Nate Diaz

It’s that time again, fans and friends. That unfortunate time that comes after an MMA event, a time to evaluate how many bruises need healing and how much time needs to be spent sitting on the sidelines. UFC 118 featured a host of great match-ups, from Nate Diaz dismantling Marcus Davis to Frankie Edgar dominating BJ Penn, and of course, the utter obliteration of aging pro boxer James Toney at the hands of Randy Couture. The Massachusetts State Athletic Commission has recently revealed the list of medical suspensions for UFC 118, and while most got off lightly, a few may have a bit of a stretch spent recuperating rather than training. Here’s how it all breaks down.

Read More About Nate Diaz and Marcus Davis Top UFC 118 Medical Suspensions…

Neither Nick nor Nate Diaz are strangers to controversy. The brothers have been involved in bitter rivalries, post-fight brawls, and all manner of not-so-nice activities. Saying that the Diaz brothers are MMA’s premier bad boys would be an understatement. But for the first time in either man’s careers, their abilities are beginning to eclipse their bravado. Nick and Nate were always talented, but with a string of recent performances, both men are starting to get taken seriously as best-in-the-world talent. Tough tests lie ahead for both men, as Nate Diaz recently made known his intentions to fight top-tier welterweights in the UFC, while Nick’s arch-rival and next opponent recently claimed that Nick would have to kill him to beat him.

Read More About Diaz Drama: Nate Wants Top Contenders, Nick Will Have to Kill KJ Noons…

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”.

Read More About What’s Next for the Winners and Losers of UFC 118: “Edgar vs. Penn 2″?…

While UFC 118 may not have been the best MMA card of 2010, it certainly was one of the most interesting. And even if it doesn’t take the top spot for “MMA Event of the Year”, I’d say that it easily makes Top 10, perhaps even Top 5. Some of the preliminary matches were outright boring, but then you had Joe Lauzon put on the performance of his life while Nate Diaz took one giant step forward towards getting out of the shadow of his brother Nick. Then of course you had the shocking main event fights: Gray Maynard lived up to his nickname “The Bully” by dominating Kenny Florian in a way that few other men were ever able to do, James Toney was sent packing back to pro boxing via an Arm Triangle Choke by UFC Legend Randy Couture, and in the main event, Frank Edgar solidified his position as the best Lightweight in the world by putting on an absolute clinic against BJ Penn. Here are the official results for UFC 118: “Edgar vs. Penn 2”, as well as my analysis of several of the major fights.

Read More About UFC 118 Results: James Toney Flops in MMA Debut, Frankie Edgar Dominates BJ Penn…

For quite a whole lot of reasons, the upcoming UFC 118 event is quickly becoming the can’t-miss event of the latter half of 2010. Whether it’s James Toney vs. Randy Couture, Frankie Edgar vs. BJ Penn, or even Kenny Florian vs. Gray Maynard, UFC 118 sounds like a dream-card on paper. However, there’s one UFC 118 fight that I’ve seen a definitive lack of coverage on, and for the life of me, I can’t tell why. It’s virtually vanished from the popular press, but I’m really looking forward to the match-up between Marcus Davis and Nate Diaz.

Read More About Just One Question: Why Are We Overlooking Nate Diaz vs. Marcus Davis?!…

Former UFC fighter Rory Markham, following his release from the UFC and recovering from amounting injuries, was recently signed to budding promotion, Bellator Fighting Championships.

Bellator has done an excellent job in bringing in relevant talent to their fold, while giving their home-grown fighters some credibility, should they prove successful in defeating some of the imported, former UFC standouts.

Markham will forever be remembered in infamy, when he knocked out Brodie Farber in his UFC debut in 2009, with a vicious head kick. After the initial UFC outing, he struggled in performances against contender Dan Hardy and “The Ultimate Fighter” season five winner, Nate Diaz.

Read more about Markham’s next step

As fans filed out of the Bell Centre after UFC 113 in Montreal a very unexpected encounter between two bitter rivals took place in the locker room of welterweight Marcus Davis (17-6).  He had just defeated Jonathan Goulet (22-11) to break a two fight losing skid and rejuvenate his career. Davis requested that UFC officials bring Dan Hardy into his locker room for a meeting.  UFC brass had previously kept these two fighters apart at all costs given the vitriol and rancor that existed stemming from their controversial June 2009 fight. As die-hard MMA fans know, Hardy waged a crude psychological war of words in advance of his UFC 99 fight with Davis.  A smack talk battle that ultimately lured Davis into saying things he now regrets and feels adversely affected his performance.  Coupled with Davis losing the decision to Hardy in a fight he adamantly believes he won, the effects from this period of time lingered with the Irish Hand Grenade.

Read More About Marcus Davis Quells Feud With Dan Hardy, Zeros In On Nate Diaz and UFC 118…

The Tennessee Athletic Commission determined yesterday that five individuals engaged in “conduct that is detrimental to a professional contest of unarmed combat.” Those five individuals will receive fines and suspensions.

Read More About Tennessee Commission Issues Fines and Suspensions for Strikeforce Brawl…

Last night I was unfortunate enough to watch mixed martial arts (MMA) take a step back, a ten year step back. Strikeforce allowed the members of the Cesar Gracie camp to put a beating on a man for simply asking for a rematch live on national television.

Read More About Sunday Morning Gospel: Strikeforce and Cesear Gracie Fight Camp a Disgrace…

UFC welterweight Rory Markham (16-5) has been fined $1000 by the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board for weighing 177-pounds Friday for his contracted 171-pound fight versus Nate Diaz (11-5) at UFC 111 in Newark tonight.

Read More About UFC 111: Rory Markham Fined $1000 For Missing Weight By Six Pounds…