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After "Rampage" Jackson declined, Jon Jones got UFC 128 title fight
Before Jon Jones ultimately got a UFC 128 title with Mauricio "Shogun" Rua, Quinton "Rampage" Jackson was offered the bout but turned it down.
A UFC official today confirmed the turn of events with MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com). Rua first mentioned the possibility in an interview with Tatame.com.
The March 19 slot opened this past weekend when Rashad Evans's knee injury forced him out of the upcoming title fight, which takes place in Newark, N.J. as a pay-per-view headliner.
With Jackson turning down the title fight, he still officially is scheduled to fight Thiago Silva in the co-headliner of May's UFC 130 event. Soon after that fight's announcement, UFC president Dana White hinted that Jackson could be in line for a title shot with a victory.
The reason Jackson turned down the title fight wasn't immediately clear. The UFC official declined to comment, and the fighter's representatives couldn't be reached.
However, Jackson previously has talked about wanting to avenge a 2005 loss to Rua, which came in PRIDE. The violent TKO actually prompted Jackson to change up his training, which resulted in a subsequent six-fight win streak and the winning of the UFC light-heavyweight title.
Regardless, the UFC 128 situation all must have happened quickly.
Just hours before UFC 126 began Saturday in Las Vegas, UFC president Dana White learned that Evans will be out six to eight weeks with a strained ligament in his knee. That apparently was when the fight was offered to Jackson, who would have seen his remaining camp time cut in half from 12 weeks to just six.
With Evans (15-1 MMA, 10-1-1 UFC) and Jackson (31-8 MMA, 6-2 UFC) out, Rua (19-4 MMA, 3-2 UFC) then agreed to a proposed fight with Jones (12-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) right before the contender's UFC 126 main-card bout with Ryan Bader. Ten minutes later, after a second-round submission victory, Jones also jumped on board for the UFC 128 title fight.
"We did the deal literally, I don't know if you saw, but earlier, we told 'Shogun' that, 'Hey, listen, if this kid wins, we want to put him in there for the fight,'" White told MMAjunkie.com after UFC 126, which took place at the Mandalay Bay Events Center. "We talked for a while about it. Right before Jones and Bader came out, him and his team accepted the fight."
White said there was no back-up plan after that.
Before Jon Jones ultimately got a UFC 128 title with Mauricio "Shogun" Rua, Quinton "Rampage" Jackson was offered the bout but turned it down.
A UFC official today confirmed the turn of events with MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com). Rua first mentioned the possibility in an interview with Tatame.com.
The March 19 slot opened this past weekend when Rashad Evans's knee injury forced him out of the upcoming title fight, which takes place in Newark, N.J. as a pay-per-view headliner.
With Jackson turning down the title fight, he still officially is scheduled to fight Thiago Silva in the co-headliner of May's UFC 130 event. Soon after that fight's announcement, UFC president Dana White hinted that Jackson could be in line for a title shot with a victory.
The reason Jackson turned down the title fight wasn't immediately clear. The UFC official declined to comment, and the fighter's representatives couldn't be reached.
However, Jackson previously has talked about wanting to avenge a 2005 loss to Rua, which came in PRIDE. The violent TKO actually prompted Jackson to change up his training, which resulted in a subsequent six-fight win streak and the winning of the UFC light-heavyweight title.
Regardless, the UFC 128 situation all must have happened quickly.
Just hours before UFC 126 began Saturday in Las Vegas, UFC president Dana White learned that Evans will be out six to eight weeks with a strained ligament in his knee. That apparently was when the fight was offered to Jackson, who would have seen his remaining camp time cut in half from 12 weeks to just six.
With Evans (15-1 MMA, 10-1-1 UFC) and Jackson (31-8 MMA, 6-2 UFC) out, Rua (19-4 MMA, 3-2 UFC) then agreed to a proposed fight with Jones (12-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) right before the contender's UFC 126 main-card bout with Ryan Bader. Ten minutes later, after a second-round submission victory, Jones also jumped on board for the UFC 128 title fight.
"We did the deal literally, I don't know if you saw, but earlier, we told 'Shogun' that, 'Hey, listen, if this kid wins, we want to put him in there for the fight,'" White told MMAjunkie.com after UFC 126, which took place at the Mandalay Bay Events Center. "We talked for a while about it. Right before Jones and Bader came out, him and his team accepted the fight."
White said there was no back-up plan after that.
"Rampage" Jackson cites poor timing, weight for UFC 128 title-fight decline
Quinton "Rampage" Jackson wants to be well-prepared when he fights Mauricio "Shogun" Rua, and taking a fight with the UFC light-heavyweight champion on short notice runs contrary to that plan.
Jackson today responded to Rua's revelation that "Rampage" turned down a title shot that subsequently was given to Jon "Bones" Jones at UFC 126. The title-fight slot opened when Rashad Evans recently went down with a knee injury.
"I don't care who the opponent is," Jackson said in an exclusive interview with MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com). "I'm not taking a fight on four weeks' notice."
The former UFC champion said he informed UFC president Dana White of his decision while attending this past weekend's pay-per-view event.
A UFC official confirmed that turn of events to MMAjunkie.com earlier today but declined to comment. Rua, though, told Tatame.com that he didn't know why Jackson declined.
"It's not enough time to get ready for a five-round fight," Jackson said. "Dana knows that. And 'Shogun,' he's a fighter, and he should know that. He shouldn't even go and say [expletive] like that with him being a fighter. He saw me at the fight this weekend. Everybody saw how big I am."
The former champ and star of the recent action blockbuster "The A-Team" recently returned to the gym and is still getting back into the groove. Jackson currently is scheduled to fight Thiago Silva (15-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) at UFC 130, which takes place May 28 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. If he had taken the Rua fight, he'd have just six weeks to prepare. Right now, he has 12 weeks until UFC 130.
"I'm just doing maintenance training right now," Jackson said. "I just started back. I fought right before the holidays, and I went on vacation to see my family and took my kids to see their family in Japan.
"I've been living my life, so I gained a lot of weight. I'm a natural fighter. I don't do any drugs, and I don't know any high-performance drugs, so I have a natural body. My body gains weight when I don't train and I don't eat like I'm in camp."
Jackson (31-8 MMA, 6-2 UFC) said taking the fight with Rua (19-4 MMA, 3-2 UFC) at this point would force him to focus almost exclusively on losing weight. Although he has pined for a rematch with Rua since an April 2005 loss to the now-UFC champion, the circumstances aren't right.
"I'm 250 pounds, and I would have to lose 45 pounds in, what, three or four weeks?" he said. "The first time I fought 'Shogun,' I was injured going into that fight, and it's haunted me all the way up to now. I always believed the second time I fight 'Shogun' that I'm going to be close to 100 percent as possible.
"I don't want to have a rushed camp and have a last-minute fight to fight someone who's already beaten me. Even if they offered me Forrest (Griffin) or Rashad (Evans) in four weeks, I can't take that fight because I'm too big."
So for now, he plans to focus on Silva.
Quinton "Rampage" Jackson wants to be well-prepared when he fights Mauricio "Shogun" Rua, and taking a fight with the UFC light-heavyweight champion on short notice runs contrary to that plan.
Jackson today responded to Rua's revelation that "Rampage" turned down a title shot that subsequently was given to Jon "Bones" Jones at UFC 126. The title-fight slot opened when Rashad Evans recently went down with a knee injury.
"I don't care who the opponent is," Jackson said in an exclusive interview with MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com). "I'm not taking a fight on four weeks' notice."
The former UFC champion said he informed UFC president Dana White of his decision while attending this past weekend's pay-per-view event.
A UFC official confirmed that turn of events to MMAjunkie.com earlier today but declined to comment. Rua, though, told Tatame.com that he didn't know why Jackson declined.
"It's not enough time to get ready for a five-round fight," Jackson said. "Dana knows that. And 'Shogun,' he's a fighter, and he should know that. He shouldn't even go and say [expletive] like that with him being a fighter. He saw me at the fight this weekend. Everybody saw how big I am."
The former champ and star of the recent action blockbuster "The A-Team" recently returned to the gym and is still getting back into the groove. Jackson currently is scheduled to fight Thiago Silva (15-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) at UFC 130, which takes place May 28 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. If he had taken the Rua fight, he'd have just six weeks to prepare. Right now, he has 12 weeks until UFC 130.
"I'm just doing maintenance training right now," Jackson said. "I just started back. I fought right before the holidays, and I went on vacation to see my family and took my kids to see their family in Japan.
"I've been living my life, so I gained a lot of weight. I'm a natural fighter. I don't do any drugs, and I don't know any high-performance drugs, so I have a natural body. My body gains weight when I don't train and I don't eat like I'm in camp."
Jackson (31-8 MMA, 6-2 UFC) said taking the fight with Rua (19-4 MMA, 3-2 UFC) at this point would force him to focus almost exclusively on losing weight. Although he has pined for a rematch with Rua since an April 2005 loss to the now-UFC champion, the circumstances aren't right.
"I'm 250 pounds, and I would have to lose 45 pounds in, what, three or four weeks?" he said. "The first time I fought 'Shogun,' I was injured going into that fight, and it's haunted me all the way up to now. I always believed the second time I fight 'Shogun' that I'm going to be close to 100 percent as possible.
"I don't want to have a rushed camp and have a last-minute fight to fight someone who's already beaten me. Even if they offered me Forrest (Griffin) or Rashad (Evans) in four weeks, I can't take that fight because I'm too big."
So for now, he plans to focus on Silva.
Nick Diaz Serious About Boxing, Next Fight May Hinge on Paul Daley
Nick Diaz will be making some big career decisions over the next week or two.
The reigning Strikeforce welterweight champion is coming off of a win over Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos to close out the month of January, and is already hyped up for a new challenge.
The king of Stockton, Calif., has never been one to back down from challenging himself with a new project. It appears that he’s now ready to move on from doing triathlons to the world of professional boxing.
Diaz has sharpened his hands a great deal over the last few years, and according to his coach and manager Cesar Gracie, they will be making some decisions very soon whether the welterweight champion’s next fight will be MMA or boxing.
“We’re kind of as curious as you guys are to see what the next step is and where things lead. I’m in talks with the boxing people now. I’m in talks with Scott Coker. I’m meeting with them to go over what the possible next step is with Nick and Strikeforce. I’m a fan of the sport too, so I’m kind of excited to see where it’s going to go,” Gracie told MMAWeekly Radio.
The decision may very well fall all in the lap of Strikeforce welterweight challenger Paul Daley. He’s fighting in his home country of England later this month as the headliner of a BAMMA show. If he’s successful, Strikeforce has already promised him the next shot at Diaz.
If he stumbles and falls or somehow has to deal with a long term injury, Diaz will likely opt for boxing as his next challenge instead of MMA. The Gracie trained fighter loves to train the sport, and believes he can ascend to a new level for a crossover athlete.
“People don’t know this, but he had one pro boxing match already and it was a few years back and he won that fight. So technically, Nick he is already a pro boxer. Now is he a pro boxer on the level of these really great pro boxers? Maybe he’s not at that level right now, but I think with the proper training he can get pretty far up there,” Gracie said.
They are happy however to accept a fight against Daley if the deal can come together over the next few months. But Diaz has never been a fighter that likes to sit out for very long, and he’s already itching to get back in the cage for a bout.
“Both of those things and it really depends on the promoters at that point,” Gracie said about Diaz’s desire to do boxing and MMA. “Obviously, we have a relationship with Strikeforce and if they want to make that fight happen in the next few months or so, that would be fine and he’d end up fighting Paul Daley. Daley’s got a fight coming up, he’ll probably get past it, if he doesn’t that might ruin the fight. But if he does win this next fight I think it would be an intriguing match-up.
“You’re going to see a slugfest at that point. Nick’s one of those guys, maybe it’s not the smartest thing in the world, but I think it’s endearing to the fans where he’ll go out and fight a guy at what that guy’s best at, he doesn’t care.”
Fans will need to keep a very close eye on the BAMMA fight involving Paul Daley because that very well may determine whether they see Nick Diaz defend his belt next, or take a few swings in the boxing ring instead.
Nick Diaz will be making some big career decisions over the next week or two.
The reigning Strikeforce welterweight champion is coming off of a win over Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos to close out the month of January, and is already hyped up for a new challenge.
The king of Stockton, Calif., has never been one to back down from challenging himself with a new project. It appears that he’s now ready to move on from doing triathlons to the world of professional boxing.
Diaz has sharpened his hands a great deal over the last few years, and according to his coach and manager Cesar Gracie, they will be making some decisions very soon whether the welterweight champion’s next fight will be MMA or boxing.
“We’re kind of as curious as you guys are to see what the next step is and where things lead. I’m in talks with the boxing people now. I’m in talks with Scott Coker. I’m meeting with them to go over what the possible next step is with Nick and Strikeforce. I’m a fan of the sport too, so I’m kind of excited to see where it’s going to go,” Gracie told MMAWeekly Radio.
The decision may very well fall all in the lap of Strikeforce welterweight challenger Paul Daley. He’s fighting in his home country of England later this month as the headliner of a BAMMA show. If he’s successful, Strikeforce has already promised him the next shot at Diaz.
If he stumbles and falls or somehow has to deal with a long term injury, Diaz will likely opt for boxing as his next challenge instead of MMA. The Gracie trained fighter loves to train the sport, and believes he can ascend to a new level for a crossover athlete.
“People don’t know this, but he had one pro boxing match already and it was a few years back and he won that fight. So technically, Nick he is already a pro boxer. Now is he a pro boxer on the level of these really great pro boxers? Maybe he’s not at that level right now, but I think with the proper training he can get pretty far up there,” Gracie said.
They are happy however to accept a fight against Daley if the deal can come together over the next few months. But Diaz has never been a fighter that likes to sit out for very long, and he’s already itching to get back in the cage for a bout.
“Both of those things and it really depends on the promoters at that point,” Gracie said about Diaz’s desire to do boxing and MMA. “Obviously, we have a relationship with Strikeforce and if they want to make that fight happen in the next few months or so, that would be fine and he’d end up fighting Paul Daley. Daley’s got a fight coming up, he’ll probably get past it, if he doesn’t that might ruin the fight. But if he does win this next fight I think it would be an intriguing match-up.
“You’re going to see a slugfest at that point. Nick’s one of those guys, maybe it’s not the smartest thing in the world, but I think it’s endearing to the fans where he’ll go out and fight a guy at what that guy’s best at, he doesn’t care.”
Fans will need to keep a very close eye on the BAMMA fight involving Paul Daley because that very well may determine whether they see Nick Diaz defend his belt next, or take a few swings in the boxing ring instead.
Kenny Florian Dropping Down to Featherweight, Gunning for UFC Champ Jose Aldo
Before the WEC merged with the UFC, there was earlier talk about then WEC featherweight champion, Jose Aldo moving up to lightweight. He was offered a bout against long time lightweight contender, Kenny Florian, but the champion eventually decided to remain at his weight class. That didn't stop the #6 Ranked lightweight from salivating at the potential match up though, as he has decided to cut 10 more pounds to try and take his belt.
Florian, a former middleweight contestant at the Ultimate Fighter, talked to ESPN about his decision:
"I started playing around with the idea: could I make 145? Originally, I didn't think it was possible. I spoke with a few nutritionists, got their opinions, told them what my body fat was, my walking-around weight, all that stuff and the general consensus was that it was very possible."
"I put a lot of thought into it, spoke with my coaches and everybody involved and decided that I am going to try it. I'm going to go for it."
"[The UFC] is very supportive. They're very excited about the move. I've spoken to Dana White, [matchmakers] Joe Silva and Sean Shelby -- they're all excited. And I'm excited. I'm very motivated... For me it's first things first. My goal is to get the 145-pound belt, and then go up to 155 and challenge for that belt as well."
His manager, Malki Kawa says they want a top featherweight contender for the debut around June or July:
"A fight with Aldo has been sticking in the back of my head since the UFC asked us for it. If there is a way to make it happen, I want to. If it looks like the only way that fight can happen is if Kenny moves down to 145, that's what we're going to do."
"He's not going to get a title shot at 145 directly. We're asking for a top guy, and then maybe after one or two more fights, he can get a title shot. He should be ready to make his 145-pound debut in June or July."
Before the WEC merged with the UFC, there was earlier talk about then WEC featherweight champion, Jose Aldo moving up to lightweight. He was offered a bout against long time lightweight contender, Kenny Florian, but the champion eventually decided to remain at his weight class. That didn't stop the #6 Ranked lightweight from salivating at the potential match up though, as he has decided to cut 10 more pounds to try and take his belt.
Florian, a former middleweight contestant at the Ultimate Fighter, talked to ESPN about his decision:
"I started playing around with the idea: could I make 145? Originally, I didn't think it was possible. I spoke with a few nutritionists, got their opinions, told them what my body fat was, my walking-around weight, all that stuff and the general consensus was that it was very possible."
"I put a lot of thought into it, spoke with my coaches and everybody involved and decided that I am going to try it. I'm going to go for it."
"[The UFC] is very supportive. They're very excited about the move. I've spoken to Dana White, [matchmakers] Joe Silva and Sean Shelby -- they're all excited. And I'm excited. I'm very motivated... For me it's first things first. My goal is to get the 145-pound belt, and then go up to 155 and challenge for that belt as well."
His manager, Malki Kawa says they want a top featherweight contender for the debut around June or July:
"A fight with Aldo has been sticking in the back of my head since the UFC asked us for it. If there is a way to make it happen, I want to. If it looks like the only way that fight can happen is if Kenny moves down to 145, that's what we're going to do."
"He's not going to get a title shot at 145 directly. We're asking for a top guy, and then maybe after one or two more fights, he can get a title shot. He should be ready to make his 145-pound debut in June or July."
Former Mizzou Wrestler Chandler Joins Bellator Lightweight Tourney
Bellator Fighting Championships continued stocking the roster for its Season four lightweight tournament on Monday, as the promotion officially added undefeated collegiate wrestling convert Michael Chandler to the eight-man field.
A onetime NCAA Div. I All-American and team captain at the University of Missouri, Chandler transitioned to MMA in August 2008, twice competing for Strikeforce before inking a multi-fight deal with Bellator last September. In his first month with the company, the 24-year-old needed a total of 2:54 to register a pair of first-round stoppage wins, running his perfect record to 5-0.
“I never want to be known as the typical ‘lay and pray’ wrestler,” Chandler stated in a release. “I want to break away from the traditional wrestling mold that a lot of guys have. People say that all wrestlers just want to take their opponents down and lay on them for three rounds, but I want to go out there and finish them. I don’t want to just go out there and win, I want to go out there and dominate.”
Chandler is the third fighter confirmed for the 155-pound bracket, joining former WEC lightweight champion Rob McCullough and Season two tournament semi-finalist Carey Vanier. Unconfirmed participants include two-time runner-up Toby Imada, 18-year-old Polish phenom Marcin Held, Olympic judoka Ferrid Kheder, and new signees Patricky “Pitbull” Freire and Lloyd Woodard.
With only five bouts under his belt, Chandler will enter as the least experienced competitor in the tournament. However, the Xtreme Couture representative seems unconcerned, staying focused instead on simply relishing the opportunity.
“It’s not to take away from anybody or that I just think I’m going to smash all of these guys on my way to [Bellator lightweight champion Eddie] Alvarez,” Chandler said. “It’s just that I’m really excited about the journey I’m about to go through. I’m excited about the next three months of training, and I’m excited about being able to go out there and dominate fight after fight.”
No matchups have been announced for the upcoming season, which airs live on MTV2 and begins with Bellator Fighting Championships 35 on March 5 at the Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino in Lemoore, Calif.
Bellator Fighting Championships continued stocking the roster for its Season four lightweight tournament on Monday, as the promotion officially added undefeated collegiate wrestling convert Michael Chandler to the eight-man field.
A onetime NCAA Div. I All-American and team captain at the University of Missouri, Chandler transitioned to MMA in August 2008, twice competing for Strikeforce before inking a multi-fight deal with Bellator last September. In his first month with the company, the 24-year-old needed a total of 2:54 to register a pair of first-round stoppage wins, running his perfect record to 5-0.
“I never want to be known as the typical ‘lay and pray’ wrestler,” Chandler stated in a release. “I want to break away from the traditional wrestling mold that a lot of guys have. People say that all wrestlers just want to take their opponents down and lay on them for three rounds, but I want to go out there and finish them. I don’t want to just go out there and win, I want to go out there and dominate.”
Chandler is the third fighter confirmed for the 155-pound bracket, joining former WEC lightweight champion Rob McCullough and Season two tournament semi-finalist Carey Vanier. Unconfirmed participants include two-time runner-up Toby Imada, 18-year-old Polish phenom Marcin Held, Olympic judoka Ferrid Kheder, and new signees Patricky “Pitbull” Freire and Lloyd Woodard.
With only five bouts under his belt, Chandler will enter as the least experienced competitor in the tournament. However, the Xtreme Couture representative seems unconcerned, staying focused instead on simply relishing the opportunity.
“It’s not to take away from anybody or that I just think I’m going to smash all of these guys on my way to [Bellator lightweight champion Eddie] Alvarez,” Chandler said. “It’s just that I’m really excited about the journey I’m about to go through. I’m excited about the next three months of training, and I’m excited about being able to go out there and dominate fight after fight.”
No matchups have been announced for the upcoming season, which airs live on MTV2 and begins with Bellator Fighting Championships 35 on March 5 at the Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino in Lemoore, Calif.
Henderson Was Interested in Heavyweight Tourney Spot
Dan Henderson is not a heavyweight, but he told Strikeforce he’d consider competing in the promotion’s upcoming heavyweight tournament.
“They had kind of approached me about fighting in that heavyweight tournament just to see how I’d feel about it,” Henderson revealed recently during a “Savage Dog Show” interview on the Sherdog Radio Network. “I told them I was open to it. It was interesting. Definitely a huge challenge, and that’s one of the reasons why I’m still in the sport, just to challenge myself.”
Henderson is no stranger to fighting in tournaments or against heavier competition. After winning two four-man tournaments to start his career, he captured the 32-man Rings “King of Kings” field in February 2000. En route to the finals he won a split decision over future heavyweight great Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira.
“I think there’s a couple of matchups that would have been interesting for me or fun to do,” Henderson said of the Strikeforce tournament. “I don’t think I would have won the tournament by any means, but possibly. Of course I said that when I went into that Rings ‘King of Kings’ tournament. I didn’t think I was going to win it, but I was going to do my best.”
Henderson, who has competed as light as 183 pounds, said his participation was nixed because Strikeforce had no trouble finding heavyweights. The field is strong with Fedor Emelianenko, Alistair Overeem, Fabricio Werdum, Antonio Silva, Andrei Arlovski, Sergei Kharitonov, Josh Barnett and Brett Rogers.
The tournament will play out over multiple events, meaning no one will have to fight more than once in a single night. Although Henderson understands the value of letting fighters come in fresh, he doesn’t disagree with how tournaments were run earlier in his career either. On four occasions he fought multiple times in the same night.
“There’s also something to seeing what some of these fighters are made of on the inside and making them push through two or three fights in a night,” Henderson said.
Strikeforce plans on completing the tournament this year, meaning someone will have to win three fights in 2011. Henderson likes the odds on two fighters in particular.
“I would probably have to put money on either Fedor or Overeem,” he said. “Overeem hasn’t really been tested lately past the first few minutes of a fight. He’s a monster. He’s a beast these days.”
Dan Henderson is not a heavyweight, but he told Strikeforce he’d consider competing in the promotion’s upcoming heavyweight tournament.
“They had kind of approached me about fighting in that heavyweight tournament just to see how I’d feel about it,” Henderson revealed recently during a “Savage Dog Show” interview on the Sherdog Radio Network. “I told them I was open to it. It was interesting. Definitely a huge challenge, and that’s one of the reasons why I’m still in the sport, just to challenge myself.”
Henderson is no stranger to fighting in tournaments or against heavier competition. After winning two four-man tournaments to start his career, he captured the 32-man Rings “King of Kings” field in February 2000. En route to the finals he won a split decision over future heavyweight great Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira.
“I think there’s a couple of matchups that would have been interesting for me or fun to do,” Henderson said of the Strikeforce tournament. “I don’t think I would have won the tournament by any means, but possibly. Of course I said that when I went into that Rings ‘King of Kings’ tournament. I didn’t think I was going to win it, but I was going to do my best.”
Henderson, who has competed as light as 183 pounds, said his participation was nixed because Strikeforce had no trouble finding heavyweights. The field is strong with Fedor Emelianenko, Alistair Overeem, Fabricio Werdum, Antonio Silva, Andrei Arlovski, Sergei Kharitonov, Josh Barnett and Brett Rogers.
The tournament will play out over multiple events, meaning no one will have to fight more than once in a single night. Although Henderson understands the value of letting fighters come in fresh, he doesn’t disagree with how tournaments were run earlier in his career either. On four occasions he fought multiple times in the same night.
“There’s also something to seeing what some of these fighters are made of on the inside and making them push through two or three fights in a night,” Henderson said.
Strikeforce plans on completing the tournament this year, meaning someone will have to win three fights in 2011. Henderson likes the odds on two fighters in particular.
“I would probably have to put money on either Fedor or Overeem,” he said. “Overeem hasn’t really been tested lately past the first few minutes of a fight. He’s a monster. He’s a beast these days.”
Baroni-Nolte Official for Titan Fighting Championships 17
Phil Baroni now has an opponent for his Titan Fighting Championships debut, as the promotion announced Tuesday that the “New York Bad Ass” will square off with Strikeforce veteran Nick Nolte in a middleweight clash at Titan Fighting Championships 17.
TFC 17 takes place March 25 at Memorial Hall in Kansas City, Kan., and will be broadcast live in North America on HDNet. The Baroni-Nolte scrap is the event’s first official pairing.
A knockout puncher with power in both hands, Baroni recently finished his second run with the UFC and rides a three-fight losing streak heading into the contest. He was outpointed by fellow UFC vet Joe Riggs at Strikeforce “Lawler vs. Shields” before returning to the UFC as a welterweight in 2009.
After a unanimous decision defeat to Amir Sadollah in the 34-year-old’s first fight in the Octagon in almost five years, Baroni made the move back up to middleweight to take on prospect Brad Tavares at UFC 125. After dropping Tavares with a left hook early, the tide turned quickly and Baroni was eventually knocked out with a flurry of punches. He was released by the promotion after the loss.
Nolte began his career in 2009, competing at Strikeforce Challengers 5 in just his second professional fight. After earning a win over Andy Waters with a triangle choke, Nolte tested the waters of the Bellator Fighting Championships in his next outing, losing by arm triangle to Drew Dober at Bellator 16 last April.
Phil Baroni now has an opponent for his Titan Fighting Championships debut, as the promotion announced Tuesday that the “New York Bad Ass” will square off with Strikeforce veteran Nick Nolte in a middleweight clash at Titan Fighting Championships 17.
TFC 17 takes place March 25 at Memorial Hall in Kansas City, Kan., and will be broadcast live in North America on HDNet. The Baroni-Nolte scrap is the event’s first official pairing.
A knockout puncher with power in both hands, Baroni recently finished his second run with the UFC and rides a three-fight losing streak heading into the contest. He was outpointed by fellow UFC vet Joe Riggs at Strikeforce “Lawler vs. Shields” before returning to the UFC as a welterweight in 2009.
After a unanimous decision defeat to Amir Sadollah in the 34-year-old’s first fight in the Octagon in almost five years, Baroni made the move back up to middleweight to take on prospect Brad Tavares at UFC 125. After dropping Tavares with a left hook early, the tide turned quickly and Baroni was eventually knocked out with a flurry of punches. He was released by the promotion after the loss.
Nolte began his career in 2009, competing at Strikeforce Challengers 5 in just his second professional fight. After earning a win over Andy Waters with a triangle choke, Nolte tested the waters of the Bellator Fighting Championships in his next outing, losing by arm triangle to Drew Dober at Bellator 16 last April.
Bellator Sets Welterweight Quarterfinals for March 5
Bellator Fighting Championships on Tuesday made its first matches of the year, officially announcing that all four of its Season four welterweight quarterfinals will take place at Bellator Fighting Championships 35 on March 5 at the Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino in Lemoore, Calif.
The televised card, which airs live on MTV2, will be headlined by a matchup of former champion Lyman Good and unbeaten knockout artist Chris Lozano. Bolstering the undercard will be opening-round bouts pitting Season two finalist Dan Hornbuckle against the streaking Brent Weedman, Bellator newcomer Jay Hieron against tournament veteran Steve Carl, and Olympic judoka Rick Hawn against “Judo” Jim Wallhead.
“This welterweight tournament is stacked. Every fight should be hyper-competitive,” Bellator Chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney stated in a release. “Any one of these eight fighters could win it, make $100,000 and earn the right to fight [current Bellator welterweight champion Ben] Askren for our world title.”
The winner of Bellator’s inaugural 170-pound bracket, Good dropped his title, along with the first bout of his career, in a five-round decision loss to Askren last October. Prior to that, the Tiger Schulmann-trained “Cyborg” had marched through 10 straight opponents. Good has never been finished, which is the specialty of his opponent, Lozano. The Cleveland-based “Assassin” holds a record of 6-0, with all six wins by some form of knockout, and earned his slot in the upcoming tourney with a September win against UFC veteran Yoshiyuki Yoshida.
Like Good, Hornbuckle also suffered his first loss inside the Bellator cage at the hands of Askren in 2010. The June defeat snapped a six-fight win streak for the “Handler,” which included knockouts of Akihiro Gono and Nick Thompson under the Sengoku banner. To get his revenge on Askren, Hornbuckle will have to go through Weedman, who seeks revenge of his own: the Kentucky native was submitted by a Hornbuckle triangle choke at a 2006 event in Indiana. Weedman enters the tournament riding nine straight victories, including three first-round stoppages inside Bellator.
Hieron, Bellator’s highest-profile offseason acquisition, comes in on a seven-fight streak of his own. The “Thoroughbred” competed just once in 2010, earning a unanimous decision against Joe Riggs in Strikeforce. The Xtreme Couture product holds notable career wins over Jake Ellenberger, Jason High and Delson Heleno. A veteran of the U.S. Army, Carl advanced to the semifinals of Bellator’s Season two welterweight tournament before being eliminated by Hornbuckle. In August, he punched his ticket for the Season four field by choking out Tyler Stinson at Bellator 26.
A member of the 2004 U.S. Olympic judo team, Hawn is perfect in his MMA campaign at 9-0. In his Bellator debut last October, the Massachusetts-based fighter used his base skill to whip LeVon Maynard to the mat and finish with punches. His opponent, Wallhead, also comes from a judo background and likewise won his Bellator debut in October against Ryan Thomas. The 26-year-old Englishman has won nine straight, with five stoppages in that span.
Bellator Fighting Championships on Tuesday made its first matches of the year, officially announcing that all four of its Season four welterweight quarterfinals will take place at Bellator Fighting Championships 35 on March 5 at the Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino in Lemoore, Calif.
The televised card, which airs live on MTV2, will be headlined by a matchup of former champion Lyman Good and unbeaten knockout artist Chris Lozano. Bolstering the undercard will be opening-round bouts pitting Season two finalist Dan Hornbuckle against the streaking Brent Weedman, Bellator newcomer Jay Hieron against tournament veteran Steve Carl, and Olympic judoka Rick Hawn against “Judo” Jim Wallhead.
“This welterweight tournament is stacked. Every fight should be hyper-competitive,” Bellator Chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney stated in a release. “Any one of these eight fighters could win it, make $100,000 and earn the right to fight [current Bellator welterweight champion Ben] Askren for our world title.”
The winner of Bellator’s inaugural 170-pound bracket, Good dropped his title, along with the first bout of his career, in a five-round decision loss to Askren last October. Prior to that, the Tiger Schulmann-trained “Cyborg” had marched through 10 straight opponents. Good has never been finished, which is the specialty of his opponent, Lozano. The Cleveland-based “Assassin” holds a record of 6-0, with all six wins by some form of knockout, and earned his slot in the upcoming tourney with a September win against UFC veteran Yoshiyuki Yoshida.
Like Good, Hornbuckle also suffered his first loss inside the Bellator cage at the hands of Askren in 2010. The June defeat snapped a six-fight win streak for the “Handler,” which included knockouts of Akihiro Gono and Nick Thompson under the Sengoku banner. To get his revenge on Askren, Hornbuckle will have to go through Weedman, who seeks revenge of his own: the Kentucky native was submitted by a Hornbuckle triangle choke at a 2006 event in Indiana. Weedman enters the tournament riding nine straight victories, including three first-round stoppages inside Bellator.
Hieron, Bellator’s highest-profile offseason acquisition, comes in on a seven-fight streak of his own. The “Thoroughbred” competed just once in 2010, earning a unanimous decision against Joe Riggs in Strikeforce. The Xtreme Couture product holds notable career wins over Jake Ellenberger, Jason High and Delson Heleno. A veteran of the U.S. Army, Carl advanced to the semifinals of Bellator’s Season two welterweight tournament before being eliminated by Hornbuckle. In August, he punched his ticket for the Season four field by choking out Tyler Stinson at Bellator 26.
A member of the 2004 U.S. Olympic judo team, Hawn is perfect in his MMA campaign at 9-0. In his Bellator debut last October, the Massachusetts-based fighter used his base skill to whip LeVon Maynard to the mat and finish with punches. His opponent, Wallhead, also comes from a judo background and likewise won his Bellator debut in October against Ryan Thomas. The 26-year-old Englishman has won nine straight, with five stoppages in that span.
UFC 126 sets "UFC Prelims" record with 2 million viewers on Spike TV
This past weekend's "UFC Prelims" broadcast on Spike TV, which coincided with the Feb. 5 "UFC 126: Silva vs. Belfort" event, scored a series-high 2 million viewers.
Spike TV officials today emailed the ratings information to MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com).
The broadcast, which featured preliminary-card fights of Donald Cerrone vs. Paul Kelly and Chad Mendes vs. Michihiro Omigawa, topped the previous 13 "UFC Prelims" installments and the former record of 1.7 million viewers.
UFC 126 took place at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Prior to the Spike TV broadcast, the UFC streamed another prelim fight, Demetrious Johnson vs. Norifumi "Kid" Yamamoto, for free on Facebook.
Overall, the Spike TV broadcast earned a 1.2 household rating, including an impressive 1.7 among men 18-49. The one-hour broadcast was the highest-rated program in its timeslot among men 18-49 and men 18-34.
The full list of "UFC Prelims" broadcasts and ratings, as compiled by MMAjunkie.com, includes:
* 1) UFC 125 (February 2011): 2.0 million viewers
* 2) UFC 109 (February 2010): 1.7 million viewers
* 3) UFC 114 (May 2010): 1.6 million viewers
* 4) UFC 108 (January 2010): 1.5 million viewers
* 4) UFC 121 (October 2010): 1.5 million viewers
* 4) UFC 123 (November 2010): 1.5 million viewers
* 7) UFC 104 (October 2009): 1.4 million viewers
* 7) UFC 103 (September 2009): 1.4 million viewers
* 9) UFC 119 (September 2010): 1.3 million viewers
* 9) UFC 116 (July 2010): 1.3 million viewers
* 9) UFC 115 (June 2010): 1.3 million viewers
* 9) UFC 106 (November 2009): 1.3 million viewers
* 13) UFC 111 (March 2010): 1.2 million viewers
* 14) UFC 118 (August 2010): 1.1 million viewers
The UFC first offered a PPV teaser broadcast for UFC 103, when the UFC went head-to-head with a boxing PPV broadcast featuring Floyd Mayweather vs. Juan Manuel Marquez. The specials proved effective enough at generating last-minute PPV buys that officials from the UFC and the organization's longtime cable partner decided to make them a regular offering.
Spike TV carries a total of 12 "UFC Prelims" broadcasts in 2011.
This past weekend's "UFC Prelims" broadcast on Spike TV, which coincided with the Feb. 5 "UFC 126: Silva vs. Belfort" event, scored a series-high 2 million viewers.
Spike TV officials today emailed the ratings information to MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com).
The broadcast, which featured preliminary-card fights of Donald Cerrone vs. Paul Kelly and Chad Mendes vs. Michihiro Omigawa, topped the previous 13 "UFC Prelims" installments and the former record of 1.7 million viewers.
UFC 126 took place at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Prior to the Spike TV broadcast, the UFC streamed another prelim fight, Demetrious Johnson vs. Norifumi "Kid" Yamamoto, for free on Facebook.
Overall, the Spike TV broadcast earned a 1.2 household rating, including an impressive 1.7 among men 18-49. The one-hour broadcast was the highest-rated program in its timeslot among men 18-49 and men 18-34.
The full list of "UFC Prelims" broadcasts and ratings, as compiled by MMAjunkie.com, includes:
* 1) UFC 125 (February 2011): 2.0 million viewers
* 2) UFC 109 (February 2010): 1.7 million viewers
* 3) UFC 114 (May 2010): 1.6 million viewers
* 4) UFC 108 (January 2010): 1.5 million viewers
* 4) UFC 121 (October 2010): 1.5 million viewers
* 4) UFC 123 (November 2010): 1.5 million viewers
* 7) UFC 104 (October 2009): 1.4 million viewers
* 7) UFC 103 (September 2009): 1.4 million viewers
* 9) UFC 119 (September 2010): 1.3 million viewers
* 9) UFC 116 (July 2010): 1.3 million viewers
* 9) UFC 115 (June 2010): 1.3 million viewers
* 9) UFC 106 (November 2009): 1.3 million viewers
* 13) UFC 111 (March 2010): 1.2 million viewers
* 14) UFC 118 (August 2010): 1.1 million viewers
The UFC first offered a PPV teaser broadcast for UFC 103, when the UFC went head-to-head with a boxing PPV broadcast featuring Floyd Mayweather vs. Juan Manuel Marquez. The specials proved effective enough at generating last-minute PPV buys that officials from the UFC and the organization's longtime cable partner decided to make them a regular offering.
Spike TV carries a total of 12 "UFC Prelims" broadcasts in 2011.
GSP Doesn’t Want To Hear About A Silva Super Fight, Shields Happy to Play Spoiler
There’s one person who doesn’t want to hear anything about Anderson Silva vs. Georges St-Pierre… and that person is Georges St-Pierre.
The UFC’s reigning welterweight champion was in Toronto on Tuesday for a press conference promoting UFC 129 and his upcoming title fight against No. 1 contender Jake Shields. The first question fired his way pertained to a super fight against fellow pound-for-pound contender Anderson Silva. The two are widely regarded as the top pound-for-pound mixed martial artists in the world, although people argue who sits at the top.
St-Pierre, who has stated in the past that if he faces Silva he would have to make an adjustment that would likely see him move to middleweight permanently, had other things on his mind than a fight against the UFC’s middleweight champion.
“I don’t even think about this right now. I never thought about it. I always live in the present moment, and my biggest problem is Jake Shields,” St-Pierre answered when talking about a fight with Silva. “It would be foolish for me to look past Jake Shields. He poses the biggest threat to my title. He’s a very well rounded fighter, and the UFC brought him in, and I’m glad they did because he’s the No. 1 guy for the welterweight title.
“As a champion, I’m a proud champion, and I want to fight the best guys. I’m going to fight Jake Shields, and I’m happy to do so.”
Shields has been almost in this exact spot before. When he was entering the final fight on his Strikeforce contract, the promotion matched him up against Dan Henderson at 185 pounds. Almost everyone thought the Cesar Gracie trained fighter was being led to slaughter.
Shields of course had other ideas, dominating Henderson en route to a unanimous decision win.
“Maybe a little, but not really,” Shields answered when asked if he felt disrespected by all the GSP vs. Silva talk. “They’ve both been so dominant in the UFC the last few years, people are talking about it, but I think it’s a big mistake to overlook me cause I plan on coming out there and spoiling that fight.”
Even though Shields has been on a longer winning streak than Anderson Silva over the last few years, with wins over opponents like Carlos Condit, Yushin Okami, Jason “Mayhem” Miller, and Dan Henderson, his name is slow to come up when talking about the best fighters in the sport. If there is a definition of underrated in the world of mixed martial arts, Jake Shields is the poster boy.
“I love this role. I love getting looked past, same as Dan Henderson. Everybody’s talking about Henderson, the next champ, Strikeforce was trying to throw me out on a loss, but I definitely had different plans,” Shields commented. “Everyone’s talking about GSP this, and GSP that, which I do think he’s a phenomenal fighter and deserves all this, but I plan on going out there and dethroning his title run.”
UFC President Dana White is one person that believes in Shields. He knows that the former Strikeforce middleweight champion is as dangerous as they come. There are no doubts in White’s mind that playing spoiler for the big GSP vs. Silva fight is a great motivator for Shields.
“People have been talking about this super fight between (St-Pierre and Silva) forever, and one of the things that I’ve always said is it’s a fantasy fight right now. Half of it’s over, (Silva) just beat Vitor Belfort. That was a very dangerous fight, and now Georges St-Pierre’s in a very dangerous fight up here in Canada. (Shields) is so stealth, it’s unbelievable, but that’s how he’s been his whole career,” White said on Tuesday.
“The oddsmakers made this fight six-to-one in Las Vegas. Let me tell you what, people have been counting this kid out forever, and I’ll admit, me too. He just fought Dan Henderson at 185 pounds and anybody’s who ever covered mixed martial arts in this room, and probably even his training camp, didn’t think he was going to win that fight. Not only did he win that fight, he dominated Dan Henderson, and beat him.”
White was quick to say following UFC 126 that if everything works out, he will match St-Pierre against Silva for his next fight, but that’s a big if because Shields is still standing in his way.
“Georges has to get through this fight first before we can even talk about an Anderson Silva fight,” White said.
One match-up that we won’t see when St-Pierre vs. Shields is over, is Shields moving back up to middleweight to challenge Silva. While Shields has said in the past that he would welcome a chance to face the UFC’s best middleweight, White thinks that only a GSP vs. Silva fight would make sense at this time.
“Jake has been on this run and he’s fought at 185 pounds, too, and been dominant there. But the thing is the reason this Anderson Silva/Georges St-Pierre fight makes so much sense is because these two have been consistently fighting in the UFC, and this is more of a legacy super fight,” White explained. “People argue over who the pound-for-pound best in the world is. Is it GSP? Is it Anderson Silva? If he beats Jake Shields, (Anderson) just beat Vitor, they’ve cleaned out an entire division over the last several years and the fight makes sense.
“It’s like the pound-for-pound championship.”
The talk about St-Pierre vs. Silva won’t stop just because UFC 129 is around the corner. But if Jake Shields is looking for bulletin board material as he prepares for his title shot on April 30, all the chatter will definitely give him something to hang up.
There’s one person who doesn’t want to hear anything about Anderson Silva vs. Georges St-Pierre… and that person is Georges St-Pierre.
The UFC’s reigning welterweight champion was in Toronto on Tuesday for a press conference promoting UFC 129 and his upcoming title fight against No. 1 contender Jake Shields. The first question fired his way pertained to a super fight against fellow pound-for-pound contender Anderson Silva. The two are widely regarded as the top pound-for-pound mixed martial artists in the world, although people argue who sits at the top.
St-Pierre, who has stated in the past that if he faces Silva he would have to make an adjustment that would likely see him move to middleweight permanently, had other things on his mind than a fight against the UFC’s middleweight champion.
“I don’t even think about this right now. I never thought about it. I always live in the present moment, and my biggest problem is Jake Shields,” St-Pierre answered when talking about a fight with Silva. “It would be foolish for me to look past Jake Shields. He poses the biggest threat to my title. He’s a very well rounded fighter, and the UFC brought him in, and I’m glad they did because he’s the No. 1 guy for the welterweight title.
“As a champion, I’m a proud champion, and I want to fight the best guys. I’m going to fight Jake Shields, and I’m happy to do so.”
Shields has been almost in this exact spot before. When he was entering the final fight on his Strikeforce contract, the promotion matched him up against Dan Henderson at 185 pounds. Almost everyone thought the Cesar Gracie trained fighter was being led to slaughter.
Shields of course had other ideas, dominating Henderson en route to a unanimous decision win.
“Maybe a little, but not really,” Shields answered when asked if he felt disrespected by all the GSP vs. Silva talk. “They’ve both been so dominant in the UFC the last few years, people are talking about it, but I think it’s a big mistake to overlook me cause I plan on coming out there and spoiling that fight.”
Even though Shields has been on a longer winning streak than Anderson Silva over the last few years, with wins over opponents like Carlos Condit, Yushin Okami, Jason “Mayhem” Miller, and Dan Henderson, his name is slow to come up when talking about the best fighters in the sport. If there is a definition of underrated in the world of mixed martial arts, Jake Shields is the poster boy.
“I love this role. I love getting looked past, same as Dan Henderson. Everybody’s talking about Henderson, the next champ, Strikeforce was trying to throw me out on a loss, but I definitely had different plans,” Shields commented. “Everyone’s talking about GSP this, and GSP that, which I do think he’s a phenomenal fighter and deserves all this, but I plan on going out there and dethroning his title run.”
UFC President Dana White is one person that believes in Shields. He knows that the former Strikeforce middleweight champion is as dangerous as they come. There are no doubts in White’s mind that playing spoiler for the big GSP vs. Silva fight is a great motivator for Shields.
“People have been talking about this super fight between (St-Pierre and Silva) forever, and one of the things that I’ve always said is it’s a fantasy fight right now. Half of it’s over, (Silva) just beat Vitor Belfort. That was a very dangerous fight, and now Georges St-Pierre’s in a very dangerous fight up here in Canada. (Shields) is so stealth, it’s unbelievable, but that’s how he’s been his whole career,” White said on Tuesday.
“The oddsmakers made this fight six-to-one in Las Vegas. Let me tell you what, people have been counting this kid out forever, and I’ll admit, me too. He just fought Dan Henderson at 185 pounds and anybody’s who ever covered mixed martial arts in this room, and probably even his training camp, didn’t think he was going to win that fight. Not only did he win that fight, he dominated Dan Henderson, and beat him.”
White was quick to say following UFC 126 that if everything works out, he will match St-Pierre against Silva for his next fight, but that’s a big if because Shields is still standing in his way.
“Georges has to get through this fight first before we can even talk about an Anderson Silva fight,” White said.
One match-up that we won’t see when St-Pierre vs. Shields is over, is Shields moving back up to middleweight to challenge Silva. While Shields has said in the past that he would welcome a chance to face the UFC’s best middleweight, White thinks that only a GSP vs. Silva fight would make sense at this time.
“Jake has been on this run and he’s fought at 185 pounds, too, and been dominant there. But the thing is the reason this Anderson Silva/Georges St-Pierre fight makes so much sense is because these two have been consistently fighting in the UFC, and this is more of a legacy super fight,” White explained. “People argue over who the pound-for-pound best in the world is. Is it GSP? Is it Anderson Silva? If he beats Jake Shields, (Anderson) just beat Vitor, they’ve cleaned out an entire division over the last several years and the fight makes sense.
“It’s like the pound-for-pound championship.”
The talk about St-Pierre vs. Silva won’t stop just because UFC 129 is around the corner. But if Jake Shields is looking for bulletin board material as he prepares for his title shot on April 30, all the chatter will definitely give him something to hang up.
Jorge Santiago Released by Sengoku
Sengoku middleweight champion Jorge Santiago has been granted his release by the organization, MMA Fighting has learned from sources close to the promotion.
Santiago's manager Malki Kawa of Authentic Sports Management wouldn't confirm or deny that Santiago is now a free agent when reached for comment, but additional sources say Santiago is looking to sign imminently with a major North American promotion.
The 23-8 fighter won the Sengoku middleweight title in January 2009, defeating Kazuo Misaki via technical submission. In August, he defeated Misaki again in a fight many consider to be the best of 2010.
The American Top Team member made his promotional debut in May 2008. He has also competed for Strikeforce and the UFC. In fact, he won a Strikeforce middleweight grand prix in 2007.
When a fan told Santiago on Twitter that they wanted to see him fight Strikeforce fighters "Jacare" Sousa, "Mayhem" Miller and Robbie Lawler, he replied, "I hope that happen too bro....Let's see it."
Sengoku middleweight champion Jorge Santiago has been granted his release by the organization, MMA Fighting has learned from sources close to the promotion.
Santiago's manager Malki Kawa of Authentic Sports Management wouldn't confirm or deny that Santiago is now a free agent when reached for comment, but additional sources say Santiago is looking to sign imminently with a major North American promotion.
The 23-8 fighter won the Sengoku middleweight title in January 2009, defeating Kazuo Misaki via technical submission. In August, he defeated Misaki again in a fight many consider to be the best of 2010.
The American Top Team member made his promotional debut in May 2008. He has also competed for Strikeforce and the UFC. In fact, he won a Strikeforce middleweight grand prix in 2007.
When a fan told Santiago on Twitter that they wanted to see him fight Strikeforce fighters "Jacare" Sousa, "Mayhem" Miller and Robbie Lawler, he replied, "I hope that happen too bro....Let's see it."
Strikeforce makes millions on mixed martial arts
The one-story, bluish-gray office building on San Jose’s Lincoln Avenue is unassuming and easy to miss — it is tucked behind a martial arts studio, has no signs, and looks like a storage garage.
But inside the former hay barn is the headquarters of Strikeforce, a professional cage-fighting league that has grown rapidly in recent years with more contests, television deals and an expanding roster of fighters.
Strikeforce, 50 percent owned by San Jose Sharks owner Silicon Valley Sports & Entertainment, is on pace to post up to $30 million in revenue in the fiscal year ending this June, said ...
Read more: Strikeforce makes millions on mixed martial arts | Silicon Valley / San Jose Business Journal
http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/print-edition/2011/01/28/strikeforce-makes-millions-on-MMA.html
The one-story, bluish-gray office building on San Jose’s Lincoln Avenue is unassuming and easy to miss — it is tucked behind a martial arts studio, has no signs, and looks like a storage garage.
But inside the former hay barn is the headquarters of Strikeforce, a professional cage-fighting league that has grown rapidly in recent years with more contests, television deals and an expanding roster of fighters.
Strikeforce, 50 percent owned by San Jose Sharks owner Silicon Valley Sports & Entertainment, is on pace to post up to $30 million in revenue in the fiscal year ending this June, said ...
Read more: Strikeforce makes millions on mixed martial arts | Silicon Valley / San Jose Business Journal
http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/print-edition/2011/01/28/strikeforce-makes-millions-on-MMA.html
Vitor Belfort exclusive: “I’ll get my chance again”
Former UFC light heavyweight champion, Vitor Belfort had the chance to return to the top of the world against Anderson Silva, but the champion stopped his plans with a front kick. After the fight, Belfort spoke with TATAME and analyzed his performance, praising Anderson’s techniques and promising he’ll return stronger. “I’ll get my chance again,” said Belfort, who revealed plans to fight one time before UFC Rio, in August.
He had used that kick on the opened training and against Dan Henderson… Did you had prepared yourself for that kind of kick or were you caught by surprise?
Look, that kind of kick is very hard to catch, it’s also hard to fit it too, but he did it. He can use this kick, but the way he did is pretty difficult to, but he did it. I believe you only get lucky if you train. He trained and got lucky. But I think it’s something that if he tried to do in ten fights he would only be succeeded once (laughs). He deserved it. I was doing fine on the fight, I was winning it, but I wasn’t lucky to fit that punch, I missed it, that punch on the ground was really powerful. If it hits him… But it didn’t and his kick hit me hard, it was his night, I can’t help it. Everything I promised to do, I did. I didn’t get the win, but it’s part of the sport. I’ll get my chance. We’ll work now so I get it the next time.
You were doing fine after the initial study. Was the game plan to feel how he’d come on the beginning of the fight and then go for it?
The game plan was exactly that because I trust my exchange. I knew that it was the thing he’d bring that would be more dangerous, his legs, and he used them, his kicks… The fight didn’t develop a lot, right? When I noticed it, when it had really started, I was winning but when I stopped, for just one second, it cost me the fight. It was his night.
Before the fight, there was much talk, that look, both on the press conference as on the weight, but at the end of the fight he went there to compliment you. How was the meeting after the fight? Do you think that the provocations were to promote the fight or do you really thing you had unsolved business and that it finished as the fight ended?
No, there was anything solved. Each one acts under pressure on a different way. I always act the same way, independently of the pressure I’m under, of the moment I’m living in. some people don’t, some people try to use the pressure when they’re nervous differently, they get anxious and want to do something with that. I don’t. It’s like I’ve said: Anderson wanted the truth. Many people ask why he did that, and I come here to say that I think that he tried to act like a character when he’s under pressure, but the real Anderson is a good guy. Many people don’t really like it, they get upset, don’t like the way he speaks… But I think it depends on the people around him, it depends on what they tell him to do, his values, these things. Sometimes he says something and people see it pejoratively, I don’t.
I know Anderson, I know he’s a good guy, I like him, he’s to be congratulates for his attitude at the end of the fight. If he’s a champion, he has to act like one: to be humble and, at the end of the fight, he showed it. He’s a champion, he won that fight, but I use to say: the competition goes on. One win isn’t one moment. I’m sure that, soon, I’ll get my chance again. But we can’t take Anderson’s credits, he is to be congratulates, he’s the champion and he act like one when it was over. He and all his camp, Joinha (Jorge Guimarães) and Ed Soares (Anderson’s managers) called me later to check out how I was doing… So, people are respectful, they got my message about respect. It was good for the sport, Brazil grew a lot with it, we were part of history in Brazil with this fight. Me and Anderson grew a lot as persons, it’s a joy. In the end, this fight marked the history of the country and now the sports is seen on a different way. Congratulations for him, and for all Brazilian that stopped the country to watch the fight, and that’s it. I’ve lost this fight, I’ve lost a battle, but not the war.
This fight was greater than any other fight, with all Brazilian media going to Las Vegas to cover it, and UFC’s press conference had half Brazilian reporters. How was it, for you, to be a part of history?
Absolutely. It was exactly that. There are fights that enter history and me and Anderson are part of it. People will start talking about this fight and the ones that’ll come. It’s obvious that many times people identify with me because the truth I preach is the truth I live on. I’ve always been a fan of the sport, I’ve always been a person that says something and people listen to because I have back up on the things I say, I say what I live, I say what is truth and I think this respect of people is a nice thing. Anderson won that fight, he won the battle. But there’s another battler that me, Anderson and all Brazilians are living in so that we can get our space. This battle isn’t only mine, it’s a battle of all fighters, all Brazilians, and I think we’re winning, and I’m thankful. I can’t thank enough the people who stopped full restaurants, bars, Rio de Janeiro and the other cities to watch this fight. I can’t give this admiration back to the fans, I can only thank and live of it.
In August there’ll be an edition of UFC in Rio, and you’re one of the greatest names in Brazilian MMA and one of the most expected names to be on this card. Do you think of fighting on this event, even if it’s six months from now, or do you want to fight before that?
No. I want to fight before that. Of course I’ll fight in Brazil, but I want to fight earlier. I’ll talk to Lorenzo this week, then I’ll take a two-weeks-vacation and let’s move one because the war continues.
Send a message for your fans that cheered for you and that surely are looking forwards to see you on that octagon again…
The message I have to send them is this: thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support and affection. We’ve suffered together, we’ve cried together… I want to say we’ve lost a battle, but not the war. Respect is a word I want my fans to get, not only on the sport, but on their lives. I know many times the outcome is not exactly what we hoped for, but the fans we make and all we get… They know who I am and who I’ll always be. On that bout I was ready to fight, and everybody knew I was prepared. I’m a mature Vitor, a Vitor who recognize things. I see the Love and affection that the fans give me and I say it’s my fuel, it’s what makes me to move on, what makes me live the moment. I have to lose 20 pounds in one day to schedule my fight, to be a part of history, even having fought with a person I like, that I’ve trained with, I knew this fight was going to be remembered as it did. I’m sure I’m a part of history for many Brazilians and non-Brazilians too. The values of incorruptible respect I brought to many hearts – ones get it and others don’t, but in the end, the respect matters most, agreeing with it or not, the respect is greater. A kiss in all your hearts and that God bless you.
Former UFC light heavyweight champion, Vitor Belfort had the chance to return to the top of the world against Anderson Silva, but the champion stopped his plans with a front kick. After the fight, Belfort spoke with TATAME and analyzed his performance, praising Anderson’s techniques and promising he’ll return stronger. “I’ll get my chance again,” said Belfort, who revealed plans to fight one time before UFC Rio, in August.
He had used that kick on the opened training and against Dan Henderson… Did you had prepared yourself for that kind of kick or were you caught by surprise?
Look, that kind of kick is very hard to catch, it’s also hard to fit it too, but he did it. He can use this kick, but the way he did is pretty difficult to, but he did it. I believe you only get lucky if you train. He trained and got lucky. But I think it’s something that if he tried to do in ten fights he would only be succeeded once (laughs). He deserved it. I was doing fine on the fight, I was winning it, but I wasn’t lucky to fit that punch, I missed it, that punch on the ground was really powerful. If it hits him… But it didn’t and his kick hit me hard, it was his night, I can’t help it. Everything I promised to do, I did. I didn’t get the win, but it’s part of the sport. I’ll get my chance. We’ll work now so I get it the next time.
You were doing fine after the initial study. Was the game plan to feel how he’d come on the beginning of the fight and then go for it?
The game plan was exactly that because I trust my exchange. I knew that it was the thing he’d bring that would be more dangerous, his legs, and he used them, his kicks… The fight didn’t develop a lot, right? When I noticed it, when it had really started, I was winning but when I stopped, for just one second, it cost me the fight. It was his night.
Before the fight, there was much talk, that look, both on the press conference as on the weight, but at the end of the fight he went there to compliment you. How was the meeting after the fight? Do you think that the provocations were to promote the fight or do you really thing you had unsolved business and that it finished as the fight ended?
No, there was anything solved. Each one acts under pressure on a different way. I always act the same way, independently of the pressure I’m under, of the moment I’m living in. some people don’t, some people try to use the pressure when they’re nervous differently, they get anxious and want to do something with that. I don’t. It’s like I’ve said: Anderson wanted the truth. Many people ask why he did that, and I come here to say that I think that he tried to act like a character when he’s under pressure, but the real Anderson is a good guy. Many people don’t really like it, they get upset, don’t like the way he speaks… But I think it depends on the people around him, it depends on what they tell him to do, his values, these things. Sometimes he says something and people see it pejoratively, I don’t.
I know Anderson, I know he’s a good guy, I like him, he’s to be congratulates for his attitude at the end of the fight. If he’s a champion, he has to act like one: to be humble and, at the end of the fight, he showed it. He’s a champion, he won that fight, but I use to say: the competition goes on. One win isn’t one moment. I’m sure that, soon, I’ll get my chance again. But we can’t take Anderson’s credits, he is to be congratulates, he’s the champion and he act like one when it was over. He and all his camp, Joinha (Jorge Guimarães) and Ed Soares (Anderson’s managers) called me later to check out how I was doing… So, people are respectful, they got my message about respect. It was good for the sport, Brazil grew a lot with it, we were part of history in Brazil with this fight. Me and Anderson grew a lot as persons, it’s a joy. In the end, this fight marked the history of the country and now the sports is seen on a different way. Congratulations for him, and for all Brazilian that stopped the country to watch the fight, and that’s it. I’ve lost this fight, I’ve lost a battle, but not the war.
This fight was greater than any other fight, with all Brazilian media going to Las Vegas to cover it, and UFC’s press conference had half Brazilian reporters. How was it, for you, to be a part of history?
Absolutely. It was exactly that. There are fights that enter history and me and Anderson are part of it. People will start talking about this fight and the ones that’ll come. It’s obvious that many times people identify with me because the truth I preach is the truth I live on. I’ve always been a fan of the sport, I’ve always been a person that says something and people listen to because I have back up on the things I say, I say what I live, I say what is truth and I think this respect of people is a nice thing. Anderson won that fight, he won the battle. But there’s another battler that me, Anderson and all Brazilians are living in so that we can get our space. This battle isn’t only mine, it’s a battle of all fighters, all Brazilians, and I think we’re winning, and I’m thankful. I can’t thank enough the people who stopped full restaurants, bars, Rio de Janeiro and the other cities to watch this fight. I can’t give this admiration back to the fans, I can only thank and live of it.
In August there’ll be an edition of UFC in Rio, and you’re one of the greatest names in Brazilian MMA and one of the most expected names to be on this card. Do you think of fighting on this event, even if it’s six months from now, or do you want to fight before that?
No. I want to fight before that. Of course I’ll fight in Brazil, but I want to fight earlier. I’ll talk to Lorenzo this week, then I’ll take a two-weeks-vacation and let’s move one because the war continues.
Send a message for your fans that cheered for you and that surely are looking forwards to see you on that octagon again…
The message I have to send them is this: thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support and affection. We’ve suffered together, we’ve cried together… I want to say we’ve lost a battle, but not the war. Respect is a word I want my fans to get, not only on the sport, but on their lives. I know many times the outcome is not exactly what we hoped for, but the fans we make and all we get… They know who I am and who I’ll always be. On that bout I was ready to fight, and everybody knew I was prepared. I’m a mature Vitor, a Vitor who recognize things. I see the Love and affection that the fans give me and I say it’s my fuel, it’s what makes me to move on, what makes me live the moment. I have to lose 20 pounds in one day to schedule my fight, to be a part of history, even having fought with a person I like, that I’ve trained with, I knew this fight was going to be remembered as it did. I’m sure I’m a part of history for many Brazilians and non-Brazilians too. The values of incorruptible respect I brought to many hearts – ones get it and others don’t, but in the end, the respect matters most, agreeing with it or not, the respect is greater. A kiss in all your hearts and that God bless you.