2010 is drawing closer and closer to a close, and with UFC 118 now over and done with, there are only a handful of major-name events left for MMA in 2010. Despite that, I think the end of the year will have some of 2010’s best fights. There’s still a lot of great action left to look forward to, so here are my top 5 (officially announced) fights I’m looking forward to for the rest of 2010. ...

I really enjoyed Strikeforce: “Houston”. We had some upsets, some shocking surprises, some highs, some lows, some quick finishes, some all-out wars, and even a couple of controversial moments. From Chad Griggs beating Bobby Lashley to Rafael Cavalcante KO’ing Muhammed Lawal, “Houston” was a solid event and gave MMA fans a great night of action. It’s true that the future is never certain, but here’s what I think the months ahead will hold for the winners and losers of Strikeforce: “Houston”. ...

If the recent Strikeforce: “Houston” event had lacked the Karl James Noons vs. Jorge Gurgel fight, the only thing even remotely controversial to come out of that show would have been Ronaldo Souza getting the decision victory over Tim Kennedy in a very close five-round war. Instead, we received not one but two moments of controversy, both at the hands (and feet) of “KJ” Noons. I don’t think anyone can dispute the fact that Noons was the better fighter, but I think the way in which he won is open to debate. I even think that there is some merit to the belief that Noons should have been disqualified for his actions. ...

Today marked the official weigh-ins for the upcoming Strikeforce: "Houston" event, scheduled for August 20, 2010 from the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. The event features controversial Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion Muhammed Lawal, better known as “King Mo”, in his first defense of the championship he won after beating the highly-regarded Gegard Mousasi to win the belt. The co-main event will also be a championship affair, as feared submission wizard (his nickname, “Jacare”, means Alligator) Ronaldo Souza takes on 12-2 Tim Kennedy for the vacant Middleweight Championship, which was rendered vacant when former champion Jake Shields promptly left the promotion and signed with the UFC after defeating new Strikeforce signee and MMA legend, Dan Henderson. The “Houston” weigh-ins weren’t immune to a bit of controversy, as several fighters failed to make weight. Here’s how it all broke down. ...

After Strikeforce welterweight champion “Diablo” Nick Diaz (21-8) TKO'd DREAM welterweight champion “Whitemare” Marius Zaromskis (11-3) at Strikeforce in Miami last Saturday, he called out Fighters.com and UFC welterweight champion “Rush” Georges St. Pierre (19-2). ...

"King Karl" Karl James Noons (7-2) was stripped of his EliteXC 160-pound title Friday "due to Noons’s reluctance to defend against leading 160-pound  contender Nick Diaz (18-7)." EliteXC Head of Fight Operations Jerem Lappen said. “It’s a very unfortunate situation but we cannot have belt-holders  who refuse to fight the top contenders.  We want champions who will fight  anyone, anytime, anyplace.  That’s the mentality all champions should have." Noons explained to Fighters.com his reasons for not rematching Diaz in an interview published 26 August. Lappen added, "K.J. has two more fights remaining on his contract, so we are still looking forward to having him fight for us again soon, but not as our world champion." EliteXC will announce a fight for the vacant 160-pound title in the near future, presumably involving Diaz. Noons beat Diaz on cuts for the EliteXC 160-pound title in November 2007. ...

Besides “Wildman” Thomas Denny (26-17) himself, it’s fair for Fighters.com to speculate that no one wanted Denny to kick Nick Diaz’s (18-7) ass last month in Stockton, east of San Francisco, more than EliteXC 160-Pound Champion “King Karl” Karl James Noons (7-2). Diaz won, setting up a probable title rematch versus Noons in October. Noons spoke exclusively to Fighters.com about being the first fighter in mixed martial arts who's been asked to avenge a win. Fighters.com: Do you know who made the decision at EliteXC to invite Nick Diaz into the cage after you knocked out Yves Edwards (34-14-1)? K.J. Noons: No.  Do you? Fighters.com: No.  I was wondering if you asked around, like, "Who's the asshole?" K.J. Noons: I...I don't know.  Probably someone from ProElite, er...EliteXC. Fighters.com: You told Inside MMA you weren’t happy about it.  Do you think that’s just what promoters do to hype fights; or, do you take it more personal? K.J. Noons: Um...you know, if they want to hype a fight, that's cool.  And...you know, whatever.  Hype me!  Shit!  Stop hypin' fuckin' Nick Diaz.  What the fuck!? ...

Saturday night in Honolulu, EliteXC 160-Pound Champion "KJ" Karl James Noons(7-2) TKO'd challenger Yves Edwards (34-14-1) in 48 seconds. "I’m the champion and have the EliteXC belt," Noons declared after his impressive victory.  "I’ll fight anybody!" Noons may be destined for a rematch with the fighter EliteXC created the 160-pound division to crown as champion, Nick Diaz (17-7). ...

EliteXC 160-Pound Champion Karl James Noons will make his first defense versus Yves Edwards April 26 in Honolulu. Noons, 6-2, TKO'd Nick Diaz on cuts last November to become the first EliteXC 160-pound champion. Edwards, 33-13-1, knocked out James Edson Berto last weekend via flying knee to make three straight wins after a three-fight winless streak. Nick Diaz has been taunting Noons for a rematch after the brawler's controversial loss on cuts, accusing Noons of ducking him. Noons and Edwards have been friends for awhile. ...