When it was announced that Tito Ortiz had decided to rethink his earlier refusal and accept the ufc’s call to rematch Rashad Evans, some of us were left scratching our heads and wondering what happened to Lyoto Machida. When it was announced that Phil Davis had to pull out of his fight with Evans, many sources claimed that Machida/Evans 2 was in the works. However, that fight hasn’t happened, and it’s interesting to note that the UFC and Machida seem to have two very different reasons for why this fight wasn’t made. Here are all the details. ...

The many troubles of Rashad Evans continue. Here’s a quick rundown: Evans sat on the sidelines for months waiting for Mauricio Rua to heal up, then got injured and was replaced by Jon Jones. When Jones won the ufc Light Heavyweight Championship, Evans was set to face Jones before Jones got injured. Jones was replaced by Phil Davis, and in a story that just broke, it’s now been revealed that Phil Davis has also been injured. And although it’s not confirmed, one site states that Lyoto Machida could be Evans’ replacement opponent. Here are all the details. ...

At UFC 132, we barred witness to the seeming resurrection of Tito Ortiz. Ortiz came out and demolished Ryan Bader, once viewed as a top prospect, with shocking ease. Coming into this fight, it seemed as if Ortiz was destined for failure and would leave UFC 132 a defeated and ultimately retired fighter. But now, many people are wondering what’s next for “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy”. Here’s my answer to just that: the top 5 opponents for Tito Ortiz. ...

Lyoto Machida’s dramatic KO’ing of UFC legend Randy Couture at UFC 129 seems to have given new life to the career of “The Dragon”. At UFC 129, Machida proved that parts of his “Machida Enigma” remain unsolved, and that he can evolve his style over time in the same way that all long-reigning champions evolve their style. Now that a two-fight losing-streak is behind him, here are my thoughts on who I think Lyoto Machida should fight next. ...

Hello again fans and friends, and welcome to the start of a new series, several new ones in fact. Today marks the first time I take a concrete look at what happened in the previous month of action, with several definitive lists designed to give my full thoughts on all the MMA I watched the month before. Near the beginning of every new month, I’ll wrap up the previous month of action by counting down and listing off some of the month’s biggest moments and brightest stars. I’ll start out with this list: the top five fights of April 2011, featuring all the best and can’t-miss moments of April. Let’s dive right in. ...

Hello once more fans and friends and welcome to another new edition of “Best of the Rest”! I really enjoy taking the time to give my detailed thoughts on a show after watching it, but after the serious discussion and debate I’ll raise in topics like “Top 5 Best Moments” and “Best Performance of the Night”, I think it’d be nice to have a tongue-in-cheek topic where I give out some other “awards”. It’s all in good fun, so don’t take any of it too seriously. So let’s dive right into this latest edition, now featuring UFC 129: “St. Pierre vs. Shields”. ...

It’s that time once again, fans and friends. Another major MMA event has come and gone, and it’s time for my unofficial “Best Performance of the Night” award. And to be honest, this was one of the toughest decisions I’ve had to make since beginning my “BPOTN” posts. UFC 129 just had so many dramatic moments, so many can’t-miss finishes, and so many dramatic stoppages. It was honestly one of the greatest Mixed Martial Arts events I’ve ever seen. But above all else, one man’s knockout stands out. Here’s why Lyoto Machida’s dramatic KO win over Randy Couture took home “Best Performance of the Night”. ...

UFC 129 was an event on an epic scale, and it delivered several epic results. From a spinning backfist to a flying triangle, from a twenty-second KO to a Jump Kick KO, UFC 129 saw many fighters add something amazing to their highlight reels. But which stars shined brightest, and what moments will fans be talking about in the following weeks? Here’s my take on the matter: my top 5 best moments of UFC 129: “St. Pierre vs. Shields”. ...

UFC 129 was a historic event for several reasons. It featured two title fights, it featured a UFC legend and Hall of Fame member retiring, and it featured over half the night’s fights ending with stoppages, many of which were dramatic and amazing. And now once again it’s time to ask: what’s next? What does the future hold for Georges St. Pierre, Jose Aldo, Lyoto Machida, and others?? Here’s my answer to just that: a new edition of my “What’s Next for the Winners and Losers” series of articles, now featuring UFC 129: “St. Pierre vs. Shields”. ...

Randy Couture is one of the greatest mixed martial arts fighters of all-time. He's simply a living legend in the sport. So when he gets knocked out by someone, it's remembered. In accordance with this, you've got to believe that the jumping front kick Lyoto Machida used to defeat Couture at UFC 129 will be remembered on another level. We're talking about a victory due to something out of a traditional Shotokan karate manual; it will be talked about for years to come. In fact, it reminds, albeit with a little more flare due to its' jumping nature, of the recent front kick that Anderson Silva used to fell Vitor Belfort at UFC 126. How do these Black House guys do it? ...

Another one went down in the history books tonight, fans and friends. Tonight the UFC presented UFC 129: “St. Pierre vs. Shields” in front of 55,000 screaming Canadians. With all twelve fights being available through some form or another, UFC fans in attendance and around the world were treated to a night of fantastic action, and by far the best MMA event of the year. Without hyperbole, UFC 129 should go down as the greatest UFC event of all time, one of (if not the) greatest MMA event of all time, and one of the most important events in UFC and MMA history. Here are the full results as well as some early commentary on UFC 129: “St. Pierre vs. Shields”. ...

There's no denying that for Lyoto Machida, his UFC 120 performance against UFC Hall of Famer and 5-time world champion Randy Couture, would be the biggest fight of "The Dragon's" career. Prior to his recent stint at UFC 129 earlier tonight, Machida was riding a two-fight losing streak heading into the cage when he took on former champions Mauricio "Shogun" Rua and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, respectively, and another loss here could have certainly laid question as to whether or not the UFC would keep the Brazilian around, despite his accomplishments within the organization. Thankfully, Machida left the cage without pondering those same stifling questions as he pulled out the proverbial "Karate Kid" crane kick and capped off the evening with a fantastic knockout which earned him a bonus for his efforts. ...

It’s come down to this, fans and friends. After weeks of speculation and intense debate, after a twelve-part series and my usual rounds of predicting, previewing, and giving crash courses… this is my final say. UFC 129 takes place roughly twenty-four hours from now, in front of a sold-out crowd of over 55,000 people. I’ve done my best to cover each and every fight in detail, in the myriad amount of coverage I’ve given this very special event. And here’s where it ends: this is another “Finally Final Thoughts”, covering my last random, assorted thoughts on UFC 129. ...

We’re now only a few days away from UFC 129, which should go down as the most-important MMA event of the year. In the main event, Georges St. Pierre defends his UFC Welterweight Championship against former EliteXC and Strikeforce champion Jake Shields, in front of over 55,000 fans. The co-main event will also be an interesting match-up, as Jose Aldo makes his long-awaited UFC debut by defending his UFC Featherweight Championship against Mark Hominick. As is customary, here is my official “picks and predictions” post (covering who I think will win and why), now featuring UFC 129. ...

On April 30, 2011, the UFC will hold its highly-anticipated “St. Pierre vs. Shields” event, featuring UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St. Pierre defending his championship against former Strikeforce Middleweight and EliteXC Welterweight Champion Jake Shields in front of over 55,000 fans. Also, Featherweight engine of destruction Jose Aldo makes his long-awaited debut in the UFC, defending his newly-minted UFC Featherweight Championship against Mark Hominick. Still, some fans may be asking themselves: what are the best reasons to check out this card? Here’s my answer to just that: 5 reasons to watch UFC 129: “St. Pierre vs. Shields”. ...

Hello once more fans and friends and welcome to the latest edition of “Crash Course”. “Crash Course” is a series of articles designed to give readers a quick rundown on all the relevant information they need to know heading into an upcoming major MMA event. Everything from why you should watch, what you should expect in the co-main and main event, and even where and when you can find it on TV is all covered in detail. So let’s get right to it with today’s edition, featuring UFC 129: “St. Pierre vs. Shields”. ...

Hello once more fans and friends and welcome to the third and final day of “ufc 129 Complete Collection”. This three-day, twelve-part series was designed with one goal in mind: to both educate and excite fans. UFC 129 is only a few days away, and it should go down as the event of the year and perhaps become a defining moment in UFC history. With that in mind, “Complete Collection” aims to look at and examine each and every UFC 129 fight in detail. With all fights being available through either Facebook, Spike TV, or Pay-Per-View, I figured this was the least I could do. For the previous entry in the series, please click here. And now, we begin the final leg of “UFC 129 Complete Collection” with a battle that pits a former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion against a UFC Hall of Fame member. Let’s dive right in. ...

Canada go nuts!  UFC 100 was a milestone in the history of MMA, for sure.  However, UFC 129 in Toronto may just be the calling card, must-see event that shoves this sport over the mountain into the mainstream. ESPN2 is now airing the UFC Primetime special, which should be noticed as a big step, Just a few short years ago, the house run by Mickey Mouse up I-84 in Bristol, CT was afraid to touch the sport, due to the lingering stigma from the 90's.  Now 55,000 screaming fans will pack a massive stadium to watch some of the greatest athletes in the world compete.  It will be interesting to see, not only who wins, but how the media at large covers this event and the penetration UFC 129 makes on a sports weekend heavy in NBA and NHL playoffs. What do the fighters think about the biggest night of their professional life ... just seven days away? From GSP to Randy Couture to Jose Aldo to Pablo Garza - here are some fighter comments from the UFC press conference earlier this week. ...

Hello once more fans and friends and welcome to another entry into my series “What If He Wins?” There’s no set timetable for a new “WIHW?”, I just like to do them when there’s a really big fight coming up that I’ve taken a special interest in. And I’m very, very interested in the upcoming fight that pits Lyoto Machida against Randy Couture. I’m a huge, huge fan of both men, but I think Machida will win this bout. But here’s the thing: when has Randy Couture not done the impossible? Simply competing at his level at his age is considered impossible by many. So with that said, here’s what I think will happen if “Captain America” shocks us all one last time and beats Lyoto Machida. ...

Hello again fans and friends and welcome back to my latest two-part entry into my “5 Reasons Why” series of articles. Today I’m focusing on the UFC 129 mega-match between Randy Couture and Lyoto Machida. For five reasons why Couture could beat Machida, please click here. Now here’s the opposite: these are five reasons why Lyoto Machida could beat Randy Couture. ...

After a hectic March where it felt like a good show was on each and every single week, even sometimes twice in one day, the UFC seems to be sitting out much of April. Fight fans will have to wait until the very end of the month before they get a chance to see UFC 129, but thankfully it’s shaping up to be one of the biggest cards of the year. And today’s entry into my “5 Reasons Why” series focuses on one of the high-profile match-ups for that card: MMA legend and UFC Hall of Fame Member Randy Couture taking on Lyoto Machida. Let’s begin with the five reasons why Couture could beat Machida, with the reverse soon to follow. ...

It’s that time again, fans and friends. A new month is upon us, which means all-new fights and much-anticipated epic encounters. Near the start of every month I’ll be counting down the five fights I’m looking forward to the most, and why I’m looking forward to them. This is “Top 5 Most Anticipated Fights of April 2011”. Let’s get started. ...

Without an ounce of hyperbole, ufc 129 is shaping up to be one of the biggest and most important events in UFC history. How else do you describe a fight card held inside a stadium with somewhere in the neighborhood of 40,000 seats available? The UFC’s debut in Toronto is quickly shaping up to be the can’t-miss event of the year, and recently the UFC confirmed several bouts, locking in the card and bringing the total confirmed fight count to twelve. Here are all the details. ...

Time and time and time again, the UFC continues to set one simple precedent: you compete at your best, or you lose your job. It seems as if no contract is safe these days, and that anyone can be let go at any time for just about any reason. UFC President Dana White recently reaffirmed the UFC’s “nobody is safe” rule when he singled out both Lyoto Machida and Tito Ortiz as two fighters potentially on the chopping block. The naming of Ortiz comes as a shock to relatively no one, but news that White may give Machida the axe is already turning a few heads. Here are all the details. ...

Although I’m generally known for my serious looks into the world of MMA, fans and friends, I’d like to say that I always love a good joke. Remember, this is the same guy who brought you The Top 5 MMA Fighters That Could Survive a Nuclear Apocalypse and a Zombie Apocalypse. In that grand tradition, I now present my next magnum opus: What If MMA Fighters Played Call Of Duty? This two-part mega-series will shake both the MMA and video game world down to its core, and is filled with so much insider lingo both from MMA and from the COD community that it’ll probably alienate COD fans and MMA fans alike! And away we go! ...

I’m one of the many Randy Couture fans that would like to see “The Natural” compete a few more times before finally calling it a career, and it appears as if I’ll finally get my wish. After months of rumors revolving around Couture’s impending retirement, the general consensus seemed to be that “Captain America” was semi-retired and would only come out to play against major-level opponents. Recently, it appears as if the UFC made Couture an offer he couldn’t refuse, and it now looks like Couture will tangle with former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Lyoto Machida in one of the premiere bouts of UFC 129 in Toronto, emanating from the massive Rogers Centre. Here are all the details. ...

For the first time in his storied career, former ufc Light Heavyweight Champion Lyoto Machida faces a two-fight losing streak. Machida lost a controversial Split Decision to fellow former champion Quinton Jackson at the recent UFC 123: “Rampage vs. Jackson” event. Once again Machida was gracious in defeat following the loss, offering up no major objections while promising to do better. In a recent interview, Machida re-asserts that his future is far from over. ...

What’s next? It’s a subject that is on a lot of people’s minds now that ufc 123: “Rampage vs. Machida” is in the history books. What does the future hold after a great night of fights that saw several interesting stories come and go, with several great fights here and there? If you’ve followed me at all, you’d know that I simply can’t resist getting my two cents in. So here we go again, fans and friends: get ready for the next edition of my “What’s Next” column, where I predict the future for the big winners and losers of UFC 123. Let’s get started. ...

I want it. Plenty of other people want it. Both fighters agreed to it. But we’re not going to get it, at least not anytime soon. After UFC 123: “Rampage vs. Machida” ended in another controversial judge’s decision in the ever-growing list of controversial judge’s decisions, both Quinton Jackson and Lyoto Machida agreed to have an immediate rematch. But according to UFC President Dana White, that’s simply not going to happen. Here are all the details. ...

It’s easy as 123, fans and friends. UFC 123, that is. “Rampage vs. Machida” is now a thing of the past. It was a night filled with surprises and a not-inconsiderate amount of controversy. In the main event, former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Quinton Jackson won against fellow former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Lyoto Machida in a fight that even “Rampage” himself felt was so incredibly close that it deserves an immediate rematch. In addition to that, the long-standing rivalry between former UFC Welterweight Champions BJ Penn and Matt Hughes came to a dramatic end at UFC 123, with Penn KO'ing Hughes before the half-minute mark. Here are the full results as well as some commentary for UFC 123: “Rampage vs. Machida”. ...