Bloody Elbow Exclusive: Lyoto Machida Talks Challengers, Title Shot

LM: Rashad Evans is a great fighter, have you checked out his record lately? He hasn't lost either.  He has fought more in the UFC than I have, maybe that is why they are letting him have a shot at the title. He had a great knockout over Liddell. BZ: What do you say to fans who say your style is boring?

British Boxing Champ Enzo Maccarinelli Interested in MMA

From The Sun: ENZO MACCARINELLI has fuelled rumours he could quit boxing to move into Mixed Martial Arts after admitting holding talks with UFC president Dana White. Most of the amazing fighters are already in the UFC but there are still others elsewhere, such as Fedor Emelianenko, who th...

Dana White to Appear on NBC's "Momma's Boys"

Dana White will be appearing on an upcoming episode of NBC's "Momma's Boys." He and his fellow UFC cohorts put the cast of Momma's Boys through the most intense workout of their lives. It should come as no surprise that one of the unlucky cast members ends their day in the hospital. Dana fares a l...

Lorenzo Fertitta Talks to The Atlantic

LF: Because it’s a different business model. In boxing, what happens is, the boxing promoter comes in, he doesn’t risk any capital. HBO comes in and does all the production. And does all the marketing. And they’re also carrying all the overhead. They got all the staff and everything. It shouldn’...

Dave Meltzer: UFC Wants Couture-Liddell, Management for Fighters Does Not

In the latest edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer reported that while the UFC wants Couture and Liddell to fight each other next, their management is against the fight, and have come to believe it is a fight nobody wants to see.

TUF's Controversy Sends Wrong Message About MMA

I suppose this makes for good ratings. Heck, the commercial finally got me to watch a full episode of this season of TUF. But what message is the UFC - the world's premier MMA organization - sending about sanctioned mixed martial arts? That one of its functions is to solve street violence?

24/7 Isn't Always Effective

They are going to do their first series of the kind in January for Penn and St. Pierre, and it will be very interesting to see how they push that fight.  Penn knows how to hype fights though, and he understands how important it is, so I expect him to try to ham it up for the cameras.  They're rumored t...

Joe Riggs vs Nick Diaz 2 on Unified Fight Sports 1

Riggs won the first meeting between the two with a unanimous decision way back on UFC 57: Liddell VS Couture 3. This is also the same show that is trying to put on Tim Sylvia vs Ken Shamrock. Tim Sylvia, the "warrior" that he is, already accepted the fight with someone who is 44 years old and has lo...

UFC 92 in Links

MAIN CARD Champ Forrest Griffin vs. Rashad Evans (for UFC light heavyweight title) Champ Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Frank Mir (for interim UFC heavyweight title) C.B. Dollaway vs.Mike Massenzio Quinton Jackson vs. Wanderlei Silva Mustafa Al-Turk vs. Cheick Kongo

Bloody Elbow November MMA Meta-Rankings: Welterweight

Rankings were compiled from the following sites: MMA Fighting, MMA ELO, FCFighter, TAGG Radio, MMA Weekly, Sherdog, CagePotato, FightMatrix, MMA Playground, HDNet/InsideMMA,  MMA/VT (Japan), Houston Chronicle Brawl Sports,  Total MMA,  Fight Magazine, MMA Ratings, WAMMA, MMA...

Kurt Angle Is Still Lying About Competing in Mixed Martial Arts

Kurt, you're lying. You've been talking about entering MMA for over two years now without a shred of progress. You've constantly got an excuse for not yet signing on the dotted line, yet you're perfectly willing to suggest you're capable of beating the top-end fighters. You've got no kickbo...

Matt Lindland Interview With ESPNRadio1100

UFC is growing, it's a great organization. And it may be the only organization. If you're not with them then who are you? If you're not fighting for the UFC then you're not fighting in the big leagues." HT: Yahoo MMA Sports Blog and ESPNRadio 1100.

Forrest Griffin vs. Rashad Evans: Underrated

A testament to the star-building power of The Ultimate Fighter on Spike TV, UFC delivers a main event on Dec. 27 featuring two men reared on the reality show -- Season 1 and 2 winners, respectively -- who are now known more for their success in MMA than their time on television.

Eddie Alvarez vs. Shinya Aoki at K-1 Dynamite

A budding superstar and former Bodog Fight welterweight champion, Alvarez has made quite an impact since moving down in weight. Based out of Philadelphia’s Fight Factory, the 24-year-old has rattled off five straight wins since suffering the only defeat of his career -- a technical kno...

Meltzer: UFC 91 Does Big Numbers

In the Wrestling Observer Newsletter this week, Dave Meltzer has a short report on early numbers for the UFC 91 show.  He reports that it looks to have beaten UFC 61 (Ortiz v. Shamrock) and came up just below UFC 66 (Ortiz vs. Liddell) in some areas.

Nine Fight Cards in Five Weeks: Fight Fans Rejoice

Boxing: December 13 on HBO - Wladimir Klitschko (Ring Magazine #1 Heavyweight) vs. Hasim Rahman and Replay of De La Hoya vs. Pacquiao MMA: December 27 on PPV - UFC 92 headlined by Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira  vs. Frank Mir, Forrest Griffin vs. Rashad Evans, and Quinton Jackson vs. Wanderlei Silva

MMA Point/Counter-Point: Yushin Okami vs Dean Lister

Immediately after Cote’s technical knockout loss to Silva, the implication was that, barring an immediate rematch, Okami would take his previous spot in line as the top middleweight title contender. While Cote’s recovery time likely prohibits him from entering the cage for the rematc...

Rousimar Palhares 17-1-0 vs. Jeremy Horn 88-18-5 rumored for UFC 93 January 17 in Dublin, Ireland.

IGN.com Rates UFC Fighters in UFC 2009: Undisputed

In a recent article on IGN.com, they rated the top-10 P4P best UFC fighters that are already confirmed for THQ's UFC 2009: Undisputed (the one which caused the now infamous incident with Fitch and AKA).  Here's their list (to see the reasoning behind their picks, click here):

Rich Franklin or Dan Henderson: Who Needs This Win More?

On one hand, you have Rich "Ace" Franklin.  Elite, well rounded fighter, Jim Carrey lookalike, and all around good guy.  He broke onto the MMA scene at the 205 division where he got wins over guys including Evan Tanner, Edwin Dewees and UFC HOF'er Ken Shamrock.  After a KO loss to still undefea...

The Overpaid List: Mixed Martial Arts Edition

3. Fedor Emelianenko ($1,300,000+ - Affliction: Banned) Was anyone in the mixed martial arts community excited to see Morton try his hand at MMA? No? I didn't think so. He was knocked out in 38 seconds and has never been heard from again in the sport. 8. Mirko Cro Cop ($350,000 - UFC 67, 70, 75)

UFC 92 Preview: Forrest Griffin Plus Xtreme Couture’s MMA Instructor Ron Frazier talks training ...

UFC 92 Preview: Forrest Griffin Plus Xtreme Couture’s MMA Instructor Ron Frazier talks training during Thanksgiving.

ProElite Fighting Jake Shields' Bid to Become a Free Agent

It's not clear what the endgame is for the remnants of ProElite, but this tactic of blocking fighters from seeking employment in their profession should face scrutiny equal to that thrust upon the UFC in its contentious dealings with Jon Fitch.  While a promotion on the brink of bankruptc...

Building the First UFC Show in Germany

As a result, Zuffa is currently negotiating to land a spot on network television, which will be a difficult task as powerful boxing lobbyists control most of the major channels. It’s likely the UFC will have to host its first event in Deutschland without any live coverage from a German TV ch...

Mark Madden talks Brock Lesnar: In World Wrestling Entertainment, Brock Lesnar was billed as The...

The fake wrestler, after just four fights, is the king of reality. The fake wrestler strode purposefully into the hallowed octagon and pummeled MMA’s biggest legend senseless, then embraced his beautiful wrestling wife, Rena (the former Sable). Lesnar said all the right things about Co...

Quote of the Day: How Far Can Georges St. Pierre or BJ Penn Go?

I think that would cement him as one of the best of all-time...Right now I think Anderson Silva is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world...The winner of BJ Penn and Georges St-Pierre moves right up there. And if Georges wins, he could get a shot at Anderson.

Is Golden Boy vs. Affliction Back on for January 24th?

I know I was lambasted for suggesting Affliction had no chance to compete with the UFC after their inaugural event, but I seem to notice more and more folks finding that position not so wild after all. Admittedly, my first concerns centered on the specifics of the Affliction MMA product and...

Opinion: Being Thankful for the UFC

It may be de rigueur to harass management for their business practices, but there’s little merit in claiming that any other company provides the sheer quality, quantity and in-cage integrity of Zuffa’s Ultimate Fighting Championship. In a year where we’ve seen some truly heinous behav...

Opinion: American Top Team President Sides With UFC Regarding Fitch Fiasco

If the other agents and fighter's representatives thought they a) had a chance to get the contract provision nullified in court, b) could take down the UFC and Dana or c) possibly could prop up another corrupt MMA org with big-name fighters, I think we'd be seeing them all unite on the UFC'...

Will Jon Fitch Open the Flood-gates?

What upsets me about this deal is that Jon Fitch was released for reasons entirely unrelated to his performance as a fighter.  Dana White harps daily about how far MMA has come to be seen as a legitimate sports enterprise.  Yet, how does dropping Jon Fitch, a consensus top 5 welterweight, and...

Opinion: Live at UFC 91

I loudly predicted Randy Couture would defeat Brock Lesnar, and obviously I have to eat humble pie.  For the first round, the fight went as I expected.  Lesnar took him down, but Randy was able to fight his way back up.  After the round, I still believed Randy could win.  He essentially stuffed B...

UFC 91: Couture vs. Lesnar Results

I still do not understand why the UFC booked Josh Hendricks vs. Gabriel Gonzaga. In retrospect, there wasn't any way for Hendricks to realistically win the fight. Gonzaga is simply a class above Hendricks...on his worst day. Kudos to the UFC for showing so many fights. It's a real treat when fans ge...

Opinion: Welcome Your New Heavyweight Overlord

One almost tastes a hint of Pride in the aftermath of UFC 91.  There's a pro wrestler, an aging legend, and 50 pounds of weight difference.  Yet with a backdrop that screamed "freakshow," we were treated to a legitimate fight for a share of the heavyweight crown.

Opinion: The Week in Quotes, November 8th - 14th

I'm at peace with my life." - Brock Lesnar, on entering his fight with Randy Couture tonight at UFC 91. (MMA Junkie) Randy Couture will win because he is Randy Couture." - Couture trainer Shawn Tompkins.  Shawn Tompkins makes stupid remarks because he is Shawn Tompkins.  Circular logic for the...

Opinion: Will Followers of Professional Wrestling and Other Casual Fans Buy UFC 91?

Speaking of which, the main event on that show is former WWE champion Brock Lesnar against Randy Couture. Lesnar and fellow ex-WWE superstar Bobby Lashley – who is scheduled to make his MMA debut next month – are the most recent examples of pro wrestlers who have ventured into MMA. Over the pa...

UFC 91: Couture vs. Lesnar Staff Predictions

Kid Nate: Hendricks is being fed to Gonzaga here, but just might have the wrestling skills to put Napao on his back. And we all know how Gonzaga hates getting punched. Nevertheless, Gonzaga should have a big enough edge standing and with submissions to get the finish here. Gonzaga by TKO in 2.

Gambling Spotlight: UFC 91

I believe Hazelett, who has shown great improvement in every fight, will be the stronger, more physical fighter.  He'll use that strength advantage to bully McCrory around the Octagon.  Expect a lot of clinch work, with Hazelett dirty boxing to set up takedowns.  Hit up Dustin for a unit her...

Comparing the Emperor to the Spider

Should we really compare their last two fights?  Fedor beat the shit out of a legitimate top ten heavyweight, Tiny Tim Sylvia the Klutz.  Fedor looked great doing it.  Spider looked like shit warmed over against Patrick somebody, whatshisname.  Come on.

UFC 90 Aftermath: Much Ado About Very Little

Josh Koscheck vs. Thiago Alves saw the very underrated and hugely improved Thiago Alves thwart every attack and position himself as the clear contender to Georges St. Pierre's crown. I thought Koscheck could've done more with a more wrestling-based game plan, but to say Alves' anti-wrest...

UFC 90: Silva Vs. Cote Analysis As It Happens

Santo's hits a huge uppercut on Werdum and knocks him out. Werdum takes 5 punches on the ground before the ref steps in and stops it. Huge upset which really scatters up the title picture after the Lesnar-Couture and Nogeuira/Mir winners face off. Werdum must be pissed because he know gets kno...

Opinion: UFC 89: Bisping vs. Leben Staff Predictions

Paul Kelly vs. Marcus Davis Mike Fagan: Davis by TKO round 3. Sam Stout vs. Terry Etim Mike Fagan: Stout by decision. David Baron vs. Jim Miller Nick Thomas: Miller is the better wrestler/grappler. Miller by decision. Mike Fagan: Baron by TKO.

Podcast: Rashad Evans Addresses Race in MMA

Chad Dukes of 106.7 WJFK attended UFC 88 in Atlanta and in this interview with Evans asked if he believed racism or racial preference played a role in who MMA fans (it must be assumed - quite rightly - Dukes felt most fans were white) root for or support.

Opinion: Bloody Elbow Exclusive: Fight Night Live Report From Omaha

The Fights: At this point in the night, only two fights had managed to get out of the first round.  With almost two hours left to fill and only three fights left, we expected lots and lots of downtime in the arena.  Fortunately, the last three fights changed the trend.

Opinion: UFC Fight Night 15: Neer vs. Diaz Staff Predictions

Chris Nelson: Diaz via Submission, round 2. Chris Nelson: Belcher via Submission, round 1. Chris Nelson: Lauzon via Submission, round 2. Dan Miller vs. Rob Kimmons  Kid Nate: Miller by decision. Michael Fagan: Miller by TKO. Chris Nelson: Kimmons via Submission, round 2.

Podcast: Discrepancy of the Day: Race and MMA

Chcuk Liddell was favored because he was the face of the MMA and a good fighter, not because he was white. Chuck Liddell was and is an enetertaining guy. He didn't commit a crime like Michael Vick, so I think it's still acceptable for white folks to like him. Just as blacks still support MV, despi...

Podcast: Ultimate Warrior Challenge (UWC) Bringing Top Shelf Professional Mixed Martial Arts to Washington, DC

Britt, a product of Virginia Beach’s Hybrid Academy of Martial Arts, is best known for his concrete hands and knock-out ability. The agile striker recently shed more than 30 pounds to enter the light heavyweight division.  An acute cage presence and tenacious fighting ability caught the...

What's Next for Chuck Liddell?

I think that covers the possibilities pretty well. Personally I like the concept of Chuck moving up to heavyweight. I think Werdum is an excellent match-up for him and if Randy wins the upcoming string of fights, Chuck has every reason to think he could snatch the heavyweight belt.

Opinion: UFC 88: Breakthrough Staff Predictions

Nate Wilcox: The only question in my mind about this fight is whether or not Chuck Liddell is going to start showing his age. The Chuck Liddell that beat Randy Couture and Tito twice each would KO Evans in 2 rounds tops. Until I see evidence that Chuck is losing more than a step, I'm going to stick...

Podcast: Urijah Faber: BJ Penn Has 90 Percent Chance of Beating Kimbo Slice

The Penn vs. Slice "fantasy match-up" is the product of UFC President Dana White's comment just prior to EliteXC's debut on CBS. White remarked that BJ Penn could defeat Slice in a MMA bout. The effort of White was to disparage Slice's talent level by suggesting a lightweight fighter in the UF...

Opinion: Bloody Elbow August MMA Meta-Rankings: Middleweight

Rankings were compiled from the following sites: TAGG Radio, MMA News, Sherdog, Cage Potato, MMA On Tap, Five Ounces of Pain, Houston Chronicle's Brawl Sports, WAMMA, MMA Fighting, MMA-ELO, FCFighter, 411 Mania, MMA Madness, FightMatrix, MMA Playground, HDNet/Insi...

Podcast: BloodyElbow.com Exclusive: Karo Parisyan Talks UFC 88, Thiago Alves, Yoshiyuki Yoshida and More on MMA Nation

The Heat" from Armenia joined the show and talked about his UFC 88 opponent Yoshiyuki "Zenko" Yoshida, judo in MMA, his newfound training regime, losing to Thiago Alves, being called a "gate keeper" by UFC President Dana White and much more. Listen to the whole interview here.

Opinion: The UFC Emerges Stronger From a Dangerous Summer

If I had to evaluate the state of the UFC right now, I would say it is excellent.  They are doing strong pay per view numbers without Chuck Liddell, Tito Ortiz, or Randy Couture, the overseas expansion is now profitable, and they have a few very big fights on the horizon.  The piece they need to f...

UFC 87 Review: Brock Lesnar Steamrolled Heath Herring

Something I haven't yet seen much comment on is the knees.  I was impressed with Lesnar's use of the knees when he had Herring down.  More people should take advantage of those knees to the body and kidneys; devastating shots -- just ask Matt Serra how devastating they can be.

Opinion: UFC 87: Seek and Destroy BloodyElbow.com Staff Predictions

Georges St. Pierre vs. Jon Fitch Nick Thomas: Fitch finally gets his shot after 8 UFC wins. I'm a big fan of Fitch but I just think GSP is better in every facet of the game. Most importantly wrestling. St. Pierre by TKO. Nick Thomas: Wilson by TKO.

Opinion: Gambling Spotlight: UFC 87

Jon Fitch sports a 17-2 (4 [T]KO/5 SUB) record.  Fitch fights out of the American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose, California and currently holds a 15 fight win streak (and it tied with Royce Gracie for most consecutive UFC wins at 8).  He sports a good overall MMA game, complementing his wres...

Podcast: BloodyElbow.com Exclusive: Loretta Hunt Talks New Book; Mike Brown Talks Urijah Faber

If you missed yesterday's MMA Nation, I'll help you out: Loretta Hunt was on hand to talk about Randy Couture, his new book, her involvement and more. Right up until her cell phone cut out, it was a money interview. MMA Nation podcasts are up and running and available via iTunes.

Opinion: Randy Couture Talks Non-Exclusivity

WAMMA does indeed have the potential to make it happen, but they are also facing incredibly difficult odds. I find the idea of a sanctioning body in a sport based heavily on the professional wrestling business model to be an incongruity, notwithstanding that the key player in the matter - t...

Podcast: Randy Couture Talks Red Belt, Nogueira and More

Embedded after the jump... it's a good listen if you're not sick of Randy yet. HT: 15rounds.com