Following his recent loss to Brendan Schaub, many fight fans wondered if we had seen the last of Mirko Filipovic. But it was recently announced that Mirko Cro Cop would fight at least one more time, fulfilling his current contract with the UFC. And should this be Filipovic’s last fight under the UFC banner or even his last fight period, at least the feared Croatian striker can go out knowing that he’s facing a top-division Heavyweight that’s a well-respected veteran. Here are all the details on Mirko Filipovic vs. Roy Nelson. ...

As stated before, there are several ways of answering the question “how successful was the ufc’s latest event?” It should also be pointed out that that’s a question that takes on an entirely different meaning when you’re one of the proud few inside the Octagon. For fighters, success is measured in two chief ways: how healthy you are once the fight is over, and if the money you make made it all worthwhile. We now have official numbers on both. Here are the full medical suspensions as well as fighter salaries from “UFC 130: Rampage vs. Hamill”, featuring some huge pay discrepancies and some potentially-long layoffs. ...

UFC 130 was, as a whole, an unfortunately underwhelming event. But it was not a bad event, far from it in fact. UFC 130 saw a host of big fighters fighting in big fights, with several interesting wars of attrition and some big highlight-reel KO’s 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 130: “Rampage vs. Hamill”. ...

UFC 130: “Rampage vs. Hamill” is now a thing of the past. Quinton Jackson has now taken a big step towards another shot at a UFC championship, and so has Frank Mir. Meanwhile, Matt Hamill and Roy Nelson must somberly reflect on what changes they need to make in order to beat top-quality competition. Now once again it’s time to ask: what’s next? What does the future hold after such an event? 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 130. ...

Another one went into the history books tonight, fans and friends. The ufc continued its long journey by holding its one hundred and thirtieth event yesterday, featuring what was expected to be several interesting matches between big-name stars. So, how was “Rampage vs. Hamill”? Unfortunately, this is one of the rare instances where I’m wrong for all the right reasons. I wanted to like this card, I tried to keep telling myself that it’d be better than everyone was saying it would be. And it was… just not by much. Here are the full results as well as some commentary on UFC 130: “Rampage vs. Hamill”. ...

It should be obvious by now that I’m a big fan of strikeforce’s Heavyweight Grand Prix. This tournament, in all its glory, led me to create my very first “maxi-series”, the epic and epically-long “Heavy Wait”. And now, after all this time, the tournament is finally getting back underway with the second set of quarterfinals. Everyone is talking about the Strikeforce World Grand Prix again, including the man who’s about to head into the co-main event of UFC 130. Read on for Roy Nelson’s picks and why I disagree with them so thoroughly. ...

Today the UFC will hold its highly-anticipated “UFC 130” event, featuring a jam-packed main card and five free fights through Facebook and Spike TV. The card features an ensemble cast of former champions, former title contenders, and more: Frank Mir, Roy Nelson, Quinton Jackson, Miguel Torres, and Thiago Alves are just some of the names attached to this card. 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 130. ...

We’re now only a few days away from UFC 130: “Rampage vs. Hamill”. In the main event, former “Ultimate Fighter” contestant Matt Hamill takes on his toughest test to date: former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Quinton Jackson. The co-main event will also be an interesting match-up, as former UFC Heavyweight and Interim Heavyweight Champion Frank Mir takes on “Ultimate Fighter” Season 10 winner Roy Nelson. As is customary, here is my official “picks and predictions” post (covering who I think will win and why), now featuring UFC 130. ...

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 130: “Rampage vs. Hamill”. ...

It’s that time again, fans and friends: time for “A Closer Look at UFC 130”. My exhaustive look at the full UFC 130 card has hopefully been both educational and entertaining, and it’s about to reach its conclusion. There are only two fights left that I haven’t examined in detail. One of them is the main event, the other is the subject of this entry: a huge co-main event pitting two huge Heavyweights against each other. In a key match-up that will put the winner on the shortlist of possible UFC Heavyweight Championship contenders, former UFC Heavyweight and Interim Heavyweight Champion Frank Mir takes on former IFL Champion and “Ultimate Fighter” Season 10 winner Roy Nelson. Let’s do this. ...

ufc 130 has been described as a “hit or miss” event and it hasn't even happened yet. The main point of contention amongst fans is whether or not a fight between Quinton Jackson and Matt Hamill is a worthy main event. I’ve argued time and time again that it is, but many people seem to be disagreeing with me. It now seems that not only the fans but also the fighters themselves share in this opinion. Recently, Roy Nelson claimed that his UFC 130 fight was “saving” the card. Here are all the details. ...

Former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir is not in the sport to say he's been here and done that. Instead, what he wants to do is reclaim the top spot in his division. It wasn't all that long ago when Mir had become the promotion's most coveted star. A submission whiz with knockout power and good looks to boot, however a subsequent motorcycle accident derailed much of the allure that surrounded the young champion way back when in 2004. Now, after having come back from his ordeal, and notching up victories over the likes of former champions Brock Lesnar, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, and Mirko "Cro Cop", Mir is looking to reestablish himself as a viable heavyweight contender, however the submission ace doesn't necessarily feel that a potential win over Roy Nelson will do much for his career. ...

For several reasons, ufc 125 “Resolution” has already emerged as the possible “Sleeper Hit” of the year, thanks in no small part to the epic second showdown between Frank Edgar and Gray Maynard. A large section of the fanbase doubted Edgar’s and Maynard’s ability to put on an exciting fight, but in the end, the two headlining attractions of UFC 125 gave us five amazing rounds of action in a fight that has already emerged as a “Fight of the Year” contender. The UFC recently announced the hotly-anticipated third encounter between the two, as well as several other awesome bouts, for their upcoming UFC 130 show, which is now officially UFC 130 “Edgar vs. Maynard 3”. Here are all the details. ...

Matt Mitrione has fared considerably well in his time inside the ufc’s famed Octagon, when you take into account how new he is to the sport and how relatively inexperienced he should be. This is a man that made his professional MMA debut in the sport’s largest organization, and he’s yet to stumble or even momentarily falter. After a very convincing performance against Tim Hague, Mitrione remains humble despite his successes, and recently gave an interesting take on his “Fight for the Troops 2” performance and what he hopes to accomplish in the near future. Here are all the details. ...

As a longtime fan of Roy Nelson, I was equal parts sad and frustrated when news broke out that contract negotiations would force him to sit on the sidelines. Now that it’s been revealed that “Big Country” will be back in the Octagon soon against former champion Frank Mir, Nelson is rightfully back in the public spotlight. In a new interview, the always-entertaining Heavyweight recently revealed that he still plans to become a ufc champion one day and will fight anybody and everybody to achieve that goal. ...

Even though 2010 finished very strong, the latter half of the year certainly wasn’t a good time to be a Roy Nelson fan. Nelson faltered against Junior dos Santos, taking the fiery KO machine to the third round but getting pummeled throughout their bout. Then problems revolving around previous contracts kept Nelson out of action for the rest of 2010. But it’s recently been announced that Nelson has a new opponent, and it’s a big one: Frank Mir, former UFC Heavyweight and Interim Heavyweight Champion. And while it’s not the fight I wanted, it’s certainly better than nothing and, in fact, should be a very impressive proving point for either fighter. ...

Former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir will not be on a stint as coach once again on the next season of "The Ultimate Fighter" after all. Instead, the Jiu-Jitsu specialist will now be facing Roy Nelson at an unannounced event, UFC 130 which is rumored to take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Mir's territory. Nelson, the season ten winner of the TUF series was recently embroiled in a contract dispute when Square Ring Promotion's, which is owned by boxing legend Roy Jones Jr., suggested that Roy was still under contract with their organization, however now everything seems to be free and clear since Nelson is now scheduled to compete in the octagon once again. ...

“Big Country” Roy Nelson is now facing another tough battle in the long line of tough battles he’s had to endure since winning “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 10 and almost immediately transitioning to the upper echelon of the increasingly-competitive ufc Heavyweight division. However, this battle finds him not in the Octagon, but in the negotiating room. Much has been made of Nelson’s recent contract issues, but according to the man himself, those problems should be worked out by 2011 and “Big Country” will look to make his big return soon. ...

After some speculation about Roy Nelson potentially fighting Brock Lesnar, or Frank Mir, or even his previous opponent Shane Carwin, will all be on hold. In fact, his entire UFC career altogether will be put on hold. Following his scratched heavyweight bout against the aforementioned Carwin at UFC 125, which was to serve as the evening's co-main event, Nelson had been rumored with a multitude of different opponents. However, some recent events have surfaced indicating that "Big Country" may be heading elsewhere in his career. Back with former world boxing champion, Roy Jones Jr. ...

Roy Nelson and Brock Lesnar have a lot more in common than most people seem to think. Both have fought and lost to high-level fighters recently. Both are often criticized: Brock for his past as a World Wrestling Entertainment performer, “Big Country” for his sizable gut. But the major similarity is that both men apparently want to fight each other. In a recent interview, not only did Nelson reaffirm his willingness to fight the former ufc Heavyweight Champion, he was quick to criticize journalists that are critical of the proposed match as well as the two fighters themselves. ...

A large number of people are wondering what’s next for Brock Lesnar, the former UFC Heavyweight Champion that has just recently fallen so hard from grace after receiving a humbling beating courtesy of new Heavyweight Champion Cain Velasquez. Opinions seem to be mixed, as they always are when talks turn to Lesnar, with some boldly proclaiming that Lesnar will be champion again before 2011 is through while others believe he’ll go running back to the WWE with his tail between his legs and face the Undertaker at WrestleMania. Not only do I think that Brock Lesnar will stay in the UFC, I also think I have the perfect next opponent for him: the winner of “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 10, former IFL champion “Big Country” Roy Nelson. ...

Former International Fight League heavyweight champion Roy Nelson has been pulled from his co-main event slot at UFC 125. With the addition of Jose Aldo defending his now UFC (formerly the WEC) featherweight title against top contender Josh Grispi to the pay-per-view card, the organization opted to pull out the former top contender since his opponent, former interim heavyweight champion Shane Carwin had been scratched from the card due to a debilitating back injury. No suitable opponent could be found to replace the knockout artist, and therefor eliminated the heavyweight contest altogether, a move that Nelson did not take very well. ...

It’s recently been revealed that ufc knockout artist Shane Carwin has opted out of his fight with Roy Nelson at UFC 125 due to back problems that may or may not require corrective surgery, and that the UFC is still scrambling to find him a replacement opponent. This would have been Shane Carwin’s first fight after being linked to a nationwide steroids conspiracy. While the hunt for a replacement continues, one man has already voluntarily stepped up and asked to replace the heavy-handed striker. And he’s one of the most famous strikers in all of Mixed Martial Arts: Mirko Filipovic. ...

Former UFC heavyweight title challenger has bowed out of his co-main event fight with the season 10 winner of "The Ultimate Fighter" Roy Nelson. Shane Carwin, the former interim champion, was last seen in action at UFC 116 when he was defeated by a resilient Brock Lesnar, in an attempt to vie for the promotion's heavyweight title. Brock, the former champion recently relinquished his title to current champion Cain Velasquez last Saturday at UFC 121 in Anaheim, Calif. after the proud Mexican heavyweight soundly defeated "The Baddest Man on the Planet" with effective strikes en route to a TKO victory inside of the first round. ...

As the worlds largest mixed martial art's organization tries to ring in the new year, additional bouts have been added to a stacked card. Next New Year's, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, the UFC will return to Nevada with a lightweight title fight pitting current champion Frankie Edgar, who is riding on a 5-fight win streak (which included two back-to-back victories over former champion BJ Penn) will look to exact revenge when he defends his title against the only man to defeat him, undefeated UFC lightweight title challenger Gray Maynard. Also in action, former Interim heavyweight champion Shane Carwin is coming back to action after succumbing to his first defeat as a professional at UFC 116 when he tangles with the former IFL heavyweight champion and season 10 winner of "The Ultimate Fighter", Roy Nelson. ...

As previously anticipated, a lightweight title showdown between champion Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard will go on as scheduled for January 1st, serving headliner duties for ufc 125, in Las Vegas, Nev. Edgar recently has successfully defended his title against BJ Penn at UFC 118, dominating the former dual champion en route to a unanimous decision victory, with a clean sweep of scores with 50-45 across the board, between all three judges. Maynard, the only man to defeat Edgar to date, is coming off of arguably the biggest win of his career, when he defeated former title challenger Kenny Florian, at UFC 118. In Maynard fashion, he used his dominant wrestling prowess to control the Boston native on the ground, and won a clear-cut and otherwise uninspired unanimous decision. The bout was for number one contender spot and allowed him his chance to challenge for the title, for the first time, in his undefeated career. ...

As much as I enjoy watching him fight, I don’t envy Roy Nelson. The man has been fighting to gain and maintain an aura of respectability since the first time he laced up a pair of gloves and put on a pair of shorts over his rotund belly. Nelson had to endure a stint on “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 10, which I can now honestly say was totally beneath him, simply because he refused to decrease the size of his famous gut. Now that Nelson has his first loss in the ufc, many are once again trying to point out that Roy Nelson’s nontraditional physique is little more than a gimmick that’s run its course. But don’t tell that to Roy Nelson. ...

As previously reported, Shane Carwin will be making his return at ufc 125, though no opponent was mentioned at the time of the reveal. Carwin himself, in fact, made the news of his return on his official Twitter page (@ShaneCarwin), and since then many have speculated who the former title challenger will be facing. In his last outing, Carwin attempted to unify his interim heavyweight title, which he earned with a first round knockout of former champion Frank Mir at UFC 111, when he tangled with the current title holder in Brock Lesnar, at UFC 116 last July. After a dominant first-round turned in, where "The Engineer" was able to drop Lesnar with a barrage of punches, eventually gassing himself when he unloaded a heavy dose of ground and pound that had left Brock on the ropes, but otherwise still in the fight. ...

Standing at 6'11, Stefan Struve is someone everyone notices, in or out of the cage. While he has garnered some disappointing losses since his inception to the ufc in 2009 against division standouts Junior dos Santos (UFC 95) and Roy Nelson (UFC Fight Night 21), he has also picked up some of the best come-from-behind wins, in recent memory. Beginning to make noise in the heavyweight division, "Skyscraper" will meet with perhaps his most well-known opponent to date, when he tangles with internet sensation, Sean McCorkle. ...

Without a single doubt in my mind, I believe that 2010 has been the craziest year in MMA since the fall of PRIDE back in 2007. A month doesn’t go by where we haven’t had a crazy story that gets everyone talking. Take your pick: Brock Lesnar returned from a possibly career-ending injury and submitted Shane Carwin, Fedor Emelianenko lost in the opening minutes of Round 1 to a Triangle Choke applied by Fabricio Werdum, Lyoto Machida was destroyed by Mauricio Rua, Chael Sonnen came within inches of beating Anderson Silva and dominated him for twenty-three minutes, Jason Miller got into a crazy brawl with almost the entire Team Cesar Gracie fight camp…the list goes on and on, and on. I think 2011 will be an even bigger year in MMA. Moving forward, here are five things I’m already looking forward to for next year. ...