Rashad Evans and Thiago Silva headline the first UFC event of the year on Jan. 2 in Las Vegas. Watch the video below for an extended preview of UFC 108: Rashad Evans vs. Thiago Silva...
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Strikeforce: Evolution Post Weigh-in Videos
Cung Le following Friday's weigh-ins:
Josh Thomson post weigh-ins:
Matt Lindland post weigh-ins:
Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal post weigh-ins:
Josh Thomson post weigh-ins:
Matt Lindland post weigh-ins:
Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal post weigh-ins:
Friday, December 18, 2009
Six Questions With Matt Lindland
Below is a Strikeforce interview with Matt "The Law" Lindland, who returns to action Dec. 19 at "Evolution" against Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif.
Lindland, who once ran for the house of representatives in his home state of Oregon, is still a salty dog when it comes to the fight game, not to mention politics.
QUESTION: How's your training been going for Dec. 19?
LINDLAND: How's my training going? I answer those questions every day. Can't you be a little more creative than that? My training is going good and if it wasn't I'd lie to you anyway and tell you it was.
QUESTION: OK. Fair enough. We'll get right into the politics questions. In 2008 you won the primary for a seat on the Oregon House of Representatives but were defeated in the general election. What did you learn from that experience and how active are you currently in politics?
LINDLAND: You know, I'm really not that active. I'm an activist. I'm a registered Republican and I just felt it was my civic duty to run. I felt like we did not have a qualified candidate to run. Would I run for politics again if I had to? Yeah, absolutely. I would first try and find someone more qualified than me to do it and get behind them and support them instead but if I felt there wasn't anyone qualified then I would.
QUESTION: You must have learned a lot during your run in politics?
LINDLAND: I did learn a lot about the political process. I learned it's not about valuables and principles but how much money you can raise. Politics is dirtier then NHB (No Holds Barred) when fighting was first starting and there were no rules. Politics has fewer rules than that.
QUESTION: Who is the toughest fighter you've ever faced?
LINDLAND: I think it just really depends on what point of my career I was in. I mean, early in my career I faced the legend Pat Miletich. Then I had to face Fedor Emelianenko (in 2007) who is the best heavyweight in the world. It just depends on where you're at in your career and when you're fighting these guys. But I guess the obvious answer would have to be Fedor. Everyone knows I've fought him and he's a phenomenal fighter.
QUESTION: You fought him in Russia. Was that tougher to do on his home soil than over here in the States? And would you like to face him again?
LINDLAND: I think so. They don't make calls in Russia when guys grab ropes and stuff. He's in a different weight class now. It's a fight I don't need to take but I'll fight whoever. It doesn't matter to me.
QUESTION: Do your two children James and Robin like and participate in mixed martial arts?
LINDLAND: Robin is a sophomore and doing track and field. As far as martial arts goes she's the highest ranked kid we've ever had come out of our kid's program. Both kids are pretty active in studying the martial arts. It's not something they're pursuing long term but I think teaching martial arts to kids, any combative sport, is a must. It teaches them a lot of good principles.
Lindland, who once ran for the house of representatives in his home state of Oregon, is still a salty dog when it comes to the fight game, not to mention politics.
QUESTION: How's your training been going for Dec. 19?
LINDLAND: How's my training going? I answer those questions every day. Can't you be a little more creative than that? My training is going good and if it wasn't I'd lie to you anyway and tell you it was.
QUESTION: OK. Fair enough. We'll get right into the politics questions. In 2008 you won the primary for a seat on the Oregon House of Representatives but were defeated in the general election. What did you learn from that experience and how active are you currently in politics?
LINDLAND: You know, I'm really not that active. I'm an activist. I'm a registered Republican and I just felt it was my civic duty to run. I felt like we did not have a qualified candidate to run. Would I run for politics again if I had to? Yeah, absolutely. I would first try and find someone more qualified than me to do it and get behind them and support them instead but if I felt there wasn't anyone qualified then I would.
QUESTION: You must have learned a lot during your run in politics?
LINDLAND: I did learn a lot about the political process. I learned it's not about valuables and principles but how much money you can raise. Politics is dirtier then NHB (No Holds Barred) when fighting was first starting and there were no rules. Politics has fewer rules than that.
QUESTION: Who is the toughest fighter you've ever faced?
LINDLAND: I think it just really depends on what point of my career I was in. I mean, early in my career I faced the legend Pat Miletich. Then I had to face Fedor Emelianenko (in 2007) who is the best heavyweight in the world. It just depends on where you're at in your career and when you're fighting these guys. But I guess the obvious answer would have to be Fedor. Everyone knows I've fought him and he's a phenomenal fighter.
QUESTION: You fought him in Russia. Was that tougher to do on his home soil than over here in the States? And would you like to face him again?
LINDLAND: I think so. They don't make calls in Russia when guys grab ropes and stuff. He's in a different weight class now. It's a fight I don't need to take but I'll fight whoever. It doesn't matter to me.
QUESTION: Do your two children James and Robin like and participate in mixed martial arts?
LINDLAND: Robin is a sophomore and doing track and field. As far as martial arts goes she's the highest ranked kid we've ever had come out of our kid's program. Both kids are pretty active in studying the martial arts. It's not something they're pursuing long term but I think teaching martial arts to kids, any combative sport, is a must. It teaches them a lot of good principles.
New UFC Fighter Phil Davis Ready On Short Notice
NCAA Division I wrestling champion Phil Davis (4-0) signed a multi-fight deal with the UFC this week and is excited to begin his Octagon career.
The promotion has not given him a date or opponent for his debut, but he tells MMAInsider he's preparing himself to fight on short notice as an injury replacement. How short? Two weeks, give or take.
Asked whether he could fight on the cursed UFC 108, Davis said he was training hard now and could do it if need be.
"I have two hands, two feet, and I'm healthy," he said.
Check out MMAWeekly Radio next week when Davis stops by to talk about his new deal and future in the UFC.
The promotion has not given him a date or opponent for his debut, but he tells MMAInsider he's preparing himself to fight on short notice as an injury replacement. How short? Two weeks, give or take.
Asked whether he could fight on the cursed UFC 108, Davis said he was training hard now and could do it if need be.
"I have two hands, two feet, and I'm healthy," he said.
Check out MMAWeekly Radio next week when Davis stops by to talk about his new deal and future in the UFC.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
MMA Live Looks Back at UFC 107 and Forward to Strikeforce & WEC
MMA Live looks at UFC lightweight champion B.J. Penn's domination of Diego Sanchez. Kenny Florian is back in Bristol following his win over Clay Guida and Rashad Evans stops by in advance of his showdown with Thiago Silva at UFC 108.
"TUF 10" Finale Gate Numbers In
Keith Kizer, Executive Director of the Nevada State Athletic Commission, on Thursday released official attendance numbers and live gate revenue for "The Ultimate Fighter" season ten finale, which took place Dec. 5 at the Palms Casino in Las Vegas.
According to official NSAC figures, 1, 791 fans attended the event. 1,310 were paid attendees, while 481 tickets were issued as "comps." 355 tickets went unsold.
The total live gate take for the show was $503, 600. The UFC initially reported $504, 350 in revenue.
Roy Nelson took the crown of "Ultimate Fighter" at the event, earning a multi-fight, multi-year contract with the promotion with a knockout over finalist Brendan Schaub.
In the main event, Jon Jones was disqualified against Matt Hamill for throwing several illegal elbows from the mount in the fight's first round. Jones is currently appealing the NSAC to change the ruling.
According to official NSAC figures, 1, 791 fans attended the event. 1,310 were paid attendees, while 481 tickets were issued as "comps." 355 tickets went unsold.
The total live gate take for the show was $503, 600. The UFC initially reported $504, 350 in revenue.
Roy Nelson took the crown of "Ultimate Fighter" at the event, earning a multi-fight, multi-year contract with the promotion with a knockout over finalist Brendan Schaub.
In the main event, Jon Jones was disqualified against Matt Hamill for throwing several illegal elbows from the mount in the fight's first round. Jones is currently appealing the NSAC to change the ruling.
Strikeforce: All Access Available for Saturday's Evolution
PRESS RELEASE:SHOWTIME Sports will once again offer Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fans around the world STRIKEFORCE: All Access, the cutting edge online interactive experience, live on Saturday, Dec. 19, for STRIKEFORCE: "Evolution" from HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif.
The immersive digital experience will stream simultaneously with the live SHOWTIME telecast beginning at 10 p.m. ET* and be available to fans around the world including those in Brazil, Japan, throughout Europe as well as in the U.S. and Canada.
STRIKEFORCE: All Access will cost $24.95 per user and is available for pre-order at http://strikeforce.sho.com now. Purchase includes access to the live stream and replays anytime thereafter through December 24, 2009.
STRIKEFORCE: All Access debuted on April 11, 2009, when world-class MMA promotion STRIKEFORCE brought Frank Shamrock vs. Nick Diaz to SHOWTIME. The unique experience was offered again on June 6, for the Robbie Lawler vs. Jake Shields event. On both previous offerings, STRIKEFORCE: All Access was limited to U.S.-based online users. All Access went global for the first time with STRIKEFORCE: "Carano vs. Cyborg" on Aug. 15.
With STRIKEFORCE: All Access, fans can be their own director and toggle among five live cameras with full pause and rewind capabilities including SHOWTIME Sports exclusive CageCam -- a small, high quality camera worn by the referee which takes viewers inside the cage during the fights. Audio tracks will include the SHOWTIME telecast fight call by host and play-by-play announcer Mauro Ranallo, and color commentators Frank Shamrock and Stephen Quadros, as well as the corresponding audio to the selected camera. SHOWTIME is again working with BitGravity, Inc. and Episodic, Inc. to enable this unique multi-media experience.
As part of STRIKEFORCE: All Access fans also will receive a live Twitter feed from the event and can join behind-the scenes staff in tweeting about "Strikeforce" and "SHOWTIME Sports" during the evening.
Through a Facebook Connect application, fans will be able to make predictions, comment on the live fights, discuss outcomes and more directly on the All Access page.
Other features include professional and amateur photography from the spectacle in the arena. Images of the fights, fan interaction and backstage will be uploaded during the live event via Flickr, the popular image and video hosting website and online community.
The Dec. 19 fight card features the return of undefeated superstar and former STRIKEFORCE World Middleweight Champion Cung Le against power punching Scott "Hands of Steel" Smith. Le, one of the most prolific and exciting fighters in all of martial arts, will return to the cage for the first time since relinquishing his title to concentrate on a movie career. STRIKEFORCE World Lightweight Champion Josh "The Punk" Thomson will defend his title against top-seeded rival and Interim Champion Gilbert "El Nino" Melendez. Undefeated Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal will make his United States and STRIKEFORCE debut when he meets two-time NAIA wrestling All-American Mike Whitehead. Middleweight Matt "The Law" Lindland will battle highly regarded STRIKEFORCE newcomer Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza.
*Telecast airs live in the U.S. at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME (delayed on the West Coast); STRIKEFORCE: All Access will be webcast live in available countries at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.
Scott Jorgensen and Takeya Mizugaki Talk Game Plans
Scott Jorgensen and Takeya Mizugaki talks game plans as they make final preparations to face each other at Saturday's WEC 45: Cerrone vs. Ratcliff at The Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas.
A Day In The Life of WEC Fighter Joseph Benavidez
Joseph Benavidez faces Rani Yahya Saturday night in Las Vegas. Check out this WEC produced, behind the scenes look at a day in the live of Benavidez.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
UFC Pres Dana White "Leave Tiger Woods Alone"
"Leave Tiger Woods alone," said UFC president Dana White following UFC 107 in Memphis. "We love to build people up in this country and tear 'em down, man. That's what we love to do."
Strikeforce: Cung Le vs. Scott Smith Video Promo
Video promo featuring undefeated Strikeforce star Cung Le, who returns to fight Scott "Hands of Steel" Smith. The action-packed card also includes the long-awaited rematch of Josh Thomson and Gilbert Melendez...
Monday, December 14, 2009
Dana White's UFC 107 Video Blog - Fight Night
Dana White's latest UFC 107 video blog, including Octagonside footage from the fights!
Wanderlei Silva Reality Series: Fighter Life
Wanderlei Silva has been busy building a strong team of fighters at his gym in Las Vegas, and alongside that he's developed a new reality series called "Fighter Life." While details of when and where the show will wind up are still sketchy, they have already produced a trailer to spike interest. Check it out here...
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