Dana White has never been the kind of guy to keep things to himself. If he has an opinion of you, good or bad, he'll let you know. One of the UFC's biggest team players, Kenny Florian is very much endeared by the UFC President. Their ties go back to season one of "The Ultimate Fighter", where Florian was personally asked to appear on the show once White saw the now debonair ESPN personality, in a fight with former UFC veteran Drew Fickett some 5-6 years ago. ...

It’s hard to be a fan of BJ Penn nowadays. It amazes me that a man so many people, including myself, consider the best Lightweight Mixed Martial Artist ever is 2-3 in his last five fights. What’s worse, there’s no more excuses for Penn’s seemingly declining ability. Against Georges St. Pierre, Penn was faced with a large opponent that is also frequently in the middle of the “best of all time” argument, and of course, there was the whole “greasing” controversy. Against Frank Edgar at UFC 112, the fight was so close that many in Penn’s corner cried foul and fluke. But UFC 118 had no controversy: a natural Lightweight dominated BJ Penn for five straight rounds. So naturally, everyone is wondering: where does BJ Penn go from here? Here are my thoughts on the entire situation. ...

Well, that sure was surprising wasn’t it? UFC 118 was filled with awesome fights, big winners, and big losers. From Nate Diaz choking out Marcus Davis to James Toney getting choked out by Randy Couture, UFC 118 lived up to just about all of its potential. Looking forward, here’s what I think is next for some of the big winners, and even some of the big losers, of UFC 118: “Edgar vs. Penn 2”. ...

As if the upcoming UFC 118 fight between top-ranked Kenny Florian and Gray Maynard didn’t have enough riding on  it already, UFC President Dana White recently stated in a radio interview that the winner of the fight would most likely receive a shot at the UFC Lightweight Championship. This makes a whole lot of sense since, even though Frank Edgar did the seemingly-impossible and defeated BJ Penn at UFC 112, the Lightweight division is still recuperating from BJ Penn’s reign of dominance as UFC Lightweight Champion. I was already looking forward to Florian/Maynard for several reasons, but now I can’t wait to see this fight because I think that all four title fights that could possibly be made each possess some very interesting stories. So here’s what I think about the individual match-ups: Penn vs. Florian 2, Edgar vs. Florian, Edgar vs. Maynard 2, and Penn vs. Maynard. ...

Many people believe that Chael Sonnen deserves an immediate rematch with UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva following Sonnen’s near-total destruction of “The Spider”, a dramatic underdog victory that was cut short in the dying minutes of the fifth and final round, as Silva locked in a tight triangle choke and forced Sonnen to tap. However, it seems more and more likely that Vitor Belfort will fulfill the role of “next challenger to the throne”, which is what he was supposed to be ever since he nearly decapitated Rich Franklin back at UFC 103. Now back from his injury-induced hiatus, “The Phenom” recently said that UFC co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta promised him that he would be next in line, although a date has not yet been set. Nothing’s impossible in MMA, and Sonnen getting an immediate rematch registers relatively low on the “big surprises in MMA in 2010” scale. But if Sonnen does have to work his way to the top once again, here are some opponents I’d love to see him match fists (and wits) with. ...

As a massive fan of BJ Penn, I was one of the most vocal proponents of an immediate rematch following his loss to Frank Edgar at UFC 112. We will indeed be getting a rematch at UFC 118, and while I personally think that “Baby Jay” will come back better and hungrier than ever, let’s face facts here: 2010 has been the year of the massive upset, and there’s a very real possibility that Edgar will beat Penn once again. If it does happen, I think the MMA population in general will finally have to accept Edgar as the #1 Lightweight in the world. And if he does beat Penn, he’ll have practically blown the UFC’s Lightweight division wide open and opened himself up to a host of worthy contenders. Looking ahead, here are three fighters I’d love to see challenge for Frankie Edgar’s title, should he manage to get by Penn. ...

Awoke to the sun shining and my thoughts about UFC 114 running rampant in my head. So as always "The Reverend of MMA" will bring you the gospel on yet another event, UFC 114: Rampage vs. Rashad. ...

UFC Fight Night took place last night before the season premiere of The Ultimate Fighter. Here is a look back at the highlights and low-lights of the event MMA Gospel style. ...

Fighters.com’s seventh-ranked lightweight “KenFlo” Kenny Florian (12-4) and former PRIDE champion “Fireball Kid” Takanori Gomi (28-6) both made the lightweight limit for their matchup at Fight Night 21 in Charlotte Wednesday night. ...

The Acer Arena in Sydney, Australia on February 21 George Sotiropoulos (11-2) will face "Daddy" Joe Stevenson (31-9) in a lightweight fight. This is a fight that will propel George up the ladder in the 155 division and make a contender. ...

"Daddy" Joe Stevenson (31-9) was contacted by Fighters.com and UFC lightweight champion "The Prodigy" BJ Penn (15-5-1) with an offer to come train with him. Stevenson told him no thanks because he believes he will get another title shot before the end of the year. Apparently BJ wanted a strong wrestler to train with for his fight against "The Answer" Frank Edgar (11-1)at UFC 112 in Abu Dhabi. Joe must be losing his mind to say no to this opportunity. ...

An anticipated matchup between Fighters.com’s seventh-ranked lightweight “KenFlo” Kenny Florian (12-4) and recent UFC signee, former PRIDE champion “Fireball Kid” Takanori Gomi (28-6) was announced on the Twitter page of MMA Live, the ESPN.com show Florian co-hosts. ...

Fighters.com's seventh-ranked lightweight “KenFlo” Kenny Florian (12-4) and recent UFC signee, former PRIDE champion “Fireball Kid” Takanori Gomi (28-6) are on a collision course as a runaway train of hype grows for a showdown between the two fighters. ...

Fighters.com's fifth-ranked lightweight "Bully" Gray Maynard (8-0) and Nate Diaz (10-5) will rematch an The Ultimate Fighter 5 exhbition match tonight at UFC Fight Night 20 in Fairfax, Virginia. ...

Fighters.com and UFC Lightweight Champion "Prodigy" BJ Penn (14-5-1) will defend his titles from unranked, but popular The Ultimate Fighter 1 champion “Nightmare” Diego Sanchez (21-2) at UFC 107 at the FedExForum in Memphis December 12, the UFC officially announced Tuesday. ...

Fighters.com and UFC Light Heavyweight Champion “Dragon” Lyoto Machida (15-0), ninth-ranked “Iceman” Chuck Liddell (21-7), third-ranked “Sugar” Rashad Evans (13-1-1), UFC welterweight champion “Rush” Georges St. Pierre (19-2), “KenFlo” Kenny Florian (11-4), and “Carpenter” Clay Guida (25-10) will be miniaturized for your shelves in Round 5's first set of collectible figurines under an agreement with the UFC to be available at retail and Round 5's website early in 2010. ...

Fighters.com will post real-time results after each UFC 101 Declaration fight Saturday night. Post your predictions here before the fights. Logon often tonight and chat about the fights immediately after they end. The fight card from Philadelphia includes: "Prodigy" B.J. Penn (13-5-1) v "KenFlo" Kenny Florian (11-3) for the UFC lightweight strap Fighters.com's third-ranked light heavyweight Forrest Griffin (16-5) v UFC middleweight champ "“Spider” Anderson Silva (24-4) in 205-pound matchup ...

On Tuesday afternoon's UFC 101 media conference call, UFC lightweight champion "Prodigy" B.J. Penn (13-5-1) took a backhanded pot-shot at challenger "KenFlo" Kenny Florian (11-3): "I'm focused on fighting a Kenny Florian in his second - and probably last - title fight."

Penn also made a good point! Thirty-three year old Florian challenged previous titlist "Muscle Shark" Sean Sherk (33-4-1) at UFC 64 in 2006, lasting all five grueling rounds, but dropping a unanimous decision.

In his defense, Florian offered, "I wasn't training like a professional athlete." Florian hasn't lost since, winning six consecutive, five by stoppage, but none against first-tier competition like Sherk or Penn. "One of the most important things is to be honest with yourself and say, "Look at all these mistakes I made,'" Florian added.
...

Fighters.com’s seventh-ranked lightweight “KenFlo” Kenny Florian (11-3) scored a victory with a rear naked choke of “Daddy” Joe Stevenson (29-8) at 4:03 of the first round in a fast-paced lightweight match-up at UFC 91 in Las Vegas Saturday night. "I want to come out here and make a statement," Florian announced after the fight.  "I want B.J.'s belt!" UFC President Dana White had promised the winner a title shot versus UFC and Fighters.com's Lightweight Champion "Prodigy" B.J. Penn (13-4-1). For Florian, it'll be his second shot at the UFC belt.  Florian lost a unanimous decision to fifth-ranked "Muscle Shark" Sean Sherk (33-3-1) for the UFC title at UFC 64 in October 2006. Florian started the action with a left low kick.  Both fighters were quick on their feet as they exchanged blows.  Florian caught Stevenson with a high kick; but, Stevenson stalked him after landing a few punches. ...

The winner of the lightweight bout between Fighters.com’s seventh-ranked lightweight “KenFlo” Kenny Florian (10-3) and “Daddy” Joe Stevenson (29-7) will get a crack at champion “Prodigy” BJ Penn’s (13-4-1) title, UFC President Dana White promised Thursday at the UFC 91 press conference. Florian and Stevenson are featured on Saturday’s UFC 91: Couture vs Lesnar card in Las Vegas. White said the opportunity would come after Penn’s fight versus Welterweight Champion “Rush” Georges St. Pierre (17-2) at UFC 94 in Vegas 31 January. Both Florian and Stevenson had a chance at the lightweight belt before, but Florian lost a unanimous decision to fifth-ranked “Muscle Shark” Sean Sherk (33-3-1) in October 2006, and Stevenson was submitted via rear naked choke by Penn in January. Florian has won all five of his fights since then, most recently earning a unanimous decision over Roger Huerta (20-2-1) in August. Stevenson won his last fight, submitting Gleison Tibau (14-5) with a second-round guillotine in July. ...

Fighters.com's seventh-ranked lightweight "KenFlo" Kenny Florian (10-3) will try to earn a title shot...again versus "Daddy" Joe Stevenson (29-7) at UFC 91 in Las Vegas Saturday.  He spoke exclusively with Fighters.com about that fight and his life outside of the Octagon. Fighters.com: What is your greatest strength going into the Stevenson fight?  What do you think is his biggest strength against you? Kenny Florian: Yeah, you know, hmm… I think my biggest strength is probably my versatility in this fight.  I think me being versatile, I feel like I can kinda do it all.  I feel I’m more a well-rounded fighter than him.  I feel like he’s a fighter who does mixed martial arts and I’m a mixed martial arts fighter, and I think there’s a difference in that.  And, I think his biggest strength is his experience.  He has an insane amount of experience, a lot more than myself; so, that certainly can be an advantage. Fighters.com: Where are you training and who are you training with?   Who’s helping you prepare for your upcoming fight against Stevenson? ...

Fighters.com's Lightweight Champion "Prodigy" B.J. Penn's (13-4-1) three-fight run at lightweight will end in Las Vegas 31 January when Penn returns to welterweight to fight Fighters.com’s Welterweight Champion “Rush” Georges St. Pierre (17-2) for the UFC welterweight title. Why? (Well, besides the obvious jack the UFC stands to profit on the main event.) But, UFC President Dana White himself has claimed Penn's best weight class is 155 pounds; and, Penn made much ballyhoo about getting serious and slimming down to 155 pounds, his natural fighting weight. Penn has never fought above 155 with a physique that could be described as anything but "pudgy". Penn is also 0-2 in his last two 170-pound fights in the Octagon, which must make UFC welterweight contenders wonder if they can get some Vaseline. In Saitama, north of Tokyo, 24 August, top lightweight contender "Fireball Kid" Takanori Gomi (29-3) won a unanimous decision versus tough, but relatively unknown Korean champ Seung Hwan Bang (5-2). ...

SpikeTV announced Monday that it will air all twelve episodes of the debut season of reality show The Ultimate Fighter, as well as the finale, on 13 September. Clips of a reunion special filmed recently at the UFC Training Center in Las Vegas will air throughout the marathon. TUF 1 cast members involved in the reunion are Fighters.com’s Light Heavyweight Champion and current UFC champion Forrest Griffin (16-4), Chris Leben (18-4), “American Psycho” Stephan Bonnar (11-4), Josh Koscheck (11-2), “Rock” Nathan Quarry (10-2), “KenFlo” Kenny Florian (10-3), “Nightmare” Diego Sanchez (19-2), Bobby Southworth (9-5), and “Quick” Mike Swick (12-2). The reunion special will be hosted by Joe Rogan, and UFC President Dana White will also be on hand to discuss the impact the show has had on the UFC and on the sport of mixed martial arts. ...

UFC President Dana White confirmed the participation of Fighters.com’s seventh-ranked lightweight “KenFlo” Kenny Florian (10-3) versus “Daddy” Joe Stevenson (29-8) at UFC 91 in Portland, OR, 15 November, reported Yahoo! Sports Thursday. It will be the promotion’s first event in Portland. Also confirmed was the anticipated welterweight title fight between Fighters.com’s Welterweight Champion “Rush” Georges St. Pierre (17-2) and Fighters.com’s Lightweight Champion “Prodigy” B.J. Penn (13-4-1) at UFC 93 on 31 January, which is SuperBowl Weekend. “KenFlo” won a unanimous decision over “El Matador” Roger Huerta (20-2-1) at UFC 87 earlier this month. Stevenson submitted Gleison Tibau (15-6) with a second-round guillotine choke in his last fight at UFC 86 in July. St. Pierre battled Jon Fitch (17-3) for five rounds to a unanimous decision victory 9 August. Penn TKO’d fifth-ranked “Muscle Shark” Sean Sherk (32-3-1) in the third round in May to retain his UFC lightweight title. ...

After defeating "El Matador" Roger Huerta (20-2-1) in Minneapolis 9 August, Fighters.com’s seventh-ranked lightweight "KenFlo" Kenny Florian (10-3) mentioned the sudden passing of UFC veteran and TUF 4 contestant "El Conquistador" Jorge Rivera's (15-7) teenage daughter, Janessa. In his newsletter, Florian reiterated, ""It is a very difficult time right now for Jorge and his family as they try to make sense out of this unexpected tragedy.  Burial fees and medical expenses are significant and whatever help you can provide is very much appreciated." Rivera's last reported purse was $12,000 at UFC 67.  His two 2008 fights have been fought in the England and the UFC doesn't report purses for those events; but, River went 1-1 and probably earned a total of $36,000 before taxes.  Being a fighter,  he probably doesn't have health insurance. If you'd like to help the Riveras, make a check out to "Jorge Rivera" and mail it to: USMMA 316 Hartford Avenue Bellingham, MA 02019 ...

August brought the crowning of Fighters.com's new Lightweight Champion "Prodigy" B.J. Penn (13-4-1) and the top ten debuts of fourth-ranked "Hellboy" Joachim Hansen (19-7-1), sixth-ranked Eiji Mitsuoka (13-5-2), and eighth-ranked Kotetsu Boku (13-5-1). "Hellboy" shocked Osaka 21 July by TKOing former Fighters.com Lightweight Champion "Tobikan Judan" Shinya Aoki (17-3) in the first round of the DREAM Lightweight Grand Prix final. Aoki spirals down eight wrungs to ninth on the loss, taking vanquished rival tenth-ranked "JZ" Gesias Calvancante (14-2-1) with him. Penn takes the Championship from the second rank, but is torn between moving to welterweight to fight Fighters.com Welterweight Champion "Rush" Georges St. Pierre (17-2) or defending his Fighters.com and UFC titles from seventh-ranked, top UFC contender "KenFlo" Kenny Florian (10-3). In Minneapolis 9 August, Florian cleared-up the UFC's lightweight picture with a dominant UD over "El Matador" Roger Huerta (20-2-1). ...

Fighters.com's Welterweight Champion "Rush" Georges St. Pierre (17-2) defended his title in a five-round unanimous decision over top contender Jon Fitch (17-3) Saturday night in Minneapolis by scores of 50-44 twice and 50-43. The win facilitates an apparent New Year's Eve champion-versus-champion rematch between St. Pierre and Fighters.com's Lightweight Champion B.J. Penn (13-4-1), who was invited into the Octagon after the main event to challenge St. Pierre, saying, "I want to put this fight together." St. Pierre accepted Penn's challenge, proclaiming, "I'm a proud champion." In the co-main event, Brock Lesnar (2-1) dominated a three-round unanimous decision over Fighters.com's eighth-ranked heavyweight “Texas Crazy Horse” Heath Herring (28-14) by scores of 30-26 three times. "I fell off the horse," Lesnar told the 15,082 spectator hometown crowd referring to his Octagon debut loss to former UFC Heavyweight Champion Frank Mir (11-3), "but, tonight I got on that stallion and rode it out of town, baby! Wooo!" Fighters.com's seventh-ranked lightweight "KenFlo" Kenny Florian (10-3) won a blow-out unanimous decision over "El Matador" Roger Huerta (20-2-1) by 30-27 on all three judges' score cards in a UFC top contender bout. ...

So thorough was second-ranked UFC Lightweight Champion "Prodigy" B.J. Penn's (13-4-1) domination of fifth-ranked "Muscle Shark" Sean Sherk (31-3-1) 24 May in Las Vegas that Penn leaps two spots in Fighters.com's June Lightweight Rankings to place as the top contender to Fighters.com's Lightweight Champion "Tobikan Judan" Shinya Aoki (15-2). Fighters.com never questioned Penn's talent, just his recent body of work at 155-pounds. Though Penn fought unquestionably tougher competition last month, "Tobikan Judan" stole the show in the division by pulling a gogoplata from the mount out of his hat to tap Katsuhiko Nagata (4-3) 15 June in Tokyo. It seems impossible for DREAM's magician from Tokyo and the UFC's warrior from Hilo to settle the cross-Pacific lightweight question; but, UFC President Dana White is desperate to keep Penn's eyes from wandering out of the young UFC 155-pound division. Penn told the post-UFC 84 press conference that, after out-boxing Sherk, it's hard for him to get motivated to fight the winner of seventh-ranked "KenFlo" Kenny Florian (9-3) versus "El Matador" Roger Huerta (20-1-1) to be fought in Minneapolis 9 August. ...

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. ...

While chatting with Fighters.com’s ninth-ranked lightweight “KenFlo” Kenny Florian (9-3) Tuesday afternoon, he broached two myths that frustrate him and I.  Let’s quash them. Myth one: “I can beat Rich Franklin.” Or, whoever you have a delusional cage fantasy about.  I only say second-ranked middleweight “Ace” Rich Franklin (23-3) because I live in Greater Cincinnati and most often hear his name when I reveal I write about MMA; but, I’m sure, if you live in Vancouver, it’s Denis Kang (29-10-1) and, in Boston, it’s Florian. You can’t beat any of them, even if you saw them get thrashed by another elite fighter. Neither can your cousin who just got out of jail, nor your friend who just reached brown belt in BJJ. What is it about mixed martial arts, the most grueling and graceful athletic endeavor in organized sport, that makes couch potatoes think they can put down their Cheetos, brush the orange dust from their stained fingers, and compete at an elite level? No one watches baseball and thinks they can hit a 95 mph cut fastball 450 feet like Alex Rodriguez.  No one watches gymnastics and thinks they can roll out of bed into a triple axel.  (Well…no one watches gymnastics…) UFC fighters, as well as many mixed martial artists in other promotions, are elite athletes.  They’re experts in the fighting skills of many disciplines, but that’s just where it begins.  Their cardio and strength training is as regimented and diligently-followed as the top athletes in any other sport, perhaps more so. The fact is, even if you are as skilled in martial arts as a UFC fighter, there’s a genetic element that most of us just aren’t born with.  Just like many of us will never run a 4.4 forty or bench press 700 pounds, no matter how dedicated we are. It’s often a comment from someone who’s never trained or hasn’t trained since they were in high school wrestling and doesn’t realize they’re neither 18-years old, nor in any kind of athletic shape anymore. The only thing worse than saying, “I can beat Rich Franklin,” is saying, “I still think I can beat Rich Franklin,” a week after he picks you apart like a chicken carcass in front of 22,000 at the Centre Bell.  That’s not ignorant; that’s insane. Myth two: “Kenny Florian: Not Your Average Fighter.” Again, Florian or whoever in the sport can pack a coherent sentence with more than eight words is considered unique.  Often, it makes a headline in main stream media; but, I’ve seen it creep into MMA media too. Elite fighters are as intelligent as computer geeks.  Wait,that’s “J-Lau” Joe Lauzon (16-4).  Well, they’re as intelligent as people with master's degrees.  Well, that’s Rich Franklin.  OK, they’re as intelligent as lawyers.  Oops…that’s first-ranked heavyweight “Minotauro” Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (31-4-1) and "Hungarian Nightmare" Christian Wellisch (8-3).  As intelligent as Ph.D.s?  Yeah…that’s “The Snowman” Jeff Monson (24-7) and UFC fighter Terry Martin (16-4).  None of them are unique among fighters in their intellect, they're just a few names off the top of my head. I think the stereotype of the meathead fighter stems from a self-consciousness that prevents some people from allowing for a guy who can both kick their ass and outwit them in a debate on ontological empiricism.  It's a way some people protect their own egos by reducing fighters to cavemen, regardless of the truth. Now, of course there are meatheads in MMA; but, if you scan the top of the sport, most of the elite fighters are college-educated, artistically gifted, or intellectually interesting. Intelligence is not unique among mixed martial artists, just like ignorance isn't unique among those who're surprised to meet a fighter who isn't beating their chest. Notes from around MMA * Rich Franklin (23-3) turned down a fight versus ninth-ranked “Hollywood” Dan Henderson (22-7) that was offered while the UFC rushed to bolster their London fight card after seventh-ranked light heavyweight “Iceman” Chuck Liddell (21-5) was pulled from the main event with a pulled hamstring. * Despite Franklin’s agent Monte Cox’s assertions on MMAWeekly Radio, Franklin is not considering a career move to 205-pounds, but would consider a one-off in the heavier division “if it was an interesting match-up”.  But for an unlikely challenge of UFC Light Heavyweight Champion and first-ranked light heavyweight “Rampage” Quinton Jackson, what meaningful fight could lure Franklin into a one-off?  Maybe a rematch with “The Dragon” Lyoto Machida (12-0)?  That's interesting... * TUF 7 contestant Brandon Sene (2-0) was robbed on Wednesday night’s episode of the the UFC’s reality program.  Fighters.com scored both of the first two rounds 10-9 for Sene, who was more aggressive and intent on inflicting damage to his opponent, Dante Rivera (10-2).  BJJ player Rivera was able to take the fight to the mat, but managed few serious attempts to end the fight with a submission and was largely unable to avoid Sene’s striking from his back.  Fighters.com did score the final, sudden-death round 10-9 for Rivera; but, the fight should’ve never made it to sudden death. * The Tennessee House of Representatives will vote Tuesday on a bill to create a state athletic commission with the goal of attracting a UFC fight card and the $100 million in revenue that the big show’s events generate for local economies.  Now, which Tennessee native son might like to belt out a howl in a main event on the Mississippi? *  According to the Winnipeg Sun, “Road Warrior” Jonathan Goulet (22-9) and his girlfriend will put the $75,000 bonus he won for “Fight of the Night” versus Kuniyoshi Hironaka (11-5) at UFC 83 towards a down payment on a home.  Goulet hits the road to London 7 June to fight Paul Kelly (7-0). * UFC glove maker, Century, revealed to Fighters.com contributor Jason Wawro that the legend of Brock Lesnar’s (1-1) 4X-sized glove is a myth.  Despite rumors that Lesnar was the first MMA fighter to wear 4X gloves since “Techno Goliath” Hong Man Choi (1-1), a Century executive claimed, “I have the receipts right here and Brock Lesnar, Cheick Kongo, and Heath Herring all ordered 3X-sized gloves.” * When asked about the CBS deal to air EliteXC MMA events, Fox Sports president Ed Goren replied that his company hasn't struck a deal to air the sport because, "We don't need money that badly."  This from an executive of a company popular for such high-brow entertainment as When Animals Attack! and Celebrity Boxing featuring matches between Todd Bridges and Vanilla Ice and Paula Jones and Tonya Harding. ...