MMA Live Recaps UFC 97 and Discusses Chuck Liddell's Pending Retirement

UFC Fight Night Free on Spike TV Tonight!

Figured I might as well do a little MMA promoting. There will be some free UFC fights on Spike TV tonight starting at 8pm. The 2 hour event will be followed by the new season of The Ultimate Fighter. You can also check out UFC President Dana White's video blog from the event HERE.


The Ultimate Fighting® Championship® is proud to announce its first-ever event in Nashville, Tennessee. Music City has never seen hard-hitting action like this as many of the rising stars in the sport of mixed martial arts will be featured in a LIVE nationwide event on Spike TV Wednesday, April 1 at 9:00p.m. ET/PT for UFC® Fight Night™ from the Sommet Center.

Weekend MMA Post

There some interesting stuff going on this weekend. Just a few videos for you.

ESPN'S MMA Live Previews UFC 96, Reviews WEC 39


UFC 96: Jackson vs Jardin Preview


UFC Video Game Preview: Jardin vs Jackson


Pro Picks: Jackson vs Jardine - Sherdog
Performity's Picks for UFC 96 - MMAJunkie

MMA Live Recaps UFC 95 and Previews WEC 39

MMA Live Talks Strikeforce Expansion and Reviews UFC Fight Night 17

A little late with this episode of MMA Live but here you go anyway.

UFC 94: St. Pierre vs Penn II...everything you could possibly want

UFC® lightweight champion BJ Penn looks to be the first fighter in history to hold two UFC® championships at the same time when he faces Georges St-Pierre for the UFC® welterweight championship at UFC® 94: ST-PIERRE VS. PENN 2, live on from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, January 31, 2009.

Live on Pay-Per-View at 7pm PT/10pm ET

ESPN MMA Live UFC 94 Preview


UFC Prime Time - Episode 1 (Part 1)

UFC Prime Time - Episode 1 (Part 2)


UFC Prime Time - Episode 2 (Part 1)

UFC Prime Time - Episode 2 (Part 2)


UFC Prime Time - Episode 3 (Part 1)

UFC Prime Time - Episode 3 (Part 2)


Links:
UFC 94 Official Site
UFC 94 Breakdown: The Main Card - Sherdog.com
Performify's Picks for "UFC 94: St. Pierre vs. Penn II" - MMAJunkie.com
RANDY COUTURE'S TAKE ON UFC 94 GSP VS. PENN 2 - MMAWeekly.com

Dana White's UFC 94 Video Blog

Dana White's UFC 94 Video Blog - 1/25/09
Taped on Sunday, Jan. 25th, from San Diego at the WEC event on Versus


Dana White's UFC 94 Video Blog - 1/27/09
Taped on Monday and Tuesday


Dana White's UFC 94 Video Blog - 1/28/09
Taped on Tuesday from Las Vegas. CNBC Interview, Meeting with Spike regarding UFC Prime Time Episode 3.


Dana White's UFC 94 Video Blog - 1/28/09
Taped on 1/28/09 in Las Vegas


Dana White's UFC 94 Video Blog - Bonus Footage

ESPN's MMA Live Recaps UFC 93, Breaks Down Affliction, Plans for UFC 94

MMA Live recaps UFC 93 and previews Affliction's Day of Reckoning, WEC 38 and UFC 94.

ESPN's MMA Live Episode 35: 2008 Awards

ESPN's MMA Live team talks about the top stories of 2008 along with handing out a series of awards. The team also starts the analysis of UFC 93 in Ireland

ESPN's MMA Live Episode 34 : UFC 92 Recap

Here are the rest of the Dana White video blogs leading up to the UFC 92 event last weekend. Also here's the MMA Live episode recapping all that happened.

ESPN's MMA Live Episode 34


Dana White's Video Blog - 12/25/08


Dana White's Video Blog - 12/26/08


Dana White's Video Blog - 12/27/08



Related Links:
MMA Live & More UFC 92 Stuff
MMA Live Episode 32 & UFC 92
ESPN's MMA Live - Episode 31
ESPN's MMA Live Episode 30: WEC 37 and UFC Fight for the Troops

MMA Live & More UFC 92 Stuff

Another episode of ESPN.com's MMA Live was posted today. Also, UFC President, Dana White, has continued his tradition of keeping a video blog in the days leading up to a UFC fight card. I actually really enjoy Dana White's video blog because you get to see a lot of the backstage stuff of him running the UFC and hanging out with various fighters in a much different atmosphere than the Octagon.

ESPN's MMA Live Episode 33: UFC 92 Preview

ESPN's MMA Live previews Saturday night's UFC 92 featuring Forrest Griffin vs. Rashad Evans, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Frank Mir, and Wanderlei Silva vs. Quinton Jackson.

Dana's UFC Video Blog - 12/22/2008


Dana's UFC Video Blog - 12/23/2008

MMA Live Episode 32 & UFC 92

Big MMA related post today. There's been lots of videos going up the last few days so figured I'd aggregate them all in one post.

ESPN's MMA Live Episode 32
MMA Live recaps 'TUF 8' finale, begins its comprehensive preview of UFC 92 and discusses Bobby Lashley's MMA future.

UFC 92 Video Interview with Rashad Evans


UFC 92 Video Interview with Forrest Griffin


ESPN.com UFC 92 Video Interview with Wanderlei Silva

ESPN.com UFC 92 Video Interview with Quinton "Rampage" Jackson

Frank Mir UFC 92 Interview


Antonio Nogueira UFC 92 Interview


Frank Mir - Preparing to fight

ESPN's MMA Live - Episode 31

The latest episode of ESPN's MMA Live features Miguel Torres, a recap of UFC Fight for the Troops and a preview of Adrenaline MMA 2...


Related Links:
ESPN's MMA Live Episode 30: WEC 37 and UFC Fight for the Troops
MMA Live & Some Guy Getting Body Slammed

ESPN's MMA Live Episode 30: WEC 37 and UFC Fight for the Troops

ESPN's MMA Live takes a look at Wednesday's WEC 37 and previews next Wednesday's UFC Fight for the Troops.

MMA Live & Some Guy Getting Body Slammed

MMA still hasn't really broken through to get any mainstream TV coverage but at least ESPN is catching on and has created a web video series entitled "MMA Live." I've posted one of their videos before and I used to follow their podcasts pretty regularly. It's a good general summary of what's going on in the world of MMA with some good insight from actual fighters like Frank Mir and Kenny Florian.

ESPN's MMA Live discusses Jon Fitch's 24-hour UFC whirlwind, Affliction and Golden Boy's partnership and head-to-head events, the UFC's march on Germany, and more... [via MMA Insider]

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In a somewhat related video, some guy involved in a fight in the crowd at UFC 91 gets body slammed by a cop. Proof once again that just because you wear an Affliction or a TapouT shirt it doesn't mean you actually know how to fight whatsoever.

Lesnar Takes the Title

This past Saturday was UFC 91: Lesnar vs Couture. I posted about it last week, noting Brock Lesnar's amazing physical gifts and his amazing athleticism. Well looks like strength and speed have prevailed over strategy and experience. Brock Lesnar connected with a glancing blow off Randy Couture's temple in the 2nd Round on Saturday and before Couture had a chance to even breathe Lesnar was all over him with, as Joe Rogan said, "hammerfists from hell."


What's possibly more impressive than Lesnar's size and speed is the fact the UFC has proven tough economic times won't affect their business.

After garnering the fourth-largest live gate in company history at "UFC 91: Couture vs. Lesnar," the UFC has shown it can thrive in economic conditions that have forced other promoters out of the industry.

But while EliteXC's recent demise has left an apparent programming void on network television, UFC President Dana White said at Saturday night's post-UFC 91 press conference not to expect the world's largest MMA promotion on CBS any time soon.

"Network deals are what's helping put these other companies out of business," White said. "Just because you get a network deal doesn't mean it's a good deal. When we get a good network deal, we'll be on network television."

When pressed further as to when a good deal might arise, White pointed to the current difficult financial situation in the U.S. as a reason why the process might take some time.

"(We are) not very close (to a network TV deal) now with this market like this," White said. "The economy is bad. I don't know if anybody else in this room feels it as bad as some of the other people in this country we live in, but the economy is really bad right now.

"There's no money out there. Sponsors aren't spending as much money as they used to. They've cut way back. Some sponsors are pulling out of advertising. Some sponsors are going out of business. It's really scary times right now." [MMA Junkie]

Links:
UFC 91 Salaries
UFC 91 Pictures
Lesnar Punch Blindsided Couture
Brock Lesnar: "Inexperience has gotten me this far"

A Little UFC 91 Hype

This Saturday is UFC 91 featuring the main event fight of Randy Couture vs Brock Lesnar. In a nutshell, Randy Couture is probably the most famous and most beloved mixed martial arts fighter of all time. He was the first inductee into the UFC Hall of Fame and has fought the who's who list of MMA legends. Brock Lesnar is a former WWE wrestler who was an NCAA National Champion wrestler in college. After passing up a major contract extension with the WWE he tried to realize his dream of playing pro football (after not having played since high school). He tried out with the Minnesota Vikings and made the practice squad. Apparently during the try out Lesnar showed off his elite level athleticism by running at 4.7 second 40 yard dash and recording a 35 inch vertical jump while weighing in at 295 pounds.

Go behind the scenes as 3-time UFC® Heavyweight Champ Randy "The Natural" Couture and wrestling powerhouse Brock Lesnar prepare for the biggest fight in mixed martial arts history! Can the legend prevail? Or will a new hero rise? [UFC Channel]

Brock Lesnar All Access Part 1

Brock Lesnar All Access Part 2

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Update - Dana White's UFC 91 Video Blog
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We Could All Learn Something from Evan Tanner

While I'm the first to admit that I'm a big fan of all things mixed martial arts I try not to post too many things relating to the sport on this site. I realize most people don't care much about MMA, but I think Evan Tanner was an inspiration to many and had lots to teach the world about being yourself and following your dreams.

Last week when I found out the news that 37 year old former UFC middleweight champion Evan Tanner was found dead, I was shocked. Evan Tanner wasn't the biggest name in the UFC or the best fighter but he was a very interesting and original person that had lots to share with the world.

Many referred to him as a "journeyman" and mmajunkie.com described him this way:

At one point in his life, he led a nomadic existence, bumping from one odd job to another, everything from bouncer to contractor. However, living life to the fullest was a constant. Whether surfing, sailing, four-wheeling or overindulging, Tanner's life rarely moved in slow motion

During his travels Tanner created a blog on his website and later blogged for SpikeTV where he wrote about everything from fighting to life and spirituality. As news of his death spread I began to notice people posting their favorite excerpts from his postings all over the internet. Here are some of those:

And to think, there are still places in the world where man has not been, where he has left no footprints, where the mysteries stand secure, untouched by human eyes. I want to go to these places, the quiet, timeless, ageless places, and sit, letting silence and solitude be my teachers.

It is a shame that in this society we've been taught to judge a man's worth by what he owns instead of who he is. Everything is surface, and so few look beyond it. A man will sell his soul, he will lie, cheat and steal, for money. If he has it, he can buy respect. Wear the right clothes, drive the right car, have the right friends, that's all that matters. Our lives are consumed in a selfish, self absorbed quest for possessions, the latest and the best in a never-ending cycle until the day we die. We forget what it means to be truly human. We forget the things that really matter. We lose the magic of what life should be.

I won't live by rules that make no sense to me.

I will do nothing lightly. When I walk, I will walk heavily. When I fight, I will fight with conviction. When I speak, I will speak strongly. When I feel, I will feel everything. When I love, I will love with everything.

There was a time when I was younger that I didn't know any better than to be a liar, a cheater, and a thief. I have since learned to despise those things. I have had great friendships. I have had great loves. I have been a lover, I have been a son, a brother, and a friend. And I was once a world champion.

Believe in yourself. Believe in your own potential for greatness. Believe that you can change the world. It is something that is within each of us. Believe in the power of one.

MMAWeekly.com Photo Tribute




Take the time to remember and appreciate everything that's truly important in life (family, friends, loved ones). Live your life how you want, not how you think you should. Believe in the power of one.

Weekend Preview - UFC 88

It's that time again all, another UFC event awaits us this Saturday night. The UFC's most recognizable and marketable fighter, Chuck "The Iceman" Liddell will be making his return to The Octagon after being out for months due to a severe hamstring injury. Liddell will be facing rising lightheavyweight contender "Sugar" Rashad Evans this Saturday night at the UFC's first event in Atlanta.


WEIGH IN RESULTS
Main Card Bouts:
-Chuck Liddell (204) vs. Rashad Evans (205)
-Rich Franklin (204.5) vs. Matt Hamill (205)
-Dan Henderson (185) vs. Rousimar Palhares (184.5)
-Nate Marquardt (185) vs. Martin Kampmann (184.5)

Preliminary Bouts:
-Kurt Pellegrino (156) vs. Thiago Tavares (155)
-Mike Patt (205.25) vs. Tim Boetsch (205.25)
-Dong Hyun Kim (170) vs. Matt Brown (170)
-Jason Lambert (185) vs. Jason MacDonald (185)
-Roan Carneiro (170) vs. Ryo Chonan (170)

Cancelled Due to Injury:
-Karo Parisyan vs. Yoshiyuki Yoshida

Fight By Fight Info & Picks: mmaweekly.com, sherdog.com & mmajunkie.com

Live Fight Results can be Found at: mmaweekly.com, sherdog.com & mmajunkie.com
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Since we are on the subject of the UFC, I wanted to post this video from ESPN. It was just announced a few days ago Randy Couture would be returning to the UFC after a year of holding out. Couture will be facing man-gorilla Brock Lesnar for the UFC Heavyweight Title on November 15th. UFC President Dana White says this fight will be the largest in UFC history and will have 1,000,000 pay-per-view buys & with mainstream TV coverage starting this early for the fight it's definitely possible.

Weekend Preview - UFC 87

I swear this weekend preview thing won't solely feature MMA events but its just worked out that there's been two good ones in back to back weekends. Tomorrow night I am definitely looking forward to UFC 87: Seek and Destroy. Here's the event info:

UFC 87: Seek and Destroy
Date: Aug 09, 2008
Location: Minneapolis, Minn.
Venue: Target Center
Broadcast: Pay Per View

MAIN CARD
* Champ Georges St. Pierre vs. Jon Fitch (for welterweight title)
* Brock Lesnar vs. Heath Herring
* Kenny Florian vs. Roger Huerta
* Rob Emerson vs. Manny Gamburyan
* Jason MacDonald vs. Demian Maia

PRELIMINARY CARD
* Luke Cummo vs. Tamdan McCrory
* Dan Evensen vs. Cheick Kongo
* Jon Jones vs. Andre Gusmao
* Steve Bruno vs. Chris Wilson
* Ben Saunders vs. Ryan Thomas

My reasons for being excited for this event are as follows:

*St. Pierre is the future of MMA, the guy has no holes in his game, he out wrestles wrestlers, can strike, and even stepped up his Jiu-Jitsu game by training in Brazil before this fight. He truly is a hybrid fighter and is well rounded in every aspect of MMA.

*Brock Lesnar is a physical specimen. Don't think this guy was only a WWE pro wrestler, he was an NCAA All-American for 4 years at Minnesota and also won the NCAA championship at heavyweight. After walking away from millions offered by the WWE he tried out and made the practice squad for the Minnesota Vikings after not playing football since high school (I recently heard that during his try out, while weighing 295lbs, he ran a 4.7 40yd dash)

*Florian/Huerta has been talked about for "Fight of the Year" and while I don't think it will be as much of a 3 round war as everyone thinks, it should still be a great fight. Huerta is a really tough guy and will stand and trade with no fear but I think Florian's Muay Thai is too sharp for Huerta and he either picks him apart on the feet or puts his BJJ Black Belt to good use and locks in a submission.

*I'm also very interested to see Demian Maia fight. He is one of the most elite grapplers in the world. His Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu credentials are some of the best in the world and I'm very interested to see how he transitions over to MMA. Maia has won the BJJ Mundials and also the 2007 Abu Dhabi Combat Club World Submission Grappling Championship.