The Walk Out – “UFC 133: Evans vs. Ortiz” Prelims
There’s some intrigue in the UFC 133 preliminary card this Saturday. A recent PPV headliner tries to stop the momentum of a light heavyweight that many believe is a future champion. One featherweight tries to earn a title shot while the other attempts to prevent that and put himself into title contention. Also, a former champion is in desperate need of a victory to remain employed and a welterweight... [Read More...]
Grappling with Issues – 8/3/11
Is Yoshihiro Akiyama in a “must win” situation at UFC 133? Did Herb Dean make the right call in stopping Fedor Emelianenko vs. Dan Henderson? How much credit can Miesha Tate be given in comparison to her division’s depth? Will the UFC sign Alistair Overeem before Henderson or Emelianenko? Keyboard warrrrriors….come out to plaaaay-yay! Welcome to Grappling with Issues, our site’s... [Read More...]
Houston Alexander returns August 13 against Razak Al-Hassan in Albuquerque
Former UFC slugger Houston Alexander will look for a fourth straight win next weekend at “MMA Fight Pit: Genesis” when he takes on 11-3 grappler “Razor” Razak Al-Hassan, a submission specialist perhaps best remembered for a bout against Steve Cantwell at a 2008 UFC event where he refused to tap to an Armbar and subsequently suffered a dislocated elbow for his gutsy showing. Their match-up will... [Read More...]
ATT’s Ailton Barbosa joins Bellator roster after successful tryout in June
Submission specialist Ailton Barbosa recently referred to his upcoming opportunity at Bellator 50 as a “dream come true”. Now it appears the American Top Team product can hit the “Snooze” button and enjoy the pleasantries a little longer. According to a source with intimate knowledge of the situation, Five Ounces of Pain has confirmed an agreement is in place for Barbosa to compete under the... [Read More...]
Leonard Garcia out of UFC Live 5 with injury, replaced by Jim Hettes
It looks like UFC 133 isn’t the only event from the famed organization in August having to accommodate a few last minute changes to the card due for health-related reasons. With less than two weeks remaining before showtime, former featherweight contender Leonard Garcia has been scratched from the UFC Live 5 lineup due to an undisclosed injury, while undefeated newcomer Jim Hettes will slide into... [Read More...]
UFC Live 5 Conference Call Highlights: Hardy, Lytle, Miller, and Henderson
The UFC is set to return to the Versus Network in two weeks as part of an action-packed August with UFC Live 5 and a headlining tilt between fearless welterweights Dan Hardy and Chris Lytle. Also set to scrap on the card, former WEC lightweight champ Ben Henderson will take on top contender Jim Miller who will be looking to finally secure a title-shot by adding yet another impressive win to his record.... [Read More...]
“Minotauro” Nogueira itching to fight in front of his countrymen, happy to have Antonio Silva around
While a chipped tooth may have altered heavyweight legend Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira’s smile it certainly hasn’t kept the Brazilian legend from flashing his familiar grin on every occasion possible given his excitement about finally returning to the ring later this month, let alone fighting in front of his countrymen in Rio de Janeiro at UFC 134. Nogueira recently spoke to Tatame about how he’s... [Read More...]
Ed Herman offers revealing look at injury-related layoff
When Ultimate Fighter 3 finalist Ed Herman entered the cage at UFC 102 he had no way of knowing it would be the last time he did so for the next twenty-two months. In fact, the same could be said when the second round of his bout against Aaron Simpson opened up even though he’d suffered a devastating injury to his knee minutes earlier during a takedown attempt from the former All-American wrestler.... [Read More...]
Attendance woes continue for Strikeforce with less than 500 tickets sold to recent Challengers event
It’s not uncommon for a Mixed Martial Arts promotion to hand out complimentary tickets to lucky fans or to personal acquaintances of people associated with the organization. However, in the case of Strikeforce Challengers 17 it appears officials gave away more than 3X the amount actually sold to the event and likely raised a few additional eyebrows in the process as well. The Nevada State Athletic... [Read More...]
Scott Coker certain Cung Le’s next fight will come in Strikeforce
When Cung Le spoke about his future in fighting a week ago he made it clear his interest in a return to the ring was contingent on an opportunity in the UFC with a specific focus on the promotion’s November 19 stop in San Jose where the dynamic striker resides. However, according to Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker, the 39-year old’s plan of taking to the Octagon is little more than wishful thinking. “Cung... [Read More...]
The Future of Strikeforce and the Elephant in the Room
In a way, I almost feel sorry for Miesha Tate. Here’s a woman who won her opportunity to compete for a title almost a year ago, only to have it given to someone else after she was sidelined with an injury. After nearly a year away from the cage Miesha returned and gave an outstanding performance to win the Strikeforce Women’s Bantamweight Championship. There can be little doubt that this will be... [Read More...]
13-1 lightweight Ricardo Tirloni signs with Bellator
Well-rounded Brazilian lightweight Ricardo Tirloni will look for his eleventh straight victory later this year when he debuts under the Bellator banner after recently signing with the organization in hopes of eventually earning a crack at Eddie Alvarez’s championship. Bellator announced the 13-1 Tirloni’s signing earlier today through a press release where CEO Bjorn Rebney explained the 28-year... [Read More...]
“Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson” only nets average attendance, live gate
Though boasting one of the most talent-rich lineups in promotional history including a championship bout and main event labeled by many as a super-fight, it unfortunately looks like “Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson” still underwhelmed at the box office this past weekend. CEO Scott Coker revealed the relevant information at the post-show press conference where he stated the Sears Centre housed... [Read More...]
The After Party – “Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Henderson”
Two weeks ago in Chicago, CM Punk and John Cena put on one of the best WWE matches of the year. This past Saturday night in Chicago, two MMA legends put on what Scott Coker is calling the best Strikeforce fight ever. Now if only the Chicago Cubs could make Chicago fans care about them like wrestling and MMA have these past couple of weekends. If Strikeforce really wanted to please Chicago fans though,... [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? August 1 – August 8 All Times Eastern Monday... [Read More...]
