A Day in the Life of WEC Fighter Dominick Cruz

Spend the day with WEC's Dominick Cruz as he prepares for his upcoming battle against Joseph Benavidez at WEC: Torres vs. Bowles, Sunday, August 9.

Joe Lauzon Responds To Globe Piece Calling MMA "Human Dogfighting"

The following is an article UFC lightweight Joe Lauzon posted on his personal website, www.joelauzon.com, responding on a recent editorial published by the Boston Herald that compared the sport of MMA to dog fighting.

Here is the piece in its entirety, courtesy of Joe Lauzon.

A Poor Comparison
by Joe Lauzon

Not everyone is on board with Mixed Martial Arts yet, but more and more sports fans are getting accustomed to our sport. With the increased popularity of the sport, it's becoming mainstream and it's just getting started.

To the uninformed, people who aren't into MMA (Mixed Martial Arts), the fights seem unconventional compared to more widely accepted arts like boxing, wrestling and karate. Oddly enough, MMA is a combination of the three with elements of many other arts incorporated. The sport has evolved many times over to most effectively control, submit or knock out a true resisting opponent.

I compete in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, which most involved with the sport simply call the UFC. It's not the Ultimate Street Fight and it’s not the Ultimate Dog Fight. I might be offended by the writer's comments if he were more informed or took the time to actually research the facts. If the writer knew how much safer the UFC was than boxing, he would not have likened it to dog fighting.

As part of an upcoming sport, it's my job to not only fight in the ring, but also be an ambassador to the sport. There are over 200 fighters under contract in the UFC, which is the NFL of Mixed Martial Arts promotions. Many of these fighters come from diverse backgrounds and are graduates from some of the best schools in the country.

Miguel Torres of East Chicago, Indiana, paid his way through school by fighting while others were tending bar. Miguel earned a degree in marketing from Purdue University. Miguel is the current WEC Bantamweight champion.

Former UFC Middleweight champion Rich Franklin is a former math teacher from Cincinnati with a masters degree in Education, Jim Miller attended Virginia Tech, and Brock Lesnar was an NCAA wrestling champion and is the current UFC Heavyweight Champion. Some have masters degrees while others have bachelors. There are really too many to list.

Frank Mir was raised in a true martial arts family and earned a black belt in Karate at the age of 12. Frank won a state wrestling championship in high school at 17 and earned a black belt in Jiu-Jitsu in three and a half short years. Frank's stage eventually became an Octagon surrounded by plastic coated chain link fence. It's within this Octagon that he shows the world his martial arts skills and shares his valuable message of perseverance with the world as he is a former UFC Heavyweight Champion. You would be hard pressed to find a more articulate man in any professional sport.

Our sport has been likened to dog fighting, which anyone will say is cruel. Dogs have no choice and are bred to fight, injure and maim the other dog. They are kept in poor conditions and are anything but family pets.

Fighters on the other hand make up their own minds regarding their career path, just like you have done. I choose to compete in mixed martial arts for the competition of it all. I love to compete and the UFC has the best fighting conditions, best referees, the best doctors and an outstanding safety record. Fights are stopped at the first sign of a fighter being unable to defend himself or the first sign that the fighter does not want to continue.

It is my job to not only inform the original writer, but also all of those that he has misinformed. I appreciate that everyone has their own opinion, but I get to express mine as well. I do not believe the writer has been to a dog fight, nor has he been to a UFC fight, or met with a 40-year-old boxer with a slur from taking thousands of shots to the head. I also doubt he has taken a look at a punch count showing a comparison of what a mixed martial arts fighters takes versus that of a boxer.

Boxing averages 11 deaths per year. In the over 15 year history of Mixed Martial Arts, there has been one death in the United States and it was not in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Long before its incarnation that we see today, Pankration was the original form of mixed martial arts. It was truly the first fighting system in human history and was used by Ancient Greeks back in 648 BC. U.S. Soldiers today practice mixed martial arts to prepare for hand to hand combat. Myself and many other UFC fighters have gone all around the world (Kuwait, Afghanistan, Iraq, etc) to work with and help train our nation's troops.

Tighter rules along the way have helped, in addition to strict supervision by a state appointed sanctioning body. Fighters are required to go through a laundry list of medical testing before every fight. Before my first fight in the UFC, I had to see about 7 different doctors and specialists just to get licensed. I had to have a physical, blood work for Hepatitis and HIV, an MRI, an ophthalmologic exam, and a few EEG's. In some cases, I saw specialists both at home and then the commission's own specialists. It turns out, fighter safety is always the number one priority.

It's a poor comparison between sports where fighter safety is so important to dog fighting where safety is the last thing on anyone's mind.

I can't help but liken the article to the way a lot of lazy college students write papers. They form their uninformed opinion and then write their paper based on their own preconceived notions. It's pretty easy to run a quick online search for information on the web to support your point of view.

Generally though, even lazy college students are bright enough to use information that is less than 10 years old to back up their claims. I eagerly await this particular writer's future shocking pieces about Bill Clinton's extra-marital affairs and how all computers are going to go haywire for Y2k. Let's get with the times.

Writers, among others, love to sensationalize things. This case is no different. This particular Boston Globe writer is calling our sport "human dog fighting" while another L.A. Times columnist writes about the crowd being hungry for blood. No doubt, these two writers will be referencing and quoting one another for a long time about the barbarism that is supposedly in our sport. In the day and age when everyone has an online blog, you can always find someone who shares your opinion. Regardless of what the ignorant claim, Mixed Martial Arts fights are between two willing competitors that at the professional level have spent considerate amounts of time improving their skills in a number of Olympic sports.

These sports include boxing, wrestling, karate, judo, tae kwon do and jiu-jitsu. All ages and levels of experience are encouraged to participate in these sports. The Ultimate Fighting Championship was started by Rorion Gracie to show the world the validity of his family's style of jiu-jitsu. The best representatives of all these other martial arts were pitted against one another and Rorion's family were the victors in the end.

The UFC was never about a blood sport even though the original promoters let if flirt with that line. Back then, the sport was new and there was no regulation. The times have changed and modern day mixed martial arts has grown and is very safe. The sport is highly regulated and is one of the safest in the world.

Joe Lauzon's Original Posting of this article.

The Boston Globe story.

(Follow Joe Lauzon on Twitter)

MMA Live Talks Affliction Downfall, Fedor, and more...

ESPN's MMA Live, with special guest Rashad Evans, talks about the downfall of Affliction, the Fedor sweepstakes, Tito Ortiz's possible return to UFC, and more.

Carmichael Dave On Details of Fedor's Deal -- UPDATE

Radio show host Carmichael Dave of Sports 1140 KHTK AM was just one of many to weigh in on today's news that Fedor Emelianenko was not UFC bound, but he relayed some interesting -- if unverified -- details about the UFC's deal with the Russian and his reps.

We know now that Fedor and his M-1 business partners, including manager Vadim Finkelchtein, had a teleconference with UFC officials yesterday, in which the UFC made an offer to secure Emelianenko's services.

According to Carmichael Dave -- who has had regular access to UFC president Dana White for some time -- this is the offer that M-1 ended up turning down. (But again, we must stress that this is unverified.)

- A 6-fight, $30 million contract

- An immediate title shot at UFC 103 against Brock Lesnar

- A cut of the UFC 103 pay-per-view on top of Fedor's purse

- The ability for Fedor to wear as many M-1 logoed items as he wished

- The ability for Fedor to compete in combat Sambo

At a press conference held in Anaheim on Wednesday, Finkelchtein stressed that without co-promotion between the UFC and M-1, Emelianenko would not grace the Octagon any time soon.

Whether the parties come together for a second round of negotiations remains unknown, but Finkelchtein said he and Emelianenko were currently fielding offers from multiple promotions.

---UPDATED 6:30 ET ON JULY 30---

Since initial reports of Carmichael Dave's comments on the UFC's contract offer to Fedor, there have been several other reports contradicting the terms mentioned.

One of the most substantial is Loretta Hunt's report on Sherdog.com. She spoke to Joost Raimond, CEO for M-1 Global, who "called the report 'completely ludicrous' and said negotiations never even reached the point where the number of fights contracted for Emelianenko was decided."

Raimond did, however, characterize negotiations with the UFC as "very professional, productive and respectful."

B.J. Penn on YouTube Pool Jump Sensation

Three million hits and counting.

The YouTube clip featuring BJ Penn's pool jump is still going strong and attracting video rebuttals from NFL players.

Penn has been documenting virtually every step of his journey to UFC 101 on his website, BJPenn.com, but this video has separated itself from the pack.

And it wasn't even that big of a deal, according to Penn.

"We were always just hanging out by the pool and were always playing around and saying, oh, I'll see you later’ and just saying bye jumping out, just kind of joking around," said Penn during a teleconference promoting his upcoming fight with Kenny Klorian. "And then one time, I was like, I'm going to try and jump out, and I jumped out, and my friend was like, oh, you've gotta blog that. So I went back in and jumped out again.

"To my surprise, I was hanging out and my friend's girlfriend who was visiting him said, 'hey, you're on the front page of Yahoo!' I was like, for promoting UFC 101? 'No, for jumping out of the pool.' I was like, what? Pretty much a surprise to me."

TONIGHT: New CNBC UFC Special "Ultimate Fighting: Fistful of Dollars"

CNBC's "Ultimate Fighting: Fistful of Dollars," premiers tonight -- Wednesday, July 29.

CNBC will take viewers inside the Octagon revealing how the UFC continues to grow - even as other professional sports face financial crisis. While the recession is putting a beat-down on the economy, Ultimate Fighting's revenues are up more than 30%.

CNBC's Scott Wapner travels to Germany for the UFC's first-ever event in mainland Europe and speaks with Dana White, as well as billionaire backers Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta. Hear what they have to say about the sport's successes, challenges and growth. And, in just 18-months since CNBC first took viewers inside the UFC, see how this controversial sport has flexed its muscles worldwide to include major sponsors, product endorsements and brand extensions.

Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira Talks Randy Couture, UFC 102

Part 1:

Part 2:

(Courtesy of Kid Peligro BJJ News)

Frank Shamrock Kicks Off his Mixed Martial Arts For Dummies Book Tour

PRESS RELEASE:

Mixed martial arts champion Frank Shamrock and Wiley Publishing, Inc., recently announced that the book tour for Shamrock's Mixed Martial Arts For Dummies will officially kick off in San Jose, California, on August 11th. Shamrock will be at the Borders Book Store located in Santana Row from 7:00 to 9:00 pm to meet with fans and sign copies of his new, one-of-a-kind, mixed martial arts guide.

For fans and participants alike, Mixed Martial Arts For Dummies covers the rules, styles, and strategies of MMA competition. MMA champion Frank Shamrock acts as a guide, personally introducing readers to the many aspects of MMA, from training and nutritional advice, to choosing the proper gear. Shamrock is with the reader every step of the way; sharing tips, providing step-by-step instruction, and illustrating proper technique through full-color photographs.

According to Frank Shamrock, MMA champion and author of Mixed Martial Arts For Dummies, "I am thrilled that we are kicking off the book tour in my home town of San Jose, during such an exciting week of MMA promotions. I look forward to meeting local fans and athletes, as well as fans traveling to San Jose for the August 15th Strikeforce event."

Shamrock went on to say, "Mixed Martial Arts For Dummies is very close to my heart, as it enables me to share my knowledge of mixed martial arts, from basic moves to advanced training. A proper MMA regimen goes well beyond mastering specific techniques; it encompasses both the physical and mental aspects of the game. Through Mixed Martial Arts For Dummies, I am able to help readers develop a safe and effective training routine, whether they are experienced martial artists or first time students."

Mixed Martial Arts For Dummies was created to help individuals develop and master key mixed martial arts skills, and provides an in depth look into the individual disciplines that make up the popular sport of MMA; namely boxing, wrestling, karate, jiu-jitsu, muay thai, and judo. Whether you're a fan or an athlete, Mixed Martial Arts For Dummies is perfect for readers looking for an easy-to-follow guide to mixed martial arts training.

Join Frank Shamrock on August 11th at Borders Book Store, located at 356 Santana Row, Suite 1030 in San Jose, for his first official Mixed Martial Arts For Dummies book signing. Shamrock will be on hand from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm to meet fans and sign copies of his new book. For more information, please visit www.Frankshamrock.com.

Forrest Griffin Explains "The Asian Dart"

So you're in a fight, slumped over your opponent's back, firing punches at the side of his/her head to no avail. You want your opponent to move so you can get into a more dominant position. What technique should you master?

According to Forrest Griffin's book, "Got Fight? 50 Zen Principles of Hand-to-Face Combat," you should apply "The Asian Dart."

The technique, spun into comedic gold by Griffin and grappling coach Neil Melanson, gets your opponent to move by placing your hand where the sun doesn't shine.

Griffin says they'll move real quick after that. Yes, there are pictures.

Who taught the former champion this method?

"Randy taught me several things similar to that, and he tries to make it seem all innocent like you're not grabbing another man's (expletive), but Neil's just like, 'nah, you gotta do the Asian Dart,'" Griffin told MMAInsider. "You hit that sensitive area, and dude is gonna pop up and move."

The "Dart" is just one of the many funny passages inside the book, which Griffin says he has enough material for a sequel. Check it out... it's worth the read.

Fedor to Address Affliction Cancellation

PRESS RELEASE:

Ever since Affliction announced late last week that its "Trilogy" event scheduled for Aug. 1 had been canceled, the combat sports world collectively has waited for an official response from former PRIDE heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko.

On Wednesday, Emelianenko will address the media for the first time since last week's sudden cancellation. During the press conference, Emelianenko will discuss the ramifications of the cancellation, comment on his future in the fight game, and respond to questions from members of the media.

"Since the cancellation, there has been a great deal of speculation regarding Fedor and M-1," said Vadim Finkelchtein, whose M-1 Global fight company not only produces international MMA events but also manages Fedor. "On Wednesday, the media and fans will be able to hear what's going on with Fedor from the man himself."

Emelianenko, considered by most pundits to be the top pound-for-pound fighter in the world, had been scheduled to fight top contender Josh Barnett. A win over Barnett would have marked the sixth former UFC heavyweight champion that Emelianenko has defeated in his career. Unfortunately, Emelianenko was denied his opportunity after the California State Athletic Commission announced last Wednesday that Barnett would not be granted a license in time for the fight.

(Stay tuned to MMAWeekly.com, as we will be in attendance to bring you the latest news from Fedor and his camp.)

Andrei Arlovski Slams His Way to Chicago Comic-Con

Andrei 'The Pitbull' Arlovski Slams His Way to Chicago Comic-Con Former UFC

Heavyweight Champion will be signing for free all weekend.

NEW YORK, July 27, 2009 -- At 6'4" and 240 lbs, Andrei Arlovski is a beast. Armed with mixed martial arts skills and a Heavyweight Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) under his belt, Arlovski is a human wrecking ball waiting to unleash havoc at Chicago Comic-Con.

"I've been a huge fan of Andrei's for some time, especially as my interest in MMA really intensified. Being a UFC Heavyweight Champion is something special, and Andrei is one of the few men who can claim he has reached that pinnacle," said Gareb Shamus, producer of Chicago Comic-Con.

At only 27 years of age, Arlovoski is in the prime of his fighting career. Currently, Arlovoski is 9-4 with six wins by knockout and three by submission. Arlovski trains in Chicago and has mentioned making Chicago his permanent home.

Nicknamed "The Pitbull," Arlovski began lifting weights when he was 14 years old because, if you can believe this, bullies actually used to pick on him. Arlovski figured that if he got enough muscle, the bullies would move on to another prey.

Fans can purchase the Chicago Comic-Con exclusive Andrei "The Pitbull" Arlovski Round 5 action figure featuring him and his pet Pit Bull, Maximus, during the show, and have it signed for free by Arlovski.

Demian Maia Preparing for UFC 102 with Wanderlei Silva

Demian Maia arrived in Las Vegas this month to spend his last month of training for UFC 102, and his fight against Nate Marquardt, at the Wand Fight Team in Las Vegas with Wanderlei Silva, Rafael Alejarra, Kit Cope.

(For more go to www.wandfightteam.com)

Will Hendo vs. Franklin II Hold as UFC 103 Main Event?

New Twitter devotee Rich Franklin relayed a curious thing Saturday morning: his re-match with Dan Henderson had been taken off the event description for UFC 103 on Sept. 19 in Dallas.

"Ive heard the ufc pulled my fight off the website for 103," tweeted Franklin. "I don't kno y. They hvnt spoken to me @ this, n i assume the fight is still on."

Grammar issues aside, the message seemed to be a red flag--the UFC was backing away from the match-up, which had drawn almost unanimous criticism from fans on internet sounding boards.

During a Friday radio appearance on ESPN 1100 for The Caring Place cancer support center, UFC president Dana White hinted there were more changes in store for the Dallas event.

"My job is to put on fights that the fans want to see," he chortled. "Hang, tight, stick around. Stay tuned."

Two things could lend credence to a new main event for UFC 103: White's make-up with Tito Ortiz, which he announced via a tweet on Friday, and the dearth of talent influx from Affliction's collapse the same day.

Is Franklin/Hendo II on ice? And is that a good thing?