Babalu "If I lose again I'm Done"
(ufc.com)For some fighters, the Octagon is the only place where they can truly find peace. No matter what happens in their lives before the bell rings, whatever drama they’re dealing with outside the cage, a fight is a fight and everything else takes a back seat for those 15 or 25 minutes or less.
But for Renato ‘Babalu’ Sobral, the UFC’s Octagon has been anything but a sanctuary for him in his last two fights, as he was stopped in the first round by Chuck Liddell last August, and then suffered a second straight defeat when Jason Lambert knocked him out in the second round at UFC 68 in March. On August 25th, he will try to avoid a third loss in a row when he takes on David Heath at UFC 74 in perhaps the most pivotal bout of his eight year career.
“It’s a very important fight because I have to step away from my losses and I have to come back stronger,” said Sobral. “I’ve lost twice, and if I lose again, I’m pretty much done. It’s almost like a title shot.”
Report: UFC “Tentatively Planning” Fall Event in Chicago
(ufcjunkie.com)Despite major events scheduled for Cincinnati (Oct. 20), Newark, N.J. (Nov. 17) and Las Vegas (Dec. 29), Crain’s Chicago Business says the UFC may be headed to Chicago’s Allstate Arena or the United Center in the fall. Additionally, former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski, a Chicago fighter, may be booked for the event.
(possible main event--- Arlovski vs. Vera)
London Calling: Saturation Point
(mmaweekly.com)We are in a strange situation here in the U.K. The scene is suffering from an over-saturation of shows, but without the attendees to really push them forward. This point really hit home to me last week when I was covering the Cage Warriors: Enter the Rough House 3 show up in Nottingham – the signs were there, but this was the proof.
Interview With Tito Ortiz (Audio)
(ufccountdown.com)This interview was brought to my attention by Gary Alexander of TheMMAShow.com. The Tito Ortiz portion of the podcast starts at around the 27 minute mark and is full of good information. Here are some highlights. Listen to the audio below.
MM_EH!! News and notes from Canada.
(sherdog.com)
by Andy Cotterill (acotterill@sherdog.com)
With 48 professional mixed martial arts fights under his belt, Joe Doerksen (Pictures) knows what it takes to step into a cage across from a guy who wants to beat him up.
The 29-year-old fighter from Winnipeg, Manitoba has also been around long enough to realize his upcoming bout against Paulo Filho (Pictures) is more than an ordinary contest, as the pair will fight in Las Vegas this Sunday to see who gets to wear the vacant WEC middleweight championship belt.
Doerksen told Sherdog.com that he's very aware of Filho's strong ground game but that he's not overly concerned.
Read the rest @-->
NSCA Director on Testing
(mmaweekly.com)Executive Director of the Nevada State Athletic Commission Keith Kizer recently spoke with MMAWeekly about drug use in mixed martial arts, the policies and procedures of the commission on steroid use, recreational drug use, testing, suspensions and fines as well as addressed specific positive test situations that have occurred in the state of Nevada.
Five Fighters With Something to Prove
(ufcjunkie.com)With four UFC events (UFC 74, UFC 75, UFC Fight Night 11 and UFC 76) set to take place in a four-week span, I noticed a handful of fighters who really have something to prove. So, I made a list of the top five guys who have more on the line than a simple win or loss.
Is There Anything Gina Carano can't do?
(mmaweekly.com)Women’s mixed martial arts is continuing to grow with the support of organizations like EliteXC and Bodog Fight putting them on the main stage and showing that they can throw down just as ably as the men can. While many may argue who is the best fighter in women’s MMA, no one can argue that Gina Carano is by far the most popular and she is back training full time, preparing for her return to the cage on Sept. 15 at the EliteXC show in Hawaii.
Coleman Not Done Yet
(mmaweekly.com)Mark Coleman, a fighter that first stepped foot in the UFC Octagon more than a decade ago, may not go down as one of the more dominating fighters in MMA history, but he surely will always be a significant piece of the puzzle. If not for his pioneering ground and pound style that led him to two UFC tournament championships, a win over Dan Severn to become the first UFC heavyweight beltholder, and capturing the first Pride Grand Prix title, the current MMA landscape may not be dominated by heavyweight enigma Fedor Emelianenko.
A Different Kind of Fight: Title IX and MMA
(sherdog.com)The pugilistic pride of Oklahoma State University, UFC heavyweight champion Randy Couture (Pictures) originally began his college studies at Washington State in 1981.
Had he stuck to his intention of completing his education there, the mixed martial arts Hall of Fame might be short one member.
*Long Read*
Thiago Tavares Confirms Fight with Tyson Griffin
(mmaweekly.com)Undefeated lightweight Thiago Tavares confirmed that he will face Tyson Griffin at UFC 76 in Anaheim, Calif. Tavares made many new fans in his last outing, displaying his impressive ground prowess en route to defeating Jason Black via triangle choke. Now the Brazilian prospect will face arguably his toughest opponent to date in Griffin.
