MMA News and Discussion Thread

[ACCBiggz]

Depends on if he re-signs because he's been fighting on the independent circuit. They've already fed him to get Heath Herring back on the winning track. He isn't a terrible option although he has decent jiu-jitsu and recently pulled a gogoplata.

Edited October 22, 2007 by ACCBiggz

[Enter Blue Guy]

...Or they could just bring in Tank Abbott again.

[ACCBiggz]

Wanderlei Silva vs. Chuck Liddell was first shown as on the card for UFC 79 on DirectTV, then it was taken down. Then it was on another carrier as well, taken down. Yesterday it appeared on UFC.com's info about UFC 79, taken down. All so Dana White could "announce" it at the Scream Awards tonight. It's official.

[Gabriel]

Wanderlei Silva vs. Chuck Liddell was first shown as on the card for UFC 79 on DirectTV, then it was taken down. Then it was on another carrier as well, taken down. Yesterday it appeared on UFC.com's info about UFC 79, taken down. All so Dana White could "announce" it at the Scream Awards tonight. It's official.

[ACCBiggz]

Umm, I'm just saying it's not a surprise. It's been shown/announced/leaked in almost every way possible.

[Enter Blue Guy]

UFC Conference Call Notes, credit: MMANews.com

Here is part one of our recap from the UFC media conference call with Dana White, Brock Lesnar, Chuck Liddell and Wanderlei Silva. Check back at MMANews.com later for part two.

-Dana would not say that this call is a coincidence. He said "Is there a chance that I would put on a conference call to f*** randy couture, no"

-Dana makes mention of the fact that Brock is a huge name in the WWE world. He says that Brock is a great wrestler and that is the reason the UFC signed him. THey have high hopes for him.

-They are going to do 12 Live fight nights on Spike TV. They have a great relationship with Spike. They have delivered good cards for the Spike and SPike delivers the ratings.

-When DAna comes

-Dana was asked how long Randy had left on his UFC contract. He said Randy just signed a new contract 8 months ago and "I got him". Says that Randy has yet to say tthat he wants to fight other places.

-New SpikeTV deal is for 4 years. They are commited to 26 episodes of TUF each year for the next 2 years. 1 season of tuf in 2010 and they are trying to put together a brand new fight show but there isnt much info about what they are trying with that right now. There are other shows in the works that the UFC and SPike think are going to be big hits.

-UFC will not be doing anything during half time for the superbowl.

-It looks like BJ Penn will possibly be fighting in December

-Dana says that every time they have gone to different places they have broken venue records so the reception has been good.

-Until Randy tells him otherwise he is still considered the heavyweight champ. He plans on trying to schedule a meeting with Randy now that he is back in town.

-There are plans to go to Chicago next year. As as sson as they are legal in Chicago they will be there.

-Dana says that Andre Arlovski has not been forgotten. He is just kind of sittin on the bench right now. Says they are trying to get him back.

-Says he doesnt regret HBO going through. Wants partners and people that are going to help them grow.

-Dana says he isnt trying to bury boxing.

-DAna says ticket sales for UFC 78 have been great. They plan on selling out.

-Dana talks about how happy he is to finally have the Silva and Liddell fight

-Dana talks more about 78 and runs down the card.

-Dana talks about Silva and Liddell more. Talks about the ups and downs.

-Chuck says that he wanted to fight Wanderlei for a long time. Thinks it is a great style matchup.

-Dana thinks that they may possibly end up with an HBO deal someday but now is not the time

-Dana talks about other organizations make the young talent. Talks about how many companies he has seen come and go over the years.

-Chuck says that he wants to get in and knocked Wanderlei out. He also wants to get back into contention.

-Wanderlei he says it is an opprutunity for him to go back to the top. He wants to knock out Chuck and then wants the belt.

-Brocks first fight will be Superbowl Saturday.

-Brock says the reason he wants to be big in the sport is for Pride and dignity.

-Dana was asked if the events that could happen in the UK and that will air on Spike will be quality events that would appear on PPV in North America.

-Brock hopes that no one can out-wrestle him in the UFC. He trains extensively on his striking and Jiu-Jitsu.

-Dana says that even though Brock was in the UFC, fighters better take him seriosuly. He is a huge guy and has to cut weight to get to the 265lbs limit. He is a true athlete and the UFC will make sure the public takes Lesnar seriously.

-Brock says he understands the circumstances. Says he has had one MMA fight that he won even though the guy was a tuna-can, but whatever. He will be well-prepared going into the Octagon and is not setting himself up for defeat.

-Dana talks a bit about how big TUF has been for them and how much talent they have seen come from the show. Puts over Forrest Griffin and his win over Shogun

-Dana tells a UK reporter that they are working on a TV deal to show live fights in the UK

-Dana comments on Frank Warren (UK reporter) saying that the UFC is a flash in the pan. Says Warren is an old school boxing guy and the UFC scares guys like him.

-4-5 possible UK shows next year

-Brock is asked if he is glad to be out of the WWE with all of the deaths happening. Brock replies "Absolutely".

-Dana says the 2 biggest reality shows on TV are American Idol and TUF. None of the other shit matters.

-No idea who the TUF 7 coaches will be but they are kicking around some ideas.

-Dana is asked about Kurt Angle. Says that Kurt is a good guy and he likes him. Puts over ANgles wrestlings credentials. Thinks that Kurt just wants to jump right from Pro-wrestling and give it a go. Dana says that if Kurt does that he will "get his f***ing ass kicked"

-Any Fight Night in Vegas will be done at the Palms

-Dana was asked about ProElite streaming the Couture Presser. Dana didnt say anything bad about Couture. Calls ProElite.com internet whores and says they will do anything to get them to go to their site.

-Brock Lesnar opponent is unknown right now but they will be putting him up against someone they feel can test him.

-Dana says they will be trying to go to a Latino country soon.

-Brock says that had the UFC been big back in 2001 he probably would have strongly considered it. He signed with the WWE because he had a huge contract sitting in front of him right out of college.

-Brock tells everyone the big difference between WWE and UFC. WWE is fake and UFC is the real deal. Says that Vince McMahons TV made him a huge name.

-Dana says that this whole situation with Couture is really weird. It just does not seem like him. Says he never said No to couture about anything. Says he is Randy Couture "Little Bitch" lol

-Dana says that the Fertitas, Dana, and Randy had a meeting about a month ago and Randy was pissed off about quite a few things. He wouldnt go into detail about the things he was pissed about but there was obviously something going on.

-Dana says that Fedor SUCKS. He isnt even top 5 heavyweight in the world.

[Fitzy]

Din Thomas Arrested for Allegedly Running Un-Sanctioned MMA Fights

UFC veteran and “The Ultimate Fighter 4” cast member Din Thomas was arrested Tuesday on charges he was running un-sanctioned MMA bouts at his American Top Team-affiliated training center in St. Lucie West, Fla.

Thomas is now facing a felony prohibited competitions charge.

MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) was unable to reach Thomas this afternoon. One of his representatives said he’s yet to speak to Thomas and can’t comment until he does.

He didn’t know if Thomas, who needs to post $10,000 bail, had been released from jail.

According to an arrest warrant, officers were called to Thomas’ training center, American Top Team Port St. Lucie, on Tuesday. According to a warrant application filed by officer Brian Kenny:

“Once on scene I observed… a large caged octagon ring with two men inside fighting. There was a third male in the octagon acting as a referee. Around the octagon there were several people (approx. 150 men, women and minors) sitting and standing on make shift stands and chairs facing the octagon cheering while watching the two men fight. Both fighters wore gloves but did not have any protective headgear on. At the front door to the location there was a table with a small sign stating ‘$10.00 per person.’ Also located on the table was a roll of raffle tickets.“

According to the report, Thomas admitted that he was hosting the event for his students to gain experience and that the money raised from the raffle would help the fighters. Although Thomas claimed that the bouts were primarily sparring matches, Kenny stated that each fight had timed rounds, the referee determined a winner, and that he witnessed fighters using “punches and kicks to the body, face and head of their opponents.“

The officer witnessed five to seven fights taking place during the event and even stuck around for the awarding of raffle prizes — likely because he and his fellow officer were dressed in street clothes.

Thomas admitted that he had no medical personnel on hand but said all the fighters did sign waivers, Kenny stated.

The Florida Boxing Commission regulates professional MMA fights in the state of Florida. However, no amateur MMA fights are allowed in the state. Because of that, many training centers — in Florida and throughout the world — often put together events called “smokers,” in which amateur and lower-level fighters can get experience fighting in front of crowds (oftentimes comprised of family and friends). The events come in all shapes and sizes, and though they sometimes operate in a gray area of the law at best, they’re nonetheless a big part of MMA.

Thomas (20-7 MMA, 5-3 UFC) had emerged as one of the UFC’s top lightweight contenders before a first-round submission loss to Kenny Florian at UFC Fight Night 11 on Sept. 19. The 31-year-old suffered suffered significant damage to his knee — a torn meniscus, stretched ACL, and a bruised femur and tibia — in the defeat.

[Fitzy]

Joe Stevenson confirmed that he is facing BJ Penn at UFC 80 in England for the interim Lightweight title. So I assume this will be a taped deal Spike TV show and that gives away another free title match which is always a good thing to see.

[Enter Blue Guy]

Biggz tells me David Terrell might be injured and may have to pull out of his fight against Ed Herman... Yeah, that sounds about right.

[Fitzy]

I was looking at TheSmartMarks MMA forum and saw this picture of Kevin Randleman's Staph Infection.

http://www.mmanews.com/other/Pics--Quotes:...-Infection.html

It is gross. Look at the size of those holes.

[Enter Blue Guy]

Joe Doerksen in for David Terrell against Ed Herman. Bittersweet deal for Joe, losing to Filho in WEC and getting another shot in the UFC, but at very last minute, which sucks. I think from now on when they schedule Terrell, they should always contact a potential replacement at the same time to be on standby.

I feel really bad for David, but at the same time I'm pulling hard for Joe now, because I've always had a soft spot for him and he always brings it. Joe is a seasoned vet who always stays in fighting shape too, so being a late replacement sucks, but he'll be as ready as possible.

Edited November 4, 2007 by Enter Blue Guy

[LUKIE]

This is to go back on what White was saying in a post earlier. I know fuck all about MMA because I don't enjoy watching it.

Isn't Fedor like the best MMA 'fighter' currently? Why was White calling him 'not even top 5'?

[Gabriel]

This is to go back on what White was saying in a post earlier. I know fuck all about MMA because I don't enjoy watching it.

Isn't Fedor like the best MMA 'fighter' currently? Why was White calling him 'not even top 5'?

[Fitzy]

MMAJunkie says this about the upcoming TUF 7:

"However, MMAjunkie.com has learned that even if the cast is comprised of 185-pound fighters, the show’s two coaches could very well be current UFC light-heavyweight fighters. A reliable source tells us that Forrest Griffin, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Chuck Liddell and Wandlerlei Silva have been discussed as possibilities, though none are a sure bet at this point. However, an official announcement could be made during the UFC 78 pay-per-view broadcast."

I'd like to see Griffin and Jackson as the coaches as they would provide an entertaining show. Having Liddell and Silva do it won't make much sense as this will be taking place after they already fight.

[Fitzy]

UFC says it will be Lesnar vs. Frank Mir on 2/2.

Also, Manny Gamburyan will have his first fight since the TUF finale as he takes on Nate Mohr at UFC 79. I thought for sure Manny would be moved to WEC as he is really small and would probably fit better in the featherweight class instead of lightweight.

Edited November 6, 2007 by Fitzy

[JimbobJoylove]

I take it Mir isn't quite the same force he was supposed to be a few years ago? Even so, I thought a less high-profile name would be first for Lesnar. That said, I can't wait to see the fight...

[crazedfan]

I was talking with Biggzy about this fight, unless Lesnar's wrestling is still really good and he has practiced jiu-jitsu like he says he has, if this fight goes the ground, he could be in some big trouble.

[Enter Blue Guy]

Frank Mir by keg gut smother.

[Fitzy]

A photo of Brad Imes using the gogoplata has finally shown up.

[Fitzy]

I don't feel like digging for a Ultimate Fighter topic, but ... Serra immitating Hughes in the Hughes-St. Pierre fight was great. Matt Serra is awesome.