap Silva ripped off him. Now Franklin knows to avoid the clinch, but against a Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, where does the Cincinnati-...
More About: Victory , Champions , Champion , Cham , Hampi

White's Reaction Could Determine MMA's Future
2007-10-17 09:00:00
In this new column by Yahoo! Sports' Kevin Iole, White's role in rebounding from losing its name-brand fighters is discussed in a clearer manner than ever before. Dana White may be the man most responsible for the meteoric growth of the UFC. It has a national television contract, it does ever-larger pay-per-view sales, it routinely sells out major venues and it has one of the most passionate fan bases in sports.Much of that is due to White's grit, guile and cunning.But White, the UFC president, has a challenge before him, the likes of which he has never faced in his seven years at the helm of the world's most successful mixed martial arts promotional company.Though White hardly seemed upset by UFC heavyweight champion Randy Couture's announcement Thursday that he is retiring as a professional fighter and severing all ties with the company, how he handles the situation will determine whether the company will continue its rocket-like ascent toward mainstream acceptance or whether...
More About: Future , Term , React , Reaction

Why The UFC Needs Fedor
2007-10-16 06:48:00
Just because Fedor signed with M-1 doesn't mean the UFC couldn't use him. In fact, they still need him.It was just months ago, following the Fertitta brothers acquisition of Dream Stage Entertainment (PRIDE FC), that we were told time and time again how stacked the Hevayweight division was. “The best it’s ever been!” Joe Rogan and Dana White chirped without interruption. I bought into it, and the whole world did too…and why not? Seemingly, they had everything they needed to create a full calendar’s worth of solid booking. They had the classic UFC veterans, Sylvia and Arlvoski, who had just finished a trilogy of brawls. Randy Couture had moved up and stripped the belt from Sylvia, proving that age is not a factor in the UFC. And they had both Cro Cop and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, two of PRIDE’s biggest stars signed and scheduled with their tune up fights. Between then and now, the UFC has built itself into a position that can only be made better by one man: Fedo...
More About: Needs

Ken Shamrock Interview
2007-10-15 06:35:00
In this recent interview, Ken discusses the possibility of a fight with his brother, Frank, and Dana White's treatment of him. An Interview By Ben ZeidlerBen Zeidler: Hey Ken.Ken Sham rock: Hey, what’s up?BZ: Can you tell us a little bit about what it’s like to watch your son fight? The Gracie's have been multi-generational for a while, but I think you’re the first of the true new MMA stars to have his son compete. What does he feel as a father, as a trainer, as a promoter when your son goes into the cage?KS: You know, everyone was asking me if I was going to be nervous and I honestly didn’t know. But when it came for the fights of my nephew Jeff and son Ryan, I was calmer than when the fighters I train fight. I knew that they’d been to the fights before and knew what to expect, and I’ve been doing this for a while. I know what the worst thing that can happen is. I just felt comfortable out there…I don’t know, maybe when they get on a bigger stage, it will feel...
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Irish Whip Fighting Exclusive: Josh Barnett Interview
2007-10-15 04:38:00
MMA star Josh Barnett is considered one of "The 5 Men Who Can Beat Fedor" by many. Hear him talk about Fedor, the UFC, and his friend Babalu.Irish Whip Fighting : When can we expect to see you fighting again?Josh Barnett: The nearest I can think of is the Imagination TV show Pancrase: Legends of MMA. You can catch some of my matches there on November 7th for 15 weeks. But for some live in the ring action, I'm talking to some companies right now and we've got some things on the table. But there's nothing that's absolute, nothing to say that I'll be definitely fighting at a certain time.IWF: Can you tell us any of those organizations that you're currently looking at?JB: Umm?all of them (laughs).IWF: Is there any chance that you could wind up back in UFC someday?JB: There's always a chance. It's just about the right offer, that's all.IWF: How soon?JB: The UFC? I don't know, maybe you should call Dana up and ask him (laughs).IWF: Why is there such a big conflict between you and...
More About: Exclusive , Interview

Irish Whip Fighting Exclusive: Din Thomas Interview
2007-10-13 06:15:00
In his first post-Florian loss interview, hear Din Thomas talk about his Florian fight, his movie career, his future, and more. Irish Whip Fighting : Can you tell us a little bit about your recent loss to Kenny Florian? Was he different than what you had trained for?Din Thomas: No, Kenny was actually exactly doing what I expected him to do. Kenny is a technician and he fought a technical fight.I'm still pissed that I wasn't able to continue the fight. I tore my meniscus in two, among other structural damage to the inside of my knee during that first round and had to lay down and take a beating. I think it was shaping up to be a really terrific fight.IWF: What was your game plan going into the fight?DT: My game plan was to keep him going backwards and put pressure on him. I felt I was doing that. I was taking my lumps, trying to penetrate but I felt it was just a matter of time before I get inside and take advantage. IWF: Was the Florian fight the toughest fight that you have ever ...
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RANDY COUTURE RETIRES
2007-10-11 23:55:00
Retiring and thus vacating his title belt, Randy "The Natural" Couture has retired once again. His decision appears to have been affected by the UFC's inability to sign Fedor.Statement from Dana White:"I'm not surprised at all by Randy?s decision. I talked to Randy several weeks ago and hesaid that if he couldn?t fight Fedor, then he has nothing left to prove in the sport of mixed martial arts. He has been doing a lot of acting, and I know he is in South Africa right now filming a movie. I think it?s a great move for Randy?s acting career to retire from fighting while he is on top. As we all know, Randy retired before. The landscape in MMA changes every day. So when he is ready to come out of retirement again, he is still under contract with me, and I?m ready to promote him."Clearly, Dana doesn't believe that Couture will stay retired, but I have to say that I think it's for real this time. He literally has nothing else to prove, and beating Vera or Sylvia isn't going to fu...
More About: Randy Couture , Tire

Ortiz And Henderson Not Official; Tito To Wait Till 08
2007-10-11 19:51:00
Despite having his expected rematch taken away from him, Tito Ortiz has not been booked in a match with Dan Henderson , contradictory to a TAGG Radio report from earlier this week. It appears the The Huntington Beach Bad Boy will wait until 2008 to fight again.Contract troubles are the culprit again in preventing fans around the world from watching Ortiz lose (or tie) once more. The best fight for Ortiz would have been a rematch with Evans, which he would've had a legitimate shot of winning. When the contract couldn't get done, Ortiz was bumped to Henderson, a match which he would clearly lose.When Ortiz finally fights again in 2008, one of two things can happen. It is possible that Ortiz would get stuck with Hendo, Wanderlei, or a myriad of other guys who would humiliate him. Or, he might get an opponent he can beat, but the fans will be so disinterested in his persona and generally boring fights that he'll be relegated to mid-card status. Either way, Ortiz is headedtowards...
More About: Rashad Evans , Official

FEDOR SIGNS WITH M-1
2007-10-11 01:12:00
Top-ranked fighter and PRIDE heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko ? the most sought-after free agent in mixed-martial arts ? has reportedly inked a new deal with the Russian-based M-1 Mix-Fight Championship promotion.News of the possible signing was first reported by Frank Trigg as part of his TAGG Radio program earlier this month, and The Fight Network today reportedly confirmed the signing with an anonymous source close to the deal.If the reports prove true, the UFC has seen perhaps the biggest name in MMA slip through its fingers.Trigg broke news of the signing on Oct. 4 (which, ironically, was the same day I was a guest on the show) and said Emelianenko was offered a $10 million contract from ?a new organization out of Russia? that used to be M-1.?According to today?s report from The Fight Network, though, the organization will still be known as M-1 but that the fight promotion was recently purchased by an ?American entertainment-related company? that pumped additional funds i...
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Round Robin Leaves Hamill In The Dust
2007-10-10 07:32:00
With Michael Bisping booked against Tito Ortiz 's expect opponent (Rashad Evans ), and Ortiz being put up against Dan Henderson , Matt Hamill has been left out to dry, with no opponent and no rematch against the man whom he beat.Apparently, Dana White and Joe Silva are making a conscious effort to let the past be the past and have since booked Bisping and Evans in a match up of TUF winners. The winner will most likely get the UFC "future stamp of approval," setting them up to be the unofficial #2 or #3 contender.Rather than bother Ortiz with another fight against Evans, he'll face Dan Henderson, which will either resurrect his career...or end it. Similar to Liddell's potential bout with Silva, this is a chance for the two vets to put up or shut up. And for Hendo (and Silva) it's a chance to prove they belong in the world's premier fighting organization.Meanwhile, the man who actually won a fight in the last three months (something Bisping, Evans, and Ortiz can't say) is stuck ...

Liddell And Wanderlei Probable
2007-10-10 06:38:00
With Wandy's camp saying "maybe" and John Hackleman (Liddell 's trainer) saying "definitely," it appears that the once-Superfight is finally on the right track to go down at UFC 79.Since Liddell's expected opponent, Shogun Rua, is down and out until at least early 2008, The Iceman needs someone new to fight. With no outstanding losses that he can avenge (no Rampage for you, come back ONE YEAR!), Liddell looks to take on the man he should have faced years ago. While it's not quite as exclamatory a brawl as it would've been in years past, it's a big fight nonetheless, and between two of the most loved stars in the sport.I think that this is without a doubt the right fight for The Iceman. He tried to have a tune up after the most recent Rampage loss and look where it got him. At this point in his career, he's better off going all out for as long as he can while trying to make some sort of legitimate claim that he is the superstar he once was. If he loses, to Wanderlei or any...
More About: Chuck Liddell , Wanderlei Silva

Nogueira-Kongo Bumped To Early 08
2007-10-09 20:08:00
The winner of the Nogueira-Kongo fight is no longer in line for a title shot, as it's been bumped to early next year, but whoever leaves victorious should be guaranteed a shot down the line. Here's why:With Sylvia-Vera now the only real HW bout in the upcoming months, it's more than expected that the winner will take on Randy Couture early next year at UFC 81 or those whereabouts. For Vera, it would be a long time coming and could represent the passing of the torch from one marketable HW to another. If Sylvia gets the shot, it would represent the rematch clause in his contract. Either way, this seems like the only viable option.But who gets the winner of the Couture-Vera/Sylvia fight? For rest periods to coincide, the new #1 contender bout (after Sylvia-Vera) would have to take place early next year. Enter: Nogueira-Kongo. Initially scheduled to go down at UFC 79 in December, the fight has been bumped. It's not clear why, but it does provide perfect timing for both these...
More About: Early , Cro Cop , Cheick Kongo , Minotauro

Around The Horn
2007-10-08 06:40:00
Match booking was the name of the game this weekend, as some blockbusters (and equally spectacular surprises) were made official.FOXSports has the Nogueira-Kongo bout, first scheduled to take place at UFC 79, now happening in "early 2008," according to Dave Meltzer. This fantastic match (and potential #1 contender fight) should be one of the bigger wars we've seen in years. It features one of the true veterans of the sport against the HWs newest star. I know it seems as though the division has a new star every week (Gabriel who?), but Kongo is LEGIT.Matt Hammil is "in shock" (read: furious) with the Evans-Bisping booking at UFC 78. I can't really understand it either, considering that Rashad Evans -Tito Ortiz and Michael Bisping -Matt Hammil were probably the two most unresolved bouts of the year, but Joe Silva knows what he's doing.In my most disappointing moment of the weekend, the Kimbo-Tank fight, to be held at Cage Fury 6, has been canceled. I don't know quite what to ma...
More About: Cheick Kongo , Kimbo Slice

Irish Whip Fighting Exclusive: Kenny Florian Interview
2007-10-04 23:49:00
In his first post-Thomas fight interview. Hear Kenny Florian talk about the Din Thomas fight, The Ultimate Fighter, and his future.Irish Whip Fighting : What was your game plan going into the Din Thomas fight?Kenny Florian: The game plan with Din was to be patient on the feet, technical and to pick my shots. I wanted to break his boxer's rhythm and frustrate him with kicks and movement. I also wanted to put a lot of pressure on him with takedowns and ground and pound. I wanted to mix it up on him and keep him guessing as to what I would do next.IWF: You also mentioned that as of that fight, you "got mean." Can you tell us about that?KF: It really wasn't that fight that started it. It was after the Sherk fight that got me to realize that you need to see each event as a true fight not a competition. You have to be mean. Your opponent is going to try to hurt you and you must hurt him first without mercy.IWF: You clearly dominated a very experienced fighter in Din Thomas. How does it f...
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Rashad Evans to fight Michael Bisping at UFC 78!
2007-10-04 04:34:00
It was just announced that Rashad Evans will NOT be fighting Tito Ortiz as many expected. However, he will be fighting Michael Bisping, who is coming off of a very controversial win, at UFC 78. Read here to see how this affects the card.This was a huge surprise to all people (including myself), not to mention Rashad. It will be the first time that two Ultimate Fight er winners will fight each other. This boosts up the UFC 78 card a great amount.Right as Sherdoggers started complaining about the lack of exciting fights on the UFC 78 card, Dana sets this fight. This is a GREAT move in my opinion, because while doing this, Dana sets up a Tito vs. Henderson fight.BOOM. UFC 78 would then have two great headliners, plus a Karo fight. This isn't even mentioning the great under card fights that UFC 78 will contain. This is a wonderful decision by Dana.Being a fan of "The Count", I have to give this one to Bisping. Due to Bisping having a lot to prove to everyone after his controversial "win...
More About: Michael Bisping

UFC 77 Preview: Sylvia-Vera Serves As Tantalizing Precursor To Main Event
2007-10-02 22:49:00
For as much hype as is swirling around Silva-Franklin (as well there should be), there is equally little being dedicated to the next most important fight on the card, Sylvia-Vera . Sylvia is still reeling from his loss to Couture while Vera is undefeated and on the fast track to a title shot. With Cro Cop's loss and Nogueira's less than stellar performance (and even worse promoting), this looks to be the bout which will feed the fans their new #1 contender. Of course, nothing has been announced (expect that at the post-conference), but I can't imagine anything else happening.If Sylvia wins (which he isn't "supposed" to, just like Jardine and Forrest weren't "supposed" to), the fans will have to deal with Couture-Sylvia II. If Sylvia were to pull that off, it would be just about the worst thing that could happen to the UFC's Heavyweight division. Right now, Dana White only has two marketable champs, and he doesn't need that knocked down to two. In fact, I would be comfort...
More About: Event , Preview , Main , Tim Sylvia

UFC 76 Shakes Up LHWs Even More
2007-10-02 18:27:00
UFC 76 was a wild night of big upsets, big names, and big breakouts.Big Upset: Keith Jardine over Chuck Liddell . This was supposed to be the Chuck's two wins en route to a LHW title shot. Instead, he was beaten by split (albeit uncontroversial) decision. No Bisping-Hamill screams here, The Iceman just got beat. Where does he go from here? After spending years beating up on UFC alums, he's had a real problem with PRIDE guys and younger fighters. Maybe a match up with Shogun ? Who knows...it's tough to sell a Liddell fight these days. (Never thought I'd say that one).Big Upset: Forrest Griffin over Shogun Rua. And THIS was supposed to be Rua's tune up so White could justify sending him over to Rampage for a title shot. Now what does White do? Hendo just lost; he can't justify Liddell, Wanderlei, or Rua. Major credit needs to go to Forrest here, he didn't just catch Shogun or get lucky. He soundly beat the 23 year old prodigy.Big Name: Wanderlei Silva was in attendan...
More About: Lyoto Machida

FIGHT! Magazine To Feature BJ Penn On Cover
2007-10-01 23:21:00
As you guys may or may not know, I write for Irish Whip Fight ing and a number of other organizations. Among them are MMA Madness, Martial Base, and FIGHT! Magazine . I'm also on the rankings panel for FIGHT! and HDNet. Anyway, I got the early look at the newest FIGHT! mag (which is now on newsstands) and let me tell you, it is incredible. Check out the press release below and go get yourself a copy. ATLANTA, Sept. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- FIGHT! Magazine (http://www.fightmagazine.com), published by Bluff Media, announced today that its second issue will be available on newsstands September 26th. The October/ November issue of FIGHT! features an exclusive profile of UFC fighter BJ Penn by bestselling author of, A Fighter's Heart: One Man's Journey through the world of Fighting, Sam Sheridan."FIGHT! is really a top quality magazine and I am excited to be on the cover of the second issue," said BJ Penn, former UFC welterweight champion.In addition to Sheridan, Fight! has added more top...
More About: Feature , Cover

Babalu Signs with Strikeforce
2007-10-01 00:00:00
After being kicked out of the UFC for holding a choke too long against David Heath, Renato Sobral has already signed with another organization, Strike force .This is huge for Strikeforce. Babalu adds to a pretty esteamed list of fighters at Strikeforce which includes Frank Shamrock, Phil Baroni, Cung Le, and the undefeated Gilbert Melendez.However, this is horrible for the UFC. I'm still not sure why they let Sobral go. B.J. Penn held a longer choke on Jens Pulver in their most recent fight. I was recently talking to Jens about this, and he said that he didn't think that either B.J. or Renato needed to be punished. I'll let Jens say it:"It doesn?t matter to me, I didn?t see what BJ did as being wrong and I didn?t see what Renato did as being wrong. I was the one who got caught in the rear naked choke.""When you?re in the cage and you?re fighting somebody, especially when you don?t like the person you?re fighting?like truly dislike the person, when you get that hold and you squeeze ...
More About: Force , Signs

Around The Horn
2007-09-28 09:04:00
There's a ton of fallout after the HUGE UFC 76 event...so let's get at it!Sherdog is reporting that Mauricio Rua entered the fight with a knee injury and was not 100%. Interestingly enough, Shogun 's knee had nothing to do with the third round rear naked choke applied by Forrest Griffin. Either way, it hampered his training to a certain degree and didn't allow him to execute the stomps he loves but isn't allowed to use anyway. He's not expected to disappoint fans again until at least early 2008.MMA News is reporting that Chuck Liddell is in fact NOT retiring and may be looking at a fight with Shogun. Reports place him in the gym on Monday, four days from now. I hate to admit it, but he doesn't look hungry like the old Liddell used to. Maybe him and Cro Cop can start a club with Wanderlei Silva and they can call it "I was really good two years ago."MMA Junkie is reporting that Matt Hughes "has one or two more fights left in him." Well, let's see, that would account for ...
More About: Lyoto Machida , Horn

Irish Whip Fighting Exclusive: Marcus Davis Interview
2007-09-28 00:19:00
In his first post-Taylor fight interview, Irish Whip Fighting had the privilege to sit down with UFC Fighter Marcus "The Irish Hand Grenade" Davis . An interview by Irish Whip Fighting.Irish Whip Fighting: At UFC 75 you won "Fight of the Night" and "Submission of the Night". At such an important event, with many great fights, how does it feel to receive an honor like that?Marcus Davis: Feels great- shows I have come to be an exciting and more complete fighter.IWF: You've improved vastly following your "The Ultimate Fighter" losses to Stevenson and Guillard. What's caused the improvement?MD: Identifying my weaknesses and then working with 2 great camps - Sit Yod Tong and Team Gurgel.IWF: Do you think you would be able to beat Stevenson and Guillard now?MD: I would beat Guillard in 1 round. Joe Stevenson is still another story. I wouldn't be as easily taken down and my ground is actually a strength now but not like Joe's. If we stand I will if he keeps me on the ground Joe wins it...
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UFC 76: Liddell vs. Jardine
2007-09-26 01:08:00
I can't even watch this God Damn thing. But, here it is anyway.Keith Jardine Vs Chuck Liddell Add to My Profile | More Videos

UFC 76: Shogun vs. Griffin
2007-09-26 00:54:00
Get it while it's hot!A few things can be learned from this fight:1. Shogun will probably go down as one of the top ten MMA fighters of all time. His striking is pin point perfect and his ground work is excellent. He just needs to stop thinking he can roll out of every predicament he finds himself in. That being said, he's 23 years old...he's got time on his side.2. Forrest is better than people give him credit for. I don't think he's better than Rampage, Henderson, Shogun, or Liddell, but he might warrant that #5 spot. And if he finds a way to beat Wanderlei? Then, we'll have a whole new Sheriff in town.Mauricio "shogun" Rua Vs Forrest Griffin Add to My Profile | More Videos
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The Fallout of Knockout: Inside UFC 76?s Upsets
2007-09-25 00:29:00
The real spelling of disarray: light heavyweight. After crowning an uncontested king in Quinton Jackson, two weeks later Keith Jardine and Forrest Griffin sent unofficial number one contenders Chuck Liddell and ?Shogun ? Rua into a downward spiral, taking the division down with them. What does the UFC do now? By Danny AcostaThe old adage probably written by one of the greatest thinkers of his time, but made famous by Ric Flair, ?To be the man, you have to beat the man!? aptly describes UFC 76. Upset performances?and that is almost a vacuous term in 2007 and in a sport as versatile as mixed martial arts?by The Ultimate Fighter products Forrest Griffin and Keith Jardine in the co-main events proved perception is nothing; reality is everything.Reality is a foul mistress for Chuck Liddell and Mauricio Rua, who were perceived as the two best fighters not wearing unified gold before decisive losses on Saturday night. ?Shogun? even had the luxury as being nominated the 205-pound king becaus...
More About: Inside

EliteXC Rises To Top
2007-09-24 21:30:00
After putting on an extremely successful partnership event with Strikeforce last month (Baroni v. Shamrock), Elite XC once again showed it deserves to hang with the big boys last week. UFC ex-patriots Robbie Lawler and Nick Diaz combined along with fighters such as Ninja Rua and Gina Carano (the sport's most popular female fighter) to put on a show which was recognized as having superior matchmaking and an excellent production value.And with PRIDE's buyout, the IFL offering a very different form of MMA, and WEC being technically owned by Zuffa, it's easy to see why many herald EliteXC as the only real competition. The praise is well deserved, considering that their fighters rival the WEC and they've landed an exclusive deal with SHOWTIME, which seems to not have enough programming to fill their slots. The result? EliteXC on SHOWTIME at least once a day.While it's still way too early to tell, if EliteXC can keep signing fighters (Sokoudjou, anyone?) and marketing the package ...
More About: Elitexc