During the UFC On FX 8: Belfort Vs Rockhold post fight press conference, veteran reporter John Morgan tried to ask main event winner Vitor Belfort about having to answer the TRT question all of the time, and that’s when things got weird. Before Morgan could even finish asking the question, Belfort decided he wasn’t going to answer it, and began to mock Morgan. Belfort spoke in Portuguese, but later Brazilian members of the UFC media pool translated the words. Basically, Belfort said he wasn’t going to answer the question, and even said someone should be beat up Morgan for making the query. Obviously word has gotten back to the fighter, and although the proper time to apologize was days ago, Belfort is now backpedaling on his words.

Belfort tweeted (message left whole with errors):

To all my fans and to all the reporters that was there on the after press conference I would like to ask for forgiveness the way I answer about TRT I RECOGNIZE THAT I ANWSER IN A IMMATURE WAY BUT WAS THE 10 th time that that reporter ask the same question. No excuse!! I made a WORNG call and I am here to ask for forgiveness God bless all you guys love to do what I do and I am keeping moving UP SEEKING GROW AS A MEN OF GOD AND AS A FIGHTER “DONT DOUT ME I WILL PROUVE U WORNG” PEACE

Photo Credit: Jason da Silva-USA TODAY Sports

The post Vitor Belfort Apologizes For Being Mature At Press Conference appeared first on Fighters.com.

UFC Light Heavyweight Chael Sonnen recently spent some time calling out Wanderlei Silva across all sorts of social media and to anyone who would listen. Sonnen even went as far as to say he would donate part of his purse to a charity if Silva agreed to fight him with in 24 hours of the post, and when Silva didn’t respond he let everyone know. Silva later said he was never given an offer by the UFC, and now Sonnen is saying he is no longer interested in the fight Silva. There is a very good possibility that this is just more lobbying from Sonnen to get the fight made on the Boston card.

Sonnen told MMAHeat:

“I’m not looking for it anymore, I don’t like to bully guys. I tried to fight him, he doesn’t want to fight. I’m not gonna stick a finger in a guy’s chest. If a guy says ‘no,’ I’m not gonna be a jerk about it.”

Photo Photo Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

The post Chael Sonnen No Longer Looking For Wanderlei Silva Fight appeared first on Fighters.com.

UFC featherweight Nik Lentz piled up his share of dings and bruises, but what fans don’t know is that he got his most severe injury following the fight. As it turns out, Lentz was getting the hand wraps cut from his hand following his unanimous decision win over Hacran Dias at UFC On FX 8: Belfort Vs Rockhold, when the doctor made a mistake. Instead of just cutting the wraps off his hands, the doctor on hand managed to slice into Lentz’s hand with the scissors. Lentz posted a picture of the injury Saturday night after he got it stitched up.

Lentz via Twttier:

Hand is still bleeding a day after the doc cut it trying to get my hand wraps off!! Damn noob!! twitter.com/NikLentz/statu…

— Nik Lentz Ufc mma (@NikLentz) May 19, 2013

Photo  Credit: Jason da Silva-USA TODAY Sports

The post Nik Lentz Cut By Doctor After Dias Bout appeared first on Fighters.com.

UFC middleweight Chris Weidman is the latest in a long line of competitors to express confidence entering an effort against champion Anderson Silva despite the Brazilian’s unbeaten mark inside the Octagon. However, Weidman’s words seem to have more weight considering the upside he’s shown in his young career and background as an accomplished amateur wrestler.

Weidman elaborated on his mindset entering their UFC 162 showdown in a recent conversation with MMAWeekly, saying his self-belief stemmed from a realization he had years ago before he was even in the UFC.

“I always thought I had better wrestling. I thought I had the length and athleticism to be aware on the feet to when I could strike for my takedowns and look to punch. And when I hit the ground, I always felt confident in my jiu-jitsu. So it wasn’t like I saw the Chael Sonnen fight and said, ‘Oh, my God! Look! I can beat him!’ It was way before that.”

“On paper I think I have him beat in more areas than he has me beat. I don’t think he’s ever fought a guy who has him beat in as many areas as I do. I’m young. I’m hungry. I don’t have the biggest name, so people are going to expect him to beat me. I think he knows being a smart guy and being around the MMA game that it’s not going to be an easy fight.”

SOURCE: MMAWeekly
PHOTO CREDIT: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The post Chris Weidman Believes He’s Better than Anderson Silva in Multiple Areas appeared first on Fighters.com.

UFC star Chael Sonnen is 36-year old, has a blossoming career in broadcasting, and is coming off back-to-back losses. However, Sonnen is determined to continue competing and understandably so considering his consecutive defeats came against two of the top pound-for-pound fighters in MMA, champions Anderson Silva and Jon Jones.

The most likely opponent for Sonnen’s next scrap appears to be Wanderlei Silva based on a constant stream of smack-talk between the two dating back to a confrontation a few years back that’s recently heated up. Sonnen took aim at Silva again over the weekend while offering commentary on Fuel TV for UFC on FX 8, though didn’t go so far as to say the tilt was set in stone at this point.

“At some point, my skills will diminish and my athletic abilities will go down. And when they do, I’ll either join the NFL or fight Wanderlei Silva. But at this point, I’m looking ahead and I don’t know what’s next,” said Sonnen.

The anticipated bout between Sonnen-Silva has been rumored to be taking place on August 17 in Boston at UFC on FS1.

SOURCE: Fuel TV
PHOTO CREDIT: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The post Chael Sonnen: “I don’t know what’s next.” appeared first on Fighters.com.

According to a tweet by UFC Heavyweight Mark Hunt, Hunt has obtained the VISA he needed to travel to the USA, and his fight with Junior dos Santos will take place as planned. As reported on Fighters.com, Hunt attempted to travel to the US about two weeks ago, but an issue prevented him from obtaining his VISA and he was turned away. Last Friday, the state of Nevada granted him a license to fight in the state next Saturday at UFC 160: Velasquez Vs Silva II, but they also granted Roy Nelson a license as well in case he couldn’t get into the country. Nelson won’t be needed afteral as Hunt is likely already enroute to get to the states.

Hunt via Twitter:    Thank u for my visa father

The post Mark Hunt Obtains VISA, Fight With Dos Santos All Set appeared first on Fighters.com.

UFC middleweight Vitor Belfort has accomplished a lot in his career yet he seems to be the underdog in most of his match-ups based on age and a singular approach to scoring wins inside the Octagon. In his last two tilts, many felt a changing of the guard would occur with fresher fighters coming out on top after stymieing his aggressive stand-up. However, Belfort came out on top in each, blasting Michael Bisping with a head kick in January and doing similar damage with a spinning heel kick last night in a match-up with Luke Rockhold.

Belfort spoke about his career in a conversation with Fuel TV after his UFC on FX 8 win, saying his love of competition will keep him going in the cage for as long as his body will allow.

“I was part of two jungles. I’m a T-Rex surviving in this new jungle. I’m revealing myself and God gave me the strength. I used to be strong then. I’m strong now. I think it’s just a burning inside of me that said: you didn’t accomplish what you did. I lacked so many things in my career. I did so many mistakes, and Dana White gave me the chance. And I promised him, I sat down in a meeting and said I’m going to promise him, I’m going to give him my best. I’m going to finish as strong as I can finish. If I don’t have the desire to go to the gym, if I don’t have the desire to train to improve new skills, I should retire. I still have a lot of gas in my tank. I thank God to give me that strength, that burning inside.”

The full interview with Belfort can be seen below:

SOURCE: Fuel TV
PHOTO CREDIT: Jason da Silva-USA Today Sports

The post Vitor Belfort: “I still have a lot of gas in my tank.” appeared first on Fighters.com.

Middleweight Luke Rockhold didn’t have a lot of nice things to say about Vitor Belfort leading up to their bout at UFC on FX 8. Though respectful of Belfort’s contribution to Mixed Martial Arts over a sixteen-year career, Rockhold felt as though “The Phenom” lacked the mental make-up to still succeed at a high level and attributed much of the Brazilian’s recent success to testosterone replacement therapy.

After getting knocked out in the opening round of last night’s main event it appears Rockhold has a different take on the 36-year old. Rockhold spoke to MMAJunkie after the bout, explaining that he lost fair and square to the better man.

“I felt good. I saw his punches. I saw everything. I was landing some shots. I felt like I was starting to control things, and then I got caught. It happens.”

“TRT had nothing to do with that kick.”

“I lost to one of the best guys in the world, and it was something pretty spectacular. I don’t know what to really think about anything right now. I just want to get back and fight and beat someone up. That’s what I’m focused on. Good job by Vitor. What can I say?”

SOURCE: MMAJunkie
PHOTO CREDIT: Jason da Silva-USA TODAY Sports

The post Luke Rockhold: “Good job by Vitor. What can I say?” appeared first on Fighters.com.

UFC Interim Champion Renan Barao is likely injured and out of next month’s UFC 161 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. According to reports, Barao injured his right foot in training and right doctors are trying to determine if he can still fight. When UFC officials were asked about the report, reporters were told Barao was ‘probably out.’

The UFC needs to make a decision soon as UFC 161 Barao Vs Wineland takes place on June 15th at the MTS Centre. If Barao is injured, this would make the second UFC Banatamweight belt that will sit on a shelf as Barao won his Interim because UFC Bantamweight Champion Dominick Cruz has been injured for close to two years now. Stay close to Fighters.com as we will be recovering this as the story unfolds.

Photo  Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

The post Renen Barao Likely Out Of UFC 161 appeared first on Fighters.com.

UFC On FX 8: Belfort Vs Rockhold is wrapped up and in the books, and it was Vitor Belfort who closed the night by dropping jaws around the world to the floor. Belfort landed a spinning back kick to the side of Luke Rockhold‘s head sending him the canvas. Belfort smelled the blood in the water and finished Rockhold off with strikes from half guard. Once again, Belfort went against the odds, finished in the first round, and added a knockout to his highlight reel. Belfort also picked up the knock out of the night bonus earning him an extra $50,000.

When asked in the ring if he wanted a crack at the middleweight belt, Belfort said he did not want a belt, and the MMA blogosphere is already clamoring for a fight between Belfort and the night’s co main event winner Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza. There is no word yet from the UFC on any fights to be made from the event, but a middleweight title fight between Anderson SIlva and Chris Weidman will likely happen before any fight gets made.

UFC On FX 8: Belfort Vs Rockhold took place May 18 at Arena Jaragua in Santa Catarina, Brazil.

PHOTO CREDIT: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

The post Vitor Belfort Knocks Out Luke Rockhold In Highlight Reel Fashion appeared first on Fighters.com.

UFC On FX 8: Belfort Vs Rockhold is in the books and when the dust cleared it was Vitor Belfort who knocked out Luke Rockhold in the main event. As always, the UFC is giving $50,000 to the night’s top performers, and you can find the full list below.

Submission of the night: Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza
Knockout of the night: Vitor Belfort
Fight of the night: Jeremy Larsen vs. Lucas Martins

The post UFC On FX 8: Belfort Vs Rockhold Fight Night Bonuses appeared first on Fighters.com.

Iconic Brazilian Vitor Belfort entered his 2012 tilt against light heavyweight champ Jon Jones as a major underdog and understandably so. Not only did “The Phenom” take the fight on short notice as a smaller individual, but Jones is seen by most as one of the Top 3 pound-for-pound pugilists in MMA. While Belfort went on to lose the bout, he nearly pulled off a huge upset with an early Armbar and even injured Jones in the process.

Though the odds aren’t as stacked against him tonight in his UFC on FX 8 rumble with Luke Rockhold, Belfort knows there are a lot of fans who have counted him out based on the former Strikeforce champion’s grappling background and crisp kickboxing. However, that’s not to say he’s bothered.

“You doubt me, I prove you wrong,” said Belfort of his critics after offering up an assessment of Rockhold. “He’s scared already. He feels the heat.”

The full interview with Belfort can be seen below:

SOURCE: Fuel TV
PHOTO CREDIT: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

The post Vitor Belfort: “You doubt me, I prove you wrong.” appeared first on Fighters.com.

UFC middleweight Luke Rockhold has been quick to criticize UFC on FX 8 foe Vitor Belfort for the elder statesman’s use of testosterone replacement therapy despite having been popped for PEDs in the past. However, Rockhold has a new bone to pick with “The Phenom” based on the Brazilian’s behavior during the final build up to this evening’s action.

Rockhold spoke with Fuel TV shortly after he and Belfort had a minor scuffle at the weigh-ins, saying he was annoyed with Belfort’s decision to put his fist up to his face during a photo op. As a result, according to Rockhold, he’s even more fired up to flatten Belfort in tonight’s tilt…

“I’ve got no respect for that. I’m a fighter. I’m gonna come in there and do my job.”

“I’m scared? I’ve got no words for that. I became champion, I stayed champion, and Belfort’s gonna find that out…”

“Vitor’s always explosive off the bat but he’s messed up in his own head.”

“I’m coming for him and I’m gonna kick his ass!”

The full interview with Rockhold can be seen below:

SOURCE: Fuel TV
PHOTO CREDIT: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports

The post Luke Rockhold: “I’m coming for him and I’m gonna kick his a**!” appeared first on Fighters.com.

Former UFC welterweight Matt Riddle recently announced that he would be heading to Legacy Fighting Championships to continue fighting. However, it is now being reported that Riddle will not go to to Legacy FC, but will head to Bellator MMA instead. It’s no secret that Riddle left the UFC under bad terms after testing positive for marijuana twice in 6 months, but according to reports and rumors Bellator is looking to fill a slot in a welterweight tournament left open by Paul Daley who can’t get into the country because of legal trouble of his own in England.

Inside MMA reported:

BREAKING NEWS – Matt Riddle is leaving @legacyfighting for @BellatorMMA details of contracts are being hammered out.

The post Matt Riddle Headed To Bellator appeared first on Fighters.com.

In a recent interview, UFC Lightweight Nate Diaz was as candid as I have ever heard him. He said many things that were over the top, and many things I do not agree with, but I had never heard him as relatable as he was during that conversation. It was so fascinating that it prompted me to tweet his manager to encourage him to do more of them.

However, Diaz’s recent comments on Twitter – while not the dumbest thing I’ve ever seen in cyberspace – are probably in my top ten. For those that don’t know, Diaz insulted Bryan Caraway for ending up with the bonus money that would have gone to Pat Healy had he not tested positive for marijuana after his UFC 159 bout with Jim Miller. While it’s easy to understand his support, the problem with Diaz’s reaction is that he chose to call Caraway “the biggest fag in the world.”

Diaz’s disciplinary problems started as an unlicensed cornerman at the famous “Strikeforce Brawl” in Nashville when he decided to jump into the foray in the cage that night. For his actions, Diaz was suspended for three months and was fined $7,500. This would be the first bad decision  Diaz would make in a long line of them.

With the new UFC Code of Conduct policy now firmly in place, the hammer came down hard and fast. As soon as UFC President Dana White heard of the post, he vowed action from the UFC, and before the story was six hours old, the UFC had issued a statement and suspended Diaz indefinitely. As I write this, the post is twenty hours old and Diaz has not apologized nor even deleted the tweet. As if things weren’t ugly enough, his manager isn’t doing his client any favors.

Diaz representative Mike Kogan vehemently defended his client, and tried (and failed miserably) to rationalize the unfortunate choice of words from his fighter. Kogan, who obviously doesn’t understand that you don’t get to decide how people take the things you say, basically said by calling him that, he meant Caraway was “a punk, or a bitch.” Does this sound shocking to you? How could the guy who manages such high-profile athletes like Royce Gracie, Roy Nelson and Mo Lawal choose his words so poorly? The answer is because that’s what Kogan does.

Not only was I not shocked by Kogan’s comments, I expected them. A while back Kogan wrote an article and he chose to use the term “house niggas” when referring to Quinton Jackson and Jon Jones. While explaining that the racism among MMA fans bothered him, Kogan would go on to say the most ignorant things I have ever heard from a manager.

That’s why Rampage and Jon Jones are so popular. They are “house niggas”, they are for the white folk, you know what I mean? I’m not trying to put down black folk, but if you sit down and listen to Jon Jones, ain’t no black folk saying that shit man, come on. The last person that said that shit is Barack Obama, and that nigga the President, so of course he gonna say that shit- Mike Kogan  (link)

What does this have to do with Diaz? Diaz decided that this was the man who should represent him professionally. Kogan isn’t even telling the fighter to delete the tweet. In this case, Kogan does not have his client’s interest ahead of his. Any smart manager would go into damage-control mode and put together a multi-step plan that included apologies, communicating to the UFC that they would accept any and all punishments, and that they would do all they could to undo the damage done. Part of a good manager’s job is to protect their client 365 days a year, and yes they need to protect them from themselves.

If the UFC was going to make an example out of someone since implementing their code of conduct policy, can you imagine a better candidate than Diaz? Diaz has a tremendous amount of abilities as a fighter that I predict will one day outshine his brothers, but it really seems like he is hellbent on squandering them. Diaz’s decision-making GPS seems to be set on Bellator or WSOF.

Photo Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The post Nate Diaz’s Decision Making Problem appeared first on Fighters.com.

The stakes are high UFC middleweight Ronaldo Souza this weekend when he locks horns with Chris Camozzi in a co-headlining clash at UFC on FX 8. “Jacare” will enter the effort as the favorite based on his past accomplishments, plus the bout happens to be taking place in Brazil where Souza hails from.

Though Souza had to switch things up on short notice after original opponent Costa Philippou, the 33-year old recently told the UFC’s website he is confident he will come out on top despite the added pressure to perform.

“For sure it is a little difficult to prepare for someone and then fight a different guy. I was training for a 5-10 body frame person and now I am fighting someone with a 6-3 frame with more reach and it’s two weeks away, when my training is pretty much done. But it doesn’t change a lot; we have so many training partners at XGym, so I am used to training with all kind of bodies and shapes and I will always be ready to fight anyone.”

“It means a lot to me. Not only I will debut in the biggest event of the world, I will debut in Brazil. That pumps me up to be ready, to be more focused, and to put my emotions on the side and bring the action into the cage.”

“I still need a couple more fights to move up. It’s a very tough division. They are all tough guys and any of them can put a great fight. But I see myself reaching the top of my division, step by step. I am aware of the responsibilities and challenges ahead of me and I am ready for it.”

SOURCE: UFC.com
PHOTO CREDIT: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

The post Ronaldo Souza: “I will always be ready to fight anyone.” appeared first on Fighters.com.

UFC 159 was a great night for Strikeforce refugee Pat Healy. He waged an absolute war against the affable Jim Miller, came out on top via a gutsy performance and tap out via rear naked choke, and was awarded a hefty “submission of the night” and “fight of the night” bonus to go with his winnings. Sadly, his good fortune ended there – or rather, it ended when his mandatory drug screening came back positive for marijuana. Cue sad trombone music, because from that lapse in judgment, Healy saw his win turned into a “no contest”, and saw his bonus dough go to fellow UFC 159er Bryan Caraway (who also won by sub that night).

That sucks for “Bam Bam”, does it not? After all, he fought his heart out against Miller. While the “no contest” is of course fitting, is it possible that the loss of the bonus money might be a bit too harsh of a punishment for being caught with a drug that isn’t really much of a performance enhancer?

Cue drumroll, because here’s what the Rebellion team had to say on the matter.

Chris McDevitt, MMALinker:

Maybe now that someone has smoked a proverbial “six-figure” bowl, fighters will realize that marijuana has absolutely no place in their training camps.  It doesn’t matter how many weeks out you quit, that last session is the one that tears up your winning lottery ticket. Pat Healy was given a full training camp to prepare for Jim Miller and during that camp, he toked; one would assume he tapered his usage as the fight grew closer.  Bryan Caraway took his fight on five days notice, losing 23.5 pounds in the interim, and pissed clean. It sucks that they even test for non-performance enhancing substances but it is reassuring to see Caraway rewarded for positive behavior. Wait until after the post-fight autographs are signed and the cups are filled and THEN spark a spliff with Rogan in the parking lot.  Dammit, Bam Bam, if you don’t want to be drug tested, go sign with Bellator.

Dana Becker, MMAConvert and FightLine:

No, Pat Healy does not deserve either bonus because the UFC made it quite clear: you fail the drug test, you get no bonus. Pat, and every other fighter in the promotion, was told the same thing. Hey, don’t smoke the green stuff before a fight, stupid!

Casey Hodgin, MMALinker:

I definitely think Zuffa is being too harsh on him. The NC and suspension is bad enough for a fighter. A fighter’s success is based around his activity, and how often he wins. They already took that away, and now they’re robbing him?! Healy deserves that money 100%! He fought one of the toughest fighters in the world, put on a hell of a performance and a fight, and even managed to finish him! I guess we’ll see how Healy can deal with adversity. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see Healy turn into a bonus-hunter. He has the style and attitude to be incredibly exciting, and now with a setback just after his UFC debut, we could see him fight with a bit of desperation.

Chris Leslie, MMAFrenzy:

Earlier this year the powers at be at Zuffa announced they would penalize fighters who failed their drug tests in addition to local rules. Part of that decree was that the company would take back bonuses. So when Pat Healy failed a test due to marijuana, they did just that. Healy had a fantastic evening at UFC 159, but knew the rules beforehand and still broke the rules. People can get angry at the commissions and the rules, but the fighters know they will likely be tested and should act accordingly. Until the rules are changed regarding marijuana, fighters have been warned and have only themselves to blame when they fail a test.

Miguel Barragan, FightLine and Fighters.com:

Let’s just be honest here, we all know that the sweet leaf is by no means a performance-enhancing drug (PED), at least not for mixed martial arts. I mean I’ve heard of archers using it for its calming benefits but let’s be realistic, the UFC has decided to take back the two “Of The Night” rewards from Healy for reasons that hold no substance. Healy took a beating before coming on late in the third round to earn the victory, the hard way. Dana White has commented several times that, in his opinion, marijuana is not a PED. It is however still illegal, no debate there. But taking in consideration that it’s the UFC’s discretion who wins these “locker room bonuses”, it’s blatantly obvious the UFC’s reason or reasons for this cheap move has no merit. If Dana White truly feels how he says he does about marijuana, there should be no reason for him to take the prize money back since it’s up to them who gets it to begin with. It’s not a fight purse, it’s a bonus and everything from an athletic commission standpoint has already been taken care of. From the outside, it looks like the UFC is retrieving the award money for PR reasons. It has to look good in the public’s eye, but since when has the UFC done things others want them to do? It’s a bogus decision and the UFC knows it, bottom line. And people still talk shit about Bellator’s business practices.

John Petit, Fighters.com:

I heard the head of USADA Travis Tygart say once, “The easiest drug test to pass is the one you know thats coming.” Healy knew that there was a drug test coming, and he made the decision to smoke pot anyway. This has NOTHING to do with whether weed is legal or not (its legal all over the world, yet you will find it on the WADA list), and if you think that once they make marijuana legal in the Unites States it won’t be on the banned list anymore, you should go take a look at how the process to change the rules works. Fighters must think that these tests for marijuana aren’t getting more sophisticated, but you better believe that these tests will evolve exponentially as these fights go on and they catch more of them. Healy lost $130,000 for being stupid, and had a big win overturned for poor decision making. In this case, the weed was a symptom, not the problem.

Sam Genovese, MMAConvert and MMAFrenzy:

Don’t break the rules. If you want to keep your bonuses, don’t break the rules. You shouldn’t be rewarded for breaking the rules. I think the ban on marijuana is stupid but until it is legalized in fight sport, do it at your own risk.

Joe Lisnow, FightLine:

Pat Healy being popped for marijuana and losing his two bonus honors was justified. The main argument should be that the effects of marijuana are the opposite of other banned substances fighters use, namely steroids. There is no advantage for a fighter who uses marijuana. It’s not a strong opiate pain killer or one of the hundreds of drugs that can create a case of ‘roid rage. Healy broke the rules set by the athletic commission, and federal law, so he deserves to lose that extra cash. He admitted the mistake on his part, but it was a little too late. If he went to Dana White after the fight and came clean, it would be a different story. He only told the truth when the drug test results came in.

Marco Scolari, CagedInsider:

This marijuana issue is getting silly. Now the UFC, who has advocated against weed being deemed a “performance enhancer”, is taking well-deserved pay from its guys!? Never mind that Healy generated a fair amount of income for them and, because of that performance, will no doubt generate future revenue as well. Suspend the guy so he is unable to make a living presently as he made a bad decision, but don’t take his bonus.

Jake Norris, FightLine:

Fighters test positive for testosterone levels and get fined/suspended.  But get a doctor’s note and it becomes a legal TRT exemption.  Yet Matt Riddle gets fired over marijuana, even though he has a medical card.  Then Dana White tweets that the NSAC has “lost its mind” when JCC Jr. is fined $900k over weed.  But now Pat Healy loses $130k over the same thing.  Make sense to you?  Me neither.  We can talk all day about whether Healy really deserved to lose his bonus, but the real takeaway is that the UFC needs to find some consistency on its drug policy.

Brendhan Conlan, FiveOuncesofPain and Fighters.com:

It’s amazing how a little green can ultimately result in a lot less green, if you know what I’m saying. Though I may not agree with the current policy regarding marijuana use in MMA, especially in a situation like Healy’s where it clearly wasn’t performance enhancing or abused, the reality is smoking pot is against the rules and “Bam Bam” broke them by doing so. Since the win over Miller was changed to a No Contest, no “submission” technically existed nor did any “fight” so thereby no bonuses could be issued to Healy. It’s really as simple as that.

On a side note, I’d have zero problem with Dana White paying Healy a little something off the books for the excellent effort involved at UFC 159 coupled with the UFC President’s past disgust with athletic commissions’ approach to weed.

PHOTO CREDIT: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The post Rebellion Roundtable: Pat Healy’s $135,000 Bong Hit appeared first on Fighters.com.

Just a few weeks removed from his UFC On FOX loss to Josh Thomson, UFC Lightweight Nate Diaz may find himself out of a job. The mma blogosphere has been a buzz about the punishment that was levied against Pat Healy for failing his UFC 159 drug test, and Diaz took to twitter to criticize UFC Bantamweight Bryan Caraway(who ended up with Healy’s bonus money) with a homophobic slur. UFC President Dana White has since learned about the tweet, and is obviously not happy with Diaz right now.

MMAJunkie Reported:

Just received this from Dana White on Nate Diaz tweet: “He will be either fined and suspended or cut for that tweet.”

Photo  Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

The post Dana White Responds To Nate Diaz’s Inappropriate Twitter Post appeared first on Fighters.com.

The UFC On FX 8: Belfort Vs Rockhold weigh ins take place Friday afternoon to make all of the fights official for Saturday’s card, and you can keep up with the results and watch the video right here on Fighters.com. In the main event, Vitor Belfort and Luke Rockhold will lock horns to see who takes one step close to middleweight dominance, and in the co-main slot Chris Camozzi rolls out the welcome mat for jiu jitsu ace Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza.

You can watch the video right here at 3:00 PM EST on Friday, but we will also be updating the live results below and on twitter (Make sure you hit refresh to stay up to speed.)

Courtesy of the UFC:

UFC On FX 8: Belfort Vs Rockhold
Date: May 18, 2013
Location: Jaragua do Sul, Santa Catarina, Brazil
Venue: Arena Jaragua

Main Card

• Vitor Belfort (186 lbs) vs. Luke Rockhold (186 lbs)
• Chris Camozzi (186 lbs) vs. Ronaldo Souza (186 lbs)
• Rafael dos Anjos (156 lbs) vs. Evan Dunham (156 lbs)
• Rafael Natal (186 lbs) vs. Joao Zeferino (185 lbs)

Preliminary Card

• Hacran Dias (146 lbs) vs. Nik Lentz (146 lbs)
• Mike Rio (156 lbs) vs. Francisco Trinaldo (154 lbs)
• John Cholish (156.2 lbs) vs. Gleison Tibau (156 lbs)
• Michel Richard dos Prazeres (171 lbs) vs. Paulo Thiago (170 lbs)
• Yuri Alcantara (136 lbs) vs. Iliarde Santos (134 lbs)
• Roger Hollett (204 lbs) vs. Fabio Maldonado (205 lbs)
• Azamat Gashimov (126 lbs) vs. John Lineker (126 lbs)
• Chris Cariaso (126 lbs) vs. Jussier Formiga (126 lbs)
• Jeremy Larsen (155 lbs) vs. Lucas Martins (153 lbs)

The post UFC On FX 8: Belfort Vs Rockhold Live Weigh-In Results and Video (Friday, 3:00 PM EST) appeared first on Fighters.com.

UFC welterweight champ Georges St-Pierre is seen by most as one of the greatest fighters to compete in Mixed Martial Arts and for good reason considering his record/past accomplishments. While GSP is physically gifted and works as hard as any of his peers inside the training room, he recently revealed his mental approach to in-ring action is equally responsible for the success he’s encountered in his career.

Specifically, St-Pierre peeled back the layers for an autobiography titled The Way of the Fight where he explained his ability to adapt to situations, no matter how adverse, has been crucial to his climb up to the top of the sport.

“My whole life, I’ve been fascinated by the natural world and how animals survive or become extinct. The study of dinosaurs is especially interesting because those creatures aren’t here anymore, and they were the biggest, fiercest living things on the planet. Meanwhile, rats and cockroaches survive.”

“How is that? A cockroach can’t defeat a dinosaur. But the cockroach is better at one thing, and it has ensured its survival through the ages: adaptation. One could adapt to the environment and the other one couldn’t.”

“Most people don’t realize this basic, fundamental and crucial thing, and it’s key for mixed martial arts–and all sports, in fact. Your opponent constantly changes too. In the mixed martial arts world you fight wrestlers, leg lockers, punchers. Every time you fight, your opponent doesn’t look anything like the previous opponent. Taking it a step further, if it’s the second time you fight an opponent, he often doesn’t look like the previous version.”

“I fight knockout artists, grapplers, kickers, wrestlers, punchers–the whole gamut. I have to keep adapting to new hostile environments because what happens in the Octagon is ever-changing. This is ingrained in my mind, and I’ve adapted my training to accept and prepare for it.”

“I’ve learned that my innovative capacities seem to rise up when there’s a crisis, a conflict. Like losing my title, for example, or hurting my knee badly. Those situations told me I needed to continue my innovation to recapture my title, my place in martial arts. The way I see it, innovation is a discipline, not a lottery. It’s got nothing to do with luck, or even eureka moments, because those are unplanned, unscripted. For me, it comes from the combination of two elements within my control: hard work and open-mindedness.”

SOURCE: The Way of the Fight
PHOTO CREDIT: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

The post Georges St-Pierre Credits Ability to Adapt as Key to His Success appeared first on Fighters.com.

The UFC On FX 8: Belfort Vs Rockhold pre fight press conference takes place today in Brazil and you can watch the main card fighters discuss the event right here on Fighters.com. Luke Rockhold, Vitor Belfort, Chris Camozzi and Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza will all be on hand to answer questions from the media and fans.
UFC On FX 8: Belfort Vs Rockhold takes place on on May 18 at Arena Jaragua in Santa Catarina, Brazil. Middleweights Vitor Belfort and former Strikeforce Champion Luke Rockhold will meet in the main event.

Courtesy of the UFC:

The post UFC On FX 8: Belfort Vs Rockhold Press Conference (VIDEO @ 10:30 EST AM) appeared first on Fighters.com.

It has been sort of weird in the build up to the main event at UFC On FX 8: Belfort Vs Rockhold, with a convincing win either fighter could find themselves in a title fight. One thing I have noticed is both Vitor Belfort and Luke Rockhold have been doing very little talking about the fight. It would seem, as far as hype and promotion is concerned, Rockhold is looking to put a stamp on Belfort’s TRT exemption and Belfort is focused on thanking god and convincing people he is in good shape by posting videos of strength and conditioning sessions. Rockhold is the reigning middleweight Strikeforce champion that went undefeated with the promotion. No one would have batted an eye at if they give him a crack at Anderson Silva right out of the gate. Although you can ‘only’ call Belfort a UFC tournament champion, he did come VERY close to ‘de-winging’ the light heavyweight champion Jon Jones with an armbar. The video of him fighting Jones, and him lighting up Michael Bisping should be on a permanent loop in all of the promo videos, but we just aren’t seeing very much promotion.

What does Vitor Belfort have going for him in this fight? Thats the $100,000 question going into Saturday night in Brazil, and its a bigger list than you think it is. The first feather in his camp is obviously the home country advantage, but the octagon experience is one thing you shouldn’t ignore. Belfort has been through the wars, been through an original UFC one night tournament, and there is nothing Rockhold is going to do in the cage that he has never seen before. Keeping that in mind, Rockhold is coming into the fight making his octagon debut, and coming off of an eleven month lay off. Sure, Belfort isn’t the ‘Phenom’ who won UFC 12 anymore, but when you lay it out like this, he has more than just a punchers chance.

Luke Rockhold should be walking into this fight with a lot of confidence, but you have to think a ten month layoff has to play a little on your nerves. Also, If we are to believe the reports, Rockhold is also coming off an injury to his shoulder. Injury or not, this is Rockhold’s fight to win or lose. This is a five round fight, and everyone knows that Belfort falls apart late in fights. All Rockhold really has to do in the first round is not get hit, and remind Belfort that he is in a fight. Rockhold’s footwork is more than good enough to keep from getting sucked into a brawl with Belfort, and later in the fight the punches will add up on Belfort as he slows down.

Rockhold should get the finish in this fight, and I expect it to come from strikes from mount. The road is all laid out for Rockhold, and although its a rough road, all he has to do is follow the map.

The post Breaking Down UFC On FX 8: Belfort Vs Rockhold – Main Event appeared first on Fighters.com.

When UFC President Dana White said that UFC 159: Jones Vs Sonnen bonuses would be $65k, he insisted it would be the last time the UFC handed out a bonus that wasn’t $50k, and the winners of the bonuses should thank Bryan Caraway for speaking up. Now that Pat Healy has tested positive for marijuana, and now loses his ‘Fight Night’ bonuses, it’s Caraway who ends up with the submission of the night bonus.

White confirmed the news via twitter:

it’s known up front that checks are held until everyone passes the drug test. Brian Caraway get the SON now. Healy did himself dirty.

Photo Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

The post Bryan Caraway Picks Up UFC 159: Jones Vs Sonnen Submission Of The Night Bonus appeared first on Fighters.com.

Strikeforce Middleweight Champion Luke Rockhold is just days away from his octagon debut against Vitor Belfort at UFC On FX 8: Belfort Vs Rockhold. It has been secret, mainly because Belfort has been publicly commenting on it, that he has an exemption to use TRT. While Belfort seems to be getting cleared in Brazil, the state of Nevada won’t give him one, and that has left a salty place in the mouths of fans, mma analysts, and Luke Rockhold himself. While you may feel one way or the other on the issue, its Rockhold who has to climb into the octagon with him. Rockhold and his manager, and Founder of American Kickboxing Academy, Javier Mendez both discuss Belfort’s exemption in the video below. Also, Mendez reveals that he is on TRT himself, and he speaks on how he thinks its an advantage for Belfort.

Luke Rockhold told ESPN

I don’t necessarily trust him, and I don’t necessarily trust the system. Do I think he is cheating? Yes, I do personally. Do I care? Yes and no, it helps in some ways but it can also hurt you in some ways. I think it gives you some explosiveness and it can give you strength.

…When you look at him now, compared to when he fought Anderson Silva, you don’t transform like that naturally.

Javier Mendez:

I wasn’t going to tell anyone this, but I will tell you. I am on TRT. I think its cheating. It gives you a slight advantage over the people who aren’t on it. The recovery time is much faster, and that means you can get back to training harder and you can train harder. 

Photo Credit: Scott Olmos-US PRESSWIRE

The post Luke Rockhold: “Do I think Belfort is cheating? Yes.” appeared first on Fighters.com.

UFC middleweight champ Anderson Silva has achieved status as arguably the greatest fighter in Mixed Martial Arts history based on his incredible run inside the Octagon. “The Spider” has won all sixteen of his scraps inside the infamous eight-sided cage including numerous title-defenses and a handful of wins at 205 pounds. However, the story of Silva’s career almost had a very different ending.

According to Silva, he was ready to retire in 2005 after losing his final bout under the PRIDE banner. However, a conversation with friend and fellow fighter Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira changed his mind as he recently recounted in an interview with Fuel TV…

“My dream was lost, Rodrigo talked to me and said ‘Hey come to my house, I will help you. Don’t worry. Come here, we will train together.’ I finished my contract with PRIDE. The guys tell me not to fight in PRIDE anymore. I said ‘What? I fight in PRIDE, I’m good in PRIDE.’ I had no problem with PRIDE, but Rodrigo help me for better fights. I love Rodrigo. I love Rogerio (Nogueira). This is my family.”

The full feature with Silva can be seen below:

SOURCE: Fuel TV
PHOTO CREDIT: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The post Anderson Silva Nearly Retired Before Signing with the UFC appeared first on Fighters.com.

UFC Lightweight Rafael dos Anjos faces Evan Dunham this Saturday at UFC On FX 8: Belfort Vs Rockhold and if you ask the promising young fighter, he is living the dream. Dos Anjos has surrounded himself by the right people at Kings MMA, and with his wife and kids motivating him, he is more focused than ever. Esteemed striking coach Rafael Cordeiro says he is elated to have a person like Dos Anjos on the team who is always disciplined and has discipline. See what they both have to say about the fight against Dunham, and what it means to dos Anjos to return and fight in Brazil again.

UFC On FX 8: Belfort Vs Rockhold takes place on on May 18 at Arena Jaragua in Santa Catarina, Brazil. Middleweights Vitor Belfort and former Strikeforce Champion Luke Rockhold will meet in the main event to see who moves one step closer to the middleweight crown.

Courtesy of FUEL TV:

Photo Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

The post Rafael dos Anjos: “My dream is coming true.” appeared first on Fighters.com.

Last week, UFC light heavyweight Chael Sonnen took to the media and social networks to call out former Pride Champion Wanderlei Silva, and even said he would donate part of his purse if the Silva took the fight. Silva spoke to UFC Tonight on Tuesday to let everyone know that he had no idea that Sonnen called him out on the show last week and at no point has the UFC asked him to take the fight. The general consensus is that the fight is trying to be set up for the UFC first foray on FOX Sports 1 in Boston, but as of right now the bout is still just back and forth banter.

UFC Tonight Reported:

“Wanderlei said that no one’s offered him a fight. But he did want to say that ‘Jon Jones and Anderson Silva have been too nice to Chael. I want to suck his blood. I want to smell it. Not just fight – I want to hurt him. Chael is a joke, man. He’s going to be second forever. He’s never going to be first.’”

Chael Sonnen’s response:

“I think the real breaking news there is that Wanderlei Silva put together a coherent sentence that somebody understood. But I can assure you, Wanderlei, I will not be signing a contract for you to suck on any part of me. I suggest you go to a bath and find yourself.”

Photo : Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The post Wanderlei Silva: “Chael is a joke.” appeared first on Fighters.com.

There has been a change to the UFC On FOX 8: Johnson Vs Moraga card. Reza Madadi has run into visa issues according to a report on UFC Tonight, and has been forced out of his scheduled bout with Michael Chiesa. It has now been announced that Jorge Masvidal will step in and fight Chiesa. Masvidal won his UFC debut against Tim Means and is now looking to continue the momentum.

UFC On FOX 8: Johnson Vs Moraga takes place on July 27 at the Key Arena in Seattle, Washington, In the UFC’s second trip to Seattle, Defending Flyweight Champion Demetrious Johnson will take on John Moraga in the main event. In the co main event, former Strikeforce Women’s bantamweight champion Miesha Tate will take Liz Carmouche.

The post Jorge Masvidal Steps In For Madadi, Will Face Michael Chiesa On FOX appeared first on Fighters.com.

UFC Lightweight Pat Healy has released a statement confirming he that he tested positive for marijuana following his UFC 159 bout with Jim Miller. Healy won the bout by submission and also picked up two fight night bonuses totaling $130,000, but the result has now been changed to a no contest and he finds himself suspended for 90 days. As if that weren’t enough, Healy also has to return the bonuses he earned for the bout. Healy released the statement below through his manager at Iridium Sports Agency.

Pat Healy:

“I would like to start off by apologizing to the UFC, Jim Miller, the MMA community, it’s fans, my family, teammates and coaches for my positive testing for marijuana after my UFC 159 fight with Jim Miller. I was fully aware of the UFC and State Commissions drug policies and made poor life choices. I stand behind the UFC and the State Commission’s disciplinary actions. I support efforts to make MMA and sports a clean, safe and fair place to compete. First and foremost, I would like to acknowledge and take responsibility for my mistake. I made a very poor choice to socially use marijuana and now I must face the consequences of that choice. I can assure you that I will do everything the UFC and State Commission asks of me and beyond. I will also make a conscious effort to be a better role model within the MMA community.”

Photo Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The post Pat Healy Tests Positive For Marijuana After UFC 159 Bout appeared first on Fighters.com.

Jessamyn Duke and Miriam Nakamoto fought at Invicta’s Fifth show on April 5th, and at the end of the bout it was Nakamoto who had defeated Duke via knockout. However, replays showed that the strikes Nakamoto landed were to the head of Duke who was a downed opponent at the time. Ref John McCarthy said he stopped the fight after the first knee, which was legal, and therefore Nakamoto was the winner. Duke took to the internet today to announce that the commission in Missouri ruled in her favor to the appeal of the stoppage, and the bout result has been changed to a no contest.

Duke posted on The UG:

Got word today that the appeal of my last fight was ruled a NC due to the illegal knee strike that caused it to be stopped. I’m very happy with the decision and glad it’s no longer tainted with controversy! Thanks to all the UGers that supported me in my decision to contest the call!

The post Jessamyn Duke Vs Miriam Nakamoto Changed To No Contest appeared first on Fighters.com.

The UFC 160: Velasquez Vs Silva II Media Conference Call takes place today at 4:00 PM EST, and Fighters.com will be bringing you live updates of the whole thing. UFC Heavyweight Champion Cain Velasquez, number one contender Antonio ‘Bigfoot’ Silva, former heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos, and Mark Hunt will all be on the call fielding questions from the media regarding the event.

UFC 160: Velasquez Vs Bigfoot II takes place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 25. The card will be headlined by a heavyweight title fight between current Champion Cain Velasquez and Antonio ‘Bigfoot’ Silva. The two fought as potential contenders at UFC 146, but it was Velasquez who won the fight via technical knockout in the second round.

Heavyweight Champion Cain Velasquez
-We saw what he is capable of against Overeem. I am training for a hard fight. Im only focused on this bout.
-To defend the belt is the most important thing to me right now in my life.
-I am very motivated. It’s a rematch, but you can’t think too much into it. You can only learn a little from the first fight.
-I have to do this fight, but I will do whatever the UFC says.
-Its good the UFC finally has female fighters.
-My game plan is pretty much the same, but I need to be ready for anything.
-You have to be ready for everything, and I am ready for a five round fight.
-I feel the same as the first fight. I just want to win, and I am hungry. I want this win, and I am 100% there.

Challenger Antonio ‘Bigfoot’ Silva
-I like when people underestimate me. There is no super heroes in this sport. no one is invincible. II am very confident I will have my hands raised.
-In my first fight I was nervous and Anxious. I really want this. I would need to be born again to be faster than Cain, so I need to work with my hands. The first punch I land, he will goo down. I respect Cain, but I am very confident.
-It was nice to see a friend winning, so I was happy too see him beat Cain. I studied both of his fights against Cain, and I learned things from the win and the loss.
-I think that great fighters need to show their abilities in the cage, and not talk about. In my opinion the less you talk the better. You could be surprised by the result of the fight. You have to be careful what you say.
-I believe I will be the one defending the belt.
-Alot of my preparation has been the same, I made mistakes but I did things rights. My strategy is to not let his elbows hit my forehead (he laughs.)

Junior dos Santos
-When i first heard the news i was worried. I trained a lot and I am very prepared. It’s my understanding that this is being resolved.
-Right now im focused on Hunt. I am not worried about the next fight or the title shot. I am not thinking about that right now.
-It was very difficult to except my loss to cain, the first week was rough, but he did a better job than me. He deserved to win, and once I understood that, it was very easy to understand and deal with.
-I am not sure I am the ONLY guy to be able to beat Cain, but I know I can.
-I learned alot. I made mistakes and I learned from them.
-Me and Cain are biggest difference is our speed. We are faster than the division. I will be cheering for Bigfoot to win. He is my friend.

Mark Hunt
-The UFC Plans on Hunt still fighting via Dave Sholler
-A win over JDS should put me in the number 1 spot.
-This is going to be a great match.
-The only thing i got from the consulate was we will call you. I am just ready to do my job.
-I want to get used to being in the US, but now I can’t do that.
-I have to just keep training to keep my mind off of it. This is really frustrating. There is nothing I can do, it’s not in my hands anymore.
-The plan is to knock junior out, and that’s the plan so no extra pressure.

The post UFC 160: Velasquez Vs Silva II Conference Call (Live Updates At 4:00 EST) appeared first on Fighters.com.

UFC heavyweight Daniel Cormier’s name recently came up in connection with Roy Nelson for a possible pairing down the road. However, though both appear open to facing one another, Cormier recently clarified his position by explaining he had no beef with Nelson and wasn’t in the business of calling out opponents outside of those holding divisional gold.

The 12-0 Cormier was a guest this week on The MMA Hour where he explained he was down to duke it out with any adversary the organization throws his way…

“It doesn’t have to be Roy. I don’t care one way or another, I only said Roy Nelson because I was led to believe on Twitter that was fight Dana wants to see, so I was like yeah, that sounds pretty good, let’s do it. I have no opinion on who I want to fight, it could be Roy I could be anyone else, I don’t care who it is. I’m not going to say anyone else’s name, because if you say someone else’s name, it turns into you called that person out. I never do that. I have no problem with Roy Nelson, I think he’s great. So it doesn’t matter. I have no opinion, I don’t care, just give me someone to fight.”

“My goal is to be a UFC champion, that hasn’t happened at 205 right now. So instead of sitting on the shelf for six or eight months, why not fight, I want to fight. Heavyweight is anything over 206 pounds. Even if I weighed 210 I can fight fight lighter. So if I can fight a heavyweight fight, or if of biggest 205 guys would want to fight up, that’s fine too. Whatever.”

SOURCE: MMAFighting
PHOTO CREDIT: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

The post Daniel Cormier Doesn’t Care Who His Next Opponent Is, Just Wants to Fight appeared first on Fighters.com.

UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva is the feature of a new series that will premier on Fuel TV called UFC From all Angles, and the network has posted its first from the show that airs tomorrow night. In the clip, Silva speaks about whether or not HE thinks he is funny, and then jokingly describes himself (bald head) and style (black suits)  as the “Black Dana White.” Silva also candidly admits that he has had his share of problems with the UFC President, but when it comes down to it, he says he loves White.

Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The post Anderson Silva: “I love Dana White” appeared first on Fighters.com.

Former UFC Heavyweight Champion and former Strikeforce fighter Josh Barnett seems like one of the only fighters that fans thought for sure would end up in the UFC. Overtime, according to both parties, talks broke down, and they were never able to reach a deal. Everyone has been wondering where the controversial heavyweight will end up fighting next, but according to Barnett he thinks there is still hope that he ends up in the octagon again. In fact, Barnett basically agrees with the fact that that’s where he belongs. Barnett also stated that just one issue prevented him from signing with the company, but he wouldn’t say what the sticking point was.

Barnett told MMAFighhting:

“I would love to fight in the UFC next… I’ve been a top 10 fighter longer than anybody active in mixed martial arts at this time. And there’s a real good reason for that. To be in the UFC would mean to go back to where I already won the belt, to go back to where I was a champion at 24 years old, and try to cement my legacy as an MMA fighter. I don’t really feel I can create that legacy and finish on a high point unless I’m there.”

Photo Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

The post Josh Barnett: “I would love to fight in the UFC next.” appeared first on Fighters.com.

Most fighters are apprehensive when asked to assess an upcoming opponent’s abilities. However, UFC middleweight Luke Rockhold is cut from a different cloth and is more than happy to offer some insight into how he’s viewing Vitor Belfort walking into their scrap on Saturday night at UFC on FX 8

According to Rockhold, the way he matches up with Belfort should limit the Brazilian’s arsenal to an extent regardless of where the action takes place.

He recently told MMAJunkie…

“(Belfort) is using more kicks, but being a southpaw vs. southpaw, it’s going to nullify a lot of the kicks for him. He’s really heavy with the left high kick. I think I have more diversity in my kicks, and I’m going to use that to my advantage.”

“If it goes to the ground, I think it’s my world. I know he’s a longtime black belt, but black belts don’t mean sh*t to me.”

“I definitely want to keep it exciting and high-paced and keep a lot of pressure on Vitor,” he said. “I feel like I can beat him anywhere, and I have to employ my range and my kickboxing. I’m not going to just straight box with Vitor. That would be stupid.”

“It’s really going to refine my skills and perfect my striking and make me be very precise. I expect a different fight for me.”

SOURCE: MMAJunkie
PHOTO CREDIT: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports

The post Luke Rockhold Breaks Down Vitor Belfort Before UFC on FX 8 Fight appeared first on Fighters.com.

While everyone expected Joe Lauzon to be on the inaugural UFC On FOX Sports 1 card in Boston, no official opponent was named. While the UFC still hasn’t made anything official, it is now being reported that his opponent will be Michael Johnson. Lauzon, who will be fighting in his hometown, is looking to rebound from a unanimous decision loss to Jim Miller at UFC 155. Johnson is looking to turn around a two fight skid that includes a decision loss to Myles Drury and more recently he was submitted via D’arce choke by Reza Madadi in Sweden.

MMAWeekly was the first to report the fight. UFC On FOX Sports 1 is scheduled for August 17th at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.

Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The post Joe Lauzon Vs Michael Johnson Expected For FOX Sports 1 Event appeared first on Fighters.com.

UFC featherweight Cole Miller recently gave a surprising answer when he was asked which fight was the most satisfying to him. Prior to his knockout win over Andy Wang at the TUF 5 finale Miller made a decision that if he didn’t beat Wang he would have to walk away from the sport. Miller also spoke about how right now he loves being a martial artist, but he is not sure he really enjoys fighting. Miller rebounded from a two fight skid against Bart Palaszewski at The Ultimate Fighter 17 Finale with a submission of the night winning rear-naked choke.

Miller told The Underground:

I would have to say the win over Andy Wang was extremely satisfying and the most important. Without that win, none of those other fights you mentioned would have happened after. Also, going into that fight, I was over-drafted almost four hundred dollars. I had a bunch of student loans from wasting years of my life going to college. Winning that fight, and also getting the KO of the night, meant I could start fresh with a clean slate and begin the next stage of my life and fighting career.

Aside from that, beating Jorge Gurgel is my favorite win. It taught me a lot about myself. It tested me. He tore my knee, which I had to have surgery on after the fight, with leg kicks in the first round. I was cut in three different places on my face, I was behind on the judges’ scorecards, and I had taken some shots. Also, I was a purple belt at the time, and my teammates believed that I could submit him, or anyone for that matter, on the ground. And I did as well, but actually making it happen, when thirty seconds were left in the fight, tests someone’s mettle. I kept the focus on finishing my opponent each and every second of the fight, even when it looked to the outside viewer that I had no chance of ever doing so.

On what it means to be a fighter:

As for enjoying it, I don’t think I do. Let me say that I am lucky to have the job I do, but it didn’t just get thrown in my lap. I know how many people wish they could do what I do at this level I am doing it at. But fighting is not enjoyable any more. It’s stressful. These are hard times and they are not getting any easier. Now I’m not asking for anyone to feel sorry for me, and I’m certainly not complaining. This is the life I chose and have built for myself, but it is not enjoyable to be fighting for your job after two losses in a row. Now if I was six for my last seven, and not getting injured, and fighting three times minimum every year, I’d probably have a different outlook. But this job hurts. I experience a full spectrum of emotional and physical pains and successes. But I find that as I’m getting older, I just want to live in the middle. I want some sort of consistency with my life and to not always be teetering on the edge of success and failure like I was just before this fight with Bart Palaszewski. Maybe I’m just bitter because my career hasn’t gone how I would’ve liked it to, with surgeries and some of the losses I’ve had and in the ways that I’ve lost them. But sparring at ATT with savages for eight weeks isn’t enjoyable. The circuits I do at IHP are not enjoyable. I can go on and on.

I will say that this is only in regards to being a fighter. It means more to me to be a martial artist. That is real satisfaction. That is enjoyable. Learning new things and techniques, perfecting my craft, helping others get better and, in the process, seeing them being able to reach their goals and potentials, these are the things that are the most enjoyable for me.

Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The post Cole Miller: “My other fights wouldn’t have happened without the win over Andy Wang.” appeared first on Fighters.com.

The UFC returns to Brazil for the 7th time this Saturday night for UFC On FX 8: Belfort Vs Rockhold. The main event will feature a five round middleweight affair between Vitor Belfort and incumbent Strikeforce Champion Luke Rockhold. A big win for either of the two could mean title implications, and at the least it would catapult them into the top five. The co-main event will feature streaking middleweight Chris Camozzi, who has stepped in on weeks notice and has had two opponent changes, will be taking on Brazilian Jiu Jitsu ace Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza. As always, Fighters.com will be bringing you wall to wall coverage of the entire event, and you can keep up with the results and round by round updates for the entire card. Date: May 18, 2013 Location: Jaragua do Sul, Santa Catarina, Brazil Venue: Arena Jaragua Main Card(FX / 9:00 EST)

• Vitor Belfort def. Luke Rockhold via Knockout at 2:32 of round 1(strikes)
• Ronaldo Souza def Chris Camozzi via technical submission at 3:37 of round 1 (head and arm choke)
• Rafael dos Anjos def. Evan Dunham via Unanimous Decision (29-28×3)
• Rafael Natal def. Joao Zeferino via Unanimous Decision (29-28×2,30-27)

Preliminary Card(Fuel TV / 6:00 EST)

• Nik Lentz def Hacran Dias via Unanimous Decision (28-27, 29-28, 29-28)
• Francisco Trinaldo def Mike Rio via submission at 3:06 of round 1 (head and arm choke)
• Gleison Tibau def. John Cholish via Submission at 2:34 of round 2 (guillotine choke)
• Paulo Thiago def. Michel Prazeres via Unanimous Decision (29-28×3)
• Yuri Alcantara def. Iliarde Santos via Technical Knockout at 2:31 of round 1 (Strikes)
• Fabio Maldonado def. Roger Hollett via Unanimous Decision (29-27, 29-28, 29-27)

Preliminary Card(Facebook / 4:30 EST)

• John Lineker def. Azamat Gashimov via Technical Knockout at 1:07 of Round 2
• Jussier Formiga def. Chris Cariaso via Unanimous Decision (29-28×3)
• Lucas Martins def Jeremy Larsen via knockout at :13 of round 3 (punches)

Jeremy Larsen vs. Lucas Martins
Round 1(ref: Mario Yamasaki)
Martins takes the center, and the feeling out begins. Martins opens up with the kicks to the legs, and Larsen catches one and gets the takedown. As Martins was getting up he got caught and wobbled but he looks recovered. Larsen closes the distance, and shoots for a takedown. Martins stuffs the takedown, but now Larsen is making him pay for these low kicks. Larsen lands a huge right hand and drops Martins but he recovers again and scrambles up. Larsen is landing huge shots, and Larsen looks exhausted. Martins is running around with his chin up, and Larsen keeps catching him. Larsen gets the takedown, but Martins gets up again. Martins lands a nice combo, but then throws a kick and falls on the back of his head. Larsen jumps into the card and lands a shot or two as the bell sounds.

Fighters.com Score: 10-9 Larsen

Round 2
Martins takes the center again, but Larsen is looking to box this guy. Martins lands a big combination, but again Larsen counters him. Martins eats a bug right hand and Larsen shoots right behind it and is pressing him on the cage, but is struggling to get it. Martins tags him with a big hook , and Larsen shoots again. Larsen eats another big hook, but counters with a nice straight of his own. Larsen lands a nice left hook, and now he is cut under his eye after eating a jab. Larsen lands another big right hand that drops Martins again, but he pops up and lands a shot of his own. Huge hooks from Larsen and Martins keeps dropping his hands. Martins throws a high kick, and Larsen lands 4 straight rights in a row and is on queer street but is staying up. Larsen lands more rights as the round ends.

Fighters.com Score:10-9 Larsen

Round 3
Larsen opens up with jabs, and Martins lands a huge right hand as he was going backwards. Larsen goes out cold. What a fun fight.

Lucas Martins def Jeremy Larsen via knockout at :13 of round 3 (punches)

Chris Cariaso vs. Jussier Formiga
Round 1(ref: Kevin Mulhall)
Cariaso circling as Formiga is coming forward, and both are feeling one another out. Formiga closes the distance, and is pressing Cariaso up on the fence. Formiga works the fight down, and Cariaso pops up. Right back down, and Formiga is in side mount. Cariaso is staying out of trouble, and now he is trying to use the cage to get up. Formiga puts an end to that, and is trying to drag him into the middle. Formiga isn’t throwing any strikes, but hops into side mount like it was nothing, and now into mount. Cariaso recovers and gets into ½ guard. Ref stands them up. Small break in the action for a glove issue, and we are on the feet and Formiga is circling. Formiga lands a nice leg kick, and then clinches as the round ends.

Fighters.com Score: 10-9 Formiga

Round 2
Formiga clinches quickly, and Formiga gets the side control and into mount. Cariaso recovers and we are back and forth guard fighting on the ground with little punches. Formiga is putting on a guard passing clinic, and is landing shots from full mount but Cariaso recovers. Ref stands them up, and Formiga is circling. Cariaso lands a nice right hand, but clinches and is working for the takedown again. Cariaso is landing some shots, but not much pepper on them. Cariaso lands a nice knee on a stuffed shot from Formiga, but its not enough to get the round.

Fighters.com Score: 10-9 Formiga

Round 3
Formiga circling again, and Cariaso is reaching on the punches he is throwing. Formiga uses it to take him down, and Cariaso is on his back again up against the fence. Cariaso scrambles up with the help of the fence. Cariaso lands a nice combination, and then a nice left from Cariaso. Formiga grabs a hold of him in the clinch again, and is going for a single on the fence. Cariaso frames up a standing darce choke, but Formiga was forced to defend it. Formiga is on his back, and he is bleeding like a siv. Cariaso is really going for it, and is pounding on Formiga from side mount, but Formiga scrambles up as the bell rings.

Fighters.com Score: 10-9 Cariaso
Fighters.com Result: 29-28 Formiga

Jussier Formiga def. Chris Cariaso via Unanimous Decision (29-28×3)

Azamat Gashimov vs. John Lineker
Round 1(ref: Mario Yamasaki )
Gashimov takes the center, and Lineker is already throwing combinations. Gashimov is clearly the bigger fighter, and Lineker lands a huge right hand that drops Gashimov and the crowd is going nuts. Gashimov scrambles up and eats a knee, but he is recovered and breaks off and circling. Gashimov misses on a right hand shoots, but gets reverse and is on is with Lineker landing shots. Gashimov gets to his feet, but Lineker lands some big shots as he got up. Gashimov is doing alot dancing, as Lineker goes body head with a set of hooks. Lineker lands 3 hooks. REF takes a point for using the fence from Gashimov. Lineker lands another hook, and drops Gashimov for a second time. Lineker lands some shots from guard, but Gashimov scrambled up.

Fighters.com Score: 10-8 Lineker

Round 2
Lineker opens with jabs, and is already working the body. Gashimov is circling, but Lineker goes body head and he is just having his way with Gashimov. Lineker lands a nice body kick, and Lineker noticed that Gashimov was hurt. Lineker saw the blood and just lights up Gashimov to get the stop from Yamasaki.

John Lineker def. Azamat Gashimov via Technical Knockout at 1:07 of Round 2

Roger Hollett vs. Fabio Maldonado
Round 1(ref: Leon Roberts)
Hollett takes the center and is coming forward. Maldonado is being patient and is looking to counter on Hollett. Hollett lands a spinning back kick to the groin of Maldonado. He is on the floor writhing. We are back at it. Maldonado is coming forward, and is backing up Hollett. Hollett shoots in for a takedown and gets it. After landing some shots, the ref stands them up. They exchange and Hollett once again shoots and Maldonado has his back to the cage. Hollett isnt doing much besides landing some body shots, and the ref breaks them up. Hollett shoots again and gets the takedown, and is working from ½ guard.

Fighters.com Score: 10-9 Hollett

Round 2
Hollett coming forward again, but Maldonado is slowly getting more comfortable and stops a takedown. Hollett lands a nice combination, but Maldonado is the one coming forward. Maldonado presses Hollett on the fence and is working him over on the body. Hollett reverses it and he is the one landing some body shots. Maldonado lands a nice combination that backs up Hollett on the fence, and he is really picking Hollett apart on the fence. Maldonado lands a nice left hand and i backs up Hollett, Hollett shoots, but Maldonado stuffs the takedown. Maldonado turns Hollett around and is now working him over on the fence. Hollett is bleeding and he just backs up away from Maldonado as the round ended.

Fighters.com Score: 10-9 Maldonado

Round 3
Maldonado is coming forward anf right away Hollett shoots and Maldonado scrambles up and stops ot. Maldonado working over the body of Hollett. Maldonado is waiving Hollett to hit him. Maldonado lands some right hooks, and Hollett shoots for a takedown he won’t get. Maldonado back to lighting up Hollett on the fence. Hollett circles off, and Maldonado is just destroying Hollett with body hooks. Maldonado lands a huge combination to the face of Hollett, and Maldonado is not letting him off the hook. Hollett lands a knee that buys him some time, but Maldonado backs him up again with a jab. Maldonado really picking his shots, Hollett grabs ahold of him and pushes him on the fence, but its Maldonado landing knees. Hollett is out of gas, and Maldonado gets the inside trip and is pounding on Hollett as the round ends. Maldonado is a savage.

Fighters.com Score: 10-9 Maldonado
Fighters.com Result: 29-28 Maldonado

Fabio Maldonado def. Roger Hollett via Unanimous Decision (29-27, 29-28, 29-27)

Yuri Alcantara vs. Iliarde Santos
Round 1(ref: Leon Roberts)
Alcantara takes the center and lands a hook right out of the gate. Santos circling and throwing leg kicks. Alcantara comes in swinging and throws a big knee and misses and Santos clinches and puts Alcantara on the fence. Alcantara is landing some big combinations, and a headkick. Alcantara opens up again and Santos is wobbly already. Alcantara catches a body kick and throws a right hand right down the pipe that puts down Santos. Alcantara closes in and finishes it off. The replay shows he didn’t catch the kick he just ate it and landed. Solid stuff.

Yuri Alcantara def. Iliarde Santos via Technical Knockout at 2:31 of round 1 (Strikes)

Michel Prazeres vs. Paulo Thiago
Round 1(ref: Mario Yamasaki)
Prazeres coming forward early and is landing low kicks. Prazeres rushes in for a takedown, and has him on the fence, but Thiago is defending well. Prazeres almost gets the takedown but can’t get it. Thiago reverses it, but Prazeres gets the takedown again and takes the back. They stall on the fence, and the ref breaks them up. Prazeres lands a nice body kick, and then a solid leg kick. Thiago lands a nice right hand, and Prazeres is firing back with kicks. Thiago lands a nice combo, and then lands a solid leg kick. Thiago is backing up Prazeres, and he stops and throws a leg kick. Prazeres closes the distance, and pushes him on the fence. Prazeres tries another trip but doesn’t get it.

Fighters.com Score: 10-9 Prazeres

Round 2
Prazeres lands a leg kick to open up, and Thiago is really looking for an opening. Prazeres is looking comfortable for his trip to the octagon. Thiago lands a big knee, and then hook that prompted Prazeres to shoot. Thiago reverses it and gets the takedown, but Prazeres pops up with a fancy sweep. We are back and forth on the ground with these takedowns. Thiago controlling Prazeres on the fence, and Prazeres gets space and lands a big right hand and shot in and took down Thiago. Thiago sweeps and he is in half guard and landing punches as the round ends.

Fighters.com Score: 10-9 Thiago
Fighters.com Result: 29-28 Thiago

Round 3
Prazeres looks little gassed coming into the round, and Thiago is coming forward. Prazeres whiffs on a low kick and lands a body kick with no mustard on it. Both exchanging on the inside, and Thiago is pressing Prazeres on the fence landing knees. Prazeres reverses and breaks off. Prazeres lands a nice combination and he fires back. Prazeres shoots but so far Thiago is defending and landing elbows to the side of the head of Prazeres. Prazeres eats a big uppercut, but lands a big left hand and Thiago just eats it. Thiago lands a nice front kick. Thiago the one coming forward and the fighters exchange low kicks. Both fighters exchange some shots in the clinch, and both attempt a takedown they didn’t get in a scramble. Thiago clinches again and gets the takedown. Thiago lands some shots and moves into a mounted crucifix to frame up an armbar as the round end. close fight.

Fighters.com Score: 10-9 Thiago
Fighters.com Result: 29-28 Thiago

Paulo Thiago def. Michel Prazeres via Unanimous Decision (29-28×3)

John Cholish vs. Gleison Tibau
Round 1(ref: Leon Roberts)
Cholish looking light on his feet, and s flashing his jab early. Cholish lands a left hook, and Tibau answers with a hook to the body. Tibau coming forward, and he lands a nice right hand, and Cholish is back to circling. Cholish lands thudding leg kick, and Tibau catches the second and gets the takedown. Cholish scrambles up with the cage, and circles out eating a glancing hook. Tibau catches another kick and almost gets the takedown from it as Cholish is forced to somersault out of it. Tibau keeps catching the same kick, and gets another takedown. Cholish pops up and again circles out. After about 30 seconds of dancing, Tibau shoots in and is stuffed as the round ends.

Fighters.com Score: 10-9 Tibau

Round 2
Cholish is the active one in this round early, as he is coming out swinging and is aggressive. He is coming forward and his jab is paying off. Tibau throws some counter hooks but misses terribly. Fighters back to dancing, but Tibau clinches and puts his back to the fence. Tibau lands a big right hand that stumbles Cholish, Tibau smells blood and closes in with punches that force Cholish to shoot. Tibau grabs ahold of his neck and pulls guard with a guillotine to get the tap.

Gleison Tibau def. John Cholish via Submission at 2:34 of round 2 (guillotine choke)

Mike Rio vs. Francisco Trinaldo
Round 1(ref: Kevin Mulhall)
Rio circling as Trinaldo is pawing with his jab early. Rio eats a right hand early and shoots for an ugly ankle pick he didn’t get. Trinaldo lands a left hand and Rio gets the takedown, but can’t do anything with it so far. On the way up Trinaldo almost gets caugh in a standing guilltoine, but he escapes and the eats a combination from Rio. Trinaldo now pressing Rio on the fence and is landng big knees to the body. Rio breaks free, and gets a big takedown. Trinaldo is framing up a head and arm choke from ½ guard. He shockingly gets the tap from Rio. (Note: thats REALLY hard to do. Top shelf BJJ from Trinaldo.)

Francisco Trinaldo def Mike Rio via submission at 3:06 of round 1 (head and arm choke)

Hacran Dias vs. Nik Lentz
Round 1(ref: Mario Yamasaki)
Dias takes the center and the two are already trading. Lentz presses Dias on the fence and is looking to get this down to the ground in a hurry. Dias breaks free and eats a hook, but fires back with a straight right of his own. Dias’ jab is working well, as he stuffs another Lentz shot along the fence. Lentz lands a nice left hook and a 1-2 right behind it. Lentz coming forward and landing shots but not much on them. Lentz presses Dias on the fence working for a takedown, but Dias reverses. Lentz ends up on top after a scramble, and after some more scrambling Dias ends up on Lentz’s back. Lentz scrambles to position and he is leaning on Dias as the round ends.

Fighters.com Score: 10-9 Lentz

Round 2
Dias coming forward early landing jabs, and lands a nice hook. Lentz lands a big knee that stumbles Dias. Lentz now pounding on Dias on the ground and has him pinned up against the fence. Lentz is landing some nice short elbows. Dias scrambles up and Lentz gets the body lock right away. Lentz gets the takedown and is landing some more elbows. One way traffic this round. Dias lands an upkick, but Lentz jumps into the guard and is landing elbows as he moves into full mount.

Fighters.com Score: 10-9 Lentz

Round 3
Dias comes forward and is jabbing alot and he is landing big shots on Lentz and he shoots for a takedown and presses Dias on the fence. Dias breaks free and is trying to finish. Dias goes for a takedown and he almost gets it as Lentz frames up a guillotine he won’t get it. Dias comes close to getting a head an arm choke, but Lentz fights out of it. Lentz is framing up a kimura. Lentz scrambles up, and the fighters are trading and Lentz shoots with 30 seconds left of the fight.

Fighters.com Score: 10-9 Dias
Fighters.com Result: 29-28 Lentz

Nik Lentz def Hacran Dias via Unanimous Decision (28-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Rafael Natal vs. Joao Zeferino
Round 1(ref: Leon Roberts)
Natal circles early as the feeling out begins. Zeferino lands a big right hand early that backs up Natal. Zeferino lands a head kick and Natal isn’t getting his pace yet. Natal plotting forward, but Zeferino is very composed. Zeferino lands a nice combination and then gets a nice inside trip. We are on the ground playing footsie. Ref stands them up and they dance until the round ends.

Fighters.com Score: 10-9 Zeferino

Round 2
Natal takes the center and Zeferino is looking to counter. Zeferino lands 2 right hands that backup Natal and then shoots, but Natal stuffs the shot. Zeferino gets a slam but Natal pops up like a spring. Natal pressing Zeferino on the fence, and they reverse and split up. Natal coming forward and is definitely the fresher fighter. Zeferino shoots in on lazy takedown, and we are in north south choke. Natal waives him up, and Natal is coming forward again and Zeferino lands two big right hands. Natal lands a right hand. Zeferino flops on his back after a takedown, and Natal jumps in his guard and is pounding away.

Fighters.com Score: 10-9 Natal

Round 3
Natal coming forward and lands a nice right hand. Natal swarms on him along the fence, and counters with a right hand when Natal throws a lazy low kick. Zeferino lands a decent hook, but we are doing a lot of dancing. Zeferino grabs ahold of Natal but ends up on his back. Natal working from half guard and is marking up Zeferino. Natal moves into side mount, and then moves into full mount. Natal landing ground and pound, but he survives the round.

Fighters.com Score: 29-28 Natal
Fighters.com Result: 29-28 Natal

Rafael Natal def. Joao Zeferino via Unanimous Decision (29-28×2,30-27)

Rafael dos Anjos vs. Evan Dunham
Round 1(ref Kevin Mulhall:)
Dos Anjos takes the center and Dunham is plotting forward and eats a low kick. Dunham lands a nice 1-2, and then an overhand right. dos Anjos lands a nice counter hook, and dos Anjos lands to the body of Dunham. Dunham counters a leg kick with a big right hand, and now he is working his jab well. dos Anjos seems to be working the body early and eats a jab for his troubles. So far, when dos Anjos has wanted to land, he lands for the most part. Dunham eats a big shot to the body, and in a scramble Dunham ends up in the mount of dos Anjos. dos Anjos is landing elbows from his back, and Dunham isn’t doing much. Ref stands them, and dos Anjos lands a few hook before the bell.

Fighters.com Score: 10-9 dos Anjos

Round 2
Dunham opens up with a low kick, and Dunham gets the takedown but dos Anjos pops right back up. dos Anjos lands a nice combination, and then lands a nice hook to the body. dos Anjos attempts a takedown, but Dunham stuffs it and eats a hook on the break. dos Anjos is really putting together the strikes, and both fighters exchange blocked head kicks. Dunham lands a nice combination, and dos Anjos is cut. Dunham again lands a 1-2, and then an uppercut. dos Anjos’ punches are coming in hot, but Dunham is returning fire. Dunham coming forward this second half of the round. Round ends as Dunham almost gets a takedown.

Fighters.com Score: 10-9 Dunham

Round 3
Dunham lands a nice jab, and both fighters are exchanging. dos Anjos is getting the better part of these exchanges, but Dunham shoots and presses him on the fence. Dunham eats a body kick and returns fire with some hooks. Dunham is coming forward but he is looking predictable. Dunham lands some big uppercuts and dos Anjos goes to the body. Dunham shoots and lands a solid 1- off the break after dos Anjos stuffed it. Dunham shoots looking to win the round, but so far can’t get dos Anjos down. Dunham working body, and dos Anjos answers back and breaks free. Both guys are in the pocket trading as the round ends. Decent scrap.

Fighters.com Score: 10-9 Dunham
Fighters.com Result: 29-28 Dunham

Rafael dos Anjos def. Evan Dunham via Unanimous Decision (29-28×3)

Chris Camozzi vs. Ronaldo Souza

Round 1(ref: Mario Yamasaki)

Souza takes the center and Camozzi is circling pumping his jab and he lands a left hand behind it.  Souza blocks a head kick and is firing back. Souza grabs a hold of Camozzi but he is defending well  and is pressing Souza on the fence. Souza lands a right hand, and Souza gets the inside trip. Souza moves to ½ guard and lands a big elbow over the top.  Camozzi firing from the bottom as well. Souza landing some ground and pound. Camozzi lands an upkick, and Souza moves to side control. Souza almost wraps up a omoplata, but he rolls out of it. Souza baits Camozzi and he wraps up a head and arm choke. Souza chokes him out.

Ronaldo Souza def Chris Camozzi via technical submission at 3:37 of round 1 (head and arm choke)

Vitor Belfort vs. Luke Rockhold
Round 1(ref: Leon Roberts)
Belfort circling early, and Rockhold chasing him down. Belfort doing a lot of backing up, and misses on a spinning back kick. Belfort stuffs a takedown, and lands some shots on Rockhold. Rockhold lands some leg kick and Belfort misses on a right hook. Rockhold lands a nice left hand and then a leg kick. Belfort lands a spinning back kick and swarms on Rockhold and pounds him out.

Vitor Belfort def. Luke Rockhold via Knockout at 2:32 of round 1(strikes)

The post UFC On FX 8: Belfort Vs Rockhold Live Results and Play By Play appeared first on Fighters.com.

UFC Lightweight Nate Diaz recently did an interview where he pretty much unloaded on his last opponent Josh Thomson. Diaz said he felt that Thompson ran from him the whole time and even said he made noises like a woman when he hit him. Sounds like work got back around to Thomson, as he has a few things to say about the fight with Diaz. The bombshell Thomson dropped was a little bit juicier than the name calling. According to Thomson, Diaz didn’t make weight, and if he wanted to, he could have taken 20% of his purse. Diaz said he wanted a rematch, but Thomson isn’t having  it.

Thompson told BJPenn.com Radio:

“I think the biggest thing is this; he is interested in a rematch with me, one thing he needs to remember before the fight even happened, he was complaining after weigh in’s about how he was moving back up to 170, so he couldn’t even make weight when we fought the first time. Nate knows this.”

“I am going to say this directly to him; Nate, you didn’t make the weight, so how are you going to make the weight when we fight again? That’s the thing that’s discerning, we all let it slide because it was a huge fight, but you didn’t make the weight and you still lost. So unless you plan on fighting me a 170 then I’m not really interested. Like I said, I’m looking forward to the title shot, I’m looking forward to getting in there for the title. If I have to go through him again to do it, then so be it, maybe you should start watching what you eat, maybe you should start doing that to take care of yourself. You couldn’t make the weight the first time and that was something I was going to keep to myself, but you want to start talking trash? Saying all these things, knowing that I beat you fair and square, I guess next time we’ll take 20% of your purse if you don’t make weight.”

“It’s an issue I could have brought up and made a big deal about but I didn’t do it because that’s not the kind of person I am. I could have made a big fuss and taken it, rubbed some salt in the wound and taken 20% percent of your purse after you lost, but I didn’t That’s the kind of person I am, I moved on and I suggest you do the same thing.”

Photo Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The post Josh Thomson: “Nate (Diaz), You didn’t even make weight…Move on.” appeared first on Fighters.com.

UFC welterweight Rory MacDonald isn’t afraid of talking trash. Just reference his feud with B.J. Penn if in need of an example. However, though UFC on FOX 8 opponent Jake Ellenberger has thrown some verbal hand grenades into MacDonald’s lap, the 23-year old has remained surprisingly calm.

The 14-1 MacDonald spoke to Alchemist Radio about his summer scrap with Ellenberger where he admitted “The Juggernaut” had some impressive tools in his arsenal but would ultimately go down in the end.

“I haven’t beaten the caliber of fighters who are Top 10 or the guys he has beaten. I’m a young guy and trying to work my way up into that position. This is what I’ve been working for. I’ve been knocking guys out, submitting guys and dominating them.”

“Now I’m here fighting guys in the Top 10, I’ve been climbing the ranks. Unfortunately for him, he’s going to be the first guy in the Top 10 that I’m going to have to take out. As far as what he said about my skills being average at best, I just think ignorance is bliss. He’s going to have a big eye opener on that night.”

“Jake is definitely going to be the hardest hitter I’ve ever faced. He has obstacles that I have to overcome, but that’s why I’m in this. I’m excited to fight these kinds of guys. It’s all about fighting new styles and how to figure out the puzzle. I think I have some tools that he’s going to be surprised with and I think I’ll be able to figure out the puzzle.”

SOURCE: Alchemist Radio
PHOTO CREDIT: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

The post Rory MacDonald: “Jake Ellenberger is definitely going to be the hardest hitter I’ve ever faced.” appeared first on Fighters.com.

As reported yesterday on Fighters.com, Bellator President and Vice Chairman Bjorn Rebney came out to discuss the claims former Bellator lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez made about the organization manipulating its contracts. Rebney refuted all of the claims that Alvarez made, and specifically said Alvarez was saying things he knew weren’t true. Basically, Rebney was calling Alvarez a liar, and Alvarez took to twitter this morning to announce that he would be releasing a video detailing the whole process, and he also shared the two documents he was referring to when he said Bellator tried to bait and switch him (attached).

Alvarez via Twitter:
I seen some people still questioning Weather I am being truthful.

If You guys Wanna support I am not asking much just please Spread the Truth and Retweet.

What Ed is talking about – and this is what is completely and totally untrue, this is false, this is a statement that’s completely untrue

There was never a change of a single word. What Ed is talking about – and this is what is completely and totally untrue, BJorn”S Words

I have every text message And email for the past 4 years , this Is nothing Compared to what will be released , You guys will be shocked

TERMS LETTER(google doc, pops to new window)

MATERIAL TERMS LETTER(google doc, pops to new window)

Photo Credit: Bellator MMA, Pics are screen captured from original docs

The post Eddie Alvarez Releases Altered ‘Contracts’ (Documents Attached) appeared first on Fighters.com.

From the time that MMA was brought to the shores of the United States and to pay-per-view television in 1993, rules have always been a topic of concern, a topic with several points of views and one that is to this day a highly debatable subject. UFC 159 was an event marred with unusual occurrences and some seriously unbelievable circumstances, the biggest being two bouts that were decided by eye pokes. At that point, it occurred to me to begin brainstorming ideas on how the current UFC/Century glove can be modified. Then later on, I read a statement by Matt Hughes saying that the cause of the alarming number of eye pokes in recent matches isn’t due to the gloves, but rather the fighters themselves and their bad habit of leaving their hands open when extending their arms. Instead of changing the gloves, which may be coming anyway, how about we penalize fighters who poke their opponents in the eye? There is some refining to that rule of course, but that in turn brought up another thought: How many rules in MMA’s current state need to be changed?

In an ironic twist, the sport that once was sold on catchphrase “there are no rules” has gone from having as few rules as possible to having too many. Therefore, here are five suggested changes to the Unified Rules that I believe should be implemented.

1. Penalizing eye pokers: We’ll start with what I mentioned above. On the first accidental eye poke, a stern warning is merited; the second will prompt a disqualification. The first time can obviously be seen as accidental, while the second, not so much. Much like in boxing, when a low blow is delivered and then the recipient retaliates, the first low blow can be considered accidental but the retaliation is definitely intentional. Following that train of thought, a second eye poke from the same fighters should be penalized with a disqualification.
2. Eliminate the three-point stance rule: As we all know by now, any knees or kicks to a grounded opponent are illegal, however, putting one hand on the canvas shouldn’t be considered “grounded”. Fighters take advantage of this left and right by simply putting a hand on the floor, and that needs to be changed to a grounded knee, like when a football player is considered down. Granted, the fighter being kicked or kneed will most likely just drop to one knee to avoid those strikes instead, but it’s still light years better than one hand on the canvas.
3. Elbows to the head or face on the ground should be illegal: Now, before everyone goes ape shit over this one, hear me out. Even though elbows can end fights via a legitimate knockout, we all know that number is far less than the elbows that open cuts (and then the bout is stopped due to the cut). No elbows on the ground will cause a top fighter to need more to room to strike with the fist instead of the elbow, and could potentially give up more space to the bottom opponent, leading to a possible scramble and maybe even an escape. Point of the scenario: less stalling and more action.
4. Add more weight divisions: I realized having so many weight classes in boxing makes it hard to keep track of them because there are way too many. And there are some with as little as three pounds between them. But perhaps in MMA there are too few. Recent articles have shown the dangers of extreme weight cutting and rehydration and there have been a plethora of opinions on what can be done about it. How about a few more weight classes? There are a lot of fighters I like to call “tweeners”. Pro wrestling uses the term to describe a wrestler’s character who is morally neutral (neither heel nor baby face), as in “in between”. I use that term for fighters who are too small for the division above them and too big for the division below them, i.e. Diego Sanchez, Rich Franklin and Anthony Johnson. Maybe the solution to extreme weight cutting and then rehydration is having more weight classes.
5. 12 to 6 elbows should be legal: It’s common knowledge that Jon Jones should be undefeated and isn’t because of this rule. 12-to-6 elbows are not more dangerous or more powerful than ordinary elbows, so this rule is subjective and is seriously nonsensical.

Photo Credit: Brad Penner (USA TODAY SPORTS)

The post Against the Rules: A Look at What Needs to Be Changed in MMA appeared first on Fighters.com.

UFC lightweight Donald Cerrone suffered the first strike-based stoppage of his career in January when Anthony Pettis finished him off in the opening round of action. As devastating as the series of shots putting Cerrone away may have been, they weren’t nearly as bad as the damage the defeat did to the 30-year old’s immediate hopes of a title-shot.

The loss was the second in Cerrone’s last four fights and ultimately caused him to re-examine the way he’d been approaching his career. Now on the cusp of challenging K.J. Noons at UFC 160, “Cowboy” feels like a new man thanks to some work he’s done on both his body and mind.

Cerrone told MMAFighting…

“It’s like, I don’t know if it’s the camera or the pressure, but I’ve got to figure that out. Whatever makes me fight hard to get there, and then I seem to, like, fold under pressure. I don’t know. I’m tryin’ to [figure it out]. I got a new sports psychologist tryin’ to work those kinks out.”

“I’m tryin’ to take a different approach, a different angle, and work on my weight. I think my weight might be a problem, comin’ in so heavy. Right now I’m 174, so I feel great. Staying light.”

SOURCE: MMAFighting
PHOTO CREDIT: Rafael Suanes-USA TODAY Sports

The post Donald Cerrone Hoping New Diet, Sports Psychologist Will Get Him Back to Winning Ways appeared first on Fighters.com.

Cage Warriors FC Fight Night 8 takes place this afternoon in Al Fujairah, United Arab Emirates, and Fighters.com will be bringing you live results from all of the action at Mirbeh Sports Hall. In the main event, Jack Mason will take on Collin Reuter in a three round affair, and in the co-main event slot middleweights Antoni Chmielewski and Faycal Hucin will meet to see who continues their middleweight dominance. The preliminary fights start at 11.45am ET/9.45am PT so check back for results, and use the f5 key to refresh the page.

Main Card

Jack Mason def Collin Reuter via Unanimous Decision (30-27×3)
Faycal Hucin def. Antoni Chmielewski via submission at 2:12 of round 1 (triangle choke)
James Brum def Olivier Pastor via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28×2)
Martin Buschkamp def. Matteus Lahdesmaki via Unanimous Decision (30-26×3)
Gregor Herb def. Mike Ling via Split Decision (29-28×2, 28-29)

Preliminary Card (Facebook)

Mauro Chimento def. Domingos Mestre via submission at of round 2 (guillotine choke)
Mohamed Ali def. Sylvain Potard via Technical Knockout at 4:07 of round 3
Sean Carter def. Matt Hughes via submission at 1:44 of round 2(standing guillotine choke)

Photo Credit: Cage Warriors FC

The post Cage Warriors FC Fight Night 8 Live Results (11:45 AM EST) appeared first on Fighters.com.

There comes a time in every fighter’s career when the cold fist of reality hits them square in the puss and lets them know that they’re too old and their body too beat up to compete at the highest levels anymore. Such was the case with Shane Carwin this week, who – after rocketing up the UFC’s heavyweight ranks, securing an interim title, then running into a pair of brick walls named Brock Lesnar and Junior dos Santos – announced his retirement from MMA competition. Sure, it’s been a couple years since Carwin last saw action, but it always seemed like his return was inevitable. Now, we’re left musing over what sort of legacy, if any, he left behind.

Thus, this week’s Rebellion Roundtable question: What is Carwin’s legacy?

Dana Becker, FightLine and MMAConvert:

In the end, the legacy of Shane Carwin will likely be felt by those behind the scenes more than the typical fan. While Carwin was a champion, he didn’t make the impact of a Brock Lesnar, Cain Velasquez or Junior dos Santos. However, his ability to balance fighting and his other career (as an engineer) could serve as a great example for fighters going forward.

Chris McDevitt, MMALinker:

I think Carwin’s legacy is one of the greatest what-ifs in the heavyweight division. Prior to his fight with Brock Lesnar he had never been out of the first round. Prior to his last fight, he had never been to a decision. If you watch Lesnar vs. Carwin again, I think you can make a strong case that the fight should have been stopped in the first round.  The same ref whose judgment was praised for allowing the fight to continue is now facing a decade in prison for owning and operating a multimillion-dollar marijuana operation.  Whose judgment are we praising? Carwin was robbed and it seems that his body never truly recovered from the back/shoulder/neck injuries and punishment of his youth and career.  I’m glad he won’t be risking further injury. I just wish he were retiring as a former champ.  He deserved that much.

Miguel Barragan, FightLine and Fighters.com:

As reported yesterday, Shane Carwin tweeted that he has officially retired. After eight years in this sport we call MMA, Carwin calls it quits, mainly due to the many injuries and surgeries in the last two years or so. As much as I loved watching a Carwin fight, he’ll realistically go down in the UFC record books as a flash in the pan. To be great in any sport, one needs longevity in their careers and Carwin certainly didn’t have that. Just as Lesnar before him, his biggest career win was against Frank Mir, winning the interim UFC heavyweight title. Truth be told, that’s a lot more than your average heavyweight in the UFC can say. Let me be clear about this, I’m not saying that being a flash in the pan is a bad thing. Not only did he fight like what the general perception of what a heavyweight is supposed to fight like, but he came through just about everytime with a KO, with the exception being his last career bout against Junior dos Santos. Although brief, Carwin’s legacy (if you can call it that) is a throwback to fighters who left it all in the cage and a fighter who knew just how much joy he can bring to the masses with one of those sledgehammer-like right hands. From a Frank Mir fan who saw Carwin smash him like a tin can, I’d like to thank Carwin for what he gave the sport of MMA, and specifically the UFC, at a time when the UFC’s heavyweight division was beginning to really take off. Brief or not, he was part of one of the biggest, literally, heavyweight bouts in UFC history and for that Carwin and his legacy will always be remembered fondly.

Mike Stets, FightLine:

Everyone remembers Carwin gassing out and getting subbed in the second round vs. Lesnar, but that fight could’ve easily been called in the first.  Then maybe he faces Cain Velasquez and things are possibly different for him.  That didn’t happen and he barely survived a first-round bashing at the hands of JDS, eventually losing by decision.  He has had some big wins but ultimately not in the discussion of the greats of the sport.  Maybe if he had defeated Lesnar, and not suffered injuries, he would’ve been.

Marco Scolari, CagedInsider:

Shane Carwin was an alright fighter but the only thing he really left behind was his teeth after his lashing from Junior. Outside of that, he bullied some shitty heavyweights and folded to an inexperienced WWE wrestler when it mattered. Unless being the most surgically repaired athlete in sports is worthy of a legacy, nothing historical from Mr. Carwin.

Sam Genovese, MMAConvert and MMAFrenzy:

He was overrated. He beat up on smaller guys and when it came time to fight serious competition, his lack of dedication to training showed. He gassed out in the biggest fight of his life. I understand that he wanted to be both and engineer and a fighter but his career suffered because of it. He had huge power but his technical boxing skills were lacking. Still, his huge KO’s will fill the UFC’s highlight reels for years to come.

Joe Lisnow, FightLine:

Looking back at Shane Carwin’s short run in MMA, the first word that comes to mind is far from legacy. I’m not sure what word will define his career, as it was similar to other heavyweights who earn a title shot after a few wins. That’s all it takes in the heavyweight division. The two memorable moments from Carwin will be when he gassed out with Brock Lesnar and the bloody mess his face was after 15 minutes with Junior dos Santos. The memorable moments aren’t postives and neither was Carwin’s role to the sport.

Brian Park, MMALinker:

I suspect only a few awaited his return as a championship contender after his loss to Junior dos Santos and his subsequent back surgery. At the age of 38, it’s tough to be on top, let alone competitive, unless you’re Randy Couture. Nevertheless, it’s unfortunate to lose such a great fighter to Father Time.

Jake Norris, Fightline:

I think Shane Carwin had a remarkable UFC run and I’m sorry to see him go.  I recall when that group of heavyweights (Carwin along with Cain, Junior, Lesnar, and Roy Nelson) burst onto the scene and the UFC heavyweight division went from shallow to stacked almost overnight.  Carwin obviously deserves recognition for his tremendous punching power and highlight reel KOs, but unfortunately, I’d say the real defining moment of his career was the Lesnar fight.  That’s about as close as you can get to winning a UFC championship (no, the interim belt doesn’t count) without actually taking home the gold.  In light of that, I think Carwin will be remembered as a very good fighter, but not quite great.  He’s the Earnie Shavers of MMA.

Brendhan Conlan, FiveOuncesofPain and Fighters.com:

Carwin’s retirement is definitely unfortunate in that it was almost certainly related to health issues rather than a decision he willingly made, and the presence of a cement-fisted slugger with some wrestling chops is always welcome in the heavyweight division. However, losing him isn’t a major blow by any means considering he hadn’t fought in two years or won in more than three. And, though he may have had to call it quits prematurely, Carwin wasn’t likely to have much more time left in the sport to begin with at 38-years old.

The post Rebellion Roundtable: Shane Carwin’s Retirement appeared first on Fighters.com.

For the second time in as many years, UFC middleweight Gegard Mousasi is on the sidelines with an ACL. Mousasi was able to pull off a win over last minute replacement Ilir Latifi at the last UFC On FUEL card in Sweden, but he then revealed the injury to the media. In a recent interview Mousasi said he is planning on being in the octagon by the end of the year, and spoke about how he wasn’t sure if it would be at middleweight or light heavyweight. He also said now that he is off crutches he can go out and he do ‘A lot of partying’ while recovering.

Mousasi told MMAJunkie

“I’m planning on the recovery, but I’m planning to party and enjoy life a little bit. In the past, I’ve always been training, always about the sport. Once you have this injury, you discover other stuff. I plan on having a good time.”

“I believe if I go to 185 I’ll be much stronger. At the highest level, you don’t want to give any advantage. If you look at Jon Jones, you don’t want to fight a guy that’s very talented, has the skills, and also has the strength. Then you give too much advantage away. I think that there’s a big chance I will go. If the UFC says, come fight at 205, and if you win two or three times, we’ll give you a title shot. If they say 185, because I was also middleweight champ, maybe win one fight and maybe I can be a contender. Whatever is the fastest way to the belt.”

Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The post Gegard Mousasi: “I believe if I go to 185 I’ll be much stronger.” appeared first on Fighters.com.

Strikeforce Middleweight Champion Luke Rockhold is set to fight Vitor Belfort at UFC On FX 8: Belfort Vs Rockhold at the end of the month. Rockhold has had his eye on the UFC middleweight division for some time now, and its now time to realize his dream of fighting in the Octagon. While some argued that since he was the reigning Strikeforce champion that he should be matched up with UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva, but if you ask Rockhold, fighting Belfort is the next best thing.

UFC On FX 8: Belfort Vs Rockhold takes place on  on May 18 at Arena Jaragua in Santa Catarina, Brazil.

Photo Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports

The post Luke Rockhold: “Belfort is the next best thing to fighting Anderson.” appeared first on Fighters.com.

There has been a tremendous amount of success at Team Alpha Male since Duane Ludwig joined the team. The team has gone 9-0 and only 2 of those fights have been decided after the final bell. The team wasn’t exactly languishing before Ludwig got there, but there is no questioning that under his tutelage that they are showing massive amounts of improvement. One thing that Ludwig says has helped his coaching was studying the fight game from many different angles and altered states of consciousness. When questioned specifically about what he meant, Ludwig stated that he routinely watches fight video while on marijuana to gain a different perspective of what was going in on a fight.

Ludwig told MMAMania:

It’s freakin legal. Let me address this issue. When I watch film, I watch film normal how I am now. Then I watch film when I’m high on marijuana. I also watch the film again when I have Alpha Brain in my system. I watch film from three different states of consciousness just to get different looks at things. Just to see if maybe I missed a step or a nice little detail just to get different looks on things. I take this serious as hell. So serious that, if the guys aren’t making strides, I personally get my feelings hurt because I want them to succeed so much. I feel it, man. “This could be better. Take a step here, a two step there.” I care for these fucking guys that’s for sure.

Photo  Credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports

The post Duane Ludwig: “I watch film from three different states of consciousness just to get different looks at things.” appeared first on Fighters.com.

UFC Flyweight Jon Dodson recently took part in the ‘Tough Mudder” obstacle course and 10 mile run for the Wounded Warriors Foundation. The UFC has been a long time supporter of the Wounded Warriors, and Dodson joined a team of other supporters to take on one of the most well known mud runs in the country. Check out the video the UFC released of Dodson running the course.

Courtesy of the UFC

Photo Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

The post Jon Dodson Is One Tough Mudder appeared first on Fighters.com.

UFC Heavyweight Shane Carwin has retired from fighting, and is hanging up the gloves for good. Carwin, former interim heavyweight champion and NCAA Div. II All-American, was undefeated in the sport of MMA when he beat Frank Mir for the interim title. Because of injury to both he and Brock Lesnar, he wouldn’t fight to unify the belts for more than a year later, and subsequently lost the bout. He returned to the octagon a little less than a year later at UFC 131 where he fought Junior dos Santos and dropped a unanimous decision. After the fight, Carwin would have back surgery, and after coaching against Roy Nelson on The Ultimate Fighter he was scheduled to fight Nelson. However, a knee injury would sideline Carwin for good.

Carwin announced via twitter: 

Officially retired 2day:-) thank you to my family, friends and fans! #dreambig GOD BLESS!!!

Photo Credit: John Petit 

The post UFC Heavyweight Shane Carwin Announces Retirement appeared first on Fighters.com.