It took one day, one single day, for the upcoming ufc 136 card to go from a few matches to nearly complete. Yesterday, a grand total of six fights were all announced throughout the day for the upcoming event, with several major can’t-miss attractions scheduled for the card. It was news so huge that I’m going to have to break it up into two parts. So here’s the first part of “A First Look At UFC 136”, featuring the first three recently-announced bouts: Dave Herman vs. Mike Russow, Josh Grispi vs. Matt Grice, and Demian Maia vs. Jorge Santiago. ...

Welcome back fans and friends, it’s time for another edition of my “A Closer Look At UFC 130” series. This special three-day mini-series event will focus on all of UFC 130’s many fights, covering them in detail as well as providing some early commentary and predictions for all the major bouts. With the Facebook and Spike TV cards behind us, it’s now time to focus on the Pay-Per-View card. All five fights will be covered separately, in order to fully highlight how diverse and interesting the main UFC 130 card is. We’ll begin with a major Middleweight showdown between Brian Stann and Jorge Santiago. ...

Jorge Santiago has emerged as one of the top middleweight fighters in the world since his exit from the UFC in 2006. After a brief stint with the promotion where he went 1-2, with consecutive knockout losses to hard hitters Chris Leben and Alan Belcher, respectively, he has since gone 11-1 since his exit and things are only looking up. During this stretch, Santiago has posted two wins over Japanese legend and perennial top-10 fighter Kazuo Misaki, he avenged his only loss in the 12-fight stint by dominating Mamed Khalidov in their rematch and has since become the Sengoku middleweight champion. Now that he has re-signed with the UFC earlier this year, things began looking up for the Brazilian, however after an abrupt split from his previous home of American Top Team, many have wondered where Santiago lies mentally, but he insists that he is better than ever. ...

Recently, former Sengoku middleweight champion Jorge Santiago had recieved some of the best news he's heard in a longtime. Not only was Santiago one of the most sought after free agents, but he has long been considered one of the best in his class. Now, Jorge will have the chance to reassert those claims as he makes his reentry into the UFC come this May against budding contender Brian Stann. But as the biggest phase of his career comes to a head, many will wonder if the recent split from American Top Team will effect him leading up to his new venture with the UFC. In fact, along with Santiago, notables such as "JZ" Cavalcante, Danillo and Yuri Villefort have also since left their stomping grounds of ATT. ...

After weeks a speculation, everyone can finally now call Jorge Santiago a UFC fighter. The former Sengoku middleweight champion has since left the Japanese based promotion after beating all of the organization's best 185-pounder's, including two exciting title bouts with the legendary Kazuo Misaki, finishing off the perennial top-10 fighter in the fifth-round (first with a rear-naked choke and second with a TKO in the waning moments of the bout). Since his exit from the UFC in 2006 following a 1-2 stint, Santiago has emerged as one of the best fighter's in his weight class, and now the American Top Team product will have the chance to reassert himself as a possible title contender in the world's largest organization as he will next be taking on budding contender Brian Stann this May. ...

While it's been rumored for the last couple of weeks now, it looks like it's now official. Current Sengoku middleweight champion, or former depending on the context, Jorge Santiago is now ufc bound. The Brazilian mixed martia artist will be making his second-foray into the octagon following a leave in 2006, where after he has since become reognized as one of the best fighters in his weight class. Santiago will have the chance to reassert himself as one of the best in the UFC should he make an expected debut come this May against budding contender Brian Stann, The American Top Team product had been expected to have signed with the UFC as early as last week, however Jorge insisted that he has not signed any paperwork as of yet that would indicate an immediate return to the cage. However, MMAWeekly.com has been able to confirm with sources close to the UFC that they have recieved Santiago's signature on paper and expect the 185-pound dynamo to return to the octagon very shortly. Jorge initially debuted within the promotion in 2006 with a knockout win over Justin Levens. However, a victim of his exciting style, Santiago was later on the recieving end of two consecutive knockout losses to notables Chris Leben and Alan Belcher which signaled his exit. Since then, the ATT star has notched up victories over the likes of UFC veterans Jeremy Horn, Sean Salmon and Trevor Prangley--finishing all of them inside of the first-round. Next Jorge made his way to Japan where he captured the engoku middleweight title, defeating perennial top-10 superstar Kazuo Misaki in the tournmanet finals with a fifth-round rear-naked choke. He defended his title twice after avenging a loss to Mamed Khalidov and defeating Misaki once again, this time with a fifth-round TKO. Their rematch has been considered by many to be one of the greatest fights in MMA history, and was honored as such at the 2010 World MMA Awards hosted by Fighters Only. Jorge, 30, is 11-1 since his release from the UFC in 06', avenging the lone loss against Mamed. Santigo has been rumored for sometime to be facing Brian Stann upon his return, which is anticipated for UFC 130 this May. So, MMA peeps, what do you think of the news? How do you think Jorge will fair in his second outing with the promotion? Sound off in the comment section below. ...

Since his release from the UFC in 2006, Jorge Santiago has went from a lauded middleweight fighter with a lot of unrealized potential, to one of the best fighters in his weight class. The Brazilian rattled off an impressive 11-1 record his since release, having recorded some notable victories over the likes of Jeremy Horn, Trevor Prangley, and twice defeating Kazuo Misaki in exciting fashion--finishing all by either knockout or submission. His lone defeat, an upset TKO loss to Mamed Khalidov, was later avenged when then Sengoku champion in Santiago put his belt up on the line, and deftly defeated the Armenian fighter by unanimous decision. Recently, several outlets have confirmed that Santiago is to make a return to the UFC later this year against budding contender Brian Stann, however such is not the case. Says who? Says Santiago himself. ...

After his crushing victory over Chris Leben at ufc 125, many fans were left wondering what’s next for Brian Stann. A popular on-again/off-again rumor pitted Stann against Wanderlei Silva, but according to new reports, that match has officially been put on the back-burner. Instead, Stann is now expected to face the returning Jorge Santiago at UFC 130 in May. Here are all the details. ...

Former Sengoku middleweight champion Jorge Santiago has officially re-signed with the UFC. The Brazilian recently was questioned by MMAFighting's Ariel Helwani where he would go, since he was recently released from his contract with the Japanese based promotion, and Strikeforce and the UFC were among some of organization's that he was considering. ...

Jorge Santiago, a few years ago, would not have been considered to be one of the best fighters in the world. In fact, when Santiago was up and coming on the mixed martial arts circuit, and was revered for both his Muay-Thai and exceptional Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu skills and was knocked out by Manny Gamburyan in a welterweight bout (Manny, who now fights in the featherweight division was most recently defeated by Jose Aldo at WEC 51). So, to say that Santiago was on the cusp of greatness, is far from relevant. However, the ultra-talented American Top Team product can now call himself a top-10 middleweight in the world, who holds victories over notables Kazuo Misaki (twice), and former UFC competitors Jeremy Horn and Trevor Prangley. What do you do when you've beat all the best competition that is available to you in Japan, where Jorge is crowned as the Sengoku middleweight champion... go to America and challenge your friend, of course! ...

As the year is coming closer to an end, the now annual World MMA Awards, which is hosted by Fighters Only Magazine, has recently announced their finalists for the December 1st event, which will take place once again in Las Vegas, Nev., which has become a hot bed for all things fighting related. The 2009 event opened up to a large audience, and has become a propellant in the mixed martial arts world, opening up the eyes to a mainstream audience, by the community taking leaps and bounds in order to legitimize itself as not only a legitimate sport, but one that deserves that same sort of recognition that most others receive, here in these United States. ...

Kazuo Misaki, a perennial fixture in the middleweight division is a man's fighter. He takes on all comers, never turns down an opponent, and always comes to fight. And while the former Pride Welterweight Grand Prix Champion has seen the brighter side of things just a few years ago and has recently fallen on back-to-back losses, he's putting all on the line--and according to Misaki himself, it was his life that was at stake in his last fight with Sengoku Champion, Jorge Santiago. ...

Polish middleweight Mamed Khalidov (14-3-1) and Sengoku middleweight champion Jorge Santiago (21-7) will rematch for Santiago's title at Sengoku in Tokyo March 7, according to Sherdog. ...

Sengoku middleweight champion Jorge Santiago (21-7) will fight Mamed Khalidov (14-3-1) in a non-title bout and American "Monster" Kevin Randleman (17-13) will matchup versus Bulgarian light heavyweight Stanislav Nedkov (3-0) at Sengoku Eleventh Battle in Tokyo November 7, Sengoku announced Friday. Santiago of Brazil hasn't fought since submitting "Grabaka Hitman" Kazuo Misaki (22-9-2) at Sengoku north of Tokyo January 4. Khalidov of Poland debuted in the United States with a second-round TKO of brief The Ultimate Fighter 8 contestant Jason Guida (18-22) at ShoXC east of Chicago in October 2008.  Last May, Khalidov knocked out former PRIDE fighter Daniel Acacio (14-5) at KSW 11 in Warsaw. ...

Sengoku middleweight champion Jorge Santiago (21-7) will defend his title at Sengoku Eleventh Battle in Tokyo 7 November, Sengoku announced on its website Friday. Also announced are former UFC heavyweight champion "Monster" Kevin Randleman (17-13), who now competes at 185 pounds, and former UFC lightweight Michihiro Omigawa (3-7). No opponents were announced for any of the fighters. A report Thursday claimed that Randleman could fight “King Mo” Muhammed Lawal (4-0), but Fighters.com has not confirmed that report. ...

While it had been previously announced that Sengoku 7 would feature “Fireball Kid” Takanori Gomi (28-4) versus the Lightweight Grand Prix winner, and “Grabaka Hitman” Kazuo Misaki (21-8-2) versus the Middleweight GP winner, World Victory Road made it official Friday. Fighters.com’s second-ranked lightweight Gomi will face Satoru Kitaoka (21-9-7), and ninth-ranked middleweight Misaki will face Jorge Santiago (18-7).  The first-ever WVR titles in both weight classes will be on the line. Heavyweight Hidehiko Yoshida (8-6-1) is also on the card. Gomi will fight for the belt despite losing his last fight versus Red Devil Sports Club’s Sergey Golyaev (8-5) 1 November at Sengoku 6 via split decision. Kitaoka won the lightweight tournament at the same event by submitting sixth-ranked Eiji Mitsuoka (13-5-2) with a first-round heel hook, then defeating Kazunori Yokota (7-1-2) via unanimous decision. Misaki last fought in September at Strikeforce versus “Diesel” Joe Riggs (28-10).  Riggs was felled via TKO in round two. Santiago submitted Siyar Bahadurzada (9-3-1) via first-round heel hook and TKO’d  Kazuhiro Nakamura (12-8) in round three to win the middleweight tournament at Sengoku 6. Yoshida submitted “Mo” Maurice Smith (13-13) by neck crank at Sengoku 3 in June. ...

"Afghan Killa" Siyar Bahadurzada (14-3-1) spoke exclusively with Fighters.com after his controversial victory over "Cyborg" Evangelista Santos (16-12) by TKO due to injury in the first round of Sengoku's Middleweight Grand Prix.

As a child, Bahadurzada immigrated to the Netherlands from war-torn Afghanistan, but became stuck there without a passport as his fight career took off.  In July 2007, he was finally allowed to travel to Japan to fight (and beat) Shiko Yamashita (10-4-3) for the Shooto title. Fighters.com: Can you describe the difference between your feelings when you first arrived in Holland after leaving Afghanistan, then when you first arrived in Japan to fight after being stuck in Holland?  Holland must've been both a place of refuge from war-torn Afghanistan, but then like a cage keeping you from furthering your fight career? Siyar Bahadurzada: When I first came to Holland I felt like I was given a second chance.  I just went for it and kept trying to make something out of my life.  I learned to speak Dutch in almost six months.  I was [studying] very hard and, besides, not to forget, I'm pretty gifted in learning languages. I can speak several languages very well. But, when I went to Japan, I felt different.  Coming to Holland was different because I was saved from the war; but, when I came to Japan, I felt like, "Now it is my time to shine.  My 15 minutes of fame is on!"  I feel invincible when I'm in Japan.  Somehow, the environment in Japan drives me to my limits, motivates me to take one step more and go for my dreams! ...

World Victory Road has officially added their Middleweight Grand Prix to Sengoku 6, taking place 1 November in Saitama, Japan. The winner of the tournament will face Fighters.com’s ninth-ranked middleweight “Grabaka Hitman” Kazuo Misaki (20-8-2) for the first-ever middleweight belt 4 January in Saitama at Sengoku 7. Kazuhiro Nakamura (12-8) will face Yuki Sasaki (22-14-1), and Jorge Santiago (18-7) will face “Afghan Killa” Siyar Bahadurzada (14-3-1). The event already features a lightweight tournament to determine an opponent for Fighters.com’s second-ranked lightweight “Fireball Kid” Takanori Gomi (29-3) at Sengoku 7 for the title. The bouts remaining in the lightweight tournament are Satoru Kitaoka (21-8-9) versus sixth-ranked Eiji Mitsuoka (14-5-2), and Kazunori Yokota (7-1-3) versus Mizuto Hirota (10-2). WVR also announced that Fighters.com’s Fighter of the Month “King Mo” Muhammed Lawal (1-0) will fight, although an opponent has not yet been determined. “GameBred” Jorge Masvidal (14-3) versus Seung Hwan Bang (5-2) is also official. Joe Doerksen (40-12) revealed through MySpace Tuesday that he has agreed to fight Izuru Takeuchi (25-9-6). ...

MMA rookie “King Mo” Muhammed Lawal (1-0) upset “Diesel” Travis Wiuff (53-12) by first-round TKO at 2:11 Sunday night in Tokyo. Lawal staggered Wiuff with a right Superman punch, then rushed in with a double-leg takedown at the ropes.  Lawal leapt on Wiuff and finished him off with ground’n’pound. Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion “Xande” Alexandre Ribeiro (1-0) TKO’d Takashi Sugiura (1-3) in the last minute of his anticipated MMA debut. ...

World Victory Road announced on Thursday the opponents for Kazuhiro Nakamura (11-8), Jorge Santiago (17-7), and “Xande” Alexandre Ribeiro (0-0) for the upcoming Sengoku 5 event in Tokyo, 28 September. Paul Cahoon (10-11) will participate in the Middleweight Grand Prix versus Nakamura, as will “Pink Pounder” Logan Clark (11-2) versus Santiago.  Takashi Sugiura (1-2) will face Ribeiro in a light heavyweight match-up. Cahoon is coming off a unanimous decision loss to “Machine” Ian Freeman (19-7-1), who took his light heavyweight belt, at Cage Rage in May.  It was his first loss in six fights. Nakamura lost his last fight to Fighters.com’s eighth-ranked light heavyweight “African Assassin” Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou (5-2) due to a leg injury, at UFC 84 in May. ...

World Victory Road announced Friday a middleweight tournament for Sengoku 5 at the Yoyogi National First Gymnasium in Tokyo 28 September. The first four competitors named for the tournament are Kazuhiro Nakamura (11-8), “Cyborg” Evangelista Santos (16-11), Jorge Santiago (17-7), and Siyar Bahadurzada (13-3-1). Nakamura, a PRIDE veteran, fought most recently in the UFC.  He was 0-2 in the organization, falling to Fighters.com’s eighth-ranked light heavyweight “African Assassin” Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou (5-2) with a leg injury in May. Nakamura will make his debut as a middleweight at the upcoming event. Santos, from the Chute Boxe, Academy, won his last fight by submitting Makoto Takimoto (4-4) with an Achilles lock at Sengoku 1 in March. American Top Team member Santiago won his last five fights, most recently submitting Yuki Sasaki (21-14-1) via armbar at Sengoku 2 in May. Shooto Light Heavyweight Champion Bahadurzada lost his Sengoku debut in March, tapping to Fighters.com’s eighth-ranked middleweight “Grabaka Hitman” Kazuo Misaki (20-8-2)’s guillotine. ...

Sunday in Tokyo at Sengoku II, Fighters.com's third-ranked heavyweight "Babyface Assassin" Josh Barnett (22-5) ground out a unanimous decision over "Snowman" Jeff Monson (24-8) in a match battled mostly on the mat. Heavyweight "Monster" Kevin Randleman (17-12) also pulled out a UD over Pancrase star Ryo Kawamura (8-3-2).  The decision was considered controversial. Monson and Randleman are scheduled to fight on a 24 June card in Charlotte. Highly-touted Roger Gracie (2-0) remained undefeated after tapping MMA vet Yuki Kondo (48-22-6) in a rear naked choke at 2:40 of round one. "Kiss" Yoshihiro Nakao (7-1) called out "Ironhead" Kazuyuki Fujita (15-6) after knocking out Kiwi "Big" Jim York (9-2) 46-seconds into round two. American Top Team welterweight Jorge Santiago (17-7) fought off near-submissions before finding his own submission of Grabaka's Yuki Sasaki (21-14-1) in a third-round armbar at 2:10. Lighweight Eiji Mitsuoka (13-5-2) took only 4:15 to sink a rear naked choke submission in on "Crazy" Kwang Hee Lee (5-1). Xtreme Couture welterweight "Quicksand" Mike Pyle (16-5-1) locked in a triangle choke to tap "Handler" Dan Hornbuckle (15-2) at 4:52 of round one. Welterweight Pancrase vet Satoru Kitaoka (20-8-9) submitted Aussie Ian James Schaffa (7-5-1) in a guillotine choke in just 50 seconds to begin the night. ...

World Victory Road has added a middleweight match-up to their 18 May Sengoku event at Ariake Coliseum in Tokyo. Grabaka veteran Yuki Sasaki (21-13-1) will face American Top Team's Jorge Santiago (16-7). Sasaki, who's made the international rounds from Shooto through Pancrase, DEEP, and even a unanimous decision loss to "The Boogeyman" Dean Lister (10-5) in the UFC, comes off a first round armbar submission of debuting South Korean Bo Guk So (0-1) in DEEP last July. Santiago, who also had an unsuccessful stint in the UFC, last TKO'd Trevor Prangley (17-5) at Strikeforce last November. After Adrenaline MMA announced "The Snowman" Jeff Monson (24-7) would headline its 14 June card in Chicago, the heavyweight has been removed from the 18 May Sengoku appearance list. The list now includes "The Monster" Kevin Randleman (16-12), Roger Gracie (1-0), "Big" Jim York (9-1), and "Kiss" Yoshihiro Nakao (6-1), who recently bailed on an announced DREAM match with "Cro Cop" Mirko Filipovic (23-6-2). Previously announced fights include: Eiji Mitsuoka (12-5-1) v "Crazy" Kwang Hee Lee (5-0) Satoru Kitaoka (19-8-9) v Ian James Schaffa (7-4-1) ...