Thursday, January 15, 2009
Sherk Possible For Roger Huerta's Send-Off
MMAInsider has learned from several sources close to former UFC lightweight champ Sean Sherk that a meeting with fellow Minnesotan Roger Huerta is possible for UFC 97 in Montreal, Canada.Huerta recently elected not to sign a contract extension with the UFC, deciding instead to focus on recent opportunities in acting and modeling. He has reportedly signed a three-film development deal with Lions Gate Films, and is working on a book about his life.
A meeting with Sherk would be the last fight on Huerta's current contract.
In a recent interview with MMAWeekly.com, the soon-to-be-thespian said he'd be open to a fight up north.
"Actually, I would kind of like to fight in April, the Montreal card, cause a lot of the Canadian guys want me to fight on that card," he said. "So it'd be kind of cool if I did that. In the meantime, I'm doing other things."
Sherk is currently in training at Minnesota Mixed Martial Arts. In his last appearance, he outpointed up-and-comer Tyson Griffin at UFC 90, showcasing an improved stand-up game. The former champ has repeatedly stated he only wants to fight contenders and names, and a bout with Huerta appears to fit the latter half of that bill.
"I want to push myself and challenge myself," he said. "I've got 41 professional fights. I feel like I've accomplished everything in this industry a guy could ever dream of accomplishing, and now, at this point in my career, I only want to fight the best guys. That's all I'm interested in. I'm not here to collect paydays. I just want to test myself and finish my career knowing that I fought the best of the best and beat them."
Dana White's UFC 93 Video Blog (Ep 4)
The latest edition of Dana White's UFC 93 blog as he travels around Ireland, talks to boxers about the sport of MMA, and replays the events of the race that kicked off the first blog in this series, and some shifty business going on with the bet payoff.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
UFC 92 Fighters Test Negative for Drugs
Keith Kizer, Executive Director for the Nevada State Athletic Commission, on Wednesday released drug testing results for UFC 92 on Dec. 27 at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.
All athletes tested at the event came back negative for drugs of abuse and performance enhancers. Included in the test were Forrest Griffin, Rashad Evans, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Frank Mir, Brad Blackburn, Matt Hamill, Antoni Hardonk, Yushin Okami, Cheik Kongo, Quinton Jackson, CB Dollaway, and Pat Barry.
The commission in March of 2008 ramped up its drug deterrent program, instituting year round testing on athletes, particularly in cases of high profile fights. Since then, there has not been a high profile positive test in mixed martial arts competitors in the state of Nevada.
All athletes tested at the event came back negative for drugs of abuse and performance enhancers. Included in the test were Forrest Griffin, Rashad Evans, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Frank Mir, Brad Blackburn, Matt Hamill, Antoni Hardonk, Yushin Okami, Cheik Kongo, Quinton Jackson, CB Dollaway, and Pat Barry.
The commission in March of 2008 ramped up its drug deterrent program, instituting year round testing on athletes, particularly in cases of high profile fights. Since then, there has not been a high profile positive test in mixed martial arts competitors in the state of Nevada.
Trebilcock Plans for Revamped Pro Elite Show in March
MMAInsider caught up with King of the Cage president Terry Trebilcock on Wednesday, who said he is "confident that negotiations are going well" with executives from Pro Elite and CBS.
Trebilcock's company, with backing from private investors, is one of a handfull of MMA promotions and business interests vying for Pro Elite's assets, including fighter contracts and existing broadcast deals with Showtime and CBS. As one of the remaining promotions still operating under the fallen company, there is strong speculation KOTC may be funding some, if not all, of Pro Elite's operating expenses. In October, Pro Elite's cash reserves drifted below $550,000 when Showtime called in an existing loan to the company.
According to Trebilcock, one of the many factors slowing down the deal is the roles of the remaining Pro Elite executives, including CEO Chuck Champion, in the new promotional entity.
In anticipation of a possible deal with CBS and Pro Elite, Trebilcock has lined up venues in New Mexico and Southern California for a possible March event, though he wouldn't say where.
However, the logistics of the deal, as well as the personalities involved in its transaction, appear to provide no timeline for its completion.
"They're slow playing us," said Trebilcock.
Trebilcock's company, with backing from private investors, is one of a handfull of MMA promotions and business interests vying for Pro Elite's assets, including fighter contracts and existing broadcast deals with Showtime and CBS. As one of the remaining promotions still operating under the fallen company, there is strong speculation KOTC may be funding some, if not all, of Pro Elite's operating expenses. In October, Pro Elite's cash reserves drifted below $550,000 when Showtime called in an existing loan to the company.
According to Trebilcock, one of the many factors slowing down the deal is the roles of the remaining Pro Elite executives, including CEO Chuck Champion, in the new promotional entity.
In anticipation of a possible deal with CBS and Pro Elite, Trebilcock has lined up venues in New Mexico and Southern California for a possible March event, though he wouldn't say where.
However, the logistics of the deal, as well as the personalities involved in its transaction, appear to provide no timeline for its completion.
"They're slow playing us," said Trebilcock.
St. Pierre vs. Penn 2 is Sold Out
PRESS RELEASE:The Ultimate Fighting Championship announced Wednesday that UFC 94: ST-PIERRE vs. PENN 2 is officially sold out. The mega-fight pitting Champion against Champion that will take place Saturday, January 31, is one of the most anticipated UFC bouts in history and now can be seen only on pay-per-view. More than 14,000 fans are expected to attend the event live inside the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
In advance of this epic rematch, Spike TV will present UFC Primetime, a new, three-part series that delivers an unfiltered look at both champions as they prepare for the biggest fight of their careers. The first installment UFC Primetime, which tracks St-Pierre and Penn through their training camps in Montreal and Hawaii, premieres this Wednesday, January 14 at 10:00 p.m. ET.
The following week, part two of UFC Primetime airs Wednesday, January 21 at 10 p.m. ET, with part three airing at 10 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 28, four days before St-Pierre and Penn enter the Octagon at UFC 94.
UFC 94: ST-PIERRE VS. PENN 2 will be available live on pay-per-view at 10 p.m. EST/7 p.m. PST on iN DEMAND, DIRECTV, DISH Network, TVN, Bell ExpressVu, Shaw Communications and Viewer's Choice Canada for a suggested retail price of $44.95 for standard definition or high-definition broadcasts (where available).
St-Pierre and Penn last met in March 2006 at UFC 58, when St-Pierre defeated BJ Penn via a narrow split decision. Ever since then, Penn has been on the comeback trail, cleaning out the lightweight division while St-Pierre was climbing his way to the top of the welterweight division. At UFC 94 Penn makes his move to recapture the welterweight title, which he last held in January 2004, while also becoming the first man in UFC history to hold two division titles simultaneously.
WEC Confirms Brown vs. Garcia, Condit vs. Larson
As expected, World Extreme Cagefighting on Wednesday announced a featherweight championship between champion Mike Brown and challenger Leonard Garcia, as well as welterweight champ Carlos Condit's next title defense in a rematch with Brock Larson.WEC 39 will take place at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas on March 1. The event marks the promotion's first foray into the Lone Star State.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Dana White's UFC 93 Video Blog (Ep 3)
Urijah Faber and Jens Pulver Live on MMAWeekly Radio Tuesday
Tonight, the participants in the co-main event coming up for the WEC's first show in San Diego stop by MMAWeekly Radio.Former WEC featherweight champion, Urijah Faber, kicks off the show at the top of the hour to talk about the rematch with Jens Pulver, his hopes of getting back to a title shot, and his thoughts on the growth of the WEC.
Also his opponent, Jens Pulver, will stop by to give us the lowdown on his training camp in Seattle, the birth of his new son, and much, much more.
Tune in tonight starting at 9pm EST/6pm PST for MMAWeekly Radio with Urijah Faber and Jens Pulver live!
Monday, January 12, 2009
Dana White's UFC 93 Video Blog (Ep 2)
Dana White's UFC 93 video blog continues with more from The Ultimate Fighter 9 at the Wolfslair, plus talks with Rich Franklin and Dan Henderson prior to their UFC 93 fight this weekend, TUF 9 coach Michael Bisping, and more.
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