Karl Amoussou and Bryan Baker will square off for the welterweight tournament title and the opportunity for a title shot at champion Ben Askren.
Bryan Baker (169.5) vs. Karl Amoussou (170.25) – Welterweight Final
Emanuel Newton (204.75) vs. Attila Vegh (204.5) – Light Heavyweight Semifinal
Tim Carpenter (205) vs. Travis Wiuff (206) – Light Heavyweight Semifinal
Rudy Bears (169.5) vs. Paul Daley (170.25)
Waachiim Spiritwolf (170.3) vs. Marius Zaromskis (171)
Bellator 72 Promo Video
Rebellion MMA Radio is back again this weekend with a lovely lineup of talent from across the MMA landscape. Joining hosts Bryan Levick-Mitch Ciccarelli this Sunday night at 6:30 PM EST will be Brittney Palmer, Firas Zahabi, and Rich Chou.
Interested listeners can also contribute by submitting questions for guests via Twitter, email (RebellionMMARadio@yahoo.com), or even by calling in!
Palmer is a former Playmate and current Octagon girl whose beauty is matched by her brains. A successful artist with a growing collection of works, the 25-year old is one of the fan’s favorite sights at any UFC event and will certainly have a lot to talk about this weekend.
Zahabi is one of the most respected trainers in the sport thanks to his work with fighters like Georges St-Pierre, Rory MacDonald, Miguel Torres, Mark Bocek, and Kenny Florian at TriStar MMA.
Chou once held the mantle of Strikeforce matchmaker before Zuffa came on board. No doubt Chou, whose efforts can still be seen on ProElite cards, should provide some intriguing insight into the process of putting together fights as well as MMA in general.
Again, things kick off at 6:30 PM EST this Sunday night so make sure to listen in and even get your self heard if so desired!
PHOTO CREDIT – UFC
TweetThe last few months have seen prominent wrestlers disappearing from TNA and WWE TV and being scrubbed from the companies’ respective roster pages. Be on the lookout for a number of recent TNA stars showing up on WWE TV soon including…
Matt Morgan
The 6’10”, 325-pound former college basketball center, American Gladiator (he was “Beast” on the show’s most recent reincarnation), and Tough Enough contestant had a brief WWE run earlier this decade, which was ill-fated from the very beginning due to being saddled with a deeply terrible stuttering gimmick. Morgan, who is actually quite well-spoken, has honed his in-ring and mic skills considerably during his time in TNA and after his work in Japan. After his contract with TNA ended in June, Morgan dropped “TNA” from his Twitter handle and has been coy about answering questions about a potential return to WWE. Expect to see him on RAW or Smackdown soon.
Ric Flair
In May, the legendary “Nature Boy” was fired from TNA in the midst of a lawsuit over allegedly illegal leaking of Flair’s and others’ contract information to WWE sources during negotiations with talent. While Flair last severed ties with WWE in 2008, TNA permitted him to appear at the WWE Hall of Fame induction of the Four Horsemen earlier this year while still under contract. Of course, after his bittersweet sendoff on RAW after losing an unforgettable Wrestlemania retirement match to Shawn Michaels, Flair is officially considered retired in WWE, so this would most likely be a non-wrestling gig. Flair is scheduled to appear at the Insane Clown Posse’s annual Gathering of the Juggalos this weekend in Cave-in-Rock, Illinois. Sorry, I’m not going to be able to make it, I have a thing. It’s called a life.
Angelina Love and Velvet Sky
Love and Sky have among the best-rounded resumes of any of TNA’s female performers: between them the co-founders of the Beautiful People boast multiple reigns as TNA Knockouts Tag Team Champs (though never together, oddly) and TNA Knockouts Champs. They had their heel gimmick down pat: it’s worth noting that Love and Sky were shoving paper bags onto people’s heads back when Cody Rhodes was still dragging around luggage for Hardcore Holly and Randy Orton. Love, performing then as Angel Williams, was a regular in WWE’s developmental territories for a few years before debuting in TNA. If WWE is looking to bolster its Divas division with reliable in-ring talent, as possibly evidenced by the recent hiring of indie veteran Sara Del Rey, Love or Sky would fit in well.
Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin
If the former Motor City Machine were to jump to WWE together they’d immediately be the best team on the roster by leaps and bounds, that much is obvious, though they’re also proven singles wrestlers fast enough to keep up with the likes of Sin Cara. WWE has a few too many 10-second Brodus Clay squashes, and not enough awesome tag teams or really quick guys. Just imagine them working with Tyson Kidd. Someone wanna make this happen?
I’ll look at some possible TNA acquisitions among recent WWE castoffs later today. That’s right, I’m looking at you, Chris Masters.
PHOTO CREDIT – WWE
TweetSource: http://www.fighters.com/07/26/free-agents-new-faces-and-some-old-to-look-for-in-wwe
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Source: http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/UFC_2/article_13961.shtml
| Middleweight Chris Weidman has spent more than half of his career inside the Octagon, racking up five wins in five UFC fights. The run has improved his overall record to 9-0 and established him as one of the division’s top contenders. However, in the eyes of 185-pound champion Anderson Silva’s management, Weidman has a ways to go before he’s earned the right to face the dynamic Brazilian. The approach has apparently irked Weidman as made clear by some recent comments the “All-American” made in an interview with MMAWeekly. “The managers they have no right to start putting down professional athletes,” said Weidman after he and a few of his highly-touted peers were labeled as being little more than amateurs by Silva representative Jorge Guimaraes. “I know I wouldn’t want my manager speaking about other fighters like that.” Instead of mixing it up with Weidman (or any other 185er), Silva’s team has pointed to a potential super-fight with welterweight title-holder Georges St-Pierre in addition Nick Diaz’s name also coming up in light of recent statement’s from the polarizing pugilist’s camp. Needless to say, Weidman also feels slighted by the possibility of Silva going against someone outside of the division rather than face a deserving middleweight. “I mean GSP, let’s start with him. The guy is coming off ACL surgery, we don’t even know for sure when he’s fighting, and when he does fight he’s fighting Carlos Condit for the welterweight title. You never know what’s going to happen and best-case scenario he could fight again around May. So if anything, fight me next, if you beat me then you get your shot with GSP. You’re just calling out a 170 pounder coming off ACL surgery,” explained Weidman on the topic of the long-rumored rumble. “Then Nick Diaz, he’s another guy he’d have a size advantage over, he’s another good name but the guy’s not going to be cleared till February. That’s just crazy.” For now it appears Weidman will have to sit and wait until Silva makes a move or a tilt for establishing clear-cut top contendership emerges. No date has surfaced for Silva’s return to the ring, though he and Weidman are both fresh off strike-based stoppages where neither absorbed any significant damage. |
Source: http://www.mmaforum.com/ufc/103898-chris-weidman-irked-andersons-comments.html
Tune into Showtime on Wednesday, August 8th at 9:30pm ET for the latest episode of “All Access” which will feature Strikeforce women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey. See how Rousey’s life has changed since she captured the title with a thrilling first round submission win of Miesha Tate on March 3rd.
Rousey will make her first title defense when she takes on Sarah Kaufman in San Diego on August 18th.
Ronda Rousey – All Access Preview is a post from: MMA Interplay UFC News
Source: http://www.mmainterplay.com/strikeforce-news/ronda-rousey-all-access-preview-58975/
Source: http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/quicknews/article_13969.shtml
Mark Pavelich runs his organization with an iron fist in the same fashion that UFC head honcho Dana White does. You do not want to cross either one of these men because they will hold your feet to the fire. At the end of the day they have to be commended for putting in long hours to insure that we, the fan are entertained.
We recently had Pavelich on Rebellion MMA Radio and he was highly entertaining and extremely intelligent. Never once to mince words, Pavelich has no problem speaking his mind and doesn’t care if you’re offended. I was asked to preview some of the fights for their upcoming card MFC 34 which takes place on Friday August 10. Here is what I came up with…
Adam Lynn vs. Mukai Maromo – MFC Lightweight Title:
Lynn is a former Marine with a record of 17-9 while Maromo is 7-2. They met at MFC 33 this past May and Maromo won a very close split decision which created the need for this rematch. Lynn is far more experienced having spent time in Strikeforce, IFL, Shooto and WEC. He has faced a few top guys along the way in Nick Diaz, Jay Hieron and Josh Thomson coming up short in each fight. He competed mostly at 170 pounds before dropping down to lightweight. He has won six bouts by KO/TKO and four by submission.
Maromo will be competing for MFC for the fourth time and is known as “The African Assassin.” He went to college on a track and academic scholarship and made the transition to MMA in 2005. He has trained mostly in Muay Thai and also has some very good boxing skills. As a younger, more athletic fighter I would give him the edge in the rematch against Lynn. I see another thrilling fight with Maromo winning by unanimous decision with each fighter having their moments.
Joseph Henle vs. Luke Harris - Middleweight:
At 28-years-old Henle has competed in just eight MMA bouts, but he has won every one of them except for one draw. He has won four fights by submission all of them by some type of choke. This will be his debut for MFC and it’ll be interesting to see how he reacts to fighting in front of a larger crowd and on television. That type of pressure can never be discounted. Henle competed on The Ultimate Fighter Season 11 and won a fight to get in the house, but then lost to Seth Baczynski by unanimous decision.
Harris is the older of the two at 34-years-old and has a professional record of 9-1. He is coming off a first round submission victory over UFC veteran Edwin Dewees at MFC 33. He lost his MMA debut and has rolled off nine wins in a row. All of his victories have come by submission and in the first round. I look for Henle to try and take Harris past the first round for the first time to test his cardio, but I believe he will fail and will be submission victory #10 late in the first round.
Mike Hackert vs. Tim Hague - Heavyweights:
These two just met in May with Hackert taking the win via unanimous decision. They fought for Prestige Fighting Championships and now will rematch inside the MFC ring. Hackert has a 5-1 record with all of his victories coming by decision. Hague is 14-6 and has had two tours with the UFC. His record inside the Octagon is just 1-4, but his victory over Pat Barry is still impressive and made for a great debut with the organization.
Hague is a finisher having won eight fights by KO/TKO and four by submission. Having fought Hackert once already I look for the veteran to take a close look at what went wrong in their first fight and make the necessary adjustments. Hague would love to make a big splash in his MFC debut and show fans all over the world that he can compete at a high level. Hackert is still young at just 24-years-old and may have a bright future, but Hague is going to put him on his back looking up at the lights early on in the second round to win by KO.
Nick Hinchliffe vs. Dhiego Lima -Welterweights:
Lima is an up and coming welterweight who has already made noise in his brief career. He is just 22-years old and is the younger brother of Douglas Lima, the 2012 Bellator welterweight tournament finalist. Dhiego is coming off of his first professional loss to Nathan Coy at MFC 33. This will be his fifth fight for MFC and they are counting on big things from him according to Pavelich. He has finished all six of his wins with four coming by way of submission and two by knockout.
Hinchliffe is a solid veteran with a record of 19-6. This will be his first fight with MFC after competing in such organizations as Armageddon Fighting Championships and King of the Cage. He has finished 14 of his opponents half by submission and half by knockout. Lima is in my mind the superior athlete and trains with ATT Atlanta and Ascension MMA. He gets tested every day in practice by his brother and a host of other top fighters. This will be his breakout fight as he will take Hinchliffe out with a spectacular submission victory in the second round.
While you may not recognize many of these names you will be entertained when you watch them fight. Pavelich and crew have done a great job matching these guys up and Pavelich is promising explosive finishes and a lot of blood.
Listen to our interview with Dhiego Lima by clicking here.
PHOTO CREDIT – SPORTFIGHT/UFC
Source: http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2012/07/27/a-look-at-mfc-34/
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Source: http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/UFC_2/article_13936.shtml
DOES THE BARAO ERA START NOW?
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/mmaconvert/~3/LItvx-R3rfM/
The good news came by way of Diaz’s manager/coach Cesar Gracie who took to GracieFighter.com to write, “For the last couple of months I’ve watched Nick begin to frequent the gym more and more. He’s training harder now than he has for many of his fights. It was obvious that training and fighting is in his DNA. It is who he is.”
“This week we had a great talk and he made it clear to me that he is ready to get back to the cage. Nick Diaz will return,” he stated, summing the situation up.
With St-Pierre off the table Diaz has set his sights on another divisional champion in the form of Anderson Silva. While the match-up may seem unlikely on the surface, Silva has recently expressed a desire to participate in “big money” fights and Diaz’s style/fanbase would certainly create such a scenario were they to face off in the Octagon.
“Nick has stated that he would like to take fights ‘that matter’. Since GSP will be fighting Condit, he has to look elsewhere. He will respectfully ask for a fight with Anderson Silva, a fighter he respects and would like to challenge,” explained Gracie. “Silva’s camp has been speaking of a fight with GSP, possibly even at a catch weight. Nick will take that fight in a minute but has told me that should Silva decide not to drop at all, he will move up to 185lbs to face the Champ.”
Gracie closed things out by saying he was meeting with UFC President Dana White in August to discuss Diaz’s return and urged fans to show their support online.
The complete statement from Gracie can be found below:
It’s been a trying time these last 4 months as I have been faced with the prospect that one of our team’s most talented fighters had decided to leave the sport. As a fan I’ve always admired what both of the Diazs brought to the cage; a combination of technical brilliance and raw violence.
Nate Diaz has finally put his game together and found the formula to propel him to the top of the 155lbs division. To see Nick leave at the top of his game was difficult.
For the last couple of months I’ve watched Nick begin to frequent the gym more and more. He’s training harder now than he has for many of his fights. It was obvious that training and fighting is in his DNA. It is who he is.
This week we had a great talk and he made it clear to me that he is ready to get back to the cage. Nick Diaz will return.
To address the NSAC suspension, I will say that we have appealed to the courts and if things go our way, it will be plausible that Nick could return as early as sometime at the end of this year.
For too long NSAC bureaucrats have acted with malicious incompetence towards the fighters. We will challenge them in court.
As far as future opponents, Nick has stated that he would like to take fights “that matter”. Since GSP will be fighting Condit, he has to look elsewhere. He will respectfully ask for a fight with Anderson Silva, a fighter he respects and would like to challenge.
Silva’s camp has been speaking of a fight with GSP, possibly even at a catch weight. Nick will take that fight in a minute but has told me that should Silva decide not to drop at all, he will move up to 185lbs to face the Champ.
I will be meeting with Dana next Monday August 6th to discuss this and other issues. If you appreciate Nick’s fighting style, please let Dana know that you want Nick back ASAP.
PHOTO CREDIT – UFC
Source: http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2012/07/28/nick-diaz-back-in-the-gym-wants-to-fight-anderson-silva/
Source: http://www.ufc.com/news/ufc-151-fight-card-updates
Shane The Engineer Carwin Jason Hollywood Chambers Ryo Piranha Chonan Dan The Sandman Christison
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Source: http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/UFC_2/article_13937.shtml
Steve The Snake Claveau Rich No Love Clementi Mark The Hammer Coleman Wes Soldier Combs
| If Dana White had things his way, Steve Mazzagatti wouldn't be allowed anywhere near a UFC Octagon. The UFC President has already gone on record in calling Mazzagatti the "worst ref in the history of any fight business." Like most refs, Mazzagatti has had his share of bad calls, but he doesn't believe past mistakes should overshadow some of the good things he's done for the sport. "I can't even count how many fights I've done which all has gone fine, but sometimes things are going to go bad," Mazzagatti said in a telephone interview with HeavyMMA. "It's just like good fighters. Sometimes it goes bad and they get subbed or they get beat, and that's the way it goes. Unfortunately, we're in a high-profile position. We can't see it all." What about excessively long clinch and grappling situations? As a fan of MMA, it's hard to watch your favorite fighter trapped underneath an opponent without any action for elongated periods of time. The referee is charged with standing the fight up or separating fighters whenever they get into a stalemated position. Unfortunately, some refs allow stalemates to go on much longer than others. This gives the fighter in the dominant position a chance to ride out time and coast to a decision. At the post-fight press conference for UFC 149, White ripped into referee Yves Lavigne's performance in the heavyweight bout between Cheick Kongo and Shawn Jordan. "[Yves Lavigne] is standing around letting two guys clinch for three freaking rounds and then let them clinch for the entire third round. At what point do you go, 'Ok, there's no fight going on here.' These people paid money. In the rules, it says that these guys are supposed to be fighting. There's actually points that can be taken away for timidity, but if you see two guys clinching, it makes me think that Yves Lavigne doesn't know what he's doing." Mazzagatti, who didn't even work at UFC 149, remained the focal point of White's rant. He thinks the fact that Mazzagatti is still employed shows a lack of responsibility on the commission's part. If something isn't done about the poor refereeing and judging, White is worried the sport could face some serious problems down the road. "If this doesn't get fixed, it just absolutely crushes the sport. It's so bad. [Steve] Mazzagatti still [expletive] works. That guy still has a job. That's crazy. Herb Dean should ref every fight there is. The guy would get exhausted and couldn't do it, and they'd never let that happen. Mazzagatti still works, enough said. The fact that the commissioner would let this guy referee fights still is just beyond my comprehension." Mazzagatti believes the problem lies in the actual rules, not the referees. There is a massive gray area in the rules when it comes to standing fighters up and breaking up clinch grapples. If the rules were more straightforward, it would make refereeing that much easier. "[Dana White] has criticized us, and we get a lot of criticism for not standing them up – at least I do," Mazzagatti continued in his interview with HeavyMMA. "They say we let fighters lay on the ground too long and we're not doing anything. We don't make the rules. We enforce them. It's not our job to make sure the fight goes the way the promoter wants it to go. It's the fighter's job. It's their show." Ultimately, the referee's job is to protect the fighters and make sure everything goes along according to the rules. The promotion and its fighters are responsible for everything else. "I don't make the rules," said Mazzagatti. "If you want to make a 15-second standup rule, then come up with a 15-second standup rule, and I will stand them up in 15 seconds. I can only go with what's given to me. I don't judge fighters by who they are and what they're known for." You gotta understand, I don't work for Dana, and we [referees] don't work for Dana. I feel I'm a public servant for the fans and the fighters. I want to make sure the fighters have a good, clean, fair fight that they trained for and expect." White acknowledged that the fighters should be held responsible for their own performances, but he thinks some accountability should fall back on the refs and judges. Whether they like it or not, their decisions have a direct impact on the UFC's events and the future of its fighters. |
Source: http://www.mmaforum.com/ufc/103883-mazzagatti-responds-dana.html
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Source: http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/Affliction2/article_13957.shtml
UFC veteran Anthony Johnson is set to make his light heavyweight debut in a matter of weeks and won’t wait long before taking to the ring in a follow-up performance, as two tilts have been linked to “Rumble” in the coming months. First, Johnson will face Esteves Jones on August 24 at Titan FC 24, and then the 28-year old will take on Jake Rosholt on September 21 at XFN 8.
Both bouts were announced this week by event officials.
Johnson Coming to Grips with Career as a 205er
Jones owns an overall record of 8-3 with six TKOs to his credit. Comparably, Rosholt also spent time in the UFC where he beat Chris Leben, and also holds past wins over Nissen Osterneck and Matt Horwich.
The 11-4 Johnson picked up a victory his last outing after being released by the UFC for weight-related issues. He has also found success in the cage against the likes of Luigi Fioravanti, Charlie Brenneman, and Dan Hardy.
PHOTO CREDIT – UFC
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