by Michael David SmithIn a dramatic about-face, Fedor Emelianenko released a statement Wednesday saying he wants his next fight to come this year against Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem.
"This is an important match for me and something that I personally want to happen," Fedor said in a statement released by his promotion, M-1 Global. "There have been conversations about putting this match-up together in the past and now is the time to begin making this bout possible." Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Herschel Walker Focused on Fighting This Year
by Michael David SmithSeven months after making his mixed martial arts debut, former NFL star Herschel Walker says he hasn't lost any of his enthusiasm for MMA and will be back in the cage fighting for Strikeforce this year.
"I have a little one, so my number one focus is my child, but after that my focus is on fighting," Walker told MMAFighting.com. "I'm training at AKA with some of the best trainers and some of the best fighters and as I get closer I'm trusting them to make the decision to tell me when I'm ready for my next fight. This is a very serious, very tough sport and I want them to tell me when they think I'm ready." Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
"I have a little one, so my number one focus is my child, but after that my focus is on fighting," Walker told MMAFighting.com. "I'm training at AKA with some of the best trainers and some of the best fighters and as I get closer I'm trusting them to make the decision to tell me when I'm ready for my next fight. This is a very serious, very tough sport and I want them to tell me when they think I'm ready." Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
MMA Top 10 Lightweights: Edgar Is the Best, Maynard on His Heels
by Michael David SmithNo one can doubt Frankie Edgar anymore.
After Edgar beat B.J. Penn by unanimous decision in April, a lot of people believed that the fight was a fluke, that the judges erred, and that Penn was still the best lightweight in mixed martial arts. But now that Edgar has defeated Penn once again at UFC 118, there's no room for debate: Edgar is the undisputed champion.
Except that Edgar has one loss on his record, and that one loss is to Gray Maynard, who has been anointed the next challenger to Edgar's title. Maynard could make a case that he deserves to be considered the top fighter in the division, but unless he makes that case again in the cage, I'm sticking with Edgar at No. 1. The rest of the rankings are below. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
After Edgar beat B.J. Penn by unanimous decision in April, a lot of people believed that the fight was a fluke, that the judges erred, and that Penn was still the best lightweight in mixed martial arts. But now that Edgar has defeated Penn once again at UFC 118, there's no room for debate: Edgar is the undisputed champion.
Except that Edgar has one loss on his record, and that one loss is to Gray Maynard, who has been anointed the next challenger to Edgar's title. Maynard could make a case that he deserves to be considered the top fighter in the division, but unless he makes that case again in the cage, I'm sticking with Edgar at No. 1. The rest of the rankings are below. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Dana White on Kenny Florian: 'He Chokes in the Big Fights'
Filed under: UFC, NewsBOSTON -- After a three-round drubbing with a lightweight title opportunity on the line, Kenny Florian dejectedly walked out of the octagon.
By all rights, Florian should have at least felt soothed by the embrace of his city. The 34-year-old lightweight graduated from Boston College and he owns an academy in neighboring Brookline. Instead, he heard a chorus of disappointment, led by his boss.
"I hate to say this because I don't want to take anything away from Gray Maynard, but I think Kenny is just one of those guys who chokes in big fights," UFC president Dana White said. "I'm not bad-mouthing him or trying to disrespect him; I'm just being honest. Every time it's a big fight and there's a lot of things on the line, Kenny just ... Kenny's hands are unbelievable. Kenny's ground is unbelievable. Kenny usually kicks guys to the body and legs so hard that he busts guys up. You didn't see any of that tonight. He stood there and stared at Gray Maynard for three rounds."
By all rights, Florian should have at least felt soothed by the embrace of his city. The 34-year-old lightweight graduated from Boston College and he owns an academy in neighboring Brookline. Instead, he heard a chorus of disappointment, led by his boss.
"I hate to say this because I don't want to take anything away from Gray Maynard, but I think Kenny is just one of those guys who chokes in big fights," UFC president Dana White said. "I'm not bad-mouthing him or trying to disrespect him; I'm just being honest. Every time it's a big fight and there's a lot of things on the line, Kenny just ... Kenny's hands are unbelievable. Kenny's ground is unbelievable. Kenny usually kicks guys to the body and legs so hard that he busts guys up. You didn't see any of that tonight. He stood there and stared at Gray Maynard for three rounds."
'Jacare' wins Strikeforce middleweight belt with decision over Kennedy
In the fight that decided the winner of the vacant Strikeforce middleweight belt, Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza won a unanimous decision over Tim Kennedy, with the judges cards reading 49-46, 48-47, 48-47. Jacare, known as one of the world's best in jiu-jitsu, kept the first round standing, landing effective strikes in the first round. Kennedy counterpunched, but Jacare had an answer for every offensive move that Kennedy made. That continued into the second round. Jacare wore down Kennedy, though Kennedy did stuff Jacare's takedown attempt.In the third round, Jacare opened up a cut over Kennedy's left eye with a big right hand. Not long after his face started bleeding, Kennedy took Jacare down, but surprisingly, Jacare did not want to stay there. He got out from under Kennedy and brought the fight back to its feet for the rest of the round.In the fourth, Kennedy seemed to land more punches, but they did not cause much damage. With about a minute and a half left in the fourth round, Kennedy landed an indavertent blow to Jacare's groin. Jacare was given time to recover, with while Kennedy's eye continued to bleed. The fight was delayed longer because of a problem with the fight clock. Kennedy's striking improved in the final round, but in the last 30 seconds of the round, Jacare landed two flush strikes that wobbled Kennedy. Kennedy answered with a takedownm bringing Jacare to the ground for a millisecond before Jacare leapt to his feet. After the decision was announced, Kennedy was confused and upset with the call from the judges. "The best grappler in the world couldn't get me down, and I took him down a few times," Kennedy said. "I've said it before. I don't like judges. I won't be here again." The fight was as close as prognosticators expected, but Jacare's striking was effective throughout the match. The grappling expert showed that he is just as comfortable on his feet as he is on the ground, and because of that, he is the newly crowned Strikeforce middleweight champ.
UFC 118 Weigh-In Video
by Michael David SmithThe UFC 118 weigh-ins take place Friday at the TD Garden in Boston, and if you can't be there in person, you can watch the video live right here at MMAFighting.com.
The most intriguing issue will be the weight of James Toney, who has been as light as 157 pounds and as heavy as 237 pounds in his boxing career. Toney says he's working hard and in great shape, but at times Toney has become grotesquely overweight. We'll find out on Friday afternoon whether he got himself into decent shape for his UFC debut against Randy Couture.
In the main event, lightweight champion Frankie Edgar and challenger B.J. Penn will both have to make the limit of 155 pounds.
The weigh-in starts at 4 PM ET (replay will be available in the evening) and the video is below. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
The most intriguing issue will be the weight of James Toney, who has been as light as 157 pounds and as heavy as 237 pounds in his boxing career. Toney says he's working hard and in great shape, but at times Toney has become grotesquely overweight. We'll find out on Friday afternoon whether he got himself into decent shape for his UFC debut against Randy Couture.
In the main event, lightweight champion Frankie Edgar and challenger B.J. Penn will both have to make the limit of 155 pounds.
The weigh-in starts at 4 PM ET (replay will be available in the evening) and the video is below. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
UFC 118: Demian Maia Beats Mario Miranda
by Michael David SmithDemian Maia returned to the Octagon for the first time since being humiliated by Anderson Silva in April, defeating Mario Miranda by unanimous decision at UFC 118.
It wasn't a pretty fight, but it was a fight that Maia won handily, winning all three rounds on all three judges' cards.
Early in the fight Maia took Miranda to the ground and proceeded to methodically advance his position and get Miranda's back. Maia is one of the best Brazilian jiu jitsu practitioners in the world, and it seemed just a matter of time before Maia would win by submission. But Miranda did a nice job of wriggling free and standing back up after a couple minutes of Maia controlling him. The rest of the round was fought standing up without either fighter doing much damage, but Maia clearly won the round because he controlled the action on the ground.
More: Demian Maia vs. Mario Miranda Live Blog | UFC 118 Results | UFC 118 Pictures
Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
It wasn't a pretty fight, but it was a fight that Maia won handily, winning all three rounds on all three judges' cards.
Early in the fight Maia took Miranda to the ground and proceeded to methodically advance his position and get Miranda's back. Maia is one of the best Brazilian jiu jitsu practitioners in the world, and it seemed just a matter of time before Maia would win by submission. But Miranda did a nice job of wriggling free and standing back up after a couple minutes of Maia controlling him. The rest of the round was fought standing up without either fighter doing much damage, but Maia clearly won the round because he controlled the action on the ground.
More: Demian Maia vs. Mario Miranda Live Blog | UFC 118 Results | UFC 118 Pictures
Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
UFC 118 Spotlight Deserved by Frankie Edgar in Rout of Legendary Penn
Filed under: UFCBOSTON -- Once again, the headlines were stolen from Frankie Edgar, this time by an out-of-shape boxer who was quite predictably beaten.
All Edgar did at UFC 118 was beat the guy considered the best lightweight of all time ... again.
All he did was silence any believers that BJ Penn was the better fighter the first time around, and that he'd never figure out a way to fool the judges twice.
Edgar didn't just shut out Penn; he hurled a perfect game.
All Edgar did at UFC 118 was beat the guy considered the best lightweight of all time ... again.
All he did was silence any believers that BJ Penn was the better fighter the first time around, and that he'd never figure out a way to fool the judges twice.
Edgar didn't just shut out Penn; he hurled a perfect game.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Surf Artist - Skye Walker
The latest artist on COTW is Skye Walker. Skye is an artist, illustrator and graphic designer inspired by "the ocean, mountains and nature in general (along with the human figure and human condition)". Skye also runs a small t-shirt company called Glide. Check out his art…www.clubofthewaves.com/artistprofiles/skye_walker.htmlwww.iamskyewalker.com
Fans Talk James Toney's MMA Loss to Randy Couture
Filed under: Boxing Video, FanHouse ExclusiveElie Seckbach, the Embedded Correspondent, brings his exclusive video reporting to FanHouse. Check back regularly for more videos.
This past weekend in Boston, former world boxing champion James Toney was chocked out by UFC legend Randy Couture in the first round of him MMA fight. FanHouse spoke to fans concerning the bout. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
This past weekend in Boston, former world boxing champion James Toney was chocked out by UFC legend Randy Couture in the first round of him MMA fight. FanHouse spoke to fans concerning the bout. Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Joey Gilbert vs. Kassim Ouma September 25th in Reno, NV
August 24th, RENO – The Grand Sierra Resort and Let?s Get It On Promotions are pleased to present a very special main event for Reno Xtreme Fights VI on Saturday September 25th. Former IBF Jr. middleweight champion, Kassim ?The Dream? Ouma (26-7-1, 16 KOs), will take on Reno?s own Joey Gilbert (20-2, 15 KOs) for [...]
Escalante to face Ponce de Leon
Top contender Antonio Escalante (24-2, 15 KOs), of El Paso, will be facing former champ Daniel Ponce De Leon (39-2, 32 KOs), of Chihuahua, Mexico on the Sugar Shane Mosley – Sergio Mora card in Los Angeles. The fight will be title eliminator. Ponce De Leon was scheduled to face Juarez’s Miguel Roman, but the [...]
Klitschko brothers line up autumn bouts to leave David Haye frustrated
? Wladimir Klitschko announces rematch with Samuel Peter? Haye's hopes of fighting one of the brothers in 2010 overDavid Haye's hopes of facing one of the Klitschko brothers before the end of the year are effectively over after the Ukrainian heavyweight champions lined up alternative opponents.After the former world champion Shannon Briggs claimed yesterday he will take on the WBC belt-holder, Vitali, in October, the Klitschkos revealed today that the IBF and WBO champion, Wladimir, will meet Samuel Peter in a rematch.Last year, Haye's negotiations over a fight with Vitali fell through and a back injury forced him out of a challenge to Wladimir. Instead, he managed to wrest the WBA title from Nikolay Valuev before setting his sights on a blockbuster showdown with one of the brothers in 2010.Talks have again proved fruitless, however, with the Englishman and his manager-trainer, Adam Booth, unable to reach an agreement with the notoriously shrewd Klitschko camp, with one major sticking point believed to be television rights in the siblings' adopted homeland of Germany.The developments this week leave Haye searching for a viable opponent for the second defence of his WBA title. In April he defeated the American John Ruiz in an eye-catching mandatory fight but there are few lucrative options aside from the Klitschkos.The Press Association understands Haye's fellow Londoner Audley Harrison has not been discounted, following his European title win earlier this year, while the Polish former cruiserweight champion Tomasz Adamek would represent a credible ? though less financially lucrative ? alternative.Wladimir will face Peter in Frankfurt, Germany on 11 September after a clash with Alexander Povetkin fell through. The Nigerian, formerly the WBC champion and ranked at two by the IBF, knocked Klitschko down three times before losing a unanimous decision in their 2005 fight."Peter was one of the toughest fights of my career, he is an extremely hard puncher and has improved a lot in his last fights," said the 34-year-old. "I know what to expect on 11 September and I will be well prepared.""I've waited a long time for a chance to fight him again," said Peter. "I will knock Klitschko out and put his belts in my suitcase."David HayeBoxingguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds
Ivan Calderon - Love Undiminished
Guaynabo, Puerto Rico - As an undefeated 35 year old master prizefighter finally bowed down and took a knee, unable to make the ten count before a silenced crowd in a full-packed stadium, a wave of heartbreak swept throughout the entire boxing world, crossing over oceans and continents, right down to every fan of Ivan Calderon or otherwise, in recognition of a rare talent; a great mystery finally solved. I watched the Ivan Calderon versus Giovanni Segura fight and my heart slumped simultaneously with the fallen champion. I could hardly believe the boxer from Mexico could pull off the unthinkable: make “Iron Boy” wilt.
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