Matt Mitrione and Cheick Kongo set to collide at UFC 137
More heavyweight action is being added to UFC 137 as the undefeated Matt Mitrione takes on UFC heavyweight veteran Cheick Kongo in a battle of strikers with knockout power this October. Both men are coming off victories at UFC on Versus 4 this past June. News of the bout was first reported by ESPN and has since been confirmed by UFC officials. A former NFL player, Mitrione has found a home in MMA,... [Read More...]
Vladimir Matyushenko out, Matt Hamill in against Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 133
UFC 133 continues to go through changes just weeks before the event is scheduled. Vladimir Matyushenko has been forced out of his main card fight with Alexander Gustafsson. Taking Matyushenko’s place against “The Mauler” is “The Hammer” Matt Hamill. The announcement comes after yesterday’s shake up when it was announced that Tito Ortiz vs. Rashad Evans would be the... [Read More...]
Heavyweight tilt between Neil Grove and Zak Jensen added to Bellator 47
Though a good deal of the attention directed towards Bellator 47 has to do with the quartet of remaining 145er scheduled to scrap in the “Summer Series” semi-finals, it may very well be a pair of much larger men who end up delivering the night’s most memorable moment when the cameras fade on the July 23 event. According to a promotional press release, Neil Grove and Zak Jensen will lock horns... [Read More...]
Dana White discusses change to UFC 133 main event
One of the few constants in Mixed Martial Arts is the likelihood of change, especially when it comes to the lineup for any given card. That very concept played out this week in regards to UFC 133 after it was announced undefeated light heavyweight Phil Davis had withdrawn from the August 6 show due to an undisclosed injury and would be replaced in his headlining bout against Rashad Evans at the event. Within... [Read More...]
5 Oz. MMA Link Club
Welcome back to another ediition of “MMA Link Club”, Five Ounces of Pain‘s weekly smorgasbord of offerings from our brothers and sisters in the MMA community. Enjoy… Dan Henderson Speaks About His Own Use of Testosterone Replacement Therapy (FightLine.com) Jon Jones Talks “Rampage” Jackson, Phil Davis, and More (NBCSports.com) Melvin Guillard Takes Issue with Frank Edgar (Fighters.com) Reagan... [Read More...]
Danillo Villefort vs. Nate James scheduled for Strikeforce Challengers 18
After a short delay due to injury, 13-3 middleweight Danillo Villefort will make his much anticipated Strikeforce debut next month in Las Vegas as part of the lineup for Strikeforce Challengers 18. Opposing him in the ring will be Nate James, a grappler with wins in three of his last four bouts who has yet to be knocked out in twenty total in-ring appearances. The August match-up was revealed through... [Read More...]
Tito Ortiz accepts main event match-up with Rashad Evans at UFC 133
After almost a full day of speculation since it was reported that Phil Davis was out of the UFC 133 main event against Rashad Evans with an injury, UFC finally found a replacement in the form of Tito Ortiz, fresh off his UFC 132 victory just 11 days ago. Evans and Ortiz previously met at UFC 73 all the back in June 2007. The fight ended in a draw after Ortiz was docked a point for grabbing the cage. Dana... [Read More...]
Mirko “Cro Cop” receives what is likely to be final UFC bout against Roy Nelson in October
A gigantic heavyweight showdown is in the works as The Ultimate Fighter 10 winner Roy Nelson is set to take on the PRIDE 06 Openweight GP champion Mirko Cro Cop. With both men on two fight losing streaks, it could be the last time we see the loser in the octagon for the time being. The heavyweight tilt is scheduled for UFC 137 in late October. Mirko first made the announcement of the fight on the Croatian... [Read More...]
Chris Horodecki inked for fight at Bellator 47
Ontario native Chris Horodecki will have an opportunity to fight in front of his friends and family in a little less than two weeks when Bellator visits the province for Bellator 47 and the semi-final round of the promotion’s ongoing “Summer Series” featherweight tournament. Though not officially announced yet, the well-rounded lightweight will face Chris Saunders at the July 23 event in what... [Read More...]
Nate Marquardt cleared by PSAC to fight again
The first major step in Nate Marquardt’s return to the ring came earlier today when the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission agreed to lift his suspension in the State, thus giving Marquardt a green light to compete again without risk of additional punishment related to the board’s previous decision. Five Ounces of Pain was able to confirm the change in status through PSAC Executive Director... [Read More...]
Grappling with Issues – 7/13/11
What would you do if attempting to book bouts for B.J. Penn, Carlos Condit, and Jon Fitch? Do you see Ben Saunders winning the Bellator Season 5 Welterweight Tournament? Should Bobby Lashley be considered an underdog to Eddie Sanchez at Titan FC 19? What scheduled match-up in the second half of 2011 gives you goosebumps? Keyboard warrrrriors….come out to plaaaay-yay! Welcome to Grappling with Issues,... [Read More...]
UPDATE: Lyoto Machida out as possible replacement for injured Phil Davis at UFC 133
For the second time in as many months the UFC has been left scrambling to fill a headlining slot at an event around the corner, though this time around the company has at least been given more than a day to fill the void rather than be forced to pull Charlie Brenneman out of their hat at the last second. According to a multiple reports, undefeated 205er Phil Davis has been forced to withdraw from his... [Read More...]
From Striking Out to Striking Others: The Journey of Shah Bobonis
When referring to the past sporting endeavors of Mixed Martial Artists the discussion usually involves amateur wrestling success or perhaps past glory on the gridiron. However, in the case of rising bantamweight Shah Bobonis the baseball diamond played host to his athletic aspirations at an early age with his abilities even leading to a stint in the Seattle Mariners’ minor league system out of high... [Read More...]
Carlos Condit, not Jon Fitch, likely next up for B.J. Penn
It appears top welterweights Jon Fitch and B.J. Penn will have to wait a little longer to settle the score from their Draw this past February after already watching a July rematch fall apart for health-related reasons. However, injuries are not the culprit this time around as it appears dwindling fan interest will dictate the delay in the two talented 170ers throwing down a second time. The surprising... [Read More...]
Eduardo Pamplona set for preliminary pairing with Tyler Stinson at “Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson”
Strikeforce has announced rising welterweights Tyler Stinson and Eduardo Pamplona will meet at “Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson” as part of still-growing undercard already scheduled to feature J.Z. Cavalcante facing off against Lyle Beerbohm in addition to a bout between 135-pound females Alexis Davis and Julie Kedzie. Stinson will be making his Strikeforce debut at the July 30 event after compiling... [Read More...]
UFC parts ways with TUF 9 finalist Andre Winner
British lightweight Andre Winner has been released by the UFC on the heels of losses in his last three fights following a pair of wins and a solid showing on the Ultimate Fighter Season 9 prior to the slide. The 29-year old’s last appearance in the Octagon came a little more than a week ago at UFC 132 where he was ultimately outpointed by Anthony Njokuani after absorbing a ton of damage early on.... [Read More...]
John Howard let go by UFC after latest loss
Employment in the UFC can often be similar to an at-bat in baseball as welterweight John Howard was reminded of recently. Howard, whose hard-fought loss to Matt Brown last month at UFC Live 4 marked his third straight defeat, was sent packing this week as the result of consecutive strikes against him and now finds himself looking for a new team to latch onto. Howard confirmed the news through a video... [Read More...]
Handing Out Hardware: 2011 MMA Mid-Year Awards
We’re just past the midway point of the year and with a break in major MMA action these past weeks, what better time than now to produce the mid-year MMA awards? As you’ve come to expect from me though, this won’t be your typical awards with “Fighter of the Mid-Year,” “KO of the Mid-Year,” and stuff like that. This will be an awards column that rivals the MTV Awards and the Teen Choice... [Read More...]
Hatsu Hioki scheduled for UFC debut in October against George Roop
The latest addition to the UFC’s growing 145-pound division, Hatsu Hioki, has been now given an official date to test his skills inside the Octagon after a highly successful run in Japan netting him both a Shooto lightweight and SRC featherweight belt. According to an announcement through the UFC’s website the 24-4-2 grappler will be unveiled at UFC 137 with always tough George Roop standing in... [Read More...]
MMA on TV
Welcome to “MMA on TV”, Five Ounces of Pain’s weekly update on the upcoming MMA-broadcast schedule. Miss the latest episode of “MMA Live” or “UFC Unleashed”? Wondering when Showtime, Spike TV, or HDNet are airing a replay of their latest offering or interested in finding out where to tune into live shows occurring over the next seven days? July 11 – July 17 All Times Eastern Monday... [Read More...]
