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

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"