No Shadow, Arlovski Could Change Everything
(mmaweekly.com)Vadim Finkelstein made an offer; Andrei Arlovski refused.
It was 2005, the time of Arlovski's reign as UFC heavyweight champion. His talent and ambition had brought him Stateside in April of 2000 after capturing the European crown of Finkelstein's promotion, M-1 Mix Fight, earlier that year. His UFC 28 debut was a success, announcing his presence in the then-struggling company with a submission victory over Aaron Brink.
Arlovski slowly worked his way to the top of the UFC's heavyweight division, persisting through setbacks at UFC 32 and 36 to wrest the interim, and later official, title away from Tim Sylvia at UFC 51. He was living his American dream.
Then, his old boss came calling.
"Vadim contacted me and said, 'I want you to be a member of my team; train with Fedor,'"
UFC Signs HW Neil Grove
(fightersonlymagazine.co.uk)Former Cage Rage contender Neil 'The Goliath' Grove has been given a four-fight deal by the UFC, Fighters Only can exclusively report.
Grove (7-1) is a 6’6” 280lb Go-Ju Ryu Karate stylist who holds a ten-second knockout win over Pride FC veteran James Thompson and two wins over Robert ‘Buzz’ Berry, who defeated Ken Shamrock by KO earlier this year.
He told Fighters Only earlier: “I signed a contract today and sent it back to my manager. And he will be forwarding it to the UFC.
“It’s a four-fight deal; I don’t know who my first opponent is, but my manager did say it might be at UFC 95 in February.”
Vote For GSP As 2008 Canadian Athlete Of The Year!!!
(sportsnet.ca)He regained his UFC welterweight championship from Matt Serra and further established himself as the best 170-pounder on the planet with his five round win over Jon Fitch. Now it's time for you to vote for Montreal's Georges St-Pierre as Sportsnet.ca's 2008 Canadian Athlete of The Year.
WOO!! GSP!!
Ibarra Denies Offering Silva Help
(mmajunkie.com)Juanito Ibarra, the former trainer and manager for ex-UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, on Monday told MMAjunkie he denies reports that he offered training and strategy advice to Wanderlei Silva, who fights Jackson Dec. 27 at UFC 92.
TUF 8 Finale Averages 1.9 Million Viewers
(mmajunkie.com)The ratings for the TUF 8 Finale on Spike are out and it's a very mixed bag. The show did a 1.3 rating with 1.9 million viewers-while it was the #1 program on all TV in its timeslot among men 18-34, it also was down from the season 7 finale and was the 2nd-lowest rated finale yet. Only the TUF 4 Finale did worse.
Tim Sylvia: Brock Wrong For The Sport
(mmamania.com)While making sure to compliment him in recent comments, former UFC Heavyweight Champion Tim Sylvia still thinks that new UFC Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar got pushed too hard too fast and that it hurts UFC's and MMA's credibility.
Ken Shamrock Returns February 13
(mmaweekly.com)UFC Hall of Famer Ken Shamrock announced on Tuesday that he will make his return to the ring as part of the Feb. 13 Valentine's Eve Massacre event in Fresno, Calif. The event is a co-promotion between Ken Shamrock Productions and Wargods.
Will Ribeiro crashes with bike in Rio
(tatame.com) The accident happened around 1a.m.. He were riding a bike without a helmet and, when tried to brake, skided and crashed”, told Luiz Alves, who also told the athlete is in coma at Andaraí’s Hospital.
Cantwell Explains Controversial Comment
(mmaontap.com)Following Steve Cantwell’s impressive submission victory over Razak Al Hassan at last week’s UFC Fight for the Troops, the victor gave a post fight interview that included some comment that many have felt were inappropriate. Cantwell won the fight via armbar in which his opponent’s elbow dislocated due to the pressure applied. While being interviewed by Joe Rogan, Cantwell said that he had “always wanted to do that” and seemingly was very pleased when he watched the replay and saw the joint dislocate.
...like I said in other threads...he's not a bad guy, he just got caught up in the moment.
Evans takes relaxed approach
(uk.eurosport.yahoo.com)"If I am out there and I see him sort of looking relaxed or looking like he thinks it is going to be complacent first round then I will go out there and try to knock his head off."
"I know he does kick well to the legs, but I am not really very worried about it, to be honest.
"If he lands a couple of solid kicks, it could do some damage, but hopefully I am going to keep moving around enough and check those kicks when they come, if not and he catches me then I have to make him pay."
Quick Quote: Dana On FFTT Carnage
(mmamania.com)Count Dana White among those probably thankful UFC Fights For The Troops happened now and not several years ago. On the carnage and injuries resulting from the card he said “Had this fight happened seven years ago, we probably wouldn’t have been legalized.”
EXCLUSIVE: “Rampage” to give 100% against Wandy
(mmabay.co.uk)In an EXCLUSIVE interview with MMABay, former UFC light heavyweight champion, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson promised his fans that he is the most prepared he has ever been coming into his UFC 92 clash with Wanderlei Silva and that he will be giving 100%.
Wanderlei Says "No Problem" To Fight Forrest
(mmaweekly.com)The growth of MMA has also led to the growth of major gyms and teams around the world, but eventually teammates sometimes have to fight and that may be the case down the road for Wanderlei Silva and training partner Forrest Griffin if they both should win on Dec. 27.
Griffin spoke out on the subject recently, telling MMAWeekly.com, "It's going to happen one day. He knows that and he's cool with it; I'm cool with it."
Silva spoke to MMAWeekly Radio about his friend and training partner and the likelihood of them fighting in the future.
"I'm a professional, he's a professional. He's an amazing guy," the Brazilian said about Griffin. "I train with him so hard, this guy he's really upped his boxing. He's got very good ground, very good wrestling, and I think he's a very, very tough opponent."
Friendship aside, Silva wants a shot at the UFC light heavyweight title and if that road goes through Forrest Griffin, the two competitors will square off in the Octagon and then shake hands when it's all over.
"I know and he knows that this is a business and if I win and he wins, I'd fight him no problem," Silva stated. "He's my good friend, but business is business. This is professional."
With both fighters on the upcoming UFC 93 card in Las Vegas, Silva and Griffin have been sparring and training together non-stop in preparation for each of their respective bouts, Silva against former UFC champ Quinton Jackson and Griffin defending his belt from fellow Ultimate Fighter winner Rashad Evans.
"I train with him more because I’m going to fight the same day," commented Silva. "It's good to have him because he's tall, he's stronger, has good punches, good takedowns, and he does very good training."
Silva is confident that it is Forrest Griffin who will come out on top in his title defense, which could ultimately lead to a showdown of teammate vs. teammate.
Gouveia calling For Title Shot: ''Would Fight Anderson Tomorrow''
(fightersonlymagazine.co.uk)Wilson Gouveia (12-5) is already calling for a shot at the middleweight title, despite having fought just one bout in the division after dropping down from light-heavyweight.
Gouveia defeated Jason Macdonald by armbar at The Ultimate Fighter Season 8 Finale on Saturday night.
Speaking to Fighters Only yesterday, he said: “I feel that I am ready to go, I am ready to fight against the best in the weight class.
“I think at middleweight I can be a champion, I really want to be a champ. And I’m ready to go, I can fight Anderson Silva tomorrow if they let me.”
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