Saturday, April 11, 2009
Friday, April 10, 2009
Bellator Takes A Week Off
Bellator IV, Bellator FC's fourth stop on a twelve-week run of tournament based action, was canceled by the promotion on Thursday.The show was booked for the World Arena in Colorado Springs, Co.
The format was an extremely ambitious concept for any promotion, let alone a new one.
"We're doing what the WEC does in one year in twelve weeks," Bellator matchmaker Matt Stansell recently told MMAInsider.
Instead of a fourth consecutive date, the heavyweights will fill out the undercard of the promotion's third show, and lightweight winners from the show's first round will be given an extra week to prepare.
"(It was) an effort to give all the Lightweight fighters more time to get back into top conditioning shape for the semi-finals," said Caroline Rubenstein, a spokesperson for Bellator.
Rubenstein said the promotion's broadcast schedule was locked in place, but could not say whether its event schedule would remain unchanged.
Diaz Smokes, Douglas Responds
It's not breaking news that Nick Diaz smokes marijuana. A lot of it.
Since getting busted for a THC-rich bloodstream post-Pride 33, he's become an unofficial spokesperson for the plant.
Lance Pugmire's piece in the LA Times (http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-mma-diaz-strikeforce8-2009apr09,0,5110887.story) did a nice job of capturing Diaz's, um, unique views on drugs in the sport, and he even got Diaz to thumb his nose at the California State Athletic Commission's drug testing procedures.
"I can pass a drug test in eight days with herbal cleansers," Diaz told Pugmire. "I drink 10 pounds of water and sweat out 10 pounds of water every day. I'll be fine."
In recent months, CSAC has upped their drug testing protocols, enlisting the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) certified lab used by the Olympics at UCLA.
Though the commission does not employ pre-fight testing like the Nevada State Athletic Commission recently did, CSAC assistant executive officer Bill Douglas told MMAWeekly he was very confident they were on the cutting edge of the anti-doping movement.
Douglas said Diaz's claim would be put to the test.
"We'll find out soon enough," he told MMAInsider.
Since getting busted for a THC-rich bloodstream post-Pride 33, he's become an unofficial spokesperson for the plant.
Lance Pugmire's piece in the LA Times (http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-mma-diaz-strikeforce8-2009apr09,0,5110887.story) did a nice job of capturing Diaz's, um, unique views on drugs in the sport, and he even got Diaz to thumb his nose at the California State Athletic Commission's drug testing procedures.
"I can pass a drug test in eight days with herbal cleansers," Diaz told Pugmire. "I drink 10 pounds of water and sweat out 10 pounds of water every day. I'll be fine."
In recent months, CSAC has upped their drug testing protocols, enlisting the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) certified lab used by the Olympics at UCLA.
Though the commission does not employ pre-fight testing like the Nevada State Athletic Commission recently did, CSAC assistant executive officer Bill Douglas told MMAWeekly he was very confident they were on the cutting edge of the anti-doping movement.
Douglas said Diaz's claim would be put to the test.
"We'll find out soon enough," he told MMAInsider.
Ben Henderson: Powered By Kimchi
Lightweight Ben Henderson racked up his second victory in the WEC on Sunday, stopping Shane Roller with a vicious straight left inside two minutes of the first round.
The Glendale, Ariz., resident was expecting to go the distance--and fend off a lot of guillotine chokes, a favored technique of Roller--but had to settle for a quick fight.
"I was ready to have a war, but our game plan worked out extremely well for me," Henderson told MMAInsider.
The win may have bought him a little more leeway with his mom, who was not too happy to hear her son had forgone a double major in sociology and criminal justice to be a mixed martial artist.
To celebrate the win, the half-Korean Henderson binged on Korean food. His favorite dish, not surprisingly, is kimchi.
"It’s great for you," he said. "Kimchi power all the way."
Henderson doesn't have any preference on who he faces next.
"I don't want to sound like every other fighter, but anybody," he said. "I fought a really good kickboxer last time, and fought a really good wrestler this time, so whoever they want to match me up with."
The Glendale, Ariz., resident was expecting to go the distance--and fend off a lot of guillotine chokes, a favored technique of Roller--but had to settle for a quick fight.
"I was ready to have a war, but our game plan worked out extremely well for me," Henderson told MMAInsider.
The win may have bought him a little more leeway with his mom, who was not too happy to hear her son had forgone a double major in sociology and criminal justice to be a mixed martial artist.
To celebrate the win, the half-Korean Henderson binged on Korean food. His favorite dish, not surprisingly, is kimchi.
"It’s great for you," he said. "Kimchi power all the way."
Henderson doesn't have any preference on who he faces next.
"I don't want to sound like every other fighter, but anybody," he said. "I fought a really good kickboxer last time, and fought a really good wrestler this time, so whoever they want to match me up with."
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Lindland On "Fighting Politics"
MMAInsider recently spoke with Matt Lindland, who will attend his second screening of "Fighting Politics" at the Las Vegas International Film Festival on Friday, April 10. The MMA veteran spoke about the film, his career, and Dana White.
MMAInsider: It would seem like Las Vegas would be a good location for a screening given all the fighters in town.
Lindland: I don't know. The film crowd is a different crowd than the fight crowd. I don't know what to expect. The last screening there was a few fighter and wrestling types there, but mostly it was film people. It's an art film. It's not about fighting necessarily. It's not like watching a fight film or fight tapes, it's a piece of art. I don't know how many fighter types are in to the art scene.
MMAInsider: Are you pleased with the film?
Lindland: Yeah, I think Dave (Vahey) did a phenomenal job with it. It's a really good story and I think a lot of people would be surprised about what it is, because I think there's a lot of misconceptions out there about what the film's about. I think the title and trailer really threw a lot of people off.
MMAInsider: Is that to say that the implied conflict between you and Dana White in the trailer is not what the film's about?
Lindland: I think it's more about just the reality of this sport. I think it does a great job of showing what a wonderful job Dana and the UFC have done at promoting and marketing their sport. I think Dana White would like the film. It shows what a powerful person he is in this industry. He seems a little egocentric to me--I think he would enjoy this film. He knows the film's out. I think even Dana's got a misconception about it. But I think the only reason he wouldn't like it is because he doesn't control it. He didn't produce it, he didn't have his hand in it, and anything MMA that Dana isn't in charge of, he's not a fan of. I think the sport's big enough now--thanks to Dana and the UFC--that there's enough room for everybody in the sport. I've always said what a good job Dana has done. I can't criticize his business, and if he wants me to fight for them or not, that's up to him. I've always said, 'I'm here if you want me.' I want to fight whoever the biggest prize is. I'm a prizefighter. It's kind of like a whore. We're in it to get paid.
MMAInsider: Do you understand his position more because you're a business owner?
Lindland: I understand his position. If he wanted the best athletes at the time, I was one of the top athletes and I wasn't fighting there. But I think what he meant was he wanted the best guys he thinks he can market. And that was the truth. He didn't think he could market me. If he could sell Rich Franklin, I guarantee he could sell me. I don't know why it was Rich Franklin. Rich Franklin's a good fighter, but I don't know what's so marketable about Rich.
MMAInsider: Well, there's been a lot of talk about submissions on the decrese, wrestlers becoming strikers, that the shape of the industry has changed from the need to be exciting.
Lindland: Yeah, it is an entertainment business. I don't think it was that I was an unexciting fighter. You look at my finish ratio, I either TKO'd guys, or submitted them. But it does happen. But it was a misconception that I always went to decision. I don't know where that came from.
MMAInsider: Do you think Dana will be there at the screening?
Lindland: I would love it if he would be there. It would be a great honor to have him as my guest.
MMAInsider: It would seem like Las Vegas would be a good location for a screening given all the fighters in town.
Lindland: I don't know. The film crowd is a different crowd than the fight crowd. I don't know what to expect. The last screening there was a few fighter and wrestling types there, but mostly it was film people. It's an art film. It's not about fighting necessarily. It's not like watching a fight film or fight tapes, it's a piece of art. I don't know how many fighter types are in to the art scene.
MMAInsider: Are you pleased with the film?
Lindland: Yeah, I think Dave (Vahey) did a phenomenal job with it. It's a really good story and I think a lot of people would be surprised about what it is, because I think there's a lot of misconceptions out there about what the film's about. I think the title and trailer really threw a lot of people off.
MMAInsider: Is that to say that the implied conflict between you and Dana White in the trailer is not what the film's about?
Lindland: I think it's more about just the reality of this sport. I think it does a great job of showing what a wonderful job Dana and the UFC have done at promoting and marketing their sport. I think Dana White would like the film. It shows what a powerful person he is in this industry. He seems a little egocentric to me--I think he would enjoy this film. He knows the film's out. I think even Dana's got a misconception about it. But I think the only reason he wouldn't like it is because he doesn't control it. He didn't produce it, he didn't have his hand in it, and anything MMA that Dana isn't in charge of, he's not a fan of. I think the sport's big enough now--thanks to Dana and the UFC--that there's enough room for everybody in the sport. I've always said what a good job Dana has done. I can't criticize his business, and if he wants me to fight for them or not, that's up to him. I've always said, 'I'm here if you want me.' I want to fight whoever the biggest prize is. I'm a prizefighter. It's kind of like a whore. We're in it to get paid.
MMAInsider: Do you understand his position more because you're a business owner?
Lindland: I understand his position. If he wanted the best athletes at the time, I was one of the top athletes and I wasn't fighting there. But I think what he meant was he wanted the best guys he thinks he can market. And that was the truth. He didn't think he could market me. If he could sell Rich Franklin, I guarantee he could sell me. I don't know why it was Rich Franklin. Rich Franklin's a good fighter, but I don't know what's so marketable about Rich.
MMAInsider: Well, there's been a lot of talk about submissions on the decrese, wrestlers becoming strikers, that the shape of the industry has changed from the need to be exciting.
Lindland: Yeah, it is an entertainment business. I don't think it was that I was an unexciting fighter. You look at my finish ratio, I either TKO'd guys, or submitted them. But it does happen. But it was a misconception that I always went to decision. I don't know where that came from.
MMAInsider: Do you think Dana will be there at the screening?
Lindland: I would love it if he would be there. It would be a great honor to have him as my guest.
Bellator Upcoming TV Start Times
According to information from TV Guide Interactive, Tivo's listings, and Bellator.com's "TV Airtimes" page (http://www.bellator.com/schedule/espn-deportes.html), there will be a different start time just about every week for Bellator Fighting Championships on ESPN Deportes, due to various live sporting events (mostly soccer matches). It was originally listed as though each Saturday's broadcast would start at 9:00 PM, but that is no longer the case.
According to the aforementioned listings, here are the premiere times for each of the upcoming episodes of Bellator FC on ESPN Deportes:
Saturday, April 11: Start time of 8:30 PM
Saturday, April 18: Start time of 10:00 PM
Saturday, April 25: Start time of 8:30 PM
According to the aforementioned listings, here are the premiere times for each of the upcoming episodes of Bellator FC on ESPN Deportes:
Saturday, April 11: Start time of 8:30 PM
Saturday, April 18: Start time of 10:00 PM
Saturday, April 25: Start time of 8:30 PM
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
WEC Torres vs Mizugaki Re-Airs Wednesday Night on Versus
PRESS RELEASE:When Miguel Angel Torres defended the WEC bantamweight title against Japanese striker Takeya Mizugaki at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago, IL last Sunday, fans were treated to an early candidate for Fight of the Year. For five grueling rounds, Torres and Mizugaki traded leather and proved why the WEC's 135-pound division is one of the most exciting in all of mixed martial arts. Tonight, fans have the chance to witness the Torres-Mizugaki clash, plus the entire main card again on VERSUS at 8PM ET/5PM PT and at 11PM ET/8PM PT.
WHAT: WEC: TORRES VS. MIZUGAKI SPECIAL ENCORE PRESENTATION ON VERSUS
WHEN: Wednesday, April 8, 2009
8PM ET/5PM PT and 11PM ET/8PM PT
WHERE: VERSUS
Showtime Takes Strikeforce Coverage Interactive on the Web
PRESS RELEASE:NEW YORK (April 8, 2009) -- SHOWTIME will offer Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fans the opportunity to get immersed in the April 11, blockbuster premiere of Strikeforce on SHOWTIME with its new interactive online experience, Strikeforce: All Access, it was announced today by the network's Senior Vice President and General Manager, Sports and Event Programming, Ken Hershman. The digital initiative, an interactive live stream of Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Diaz, on Saturday, April 11, further demonstrates the premium network's commitment to leading the television industry in online, mobile, and interactive content distribution.
Fans can purchase the live webcast simultaneously with the live SHOWTIME telecast beginning at 10 p.m. ET*. Online participants can control their own viewing experience through multiple camera angles with corresponding audio tracks as well as interact with fellow users, view user-generated photos and download select music tracks from the event.
"By and large, the core fight fans watching MMA on SHOWTIME are among the most technologically savvy of all viewers," said Hershman. "We are proud to offer this enhanced experience to an audience that will embrace the opportunity to control the content and interact with one another during the live show. Strikeforce: All Access puts you in the driver seat."
Strikeforce: All Access will cost $24.95 per user and is available for review and pre-order by visiting http://strikeforce.sho.com.
With Strikeforce: All Access, fans can be the producer. Users can toggle between five live cameras surrounding the cage with full pause and rewind capabilities. Audio tracks will include the SHOWTIME telecast fight call by Gus Johnson, Mauro Ranallo and Pat Miletich, and the corresponding audio to the selected camera. SHOWTIME is working with BitGravity, Inc. and Episodic, Inc. to enable this unique multi-camera experience.
Fans will be able to make predictions, comment on live fights, discuss outcomes and even talk a little smack with All Access through a live Facebook® Connect application.
Other Strikeforce: All Access features will include professional photography from the action in the cage, as well as behind-the-scenes, backstage and fan photos. Images will be uploaded during the live event via Flickr, the popular image and video hosting website and online community.
If users want to own the ring-walk music of their favorite fighter, they can purchase select songs via iTunes directly from links on the site.
"SHOWTIME has led the industry in multi-platform initiatives for years," said Robert Hayes, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Digital Media for SHOWTIME. "We were the first premium network to offer content on iTunes. We were the first to offer Emmy® voters online screenings of SHOWTIME nominees. We partner with over 100 sites when sampling episodes of our original series and SHOWTIME Sports content. And we are the only premium network offering the explosive sport of mixed martial arts."
"Sports will be one of the big winners with the availability of high quality, scalable and affordable live streaming," said Chris Turner, VP of Worldwide Sales and Business Development at BitGravity. "SHOWTIME understands that sport fans demand a seamless viewing experience with a quality stream, quick start and no download. We are delighted to work with them to deliver Strikeforce: All Access."
The April 11 fight card features MMA pioneer Frank Shamrock taking on his newest rival, superstar Nick Diaz in the main event. Female MMA phenom Cris "Cyborg" of Brazil will take on Japan's Hitomi Akano, middleweight contender Scott Smith will face Benji Radach and heavyweights Brett Rogers and "Abongo" Humphrey will square off to round out the show. Plus, Gilbert Melendez will face an opponent to be announced in a lightweight match.
*Telecast airs live at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME (delayed on the West Coast); Strikeforce: All Access will be webcast live at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
The Iceman Talks About The Old Days
On a media teleconference for Saturday's UFC 97, the topic of retirement hung over former UFC light heavyweight Chuck Liddell.
It was against his will, of course. No matter UFC president Dana White's order that Liddell "show him something," he had no intention of retiring any time soon. If he won his title back, maybe.
But he's fighting Mauricio "Shogun" Rua in Montreal on Saturday, and that's all that matters.
"What keeps me motivated?" Liddell asked a reporter. "I love fighting. I get paid a lot of money to do what I love for a living. I don't think there's much motivation past that."
Perhaps for the first time since he hit a rough patch in the division he once ruled, Liddell admitted he was getting older.
"You've got to train smarter," he said. "I think this fight is almost different than the last couple of fights as far as age training goes. A little more warming up."
Gone are the days where he could show up and go.
"I remember when I was twenty-two, you'd walk out and put your gloves on, to warm up for sparring," he continued. "Now, I make sure to get a good fifteen, twenty minute warm-up before I start doing anything."
Rua faces his own questions going into the fight. The former Pride champion was dreadfully out of shape for his UFC 93 appearance against Mark Coleman.
As far as Liddell, he's pretty sure that if he puts Rua to sleep, he'll still have a job on Monday.
"I'm planning on coming out and performing like I normally do, and I plan on coming out and knocking him out so, hopefully that will be enough to keep him interested in me fighting," said Liddell.
It was against his will, of course. No matter UFC president Dana White's order that Liddell "show him something," he had no intention of retiring any time soon. If he won his title back, maybe.
But he's fighting Mauricio "Shogun" Rua in Montreal on Saturday, and that's all that matters.
"What keeps me motivated?" Liddell asked a reporter. "I love fighting. I get paid a lot of money to do what I love for a living. I don't think there's much motivation past that."
Perhaps for the first time since he hit a rough patch in the division he once ruled, Liddell admitted he was getting older.
"You've got to train smarter," he said. "I think this fight is almost different than the last couple of fights as far as age training goes. A little more warming up."
Gone are the days where he could show up and go.
"I remember when I was twenty-two, you'd walk out and put your gloves on, to warm up for sparring," he continued. "Now, I make sure to get a good fifteen, twenty minute warm-up before I start doing anything."
Rua faces his own questions going into the fight. The former Pride champion was dreadfully out of shape for his UFC 93 appearance against Mark Coleman.
As far as Liddell, he's pretty sure that if he puts Rua to sleep, he'll still have a job on Monday.
"I'm planning on coming out and performing like I normally do, and I plan on coming out and knocking him out so, hopefully that will be enough to keep him interested in me fighting," said Liddell.
Spike Tops UFC's Top Warriors as New Series Debuts Tuesday
In support of its new series, Deadliest Warrior, which premiers Tuesday night, Spike TV has opened the discussion on the top 7 UFC Warrior's of all time. Who's the top UFC warrior: Royce Gracie, Randy Couture, Anderson Silva, Georges St. Pierre, B.J. Penn, Chuck Liddell, or Matt Hughes?Each week, a new episode of Deadliest Warrior will pit two of the most feared warriors civilization has ever known against each other. Highly-anticipated showdowns this season include: Pirate vs. Knight, Taliban vs. IRA, Yakuza vs. Mafia, Viking vs. Samurai, Green Beret vs. Spetznaz, Maori vs. Shaolin Monks, William Wallace vs. Shaka Zulu and Ninja vs. Spartan!
Bellator I Salaries and Medical Suspensions
Fighter salaries and medical suspensions For Bellator Fighting Championships I were released on Tuesday by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.True to their pay structure, all tournament participants in last Friday's show were paid $10,000 to win with a $15,000 win bonus.
The winners from the evening, Eddie Alvarez, Jorge Masvidal, Yahir Reyes, Estevan Payan, Joe Soto, and Toby Imada all picked up the full purses and will move on to the tournament's second round, where the potential purse goes up to $50,000.
Undercard salaries:
Jonathan Brookins ($4,000/win bonus was $2,000) def. Stephen Ledbetter (2,000)
Lorenzo Borgomeo ($4,000/win bonus was $2,000) def. Daniel Morales ($3,000)
James Brasco (3,000/win bonus was $1,500) def. Kevin Abrante ($1,500)
Moyses Gabin ($2,000/win bonus was $1,000) def. Chris Decaro ($1,500)
Gary Padilla ($4,000/win bonus was $2,000) def. Daniel Sarafien ($2,000)
Total Disclosed Payroll: $237,000
Medical Suspensions
Only three participants were put on the bench following Friday's Bellator I in Hollywood, Florida, and to the promotion's sigh of relief, no winners from the first round of competition were amongst the wounded.
Nick Agallar is suspended 30 days following his TKO loss to Jorge Masvidal.
Ben Greer is suspended 30 days following his TKO loss to Joe Soto.
Daniel Sarafian is suspended 30 days following his TKO loss to Gary Padilla.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Round 5 Collectibles Ready to Release Series 3
Below are images of the Round 5 Series 3 figurines, scheduled to be available at retail in the next month. The Series 1 figurines (featuring Quinton Jackson, Randy Couture, Matt Hughes, and Tito Oritz) and the Series 2 figurines (featuring Anderson Silva, Wanderlei Silva, Rich Franklin, and Sean Sherk) are currently available in the MMAWeekly.com Online Store.
You can also pre-order these new Series 3 collectibles -- featuring Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Big John McCarthy, Frank Mir, and Andrei Arlovski -- now!
You can also pre-order these new Series 3 collectibles -- featuring Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Big John McCarthy, Frank Mir, and Andrei Arlovski -- now!
Fabiano Injures Hand; No Serious Injuries at WEC 40
Submission specialist Wagnney Fabiano was the only fighter sent to need further medical attention following WEC 40 on Sunday night in Chicago.WEC officials confirmed Fabiano had suffered an unspecified injury to his hand and was going to the hospital to get it checked out.
Fabiano and opponent Fredson Paixao chose to keep their fight up, trading shots for three rounds on the evening's undercard.
In the end, judges gave the IFL veteran every round, awarding him 30-27 scores. It was his second consecutive victory in the WEC after making his debut at WEC 37, where he submitted the highly regarded Japanese featherweight Akitoshi Tamura by arm triangle.
Fabiano now stands at 12-1 in professional competition.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
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