Shinya Aoki And Eddie Alvarez To Rematch In Bellator This April
(bloodyelbow.com)After losing his Bellator title in a fight of the year candidate against Michael Chandler, Eddie Alvarez decided to skip this season's lightweight tournament so he could negotiate for a chance to redeem another loss - one against the popular Japanese champion, Shinya Aoki.
Alvarez will finally be getting his wish on April 21st, but this time, he'll be taking on the DREAM champion inside the Bellator cage. Sources close to the situation have informed BloodyElbow.com that bout agreements have been sent and Aoki has already put pen to paper, with Bellator expected to make the official announcement soon.
Champ Georges St-Pierre wants Nick Diaz fight as much as he wanted a title shot
(mmajunkie.com)"I want this fight with Diaz so badly – as badly as I wanted the title shot when I got down on my knees," St-Pierre today told the UFC.
That was seven years ago at UFC 56, when his career looked a whole lot different than it does today. Of all the punches he's slipped on his current path, this one has hit hardest.
What's more, he can't do anything but sit and wait to settle the rivalry.
"I was (crushed) when I had to pull out of this weekend's fight hurt, but I am determined to get back to the octagon as soon as possible to fight this guy," St-Pierre said of Diaz. "He needs to hold up his part and beat (Carlos) Condit on Saturday to make this fight happen."
On Condit
"Condit is a very good fighter," he said. "He can strike, he is aggressive, and he has submissions. He has been very impressive and is the type of fighter who gets better and better the more confident he gets.
"I am not personal friends with him, but I know him a little, and he's a great person. I know a lot of people who know him well because we train with the same people, but I have only spoken with him a few times. I feel bad. It is weird that I want him to lose, but I have never wanted to fight anyone as much as I want to fight Diaz."
On Diaz
"I don't truly hate him as a person," St-Pierre said. "I don't know that he is a bad guy, but I hate what he brings to the sport with the disrespect and the unprofessional things he says and does. It is sort of a professional hatred. He has been nothing but disrespectful and arrogant toward me.
"During UFC 137 (week), I felt like I had to walk around Las Vegas with my fists ready because every time I came across him, he wanted to fight there and then. Every time the elevator opened (in the hotel), I needed to be ready to fight in case he stepped in. I was on edge all week. This guy is crazy.
"I am used to hearing (smack) talk from opponents. Matt Serra did it, Dan Hardy did it, and Josh Koscheck did it. But with Diaz, he has taken it to another level. He and his coach have called me a coward and tried to disrespect my accomplishments.
On the Knee
"I am ahead of schedule," he said of his recovery. "I can already train and even kick, but I am remaining calm and not rushing. I won't train properly until July, it is a matter of discipline not to force my knee to go harder than it can heal."
UFC on FOX 2 ratings: Event averages 4.7 million viewers, second-best all-time
(mmajunkie.com)This past weekend's UFC on FOX 2 event, which featured three main-card bouts, averaged 4.7 million viewers.
MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) today confirmed the figures with industry sources.
Overall, the Jan. 28 event – which ran two hours and 19 minutes – scored a 3.21 rating among men 18-49 and a 3.21 among men 18-34. It's tied for the second-highest-rated MMA event in U.S. television history.
All of the numbers are down from November's record-setting UFC on FOX 1 event. The FOX-televised broadcast, which featured just one bout with Junior Dos Santos claiming the heavyweight title from Cain Velasquez, averaged 5.7 million viewers. The event also scored a 4.0 household rating among men 18-49 and 4.3 among men 18-34.
The second event – and the first official show that is part of a seven-year UFC-FOX deal that formally began this month – took place at Chicago's sold-out United Center. Rashad Evans claimed a light-heavyweight title shot with a decision victory over Phil Davis in the headliner. In other FOX-televised bouts, which followed prelims on FUEL TV and Facebook, Chael Sonnen edged Michael Bisping to claim a middleweight title shot, and middleweight Chris Weidman kept his perfect record intact with a decision win over Demian Maia.
On Monday, FOX officials announced that – according to overnight-ratings information – UFC on FOX 2 ratings were up 42 percent compared to the network's previous four weeks of Saturday-night programming.
In counter-programming efforts, Spike TV averaged 828,000 viewers for a UFC Fight Night replay and "UFC Unleashed" episodes that aired from 7-11 p.m. ET/PT. The UFC Fight Night replay kicked off the counter-programming strong and averaged 960,000 viewers...
Asian MMA: Manhoef Vs. Babalu, Imanari Vs. Belingon Set For ONE FC 3 In Singapore
(bloodyelbow.com)Following yesterday's monumental announcement of a 10-year media partnership with ESPN Star Sports, ONE FC unveiled several more interesting news items on a press conference in Singapore.
On the business side of things, the promotion made a huge announcement that government entities from Singapore will be backing them, with Cui saying that both the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and Singapore’s Economic Development Board (EDB) will be supporting ONE FC.
ONE FC has also announced two key bouts for their third show that is slated on March 31st. Headlining the card will be UFC vet and former Strikeforce champion, Renato 'Babalu' Sobral (36-10), taking on the very dangerous and explosive striker in Melvin Manhoef (24-9).
Also on a featured bout is Kevin Belingon (9-0), a URCC Champion who is one of the top prospects in the Asia, taking a huge step up in competition by facing the more experienced DEEP Bantamweight Champ, and 'Master of Leglocks', Masakazu Imanari (24-10-2).
ONE Fighting Championship 3
March 31, 2012 - Singapore Indoor Stadium, Singapore
- Renato Sobral vs. Melvin Manhoef
- Masakazu Imanari vs. Kevin Belingon
- Eduard Folayang
- Zorobabel Moreira
- Gregor Gracie
- Eddie Ng
- Nicole Chua
Forrest Griffin and Tito Ortiz call each other out
(mixedmartialarts.com)In fighting, it takes a great rival makes a great champion. Without Joe Frazier, Muhammad Ali would not be Muhammad Ali. No Sugar Ray Robinson, no Jake LaMotta. No Micky Ward, no Arturo Gatti. You can go on forever.
MMA does not have the same history prizefighting does, but it is starting to. Tito Ortiz was a great champion. And part of that greatness was defined through rivalries.
The three fights with Ken Shamrock made him rich, and that came after an ongoing feud with the Lion's Den going 1-1 with Guy Mezger, and taking Jerry Bohlander on cuts.
Tito feuded with Chuck Liddell, losing twice.
But perhaps his greatest rivalry was with Forrest Griffin, beating him ny split decision in 2006, and then coming back in 2009 and losing a split decision. Now it is 2012, and the two want to do it one last time.
Griffin and Ortiz appeared on HDNet's "Inside MMA" and made the case, or started it.
UFC's Alistair Overeem charged with battery in Las Vegas
(mmajunkie.com)Top UFC heavyweight contender Alistair Overeem has been charged with one count of misdemeanor battery following an incident in a Las Vegas casino soon after his UFC 141 bout this past month.
According to the "Las Vegas Review-Journal," Overeem is slated to appear in court on Feb. 21, and if convicted, he faces a maximum of six months in county jail and a maximum $1,000 fine.
MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) had been unable to confirm the long-rumored incident in recent weeks.
Tony Ferguson Fights Dennis Hallman at ‘UFC on FOX 3'
(5thround.com)Just two days after wrapping their second show on FOX, the UFC announced a lightweight brawl between Tony Ferguson (Pictured) and Dennis Hallman for their next event on the network.
Ferguson has rattled off two straight wins inside the Octagon since taking “The Ultimate Fighter 13? tournament. He was last seen in December posting a decision victory over Yves Edwards.
Hallman has nearly 70 professional fights under his belt. The veteran submitted John Makdessi last month at UFC 140.
UFC 145: Jon Jones Opens As Massive Favorite Over Rashad Evans
(bloodyelbow.com)After Rashad Evans beat Phil Davis at UFC on Fox 2, he sat at the post-fight press conference fielding questions about his upcoming bout with rival Jon Jones, currently scheduled as the main event of UFC 145 in Atlanta on April 21st. In one of the answers, he stated that he'd "probably be a huge underdog" going into the bout. Well, he was right about that. Bookmaker was the first site to drop a betting line for Jones vs. Evans, and it's pretty lopsided:
Tachi Palace Fights 12 adds Jenkins vs. Gomez, Huckaba vs. Wilson
(mmajunkie.com)Twenty-three-year-old lightweight prospect Bubba Jenkins (1-0), a former NCAA Division I national wrestling champion, returns to action on March 9.
MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) today learned that Jenkins will meet Millennia MMA product Chris Gomez (2-3) on March 9 at Tachi Palace Fights 12.
Additionally, Dave Huckaba (16-4) meets Liron Wilson (9-5) in a heavyweight matchup.
"TPF 12: Second Coming" takes place at Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino in Lemoore, Calif.
The card is expected to stream online.
UFC on Fox 2 Tops Network’s Recent Primetime Ratings
(sherdog.com)UFC on Fox 2 might not have provided as much action as some had hoped, but the event did manage to draw a better rating than the network’s previous month of Saturday primetime programming.
According to Nielsen Media Research, UFC on Fox 2 posted a 2.7/5 household rating, a 42-percent increase from the average for the past four weeks on Fox (1.9/4).
Fox Sports Research projects that the network will win Saturday night in the Adults 18-49 demographic by a wide margin, and might also beat ABC, CBS and NBC in the 18-34 category when official figures are released on Tuesday.
Report: Satoshi Ishii Suffered Cerebral Edema Against Fedor Emelianenko, MMA Career May Be Over
(bloodyelbow.com)Fading Russian MMA legend Fedor Emelianenko beat Satoshi Ishii by TKO in the first round at the Dream New Year 2011 event. According to reports coming out of Japan, Fedor did more than finish Ishii in that one fight, he may have ended his MMA career. Fight Opinion has the details:
Japanese weekly publication Cyzo reports that doctors have told Ishii that he suffered a cerebral edema from the NYE beating. As a result, he was warned that any further blows to the head would cause some serious damage. As Cyzo put it, Ishii is facing a retirement crisis. There had been some discussion that he would face Ricardo Arona in late March in Brazil but that fight didn't look to be in the cards. After this latest development, the MMA prospects for Ishii look to be bleak as well.
Leonard Garcia Injured - out of UFC 144
(mmaweekly.com)The injury bug bites again.
UFC 144 is starting to feel the sting of injuries as Leonard Garcia is the latest to fall victim, forcing him out of his scheduled fight with Tiequan Zhang.
Sources close to the fighter confirmed to MMAWeekly.com that Garcia would be forced off the card in Japan on Monday.
While the nature of the injuries are unknown, Garcia, who is widely considered one of the toughest fighters in the sport, obviously was banged up enough to have to drop out of the fight.
Jorge Lopez out at UFC 143, Matt Riddle now meets Henry Martinez
(mmajunkie.com)The lineup shuffling continues for UFC officials, as Jorge Lopez (11-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC) has been forced out of his planned contest with Matt Riddle (5-3 MMA, 5-3 UFC).
In his place steps octagon newcomer Henry Martinez (8-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC).
UFC officials recently announced the change.
Featuring an interim welterweight title fight between Nick Diaz and Carlos Condit UFC 143 takes place Feb. 4 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Riddle looks to snap a two-fight losing streak, the first such run of his career. A rare fighter who has fought all of his professional contests in the octagon, he was beaten by UFC newcomer Lance Benoist this past September but was rewarded with a "Fight of the Night" bonus following the UFC Fight Night 25 bout. Riddle also dropped a decision to Sean Pierson at 2010's UFC 124 card.
He now faces Martinez, a Greg Jackson product who makes his UFC debut. Martinez, who competed as a featherweight in 2009 at Bellator Fighting Championships 2 (where he suffered his lone career loss), carried a four-fight win streak into the contest. All four wins have come via submission.
UFC on FOX 2 draws a reported 17,425 attendance for $1.2 million live gate
(mmajunkie.com)Saturday's UFC on FOX 2 event drew an announced attendance of 17,425 and a live gate of $1.2 million.
UFC representative Ant Evans announced the figures in the night's post-event press conference, which MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) attended.
UFC on FOX 2 took place at United Center in Chicago and featured former light heavyweight champ Rashad Evans earning a one-sided unanimous-decision win over Phil Davis in the network-television headliner.
The Illinois Athletic Commission will verify the figures and release an official tally early next week.
While the number of "comp" or free tickets was not revealed, the figures represent an average revenue of $68.87 per ticket issued...
Las Vegas FOX affiliate says hackers' attack on White sees innocent woman harassed
(mmajunkie.com)UFC president Dana White's war on Internet piracy may have just taken an unexpected (and somewhat bizarre) turn.
Twenty-four hours after hackers posted White's alleged personal info – including his apparent phone number, social security number and current and past addresses – a Las Vegas woman has come forward and claims at least part of that information is completely incorrect.
"When I look, it's my phone number and my address," Las Vegas' Julie Breeler told FOX 5 Vegas in a Friday night report. "There's no Dana White here, folks."
Breeler claims to have received more than 500 phone calls since her information was released in place of White's actual data.
In the report, FOX 5 reporter Matt Delucia suggests the UFC boss' name became associated with Breeler's address thanks to a past resident of the house who owned a white cat named "Dana," and used the pseudonym as a way to detect junk mail...
UFC on FOX 2 official weigh-in results: Contender fights official as all hit mark
(mmajunkie.com) MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) was on scene and reporting live from today's UFC on FOX 2 official fighter weigh-ins, where all 20 event competitors successfully made weight for Saturday's event.
Today's festivities took place at The Chicago Theatre, and a vocal crowd made their presence known as event headliners Rashad Evans (205) and Phil Davis (205) hit the scale.
Co-headliners Michael Bisping (185) and Chael Sonnen (185) also received vocal welcomes before standing forehead-to-forehead and engaging in a little last-minute trashtalk.
Tomorrow's network-televised event takes place at Chicago's United Center. In addition to the main card on FOX, prelims air on FUEL TV and stream on Facebook.
The full UFC on FOX 2 weigh-in results include:
Sotiropoulos Out; Eiji Mitsuoka Faces Takanori Gomi at UFC 144
(mmaweekly.com)An injury has forced former ‘Ultimate Fighter’ competitor George Sotiropoulos out of UFC 144 in Japan. In his place Eiji Mitsuoka will step in and face Takanori Gomi.
Sources close to the fight confirmed the news to MMAWeekly.com on Friday with bout agreements issued for the Feb contest.
Eiji Mitsuoka will make his UFC debut on just a month’s notice, where he will fight at home in Japan against former Pride champion Takanori Gomi.
#OpUFC: Anonymous Answers Dana White's Challenge, Hacks UFC.tv
(bloodyelbow.com)UFC president Dana White responded to last weekend's hacking of UFC.com by hackers apparently unrelated to Anonymous by calling out the hacker organization and daring them to attack the UFC again. Careful what you wish for. We posted last night on Dana White's personal information being posted on the Internet by hackers. The attacks were ramped up over night with UFC.tv being defaced after White's Twitter beef with Anonymous members.
|
|
