Josh Thomson returning to action next month in clash with Caros Fodor

Former Strikeforce lightweight champ Josh Thomson isn?t looking to sit on the sidelines and watch the division pass him by despite having fought twice already in the past six months. ?The Punk? was recently linked to a September 29 meeting with Caros Fodor where the 33-year old will look to make his way back towards a shot at the title currently being worn by Gilbert Melendez.

Ironically, Melendez will also defend his belt at the same show in a bout against Pat Healy.

Thomson revealed his match-up with Fodor in a recent interview with Sherdog.

Teammates Play Prank on Thomson

The 19-5 Thomson holds a past win over Melendez as well as victories against the likes of Healy, Gesias Cavalcante, and KJ Noons. Thirteen of his triumphs have involved a finish including nine by way of submission.

Fodor is one of the company?s top prospects, holding a record of 7-2 with five wins under the Strikeforce banner.

PHOTO CREDIT – STRIKEFORCE

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Source: http://www.fighters.com/08/20/josh-thomson-returning-to-action-next-month-in-clash-with-caros-fodor

Spencer Fisher Jon Fitch Kenny Florian Jesse Forbes Xavier Foupa Pokam

Dan Henderson Talks About Knee Injury And Retirement

Dan Henderson Talks About Knee Injury And Retirement.

Source: http://www.mmatko.com/dan-henderson-talks-about-knee-injury-and-retirement/

Crosley Gracie Gregor Gracie Ralek Gracie Renzo Gracie Rickson Gracie

More Bouts Added to Melendez vs. Healy Card

Source: http://www.ufc.com/news/SF4-bouts-news

Dennis George Kultar Gill Allan Goes Takanori The Fireball Kid Gomi Akihiro Gono

DW's UFC On FOX 4 Vlog #1

Source: http://www.mmanews.com/video/MMANewsStaff/1262

Cyril Abidi  Daniel Acacio Bernard Ackah  Terrance Aflague Yoshihiro Akiyama 

UFC middleweight Brian Stann on verge of becoming a superstar, just not as a fighter

When the UFC announced its broadcast partnership with Fox and its family of networks a year ago, it was presented as an opportunity for the fighters to become stars. Who knew, though, that some of them would become bigger stars for their work behind the microphone than in the cage?

It is true, however. In the 10 months the UFC has aired content on Fox, FX and Fuel, it has become obvious that there is some serious broadcast talent within the ranks.

This is one man's opinion of the best of the best so far:

1. Brian Stann -- The UFC middleweight contender is poised, smooth, confident and insightful. It doesn't get much better than that for an expert analyst. Stann is so good in front of a camera, it obscures the work he does in the cage, where he is one of the sport's finest middleweights.

Stann the fighter is nowhere near as good as Stann the broadcaster. As a fighter, he's among the best in his weight class. As a broadcaster, he is easily without peer. He adds to the shows he's on without being obnoxious. He makes good points that aren't blatantly obvious, and he isn't afraid about pointing out mistakes a fighter is making.

The former Marine Corps captain and Navy quarterback has a lot going for him in his life and could choose to do one of any number of things when his fighting career is over.

But Stann is so good as a broadcaster, he's the kind of guy who could rise above just being an MMA analyst.

I could see Stann as he matures becoming a studio host in the mode of a Bob Costas, where he would work on a wide variety of sports.

2. Dominick Cruz -- The UFC bantamweight champion was brilliant as he provided analysis of Renan Barao's victory over Urijah Faber at UFC 149. He isn't as smooth or as polished as Stann, but he showed much potential.

He was comfortable in front of the camera and at ease delivering rather pointed opinions.

3. Kenny Florian -- The recently retired fighter is as versatile as they come, working as an analyst on live fights as well as in a studio. He is very good at both, though to nit pick a bit, he talks too much as a cageside analyst. A good cageside analyst should get in, make his point and get out. While Florian's points are all valid, he is a bit too verbose during fights.

In the studio, he's top notch and is perfectly suited as co-host of Fuel's "UFC Tonight." Florian is another guy who, like Stann, could develop as a broadcaster and be able to work as a host for sports other than MMA.

4. Rashad Evans -- The ex-light heavyweight champion has a good presence on television and a feel for what works on camera. He could stand to be more decisive and not hem and haw when he's giving an opinion, but Evans clearly has a future in broadcasting, if he chooses to pursue it.

I think he'd be outstanding one day as a cageside analyst given his knowledge of the game and his ability to think quickly on his feet.

5. Chael P. Sonnen -- Sonnen is good; quite good, in fact. But it's hard to live up to the standards he's set in his interviews. When he's not pulling off the pro wrestling style lines, he can come off as a little stiff.

That's not a criticism more than an acknowledgement that he's a rookie as an analyst. It's also a tribute to how good he is with his shtick on the fight side.

Sonnen, though, is very bright and with more experience, could wind up moving higher on the list.

There are other very talented potential broadcasters among UFC fighters. I think Frank Mir and Stephan Bonnar are fabulous, and I think if given a chance, so, too, would Ronda Rousey.

It's clear, though, that the Fox deal isn't just benefiting the bottom line for UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta and UFC president Dana White. It's also doing a lot to help prepare some of their fighters for their post-career careers.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/ufc-middleweight-brian-stann-verge-becoming-superstar-just-234720738--mma.html

Tony DeSouza  Edwin Dewees  Nick Diaz  Tadhg Steamfist Dixon Joe Doerksen 

Dan Henderson May Be Injured, UFC 151 Main Event In Jeopardy?

By <a href="mailto:howie@mmanews.com">Chris Howie</a> <Br>
MMANEWS.COM Staff Writer<Br><Br>

According multiple reports on Twitter, the UFC 151 main event between Dan Henderson and UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones may be in jeopardy due to what is rumored to be a knee injury suffered by Henderson in training.<Br><Br>

Kenny Florian ?@kennyflorian<Br>
Hearing that we may have some disappointed @UFC fans soon due to some unfortunate circumstances for an upcoming card<Br><Br>

Luke Thomas ?@SBNLukeThomas<Br>
@KCBanditMMA @jamiekilstein if what I'm hearing is correct, it's so much worse than what is even being rumored on Twitter.<Br><Br>

Luke Thomas ?@SBNLukeThomas<Br>
@Jdiddy381 @KCBanditMMA @jamiekilstein again, I'm not talking about Hendo's health when I say the matter is 'worse'. Relax, people.<Br><Br>

Jeremy Botter ?@jeremybotter<Br>
If what I'm hearing is correct, UFC 151 may be in desperate need of a main event. And that sucks.<Br><Br>

Matt Lindland ?@mattlindland<Br>
Rumor? @MattHawryluk94: @tarecfighter rumor is Hendo is out with a knee injury, please tell me it is not true!<Br><Br>

Adam Martin ?@MMAdamMartin<Br>
I am hearing that Dan Henderson may have injured his knee, but is unclear as of this moment whether he has pulled out of the Jon Jones fight<Br><Br>

FrontRowBrian FrontRowBrian ?@FrontRowBrian<Br>
Rumor going around Hendo was injured by Thierry Sokoudjou at some point in this camp. Appears he'll press on.. if he has to crawl to cage.
Someone described the brace Hendo is wearing as a "Stone Cold Steve Austin brace".<Br><Br>

FrontRowBrian ?@FrontRowBrian<Br>
Regarding Hendo. Everyone who would know that I know isn't talking. Dana not talking. Something is up.<Br><Br>

Mike Russell ?@MIKERUSSELLMMA<Br>
My super secret sources tell me that there could, or perhaps could not, be something going on regarding a fight that is coming up.<Br><Br>

Hendo pays to have his levels checked regularly. Doubt it's that.<Br><Br>

FrontRowBrian ?@FrontRowBrian<Br>
translated, Hendo's BJJ coach says "bad day, and with a really tough decision to be made"<Br><Br>

Henderson followed this all up with a tweet stating he had a great day in training though one of his training partners, Tarec Saffedine, tweeted he hadn't seen Hendo in a few days.<Br><Br>

Maybe there's an injury, maybe it's just mind games, either way all parties involved have been mute on the situation. If an injury does cause the fight, which is just over a week away, to change news will likely come before week's end.<Br><Br>

You can read more of the Twitter action <a href=http://www.mixedmartialarts.com/news/417991/Twitter-Rumor-Henderson-may-be-out-of-Jones-fight-at-UFC-151/>HERE</a><Br><Br>

Leave your feedback on this article by posting a comment directly below! You can also chat about the latest news in the MMANEWS.COM <a href=http://www.mmanews.com/forums
>Forums</a> and/or the MMANEWS.COM <a href=http://www.facebook.com/mmanewsdotcom
>Facebook</a>. If that wasn't enough, MMANEWS.COM is now on Twitter as well <a href=http://twitter.com/mmanewsdotcom
>@mmanewsdotcom</a>.<Br><Br>

Source: http://www.mmanews.com/home.php

Shinya Aoki  Andrei Arlovski  Ricardo Arona  Noboru Asahi Marcus Aurelio 

ONE FC 5: ?Pride of A Nation? Eduard Folayang vs. Felipe Enomoto Preview (Video)

ONE FC has released yet another video preview ahead of ONE FC 5: “Pride of A Nation”. This time around, the evening’s co-main event �between lightweights Eduard Folayang and Felipe Enomoto is highlighted. Folayang, will hold home court advantage as the Filipino enters the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The wu shiu expert looks to put his [...]

MMAFrenzy.com

Source: http://mmafrenzy.com/30136/one-fc-5-pride-of-a-nation-eduard-folayang-vs-felipe-enomoto-preview-video/

Rolles Gracie Royce Gracie Royler Gracie Ryan Gracie Peter Graham

Josh Barnett hoping to fight again before year?s end

With Strikeforce Grand Prix winner Daniel Cormier having recently been linked to a rumble with Frank Mir later this year, fellow Grand Prix finalist Josh Barnett also wants to land a fight before the calendar rolls over into 2013. Barnett, like Cormier, was sidelined with a broken hand after their May meeting but has healed up and is itching to get back in the cage.

Barnett: “I Don’t Care How Many Licks You Get in on Me – I Will Get Mine.”

?I just want it. I don’t care where it happens, but I would absolutely assume it would be in Strikeforce,? said Barnett in a conversation over the weekend with MMA Interviews. ?I want (to fight) before the end of the year.?

Barnett?s contract with Strikeforce will expire after his next fight under the promotion?s banner. It is unknown if he will join the UFC after the bout, as the bulk of heavyweights formerly competing in Strikeforce have, or explore options overseas based on past personal issues with UFC management.

?There’s always someone who needs an ass-beating,? Barnett joked about his next bout.

?The Warmaster? was also asked to weigh in on Cormier?s upcoming clash with Mir and wasted no time in picking a winner.

?I mean Frank is dangerous but I just don?t see it happening,? he stated, pointing to Cormier without hesitation.

PHOTO CREDIT – STRIKEFORCE

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Source: http://www.fighters.com/08/20/josh-barnett-hoping-to-fight-again-before-year%e2%80%99s-end

Peter Graham Forrest Griffin Tyson Griffin Karn Grigorian Karen Grigoryan

Jon Fitch, Nate Diaz, UFC 150: The Morning News Roundup ? 8.8.12

As the saying goes, it's all about the Benjamins ? which, if my handy "Biggie Smalls Street Vernacular Dictionary ? Volume 2" is accurate, means it's ultimately all about money.� Money is what fighters get when they take the biggest fights, sign the fattest contracts, and build up the most hype for whatever bouts they have scheduled for that week.� And hey, that's not a bad thing.� Fighting is a job, and the UFC is the top employer in the field, so why not make that wampum while you can?� Anyway, all this should clue you in on what today's morning news roundup is about: money.

• UFC welterweight Jon Fitch really wants out of his rumored bout against Brazilian Erick Silva at UFC 153 ? or at least, he would much rather have a rematch with Hawaiian fighting legend B.J. Penn.� Case in point: the disingenuous-seeming trash-talk Fitch is spewing.� I don't think Penn is a coward, most (if not all) of the world doesn't think Penn is a coward, and I seriously doubt Fitch truly thinks Penn is a coward.� But Fitch knows a fight with Penn could have a bigger bottom line, so here come the harsh words!

�

• UFC lightweight contender Nate Diaz is holding a pen, and the tip of that pen is hovering over a new contract that UFC president Dana White has unfurled and flattened on the table.� Seems like a no-brainer that he sticks with the UFC, no?� I mean, where else is he going to go?� The Strikeforce lightweight champ is his buddy, and for him to go to Bellator, he'd have to sit on the shelf for a while.

�

• The media call for UFC 150 was yesterday and MMAWeekly's got the audio.� Personally, media calls are all the same to me ? the same spoon-fed hype and storylines, the same questions, the same faux-excitement.� They're just something that's done to drive media (and, subsequently, fan) interest, which presumably fuels pay-per-view sales.� The only time media calls are interesting is when PRIDE FC champ Fedor Emelianenko and his manager Vadim Finkelstein are on the line and we hear goats and water splashing and all sorts of weird stuff in the background (which actually happened once).

�

• The folks at the UFC are helping erect a LGBTQ community center in Las Vegas, N.V., which is a pretty altruistic thing to do if you ask me.� MMAJunkie's got the quote from UFC executive Reed Harris:

"The UFC supports many worthwhile causes, and the Gay and Lesbian Community Center's goals of supporting human rights and offering programs for health and wellness are important causes that the entire UFC organization supports," Harris told MMAJunkie.com.� "We are pleased to be able to show support for an organization that offers health and wellness programs and seeks to better our community."

This little tidbit has nothing to do with money, but it's a good deed that deserves some recognition.

That's all for now.� Now, please, just leave me alone.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/jon-fitch-nate-diaz-ufc-150-morning-news-122124512--mma.html

Paul Buentello  Josh Burkman  Mikey Burnett  Murilo Bustamante  Grant Campbell 

Bellator Video Game Onslaught Preview - Bellator

Bellator Video Game Onslaught Preview Video by Bellator

Source: http://mmalice.com/bellator/bellator-video-game-onslaught-preview-video_3d104d702.html

Tony Bonello Stephan Bonnar Lorenzo Borgomeo  Kyle Bradley  Jai Bradney 

Dana White rips into Jon Jones for turning down Chael Sonnen fight for UFC 151

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

There's going to be a lot to say this week about the cancelation of UFC 151 next week, and a lot of the conversation is going to surround Jon Jones and him turning down a fight against Chael Sonnen on eight days notice.

UFC President Dana White was absolutely visceral in his anger towards Jones on a media conference call on Thursday, ripping into Jones and especially his head trainer Greg Jackson for refusing that bout.

"[Greg Jackson told Jones] 'You don't take this fight on eight days notice, it would be the biggest mistake of your entire career,'" White said. "[Jackson] is exactly why he didn't take the fight."

"This guy is a f***ing sport killer," he continued, adding later, "I'm very confused by his whole f***ing business plan, I don't give a shit what he thinks. He's a f***ing weirdo, man."

White simply couldn't understand Jones' decision to turn down a fight with Sonnen, while Sonnen jumped at the opportunity to take the fight. He added that it wasn't just about Jones, as it affected the rest of the fighters on the card as well.

"This is one of the most selfish, disgusting decisions that doesn't just affect you," White said.

And he wasn't alone. In interviews with Yahoo! Sports, both Dan Henderson and Chael Sonnen expressed their disbelief at Jones refusing to take that fight.

"This is the first time in UFC history that the champion wouldn't step up and fight [a replacement], and I was pretty shocked to hear that," Henderson said. "It's not like he's injured. It's unbelievable to me that he wouldn't take that 'the show must go on' attitude. If there was any way I could have gone, and any way that I thought I could give myself a chance to win, I would have done that."

"I was shocked and I'm shocked much more that the show was canceled," Sonnen added. "We all have to pitch in and help. It surprised me [Jones turned down the fight]. That's the first time I can recall that happening."

Penick's Analysis: There are a number of facets to look at here. Jones turning down the fight with Sonnen on eight days notice is a defensible position. There is so much to lose from short notice fights at this level, especially this close to a fight, that it makes sense for Jones to not want to risk anything against a fighter he wasn't training for, not to mention a fighter he doesn't feel deserves to fight him at this stage. White offering that fight to Jones in the first place was a desperation move to save this card because they didn't have anything else to put on top. That's a risk with a card like this that doesn't have anything of name value outside of the main event, and the blame cannot be levied solely against Jones because he didn't want to fight Sonnen at this stage. Granted, he also isn't keen on fighting Machida a second time, but that's a fight that will happen next month in Toronto (again). This is a really unfortunate situation for all the fighters who were scheduled for next Saturday, but the blame does not lie with Jones alone, no matter how much White wants to throw it there. Regardless, Jones is going to receive a massive backlash from this situation, and we'll see how that affects his draw and his relationship with the UFC going forward.

[Jon Jones art by Grant Gould (c) MMATorch.com]

Source: http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/UFC_2/article_14204.shtml

Junie Browning Paul Buentello  Josh Burkman  Mikey Burnett  Murilo Bustamante 

ok so now what do we have to look forward to?

As much as I dislike Jones, I always liked when he would fight so I could at least look forward to the possibility of him being upset.

I was really looking forward to Hendo vs. Jones and equally...

Source: http://ninjashoes.net/forum/showthread.php?79119-ok-so-now-what-do-we-have-to-look-forward-to&goto=newpost

Todd Duffee  Marvin Eastman  Stav Crazy Bear Economou  Yves Edwards  Justin Eilers 

Ronda Rousey pulls off opening round Armbar win against Sarah Kaufman

The one and only Ronda Rousey (5-0) is back in the cage tonight where the Strikeforce bantamweight queen will put her divisional title up for grabs against former champion Sarah Kaufman (15-1) in a Showtime main event. Rousey will be defending her belt for the first time when she meets Kaufman, a seasoned competitor with wins over some of the top females in MMA.

The unbeaten Rousey is no slouch either as indicated by her performances, all of which involve a first-round submission finish of her foes.

Other match-ups scheduled for this evening?s effort include Miesha Tate-Julie Kedzie and Ronaldo Souza-Derek Brunson.

As always, Fighters.com will be watching from start to finish while reporting live results for folks not fortunate enough to be tuning in. The show kicks off at 8:00 PM EST on Showtime Extreme with main card clashes coming at 10:00 PM EST on Showtime.

A full breakdown of results can be found below:

Bobby Green def. Matt Ricehouse via Unanimous Decision
Germaine de Randamie def. Hiroko Yamanaka via Unanimous Decision
Adlan Amagov def. Keith Berry via TKO Round 1 (Strikes)
Miesha Tate def. Julie Kedzie via Submission Round 3 (Armbar)
Ovince St. Preux def. T.J. Cook via Knockout Round 3 (Strikes)
Anthony Smith def. Lumumba Sayers via Submission Round 1 (Triangle Choke)
Tarec Saffiedine def. Roger Bowling via Unanimous Decision
Ronaldo Souza def. Derek Brunson via Knockout Round 1 (Strikes)
Ronda Rousey def. Sarah Kaufman via Submission Round 1 (Armbar)

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Source: http://www.fighters.com/08/18/strikeforce-rousey-vs-kaufman-live-results

Don Frye Tony Fryklund Kazuyuki Fujita Masakatsu Funaki Zelg Benkei Galesić

UFC 152's Michael Bisping is a badass because he takes fights on short notice

Source: http://www.mmamania.com/2012/8/28/3273189/michael-bisping-jon-jones-ufc-152-chael-sonnen-mma

Dos Caras Jr   Phil Cardella Roan Jucao Carneiro Shane The Engineer Carwin  Jason Hollywood Chambers

California State Athletic Commission Now Says Strikeforce Drug Test Results Pending

Source: http://www.mmafighting.com/2012/8/27/3273055/california-state-athletic-commission-now-says-strikeforce-drug-test

Aleksander Emelianenko Fedor Emelianenko Yasubey Enomoto Mark Epstein Tom Big Cat Erickson

UFC 151: How Redirecting Blame Obscures Real Problems

The fallout coming from Thursday's cancelation of UFC 151 has been tremendous for one person in particular. UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones has been blamed, and now apologized, for the UFC canceling its first official event in the promotion's history. The skewering of Jones by UFC President Dana White and former middleweight contender Chael Sonnen has been taken to the extreme in terms of rhetoric. If the last part sounds familiar, it is because it should. The UFC redirecting anger away from what the real issue is nothing new, and it will likely make them rich in the end.

MMAFrenzy.com

Source: http://mmafrenzy.com/30074/ufc-151-how-redirecting-blame-benefits-obscures-real-problems/

Jonathan Goulet Wilson Gouveia Jason Grace Crosley Gracie Gregor Gracie

Mike Russow Pre-fight Interview vs Werdum at UFC 147 - UFC 147

"I want to take Fabricio out." Mike Russow is happy to be the underdog against Fabricio Werdum. Hear why the Chicago native feels all the pressure is on his opponent at UFC� 147.

Source: http://mmalice.com/ufc-147/mike-russow-pre-fight-interview-vs-werdum-at-ufc-147-video_4480a6648.html

Musse Hasselvall Daiki DJ taiki Hata He Peng David Heath Delson Heleno

Chris Clements - Brakes Guy's Jaw Over A Girl!

Ringside MMA Welterweight Champ - Chris Clements prepares for his first ever UFC Fight.copyright2012vipproductions

Source: http://www.mmanews.com/video/TrainingWithProsTV/1267

Dan Bobish Vagam Bodjukyan Kotetsu Boku  Tony Bonello Stephan Bonnar

Jason Miller: ?Everything is fine??

Colorful MMA veteran Jason Miller has spoken publicly for the first time since being arrested on burglary/vandalism charges relating to a strange incident last week where he broke into a church, sprayed fire extinguishers throughout the building, and was found naked on a couch by responding police officers. Though Miller didn?t speak specifically about the situation, he did take the time to assure fans he was okay.

?I know you all are probably very confused about me right now, and concerned for my well being. I thank you for that, and please unnastand that everything is fine, and will probably make a lot more sense as time passes. Love you all,? wrote ?Mayhem? on his Facebook page.

“Mayhem” Arrested After Vandalizing Church

Miller also went on Twitter over the weekend where he posted, ?You can judge me if you want, hate me if you want, say anything you want. This is America, you have rights. Just don’t harm anyone.?

The 31-year old Miller did not elaborate any on the status of his case or cause of his behavior. He is currently waiting to be formally charged after posting bail shortly after his initial incarceration.

PHOTO CREDIT – UFC

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Source: http://www.fighters.com/08/19/jason-miller-%e2%80%9ceverything-is-fine%e2%80%a6%e2%80%9d

Alexander Gustafsson Jaime Gutierrez Dave Gomez Keith Hackney Matt Hamill

Battery charge pending for Mendes after brawl

UFC Featherweight Chad Mendes will be charged with battery according to The Hanford Sentinel.� The charges stem from a bar brawl in late July where it was claimed he ?sucker punched? a bar patron and then left the scene. Mendes was sought for questioning by authorities after the incident.� According to this Friday?s article in [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Payout/~3/JZ2cFzMAL-M/

Ryo Piranha Chonan  Dan The Sandman Christison  Logan The Pink Pounder Clark  Steve The Snake Claveau  Rich No Love Clementi