Welcome back fans and friends, it’s time for another one of my start-of-month recap posts, highlighting the biggest moments and best fighters of the previous month of MMA action. After a brief hiatus, “Fighter of the Month” returns to cover the huge amount of action we got in June 2011. In June we had all three major MMA promotions put on some very solid cards, with several amazing finishes and a mostly-fantastic “Perfect Storm” weekend. So, as you would expect, it’s tough to pick one fighter out of all the rest and crown him this month’s best fighter. But ultimately, I decided to go with the unstoppable Heavyweight wrecking machine that punched his ticket to the UFC Heavyweight Championship this month. So here’s why Junior dos Santos earns my pick for June 2011’s “Fighter of the Month”. ...

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. UFC 131 was a solid event overall, with several entertaining finishes and quite a few epic moments. But one man’s overall performance stood out well above the rest, even though he didn’t finish his fight. Nevertheless, he displayed all the skills necessary to call him one of the most complete fighters in the UFC. Here’s why Junior dos Santos took home “Best Performance of the Night”. ...

UFC 131 “Dos Santos vs. Carwin” featured a few average fights, a few good ones, and a few great ones. Sprinkled here and there were some good finishes, including several shocking 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 131. ...

UFC 131 is now in the history books, and it was an interesting and mostly-entertaining night of fights. Now once again it’s time to ask: what’s next? What does the future hold after Junior dos Santos dismantled Shane Carwin? What happens now that Kenny Florian has successfully debuted in his fourth weight class? 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 131 “Dos Santos vs. Carwin”. ...

Another Saturday gone, another live UFC Pay-Per-View down. This time it was UFC 131, featuring a main event between Shane Carwin and Junior dos Santos. Seven free preliminary fights were made available, with several highlight-reel stoppages occurring. The Pay-Per-View portion was also interesting, with Kenny Florian beating out Diego Nunes in the co-main event to likely become the next UFC Featherweight Championship challenger. And in the main event, Junior dos Santos sealed his fate as the next UFC Heavyweight Championship challenger with a three-round destruction of Shane Carwin. Here are the full results as well as some early commentary on UFC 131: “Dos Santos vs. Carwin”. ...

Hello once more fans and friends and welcome to another edition of “Finally Final Thoughts”. FFT is used mostly for major cards when I’ve said all I can say and yet still want to say more. I’ve given my predictions, my previews, my analysis, and more… and now it’s time for a final wrap up. These are all my other, assorted thoughts still on my mind as we get closer and closer to UFC 131: “Dos Santos vs. Carwin”. Let’s get started. ...

We’re now only a few days away from UFC 131: “Dos Santos vs. Carwin”. In the main event, a shot at the UFC Heavyweight Championship will more than likely be on the line as knockout artists Shane Carwin and Junior dos Santos meet in the middle of the Octagon. The co-main event will also be an interesting match-up, as Kenny Florian fights in his fourth weight class and will debut as a Featherweight against Diego Nunes. As is customary, here is my official “picks and predictions” post (covering who I think will win and why), now featuring UFC 131: “Dos Santos vs. Carwin”. ...

On June 11, 2001, the UFC will hold its highly-anticipated “Dos Santos vs. Carwin” event, featuring Heavyweight wrecking machines Junior dos Santos and Shane Carwin going toe-to-toe. Also, Kenny Florian fights at Featherweight for the first time in his career in a fight against Diego Nunes that has serious championship implications. 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 131: “Dos Santos vs. Carwin”. ...

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 131: “Dos Santos vs. Carwin”. ...

And now, fans and friends, it’s time for the second half of my traditional two-part “start of month” posts. After previewing the major cards set to go down this month, it’s now time for me to give my thoughts on what my favorite fights will be. June is a huge month for MMA: at one point, there’s going to be three different events from three different companies in three days. It doesn’t get much more crazier than that. So with all the can’t-miss events heading our way, what are the absolutely-can’t-miss fights? Here’s what I think. ...

Former UFC Heavyweight and Interim Heavyweight Champion Frank Mir finds himself at a career crossroads once again. Mir is on a two-fight win-streak with one stoppage, but that one stoppage came after three very tedious rounds of non-action against Mirko Filipovic. His recent three-round manhandling of Roy Nelson has also been subject to criticism. So, where does Frank Mir rank in the UFC’s increasingly-crowded upper-echelon? Here are five opponents that would really prove whether or not Mir will be fighting for a championship anytime soon. ...

Former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar is now stuck between a rock and a hard place. Lesnar, the largest pay-per-view draw in the UFC, has recently been sidelined once again with a second battle with diverticulitis, an intestinal disease which previously had him sit out from active competition for just under a year due to the severity of the condition. Brock was originally scheduled to be taking on Junior dos Santos in a title eliminator at UFC 131 where the two men were to headline the event. Now, Lesnar has since been replaced by former interim champion Shane Carwin, to which current titleholder Cain Velasquez thinks that the promotion made the right decision. ...

UFC 131 has seen some major changes happen in just the last couple of days. Originally, Brock Lesnar, the former UFC heavyweight champion, was to headline the event opposite of Junior dos Santos. The two fighters served as the coaches for this current season of "The Ultimate Fighter". The bout was to help eliminate the next title challenger, though Lesnar is in a midst of a battle of his own with diverticulitis, an intestinal disease. Now, Shane Carwin has since stepped up in Lesnar's place to meet with Dos Santos in the headliner and his original opponent Jon Olav Einemo, whom was temporarily left wondering his longevity on the card, has now been afforded the opportunity to remain active. Dave Herman, a longtime prospect in the heavyweight division will now be meeting Olav in place of Carwin. ...

With the sudden departure of Brock Lesnar, the UFC 131 fight card has been undergoing some significant changes. First and foremost, the new main event will feature Shane Carwin taking on Junior dos Santos. Carwin, who has been sitting on the sidelines since being beaten by Lesnar, steps in on late notice and with a lot of questions surrounding him. Meanwhile, JDS is a Heavyweight wrecking machine that seems to be great at everything. So, how will this fight go down? Read on for my early thoughts on this impending showdown. ...

Earlier today, UFC President Dana White revealed that the former heavyweight champion in Brock Lesnar has been removed from the upcoming UFC 131 main-event. There, Lesnar was originally slated to face off against top contender Junior dos Santos in a bout that would determine the next title challenger. However, Brock has since been diagnosed once again with diverticulitis, an intestinal disease that had previously seated him just over a year away from the cage. Now in his place, former UFC interim heavyweight champion Shane Carwin will now be taking on Junior in place of Lesnar, filling in for headlining duties. ...

Well it took you long enough, Shane Carwin. The former interim heavyweight champion will be returning to the cage very soon, as the Greg Jackson affiliate will be coming back from an extensive layoff which dates back to his title bout with then champion Brock Lesnar last July. While Carwin managed to scramble the brain of Lesnar's momentarily, fatigue set in and he eventually succumbed to a second-round submission. Now after debilitating injuries have since subsided, the heavyweight powerhouse will now be returning to the cage against UFC newcomer Jon Olav Einemo at UFC 131. ...

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. ...

In an unlikely alliance, two opposing forces could be colliding behind close doors, and now we will all know about. Chances are if you ask the most educated fan of the sport of mixed martial "who is the greatest heavyweight fighter of all time?", an intelligent response would be followed by simply saying "Fedor Emelianenko". Despite losing some of his invincible allure when he was submitted by Jiu-Jitsu world champion Fabricio Werdum last April, the Russian remains one the most explosive and equally mysterious fighters in the world. So who is he rumored to be training with in preparation for his upcoming fight in February? Well, none other then former ufc heavyweight champion Shane Carwin. ...

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. ...

Two UFC fighters will be returning to action in the foreseeable future, hoping to make impacts once again in their respective weight classes. Former title challenger Kenny Florian and former interim heavyweight champion Shane Carwin are both set on a collision course for potential returns at UFC 131, a rumored pay-per-view event which is said to take place at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, B.C., Canada on June 11. ...

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. ...

Having to come back from a shocking and dramatic loss is something that more and more major-league top-of-the-card MMA fighters have to deal with nowadays. Now more than ever it seems that no perfect record is safe, no unbeaten streak lasts forever, no chin is infallible, and no great fighter is safe from being finished decisively. And former UFC Interim Heavyweight Champion Shane Carwin knows all too well what that’s like. Carwin was on the verge of becoming the next big UFC mega-star… until he succumbed to a second-round submission in his bout with returning champion Brock Lesnar. Now sitting on the sidelines and healing from surgery, “The Engineer” recently stated that he thinks that loss was one of the best things that could have happened to him as he continues to evolve into a well-rounded MMA fighter. ...

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. ...

Brock Lesnar seems to be running out of supporters at an exponential rate following his one-sided loss to Cain Velasquez at ufc 121, although what few supporters he does have are very vocal. Even I believe that Lesnar is far from done, for several reasons. Interestingly enough, the man who Lesnar scored the biggest win in his career to date against has come out in support of Brock. Despite the fact that Lesnar ruined his undefeated streak, Shane Carwin believes that the former UFC Heavyweight Champion is far from done as an elite-level Mixed Martial Artist. ...

Really, guys? People are already predicting that Brock Lesnar is going to run screaming from MMA and back to the WWE after losing to Cain Velasquez at UFC 121? O ye, of little faith. It seems that everyone is jumping off of the Lesnar Express and onto the Cain Train following Cain Velasquez’s destruction of Lesnar, with many Lesnar cynics once again trotting out how Lesnar is a failure, can’t take a punch, is a horrible human being, and all manner of other unsavory statements. To which I say: you’ve got to be kidding me, right? Just off the top of my head, here are five reasons why Brock Lesnar will continue to be a major force in the UFC’s heavyweight division. ...

Throughout its recent history, the UFC has become semi-notorious for its new-found policy on banning certain companies from sponsoring UFC fighters. A large majority of these bans are due to business or legal reasons, like when the UFC quickly put a stop to a clothing company with Neo-Nazi tendencies sponsoring UFC fighters. However, some bannings have rumored to be based purely out of spite. Nevertheless, another one bit the dust recently, and former UFC Interim Heavyweight Champion Shane Carwin is not amused. ...

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. ...