MMAjunkie.com Articles

Champ Dominick Cruz vs. Urijah Faber III targeted for UFC 148 in Las Vegas

John Morgan [kingofabuelos] — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:15:00 GMT

The trilogy bout between UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz and longtime rival Urijah Faber is targeted for UFC 148 on July 7 in Las Vegas.

That's according to UFC co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta, who was full of announcements overnight, posting the information on his Twitter account.

First, the two will square off as opposing coaches on the upcoming 15th season of "The Ultimate Fighter."

MMAjunkie.com's Dr. Johnny Benjamin on 'The MMA Show with Mauro Ranallo' today

John Morgan [kingofabuelos] — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:10:00 GMT

MMAjunkie.com medical columnist and consultant Dr. Johnny Benjamin is a guest on today's edition of "The MMA Show with Mauro Ranallo."

Dr. Benjamin and Ranallo discuss important medical topics in the sport, including Nick Diaz's latest struggles and the controversy behind marijuana testing in mixed martial arts.

Catch the show live at 2 p.m. ET (11 a.m. PT) on radio.thescore.com, or download the archive on iTunes.

Champ Makovsky vs. Dantas headlines Bellator 65 on April 13 in New Jersey

John Morgan [kingofabuelos] — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:10:00 GMT

Bellator bantamweight champion Zach Makovsky meets impressive season-five tournament winner Eduardo Dantas at Bellator 65.

Bellator Fighting Championship officials today announced the matchup and the event, which takes place April 13 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J.

"Our bantamweight division has been electrifying and has provided some of the best Bellator moments," Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney stated. "Zach and Eduardo are two of the greatest bantamweights in MMA today, so this should be a really spectacular fight."

MMAjunkie.com Radio: Dillashaw, Watson, Albert, Loeffler, Thompson, Gabel, Joseph

John Morgan [kingofabuelos] — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:30:00 GMT

MMAjunkie.com Radio closes another week of programming with a stacked lineup that includes UFC on FUEL TV 1 fighters T.J. Dillashaw, Walel Watson, John Albert and Sean Loeffler.

Additionally, UFC 143 winner Stephen Thompson calls in, as do Cage Warriors Fight Night 3's Matt Gabel and Gareth Joseph.

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.

FUEL TV offers free preview week, UFC on FUEL TV 1 included

John Morgan [kingofabuelos] — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:30:00 GMT

Still haven't made the commitment to adding FUEL TV to your cable lineup but looking for a way to watch next week's UFC on FUEL TV 1 event?

Don't worry, the new broadcast partner of the UFC has you covered.

FUEL TV officials recently announced that they are offering a free-preview week from Feb. 13 to Feb. 19, which means even non-subscribers can tune in to watch the Feb. 15 event.

UFC boss says Mir vs. Velasquez, Griffin vs. Ortiz III in the works

John Morgan [kingofabuelos] — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:15:00 GMT

According to UFC co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta, former UFC heavyweight champions Frank Mir and Cain Velasquez are on a collision course, while familiar foes and former light heavyweight champs Forrest Griffin and Tito Ortiz are in line for a trilogy bout.

Fertitta revealed the planned matchups overnight via Twitter.

No date for either fight was revealed.

Fertitta: Champ Dos Santos vs. Overeem targeted for UFC 146 in Las Vegas

John Morgan [kingofabuelos] — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:50:00 GMT

UFC heavyweight champion Junior Dos Santos will likely make his first title defense on May 26 in Las Vegas.

That's according to UFC co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta, who made the announcement overnight in a rare extended session of Twitter chat with fans.

Dos Santos is scheduled to face former Strikeforce champ Alistair Overeem, who earned the shot with a recent win over former UFC champ Brock Lesnar.

Mike Dolce-fueled Thiago Alves looks to further mounting title run at UFC on FX 2

John Morgan [kingofabuelos] — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:30:00 GMT

Thiago Alves had his chance and blew it.

Regardless, there was no shame in losing a unanimous decision at UFC 100 to Georges St-Pierre in his only career title fight. If you've been in the 170-pound fray for as long as "Pitbull" has, chances are you've lost to the Canadian kingpin, too.

So with St-Pierre currently idle and interim champion Carlos Condit patiently waiting, the rest are free to jockey for position and string together title runs.

The Sunday Junkie deadline reminder, win a free 'Fighters Only' subscription!

John Morgan [kingofabuelos] — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:25:00 GMT

As a reminder, submissions for the upcoming edition of "The Sunday Junkie" are due Sunday at 10 a.m. ET.

All topics - including the continued fallout from this past weekend's UFC 143 event - are open for discussion. The person who sends in the submission we deem the best (based on timeliness of subject, clarity and overall persuasiveness) is the winner.

Each winner receives a free year's subscription to "Fighters Only," the world's leading MMA and lifestyle magazine.

NSAC: Diaz hearing possible for April, past multiple offenders issued yearlong suspension

John Morgan [kingofabuelos] — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 23:45:00 GMT

The Nevada State Athletic Commission is likely to hear the case of Nick Diaz sometime in April, according to NSAC Executive Director Keith Kizer.

For now, Diaz is temporarily suspended following a disciplinary complaint filed by the NSAC to the Nevada Attorney General that states the fighter broke rule 467.850 of the commission's administrative code when he tested positive for marijuana metabolites following UFC 143.

At the NSAC's next meeting on Feb. 22, Kizer will ask the commission to uphold the temporary suspension until the formal hearing in April, where Diaz is expected to answer to the complaint.

Nick Diaz tests positive for marijuana metabolites, faces discipline following UFC 143

John Morgan [kingofabuelos] — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 22:15:00 GMT

Carlos Condit and Nick Diaz may ultimately fight again someday, but it doesn't look like it will be anytime soon.

Former Strikeforce champion Diaz tested positive for marijuana metabolites following his controversial five-round clash with former WEC titleholder Condit at this past weekend's UFC 143 event.

That's according to Nevada State Athletic Commission executive director Keith Kizer, who today emailed the event's drug-testing results to MMAjunkie.com.

Michael Bisping splits from longtime team at Wolfslair

John Morgan [kingofabuelos] — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:20:00 GMT

Top-ranked middleweight Michael Bisping is no longer a member of Wolfslair MMA Academy.

A source close to the camp today confirmed the news to MMAjunkie.com but declined to go into specifics about the change.

Bisping most recently took on Chael Sonnen at UFC on FOX 2 and suffered a unanimous decision loss, which scratched a middleweight title shot against champ Anderson Silva.

Fight Path: Fighting businessman Luke Harris parlayed judo passion into MMA careers

John Morgan [kingofabuelos] — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:00:00 GMT

Six years ago, Luke Harris traveled to Brazil for an international judo tournament. He had participated in the sport since he was 8 years old, and it had been his passion, although he had started paying more attention to mixed martial arts.

Before he left, Harris tried to augment his judo by dabbling in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, specifically training in the areas where judo was weak.

Harris was instantly hooked, and an MMA career came shortly after. Now, as the founder of Hayabusa Fightwear, he's balancing two roles in the sport.

'At least one positive' drug test arising from UFC 143

John Morgan [kingofabuelos] — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:35:00 GMT

The Nevada State Athletic Commission said that at least one competitor from UFC 143 has tested positive for a banned substance.

In an email sent today to MMAjunkie.com, NSAC Executive Director Keith Kizer did not specify whether the positive test was for drugs of abuse or performance-enhancing drugs but said a release was forthcoming today.

"I am still waiting for all the steroid and drug test results to come back," Kizer stated.

Bellator lightweight champ Michael Chandler wants fight in early summer

John Morgan [kingofabuelos] — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:30:00 GMT

When he last appeared, Michael Chandler delivered a performance that not only put him on several "Fight of the Year" lists but also won him the Bellator lightweight championship.

Now healed from the undoubtedly grueling fight, the champ is ready to get back.

"Hopefully, late April or early May is what I would really like, and I'm definitely young and hungry and healthy," Chandler told MMAjunkie.com Radio.

MMAjunkie.com Radio: Graham Boylan, Tommy Speer, D.J. Linderman

John Morgan [kingofabuelos] — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:30:55 GMT

With Cage Warriors streaming live and free this weekend on MMAjunkie.com, the promotion's director, Graham Boylan, as well as competing fighter and "The Ultimate Fighter 6" veteran Tommy Speer, join MMAjunkie.com Radio.

Additionally, D.J. Linderman calls in to talk his upcoming fight with Gerald Harris at Legacy Fighting Championship 10.

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.

Andreas Kraniotakes vs. Dmitry Poberezhets headlines Cage Warriors 46 on Feb. 23

John Morgan [kingofabuelos] — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:30:00 GMT

A heavyweight matchup featuring Andreas Kraniotakes against Dmitry Poberezhets headlines this month's Cage Warriors 46 event in Kiev, Ukraine.

Cage Warriors officials recently announced the Feb. 23 bout, which streams live on MMAjunkie.com.

While the lineup is still being finalized, Phil Harris vs. Remi Morvan also takes place at Cage Warriors 46. The hosting venue for the fight has yet to be announced.

HDNet Fights Video Vault: Emelianenko vs. Ishii at DREAM: New Year! 2011

John Morgan [kingofabuelos] — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:20:00 GMT

Fedor Emelianenko is no stranger to fighting on New Year's Eve, and this year, it was Japanese judoka Satsohi Ishii that proved willing to take on "The Last Emperor."

The pair met in the main event of the recent year-end "DREAM: Fight for Japan. How are you! New Year! 2011" event.

In this week's installment of HDNet Fights Video Vault, we take a look at the full fight video.

With Russow callout behind him, UFC 145's Browne now focused on Griggs

MMAjunkie.com Staff [mmajunkie-staff] — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:00:00 GMT

Following his victory over Rob Broughton at UFC 135, UFC heavyweight Travis Browne expressed a desire to return to the octagon before his 2012 campaign got underway.

In hopes of making that a reality, Browne requested a matchup against fellow heavyweight Mike Russow, who had been pulled from a previously scheduled bout with Dave Herman following his failed drug test.

While Browne didn't receive that wish, he has received the opportunity to welcome once-beaten Strikeforce vet Chad Griggs to the octagon at UFC 145.

UFC 144's Ryan Bader knows what to expect from 'Rampage' Jackson

John Morgan [kingofabuelos] — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:15:00 GMT

Fighting a guy like Jon Jones, you can't really hang your hat on any sort of predictions.

A guy like Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson is a little different story, according to Ryan Bader, who spoke to MMAjunkie.com Radio about his impending fight against the former champ in the co-main event of UFC 144.

UFC 144 takes place Feb. 25 at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. Main-card fights air live on pay-per-view. Broadcast plans for the preliminary card have yet to be announced.

Chase Gormley vs. Brandon Sayles completes Friday's XFC 16 event

John Morgan [kingofabuelos] — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:00:00 GMT

Two-time UFC veteran Chase Gormley has agreed to fill the final open slot on Friday's XFC 16 event and now meets Brandon Sayles in a super heavyweight contest.

The two meet on the main card of the Xtreme Fighting Championships' event.

Featuring a lightweight bout between former WEC champ Jamie Varner and UFC veteran Drew Fickett, "XFC 16: High Stakes," takes place Feb. 10 at Knoxville Civic Auditorium-Coliseum in Tennessee. The main card airs live on HDNet.

Bellator 64, Askren vs. Lima, take place April 6 in Windsor, Ontario, Canada

John Morgan [kingofabuelos] — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:50:00 GMT

Bellator Fighting Championships' first season-six event in Canada takes place on April 6 as The Colosseum at Caesars Windsor hosts Bellator 64.

Bellator officials today revealed the booking.

Bellator welterweight champion Ben Askren faces season-five tournament winner Douglas Lima in the evening's main event.

Igor Pokrajac steps in to meet Thiago Silva at UFC on FX 3

John Morgan [kingofabuelos] — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:00:00 GMT

With Brandon Vera sidelined by injury, Igor Pokrajac has stepped in to meet a returning Thiago Silva.

UFC officials today confirmed the injury replacement.

As previously reported, UFC on FX 3 takes play May 15 at Patriot Center in Fairfax, Va. The event's main card airs live on FX, and FUEL TV is expected to air the preliminary card.

MMAjunkie.com's Gorgeous George on 'The Fight Club Chicago' at 4:35 p.m. ET

John Morgan [kingofabuelos] — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:55:00 GMT

"Gorgeous" George Garcia, host of MMAjunkie.com Radio, is a guest on today's edition of "The Fight Club Chicago" at 4:35 p.m. ET (1:35 p.m. PT).

Garcia and host Steven Muehlhausen recap this past weekend's "UFC 143: Diaz vs. Condit" event, as well as the continued fallout from the card and what comes next for UFC interim welterweight champion Carlos Condit.

Catch the show live at www.sportstownchicago.com/fightclub.

Carlos Condit vs. Nick Diaz II already a no-go, says Cesar Gracie

John Morgan [kingofabuelos] — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:35:00 GMT

Almost as soon as it seemed a reality, a rematch between Nick Diaz and Carlos Condit is not happening.

When contacted today by MMAjunkie.com, Diaz manager Cesar Gracie said "no" when asked if a rematch recently announced is a reality. He declined further comment.

UFC president Dana White issued a tweet late Tuesday that said Condit had accepted a rematch with Diaz and was headed to Las Vegas on Friday, presumably, to finalize a contract for the fight.

UFC on FUEL TV 2 main card set with four bouts

John Morgan [kingofabuelos] — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:50:00 GMT

One week before the UFC's debut UFC on FUEL TV event, the promotion has already prepared the main-card lineup for the series' second show.

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 prelims are expected to stream on Facebook.

Headlining the event is a light heavyweight bout between Alexander Gustafsson and veteran Antonio Rogerio Nogueira.

With UFC 143 win, Fabricio Werdum eyes fight in Brazilian homeland

John Morgan [kingofabuelos] — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:30:00 GMT

Fabricio Werdum is officially back in the UFC.

With a decision over Roy Nelson at this past Saturday's UFC 143, Werdum has a little job security after a three-year absence from the promotion.

Now, he'd like to fight in his home country when the UFC returns to Brazil in an event targeted for June 2 at a location to be determined.

MMAjunkie.com Radio: UFC 144's Ryan Bader

John Morgan [kingofabuelos] — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:30:00 GMT

UFC light heavyweight contender Ryan Bader joins today's edition of MMAjunkie.com Radio.

Bader calls in to preview his upcoming UFC 144 bout with Quinton "Rampage" Jackson. Additionally, the crew will take calls and discuss all the latest happenings in the sport.

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.

MMAjunkie.com streams Saturday's Cage Warriors Fight Night 3 event at 2 p.m. ET

John Morgan [kingofabuelos] — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:20:00 GMT

UFC vets Kyle Watson and Tommy Speer are featured in the headlining contests of this weekend's Cage Warriors Fight Night 3 event, and MMAjunkie.com will feature a live stream of the evening's main-card action.

Cage Warriors Fight Night 3 takes place Saturday The Habtoor Grand Hotel Convention Center & Spa in Beirut, Lebanon. The stream kicks off at 2 p.m. ET.

Watson meets Juha-Pekka Vainikainen in the night's lightweight main event, and Speer faces Mats Nilsson in a middleweight contest.

Jorge Santiago vs. Leonardo Pecanha official for Titan Fighting 21 headliner

John Morgan [kingofabuelos] — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:10:00 GMT

Five-time UFC veteran Jorge Santiago meets Nova Uniao product Leonardo Pecanha in the main event of next month's Titan Fighting Championship 21 event.

The event marks Santiago's first action since his October release from the UFC.

"I train with the best coaches and some of the best fighters in the world," Santiago stated in an official release. "I've never felt better or more ready, and at Titan Fighting 21, I'm going to make a fight nobody will forget - especially Leonardo Pecanha."

UFC on FUEL TV 1 weigh-ins slated for Feb. 14 in Omaha; Johny Hendricks hosts Q&A

John Morgan [kingofabuelos] — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:00:00 GMT

Weigh-ins for this month's "UFC on FUEL TV 1: Ellenberger vs. Sanchez" event take place Tuesday, Feb. 14, at Omaha Civic Auditorium in Omaha, Neb.

The same venue hosts the following night's FUEL TV-televised event, which features a welterweight matchup between top contenders Jake Ellenberger and Diego Sanchez.

Additionally, fellow welterweight contender Johny Hendricks, who recently scored a 12-second knockout of Jon Fitch, hosts a special open-to-the-public Q&A session for fight fans prior to the weigh-ins.

UFC officials considering Carlos Condit vs. Nick Diaz II

John Morgan [kingofabuelos] — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 06:10:00 GMT

It looks like UFC president Dana White may be throwing spinning [expletive] now.

After a few days of posturing, pomp and circumstance, UFC officials are considering a rematch of this past weekend's fight between former WEC welterweight champ (and current UFC interim welterweight champ) Carlos Condit and former Strikeforce titleholder Nick Diaz.

MMAjunkie.com today confirmed with UFC officials that negotiations are currently ongoing for a rematch of this past weekend's UFC 143 main event.

Donald Cerrone vs. Yves Edwards added to May's UFC on FX 3 event

John Morgan [kingofabuelos] — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 04:05:00 GMT

An intriguing lightweight contest between Donald Cerrone and Yves Edwards has been added to May's UFC on FX 3 event.

The new booking was announced on Tuesday's new episode of "UFC Tonight" on FUEL TV.

UFC on FX 3 takes place May 15 at the Patriot Center in Fairfax, Va. The night's main card airs on FX.

UFC announces UFC on FX 4 in Atlantic City, UFC on FOX 4 in Los Angeles

John Morgan [kingofabuelos] — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 03:45:00 GMT

The UFC's fall schedule continues to fill, and events in both Atlantic City and Los Angles are on the horizon.

"UFC Tonight" host Todd Harris announced on Tuesday's new edition of the FUEL TV series that UFC on FX 4 takes place June 22 in Atlantic City, and UFC on FOX 4 takes place Aug. 4 in Los Angeles.

Additionally, a previously reported July 7 event in Las Vegas serves as UFC 148.

NSAC welcomes public suggestions for regulation changes at Feb. 22 meeting

John Morgan [kingofabuelos] — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 01:15:00 GMT

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

John Morgan [kingofabuelos] — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

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

John Morgan [kingofabuelos] — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:10:00 GMT

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

John Morgan [kingofabuelos] — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:20:00 GMT

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

John Morgan [kingofabuelos] — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:00:00 GMT

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

John Morgan [kingofabuelos] — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:40:50 GMT

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.