Official MMA Thread

[NCRadioMan]

Originally Posted by dannysguitar

Look who showed up at the cigar lounge last night. The Baby Faced Assasin.

Did you ask him if he had any steroids?


THIAGO ALVES OUT OF UFC 111 FIGHT WITH FITCH

Thiago Alves has been pulled from his fight against Jon Fitch at this weekend's UFC 111 due to a CAT scan that revealed issues that could not be resolved in time for him to receive medical clearance for licensing.

Alves' removal from the card was confirmed to MMAWeekly.com by the UFC, and sources close to the fighter on Thursday.

According to sources speaking to MMAWeekly.com, Alves had a pre-fight CAT scan that revealed a potentially dangerous issue with the fighter's brain, and while doctors were reviewing the issue, he could not be cleared in time to fight at UFC 111.

Alves had already made the trip to New Jersey for the fight, but will now seek out a specialist to try and see if the issue can be resolved. Sources have indicated there is a possibility the UFC may move the fight to the Charlotte, N.C., card coming up on March 31, but at this time it's only speculation until Alves can be cleared medically.

Alves and Fitch were set to rematch from a fight the pair had in 2006 with Fitch coming out on top by TKO. The fighters are currently ranked No. 2 and No. 3 in the world by MMAWeekly.com, behind only UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre.

A lightweight bout between Kurt Pellegrino and Fabricio Camoes will probably replace the Alves vs. Fitch bout it on the UFC 111 live broadcast.

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DREAM Korea Cancelled

NoB is reporting that the April 24 DREAM event in Korea has been cancelled due to not being able to secure a broadcast deal because some star fighters won't be available. This is unfortunate turn of events for FEG/DREAM.

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Anderson Silva still wants to fight at Heavyweight

Anderson "The Spider" Silva holds an impressive record of 25-4 and is currently on a 11 fight win streak and undefeated in the UFC. Silva will attempt to go 9-0 in the UFC as he defends his middleweight title against Damien Maia at UFC 112. Silva still believes that their is plenty of competition and talent still left in the Middleweight division.

“I’m actually far from cleaning out my division,” said Silva through an interpreter Tuesday during a UFC 112 conference call. “I feel like there may be guys that are even better than me coming into the UFC. Proof that there’s tough guys in the division is Demian Maia right now. Going to be a big challenge for me.”

While, in the past Silva has gone back and forth from Middleweight to Light Heavyweight, he is not ruling out the possiblity of going all the way up to Heavyweight. Silva has been reported to walk around 220 pounds usually, so the weight gain does not seem to be a problem, however, Silva is more concerned about putting on the best fights possibly rather than gaining weight.

“My goal is still to put on as many great fights in the UFC, as many victories as I can throughout the three divisions -- middleweight, light heavyweight and possibly heavyweight, Heavyweight is definitely something I have in mind. It’s in my plans. I’ve been adapting my training to take on that challenge.”

[dannysguitar]

Originally Posted by NCRadioMan

Did you ask him if he had any steroids?


THIAGO ALVES OUT OF UFC 111 FIGHT WITH FITCH

Thiago Alves has been pulled from his fight against Jon Fitch at this weekend's UFC 111 due to a CAT scan that revealed issues that could not be resolved in time for him to receive medical clearance for licensing.

Alves' removal from the card was confirmed to MMAWeekly.com by the UFC, and sources close to the fighter on Thursday.

According to sources speaking to MMAWeekly.com, Alves had a pre-fight CAT scan that revealed a potentially dangerous issue with the fighter's brain, and while doctors were reviewing the issue, he could not be cleared in time to fight at UFC 111.

Alves had already made the trip to New Jersey for the fight, but will now seek out a specialist to try and see if the issue can be resolved. Sources have indicated there is a possibility the UFC may move the fight to the Charlotte, N.C., card coming up on March 31, but at this time it's only speculation until Alves can be cleared medically.

Alves and Fitch were set to rematch from a fight the pair had in 2006 with Fitch coming out on top by TKO. The fighters are currently ranked No. 2 and No. 3 in the world by MMAWeekly.com, behind only UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre.

A lightweight bout between Kurt Pellegrino and Fabricio Camoes will probably replace the Alves vs. Fitch bout it on the UFC 111 live broadcast.

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DREAM Korea Cancelled

NoB is reporting that the April 24 DREAM event in Korea has been cancelled due to not being able to secure a broadcast deal because some star fighters won't be available. This is unfortunate turn of events for FEG/DREAM.

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Anderson Silva still wants to fight at Heavyweight

Anderson "The Spider" Silva holds an impressive record of 25-4 and is currently on a 11 fight win streak and undefeated in the UFC. Silva will attempt to go 9-0 in the UFC as he defends his middleweight title against Damien Maia at UFC 112. Silva still believes that their is plenty of competition and talent still left in the Middleweight division.

“I’m actually far from cleaning out my division,” said Silva through an interpreter Tuesday during a UFC 112 conference call. “I feel like there may be guys that are even better than me coming into the UFC. Proof that there’s tough guys in the division is Demian Maia right now. Going to be a big challenge for me.”

While, in the past Silva has gone back and forth from Middleweight to Light Heavyweight, he is not ruling out the possiblity of going all the way up to Heavyweight. Silva has been reported to walk around 220 pounds usually, so the weight gain does not seem to be a problem, however, Silva is more concerned about putting on the best fights possibly rather than gaining weight.

“My goal is still to put on as many great fights in the UFC, as many victories as I can throughout the three divisions -- middleweight, light heavyweight and possibly heavyweight, Heavyweight is definitely something I have in mind. It’s in my plans. I’ve been adapting my training to take on that challenge.”

Na, he offered them freely. I'm bummed about Alves :-(

[NCRadioMan]

Originally Posted by dannysguitar

Na, he offered them freely.

Jardine vs Hammill, likely for TUF 11 Finale

Matt Hamill vs. Keith Jardine targeted for The Ultimate Fighter 11 Finale
by Steven Marrocco on Mar 25, 2010 at 1:30 pm ET
Light heavyweights Matt Hamill (8-2 MMA, 7-2 UFC) and Keith Jardine (15-7-1 MMA, 6-6 UFC) are targeted to meet at The Ultimate Fighter 11 Finale, MMAjunkie.com (http://www.mmajunkie.com) has learned.

Sources close to the negotiations said at least one fighter has formally agreed to the fight and is expected to sign a bout agreement shortly.

Although not yet formally announced by the UFC, The Ultimate Fighter 11 Finale is expected to take place June 19 at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. The event airs like on Spike TV and features the finalists of the reality show's 11th season as they fight for a UFC contract.



I have a feeling that if Jardine loses this one, he may be out of the UFC.

[dannysguitar]

That's a pretty interesting match up. I think Jardine can win this.

[NCRadioMan]

Wanderlei Silva vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama set for UFC 116 in Las Vegas

A long-rumored middleweight fight between Wanderlei Silva (33-10-1 MMA, 3-5 UFC) and Yoshihiro Akiyama (13-1-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC) is set for UFC 116.

Fighters Only magazine confirmed the match-up earlier today, and MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) subsequently verified the fight is signed with sources close to the situation.

The fight was originally rumored for UFC 115 on June 12 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Although not officially announced by the promotion, UFC 116 is expected to take place July 3 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar is penciled in as a headliner of the event, though his opponent is not yet confirmed.

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Event: UFC 111
Location: Prudential Center: Newark, N.J.
Date: Saturday, March 27 2010

Welterweight Championship Title Bout
George St. Pierre vs. Dan Hardy

Interim Heavyweight (aka The BS) Title Bout
Shane Carwin vs. Frank Mir

Ben Saunders vs. Jon Fitch
Martin Kampmann vs. Ben Saunders
Mark Bocek vs. Jim Miller
Kurt Pellegrino vs. Fabricio Camoes

Undercard:
Nate Diaz vs. Rory Markham
Ricardo Almeida vs. Matt Brown
Jared Hamman vs. Rodney Wallace
Tomasz Drwal vs. Rousimar Palhares
Ricardo Funch vs. Greg Soto

[dannysguitar]

How many Ben Saunders? lol

[NCRadioMan]

Oops!

Scratch the Kampmann/Saunders fight. How did that get in there anyway?

[MiamiE]

I saw GSP live at UFC 100. What an amazing specimen that guy is along with Lesnar. If you havent seen MMA live you really have to!

[NCRadioMan]

GSP was so dominate, it was boring. I loved seeing Mir get knocked out even though I kinda wanted him to win so Lesnar could take him to the woodshed, again.

[yachties23]

Originally Posted by NCRadioMan

GSP was so dominate, it was boring. I loved seeing Mir get knocked out even though I kinda wanted him to win so Lesnar could take him to the woodshed, again.

GSP fights are becoming more and more boring. He hasn't finished his last three fights. I was impressed at how tough Hardy is. I personally think anybody who gets to fight GSP, should have to go through Fitch or Kos. I think that will eliminate the guys who can't stop a takedown. Its going to take a special fighter to beat GSP. Somebody with KO power and that can withstand that onslaught of takedowns.

Carwin's power is insane. Those short uppercuts absolutely destroyed Mir. It made me happy.

But how do they list Carwin at 6'5'' and Mir at 6'3'' When Mir looked taller?

Jon Fitch was flat out dominant. Easily the 2nd best WW in the world.

Phallares should never be allowed to fight in the UFC again. That was an utter disgrace.

[LasciviousXXX]

It wasn't so much boring for me but Hardy was just WAY out of his league. However, big props for not tapping the 3-4 times GSP was about to snap his damn arm. I was literally amazed during those times.

Total domination by GSP. I didn't think he'd get the KO over Hardy by any stretch but he looked utterly bewildered when he couldn't submit him.

[montecristo#2]

Originally Posted by LasciviousXXX

It wasn't so much boring for me but Hardy was just WAY out of his league. However, big props for not tapping the 3-4 times GSP was about to snap his damn arm. I was literally amazed during those times.

Total domination by GSP. I didn't think he'd get the KO over Hardy by any stretch but he looked utterly bewildered when he couldn't submit him.

Yeh, I think Hardy definitely earned some respect from that fight, although he was greatly overmatched by GSP.

Although GSP definitely looked bewildered when Hardy did not tap. It was like he was looking over to his corner to ask what he was doing wrong. That definitely made me cringe more than once.

Can't wait for UFC 112.

[ActionAndy]

Originally Posted by yachties23

But how do they list Carwin at 6'5'' and Mir at 6'3'' When Mir looked taller?

Because they're liars. They also claimed more than once all of his victories were by knockout. Which is incredibly untrue.

[NCRadioMan]

Originally Posted by ActionAndy

Because they're liars. They also claimed more than once all of his victories were by knockout. Which is incredibly untrue.

Yeah, Mir is about 6'3" and Carwin is 6'1". All of Carwin's wins in the UFC are KO's and, of course, if it didn't happen in the UFC it don't count.

5 of his 12 wins have been by submission.

[NCRadioMan]

OVEREEM VS. ROGERS OFFICIALLY FOR THE TITLE

With Alistair Overeem's return to Strikeforce still 6 weeks away, the promotion has made a decision about the heavyweight belt and the title will indeed be on the line when he faces Brett Rogers in St. Louis on May 15.

The news was confirmed to MMAWeekly.com by Strikeforce official Mike Afromowitz on Sunday.

Overeem won the Strikeforce title in 2007 with a win over Paul Buentello, but has been absent from the promotion ever since. The Dutch fighter has also not lost since his last Strikeforce appearance going 6-0-1 over the last few years, while also racking up several impressive wins in K-1.

The title fight will headline the upcoming May 15 show which will broadcast on Showtime, and Overeem will put his belt up for grabs against Brett Rogers, who last competed in Nov 2009 in a loss to Fedor Emelianenko.

Prior to the loss to the Russian, Rogers was undefeated in his career, and even though the defeat put a mark in the loss column, the Chicago born fighter showed tremendous heart and skill against the widely regarded top heavyweight in MMA.

Overeem and Rogers will showcase the heavyweight title fight, and another battle of the big men will serve as the co-main event when former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski takes on Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva.


I call BS! Rogers was beaten in his last fight by Fedor, so why is he getting the title shot? Fedor and his people will not like this. It may just be the straw that stroked the camel's sack. At least they are making Overeem defend the belt for the first time in 2 1/2 years.

[LasciviousXXX]

Its been making its way around the MMA world that the reason they tapped Rogers to face Overeem is because The Last Emperor will soon be parting ways with the company.

A few leaked rumors as well as Dana White's "odd" silence on this topic is leaving a few to believe we may finally see Fedor fight under the UFC banner.

Could it be?

[NCRadioMan]

Originally Posted by LasciviousXXX

Could it be?

I have no doubt about it. Maybe they want to set up Rogers/Fedor II. I still think it's BS. They could make more money if Fedor was fighting for the belt, then defending it at least once before he leaves.

Originally Posted by LasciviousXXX

Its been making its way around the MMA world that the reason they tapped Rogers to face Overeem is because The Last Emperor will soon be parting ways with the company.

A few leaked rumors as well as Dana White's "odd" silence on this topic is leaving a few to believe we may finally see Fedor fight under the UFC banner.

Could it be?

There is a video floating around with Coker talking about the renegotiation between Strikeforce, M1, and CBS. It seems to be settled now. Werdum VS Fedor was the last I heard which supposedly will happen in June. Not exactly the most exciting match up...

Basically M1 was upset that they weren't plugged more during the Rogers VS Fedor fight. They also seem to want no part of Overeem... Werdum VS Fedor is about as of a fight as you can get.

[goalie204]

[NCRadioMan]

Tonight!
Emanating from the Bojangles Colisuem in Charlotte, N.C. (I am at work or else I would be there, dangit!)
Spike TV @ 8pm

Kenny Florian v. Takanori Gomi
Roy Nelson v. Stefan Struve
Nate Quarry v. Jorge Rivera
Cole Miller v. Andre Winner

Undercard:
Ross Pearson v. Dennis Siver
Yushin Okami v. Lucio Linhares
Caol Uno v. Gleison Tibau

WAR Big Country!

Following this, TUF 11 debuts on Spike.

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UFC Fight Night 21's Stefan Struve welcomes standup war with Roy Nelson

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – UFC heavyweight Stefan Struve (19-3 MMA, 3-1 UFC) didn't exactly impress in his debut for the organization.

Struve was stopped by Brazilian Junior Dos Santos in the first round of their February 2009 meeting. Of course, Dos Santos has done that to almost every opponent he's faced.

And since that debut, Struve has now put together three-straight UFC wins, and the Dutch youngster said he believes he's a real threat in the UFC's heavyweight division.

"Dos Santos is really good – he's a really good fighter – but I just didn't fight," Struve told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com). "I was too nervous. It wasn't me. It was just the nerves.

"Your first fight in the UFC is just like your first fight. It's all new, and you just need to learn how to deal with it. I learned how to deal with it, obviously, and now the UFC feels like home for me."

Struve meets "The Ultimate Fighter 10" winner Roy Nelson (14-4 MMA, 1-0 UFC) in the co-main event of tonight's "UFC Fight Night 21: Florian vs. Gomi" event. It's Struve's third-straight fight in the U.S., and the Dutchman said he's comfortable making the journey across the Atlantic.


I think Roy will end up taking this one to the ground.

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Report: Thiago Alves undergoes successful surgery

Former welterweight number one contender Thiago Alves underwent minor surgery today (March 31) to correct the brain "irregularity" that prompted his withdrawal from the UFC 111 fight card at the Prudential Center last Thursday.

TMZ Sports -- who broke the initial story regarding "Pitbull's" condition, first reported the update earlier today.

The Brazilian was pulled from his March 27 fight against Jon Fitch after failing a pre-fight CAT Scan and immediately sought out additional tests from brain specialists to help determine what action needed to be taken -- if any.

Those tests prompted Alves to have an angiogram at the Hyman Newman institute for Neurology and Neurosurgery located at Roosevelt Hospital in New York.

The outpatient procedure was successful in "separating an artery from a vein in his brain" according to the report and Alves is expected to be cleared to resume training in as little as three weeks.

Great news.