Zuffa providing additional insurance to contracted fighters
When Zuffa meets with UFC/Strikeforce employees this week as part of the company’s annual summit in Las Vegas one of the recurring themes throughout will undoubtedly involve the discussion of organizational policies. However, the policy drawing the most attention from fighters this go-round may very well be one completely unrelated to anything occurring inside of the cage – an insurance policy. “Our... [Read More...]
UFC returns to Texas with Fan Expo in tow this October
The UFC will saddle up for a trip down to the Lone Star State for the third time in promotional history and will be building on the success of their previous offerings by providing an event grand enough to merit a Fan Expo. Though specifics weren’t readily available based on the span of time involved, UFC President Dana White offered up some basics during the ongoing Fan Expo in Toronto associated... [Read More...]
UFC opens up online application process for future talent
“Do you wanna be a fighter?” Few fans can forget the essence of Dana White’s infamous speech on the Ultimate Fighter. Fast-forward to today and it turns out aspiring Mixed Martial Artists can answer the question themselves by applying online with results being fed for review to UFC management. By going to the UFC’s website fighters can submit a profile, photos, video, and their in-ring history... [Read More...]
Strikeforce changes policy regarding elbows on the ground
Though fans had been assured Strikeforce would operate as it had prior to Zuffa’s recent acquisition of the promotion it appears immediate consistency only relates to contractual matters as revealed in a recent conference call with UFC brass. One such example relates to the allowance elbows on the ground as is the case under the unified system of rules used in the Octagon. Prior to this past weekend’s... [Read More...]
Zuffa purchases Strikeforce in historic step towards expansion
There is no need to pinch yourself or rub your eyes. You are awake and it is not April 1 yet. In the ever-expanding world of “never say never” where Mixed Martial Arts is concerned news broke earlier today regarding the UFC’s purchase of rival promotion Strikeforce. In an interview with MMAFighting, Dana White explained the decision to acquire Strikeforce had to do in part with the company’s... [Read More...]
UFC one step closer to Japanese event with new distribution deal
The future of Mixed Martial Arts in Japan has been a hot topic as of late due to financial woes and underwhelming fan support for DREAM, a company many felt act as successor to the historic, now defunct PRIDE organization. However, while the outlook remains bleak for home-based promotions, a ray of hope regarding the Japanese audience being provided high-level MMA recently increased in scope and intensity... [Read More...]
UPDATE: Brendan Schaub sets sights on Mirko Filipovic in March
After months of speculation spurred by public statements from the involved individuals lead the MMA community to believe rising heavyweight Brendan Schaub would be facing former UFC champion Frank Mir in his next fight, it turns out the Ultimate Fighter Season 10 alumnus will apparently square off against PRIDE veteran Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic in March. While it was first reported Stefan... [Read More...]
Ricco Rodriguez in negotiations for return to the Octagon
Former heavyweight champ Ricco Rodriguez has seen a lot during his decade-plus run in Mixed Martial Arts including stints in PRIDE, WEC, and of course the organization he is typically associated with – the UFC. Now, after compiling ten consecutive wins, it appears Rodriguez may be poised for a return to the Octagon in the near future. While a recent article on MMAWeekly indicated Rodriguez is interested... [Read More...]
Ricardo Almeida rumored for match-up with Mike Pyle at UFC 128
It looks as though New Jersey resident Ricardo Almeida will have an opportunity to represent his State, as well as regionally-related Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, on March 19 against fellow submission-grappler Mike Pyle at UFC 128 in Newark, New Jersey. Almeida and Pyle are both coming off decision wins in their previous performances. News of the possible pairing was reported by MMAWeekly where it was explained... [Read More...]
Thiago Alves expects to see action in May
Fresh off a hard-fought win over John Howard at UFC 124 earlier this month, and a successful weigh-in beforehand, Thiago Alves appears ready to return to the Octagon and anticipates doing so this May against an unnamed opponent. Alves mentioned the expected bout on Twitter, adding that he didn’t know who he would be facing but that it didn’t matter because “he’s going down”. The American... [Read More...]
Dustin Hazelett cut by UFC after latest loss
The proverbial adage “three strikes and you’re out” rang true this week for Dustin Hazelett, as it appears he has been released by the UFC after dropping a third consecutive fight in the Octagon. Hazelett was submitted by fellow BJJ blackbelt Mark Bocek a little less than two weeks ago at the promotion’s latest venture into Montreal. News of the professional separation was reported by MMAWeekly. The... [Read More...]
Battle between brilliant BJJers on tap for UFC’s return to Versus
When the Octagon returns to the Versus Network for the third time, one pairing in particular should catch the eye of anyone who covets two fighters with elite-level talent in a single discipline matching up in the ring with the end goal of determining whose individual arsenal is the strongest. According to a report, on March 3, heel-hook specialist Rousimar Palhares and fellow Brazilian submission-machine... [Read More...]
Royce Gracie looking to fight in 2011 at UFC event in Brazil
As reported, Dana White took the podium at a press conference in Rio de Janeiro this past week to discuss the UFC heading back to Brazil after a thirteen-year absence from the South American hub. However, while the UFC President was flanked by a number of fighters calling the Octagon home, one man stood out from the rest both in terms of the current status of his career and historical impact on the... [Read More...]
UFC officially announces Fall 2011 return to Brazil
A host of prominent Brazilian Mixed Martial Artists, past and present, joined UFC head-honchos Dana White and Lorenzo Fertitta in Rio de Janeiro today to announce a return to Brazil with a targeted date of August 27. In attendance at the press conference were a trio of UFC champions including Anderson Silva, Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, and Jose Aldo, as well as notable countrymen like Royce Gracie and... [Read More...]
Mauricio Rua’s title-defense against Rashad Evans gets an official date
The UFC appears set to offer their own unique brand of fist-pumping to the fair citizens of New Jersey early next year with a main-event caliber match-up already attached to the event featuring Mauricio “Shogun” Rua putting his light heavyweight belt on the line against former champion Rashad Evans at the Prudential Center on March 19 in Newark The pairing of top-ranked 205ers was initially reported... [Read More...]
Japanese featherweight Michihiro Omigawa signs with UFC, will debut against Chad Mendes
When Dana White announced the UFC would be bringing in new talent based on the promotion’s recent absorption of WEC fans figured it wouldn’t be long until a number of competitors currently calling Japan home would eventually make their way into the Octagon. Word of such a case has now surfaced, as Versus has reported 12-8-1 Michihiro Omigawa recently joined the organization and will be fighting... [Read More...]
L.C. Davis not among WEC group headed to the Octagon
WEC veteran L.C. Davis will not be joining the UFC’s featherweight division alongside his promotional peers, as it turns out he was released last month after losing a unanimous decision to Rafael Assuncao at WEC 52. Though Davis started out his WEC career with three straight wins, the November result marked his second consecutive defeat with the other coming to 145-pound title-contender Josh Grispi.... [Read More...]
UFC announces plan for upcoming show in Toronto
With the MMA community’s focus on Montreal for this weekend’s title-fight between welterweight champ Georges St. Pierre and contender Josh Koscheck there may have been no better time to announce another future foray into Canada, as UFC President Dana White and the UFC Director of Canadian Operations Tom Wright did Tuesday when explaining to media the promotion would be putting on a show at Toronto’s... [Read More...]
Greg Jackson provides proof perception is not necessarily reality
Widely-respected MMA guru Greg Jackson is known to be a student of samurai philosophy, so perhaps the words of legendary “Book of Five Rings” author/warrior Miyamoto Musashi, “Perception is strong, sight is weak,” came to mind earlier this week when Jackson decided to take a stand against the belief fighters from his gym prefer to play it safe in the cage rather than offering up excitement... [Read More...]
UFC looking at Rio de Janeiro for possible Summer 2011 event
One of the birthplaces of Mixed Martial Arts, as well as home to many of the organization’s top names, Brazil been a region fans have longed to see the UFC head back to since an event occurring there more than a decade ago. According to Five Ounces of Pain‘s newest addition, Bryan Ward, it looks like a trip to South America may in fact take place in the not-too-distant future after all… —- The... [Read More...]
