Tuesday, February 7, 2012
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NSAC welcomes public suggestions for regulation changes at Feb. 22 meeting
In a few weeks, the Nevada State Athletic Commission is opening the floor to ideas on how to better regulate MMA.The commission today gave notice of a workshop designed to "to solicit comments from interested persons on any matter related to contests or exhibitions of unarmed combat, or any other matter within the jurisdiction of the NSAC."
"Which is pretty much a glorified public comment session, where anyone and everyone who wants to put ideas out there for the commission to consider, we definitely welcome that," NSAC executive director Keith Kizer today told MMAjunkie.com.
Former Strikeforce champ Cung Le scores $10K in Zuffa's latest Twitter bonus
While he may have fought just once under the UFC banner thus far, Cung Le scored himself two quarterly Twitter bonuses and a cool
$10,000.Le was awarded $5,000 awards in the "most followers" and "biggest percentage growth in followers" categories during the company's most-recent quarterly contest.
UFC officials today announced the bonuses.
Cesar Gracie envisions a Nick Diaz return to UFC but says fighter deserves time off
A good night's sleep has dulled anger within the Diaz camp.Diaz manager Cesar Gracie doesn't know whether the fighter's retirement will stick following a decision loss to Carlos Condit, but he anticipates it won't.
"I think Nick will miss fighting when he's not doing it for long enough, so I do see him coming back at some point," Gracie today told MMAjunkie.com. "Not now, but maybe end of the year, 2013, something like that."
Following spectacular UFC 143 debut, Stephen Thompson welcomes the bright lights
A good many of Stephen Thompson's 57 wins passed without much fanfare in his kickboxing career.Not much changed when he crossed over to MMA. A year ago, he was the regional tough, the indie band with the local following.
With a knockout of Dan Stittgen at this past Saturday's UFC 143, Thompson's arena tour has begun.
Spike TV counter-programs UFC on FUEL TV 1 with Diego Sanchez 'Unleashed' marathon
In its latest counter-programming move, Spike TV will air a Diego
Sanchez fight marathon opposite next week's UFC on FUEL TV 1 event.Sanchez headlines the Feb. 15 event, which airs live on FUEL TV, in a welterweight bout with fast-rising contender Jake Ellenberger.
During the event time, Spike TV airs a five-hour "UFC Unleashed: Diego Sanchez" marathon featuring the fighter's past UFC bouts.
Danny Castillo vs. John Cholish added to UFC on FOX 3 in May
A lightweight bout between California's Danny Castillo and New Jersey's John Cholish has been added to
May's UFC on FOX 3 event.UFC officials today announced the matchup, which is expected to take place on the evening's preliminary card.
UFC on FOX 3 takes place May 5 at IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. The main card, including a Jim Miller vs. Nate Diaz headliner, airs on FOX, and prelims are expected to air on FUEL TV.
Jon Jones vs. Rashad Evans official for UFC 145 in Atlanta
As expected, UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones will face Rashad Evans in the main event
of UFC 145.UFC officials recently confirmed that the two former teammates will fight in Atlanta on April 21. As MMAjunkie.com previously reported, tickets for the event go on sale next week.
Evans defeated Phil Davis at January's UFC on FOX 2 event to earn a shot at the belt.
UFC 143 'UFC Prelims' ratings: Second FX special earns 1.4 million viewers
The UFC's second-ever "UFC Prelims" special on FX drew 1.4 million viewers.MMAjunkie.com today learned of the numbers, which mark a sharp increase from the series' FX debut, from an industry source.
The latest special, the promotion's second since ending a long-running partnership with Spike TV, coincided with this past Saturday's UFC 143 event and featured four-preliminary card contests during the two-hour broadcast.
MMAjunkie.com Radio: Continued UFC 143 recap and discussion
Two hours simply wasn't enough.This past weekend's UFC 143 event, including the main event between Carlos Condit and Nick Diaz, remains a hot topic among MMA fans, and MMAjunkie.com Radio has committed another episode to revisiting the action and listening to fans' opinions on the night's outcomes.
MMAjunkie.com Radio airs from noon to 2 p.m. ET (9-11 a.m. PT) live from Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. Listen to and watch a video stream of the two-hour show at www.mmajunkie.com/radio, or watch it live on select television markets as part of Fight Now TV.
With debate still raging on Condit's title win, fighters weigh in on UFC 143 result
Although a small cross section within the army of current UFC fighters,
those reached by MMAjunkie.com supported
Carlos Condit's controversial decision over Nick Diaz at this past
Saturday's UFC 143.That support ultimately boiled down what they saw was more effective aggression and a superior gameplan.
"It's not a bar fight, dude," said two-time lightweight challenger Gray Maynard.
Akira Corassani vs. Jason Young official for UFC on FUEL TV 2
A featherweight matchup between "The Ultimate Fighter 14" cast member
Akira Corassani and Brit Jason Young is now official for the prelims of April's UFC on FUEL TV 2 event
in Sweden.MMAjunkie.com originally passed on news of the contest in January.
UFC on FUEL TV 2 takes place April 14 at Ericsson Globe Arena in Stockholm. The main card airs on FUEL TV (live on Saturday afternoon in the U.S.), and as MMAjunkie.com first reported, the prelims are expected to stream on Facebook.
After post-'TUF' troubles, Jonathan Brookins refocused for UFC on FUEL TV 1
Contestants of "The Ultimate Fighter" almost always emerge as vastly improved versions of themselves on the reality-show's finale. They're no longer in the pressure cooker of the house, time has passed, and they've picked up useful skills.
"TUF 12" winner Jonathan Brookins largely did what he was good at - taking backs and locking in chokes - during the show and won the competition. But after a nine-month layoff, he appeared not to have improved, but gone downhill in a bout with Erik Koch at UFC Fight Night 25.
Champ Carlos Condit on UFC 143 win: In battles, 'you want to pick the battleground'
After watching his fight with Nick Diaz on Sunday, Carlos Condit changed his scorecard. "During the fight, I felt like I won four out of the five rounds," he today told MMAjunkie.com Radio. "I watched it yesterday, and it looked a little bit closer.
"I probably would have given Nick two (rounds) and myself three."
UFC on FX 2: Daniel Pineda replaces Robert Peralta, meets Mackens Semerzier
After a successful promotional debut, Daniel Pineda now has his second UFC booking.Fresh off a submission win over fellow newcomer Pat Schilling at UFC on FX 1, Pineda now has stepped in as an injury replacement for Robert Peralta.
He meets fellow featherweight Mackens Semerzier at UFC on FX 2.
UFC on FOX 3 adds John Hathaway vs. Pascal Krauss
A welterweight bout between John Hathaway and unbeaten Pascal Krauss is the latest addition to the UFC on FOX 3 card.UFC officials today announced the fight.
UFC on FOX 3 takes place May 5 at IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. The main card, including a Jim Miller vs. Nate Diaz headliner, airs on FOX, and prelims are expected to air on FUEL TV.
Although friends with both, UFC's Munoz closely watching Silva vs. Sonnen
Although doctors denied his request, Mark Munoz wanted to carry around the bone fragments removed from his elbow like chips in a casino. There were 24 in all. That's where MMAjunkie.com Radio found him and got an update on his return following an injury and subsequent surgery that scratched him from the recent UFC on FOX 2 card.
Munoz's doctor says he'll be able to return to the cage in late June or July, but he's planning on coming back before that.
UFC 143 medical suspensions: 15 suspensions, including seven of up to six months
The list of walking wounded is lengthy following this past weekend's UFC 143 event.The Nevada State Athletic Commission issued medical suspensions to 15 of the event's 22 fighters, according to a list of suspensions today emailed to MMAjunkie.com.
UFC 143 fighters Fabricio Werdum, Clifford Starks, Ed Herman, Edwin Figueroa, Matt Riddle, Henry Martinez and Michael Kuiper all could be out of action for up to six months due to ailments ranging from contusions to broken bones to a groin injury.
UFC 143 winner Matt Brown has no plans to call out his next opponent
These days, the UFC encourages fighters to air their matchmaking wishes in a public forum. Provided it's not too wacky a request, callouts can help gauge interest in future bouts. But that's one offer Matt Brown is going to turn down.
"I sort of called out one person in my entire career, and that was Renzo," he told MMAjunkie.com Radio. "I wished I never did it; I pretty much got barred from their team."
UFC's 'Ultimate Insider' debuts Tuesday on FUEL TV
The UFC's new weekly magazine show, "Ultimate Insider" debuts Tuesday on FUEL TV.Hosted by UFC broadcaster Jon Anik, the show promises to bring all access profiles of top UFC talent, including behind-the-scenes and never-before-seen video footage.
The first 30-minute episode debuts Tuesday at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT and promises features on UFC president Dana White, as well as top light heavyweights Jon Jones and Dan Henderson.
UFC champ Carlos Condit joins MMAjunkie.com Radio at special 3 p.m. ET start time
Fresh off a victory over Nick Diaz in the headliner of this past weekend's UFC 143 event, interim welterweight champ Carlos Condit today joins MMAjunkie.com Radio.Today's show airs at a special time of 3 p.m. ET (noon PT), and we return to our normal noon ET slot for the remainder of the week.
MMAjunkie.com Radio airs today 3-5 p.m. ET (12-2 p.m. PT) live from Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. Listen to and watch a video stream of the two-hour show at www.mmajunkie.com/radio.
UFC reserves Las Vegas' MGM Grand for Memorial Day, Independence Day events
The UFC has requested Memorial Day and Independence Day-weekend dates for events in Las Vegas.Nevada State Athletic Commission executive director Keith Kizer today confirmed via email with MMAjunkie.com that UFC officials have served May 26 and July 7 for major events.
Both shows are planned for the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
UFC 143 salaries: Diaz ($200K) and Koscheck ($146K) earn top paydays
Main-event loser Nick Diaz ($200,000) and main-card winner Josh Koscheck ($146,000) were the top earners at this past weekend's UFC 143 event.MMAjunkie.com today obtained the list of disclosed paydays from the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
The total disclosed payroll for the event, which took place Feb. 4 at Las Vegas' Mandalay Bay Events Center, was $880,500.
Dillashaw vs. Watson rounds out UFC on FUEL TV 1's five-fight main card
A bantamweight matchup between "The Ultimate Fighter 14" finalist T.J.
Dillahsaw and two-time UFC vet Walel Watson is the fifth and final main-card bout of next week's UFC on
FUEL TV 1 event.The bout was announced in January, but its position on the evening's fight card was only recently revealed.
UFC on FUEL TV 1 takes place Feb. 15 at the 10,000-seat Omaha Civic Auditorium in Nebraska. Diego Sanchez and Jake Ellenberger clash in the welterweight headliner.
Patient Dustin Poirier not expecting to parlay UFC 143 win into immediate title shot
LAS VEGAS - With four-straight wins in the UFC's featherweight division,
Dustin Poirier is quickly moving up the short list
of potential challengers to 145-pound champion Jose Aldo.But after notching his fifth-straight win under the Zuffa banner at this past weekend's UFC 143 event, Poirier expressed a patient resolve.
Improving and maturing is his top priority for now - not a quick shot at the belt.
'Matured' Ed Herman thankful for UFC 143 win, career resurgence
LAS VEGAS - In 2007, Ed Herman's UFC future looked bright.Despite falling short in the finals of "The Ultimate Fighter 3" and then subsequently losing to Jason MacDonald, Herman then rattled off three-straight wins, scoring three bonus checks in the process.
But Herman's career then took a horrible detour, with "Short Fuse" going 1-3 and spending nearly two years out of the cage. Despite being one of the worst periods in Herman's life, the 31-year-old admits it helped him value what he has today.
Terry Martin replaces injured Jeremy Hamilton at Superior Cage Combat 4
Hard-hitting UFC and Strikeforce veteran Terry Martin will step
in on short notice for an injured Jeremy Hamilton and face
middleweight prospect Tim Ruberg at this month's Superior Cage Combat 4
event in Las Vegas.MMAjunkie.com today confirmed the change, and an official announcement is expected shortly.
Featuring a main event between UFC veterans Kendall Grove and Jay Silva, "SCC 4: Grove vs. Silva" takes place Feb. 16 at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.
The Sunday Junkie: Feb. 5 edition
The MMAjunkie.com e-mailbox could hardly contain the flood of entries that came in this week for The Sunday Junkie.Nor surprisingly, Carlos Condit's heavily debated victory over Nate Diaz in Saturday's UFC 143 headliner was a popular topic, and readers tackled all aspects of the pay-per-view fight.
This week's winner of our weekly reader-feedback feature, Indiana reader "Gallbladder_Flush," thinks angered Diaz fans need to look at the facts and realize there was, in fact, a clear winner in the title fight.
UFC boss praises Roy Nelson's durability but unsure what his future holds
LAS VEGAS - On Saturday night in Las Vegas, Roy Nelson did what Roy
Nelson does best: Walk forward, opponent be damned, and wing right
hands.And while his gutsy performance earned "Big Country" one-half of UFC 143's "Fight of the Night" bonus, the loss leaves Nelson at just 1-3 in his past four fights.
So despite earning one of the loudest welcomes of the night from the Mandalay Bay Events Center crowd, is Nelson's spot in the UFC's heavyweight division secure?
Will Nick Diaz's retirement stick? Following UFC 143, UFC boss not so sure
LAS VEGAS - UFC president Dana White understands why Nick Diaz is upset, even if he doesn't agree with the fighter's belief that he won Saturday's UFC 143 main event.He also understands if Diaz goes through with an announced retirement, even if he thinks it'd be financially foolish to do so.
Quite simply, White has given up on trying to predict the 28-year-old's often-erratic behavior.
UFC 143 winner Barao wants title shot; boss says contender becoming Brazilian treasure
LAS VEGAS - The Ultimate Fighting Championship's own media notes on
Brazilian bantamweight Renan Barao sum it up nicely:
"Has best record, on paper, in all of MMA."On Saturday night, Barao earned his 28th-straight win by downing onetime title-challenger Scott Jorgensen via unanimous decision.
The 24-year-old is now 5-0 under the Zuffa banner, and while UFC president Dana White isn't ready to grant him a title shot just yet, he admits the Nova Uniao product is quickly becoming one of Brazil's most popular fighters.
With Josh Koscheck's AKA relations strained, is Jon Fitch fight finally possible?
LAS VEGAS - UFC 143 winner Josh Koscheck dropped
the first hint of trouble at this past Thursday's pre-fight press
conference, when he talked about the importance of "Team Me."Following his split-decision win over Mike Pierce at Saturday's event in Las Vegas, Koscheck opened the flood gates.
"I'll be training out of Fresno for now," Koscheck told MMAjunkie.com. "I'm no longer affiliated with some of the people at the gym that I've been training at."
Dana White, new champ Carlos Condit perfectly content with UFC 143 result
LAS VEGAS - Depending on who you talk to, Carlos Condit's
unanimous-decision win over Nick Diaz in the main event of Saturday
night's UFC 143 event in Las Vegas was either a brilliantly designed and
perfectly executed gameplan or a mockery of mixed martial arts.While it's obvious, of course, which Condit believes, you can also count UFC president Dana White among those who thinks the "Natural Born Killer" did all the right things.
"Carlos Condit won," White said following the evening's post-event press conference. "He went in there, and he fought a great fight."
Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen II set for June in Brazil
LAS VEGAS - The rematch is happening.At Saturday night's UFC 143 post-fight press conference, UFC president Dana White confirmed that both UFC middleweight champ Anderson Silva and his nemesis Chael Sonnen have verbally agreed to meet in Brazil on an as-yet-undetermined date in June.
Silva was in Las Vegas for Saturday's fight card, and White said an agreement was reached during the event.
UFC 143 draws a reported 10,040 attendance for $2.3 million live gate
LAS VEGAS - Saturday's "UFC 143: Diaz vs. Condit" event drew a reported
10,040 attendees and generated a live gate of $2.3 million.UFC president Dana White revealed the figures at the evening's post-event press conference, which MMAjunkie.com attended.
Featuring an interim welterweight title contest between former WEC titleholder Carlos Condit and former Strikeforce champ Nick Diaz, UFC 143 marked the company's first 2012 event in Las Vegas.
UFC 143 bonuses: Thompson, Poirier, Werdum and Nelson earn $65K awards
LAS VEGAS - Stephen Thompson, Dustin Poirier, Fabricio Werdum and Roy Nelson each earned
$65,000 fight-night bonuses for their performances at Saturday's UFC 143 event. Thompson earned the night's "Knockout of the Night" award, Poirier picked up the "Submission of the Night" bonus, and Werdum and Nelson earned "Fight of the Night" honors.
MMAjunkie.com learned of the bonus winners and award amounts at UFC 143's post-fight press conference.
UFC 143 results: Disciplined Carlos Condit tops stifled Nick Diaz, wins interim title
LAS VEGAS - Carlos Condit solved one of the most challenging puzzles in MMA.The former WEC champ implemented a remarkably effective game plan and won the UFC's interim welterweight title by stifling ever-active but ultimately frustrated ex-Strikeforce titleholder Nick Diaz, who suggested he may retire after the loss.
The fight headlined UFC 143 and aired on pay-per-view from Las Vegas' Mandalay Bay Events Center. Prelims aired on FX and streamed on Facebook.
UFC 143 results: Fabricio Werdum tops Roy Nelson in successful UFC return
LAS VEGAS - After three-and-a-year absence from the organization and picking up some major wins in Strikeforce, Fabricio Werdum made a successful return to the UFC.The Brazilian heavyweight outlasted and even out-struck fellow big man Roy Nelson en route to a unanimous-decision victory.
The fight co-headlined UFC 143 and aired on pay-per-view from Las Vegas' Mandalay Bay Events Center. Prelims aired on FX and streamed on Facebook.
UFC 143 results: Josh Koscheck edges 'stepping stone' Mike Pierce via split decision
LAS VEGAS - After Mike Pierce called him out on MMAjunkie.com Radio and ultimately got the fight he wanted, opponent Josh Koscheck labeled him a stepping stone and promised to send him back to the welterweight division's middle of the pack.Koscheck earned a close decision win, but Pierce's stock will suffer little.
The main-card bout was part of UFC 143 and aired on pay-per-view from Las Vegas' Mandalay Bay Events Center.
UFC 143 results: Renan Barao makes it 28 in a row, tops Scott Jorgensen via decision
LAS VEGAS - Renan Barao survived arguably the biggest test of his MMA career and scored a unanimous-decision victory over former WEC bantamweight title challenger Scott Jorgensen.The impressive performance earned Barao his 28th straight win and solidified his status as one of the UFC's top 135-pound contenders.
The main-card bout was part of UFC 143 and aired on pay-per-view from Las Vegas' Mandalay Bay Events Center. Prelims aired on FX and streamed on Facebook.
UFC 143 results: Ed Herman continues momentum, taps Clifford Starks
LAS VEGAS - Ed Herman's career resurgence shows no signs of slowing down.For the third time in three fights since an extended injury layoff due to knee injuries, the veteran middleweight picked up an impressive victory - this time against a game Clifford Starks.
The main-card bout was part of UFC 143 and aired on pay-per-view from Las Vegas' Mandalay Bay Events Center. Prelims aired on FX and streamed on Facebook.
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