UFC 136's Brian Stann expects pre-fight respect from Chael Sonnen.
(mmajunkie.com)Three weeks ago, an email showed up in Brian Stann's inbox – from Chael Sonnen (25-11-1 MMA, 4-4 UFC).
Sonnen had two buddies that were military veterans and struggling to find a job. Stann (11-3 MMA, 5-2 UFC), a former Marine who presides over Hire Heroes USA, a not-for-profit that finds jobs for veterans, immediately offered help.
UFC Quick Quote: Why did Junior Dos Santos ditch Ed Soares?
(mmamania.com)UFC heavyweight number one contender Junior Dos Santos tells MMAmania's own Eduardo Cruz (via Fighters Only) that he'll no longer be passing through the Black House facility in California since he is no longer a Tough Media client under Ed Soares. However, the Brazilian bomber doesn't expect any changes to his training camp or pre-fight preparations as he's still aligned with Team Nogueira and his original sparring partners.
Report: Nate Marquardt in Talks With Bellator?
(bloodyelbow.com)Much discussion in the last two weeks has focused on the fall out from the Nate Marquardt situation, but one aspect that hasn't been mentioned much is what the immediate future holds for Marquardt as a fighter. For now at least, he's blacklisted from the UFC, and presumably Strikeforce as well, leaving him with limited options.
Now, reports are that there may be some interest from Bellator in signing Nate. ESPN Insider (subscription required) has the scoop:
ESPN is hearing from a source inside Bellator, who contends the company actually tendered an offer to Marquardt. In addition, reports indicate Bellator was/is interested in having him compete at middleweight.
Antonio Rodrigo 'Big Nog' Nogueira on Dana White: 'He's Not a God
(bloodyelbow.com)UFC President Dana White didn't wait very long to voice his opinion that Wanderlei Silva shouldn't fight again after Silva's KO loss to Chris Leben at UFC 132. That didn't sit very well with another Brazilian legend who's on the downward slope of his own career, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira.
Nogueira spoke to Brazil's R7 Esportes (translated by Tom Mendes):
"I think he was unfortunate with his comments. They're idols of the sport, (Dana's) not a God who decides on everyone's career.
I loved the fact that Tito Ortiz won his last fight. You see that these people were not champions for nothing. Ortiz, Wanderlei and Fedor were top fighters for a reason. But Dana White can't decide that, he'll have to eat his words regarding Tito (laughs)"
Tom Lawlor Injured, Off UFC on Versus 5 Card, Ed Herman Now Faces Kyle Noke
(bloodyelbow.com)Kyle Noke was scheduled to face Tom Lawlor at UFC on Versus 5 in a solid middleweight bout. Unfortunately, an injury has forced Lawlor off the card. The Telegraph is now reporting that Lawlor's replacement will be Ed Herman, making for a fight that is just as, if not more, interesting.
Noke is currently riding a five fight win streak, dating back to his February 2008 KO loss to Scott Smith. He also appeared on The Ultimate Fighter, where he lost to Kris McCray. Since the TUF stint, Noke has gone 3-0 in UFC bouts, finishing each in under two rounds.
Josh Koscheck to Fight at 185 in Return Fight?
(bloodyelbow.com)UFC welterweight Josh Koscheck has been out of action ever since Georges St. Pierre broke his orbital bone in their welterweight title matchup at UFC 124 last December. He has been unable to train due to the injury, and told Dana White in one of his video blogs that he even had numbness on that side of his face close to three months after the surgery. But it appears he's finally ready to make his comeback, and for some reason he's leading people to believe that it's going to be at 185 pounds at UFC 138 in San Jose, for one fight only. Here's what he tweeted today:
did ask for my next fight to be nov 19 in san jose at 185 :) RT @dethrone @joshkoscheck who you asking to fight next?
FYI I only want 1 fight at 185 then back to WW. :) just something real fun for the fans.
UFC 136: Chael Sonnen opens as -215 favorite over Brian Stann
(mmajunkie.com)Despite what will be a 14-month layoff due to out-of-the-cage issues, Chael Sonnen has been tapped a sizable favorite over Brian Stann.
As MMAjunkie.com reported on Wednesday, Sonnen and Stann have agreed to meet at UFC 136, which takes place Oct. 8 in Houston.
Today, noted oddsmaker Joey Oddessa told MMAjunkie.com Radio he's opened the line with Sonnen as a -215 favorite and Stann a +175 underdog.
Rad Martinez Signs With Bellator, Continuing Inspirational Journey
(bloodyelbow.com)Anyone who caught the ESPN "Outside the Lines" segment on Rad Martinez immediately found a new fighter that they couldn't help but want to see make it. Martinez is a talented featherweight and a former NCAA Division I All-American. The OTL segment told the story of Rad's attempt to balance his MMA career and being a full-time caretaker for his brain damaged father. Now, Rad has moved one step closer to his goal of fighting in the UFC by signing with Bellator.
Extremely emotional video on Bellator's latest signing. Although tears are almost inevitable the video is really worth watching. Very inspirational. Video is after the jump.
Gesias Cavalcante vs. Lyle Beerbohm on tap for STRIKEFORCE: Fedor vs. Henderson
(mmajunkie.com)Lightweights Gesias "JZ" Cavalcante (15-4-1 MMA, 0-1 SF) and Lyle Beerbohm (16-2 MMA, 3-2 SF) will clash at "Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson."
Strikeforce officials announced the fight overnight.
"Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson" takes place July 30 at Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates, Ill., near Chicago. The main card, including a Fedor Emelianenko vs. Dan Henderson heavyweight headliner, airs live on Showtime.
Brad Pickett Talks Frustration, How to Beat Dominick Cruz
(bloodyelbow.com)Brad Pickett might not be a name that strikes a chord with you right away, especially if you didn't watch the WEC. The 32-year-old British bantamweight might be nicknamed "One Punch", but he has a slick submission game to go along with his heavy hands. He was scheduled to face Miguel Torres in his UFC debut at UFC 130, but had to pull out due to a back injury which has kept him on the shelf for a while now.
I don't care who Pickett fights, I just want to see him back in the cage. He's a great example of why Bantamweight is such a fun weight class.
Griffin admits 'I've got to cut some f***ing weight'
(espn.co.uk)Forrest Griffin has admitted he has "a lot of problems" facing him if he is to make weight for his UFC 134 showdown with Mauricio Shogun Rua.
Griffin is coming off a decision victory over Rich Franklin in February, and he admits he has allowed himself to put on a little too much weight ahead of his clash with Rua on August 27.
I don't like this report!!
'Chippendale' Marquardt 'had it coming' - Hardy
(espn.co.uk)Dan Hardy, a long-term trash talk target of Nate Marquardt, has had his say on the American's testosterone scandal, telling him "it's all about hard work in the gym".
Hardy has found himself on the wrong end of Marquardt's tongue on more than one occasion, most notably when Marquardt claimed the Brit did not deserve his title shot against Georges St-Pierre.
Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua Talks Wanderlei Silva Loss, Challenge From Tito Ortiz
(bloodyelbow.com)Former UFC light heavyweight champion Mauricio "Shogun" Rua spoke with Tatame yesterday about his friend Wanderlei Silva's loss to Chris Leben at UFC 132, and also responded to Tito Ortiz. Silva was knocked out in 27 seconds by Leben, which obviously bothered his training partner at Kings MMA. Here's what he had to say in regards to Silva:
"I haven’t seen Wanderlei, I’m in San Diego and he’s in Las Vegas, but I was sad about the defeat", said Shogun, on a chat with TATAME. "It’s really sad to see Wanderlei getting knocked out like that, but what can we do, it happens with who is up there".
"Wanderlei was doing fine, motivated, thrilled, he wanted to fight really badly… We trained together before the fight and he was glad."
Dan Miller replaces injured "Cacareco", meets Rousimar Palhares at UFC 134
(mmajunkie.com)Dan Miller (13-5 MMA, 5-4 UFC) has replaced injured Alexandre "Cacareco" Ferreira (18-7 MMA, 0-1 UFC) and now meets fellow middleweight Rousimar Palhares (12-3 MMA, 5-2 UFC) at UFC 134 in Brazil.
UFC officials today announced the change but didn't disclose Ferreira's injury.
UFC 134, first announced as "UFC: Rio," takes place Aug. 27 at HSBC Arena in Rio De Janeiro.
Middleweights Chael Sonnen vs. Brian Stann targeted for UFC 136 in Houston
(mmajunkie.com)Of all the targets at which Chael Sonnen (25-11-1 MMA, 4-4 UFC) has aimed, the toughest one may be ahead.
Not long after a bout with Lyoto Machida was nixed, sources today told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) that the onetime middleweight contender will stay in his division and is targeted for a meeting with Brian Stann (11-3 MMA, 5-2 UFC) at UFC 136, which takes place Oct. 8 at Toyota Center in Houston.
Verbal agreements are in place for the bout, though contracts haven't been signed.
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