Aldo headlines UFC 149 in Calgary

MMA: UFC in Calgary

The UFC is going north of the border three times in 2012 with pay-per-view events in Calgary, Toronto and Montreal, the UFC announced at a news conference on Wednesday in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

UFC president Dana White said UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo will be the headliner at UFC 149 on July 21 in Calgary. Aldo’s opponent hasn’t been finalized.

“You know I want to bring a sick card here,” White said at the news conference. “We’re going to bring a good one here to Calgary, I promise.”

UFC 152 will be on Sept. 22 in Toronto and UFC 154 will be on Nov. 17 in Montreal.

White also announced that the rematch between UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen will be held this summer at UFC 147 on June 16 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

“Think about this, the Chael Sonnen-Anderson Silva fight, I’m probably going to put my foot in my mouth again, and probably not supposed to be talking about this either, but I always do it so, this thing’s going to be in a soccer stadium in Rio,” White said. “This thing’s going to have over 80,000 people at this event down there.”

NOTES

Quinton “Rampage” Jackson of Irvine has talked a lot about his dissatisfaction with the UFC and his future with the organization in recent weeks. Jackson will undergo surgery on both of his knees in the next few weeks and then he’ll meet Mauricio “Shogun” Rua in a rematch in October in what could be his final fight in the UFC.

Jackson said his issues with the UFC started when he decided to delay his fight against Rashad Evans following their stint as opposing coaches on “The Ultimate Fighter 10,” so he could playthe role of B.A. Baracus in the 2010 film “The A-Team.”

“I know I messed up the relationship by doing the movie over fighting Rashad Evans,” Jackson told Sherdog radio Network’s “The Savage Dog Show.” “It was my fault. I’ve got to keep it real. I did that. I messed up. I should have honored my contract and fought Rashad after ‘The Ultimate Fighter.’ … Before that Dana and I was really cool. I was really cool with the UFC, Lorenzo (Fertitta) and everybody. We were all cool, but I messed up the relationship by doing the movie and I’m aware of that.”

Jackson said he has to think about his future and that’s why he is making music, movies, desiging video games and running his two gyms.

“You can’t fight forever,” Jackson said. “There’s no MMA pension. I’ve got a whole lot of other stuff going. I’ve got a lot of revenue coming in from other ways and I know that the UFC has opened up doors for that, but I was who I was before I even came to the UFC. But once the UFC got real popular and mainstream, it opened up a lot of doors for me and I’m thankful to the UFC for that. I’m just kind of (upset) about some other things.” …

Eric Prindle (7-1, 1 NC) and Thiago Santos (10-1, 1 NC) will finally meet in the Season 5 Heavyweight Tournament finals at Bellator 62 on Friday at 8 p.m. on MTV2 in Laredo, Tex. The rematch was scheduled for Bellator 61, but it was re-scheduled for Bellator 62 because Prindle was suffering from flu-like symptoms last week.

Bellator 62 also features the quarterfinals of the Season 6 Lightweight Tournament. Here are the matchups: Patricky Freire (10-2) vs. Lloyd Woodard (11-1); Lakewood’s J.J. Ambrose (17-3) vs. Brent Weedman (18-7-1); Rick Hawn (11-1) vs. Ricardo Tirloni (14-1); and Thiago Michel Pereira Silva (9-2) vs. Rene Nazare (10-1). …

Francisco Rivera (7-2) of Buena Park faces Casey Olson (14-3) of Fresno for the vacant Tachi Palace Fights bantamweight title at Tachi Palace Fights 13 on May 10 at Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino in Lemoore.

Following baack-to-back losses to Erik Koch at WEC 52 and Reuben Duran at “The Ultimate Fighter 13″ Finale, Rivera closed out 2011 with a 40-second knockout of Brad McDonald. …

Jake Ellenberger (27-5) will go toe-to-toe with Martin Kampmann (19-5) in the main event of “The Ultimate Fighter 15″ Finale on June 1 on FX in Las Vegas, the UFC announced on Wednesday.

Ellenberger has recorded six consecutive victories inside the octagon. Following razor-thin decision losses to Jake Shields and Diego Sanchez, Kampmann scored a unanimous decision over Rick Story and he recorded a come-from-behind submission over Thiago Alves in his past two fights. …

FIGHT OF THE WEEK

Eric Prindle vs. Thiago Santos

When: Friday, 8 p.m.

Where: Laredo Energy Center, Laredo, Tex.

TV: MTV2

Outlook: After a week delay because Prindle (7-1, 1 NC) was suffering from flu-like symptoms, Prindle, a 6-5, 265-pounder, and Santos (10-1, 1 NC), a 6-3, 265-pounder, will finally hook up to determine Bellator’s Season 5 Heavyweight Tournament champion.

Prediction: Prindle is a dangerous puncher with one-punch KO power, but Santos is more versatile. Santos can bang and he has a very good submission game. Santos will take the Heavyweight Tournament title.

Record in 2012 predictions: 4-4

Condit Accepts Rematch With Nick Diaz

One day after Carlos Condit’smanagement insisted that Nick Diaz was in his rearview mirror, there seems to be a change of course for the new UFC interim welterweight champion. Late on Tuesday night, UFC president Dana White tweeted that Condit accepted the proposal for a rematch, and would travel to Las Vegas on Friday in hopes of finalizing the deal.

“The rumor is true. Carlos did accept the fight today and Carlos is coming on Friday not [Thursday],” he wrote.

Early Wednesday morning, White told MMA Fighting via text that he had no timetable yet for the bout’s date, as he’s currently in Brazil filming an international version of The Ultimate Fighter.

However, he returns on Thursday and will meet with Condit about making the rematch a reality.

As recently as Monday, Condit’s manager Malki Kawa told MMA Fighting that he would advise his client to focus on a potential championship unification with linear title holder Georges St-Pierre.

“At this point, [a rematch] is not something we’re looking to do,” he said. “We’re looking for Georges.

But apparently, Condit was swayed by the outcry over the decision. The three cageside judges scored the bout 49-46, 49-46, 48-47 for Condit.

Reaction to the decision was split, with Diaz supporters noting that he was often the aggressor, moving forward and initiating the action, while Condit supporters believed he employed an effective counterstriking style that allowed him to land more blows during the course of the five-round bout.

Regardless of the outcome, it was a departure from his usual style. Known for his aggression and finishing instincts, Condit had stopped opponents in 26 of his 27 career wins prior to UFC 143.

Afterward, Diaz said he would retire, voicing frustration with the judging system. Meanwhile, White said he would allow Condit to chart his own course and wait for GSP if that was his wish. But now it appears that instead of hanging up his gloves, Diaz will get the chance to avenge his loss, and instead of preparing for St-Pierre, Condit will spend the next few months getting ready to face Diaz one more time

UFC sets the stage for Brazil’s Rio De Janeiro

UFC in Rio De Janeiro

RIO DE JANEIRO — The UFC’s traditional prefight workouts came to the fine sands of Barra beach without quite the same pomp and circumstance of the last company visit (which drew a 5,000-strong crowd to the touristy Copacabana beach). Given the low profile this event has had from day one, however, that was to be expected. Promotion has been negligible compared to UFC 134 in August: No TV ads, no magazine covers, nothing.

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Fears that this event was being under-promoted and overlooked by press and fans alike were maybe somewhat unfounded. The media of the Northern Hemisphere might be using this time to prepare for the UFC’s upcoming jaunts to Japan and Australia, but the local press were out in force. TV cameras jostled with newspaper photographers for a shot of Jose Aldo, Chad Mendes, Vitor Belfort and Anthony Johnson. The buzz is picking up for Saturday’s event, albeit a little late in the day, but this is Brazil and time has a different quality here.

Aldo still seeking stardom in Brazil

AP Photo/Felipe DanaAlone at the top: Jose Aldo might be one of Brazil’s best, but he isn’t one of the best-known.

Featherweights have never been as big a draw as heavier fighters, and Jose Aldo is barely known by his countrymen regardless of his position as one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world.

Maybe this is why, as of Wednesday evening, UFC 142 in Rio de Janeiro hasn’t sold out.

Aldo is a ghost in Rio. Anderson Silva or Vitor Belfort couldn’t hope to walk down a street without being flocked by fans, but it’s not uncommon to see Aldo anonymously strolling around the streets of Flamengo.

Will a win on Saturday night change that? Accomplished Brazilian MMA manager Ed Soares seems to think so.

“He’s not as well-known as other guys but it’s only a matter of time; he’s only been in the UFC for about a year and this is only his third fight in the UFC,” Soares says. “Anderson’s been champion for five years and has had 14 fights. I think, on Sunday, [Aldo’s] life will be totally different to [what it was] Saturday. He’ll be huge.”

Soares said the right things, but didn’t sound as convinced as his statement reads. Like a proud parent wishing the best for his child, it might be too much to expect one win in Brazil to elevate Aldo’s status.

Maynard lends Aldo a hand in wrestling

Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Getty ImagesGray Maynard has done more than just soak up some sun while in Rio de Janeiro.

UFC 145-pound champion Jose Aldo has fought his fair share of hard-hitting wrestlers in Mike Brown and Urijah Faber, but Chad Mendes could be the strongest and most explosive yet.

Aldo’s not-so-secret weapon was enlisting the help of Gray Maynard, the boxer-wrestler who came oh-so-close to the 155-pound title not once, but twice.

They struck up a friendship late last year as they were shuttled from a UFC news conference in Houston, and kept in touch after. “There are some people you just click with,” says Maynard. “I thought he was a really nice, humble guy. I’m a fan too; he’s very talented.”

Maynard reached out to the champ upon hearing he would face Mendes and offered his services as a sparring partner. His three weeks at Nova Uniao gave him a taste of training with one of the most successful teams in Brazil, and he says he enjoyed it immensely.

“Nova Uniao is a close-knit family. They have fun; the timer starts, they beat each other up, and they go back to joking once it’s done. “The whole team works together. It’s not just about Aldo — they take care of each other.”

Maynard and Aldo trained together twice a day in the buildup to Saturday, a camp that Maynard describes as “smooth”and without incident. The American got a taste of Aldo’s unique style the very first day they trained together, as he described with a laugh: “I tried taking him down, I drove him up against the wall and he jumped off the wall and up over my head.”

Maynard is full of praise for Aldo and unsurprisingly predicts a victory for the Brazilian, but can’t call the manner in which it will end due to Aldo’s unpredictable nature. “He’s probably the most complete fighter I’ve ever trained with — across the board. A black belt in BJJ, unbelievable Muay Thai, and he’s almost impossible to take down.”

Since leaving Xtreme Couture, Maynard admits that he’s still looking for a ‘home’. While he’s undecided as to his future, when asked if he’d return to Nova Uniao his answer is immediate. “In a heartbeat,” he says.

Johnson enjoys new home at 185

Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Getty ImagesBigger is better: Anthony Johnson is enjoying life at a higher weight class.

Everyone wants to know how Anthony Johnson looks at the new weight. The simple answer is: huge. Truthfully, he just looks happier and more comfortable. Cutting to 170 was a miserable experience for him, physically and emotionally, and the ability to eat what he wants has given his already considerable confidence a big boost.

“It makes a big difference; you thought I had power and speed at 170 when I was barely eating? [Now] the power is there, the energy is there and the speed is there. I’m excited.”

Johnson walks at around 210-215 pounds prior to cutting to fight weight. Between the weigh-in and fight night, he can put as many as 25 pounds back on. That will be no different for this fight, except he’ll now be walking into the cage at around 210 instead of 195.

The less demanding cut allowed him to avoid injury during camp (for the first time, he says), and his training partners have noticed a big difference in his performance in the gym.

“He was always explosive; he’s gained more strength,” says teammate Jorge Santiago. “He hits different — it’s not just heavy, but it’s sharp, too.”

While he hasn’t ruled out a permanent move to 185 pounds, right now Johnson has no desire to go back to welterweight. He envisions a bright future at his new weight, and enjoys his food too much.

Lion Fight Promotions

UFC On Versus

Dominick Cruz vs Demetrious Johnson staredown pic from UFC on Versus 6 press conference

 by Jesse Holland on Sep 29, 2011 1:53 PM EDT in UFC Press Conference

 

Serious champ is serious.

UFC Bantamweight Champion Dominick Cruz looks down on his 135-pound title challenger Demetrious Johnson, who will try to be the mightiest mouse in the bantamweight division this Saturday night (Oct. 1) at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C.

Also in action is heavyweight “Skyscraper” Stefan Struve, who is head and shoulders above the competition (literally) in his fight against Pat Barry.

Their staredown, after the jump.

MMA EVENT SCHEDULES

SEPTEMBER 2011

–Strikeforce Challengers 19: September 23 in Las Vegas, Nevada
–Titan Fighting 20: September 23 in Kansas City, Kansas
–UFC 135 Jones vs. Rampage: September 24 in Denver, Colorado
–Bellator 51: September 24 in Canton, Ohio
–Dream 17: September 24 in Saitama, Japan

OCTOBER 2011

–UFC on Versus 6 Cruz vs. Johnson: October 1 in Washington, DC
–Bellator 52: October 1 in Hollywood, Florida
–MFC 31: October 7 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
–UFC 136 Edgar vs. Maynard 3: October 8 in Houston, Texas
–Bellator 54: October 15 in Atlantic City, New Jersey
–Shark Fights 20: October 15 in Laughlin, Nevada
–UFC 137 St-Pierre vs. Condit: October 29 in Las Vegas, Nevada

NOVEMBER 2011

–MFC 32: November in TBA
–Shark Fights 21: November 4 in TBA
–UFC 138 Leben vs. Munoz: November 5 in Birmingham, England
–UFC on Fox Velasquez vs. Dos Santos: November 12 in Anaheim
–Strikeforce Challengers 20: November 18 in Las Vegas, Nevada
–UFC 139: November 19 in San Jose, California

DECEMBER 2011

–Tachi Palace Fights 11: December 2 in Lemoore, California
–TUF 14 Finale: December 3 in Las Vegas, Nevada
–Shark Fights 22: December 3 in Lubbock, Texas
–UFC 140: December 10 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
–Strikeforce: December 17 in TBA
–Titan Fighting 21: December 29 in TBA
–UFC 141 Lesnar vs. Overeem: December 30 in Las Vegas, Nevada

JANUARY 2012

–Titan Fighting 22: January 28 in TBA

FEBRUARY 2012

–UFC Return to Japan: February 26 in Saitama, Japan

U.S. Mixed Martial Arts Promotion BAMMA USA is leading by example

 While the promotion prides themselves on their motto: “Keep Moving Forward“ the ultimate passion for BAMMA USA is to create an environment in which fighters are truly valued. It just so happens,  it’s also dictating the premier template for other MMA promotions.

( International Journalism Review, http://www.IJRnews.com August 8th, 2011) Brett Roberts, BAMMA’s promoter, has risen in the MMA promoter world to be a well recognized upper echelon leader based on numbers and fan base alone.  In fact, his fights have set industry records with the percentage increase in fans and fighter talent as well.  This fact is coupled with the witnessing of some of the most organized and exciting events in the sport according to many MMA experts.

When an organization delivers great performances one after the other, many industry leaders take notice.  In fact, the promoter showed us how sponsors are jockeying to get their advertising spots because of the recognized success. The latest deal between Anderson Silva and Nike is only helping the BAMMA vision.

BAMMA is in the midst of several PPV  and TV deals that will be announced soon. Also, BAMMA is in final negotiations to partner with MMA’s ProFightNetwork to be the home of their MMA forum.  Details of these negotiations were not revealed at this time.

Although there are several promotions with success stories in their own capacity, most promotions are lucky to break even when all is said and done. Roberts has broke a profit in rapid form and he has done this in a very short time giving his credit and success to God, hard work,  a solid business plan, and the people around him.

However, what makes BAMMA and Roberts stand above the rest and in a position to be elevated to possibly the next UFC,  is the ethics he brings with him and his organization.  Several IJR interviews, including last nights,  have all revealed his mission to bring class to MMA where everyone that is involved with it,  is proud and valued in a special way.

This means every fighter, fan, sponsor, or venue is actually seen not only as important, but is actually treasured by BAMMA.  Those that are involved with his organization never have to question the promotion’s integrity.

With Strikeforce, now UFC, sitting all alone at the top of the MMA sport in regards to revenue and brand recognition, the MMA community naturally  looks for the new up and coming candidate to replace a consistent UFC filler program.  WEC, Pride, and StrikeForce have all gone to a level where they became popular enough to coexist with the UFC and to warrant concern by the UFC.

All three of these threats were eventually bought out by the MMA powerhouse “The UFC”.  Dana White, the UFC president, shares the same motto as Roberts in that they both keep moving forward.  Bellator would most likely be the seasoned MMA experts choice to be the next UFC acquisition, however, don’t be surprised if BAMMA is on the Dana White and Zuffa LLC radar soon.  The question will be in the air as to not  if,  but rather when, will BAMMA have to choose between money, ethics, and the shared motto for their organization.

MMA Fight Pit results

UFC Vets Houston Alexander and Jens Pulver Take Home Wins at MMA Fight Pit

MMA Fight Pit “Genesis” took place at “The Pit” in Albuquerque, N.M., on Saturday night. In the main event, Houston “The Assassin” Alexander took home a TKO victory over “Razor” Razak Al-Hassan.

Thanks to http://www.MMAweekly.co

The ringside doctor, after looking over Al-Hassan’s finger, deemed it severely dislocated, and was unable to put it back in place, which forced the stoppage. It was an unfortunate ending to what was shaping up to be an exciting bout. Both fighters had landed some good shots.

Regarding the fight, Alexander said, “We just took our time and got back to boxing. We used a new technique and it worked. My conditioning was great; I was ready. I’m disappointed in the early stoppage but it happens. But the atmosphere, it was amazing. I can’t describe it. I walked in and it was crazy. It was a great time.”

Al-Hassan was understandably disappointed with the way the fight turned out, and talked about the conclusion of the bout.

“At some point during the second round I knew something was wrong because I couldn’t make a fist when I was throwing my jab. At the end of the second, I went back to my corner and looked down at my hand and realized my finger was either dislocated or broken. The doctor came and took a look at it and stopped the fight. But I thought the fight was going fine. I thought we were pretty even. I thought the first round went to him. I felt that I did better in the second round and I felt I landed more in the second so it was probably even (at that point).”

n the co-main event, MMA legend Jens “Lil’ Evil” Pulver got back in the win column against very tough New Mexico favorite Coty “Ox” Wheeler. “Ox” made the most memorable entrance of the night, as he was preceded by several of his Native American supporters in full garb, accompanied by drums.

Once the fight began, Wheeler showed that he was planning to prove that he could stand with Pulver, who is known for his boxing prowess. It proved to be a mistake, as he was clipped and later dropped in the first round. In the second round, Pulver really poured it on. It looked like “Ox” had had enough, but he exhibited incredible toughness. In the end, it was too much, and the ref was forced to step in and stop the barrage. “Lil’ Evil” has now won three of his last four, while “Ox” sees a two-fight win streak stopped.

“I just wanted to stay focused and centered. More than anything I was just so damn scared to be in that cage. The losses come back to haunt you,” explained Pulver. “I was really trying to be dialed in and be happy. I’m just really happy. I was trying to find a home and really trying to throw. I wanted to make a statement at 135 pounds, and I knew this guy was really tough and has a great chin. I’m a big ‘Ox’ Wheeler fan. I love his spirit and I love the way he fights. It was just a matter of watch out for his power and watch out for his games. Just stay tight and focus.”

On fighting in New Mexico for the first time, Pulver had this to say: “It’s been great. It’s exactly like I said at the end [of the fight]. You can be fans of MMA. You can be a fan of the UFC. We all love the UFC…I’m a damn pioneer of the UFC, but you can still be fans of MMA. This was a great card. People need to come down. They come running when they see UFC, but they have to learn and start embracing other promoters that are grabbing the bull by the horns and giving the fighters the opportunity. These guys did a great job at Fight Pit. The promoters took really good care of us. Everything was perfect. I think in the hometown they need to show up and support that.”

“Ox” also enjoyed the fight, despite the loss. “I’m an entertainer first and a fighter second. I do it for the fans and I do it for the people who care and have love for me. Fighting a legend like Jens, it doesn’t matter who I get in there with. I never train to lose and I went in there to win. I got clipped and I’ve never been clipped like that before. But I enjoyed the fight. There is no drug or alcohol that can give you that feeling like when you’re in that cage. There is nothing that will give you that feeling. It’s like your inner adrenaline comes out of you and you want to keep going. I trained a hard three months.”

In addition, Jackson’s MMA heavyweight Tyler East notched another finish on his record, grabbing a TKO victory over a very game Prince Mclean, who took the fight on a week’s notice. East was able to utilize a large size difference to his advantage, putting Mclean down and dropping heavy shots. Some of the strikes appeared to land on the back of his foe’s head. However, the ref stopped the fight, giving East the impressive victory.

“I thought the fight went great,” stated East. “They changed my opponent early in the week, so I didn’t know much about him. I saw a couple videos on him and he fought similar to Jon Jones, which was in my favor because I train with him on a daily basis. It was just good to be out there and fight in my home city in front of my family and my friends here. It was a great opportunity for me.”

Also coming away victorious was “The Ultimate Fighter” veteran Jamie Yager, who overcame an early barrage from the previously undefeated “Slick” Willie Parks to earn a guillotine choke submission early in the second round.

“(Willie) came in for another shot and his head was right there,” said Yager. “I went for a guillotine earlier in the fight up against the cage and he picked me up and dumped me. I didn’t have the leverage I needed. In the second round I shot the guillotine and it was in tight. I heard him gurgle and that’s when I knew it was over.”

In other action, Diana Rael controlled crowd favorite Angelica Chavez in a rousing affair that had the fans on their feet. And former TUF competitor Junie Browning was unable to overcome local fighter Jacob Clark, who was able to pull off the biggest win of his career.

MMA Fight Pit “Genesis” Official Results:

Main Card:
Houston Alexander def. Razak Al-Hassan by TKO (doctor’s stoppage) at 5:00, R2
Jens Pulver def. Coty Wheeler by TKO (punches) at 1:59, R2
Tyler East def. Prince McLean by TKO (strikes) at 1:33, R1
Jamie Yager def. Willie Parks by Submission (guillotine choke) at 0:21, R2
Diana Real def. Angelica Chaves by Split Decision, R3
Jacob Clark def. Junie Browning by Submission (elbows) at 4:18, R1

Preliminary Card:
Ali Hanjani def. Sean Spencer by Submission (triangle choke) at 1:41, R1
Jason Sampson def. Joshua Montoya by Submission (armbar) at 2:38, R1
Conrad Padilla def. Guy Youell by Unanimous Decision, R3
Rocky Ramirez def. Mark Lujan by Submission (punches) at 2:38, R1