Dana White's UFC 99 Video Blog (6/11/09) Part 1:
Dana White's UFC 99 Video Blog (6/11/09) Part 2:
Friday, June 12, 2009
Joe Warren Talks About His Dream Win Over Kid Yamamoto
Inside MMA's Kenny Rice and Bas Rutten talk to Joe Warren about his recent win over Norifumi "Kid" Yamamoto at Dream.
Relax British MMA Fans, UFC 99 Will Still Air on Setanta
Will it, won't it, where?That has been the overwhelming question for British MMA fans this week wondering if they will get to watch UFC 99 from Germany on Saturday.
Rest assured, with a card half-filled with Brits, the U.K. contingent will have UFC 99 available after all.
As reports surfaced that UFC partner Setanta Sports has been in a beleagured financial state, with rumors of the company's ability to stay on-air flying all over the place, U.K. fans just 24 hours ago were still wondering if they'd be able to watch the UFC this weekend.
Thursday morning, via his official Twitter account, UFC president Dana White assured British fans, saying, "Hang tight we will be on tv. Either setanta or bravo. We are working on it."
He again turned to Twitter on Friday to let fans know that, at least for UFC 99, the promotion would remain with its current broadcast partner.
"UK fans UFC 99 will air on setanta live!!! Spread the word."
Who knows what the future holds for Setanta and the UFC? But, at least for now, U.K. fans will be able to get their fight on!
Thursday, June 11, 2009
MMA Live Breaks Down UFC 99 and Reviews WEC 41 and Strikeforce
ESPN's MMA Live breaks down Saturday's UFC 99 fight card featuring Rich Franklin vs. Wanderlei Silva and takes a look back at this past weekend's WEC 41 "Brown vs. Faber 2" and Strikeforce "Lawler vs. Shields."
Round 5 Series 3 Now Available - Mir, Nog, Big John, Arlovski
PRESS RELEASE:Round 5 figurines for Andrei "The Pit Bull" Arlovski, "Big John" McCarthy, Frank Mir and Antonio Rodrigo "Minotauro" Nogueira, comprising Series 3 of the popular mixed martial arts collectibles, are now available at retail, it was announced today by Round 5 C.E.O. Barron Lau and President Damon Lau. They join the first two Round 5 Series which can be purchased in outlets throughout North America and online at www.Round5MMA.com and in the MMAWeekly.com Online Store.
"We are extremely pleased with the final products for Series 3," said Damon Lau. "Each of the athletes had extensive input into their development, and I know that fans will enjoy the 'small touches' that make Round 5 figurines unique."
Round 5 also confirmed today that Series 4, scheduled for late July/Early August release, will now feature five athletes, Gina Carano, Dan Henderson, Cung Le, Mauricio "Shogun" Rua and Matt Serra. The Fedor Emelianenko figurine, originally intended to be issued as part of Series 4, is going through an additional redesign and will instead appear as part of a future Series.
"We continue to work closely with Fedor and his team on making his figurine as accurate and true to his persona as possible," added Lau. "Consumers appreciate Round 5's commitment to producing collectibles that capture each athlete's individual style, and we look forward to completing the Fedor figurine with that goal in mind."
Round 5 is also preparing for its large presence at the UFC Fan Expo in Las Vegas in July, where near-complete prototypes of Series 4 will be on display.
In addition to this week's release of Series 3, Round 5 has issued two Series of four athletes each: Randy Couture, Matt Hughes, Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson and Tito Ortiz comprised Series 1 while Rich Franklin, Sean Sherk, Anderson Silva and Wanderlei Silva were released in Series 2.
Round 5 plans to release collectibles of two additional series of athletes later in 2009, one during each quarter. Athletes to be represented in those series are yet to be announced.
Purchase Round 5 Collectible Figures in the MMAWeekly.com Online Store.
Rich Franklin Believes UFC 99 Will Open Doors in Germany
Maybe UFC's first co-promoted event.Rich Talking about professionalism and negative press around 18:00
Although the UFC stepping into Germany for UFC 99 on Saturday has been a big step forward for the promotion and the sport -- it is the first time a major MMA promotion has landed in Germany -- it has also been a step into a time warp that goes back 10 years.
There have been front page news stories in Germany that decry MMA as a bloodsport, much like the American media of five to 10 years ago. The venue in Cologne even had to agree to UFC 99 being and 18-and-over event.
But main eventer Rich Franklin believes that UFC 99 will bust open some doors for the sport in Europe. At the pre-fight press conference he commented:
"I know we've gotten a little bit of negative press here in Germany, and I think once you see the level of professionalism and sportsmanship the UFC brings to a sport like this, you'll be more than impressed."
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Bellator X Featherweight Championship - Joe Soto vs Yahir Reyes
Taped June 5, 2009 at the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, CA. Highlights from the Joe Soto vs. Yahir Reyes Featherweight Championship title bout.
First UFC Gym Set to Open in Concord, California
PRESS RELEASE:The UFC Octagon isn't just for fighters anymore. Now, for the first time in the 15-year history of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, anyone - no matter how young or old -- can experience what it's like to train in the most exciting sport in the world thanks to the launch of the UFC Gym. UFC and New Evolution Fitness Company (NEFC) announced today that Concord, California will be the first home to the ultimate fitness destination, one that combines a complete UFC experience with mixed martial arts and fitness.
"We are excited to open our first UFC Gym, it's going to have something for everyone in the family, from traditional mixed martial arts classes, to all-around fitness classes, personal training and a gym just for kids," said Dana White, UFC President. "We are going to redefine the fitness industry, and get everyone excited about fitness again, starting with the first UFC Gym in Concord, California."
NEFC Co-founders, Mark Mastrov and Jim Rowley, both from the East Bay, believe that Concord, CA is the ideal location for the first UFC Gym. "Born, raised and now residing in the East Bay, we wanted our first UFC Gym to be close to home. This facility will allow us to carefully monitor and fine-tune the UFC Gym concept for future growth and provide our community with fitness training in new dynamic ways," said Mark Mastrov.
An interactive tour, available through UFCgym.com, reveals concepts for the overall layout. The site also shows classes and schedules, the variety of fitness areas, and the many options for personal training and private mixed martial arts instruction. Special self-defense classes for women will be available, as well as a "UFC Kids Gym," a place for children 14 and younger to experience fun and interactive fitness classes of their very own.
While every UFC gym will have the most sophisticated cardio equipment and more than 25-tons of free-weights, it will also have the luxury of spacious locker rooms with dry saunas, and a place to relax for snacks and drinks inside "The Arm Bar." Plus an exclusive UFC Gym Store where you'll find the very latest in UFC apparel and products.
The first UFC Gym enrollment center is set to open on Wed. June 17th and is located at The Willows Shopping Center, 1975 Diamond Blvd in Concord, CA 94520. For additional information, click on UFCgym.com.
Earlier this year, UFC and NEFC announced a partnership with Welterweight Champion Georges "Rush" St-Pierre, and Lightweight Champion BJ "The Prodigy" Penn to build "St-Pierre" and "Penn" UFC Gyms, with locations planned for St-Pierre's native city of Montreal and Penn's home state of Hawaii.
UFC Gym is the first major brand extension for the Ultimate Fighting Championship, the all-time industry leader in the sport of mixed martial arts. In alliance with NEFC owners Mark Mastrov and Jim Rowley, developers of many of the world's most successful fitness brands, UFC Gyms will give UFC enthusiasts and fitness seekers alike the opportunity to practice the training techniques of famed UFC athletes, including Georges St-Pierre and BJ Penn in their respective UFC gyms.
UFC Gym is the first to combine the world of mixed martial arts and fitness to create the ultimate fitness experience. For more information, please visit UFCgym.com.
Showtime Sports Recaps Strikeforce "Lawler vs Shields"
Showtime Sports recaps the June 6 Strikeforce "Lawler vs Shields" fight card from St. Louis.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Rampage Says Rashad Was Afraid When He Fought Machida
By now, it's no secret that Quinton "Rampage" Jackson isn't fond of Rashad Evans. The two went nose to nose after UFC 96 and nearly fought at a recent photo shoot. Jackson is chomping at the bit for a fight with the former champion.New champion Lyoto Machida was a frequent refrain at a media day for the tenth season of "TUF." Jackson said Evans had it all wrong when he faced "The Dragon."
"I think he was afraid," said Jackson. "That's what made him mess up. He didn't do nothing -- that's what his mistake was. He let Machida do everything.
"Plus, he's talking while Machida was trying to knock him out. He's not defending... he's talking. How you gonna talk while somebody's trying to knock your head off? What do you do? Ask him to stop? What are you doing?"
Jackson's general take on Evans was that he talked too much.
Not exactly an unbiased source for opinion, but Jackson believed Evans lost against Tito Ortiz and Michael Bisping as well.
Would he do things differently against Machida?
For one, he'd take the fight to the champion, he said.
"Yeah," said Jackson. "I'm an aggressive fighter."
Countdown to UFC 99 Airs Tuesday on Spike
The Countdown to UFC 99 begins tonight -- Tuesday night -- on Spike, taking an inside look at the main event between Wanderlei Silva and Rich Franklin, as well as Cain Velasquez and Cheick Kongo.
Versus to Re-Air Brown vs. Faber 2 on Wednesday Night
VERSUS, the exclusive television home of World Extreme Cagefighting, will re-air the most-anticipated featherweight championship re-match in MMA history between Mike Brown and Urijah Faber on Wednesday, June 10, at 9 p.m. ET and again at 12 a.m. ET. The fight, which aired live on VERSUS on Sunday, June 7, featured five full rounds of intense action in the cage in which Mike Brown proved to viewers that he is still the #1 featherweight fighter in the world. Faber, who broke his hand in the first round, battled it out until the very end, but without full use of both hands, Faber was unable to overcome Brown and win back his belt.
"The five-round championship battle between Mike Brown and Urijah Faber was not only one of the must-see WEC events of year, but one of the best fights in MMA history," said Marc Fein, Executive Vice President of Programming, Production and Business Operations for VERSUS. "From the moment the fight ended last night, we began receiving a ton of feedback to re-air the epic battle as soon as possible. So to keep in line with our mission of super-serving passionate fans, we decided to give them what they asked for and re-air the entire card just days after the live action took place in Sacramento."
In addition to the Brown vs. Faber re-match, the card also featured several other top featherweight fights, including Josh "The Fluke" Grispi vs. former UFC lightweight champion Jens "Lil Evil" Pulver, Cub Swanson vs. Jose Aldo and John Franchi vs. "The Ultimate Fighter" runner-up in season five, Manvel Gamburyan. The fight between Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone and James Krause was the featured lightweight bout on the card and the battle between Antonio Banuelos and Scott Jorgensen was the featured bantamweight match.
UFC 99 Video: An In-Depth Look at Marcus Davis vs. Dan Hardy
The war of words between UFC welterweights Marcus Davis and Dan Hardy. How it got started and why this fight may not last very long at UFC 99. Who wins this grudge match?
Monday, June 8, 2009
The Gracies Discuss Fedor and His Place in MMA
Royce, Royler, and Ralek Gracie join Bas Rutten and Kenny Rice on a recent edition of Inside MMA to discuss Fedor Emelianenko and his place in the MMA food chain. Does he belong amongst the Gracies in MMA history?
WEC Hits New Highs with 12,706 in Attendance for $815,415 Gate
The California State Athletic Commission on Monday released the final gate and attendance numbers for Sunday's WEC 41 held in Sacramento, Calif.The WEC's unofficial numbers stood at 13,027 attendees, but official figures were lower.
Officially, 12,706 fans took in the event, with 10,110 paid attendees for $815,415 in live gate revenue.
The final tally stands as the highest live gate figure in the promotion's history. The first WEC held at the Arco Arena, featuring Urijah Faber vs. Jens Pulver 1, was the previous record holder with 12,682 fans in attendance for a $738,855 take.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
WEC 41 "Brown vs. Faber 2" Weigh-in Video
The fighters step on the scales for Sunday night's WEC 41 "Brown vs. Faber 2" in Sacramento, Calif. and live on Versus.
8,867 Witness Strikeforce Night of Upsets
In what can only be described as a "Night of Upsets," 8,867 fans were in attendance at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis to witness the shocking turn of events.The biggest shocker of the night had to be Brett Rogers' amazing knockout of former UFC heavyweight champion Andei Arlovski. Rogers unleashed a flurry of hooks that put Arlovski in a heap on the floor.
No less surprising was the finish to the 182-pound catchweight main event between Robbie Lawler and Jake Shields. For two minutes, Shields looked like a fish out of water, unable to take Lawler down and struggling to find his rhythm on the feet. But in an instant, he rushed Lawler and secureed a fight-ending guillotine choke.
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