Carwin Shows Heart of a Champion
In a night of dominant performances at UFC 96, Shane Carwin stole the show. There was a lot of added pressure on Carwin's shoulders Saturday night in Ohio. His bout against Gabriel Gonzaga was considered Carwin's first "real" test — his first fight against a top-level heavyweight.
Escudero Bridging UFC-Mexico Gap
Drive and ambition comprise the will to win, and they are prerequisites for success in a fight. Efrain Escudero, the lightweight winner on season eight of “The Ultimate Fighter,” demonstrated those traits when he registered himself in kindergarten.
Ben Henderson: The Nicest Guy to Tap You Out
“Threatening” is not a word you would use to describe Ben Henderson after you first meet him. He’s friendly. He left an event after promising me an interview (not his fault, we just didn’t cross paths), but came back after just one text message to give it. He’s well-mannered, someone you would be thrilled to have your daughter date.
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Second Times the Charm for Vladimir Matyushenko
Thomas Gerbasi, UFC - It's been a long time since Vladimir Matyushenko's last UFC headlining gig back in September of 2001 - nearly nine years, 16 fights, and a short layoff ago.
Source: UFC Press Releases | 30 Jul 2010 | 8:01 am CDT
Meet Tito Ortiz Saturday at Ultimate Blood Drive V in Phoenix
Every summer since 2006, former UFC light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz has cleared time from his schedule to visit Phoenix, Arizona, and work with United Blood Services on their annual blood drive, and this Saturday, July 31st, "The Huntington Beach Bad Boy" expects a bigger turnout than ever before for Ultimate Blood Drive V.
Source: UFC Press Releases | 30 Jul 2010 | 7:58 am CDT
Jacob Volkmann The Doctor is In
Thomas Gerbasi, UFC - "You gotta start growing up and taking things serious." The words directed at Jacob Volkmann two years ago didn't come from his wife, his parents, or a close friend, but from the owner of a bank in his hometown of Fergus Falls, Minnesota who apparently believed that being a professional fighter wasn't the right path for a family man who was also a practicing chiropractor.
Source: UFC Press Releases | 29 Jul 2010 | 8:01 pm CDT
Brian Stann -No Rest for the "All-American"
Thomas Gerbasi, UFC - The fight is the same every day for Brian Stann. It's a battle that doesn't take place in a gym or in an Octagon, but wherever the UFC middleweight may open an email or catch a television news program. For a decorated war hero and Captain in the United States Marine Corps like Stann, it could take just one phone call and he will go from being a professional athlete to a leader back on the battlefields in Afghanistan or Iraq.
Source: UFC Press Releases | 29 Jul 2010 | 8:01 am CDT
Charles Oliveira Just One Man to Beat
Martins Denis, UFC - The history of Brazilian MMA athletes who come from difficult beginnings in the sport due to the lack of proper training conditions is well known. Struggling all the time, eventually there comes a moment where they decide if it's time to change things up and get a full-time job or stay the course in the hopes of achieving their fighting dreams.
Source: UFC Press Releases | 29 Jul 2010 | 12:01 am CDT
Munoz Winning Mindset Key to His Success
Thomas Gerbasi, UFC - It was a fairly innocuous question, but when UFC middleweight contender Mark Munoz responded to a query about his readiness for the 185-pound title picture should he defeat Yushin Okami this weekend in San Diego, one word in his response told you everything you need to know about the competitor dubbed 'The Filipino Wrecking Machine.'
Source: UFC Press Releases | 28 Jul 2010 | 8:01 am CDT
Fighters confirmed for UFC Fan Expo in Boston
With the city of Boston buzzing about the arrival of the UFC® Fan Expo™ at the John B. Hynes Convention Center on August 27 and 28, the Ultimate Fighting Championship® turned up the heat today by announcing the list of fighters that will participate in the weekend of festivities.
Source: UFC Press Releases | 28 Jul 2010 | 12:01 am CDT
Uncovering the mysteries of Igor Pokrajac
Martins Denis, UFC - If you had your eyes on nearly every Pride FC event since April of 2002, you would have seen the same tough guy in Mirko Cro Cop's corner - current UFC light heavyweight Igor Pokrajac.
Source: UFC Press Releases | 28 Jul 2010 | 12:01 am CDT
Fighters confirmed for UFC Fan Expo in Boston
With the city of Boston buzzing about the arrival of the UFC® Fan Expo™ at the John B. Hynes Convention Center on August 27 and 28, the Ultimate Fighting Championship® turned up the heat today by announcing the list of fighters that will participate in the weekend of festivities.
Source: WEC | 28 Jul 2010 | 12:01 am CDT
The Doomsday Doctrine It Aint Over Till Its Over
Thomas Gerbasi, UFC - One of the great aspects of mixed martial arts is that a fight is never truly over until the final bell rings. It's a claim that few sports can make, as there are no 20-point touchdowns in football, a nine point shot in basketball, or a goal in hockey or soccer that awards five points. In other words, when it gets to a certain point, it's time to pack it in and accept your defeat.
Source: UFC Press Releases | 27 Jul 2010 | 8:01 am CDT
Steve Steinbeiss -Ready for Redemption
Rhett Butler, UFC - For former kickboxer turned MMA fighter Steve Steinbeiss, when he entered the UFC he expected a different outcome. The event was UFC Fight Night: Diaz vs. Guillard and it was the UFC's first appearance in Oklahoma. The striker was facing a veteran talent in Ryan Jensen and the stage was all set to show why he was chosen for the biggest show in the sport.
Source: UFC Press Releases | 27 Jul 2010 | 12:01 am CDT
Featherweight title fight set for Sept 30 in Colorado
One of the sport's pound-for-pound elite returns this fall to defend his title against one of the division's most dangerous fighters. Featherweight champion Jose Aldo, universally recognized as the number one ranked lighter weight fighter in MMA, makes the second defense of his crown against judo ace Manny Gamburyan when World Extreme Cagefighting® invades the 1STBANK Center in Broomfield, Colo. on Thursday, Sept. 30.
Source: UFC Press Releases | 26 Jul 2010 | 1:00 pm CDT
Featherweight title fight set for Sept 30 in Colorado
One of the sport's pound-for-pound elite returns this fall to defend his title against one of the division's most dangerous fighters. Featherweight champion Jose Aldo, universally recognized as the number one ranked lighter weight fighter in MMA, makes the second defense of his crown against judo ace Manny Gamburyan when World Extreme Cagefighting® invades the 1STBANK Center in Broomfield, Colo. on Thursday, Sept. 30.
Source: WEC | 26 Jul 2010 | 1:00 pm CDT
The Blueprint: Jones vs. Matyushenko
Michael DISanto, UFC - Jon Jones will tell you that he has been in this position before, but he hasn't. Headlining a UFC event is a big deal. Distractions increase—from additional media interviews to multiple promotional appearances to friends coming out of the woodwork with advice and ticket requests—which means that the pressure to perform also increases.
Source: UFC Press Releases | 26 Jul 2010 | 8:01 am CDT
King James, World Cup Fail to Distract Lamas and Jansen
Frank Curreri, WEC - Ricardo Lamas couldn't care less about a certain member of basketball royalty 'taking his talents to South Beach.' The 28-year-old Chicagoan has been intensely laboring in Miami for the past several weeks, oblivious to the city's sizzling nightlife and comfortably clueless about the widespread hoopla surrounding LeBron James' decision to join the Miami Heat.
Source: WEC | 23 Jul 2010 | 11:33 am CDT
UFC Serves Subpoenas on Streaming Sites
Zuffa, LLC, ("Zuffa"), the parent company of the Ultimate Fighting Championship® (UFC®), announced today that it has served subpoenas on two streaming video websites, commanding them to reveal the identities of users who have uploaded video of live Pay-Per-View UFC events.
Source: UFC Press Releases | 23 Jul 2010 | 12:01 am CDT
UFC RETURNS TO LONDON FOR UFC 120 ON OCT. 16
The Ultimate Fighting Championship® organisation hits the O2 Arena, London, for the fourth time in three years on Saturday, October 16, as UFC 120 assembles three of the best British fighters all on one card to take on the world's best.
Source: UFC Press Releases | 20 Jul 2010 | 10:19 am CDT
On DVD - ‘Fight of the Decade’, 10 Other WEC Fights
Frank Curreri, WEC - "Right place, right time" has been a recurring theme in the distinguished career of Leonard Garcia. The 31-year-old Texas native snatched a slice of history a few years ago when he and Roger Huerta graced the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine. Three months ago fate shined upon the giddy brawler yet again: Garcia and South Korea's Chan Sung Jung kept fans on the edge of their seats by waging a back-and-forth fistic thriller that ringside commentator Joe Rogan instantly hailed as "Fight of the Decade."
Source: WEC | 19 Jul 2010 | 9:26 pm CDT
SPIKE TV TO FEATURE MITRIONE AND DOLLAWAY IN UFC 119 PRELIMS ON SEPT. 25
New York, NY, July 20, 2010 - Spike TV will showcase two of "The Ultimate Fighter's" most prominent recent alumni, Matt Mitrione (season 10) and CB Dollaway (season 7), in live undercard bouts from "UFC 119: Mir vs. Nogueira 2" on Saturday, September 25 at 9:00 PM ET / 6:00 PM PT from Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN.
Source: UFC Press Releases | 19 Jul 2010 | 9:25 pm CDT
UFC heads to Indianapolis for UFC 119: Mir vs. Nogueria 2
For the first-time ever, Indianapolis will get a taste of the Ultimate Fighting Championship®. Former UFC® heavyweight champion Frank Mir and former interim UFC heavyweight champion and mixed martial arts legend Minotauro Nogueira will mix it up for an encore performance on Saturday, September 25 at UFC 119: MIR VS. NOGUEIRA 2, which is presented by "Halo Reach" and live from the Conseco Field House in Indianapolis, Indiana. Also featured on this historic card, Nogueira's twin brother and light heavyweight force Antonio Rogerio Nogueira will take on two-time NCAA Division I All-American wrestler turned undefeated fighter Ryan Bader. Then it's a rematch of The Ultimate Fighter®: The Comeback finale as former UFC welterweight champion Matt Serra takes on one of Indianapolis' own in Chris "Lights Out" Lytle.
Source: UFC Press Releases | 19 Jul 2010 | 12:39 pm CDT
UFC Partners with Heavyweight Getty Images
Ultimate Fighting Championship® (UFC®), the world's fastest-growing sports organization, today announced that Getty Images, a leading creator and distributor of visual content and other digital media, will be the authorized worldwide commercial distribution partner of imagery captured by UFC's photographers and licensor of the entire UFC image archive. This is the first time the UFC has awarded full access to its photography collection of more than 10,000 images.
Source: UFC Press Releases | 15 Jul 2010 | 8:55 am CDT
Fredson Paixao: Little Bark, Plenty of Bite
Frank Curreri, WEC - Halfway across the world in the Amazon jungle, where Fredson Paixao lived for many years and climbed nearby trees to enjoy the freshest Acai berries a tongue will ever taste while also swimming in piranha-infested rivers for pleasure, there was an important protocol that could spell the difference between life and death.
Source: WEC | 13 Jul 2010 | 7:54 pm CDT
Forrest celebrates UFC Gym at Rosemead Parade
Ultimate Fighting Championship® light heavyweight fighter Forrest Griffin will be in attendance at the Rosemead Independence Day Celebration Parade on Saturday, July 3rd to help commemorate the opening of the new Rosemead/Los Angeles area UFC® Gym™. This is the second UFC branded gym to open its doors, joining the facility in Concord, CA which opened in 2009.
Source: UFC Press Releases | 30 Jun 2010 | 11:59 pm CDT
Benson Henderson: Who’s Next?
Frank Curreri, WEC - Benson Henderson can only guess who his next opponent will be, yet the WEC lightweight champ isn't sweating the suspense. He presumes his next challenger will emerge from a formidable quartet of foes: either Shane Roller, Anthony Pettis, Kamal Shalorus or Jamie Varner will likely get the nod.
Source: WEC | 28 Jun 2010 | 9:01 am CDT
2.4 million viewers watch TUF Finale
2.4 million viewers tuned in to witness Court McGee complete an unlikely and hard-fought journey from the abyss of drug abuse only a few years ago to being named "The Ultimate Fighter" on Saturday night. The 3-hour Spike TV telecast of the live "The Ultimate Fighter: Team Liddell vs. Team Ortiz" finale peaked at 11:30pm for the Court McGee-Kris McCray finale bout, won by McGee with a second round submission.
Source: UFC Press Releases | 22 Jun 2010 | 7:00 am CDT
Varner and Shalorus Draw; Hominick and Grispi Impress
Frank Curreri, WEC - A high-stakes battle between Kamal Shalorus and Jamie Varner, with the winner possibly earning a title shot, took an unfortunate turn Sunday night when their gritty, gut-checking clash was declared a draw.
Source: WEC | 21 Jun 2010 | 12:53 am CDT
Official WEC Weigh-In Results
Below are the official weigh-in results for Sunday's WEC event, which features the lightweight bout between Jamie Varner and Kamal Shalorus, as well as bouts between Mark Hominick and Yves Jabouin and LC Davis and Josh Grispi, airs live on VERSUS, beginning at 9pm ET / 6pm PT.
Source: WEC | 19 Jun 2010 | 7:49 pm CDT
Jamie Varner on The Road Back
Thomas Gerbasi, WEC - The messages on Jamie Varner's Twitter and Facebook accounts come frequently enough that they're pretty noticeable:
Source: WEC | 18 Jun 2010 | 6:35 pm CDT
Prince Of Persia Brings His Fury To Edmonton
Frank Curreri, WEC - Kamal Shalorus' dogged pursuit of "The American Dream" runs through Canada and former WEC champion Jamie Varner. And the Iranian-born globetrotter, who now resides in Austin, Tex., is playing mind tricks on himself right before Sunday night's main event in Edmonton, Alberta.
Source: WEC | 18 Jun 2010 | 6:30 pm CDT
Canada’s Two Top Featherweights Set to Collide
Frank Curreri, WEC - Punching Yves Jabouin in the face has been on Mark Hominick's mind for an exceptionally long time. And vice-versa.
"This fight was supposed to be booked for about eight years now," Jabouin said.
"It was a fight that was always talked about," Hominick said, "but never became reality."
Source: WEC | 18 Jun 2010 | 5:57 am CDT
Josh Grispi Returns, L.C. Davis Predicts ‘A War’
Frank Curreri, WEC - Musician Paul Simon famously lamented in one of his songs, "Where have you gone Joe DiMaggio?"
WEC fans may be wondering the same about finisher extraordinaire Josh Grispi. The distant relative of boxing icon Rocky Marciano has been M.I.A. from the Octagon for more than a year. Now healed from ankle surgery and an alarming neck injury, the dynamic Bostonian returns to the cage this Sunday against L.C. Davis in a matchup that could have title shot implications.
Source: WEC | 17 Jun 2010 | 11:59 pm CDT
UFC goes to Boston for first time with UFC 118: Penn vs. Edgar 2
For a city that has developed many Ultimate Fighting Championship® fighters and that is steeped in sports history, finally Boston will get to witness world-class mixed martial arts in its own backyard. After a back-and-forth instant classic at UFC® 112 in April, which saw Frankie Edgar shock the mixed martial arts world and take the UFC lightweight strap from around BJ Penn's waist, the two will square off again on Saturday, August 28 at UFC 118: EDGAR VS. PENN 2, which is live from the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts and presented by TapouT®. Also featured on this stacked card, UFC legend Randy Couture takes on boxing legend James Toney in a true grappler vs. striker matchup as Toney makes his highly anticipated mixed martial arts debut. It will be a matchup of two impressive Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belts as dangerous foot-lock specialist Rousimar Palhares takes on the well-rounded Nate Marquardt, and in a battle for the next top lightweight contender spot, Gray Maynard will be swimming in shark-infested waters as he fights Boston-product Kenny Florian.
Source: UFC Press Releases | 17 Jun 2010 | 6:56 pm CDT
Four grappling superfights featured at UFC Fan Expo
An already loaded UFC® FAN EXPO™ just got some added firepower. UFC President Dana White announced today that this year's festivities will include four grappling superfights featuring the likes of MMA stars Caol Uno, Hermes Franca, Javier Vazquez, and Fredson Paixao, as well as a much-anticipated women's contest.
Source: WEC | 18 May 2010 | 9:00 am CDT
“ALDO VS. FABER PRELIMS LIVE” ON SPIKE TV
New York, NY, April 15, 2010 - Two action-packed prelims from the highly-anticipated "ALDO vs. FABER" event will telecast live on Spike TV from the Arco Arena in Sacramento, CA on Saturday, April 24 (9:00-10:00pm ET/6:00-7:00pm PT). "Aldo vs. Faber Prelims Live" will feature former "The Ultimate Fighter" season one contestant Alex Karalexis (10-4) against Anthony Pettis (8-1) in a battle of lightweight (155 lb) contenders and Leonard Garcia (17-5-1) vs. Chan Sung Jung (10-1) in a featherweight (145 lb) contest.
Source: WEC | 15 Apr 2010 | 3:44 pm CDT
WEC CONFIRMS REMAINING BOUTS FOR DEC. 19 IN LAS VEGAS
Las Vegas, NV (USA) - World Extreme Cagefighting® proudly confirms the remaining bouts of a loaded fight card headed to the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, NV on Dec. 19. In addition to Cerrone vs. Ratcliff, Njokuani vs. Horodecki, and Benavidez vs. Yahya, WEC is pleased to announce seven other quality bouts.
Source: WEC | 7 Dec 2009 | 8:53 pm CST
Massachusetts to Regulate MMA Bouts
Massachusetts has become the 42nd state in the country to bring regulated mixed martial arts (MMA) competitions, including Ultimate Fighting® Championship® (UFC®) events, to thousands of Bay State fans. The Massachusetts Legislature recently passed a bill that would allow the Department of Public Safety to oversee regulation of the popular sport in the state.
Source: WEC | 30 Nov 2009 | 7:45 pm CST
San Antonio Express - Octagon refuge for 'Bad Boy"
WEC featherweight Leonard Garcia came by his nickname naturally. While a student at Texas Tech, he was stabbed eight times in a fight at a restaurant. Another incident left him with a bullet wound in the stomach
Source: WEC | 15 Nov 2009 | 12:00 pm CST
WEC ANNOUNCES VARNER-HENDERSON TITLE UNIFICATION BOUT
Las Vegas, NV (USA) - World Extreme Cagefighting® announced today that the long-awaited lightweight title unification bout between reigning champion Jamie Varner and interim champion Ben "Smooth" Henderson will take place on Sunday, Jan. 10 at ARCO Arena in Sacramento, Calif. In addition to this explosive championship clash, WEC also confirmed the return of former featherweight champion "The California Kid" Urijah Faber, who will be facing top-ranked contender Raphael Assuncao in his hometown of Sacramento.
Source: WEC | 2 Nov 2009 | 5:41 pm CST
WEC® Announces Another Stacked Card in Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV (USA) - World Extreme Cagefighting® announced today a lightweight showdown that will have tremendous implications on the future of the 155-pound division. On Saturday, Dec. 19 from The Pearl at The Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, NV, lightweight title contender Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone will take on striker extraordinaire Ed Ratcliff, while in the co-main event, Muay Thai sensation Anthony Njokuani battles former IFL star Chris Horodecki. When the smoke clears on Dec. 19, the world may know who is next in line for a crack at the WEC lightweight champion.
Source: WEC | 29 Oct 2009 | 4:00 pm CDT
WEC CONFIRMS REMAINING BOUTS FOR NOV. 18 IN LAS VEGAS
Las Vegas, NV (USA) - World Extreme Cagefighting® proudly confirms the remaining bouts of a tremendous fight card headed to the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, NV on Nov. 18. In addition to the outstanding main event pitting featherweight champion Mike Brown against top challenger Jose Aldo, WEC is pleased to announce nine other quality bouts.
Source: WEC | 21 Oct 2009 | 8:19 pm CDT
