MMA News

After two frustrating years, Mike Massenzio returns at UFC on Versus 2 (7/31/2010 4:30:00 PM)
It's been nearly 20 months since UFC middleweight Mike Massenzio stepped into the octagon. After injuries and illness kept him away for so long, Massenzio surely feels the pressure going into his fight with former WEC champion Brian Stann on Sunday at UFC on Versus 2, right? "I try not to think of it like that," Massenzio recently told MMAjunkie.com. "I love to fight, and I love to be in the UFC."
"The Korean Zombie" vs. George Roop moved to WEC 51 main card (7/31/2010 3:35:00 PM)
The main card for September's WEC 51 event now appears complete. World Extreme Cagefighting officials recently moved a featherweight bout between "The Korean Zombie," Chan Sung Jung, and opponent George Roop from the preliminary card to the night's Versus-televised main card. The five-fight televised lineup is now set for the card, which takes place Sept. 30 at the 1STBANK Center in Broomfield, Colo.
All-American heavyweight wrestler Jared Rosholt prepping for MMA debut (7/31/2010 2:00:00 PM)
The flow of massive wrestlers into mixed martial arts continues, and former Oklahoma State Cowboy Jared Rosholt is the next heavyweight ready to make the plunge. Team Takedown boss Ted Ehrhardt revealed on Thursday to MMAjunkie.com Radio that Rosholt has joined brother Jake, WEC lightweight contender Shane Roller, and UFC welterweight Johny Hendricks on the Team Takedown roster. "We have signed a new fighter - Jake's brother, Jared Rosholt," Ehrhardt said. "He's a three-time All-American, and he finished second in nationals this year."
Watch today's UFC on Versus 2 weigh-ins live on MMAjunkie.com at 7 p.m. ET (7/31/2010 1:30:00 PM)
SAN DIEGO - Official fighter weigh-ins for UFC on Versus 2 take place today, and you can catch a live video stream of the proceedings here on MMAjunkie.com beginning at 7 p.m. ET (4 p.m. PT). Today's festivities take place at the San Diego Sports Arena in California. Prior to the weigh-ins, you can also watch a live stream of the UFC Fight Club Q&A session with Krzysztof Soszynski at 5 p.m. ET. In addition to the video stream, you can get live updates of the weigh-ins in our text-only results post on the MMAjunkie.com homepage.
UFC on Versus 2 live weigh-in results (7/31/2010 1:29:00 PM)
Welcome to MMAjunkie.com's live coverage of today's UFC on Versus 2 weigh-ins. Today's festivities take place at the San Diego Sports Arena in California and feature all 20 competitors from Sunday's Versus-televised card. You can watch a live video stream of today's proceedings (courtesy of the UFC), or stay tuned to this entry for text-only weigh-in results.
"The Sunday Junkie" deadline reminder, win a free Fighters Only subscription! (7/31/2010 1:00:00 PM)
As a reminder, submissions for the upcoming edition of "The Sunday Junkie" are due Sunday at 10 a.m. ET. All topics are open for discussion. The person who sends in the submission we deem the best - based on timeliness of subject, clarity and overall persuasiveness - will be invited onto MMAjunkie.com Radio to discuss the topic. Each winner will also receive a free year's subscription to Fighters Only, the world's leading MMA and lifestyle magazine!
Turning the Corner (7/31/2010 12:59:59 PM)
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- It’s July in New Mexico, a little more than three weeks before Jon Jones tries to continue his meteoric rise to UFC stardom against Vladimir Matyushenko, and the precocious light heavyweight needs to update his phone book. With great talent comes great expectations
Nomura, Ham, Nagano, Hamazaki Advance in Jewels Lightweight GP (7/31/2010 8:30:26 AM)
Filed under: News, JapanSakura Nomura took out promotional poster-girl Saori Ishioka in a one sided grappling clinic to advance in the Jewels Lightweight GP at Shinjuku Face in Tokyo on Saturday. Also moving to the second round of the tournament, Korean kickboxing starlet Seo Hee Ham and newcomer Ayuka Hamazaki turned in dominating performances taking out Mai Ichii and Han Sol Lee respectively and Mika Nagano avenged her shock loss to Celine Haga with a first round armbar after a shaky start.
Jon Jones A Phenom Matures (7/31/2010 8:01:00 AM)
Thomas Gerbasi, UFC - Before he was Bones Jones, NBT (Next Big Thing), Jon Jones was a 21-year old armed with talent, desire, and the dreams of every young fighter in mixed martial arts - to be in the UFC. And despite a spotless 6-0 record, when he set foot inside the Octagon for the first time to face Andre Gusmao at UFC 87 in August of 2008, it was more than just another fight.
The Weekly Wrap: July 24 - July 30 (7/31/2010 6:59:59 AM)
After an uncharacteristically quiet month of July, Zuffa came on strong this week with promotion for the three UFC cards and one WEC card it will hold in the jam-packed month of August.
Jake Shields: I Wasn’t Pressured by UFC to Fight at Welterweight (7/31/2010 5:00:37 AM)
Jake Shields recently said that the UFC didn't pressure him to drop from middleweight, where he held the Strikeforce title, to his natural weight class of 170-pounds for his UFC debut against Martin Kampmann at "UFC 121: Lesnar vs. Velasquez" on October 23 in Anaheim, California: "They called and asked if I wanted (Martin Kampmann) at 70 and I said sure. They didn't give me any pressure; they gave me the option. There's a good chance if I go out there and look really good doing it, it's definitely a possibility (I'll get a title shot)."
UFC on Versus Preview and Predictions (7/31/2010 5:00:25 AM)
Filed under: UFCA slow July for mixed martial arts has finally passed, and now August is finally upon us, a month so jam-packed with MMA action that it will be hard to keep up with it all. First up is UFC Live on Versus 2, a solid fight card on basic cable with Jon Jones taking on Vladimir Matyushenko in the main event. We've got the full preview and predictions below.
UFC on Versus 2 Weigh-In Results: Live Stream at 5pm ET (7/31/2010 3:00:12 AM)
Weigh-ins for tomorrow's "UFC on Versus 2: Vera vs. Jones" event take place today at 5pm ET at the San Diego Sports Arena in San Diego, California and you can watch the weigh-ins live on MMAFrenzy.com by clicking here.
Unscathed By Dunham, Griffin Aims For Gomi (7/31/2010 1:59:47 AM)
Having rushed into things with Evan Dunham, Tyson Griffin has gathered himself for a quick turn to face Japanese veteran Takanori Gomi...
James Toney: The Gloves Are Off, Anything Goes (7/31/2010 1:59:47 AM)
Boxing champing James Toney makes his MMA debut against Randy Couture at UFC 118 and has some choice words for the UFC legend...
Howard Doubts Wrestler Ellenberger Can Keep Him Down (7/31/2010 12:32:52 AM)
Welterweight John "Doomsday" Howard is 4-0 in the Octagon going into Sunday's fight against Jake Ellenberger on the main card of UFC on Versus 2 in San Diego, Calif.,
Bellator: Zuffa lawsuit "a big pile of nothing," company moving forward undistracted (7/30/2010 11:35:00 PM)
While Zuffa, LLC - the parent-company of the Ultimate Fighting Championship and World Extreme Cagefighting - has traditionally been voracious in terms of protecting its product, Thursday night's revelation that the company was suing the Bellator Fighting Championships, as well as influential agent Ken Pavia, came as quite a surprise. Bellator officials were just as taken aback, according to the company's newly hired attorney, Patrick English. "I was asked to represent Bellator yesterday when they heard there had been a lawsuit filed," English told MMAjunkie.com. "Originally, they had no idea what it was about. It was actually Kevin Iole who was kind enough to tell me what it was about."
MC Hammer gets into the MMA business (7/30/2010 11:05:00 PM)
Here comes the Hammer. Stanley Burrell, also known as MC Hammer, announced today that he's getting into the MMA business with Alchemist Management, a new management and "brand-building" firm based out of Los Angeles. "I've been a fan of combat sports for years," MC Hammer stated today in a press release. "MMA is the fastest growing sport in the world and this is a great opportunity for us to launch a full-service management company."
MC Hammer gets into the MMA business with management/branding firm (7/30/2010 11:05:00 PM)
Here comes the Hammer. Stanley Burrell, also known as MC Hammer, announced today that he's getting into the MMA business with Alchemist Management, a new management and "brand-building" firm based out of Los Angeles. "I've been a fan of combat sports for years," MC Hammer stated today in a press release. "MMA is the fastest growing sport in the world and this is a great opportunity for us to launch a full-service management company."
Tim Boetsch vs. Todd Brown official; UFC 117 again complete with 11 bouts (7/30/2010 9:40:16 PM)
With Brazilian slugger Thiago Silva forced to bow out of UFC 117 due to injury, the UFC turned to promotion newcomer Todd Brown to fill the gap. Today, UFC officials made the switch official. As MMAjunkie.com reported earlier this week, Brown now faces Tim Boetsch on the UFC 117 preliminary card.
Ellenbergers Confidence Evident Heading into Howard Bout (7/30/2010 8:01:00 PM)
Thomas Gerbasi, UFC - Here's a for instance - let's say you show up to work as scheduled, the boss pulls you to the side and says you don't have to work today, but here's your check. Go enjoy yourself in the greatest city in the world, which is only 30 minutes away, come back, and then watch some fights on Saturday night. Pretty cool, eh?
Driven by faith, Mark Munoz plans to out-grind Yushin Okami at UFC on Versus 2 (7/30/2010 8:00:00 PM)
It's only been four months since Mark Munoz's gym officially opened, but much like his life, everything has moved so fast. The Lake Forest, Calif.-based Reign Training Center has gone from a room with a mat to a full-fledged hotbed of talent with Munoz (8-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) as a beacon for fighters in need of good wrestling. He's now a successful fighter in the UFC's middleweight division after uprooting his family to Southern California in September 2008 with no idea of where he'd end up.
Fans invited to pre-UFC 117 press conference in San Francisco (7/30/2010 6:55:00 PM)
The Ultimate Fighting Championship is primed to take over Northern California. With the anticipation high for August's "UFC 117: Silva vs. Sonnen" event in Oakland, the UFC is now opening the doors to the card's pre-event press conference, which takes place Thursday, Aug. 5, at the Fisherman's Wharf Hilton Hotel in San Francisco. UFC president Dana White and UFC 117 fighters Anderson Silva, Chael Sonnen, Jon Fitch, Thiago Alves, Matt Hughes, Ricardo Almeida, Roy Nelson and Junior Dos Santos will all be on hand for the conference, which is free and open to the public.
Fans invited to UFC 117 open workouts, autograph session (Updated) (7/30/2010 6:55:00 PM)
The Ultimate Fighting Championship is primed to take over Northern California. With the anticipation high for August's "UFC 117: Silva vs. Sonnen" event in Oakland, the UFC has scheduled several fan-friendly activties surrounding fight week. As MMAjunkie.com previously reported, the open workout sessions on Wednesday, Aug. 4, are free to attend, and the UFC has announced an autograph session prior to Friday's weigh-ins, as well.
Bellator Attorney: Zuffa Lawsuit 'Will End Up Being Not Very Significant' (7/30/2010 6:30:20 PM)
Filed under: UFC, WEC, Bellator, NewsAn attorney for the Bellator Fighting Championships is confident a lawsuit filed against the promotion and MMA agent Ken Pavia by Zuffa LLC will prove to be little cause for concern - ultimately. As first reported by Yahoo! Sports' Kevin Iole on Thursday, Zuffa, parent company of the UFC and WEC, filed a suit against Bellator and Pavia, as well as unnamed co-defendants, in Clark County (Nev.) District Court claiming Pavia gave proprietary documents to Bellator on request from Bellator founder and CEO Bjorn Rebney. The suit alleges Bellator and Pavia were conspiring to essentially steal trade secrets from Zuffa through the exchange of confidential documents in e-mails. Pavia, head of the MMA Agents representation firm, handles dozens of MMA fighters, including many under the Zuffa umbrella. Speaking to MMA Fighting on Friday, Rebney said the promotion's attorney, Patrick English, had instructed him to not discuss the suit publicly. And Pavia, al
Champ Joe Soto vs. Joe Warren official for Bellator 27 in San Antonio (7/30/2010 5:45:00 PM)
Bellator Fighting Championships featherweight champion Joe Soto and season-two tournament winner Joe Warren will clash on Sept. 2. As was first reported by MMAjunkie.com, Soto and Warren meet in the main event of Bellator 27. Bellator officials today announced the matchup for the card, which takes place at the Majestic Theatre in San Antonio, Texas.
Mike Guymon vs. Daniel Roberts targeted for UFC 121 prelims (7/30/2010 5:15:00 PM)
A welterweight match-up between Mike "The Joker" Guymon and Daniel Roberts is targeted for UFC 121. Sources close to the event today confirmed to MMAjunkie.com that verbal agreements are in place with bout agreements expected to be signed shortly. UFC 121 takes place Oct. 23 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., and features a heavyweight title match between current champion Brock Lesnar and challenger Cain Velasquez.
UFC hosts first-ever international fan expo in London in October (7/30/2010 4:25:00 PM)
The UFC will hold its first-ever European-based MMA exposition in conjunction with October's UFC 120 event, the organization today announced. As MMAjunkie.com first reported UFC Fan Expo London 2010 will be held Friday and Saturday, October 15-16, at the Earls Court Exhibition Centre with meet-and-greet sessions with UFC fighters, MMA demonstrations, fan-inspired special events, training and development sessions, and other activities. Featuring a middleweight contest between Michael Bisping and Yoshihiro Akiyama, UFC 120 takes place October 16 at the O2 Arena in London.
Mark Munoz: The Next Gen Of Ground & Pound (7/30/2010 3:29:48 PM)
Like many wrestlers before him, Mark Munoz relies on a wicked ground and pound attack, but he's looking to take it to a whole new level against Yushin Okami...
UFC on Versus 2 Video: Jones vs. Matyushenko, Okami vs. Munoz Pre-Fight Interviews (7/30/2010 3:00:34 PM)
Watch Yushin Okami vs. Mark Munoz pre-fight interview after the jump, and stay tuned to MMAFrenzy.com for complete UFC on Versus 2 coverage, including UFC on Versus 2 results on Sunday.
MMAjunkie.com Radio: Marc Laimon, Joey Oddessa, Percy Crawford, Jorge Lopez (7/30/2010 3:00:00 PM)
MMAjunkie.com Radio today welcomes a plethora of expert analysts to the show to break down this weekend's combat sports action, as well as Wand Fight Team prospect Jorge Lopez. Top trainer Marc Laimon comes in-studio to breakdown UFC on Versus 2, while MMA oddsmaker Joey Oddessa calls in to offer his expert opinion as well. Percy Crawford of FightHype.com also joins us via phone to share his wisdom on the latest in boxing, while Lopez previews his fight at Saturday's MMA Xplosion show in Las Vegas. MMAjunkie.com Radio airs from 12-2 p.m. ET (9-11 a.m. PT) live from the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino's Race & Sports Book. Listen to and watch a video stream of the two-hour show at www.mmajunkie.com/radio.
"The Sunday Junkie" deadline reminder, win a free Fighters Only subscription! (7/30/2010 2:55:00 PM)
As a reminder, submissions for the upcoming edition of "The Sunday Junkie" are due Sunday at 10 a.m. ET. All topics - including this weekend's UFC on Versus 2 event and the busy schedule coming in August - are open for discussion. The person who sends in the submission we deem the best - based on timeliness of subject, clarity and overall persuasiveness - will be invited onto MMAjunkie.com Radio to discuss the topic. Each winner will also receive a free year's subscription to Fighters Only, the world's leading MMA and lifestyle magazine!
MMA Link Parade (7/30/2010 2:30:22 PM)
As another slow Friday afternoon squeezes what's left out of your will to work, enjoy some links to articles by our friends around the internet. - Forrest Griffin ready to begin book tour. (Heavy) - Japanese Shane Carwin looks surprisingly like real Shane Carwin. (Middle Easy) - War Machine speaks from behind cell walls. (Watch Kalib Run) - Dana White previews UFC on Versus 2. (Versus) - Dan Hardy talks Paul Daley and Josh Koscheck. (Fight Magazine) - Impact FC hasn't paid fighters; promoters blame each other. (Cage Potato) - Ben Rothwell out nine months with torn ACL. (Five Ounces of Pain) - If you love 'Inception,' you'll love this Chael Sonnen vs. Anderson Silva promo. (MMA Scraps) - Mark Munoz credits instinct for win over Kendall Grove. (Low Kick) - 'Inside MMA' welcomes Sarah Kaufman, King Mo, and Gene LeBell. (MMA Convert) - MMA arguments that will split up your family. (Ultimate Fighter)
John Howard Plans To Pressure Ellenberger (7/30/2010 1:59:39 PM)
John Howard has faced tough opponents before, and most have crumbled under the pressure. He plans to use the same formula against Jake Ellenberger on Sunday...
Forrest Griffin hits the road in support of "Be Ready When the Sh*t Goes Down" (7/30/2010 1:50:00 PM)
Former UFC light-heavyweight champion, "The Ultimate Fighter" winner and best-selling author Forrest Griffin is at it again. Griffin and publisher William Morrow are set for an August release of "Be Ready When the Sh*t Goes Down: A Survival Guide to the Apocalypse," the follow-up to the fighter's best-selling debut, "Got Fight?" In support of the release, Griffin will soon embark on a nine-day, nine-city book signing tour that includes visits to New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, California and Nevada.
New Training Partners Give Ellenberger A Boost (7/30/2010 12:59:45 PM)
Jake Ellenberger got the rug pulled out from under him his last time out, but he's got the confidence of new training partners behind him as he readies for UFC on Versus 2...
Ben Rothwell undergoes ACL surgery, estimates nine-month recovery (7/30/2010 12:30:00 PM)
UFC heavyweight Ben Rothwell sat at UFC 115's post-fight podium and made no excuses. He had won a unanimous decision over Gilbert Yvel on the June 12 event's pay-per-view card but said it was "not a victory" for the fight's lack of finish. He chose not to disclose that he had torn his ACL on the first takedown of the three-round contest. Rothwell on Tuesday underwent surgery to repair both his ACL and a torn meniscus and hopes to be back in action by February or March of 2011.
Ufc On Versus 2 Weigh-Ins Live At 4 Pm Pt (7/30/2010 12:29:38 PM)
Watch the UFC on Versus 2: Jones vs. Matyushenko weigh-ins streaming LIVE on MMAWeekly.com at 4 p.m PT / 7 p.m. ET, courtesy of UFC.com ...
Roberts Vs. Guymon Added To Ufc 121 (7/30/2010 12:29:38 PM)
An undercard bout has been added to the upcoming UFC 121 show in Anaheim, CA as Daniel "Ninja" Roberts gets back in action against former King of the Cage champion Mike "Joker" Guymon in a welterweight bout on the October 23 card....
Report: Zuffa LLC sues Bellator, Ken Pavia over alleged theft of trade secrets (7/30/2010 12:15:00 PM)
While most MMA pundits wouldn't consider Bellator Fighting Championships and the UFC direct rivals, they soon will be - in court. According to a report by Yahoo! Sports' Kevin Iole, Zuffa, LLC, the parent company of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, has filed suit in a Nevada court against MMA Agents' head Ken Pavia and the Bellator organization. At the center of the concern is alleged theft of "trade secrets and confidential Zuffa documents," which Zuffa contends Pavia passed along to Bellator officials.
Report: Zuffa, LLC sues Bellator, Ken Pavia over alleged theft of trade secrets (7/30/2010 12:15:00 PM)
While most MMA pundits wouldn't consider Bellator Fighting Championships and the UFC direct rivals, they soon will be - in court. According to a report by Yahoo! Sports' Kevin Iole, Zuffa, LLC, the parent company of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, has filed suit in a Nevada court against MMA Agents' head Ken Pavia and the Bellator organization. At the center of the concern is alleged theft of "trade secrets and confidential Zuffa documents," which Zuffa contends Pavia passed along to Bellator officials.
UFC Fan Expo Hits London Oct 15-16 (7/30/2010 12:08:00 PM)
Ever since the first UFC® Fan ExpoTM took place last July, UFC President Dana White has been inundated with questions from European fans when they get their own action-packed weekend of UFC events.
UFC on Versus 2: Jones vs. Matyushenko MMAFrenzy.com Staff Predictions (7/30/2010 12:00:32 PM)
With the UFC finally ending it's nearly month long lull in activity, that means it's time for the MMAFrenzy staff to pretend like we know what we're talking about and make some predictions as to how the fights will go this Sunday at UFC on Versus 2: Jones v. Matyushenko in San Diego, California.
Jon Jones May Not Have Asked for the Hype, But He's Stuck with It (7/30/2010 11:00:30 AM)
A year ago, Jon Jones was what you might call an up-and-comer in the MMA world. He had a couple UFC wins under his belt, mostly on the unaired prelims of pay-per-view cards, and primarily against middle of the pack opponents. He'd only been in the sport for a little over year, and people were just starting to come around to the idea that he was someone worth watching. All that's changed now. After demolishing Matt Hamill (okay, so he lost via disqualification, but we all saw where that fight was headed) and then Brandon Vera, he has since been officially upgraded from up-and-comer to bright prospect. Instead of asking if he might one day fight for a title, fans have started asking when. The hype is growing, and with it, the expectations. Only now that Jones has got the MMA world's attention, he's not entirely certain that he wants it.
Soto Defends Bellator Belt From Warren Sept 2 (7/30/2010 10:59:49 AM)
Bellator Fighting Championships on Friday announced that current featherweight champion Joe Soto will defend his belt for the first time on Sept. 2 against Season 2 tournament winner Joe Warren...
Can't Touch This: Mc Hammer Starts Mma Firm (7/30/2010 10:59:48 AM)
Publicly, he may be most famous for his 1990 hit song “U Can’t Touch This” and for his Hammer Pants. But 48-year-old MC Hammer has launched a new offering, catapulting him onto the mixed martial arts scene...
London Fan Expo Official for UFC 120 in October (7/30/2010 10:30:26 AM)
Filed under: UFC, NewsBased on the success of its first two Fan Expos in the United States and high hopes for its third next month, the UFC on Friday made official a Fan Expo in London for October. The first two UFC Fan Expos were in Las Vegas at the Mandalay Bay Events Center. The first was held in conjunction with UFC 100 in July 2009. A second was held leading up to UFC 114 in May. And prior to UFC 118 in Boston next month, the UFC will hold its first fan event on the East Coast. The London UFC Fan Expo will be Oct. 15-16 in advance of UFC 120: Bisping vs. Akiyama and will take place at Earls Court Exhibition Centre.
Ufc Fan Expo Heads To England (7/30/2010 10:29:44 AM)
The UFC will travel across the Atlantic for UFC 120 in London, and now the promotion will put in their first ever fan expo in England on October 15 and 16 as announced by the UFC on Friday...
Mike Guymon vs. Daniel Roberts In The Works for UFC 121 Prelims (7/30/2010 10:00:40 AM)
A welterweight bout between Mike Guymon and Daniel Roberts is in the works for the preliminary card of "UFC 121: Lesnar vs. Velasquez" on October 23 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. Both Guymon (12-3-1) and Roberts (10-1) dropped their UFC debuts earlier this year before recently earning their first UFC wins.
Second Times the Charm for Vladimir Matyushenko (7/30/2010 8:01:00 AM)
Thomas Gerbasi, UFC - It's been a long time since Vladimir Matyushenko's last UFC headlining gig back in September of 2001 - nearly nine years, 16 fights, and a short layoff ago.
London UFC Fan Expo Announced for October with UFC 120 (7/30/2010 8:00:41 AM)
The UFC today confirmed that it will host its first-ever international UFC Fan Expo on October 15 and 16 at London's Earls Court Exhibition Centre in conjunction with "UFC 120: Bisping vs. Akiyama," which takes place on Oct. 16 at London's O2 Arena.
Meet Tito Ortiz Saturday at Ultimate Blood Drive V in Phoenix (7/30/2010 7:58:00 AM)
Every summer since 2006, former UFC light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz has cleared time from his schedule to visit Phoenix, Arizona, and work with United Blood Services on their annual blood drive, and this Saturday, July 31st, "The Huntington Beach Bad Boy" expects a bigger turnout than ever before for Ultimate Blood Drive V.
Phil Baroni Pours His Heart Out About Recent Injury, Survival in UFC (7/30/2010 7:30:31 AM)
Filed under: UFC, FanHouse Exclusive, NewsPhil Baroni has never been known to hide his emotions, and when MMA Fighting contacted "The New York Bad Ass" to discuss his recent collarbone injury, which forced him to pull out of his UFC 118 fight against John Salter, Baroni provided one of his more heartfelt interviews to date. Like many other fighters in a similar position, Baroni clearly recognizes that he is at a crossroads in his career. But his brutal honesty concerning his current status in the sport and what he needs to survive in the UFC is something you don't often hear from professional fighters. The 13-12 veteran has experienced his fair share of highs and lows, and it seemed he viewed this August fight as the beginning of his final run in the UFC. Unfortunately, a freak injury got in the way, and as he explains in the interview below, the 33-year-old has been forced to take a deep look within himself to see if he still has what it takes to hang with the best middleweights in
James Toney Wanted Brock Lesnar, Turned Down Kimbo Slice Before Getting Randy Couture at UFC 118 (7/30/2010 6:00:06 AM)
James Toney will make his MMA debut against hall of famer Randy Couture at UFC 118 on August 28, but the outspoken boxing champ initially requested a matchup with heavyweight title-holder Brock Lesnar, then turned down a bout with brawler Kimbo Slice before settling on Couture as his first opponent.
Soto-Warren Title Bout Signed for Bellator 27 (7/30/2010 5:57:33 AM)
Bellator Fighting Championships featherweight titleholder Joe Soto will defend his crown against Joe Warren at Bellator 27 on Sept. 2 at the Majestic Theatre in San Antonio.
UFC Roundup: Rich Franklin, Anthony Johnson, Jason MacDonald Expect 2010 Returns (7/30/2010 3:00:04 AM)
A broken arm suffered in his first-round knockout of Chuck Liddell at June's UFC 115 will not require surgery and Rich Franklin could return to UFC action as early as December. Anthony Johnson and Jason MacDonald also hope to return by the end of the year, while Ben Rothwell, Mike Russow, and Duane Ludwig are also recovering.
Paul Kelly Wants A War, Not Trash Talk (7/30/2010 1:59:47 AM)
Paul Kelly isn't getting goaded into a war of words. He just wants a plain old-fashioned war...
Jordan Breen Weekend Chat (1 p.m. ET) (7/30/2010 1:29:03 AM)
Jordan Breen will host his weekly chat at 1 p.m. ET.
Injuries Shuffle Decks at UFC 117, UFC 118 (7/30/2010 1:28:04 AM)
Top light heavyweight prospect Phil Davis will square off with Rodney Wallace in a preliminary matchup at UFC 117 “Silva vs. Sonnen” on Aug. 7
7 Fights Greenlit for WEC 51 (7/30/2010 1:28:03 AM)
International Fight League veteran Chris Horodecki will meet Ed Ratcliff in a preliminary lightweight duel at WEC 51 “Aldo vs. Gamburyan” on Sept. 30
Griffin Wants Gomi Fight to Erase June Defeat (7/30/2010 1:27:03 AM)
Fifty days following a split decision loss to Evan Dunham at UFC 115 on June 12 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, Tyson Griffin will be back on the horse.
Matyushenko Banking on Experience Against Jones (7/30/2010 12:59:59 AM)
Vladimir Matyushenko saw the UFC's logic in matching him against rising star Jon Jones at UFC on Versus 2 this Sunday in San Diego, Calif.
With new training camp, same attitude, Ellenberger ready to shine at UFC on Versus 2 (7/30/2010 12:00:00 AM)
With a career record of 22-5, UFC welterweight Jake Ellenberger was doing just fine the way things were. But in the ultra-competitive world of professional mixed martial arts, if you're not moving forward, you're about to get passed up. With that in mind, Ellenberger took his training camp from his native Nebraska to Orange County, California, and he's looking forward to displaying the results at this weekend's UFC on Versus 2 event.
HDNet Fights Video Vault: Marianna Kheyfets vs. Kim Couture at XFC 11 (7/29/2010 10:25:00 PM)
In our latest installment of HDNet Fights Video Vault, we take a look at a female contest from a recent Xtreme Fighting Championships event. In our fight-of-the-week feature, Marianna "The Crushen Russian" Kheyfets made her professional debut against two-time Strikeforce veteran Kim "Sugar Free" Couture. The fight served as the co-main event of HDNet's July 9 broadcast of "XFC 11: The Next Generation" at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, Fla.
Ufc Files Suit Against Bellator & Fighter Agent (7/29/2010 9:59:47 PM)
Yahoo Sports!'s Kevin Iole reports that Zuffa, the parent company of the UFC, has filed suit against Bellator FC and a leading fighter agent for allegedly stealing trade secrets...
Fight Path: Olympic medalist Randi Miller brings wrestling pedigree to female MMA (7/29/2010 9:05:00 PM)
The difference for Randi Miller came when a roommate put in a University of Iowa wrestling tape. Before that, the daughter of a firefighter and public relations executive didn't feel like she was reaching her potential in female wrestling after starting the sport as a senior at her Texas high school, where the sport was more accepted for girls. Now after securing an Olympic bronze medal and being named the 2008 U.S.A. Wrestling Female Wrestler of the Year, Miller eyes her mixed martial arts debut, and she's not willing to settle for less than a championship belt.
Jacob Volkmann The Doctor is In (7/29/2010 8:01:00 PM)
Thomas Gerbasi, UFC - "You gotta start growing up and taking things serious." The words directed at Jacob Volkmann two years ago didn't come from his wife, his parents, or a close friend, but from the owner of a bank in his hometown of Fergus Falls, Minnesota who apparently believed that being a professional fighter wasn't the right path for a family man who was also a practicing chiropractor.
Wanderlei Silva protégé Vitor Vianna targets big-show contract with MMA Xplosion fight (7/29/2010 7:45:00 PM)
Vitor Vianna hasn't had a mixed-martial-arts in 26 months. But just think about what he has done since: Move from his native Brazil to Las Vegas because Wanderlei Silva was once so impressed with fights he saw years ago he wanted Vianna in his camp. Become a teacher at Silva's gym. And gain a buzz that is one of the most significant for the relatively unknown fighter in Vegas. He just hasn't been fighting, but not all by his choice.
UFC ‘Jones vs. Matyushenko’ Main Card Preview (7/29/2010 7:26:03 PM)
As the MMA masses slowly rock back and forth in anticipation of this Sunday’s UFC on Versus 2: Jones vs. Matyushenko event, it’s time to get back into full-on fight mode.
Impact Fc Promoters Sparring, Not Paying (Updated) (7/29/2010 6:29:52 PM)
Impact FC promoters are busy sparring with each other over financials, while fighters sit on the sidelines waiting to be paid...