Brock Lesnar Out of UFC 131

by Michael David SmithIn a blockbuster announcement Thursday afternoon, UFC President Dana White revealed that Brock Lesnar is once again suffering from diverticulitis and will not be able to fight at UFC 131. Instead, the main event on that fight card will be Junior dos Santos vs. Shane Carwin.

"I want to thank the UFC, I want to thank Mr. White and I want to apologize to Junior dos Santos and Spike TV," Lesnar said. "This is an unfortunate situation for me. I dodged a bullet about two years ago with diverticulitis, at that time not knowing what the problem was. ... Diverticulitis is something that never goes away. It's something I've dealt with since the first occurrence and I've been battling it."

 

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Source: http://mmafighting.com/2011/05/12/brock-lesnar-out-of-ufc-131-junior-dos-santos-vs-shane-carwin/

Evander Holyfield Mike Tyson Kimbo Slice Sugar Ray Leonard

Diego Sanchez hints at possible UFC on FUEL TV 8 bout with Takanori Gomi

Diego Sanchez may soon have his first fight in more than a year.

The UFC veteran today tweeted that he may fight fellow lightweight Takanori Gomi at UFC on FUEL TV 8 in Japan, assuming the Japanese fighter takes the bout.

UFC on FUEL TV 8 takes place March 3 at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. Following Facebook prelims, the night's main card airs on FUEL TV.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/mmajunkie/~3/DvODt6Cmv3c/diego-sanchez-hints-at-possible-ufc-on-fuel-tv-8-bout-with-takanori-gomi.mma

Mirko Cro Cop Rashad Evans Frankie Edgar Georges St-Pierre

Frank Mir: ?This is not going to be a fight that will be forgotten.?

UFC heavyweights Frank Mir (16-7) and Josh Barnett (32-6) have both been around for more than a decade with each competing at a high level from early on in their decorated careers. Now, after years of beating the bulk of the best the division has to offer, the two veterans will finally face off against […]

The post Frank Mir: ?This is not going to be a fight that will be forgotten.? appeared first on Fighters.com.

Source: http://www.fighters.com/08/30/frank-mir-this-is-not-going-to-be-a-fight-that-will-be-forgotten

Larry Holmes Chuck Liddell Roy Jones Jr Junior Jones

Breaking Down UFC 164: Henderson Vs Pettis II

UFC 164: Henderson Vs Pettis II�goes down tonight in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and as always Fighters.com will be bringing you back to front coverage of the entire event. Get your beak wet with some analysis and picks of the entire card below, and get ready for a solid night of MMA. UFC 164: Henderson Vs Pettis […]

The post Breaking Down UFC 164: Henderson Vs Pettis II appeared first on Fighters.com.

Source: http://www.fighters.com/08/31/breaking-down-ufc-164-henderson-vs-pettis-ii

Rashad Evans Frankie Edgar Georges St-Pierre Mauricio Rua

Phantom Cam Video Footage Highlights From UFC Fight Night 27

Check out the phantom cam highlights from UFC Fight Night on FOX Sports 1.

Source: http://www.mmatko.com/phantom-cam-video-footage-highlights-from-ufc-fight-night-27/

Kimbo Slice Sugar Ray Leonard Sugar Ray Robinson Rocky Marciano

Dana White confident FS1 will be widely available by its planned Aug. 17 launch

UFC content will be a significant part of the programming that will be on the new cable channel, Fox Sports 1, which will debut on Aug. 17. The UFC even scheduled a fight card, headlined by Chael Sonnen versus Mauricio "Shogun" Rua, in Boston to appear on FS1's debut.

But as of now, FS1 isn't going to be available to large parts of the nation. According to John Ourand at Sports Business Daily, Fox has not reached a deal with DirecTV, Dish Network or Time Warner Cable to carry FS1.

Ourand notes that Fuel -- which currently carries a significant amount of UFC content that is going to move to FS1 -- will be rebranded Fox Sports 2 and is expected to go live with its new name on Aug. 17, as well.

That could mean that there are systems, Ourand wrote, that have FS2 but not FS1. That would not be good for UFC fans.

Earlier this month, cable systems in the Northeast sent notifications to their subscribers announcing plans to flip Fuel into FS2 by Aug. 17, which is the date when Fox Sports 1 is scheduled to launch.

Several distribution executives have said that Fox has told them to prepare for the change, which would be part of a soft transition around Aug. 17.

This raises the possibility that some distributors may carry FS2 but not FS1 at the beginning. Fox has yet to sign affiliate deals for FS1 with several top distributors, including DirecTV, Dish Network and Time Warner Cable. FS2 is not running into the same distribution problems because Fox does not need to get new affiliate deals to rebrand Fuel because of economics. Fuel costs distributors about 15 cents per subscriber per month, according to data from SNL Kagan. That rate is not expected to change when the channel rebrands to FS2.

UFC president Dana White said via text message that he remains unconcerned and thinks deals will be struck with all major providers by launch date.

"We got Comcast done," White said in a text to Yahoo! Sports, meaning Comcast Cable is set to go with FS1 on the Aug. 17 launch. "That was the one I was worried about, but I think Fuel situation helped there."

In a separate text, he wrote, "I am planning on all of them [DirecTV, Dish and Time Warner] by the 17th."

It's in the UFC's best interests, certainly, for Fox to get as wide of distribution as it can as quickly as it can for FS1 because it has so much content on the network. In addition to the loaded Aug. 17 card, which in addition to Sonnen-Rua also includes Alistair Overeem against Travis Browne, the UFC also has an Aug. 28 show from Indianapolis planned.

Even more significant, though, is the Sept. 4 debut of the reality series, "The Ultimate Fighter." With women's bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey and arch rival Miesha Tate coaching, the show is expected to be of heavy interest to MMA fans. TUF is moving to FS1 from FX.

These things almost always get worked out, but not always without pain. In 2009, DirecTV pulled the plug on Versus (now known as NBC Sports Network) in a contract dispute. Fans were angry they weren't able to get UFC and NHL content when it was off the air.

UFC video from Yahoo! Sports:

Related coverage on Yahoo! Sports:
? Hot or Not: Tito Ortiz, Nick Diaz and terrible tattoos
? Fight predictions for UFC 163
? 2013 shaping up to be the year of the Korean Zombie

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/dana-white-confident-fs1-widely-available-planned-aug-182550367.html

Wladimir Klitscho David Haye Cornelius K9 Bundrage Miguel Cotto

Yves Edwards vs. Jeremy Stephens rebooked for UFC on FOX 5

After their initial meeting was infamously canceled last minute, lightweights Yves Edwards and Jeremy Stephens will give it another go at UFC on FOX 5.

As MMAjunkie.com first reported earlier today, Edwards' original opponent, John Cholish, recently scratched due to a groin injury.

In his place steps Stephens, whose incarceration canceled their planned bout this past month at UFC on FX 5.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/mmajunkie/~3/WppFhyxvskE/yves-edwards-vs-jeremy-stephens-rebooked-for-ufc-on-fox-5.mma

Leon Spinks John Tate Mike Weaver Randy Couture

Dana White?s video blog has Anderson Silva?s celebrity hugs and a Ronda Rousey acting cameo

It's not a UFC fight week, but UFC president Dana White is really hyped about the first Fox Sports 1 card, Fight Night 26. He's starting his video blogs a week early. This week's video gives a look back at UFC 162. A few things to look out for in this one:

-- Edson Barboza's beat up feet after leg-kicking Rafaello Oliveira to a win
-- Bruce Buffer's sage advice on how to deal with losing your voice
-- Chuck Liddell, Edward James Olmos, Usher and Roy Jones Jr. hugging Anderson Silva after his loss
-- Ronda Rousey's kung fu movie.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/dana-white-video-blog-anderson-silva-celebrity-hugs-214725043.html

BJ Penn Shane Carwin Shane Moseley Brock Lesnar

UFC 164: Daniel Cormier and Urijah Faber Q&A

Watch the UFC Fight Club Q&A with heavyweight Daniel Cormier and bantamweight Urijah Faber on Friday, August 30 at 3PM ET.

MMAFrenzy.com

Source: http://mmafrenzy.com/93224/ufc-164-daniel-cormier-and-urijah-faber-qa/

Matt Hughes Mirko Cro Cop Rashad Evans Frankie Edgar

The Sunday Junkie: Nov. 25 edition

Even if the Anderson Silva vs. Georges St-Pierre super fight never happens, it sure has given fans plenty to talk about.

This week, The Sunday Junkie got reams of entries on the potential fight between the UFC's middleweight and welterweight champs, which could be in the works after St-Pierre's win over Carlos Condit at UFC 154.

But this week's Canadian winner, "A-shock," from London, Ontario, has some interesting ideas on how to infuse new life into the UFC's reality series, "The Ultimate Fighter."

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/mmajunkie/~3/QmshJdmNpwo/the-sunday-junkie-nov-25-edition.mma

Leon Spinks John Tate Mike Weaver Randy Couture

UFC 164 fantasy preview plus $250 Kountermove freeroll for MMAmania readers

Source: http://www.mmamania.com/2013/8/30/4667058/ufc-164-fantasy-preview-plus-250-kountermove-freeroll-for-mmamania

Sugar Ray Robinson Rocky Marciano Vitali Klitschko Wladimir Klitscho

Next week?s best: Plenty of fights to keep you busy

Clear your calendars for the next week and a half. Within a seven-day period, the UFC has three events. Check out the biggest and best of the bunch.

UFC Fight Night 27 -- The UFC returns to the Hoosier State on Aug. 28:
-- Carlos Condit vs. Martin Kampmann -- Their first fight was memorable. The second one could vault the winner back into title contendership.
-- Darren Elkins vs. Hatsu Hioki -- Elkins was riding a five-fight win streak when he lost to Chad Mendes in April. How will he recover from the loss, and will fighting in his home state of Indiana help?

UFC 164 -- On Aug. 31, the UFC will head to Milwaukee, which is Algonquin for the good land:
-- Benson Henderson vs. Anthony Pettis -- Think back to the magical moments of their first fight. It was so close until the showtime kick. The two have taken divergent paths since that bout, and it will be fun to watch if Henderson gets revenge or if Pettis can repeat his feat.
-- Josh Barnett vs. Frank Mir: Eleven years have passed since the last time Barnett fought in the UFC. He will face Mir, a heavyweight with almost as long of a career. They both can still bang, and will give fans a fun fight.

UFC Fight Night 28 -- Sept. 4, the UFC will go back to Brazil.
-- Glover Teixeira vs. Ryan Bader: Teixeira needs a win to earn a title shot, and three of his four UFC wins were by stoppage. With so much on the line and him fighting in Brazil, this is bound to be a thriller.
-- Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza vs. Yushin Okami: If you're a grappling fan, this fight will make you happy. Jacare's submission game is legendary, and Okami has never been submitted.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/next-week-best-plenty-fights-keep-busy-130513657.html

Georges St-Pierre Mauricio Rua Anderson Silva Nate Marquardt

Gus Johnson Signs With Fox but Stays With Showtime

by Michael David SmithLast week it was revealed that Gus Johnson's contract with CBS had expired, and on Tuesday morning it was reported that Johnson has accepted a job at Fox. But that doesn't mean he's done as the voice of mixed martial arts on Showtime, the sister network of CBS.

Sources told MMAFighting.com that Johnson's contract with CBS was for basketball and football, and that his deal to call fights (both MMA and boxing) for Showtime was a separate contract. That contract is still in effect, and Johnson will call Saturday night's Andre Ward-Arthur Abraham boxing match for Showtime. Although Showtime hasn't yet announced who will broadcast its next MMA show (a June 18 Strikeforce card), Johnson is expected to call that event as well.

Theoretically, it's even possible that Johnson could be back on the CBS airwaves if CBS ever aired another Strikeforce fight: When Johnson called EliteXC and Strikeforce fights on CBS in the past, that was part of his Showtime deal. It's probably a long shot that we'd see Johnson back on CBS, however.

 

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Source: http://mmafighting.com/2011/05/10/gus-johnson-signs-with-fox-but-stays-with-showtime/

Randy Couture James Toney BJ Penn Shane Carwin

UFC 164: Mir vs Barnett Preview - Videos

The heavyweight dream fight fans have been waiting years for becomes a reality when Frank Mir battles the returning Josh "The Warmaster" Barnett this Saturday.

Source: http://mmalice.com/videos/ufc-164-mir-vs-barnett-preview-video_ttk8knuo.html

Sugar Ray Robinson Rocky Marciano Vitali Klitschko Wladimir Klitscho

UFC on FOX 5 includes prelims on FX and Facebook, Schaub-Johnson in featured bout

In addition to a stacked main card, next week's UFC on FOX 5 event includes a super-sized preliminary-card lineup with nine fights.

Unlike past UFC on FOX events, the featured prelims air on FX instead of FUEL TV.

In the main FX bout, which follows additional prelims on Facebook, heavyweights Brendan Schaub and Lavar Johnson clash at Seattle's KeyArena.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/mmajunkie/~3/TE1O7L1F95s/ufc-on-fox-5-includes-prelims-on-fx-and-facebook-schaub-johnson-in-featured-bout.mma

Mike Weaver Randy Couture James Toney BJ Penn

UFC Won?t Risk Credibility so Vitor Belfort Can Fight in Brazil

Wednesday night when UFC president Dana White confirmed testosterone replacement therapy-powered Vitor Belfort (pictured) would be competing in Brazil for the third consecutive time, his fourth straight fight outside of America since using TRT, conspiracy theorists immediately started waving their red flags in unison. ‘Here we go again, the UFC is hiding Belfort in Brazil [...]

Source: http://www.5thRound.com/153355/ufc-wont-risk-credibility-so-vitor-belfort-can-fight-in-brazil/

Wladimir Klitscho David Haye Cornelius K9 Bundrage Miguel Cotto

Jay Hieron Beats Rick Hawn, Wins Bellator Welterweight Tournament

by Michael David SmithaJay Hieron won a very close split decision victory over Rick Hawn Saturday night, taking the Bellator Season 4 welterweight tournament title.

The fight easily could have gone to Hawn, and one judge said it should have, scoring it 29-28 for Hawn. The other two judges scored it 29-28 for Hieron, who credited his training for getting him into the kind of shape he needed to be in to win three fights in Bellator's eight-man welterweight tournament.

"I just train my butt off, man," Hieron said. "No matter what's going on, I'm in the gym sweating."

 

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Source: http://mmafighting.com/2011/05/07/jay-hieron-beats-rick-hawn-wins-bellator-welterweight-tournamen/

Leon Spinks John Tate Mike Weaver Randy Couture

UFC 164 'Prelims' preview, predictions for 'Henderson vs Pettis 2' fights on Facebook/FOX Sports 1 (Pt. 2)

Source: http://www.mmamania.com/2013/8/29/4658862/ufc-164-prelims-preview-predictions-henderson-vs-pettis-2-fights-facebook-fs1-pt2-milwaukee-mma

John Tate Mike Weaver Randy Couture James Toney

Reza Madadi, Fox Sports 1 and Mauricio ?Shogun? Rua: Where did they fall on the hot or not list?

Who in the world of MMA had a good week, and who didn't?

Not -- Reza Madadi: The UFC fighter was convicted of aggravated theft in Sweden. He will spend 18 months in jail for his part in a break-in of a Bottega Venetta store. He has two months to appeal the verdict.

Hot -- Fox Sports 1: Just days before it starts up, Fox hopes their all-sports channel will challenge ESPN. The UFC will air an entire card on it during the first day.

Not -- Jason "Mayhem" Miller: He's fought in Strikeforce and the UFC, but his life has taken a weird, worrisome turn as of late. Miller was arrested on domestic violence charges in California this week. Then, he posted a bizarre apology on his website and added some equally odd pictures to his Instagram account.

Hot -- Bellator's improving pay-per-view: The match-up of Quinton"Rampage" Jackson and Tito Ortiz excited very few fans about Bellator's first pay-per-view. However, the additions of Eddie Alvarez vs. Michael Chandler II and Mo Lawal vs. Emanuel Newton II make it a much more interesting card.

Still taking temperature -- Mauricio "Shogun" Rua: After a loss to Alexander Gustafsson, the one-time UFC light heavyweight champ could use a big win. He is getting a chance to make a mark against Chael Sonnen at UFC Fight Night 26 on Fox Sports 1 Saturday.

Thank you for reading Cagewriter this week. Follow us on Twitter for plenty of fight night coverage.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/reza-madadi-fox-sports-1-mauricio-shogun-rua-201749163.html

Oscar de la Hoya Matt Hughes Mirko Cro Cop Rashad Evans

Anthony Crolla wins British lightweight title

Anthony Crolla won the vacant British lightweight title when he stopped John Watson in the ninth round at the Olympia Hall in Liverpool.
To read the full story: http://boxing.bettor.com/anthony-crolla-wins-british-lightweight-title/news/1338935

Source: http://www.boxing-blog.com/index.php/anthony-crolla-wins-british-lightweight-title/

Forrest Griffin Ryan Bader Thiago Alves Muhammed Ali