Josh Koschek vs Chris Wilson at UFC 98
(mmamania.com)
No rest for the weary.
Josh Koscheck will indeed return to the Octagon sooner rather than later, accepting a bout to take on Chris Wilson in a welterweight tilt scheduled for UFC 98 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on May 23.
Dana White says he has no knowledge of June meeting with Fedor
(fiveouncesofpain.com)“… Me and my management hope to get a chance to talk to Dana White in person in June to discuss a possible fight between me and Brock,” Emelianenko is quoted as telling Adam Baker of DreamFighters.com.
During a recent interview with “Carmichael Dave” on the CBS Radio nationally syndicated show “MMAsh,” White was asked if he was aware of a June meeting with Fedor.
“No,” White responded, before continuing, “If that’s true, that’s awesome. I’d have to hear that from him to believe it. But if that’s true, I’d love to meet with him. I’d love to.”
Dana White responds to new rumors of UFC sale
(fiveouncesofpain.com)“Here’s the big rumor Dana: Station Casinos is filing for bankruptcy and the UFC is going right down with them,” Carmichael Dave asked sarcastically.
“(Laughs) Right. Yup,” White began to respond. “Station Casinos and the UFC have nothing to do with each other. They never have. They’ve always been kept very separate… Right now in Las Vegas (and) all over the world, companies are in trouble right now.
UFC President clarifies his outlook on competition
(fiveouncesofpain.com)UFC President Dana White was a recent guest on the CBS Radio nationally syndicated show “MMAsh,” where his discussed a number of pressing topics.
One of the main issues White was asked to address by host “Carmichael Dave” was Strikeforce’s recent acquisition of ProElite’s assets and subsequent broadcast deal with Showtime.
WEC 39 Weigh-In Results
(mmajunkie.com)The full weigh-in results included:
MAIN CARD
* Champ Mike Brown (144.25) vs. Leonard Garcia (145)
* Ricardo Lamas (154.5) vs. Bart Palaszewski (155.5)
* Jose Aldo (145.5) vs. Chris Mickle (145)
* Marcus Hicks (155.5) vs. Rob McCullough (156)
PRELIMINARY CARD
* Phil Cardella (155.5) vs. Danny Castillo (156)
* Marcos Galvao (136) vs. Damacio Page (136)
* Johny Hendricks (171) vs. Alex Serdyukov (171)
* Kenji Osawa (135.25) vs. Rafael Rebello (135.25)
* Alex Karalexis (156) vs. Greg McIntyre (155)
* Mike Budnik (145.25) vs. John Franchi (145)
* Justin Haskins (170.25) vs. Mike Pierce (170)
Akiyama signing has major implications
(ca.sports.yahoo.com)The Ultimate Fighting Championship’s signing of Yoshihiro Akiyama represents a significant business first – the first time a true native top-level drawing card from Japan has signed with a foreign mixed martial arts organization.
There have been plenty of Japanese fighters in UFC over the years, including Caol Uno, a legitimate lightweight contender in the early days of the division (who is set to return to UFC in June); Yushin Okami, a top middleweight contender; and even Kazuhiko Nakamura came in after the PRIDE purchase in 2007.
Mike Swick vs Ben Saunders at UFC 99
(mmamania.com)
Former contestants from different seasons of The Ultimate Fighter, Mike Swick and Ben Saunders, are penciled in to hook ‘em up in a welterweight bout at UFC 99 from the Lanxess Arena in Cologne, Germany on June 13, according to FiveOuncesOfPain.com
Jacaré, Galvão Training Silva for Leites
(sherdog.com)If you need to train top-level jiu-jitsu, there is no better place than Rio de Janeiro.
UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva knows this well, and that’s why he’s in Rio getting ready for his April 18 title defense against Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Thales Leites at UFC 97.
Two BJJ legends are helping Silva prepare: Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza (ADCC 2005 88-kg champion and multiple-time world BJJ champion in his weight class and the absolute class) and André Galvão (current world BJJ Champion and ADCC 2007 third-place finisher at 77 kilograms and the absolute class).
The Curious Case of Kaitlin Young
(mmapayout.com)With Strikeforce’s recent asset purchase from ProElite, things seemed to be looking up for noted women’s MMA fighter Kaitlin Young. After a tough loss to Gina Carano on the initial EliteXC on CBS card, Young had been held in limbo waiting for another bout. The collapse of EliteXC further delayed her getting back in the cage. With Strikeforce’s purchase of contracts and signing of Gina Carano, things were looking up. Unfortunately, Young was not among those moving over with the new Strikeforce deal. Tom Hamlin with MMAWeekly talked with Strikeforce brass about the decision not to pick up Young:
Mendez also released a list of female talent acquired in the purchase of ProElite assets.
Confirmed to fight in Strikeforce:
-Sarah Kaufman
-Shayna Baszler
-Debi Purcell
-Jan Finney
-Melanie Lacroix
-Katrina Alendal
Conspicuously missing was Kaitlin Young, the Minnesota Mixed Martial Arts prospect, who was defeated by Carano in a controversial stoppage at EliteXC’s first CBS televised event. Mendez said Strikeforce opted not to acquire Young out of a desire to develop lesser-seen fighters.
“We want to build up new talent,” he said.
The women listed above share the common trait that none have faced Carano before.
Vernon “Tiger” White: A Changed Man
(fiveouncesofpain.com)It’s hard to think of anyone in mixed martial arts as ring tested and battle proven as Vernon “Tiger” White. An original member of the Lion’s Den, White has been involved in the sport since the very beginning. Over the course of sixteen years the 37 year old father has been involved with virtually every major promotion on the planet and has fought the very toughest competition the game has had to offer.
His record reads like a who’s who list of the some of the very best to have ever fought. Guys like Lyoto machida, Chuck Liddell, Vladimir Matyushenko, Kazushi Sakuraba, Frank Shamrock, Jeremy Horn, Mario Sperry, Pedro Rizzo and Bas Rutten have all traded blows with ‘The Tiger’ at some point during their illustrious carers. The resume is staggering.
Wanderlei Silva on his ‘incredible’ fight against Rich Franklin at UFC 99
(mmamania.com)“… incredible, because he is the last champion before Anderson. He is a great fighter, a complete fighter and it is a good first fight for me in this division…. I didn’t see this fight [with Henderson] but I have seen two or three of his fights. He is complete - good ground, good stand-up, good takedowns, and I think he is a very good fight for me. I am bringing in several sparring partners from Brazil that are also complete fighters, I will be ready for him.”
WEC Signs Deal With Fox Sports En Espanol
(mmaweekly.com)World Extreme Cagefighting and Fox Sports en Español announced on Friday that FSE is significantly expanding its mixed martial arts content with the launch of WEC: ALBOROTO, a new Spanish-language compilation program featuring some of the most memorable matchups ever seen in the WEC.
“We are pleased to have this new programming deal in place with Fox Sports en Español. World Extreme Cagefighting will complement UFC programming currently airing on FSE,” said Peter Dropick, Vice President, Event Operations & Production.
“Like the UFC, this deal will open up World Extreme Cagefighting and its incredible fighters to a larger, more diverse U.S.-based audience.”
Wanderlei dreams of TUF coaching role
(setanta.com)“The Axe Murderer” revealed he has spoken with [UFC president] Dana White about appearing as a coach in future series, but admits he would have one major problem.
Having seen the likes of Junie Browning causing chaos in “TUF 8”, Wanderlei admits he would probably end up fighting most of the housemates himself!
Maia: I never truly wanted Bisping
(setanta.com)“I heard I could be one of the guys and I want to be on the show as a main coach because I was assistant coach to Frank Mir last season.
“So I just challenged Michael, hoping I could get on the show...but they put Dan Henderson on.
“But for sure one day I want to be a main coach.”
