Fighters.com was live Friday at the UFC 84 weigh-ins at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Fighters.com's seventh-ranked lightweight "KenFlo" Kenny Florian (9-3), former UFC Middleweight Champion Evan Tanner (32-7), and "Hammer" Mark Coleman (15-8) signed autographs and third-ranked lightweight "JZ" Gesias Calvancanti (14-2-1) was in the crowd with his smokin' hot girlfriend. ...

On last Thursday's UFC 84 conference call, Fighters.com's fourth-ranked lightweight and UFC Champion "Prodigy" B.J. Penn (12-4-1) was asked about fighting as a Hawaiian and gave an excited, passionate reply. I tried to capture that response for Fighters.com and, of course, Penn clammed up when I asked. But, Penn does talk some funny smack on fifth-ranked title challenger "Muscle Shark" Sean Sherk (32-2-1). Penn talks softly and carries a big fist, so crank up your volume. ...

Before an open workout for the media Wednesday, Fighters.com's fifth-ranked lightweight "Muscle Shark" Sean Sherk (32-2-1) answered a few questions for Fighters.com before his UFC title challenge Saturday versus fourth-ranked "Prodigy" B.J. Penn (12-4-1). In a light moment, Sherk asked the assembled media if he should remove his shirt before hitting the pads for photographers. When there was no reply, Sherk replied, "Thanks guys..." ...

By Jon Grilz “I’m ready to get in there and show everyone who the champ is," Fighters.com's fifth-ranked lightweight "Muscle Shark" Sean Sherk (32-2-1) told Fighters.com Thursday from the Minnesota Martial Arts Academy in Minneapolis. At UFC 73 last July, then UFC Lightweight Champ Sherk defended his title by unanimous decision over Fighters.com's eighth-ranked lightweight Hermes Franca (18-6). In the post-fight drug test administered by the California State Athletic Commission, Sherk tested positive for the banned substance Nandrolone, an anabolic steroid that occurs naturally in the human body in small amounts. After a lie detector test (which Sherk passed) and hearing, Sherk's one-year suspension was reduced to six months and the UFC stripped him of the 155-pound title. "Redemption," Sherk described his UFC 84 match-up with current UFC Champ and fourth-ranked "Prodigy" BJ Penn (12-4-1).  "I got my belt taken away for something I didn’t do.  Beating one of the best guys in the world is a big part of it, too." Many critics contend Sherk shouldn't be the top contender coming off his suspension. “As the facts unfolded," Sherk explained, "[UFC President Dana White] realized that I was telling the truth and he saw how the commission handled my case.  So, with all that he felt that it was very important that I come back in as the number one contender. “Realistically, me and BJ have been on track to fight for a long time.  It’s a dream match-up.  We’ve both been on top of the game for a long time; so, this is a great fight not only for us but for the fans.” When the UFC began, the question was: Which combat style is most dominant?  Sherk versus Penn, wrestler versus jiu-jitsu player, harkins back to those beginnings. “Obviously, my wrestling is better than his wrestling and his jiu-jitsu is better than my jiu-jitsu," Sherk claimed, but, "We are both mixed martial arts fighters.  This fight is the fight that people are going to see all my attributes.” Sherk has weathered seventh-ranked "KenFlo" Kenny Florian’s (9-3) sharp elbows, Francas knees, and lasted the distance against fifth-ranked welterweight Matt Hughes’s (42-6) wrestling, not to mention training under Pedro Sauer black belt Greg Nelson. Sherk sized-up that Penn has “got some tricks; and, I’ve got some tricks to that he hasn’t seen before.  It’s going to come down to who executes their game plan best.” He believes, “BJ wants to get in there and win this one early.  He’s got to know that a conditioning battle isn’t a good battle for him.  So, I expect him to come out strong. “I think that he’s going to be in better shape for this fight [than his last fight versus "Daddy" Joe Stevenson (28-8)]; but, Stevenson didn’t push him the way I’m going to push him.  I’m going to test him.  I’m going to try to push this thing as fast and hard as I can and see where his conditioning is.” Penn isn’t known for being reserved.  The Hawaiian has mocked Sherk’s suspension, steroid allegations, and even his size. Sherk said, “That’s just his personality.   I think he wants to hate people.  Maybe it motivates him.  And he wants to get into my head.  A lot of people that fight BJ buy into the hype: 'Ooo, he’s a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt.  He’s the first American to win the BJJ Worlds.'  Big deal!  I don’t care about any of that.  Take away his flexibility and he’s just like any other guy I’ve fought.  I don’t buy into the hype.” Through the last tough ten months, Sherk has been thankful for his true fans. “The people that have stood by my through the hard times, that’s when you find out who your real fans are,” Sherk confided.  “Minnesota Marital Arts Academy and all my sponsors that stood by me: Island Supplements, MMA Overload, MTX Audio, Warrior Wear, and Affliction.” In the end, it's all about one thing Sean said, “I could have had a warm-up fight, didn’t feel like I needed it.  I want to get back in there.  I want to get this belt back and just want to get my career back on track.” ...

The worldwide lightweight division got all shook up the passed several weeks. After two false starts, "Tobikan Judan" Shinya Aoki (15-2) and "JZ" Gesias Calvancante (14-2-1) finally fought for the Fighters.com top ranking in Tokyo at the end of April. Aoki came out on top with a unanimous decision and now tops Fighters.com lightweight rankings, but suffered injuries that have postponed his DREAM Lightweight Grand Prix quarter final match-up versus Katsuhiko Nagata (4-2) until DREAM.4. Calvancante fell to number three, allowing "Fireball Kid" Takanori Gomi (28-3) to claim the second ranking. Gomi is rumoured to be joining the 8 June Sengoku III card in Tokyo, but no opponent has been leaked. Fourth-ranked "Prodigy" B.J. Penn (12-4-1) and fifth-ranked "Muscle Shark" Sean Sherk (31-2-1) will tussle for the UFC lightweight title 24 May in Las Vegas. Eddie Alvarez (14-1) debuts in the lightweight top ten at number six after dominating "Hellboy" Joachim Hansen (17-7-1) in the quarter final of DREAM's Lightweight GP.  He'll fight in the semi-finals (and perhaps the finals) at DREAM.5 21 July. Seventh-ranked "KenFlo" Kenny Florian (9-3) and eighth-ranked Hermes Franca (18-6) both hop two spots after "Endless Fighter" Mitsuhiro Ishida (16-4-1) got tapped in a rear naked choke in "Uno Shoten" Caol Uno's (25-10-4) DREAM Lightweight GP quarterfinal debut. Florian is scheduled to fight "El Matador" Roger Huerta (20-1-1) 9 August in Minneapolis for the UFC's top contender spot, while Franca lingers in suspension after testing positive for banned substances last July. Uno advances to the DREAM Lightweight GP semis (and maybe finals) with Alvarez, but against an unknown opponent. "Dida" Andre Amade (6-3-1) also debuts in the lightweight rankings at number nine, mostly on the strength of his unanimous decision victory over Uno last September.  Recently, though, Dida has been dominated by Calvancante and Alvarez. May Lightweight Rankings 1. "Tobikan Judan" Shinya Aoki (14-2) Aoki has ten straight wins, including MMA's first gogoplata stoppage over Joachim Hansen.  A UD over Calvancante in April cemented him atop Fighters.com's rankings. 2. "The Fireball Kid" Takanori Gomi (28-3) Gomi avenged a 2006 blip to Marcus Aurelio with a stoppage on NYE the same year followed by a stoppage of Mitsuhiro Ishida.  A year-long layoff keeps Gomi from ichi-ban, but he returned last month with a stoppage of Duane Ludwig. 3. "JZ" Gesias Calvancanti (14-1-1) "JZ" has brushed Amade, Vitor Ribeiro, and Nam Phan off his shoulders with stoppages since a MD over Caol Uno in '06, part of 13 straight without a loss until losing a UD to Aoki in April. 4. "The Prodigy" B.J. Penn (12-4-1) "The Prodigy's" return to lightweight quickly resulted in UFC gold with two second-round stoppages over Joe Stevenson and Jens Pulver.  He defends his title from Sherk at the end of May. 5. "The Muscle Shark" Sean Sherk (31-2-1) "The Muscle Shark" has been on the shelf for nearly a year since decisions over Franca and Florian.   He was the UFC's first lightweight titlist since the division was reinstated and challenges Penn for title he was stripped of. 6. Eddie Alvarez (14-1) Since dropping from welterweight for the DREAM Lightweight GP, Alvarez has been relentless in a stoppage of Amade and a UD over Joachim Hansen. 7. "KenFlo" Kenny Florian (9-3) Florian is a finisher since losing a UFC title challenge to Sherk by UD.  "KenFlo" is ready for a second run at the title, but will first face Roger Huerta for the UFC top contendership. 8. Hermes Franca (18-6) Despite a year suspension, Franca has been busy the last two years with stoppages of Spencer Fisher, Nathan Diaz, and new WEC champ Jamie Varner.  He's only dropped a UD to Sherk. 9. "Dida" Andre Amade (6-3-1) Since a UD over Uno, Amade has been stopped consecutively by top tenners Alvarez and Calvancante.  In the last two years, "Dida" has also stopped Artur Oumakhanov and Hiroyuki Takaya. 10. "Uno Shoten" Caol Uno (25-10-4) Uno splashed into the top ten with a submission of former PRIDE title contender Mitsuhiro Ishida.   The former UFC and K-1 star now begins a run in DREAM. ...

Fighters.com's numero dos heavyweight "The Natural" Randy Couture (16-8) told CagePotato today, "The exclusivity has to go away or else we’re going to have the same problems with becoming a fractured sport the way boxing has." With respect to MMA's classiest act, I disagree. The UFC's stranglehold over the top of the sport has ensured the best fighters fight each other. The best match-up in boxing right now is WBC welterweight titlist Floyd Mayweather, Jr. versus WBA and IBF welterweight titlist Miguel Cotto. For those not in the boxing know, it ain't happenin'. Mayweather is ducking the young bull Cotto for more lucrative, less competitive rematches with Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton.  Those happen to be match-ups Mayweather is more likely to win.  Hell, he's already beat them both. It's the UFC's umbrella over the sport that has made sure champions fight contenders, not pretenders who allow champions to hold on to belts maximizing the marketability of their reign. You see, when free agent fighters and their management pick their opponents, whether in boxing or MMA, they tend towards safe fights. Exhibit A:  Everyone's favorite MMA ducker, sixth-ranked heavyweight "The Last Emperor" Fedor Emelianenko (27-1). While a showdown with third-ranked "Babyface Assassin" Josh Barnett (21-5) has been an option, Emelianenko has picked fights against middleweight "The Law" Matt Lindland (20-5) and kickboxer "Techno Goliath" Hong Man Choi (1-1). Such is matchmaking when managers and free agent fighters seek to prolong their marketability versus the safest reasonable opponents. I mean, Lindland and Choi are both world champions, right?  Nevermind that their championships were in a different weight class and sport respectively than Emelianenko. I'm not advocating for the UFC.  I could care less about which promoter logo is atop a fight card.  It's the card itself that interests me.  The fact is, the UFC's centralized organization of the sport has produced the best fights and, by definition, avoided "becoming a fractured sport the way boxing has." Notes From Around MMA * Top Strikeforce lightweight contender “The Punk” Josh Thomson (14-2) maintains “The Carpenter” Clay Guida (23-9) oiled up before their March 2006 title fight, won by Guida by UD.  Thomson claims, “I mentioned it to Clay's brother one time.  I said, ‘Clay was really slippery in that fight…’  He just looked at me, shrugged, and said, ‘You do what you have to do to win.’  I just thought, ‘Whatever, douche bag.’  But, Clay…I think his career has leveled off.  He got a few big wins, but he's taken some losses the last couple of years.” * Couture (16-8) told IGN he’s pursuing a video game deal with EA Sports.  He also claimed, “I don't care where the fight happens,” in response to a question about fighting sixth-ranked Emelinanenko in the UFC.  Couture had previously expressed his desire not to fight Emelianenko in the UFC. * UFC middleweight Rob Yundt (6-1), who lost his UFC debut in February to “Cachorrao” Ricardo Almeida (9-2), will return to the Octagon 21 June on the TUF 7 finale versus one of the TUF contestants.  The UFC won’t reveal Yundt’s opponent to him until that fighter is eliminated on the show. * The Tennessee House of Representatives passed a bill to legalize and sanction MMA in the state by a vote of 95-2.  The bill is held-up in the Senate by Senators Dewayne Bunch of Cleveland and Bo Watson of Hixson.  The two southeast Tennessee legislators have attached an amendment earmarking the profits from MMA events for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Division I wrestling team.  According to the Nashville Post, the amendment may violate NCAA rules.  Tennesseans are urged to contact their state Senators and urge the passing of the bill next week without the earmarking amendment. * Fourth-ranked welterweight “The Terror” Matt Serra (9-5) and UFC light heavyweight "The Hammer" Matt Hamill (4-1), both New York state residents, and UFC executive Marc Ratner were lobbying New York state Senators Tuesday to legalize and regulate MMA in the state.  A bill legalizing and regulating the sport in New York has passed the state’s assembly, but is opposed in the senate. * Canadian kickboxer “Black Sniper” Michael McDonald (1-1), 2002 and 2004 K-1 North American Grand Prix Champion, won a decision over American kickboxer “The Jet” Rick Roufus (1-1) in an MMA bout fought under the radar in Romania last month. * “Iceman” Chuck Liddell (21-5) and “Kimbo Slice” Kevin Ferguson (1-1) will go head-to-head 31 May in a ratings battle.  SpikeTV will air Ultimate Iceman to compete directly with CBS EliteXC Saturday Night Fights at 9:00 PM EST.  SpikeTV will air an entire day of UFC programming on 31 May, beginning at 11:00 AM EST. * Star magazine reported that actress/singer Mandy Moore has a crush on top-ranked welterweight “Rush” Georges St. Pierre (16-2).  Moore was in the UFC 83 crowd last month when St. Pierre claimed the UFC welterweight title from Serra (9-5). * You know it’s a slow MMA news cycle when eighth-ranked lightweight “The Muscle Shark” Sean Sherk (32-2-1) testing negative for steroids in a Nevada State Athletic Commission test is a headline.  Of course he tested negative!  The headline is if he had tested positive…again. * As I concluded after the first episode of this season's The Ultimate Fighter, Jeremy May (5-5) is a douche bag and nothing could've made me happier than seeing him get smashed by fellow-Cincinnatian Matt Brown (9-6) last night. ...

Lightweight should really have a top twenty because the division is stacked with talent across promotions and across the world. 1. "JZ" Gesias Calvancanti (14-1-1) "JZ" has brushed Andre Amade, Vitor Ribeiro, and Nam Phan off his shoulders with stoppages since a MD over Caol Uno in '06, part of 13 straight without a loss.  He needs a win over Aoki to cement his Fighters.com top ranking. 2. "Tobikan Judan" Shinya Aoki (14-2) Aoki has nine straight wins, including MMA's first gogoplata stoppage over Joachim Hansen. Inability to put away tough debuting judoka Bu Kyng Jung keeps him from first place. 3. "The Fireball Kid" Takanori Gomi (28-3) Gomi avenged a 2006 blip to Marcus Aurelio with a stoppage on NYE the same year followed by a stoppage of Ishida.  A year-long layoff keeps Gomi from ichi-ban, but he returned last month with a stoppage of Duane Ludwig. 4. "The Prodigy" B.J. Penn (12-4-1) "The Prodigy's" return to lightweight quickly resulted in UFC gold with two second-round stoppages over Joe Stevenson and Jens Pulver. 5. "Endless Fighter" Mitsuhiro Ishida (16-3-1) After a stoppage by Gomi, "Endless Warrior" returned strong in a decision over Melendez to add to his '06 decision over Marcus Aurelio. 6. "El Niño" Gilbert Melendez (14-1) "El Niño" blew out versus Ishida last NYE, but proved his worth with decisions over Tatsuya Kawajiri and Clay Guida.  Melendez benefits from action on both continents. 7. "Mach" Hayato Sakurai (32-7-2) "Mach" has murdered lesser competition the last two years, but guarded the lightweight gate from tough up-and-comers Hidehiko Hasegawa, Mac Danzig, and Luciano Azevedo.  Sakurai missed DREAM's Grand Prix, but needs to get back to top fighters. 8. "The Muscle Shark" Sean Sherk (31-2-1) "The Muscle Shark" has been on the shelf for nearly a year since decisions over Franca and Florian.  He was the UFC's first lightweight titlist since the division was reinstated and challenges Penn for title he was stripped of. 9. "KenFlo" Kenny Florian (9-3) Florian is a finisher since losing a UFC title challenge to Sherk by UD. "KenFlo" is ready for a second run at the title. 10. Hermes Franca (18-6) Despite a year suspension, Franca has been busy the last two years with stoppages of Spencer Fisher, Nathan Diaz, and new WEC champ Jamie Varner.  He's only dropped a UD to Sherk. ...

In a bit of anti-climactic trifle, former UFC Lightweight Champion "The Muscle Shark" Sean Sherk (31-2-1) paid his $2,500 delinquent due from a 2007 California State Athletic Commission suspension for testing positive for banned substances following his first title defense versus Hermes Franca (18-6). Sherk is now cleared to fight current UFC titlist "The Prodigy" B.J. Penn (12-4-1) 24 May. Both Sherk and Franca tripped the anabolic alarm last July; but, while Franca accepted his suspension and admitted his guilt, Sherk denied using performance enhancing substances and appealed his suspension. The CSAC rewarded "The Muscle Shark" with a reduced term of ineligibility which technically ended in January, though continued until Sherk paid his fine this morning. Franca remains suspended through 7 July. ...

Tuesday the UFC officially scheduled a home and an away game slotted for 24 May in Vegas and 7 June in London. Loose lips had already divulged details for both events. At the MGM Grand Garden Arena 24 May, "The Prodigy" BJ Penn will defend his UFC Lightweight Championship against the improper advances of former 155-pound champ Sean Sherk, returning from a banned substances suspension. My Portuguese is a little rusty, but Wanderlei Silva has also confirmed via his blog that he's signed to fight Keith Jardine on the Vegas strip. Other rumored bouts include: Ryoto Machida v Tito Ortiz Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou v Kazuhiro Nakamura Rashad Evans v Thiago Silva Wilson Gouveia v Goran Reljic Rousimar Palhares v Ivan Salaverry Dong-hyun Kim v Jason Tan Terry Etim v Jeremy Stephens Shane Carwin v Christian Wellisch At 02 Arena in London 7 June, light heavyweights Chuck Liddell and  Mauricio Rua will headline in a fight that not too long ago would've been considered the king-maker at 205. Brandon Vera has also confirmed he'll return versus Fabricio Werdum in London. Brock Lesnar is also rumored to return on this fight card. ...

"I already forgot about the Joe Stevenson fight.  That's the past already," UFC Lightweight Champion BJ Penn told KWXX 94.7 in Hilo Tuesday. Penn choked Joe "Daddy" Stevenson to submission at 4:02 of round two at UFC 80 last month to claim the strap vacated by Sean "The Muscle Shark" Sherk after Sherk's suspension for banned substances. "I took seven days off completely.  I did nothing. And, I'm already back in the gym," Penn announced. Penn has been widely panned for lack of conditioning. "Before I used to be bummed.  I'm like, I wanted to take at least a month or two months and go have a good time," Penn admitted. Since posting an "O"-fer in 2006 versus Georges St. Pierre and Matt Hughes at welterweight, Penn has re-dedicated himself at 155-pounds. "I want to do this!  It's time to go get Sean.  The belt means everything.  Nothing matters but the belt!" The two champions, current and former, will determine the top of the lightweight division in Las Vegas. "I'm pretty sure it's May 24th," Penn said.  "I'm pretty much guaranteed on that." When asked about his UFC 80 victory, Penn confided, "All the preparation and everything pays off.  I felt too good.  I felt guilty." After the fight, when Dana White wrapped the UFC belt around Penn's waist, he had one thing on his mind:  "I'm not gonna cry!  I'm not gonna cry like last time!  Because it's so embarrassing." ...