Baseball Nation: All Posts by Shaun Al-Shatti

Fallon Fox submits Allanna Jones in round three at CFA 11

2013-05-25T04:10:11Z

Allanna Jones struck the first blow, electing to walk out to Aerosmith's "Dude Looks Like a Lady" prior to her bout against transgender mixed martial artist Fallon Fox at CFA 11. But from there it was Fox's fight to win.

Despite fading late, Fox controlled the action from pillar to post, submitting Jones with a modified north/south choke midway through the final round to pick up her third professional victory at the BankUnited Center in Coral Gables, Florida.

Fox kicked off the opening two frames tenderizing Jones' lead thigh with unchecked kicks and backing her up with straight punches. Jones, however, proved not be an easy mark, successfully defending several takedown attempts while avoiding any significant damage, leaving Fox fatigued and flat-footed.

Fox seemed to grow frustrated early in round three, missing her mark with a series of high kicks and front kicks before finally securing a takedown, working a series of short elbows from guard, then advancing into north/south position. From there it was easy pickings, as Fox trapped Jones left arm and slid a knee across her throat on the right side, coaxing a tapout at 3:36 of the final frame.

"It's just kind of a knee-ride choke that I picked up," Fox said of the finish. "It works pretty well, chokes ‘em out pretty good. That looks pretty good. I like that.

"I noticed she tried to get away from me a lot so it was hard catching up to her, but I did it in the end, so that was pretty awesome."

With the win, Fox extends her unbeaten record to 3-0, all three coming by way of finish. Jones, meanwhile, falls to 2-2.

In the night's main event, former Strikeforce fighter Mike Kyle (20-9-1, 2 NC) made short of Travis Wiuff (68-18, 1 NC), knocking out the former Bellator contender just 21 seconds into the pair's heavyweight contest.

Fighting for the first time since coming out of retirement, Kyle floored Wiuff with a left hook that clipped him behind the head, before finishing the job with a few extra shots. Wiuff remained down on the canvas for several minutes following the knockout, eventually walking away under his own power, while Kyle teed off on referee Troy Waugh for what he perceived to be a late stoppage.

"I'm just thankful to be out here fighting," Kyle said. "It can go either way at anytime, so I just really don't want to hurt anyone, man."

Click here for complete CFA 11 results.

CFA 11 Results: Kyle vs. Wiuff, Fox vs. Jones, More

2013-05-25T00:53:47Z

MMA Fighting has CFA 11 results for the Kyle vs. Wiuff fight card Friday night at the Bank United Center in Coral Gables, Fla.

In the main event, Mike Kyle will square off against Travis Wiuff. In the co-main event, Fallon Fox will face Allanna Jones in a women's featherweight tourney semifinal match.

Check out the CFA 11 results below.

Main card (AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET)
Mike Kyle def. Travis Wiuff via knockout (punches) at 0:21 of round 1
Fallon Fox def. Allanna Jones via submission (modified north/south choke) at 3:36 of round 3
Luis Palomino def. Robert Washington via knockout (punch) at 3:26 of round 1
Sean Soriano def. Elvin Leon Brito via unanimous decision
Alexis Vila def. Czar Sklavos via unanimous decision
Ed Gordon def. Oscar Delgado via submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:32 of round 2

Undercard
Frank Carrillo vs. Ailton Barbosa
Yosdenis Cedeno def. Trent McCown via unanimous decision
Valdir Araujo def. Alik Tseiko via knockout at 3:47 of round 3
Charles Rosa def. Aaron Steadman via submission (triangle choke) at 3:26 of round 1
Jose Caceres def. Kamaru Usman via submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:47 of round 1
Gleidson DeJesus def. Yvon Agneord via split decision
Rico Farrington def. Jake Gombocz via unanimous decision

Morning Report: Dana White defends UFC decision to rescind Pat Healy's bonuses after positive marijuana test

2013-05-24T12:00:05Z

There have been countless positive drug tests for marijuana in MMA since the year began, but none led to as polarizing of an outcome as Pat Healy's failed test at UFC 159. In addition to having his career-altering win over Jim Miller overturned into a no contest, Healy lost at least $130,000 in post-fight UFC bonuses due to his mistake.

The decision to rescind nearly 80-percent of Healy's reported earnings sparked controversy across the MMA community, but at Thursday's UFC 160 pre-fight scrum, UFC President Dana White vehemently defended the way in which the situation was handled.

"There are f--king rules," White said. "Whether it's TRT, didn't get an exemption, whether it's steroids, diuretics, whether it's pain pills, there's things that are banned substances. And whether you like it or not, marijuana is one of them. And somebody said, ‘they took 90-percent of his purse.' We didn't take f--king zero from his purse. We took 100-percent of the bonus that he wasn't eligible for."

An increasingly animated White went on to explain his point.

"It's f--king illegal. You can't do it, it's a banned substance. Should it be? I don't necessary think so. I don't think it's performance [enhancing]," he declared, his voice rising. " [But] it doesn't give a s--t what I think! It doesn't matter! It's a banned substance. Every fighter knows that you go in, and you use marijuana, and you get caught, you're busted. Now the commission's going to come in -- they took that fight away from him -- and he's going to get fined by the commission. He wasn't eligible for that bonus.

"I know nobody likes Bryan Caraway, right?" White continued. "‘Bryan Caraway, they don't like him. Boo, Bryan Caraway.' Bryan Caraway followed the rules. He had a submission that night, and he followed the rules. He absolutely, 100-percent deserves that bonus. What would it say if I gave that kid $130,000 for testing positive for marijuana and the guy who followed the rules doesn't get it?! How does that make sense?"

White followed by pointing out that the UFC is actively working to remove marijuana from the banned substances list, acknowledging that it has become a somewhat antiquated and overblown rule. Nonetheless, at least for the time being, it remains the rule, and fighters are expecting to follow it.

"There definitely a culture everywhere now. I would have to say, and this is just my opinion from where I grew up, more people are smoking weed now than ever in the history of, that I can remember," White said in closing.

"Nothing's fair. Life isn't fair. Smoke a bunch of weed at f--king work. See what happens to you. No matter where you work, I don't care where you work. Alright? Unless you work at a place that's selling weed, you're going to get in big f--king trouble for smoking it."

6 MUST-READ STORIES

Hunt doing just fine. UFC heavyweight contender Mark Hunt explained the meaning of his bleached blonde hair, agreed that he deserves a title shot if he wins over the weekend, and said that despite the many complications securing a visa to travel to America, he's feeling just fine.

Jacare's next move. According to UFC President Dana White, a middleweight bout between former Strikeforce champion Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza and Yushin Okami "will happen." No timetable has been set for the match-up.

Leites is back. Former middleweight title challenger Thales Leites has re-signed with the UFC, according to a report from SporTV. The Brazilian grappling ace racked up a 6-1 record since exiting the UFC in 2009, finishing four of those victories via submission.

Belfort could be next. Fresh off his dazzling victory over Luke Rockhold, the old lion, Vitor Belfort, could very well fight the winner of Anderson Silva vs. Chris Weidman, according to UFC President Dana White. White added that "the location of Belfort's next bout would not be influenced by Belfort's use of testosterone replacement therapy."

UFC 160 referee assignments. Veteran referee Mario Yamasaki will oversee the main event of UFC 160, which features a rematch between UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez vs. Antonio 'Bigfoot' Silva.

Jones update. Asked about a timetable for Jon Jones' return from toe injury, UFC President Dana White revealed: "He says he feels great, the toe's healing good, but the problem is that ligament. That ligament popped. Anytime you tear a ligament, blood flow helps repair the thing and heal, and you don't get a lot of blood flow to the toe. Who knows? This thing could be six weeks, it could be six months. It's a pain in the ass, man. Always some little, crazy thing."

MEDIA STEW

From Pat Healy's penance and the new UFC gloves, to Vitor Belfort's TRT and Bryan Caraway's elbow, Dana White covered the entire MMA gamut in yesterday's 52-minute pre-fight scrum.

Also, for the folks that called White out on the whole 15 pull-ups thing:

Bigfoot's Racetrack Challenge sounds like a Mario Kart 64 track, right? I know I'm not crazy.

Three reasons why 'Bigfoot' doesn't stand a chance: Agree or disagree?

A complete explanation of Judo in 30 seconds. This is awesome.

(HT: Reddit)

YouTube user Bob Clark summed this one up best: "I've never had the urge to click on Urijah's chin until now."

FACE-OFFS

CERRONE vs NOONS!!! twitter.com/danawhite/stat…
— Dana White (@danawhite) May 23, 2013

MAYNARD vs GRANT!!! twitter.com/danawhite/stat…
— Dana White (@danawhite) May 23, 2013

TEIXEIRA vs TE HUNA!!! twitter.com/danawhite/stat…
— Dana White (@danawhite) May 23, 2013

DOS SANTOS vs HUNT!!! twitter.com/danawhite/stat…
— Dana White (@danawhite) May 23, 2013

VELASQUEZ vs SILVA!!! twitter.com/danawhite/stat…
— Dana White (@danawhite) May 23, 2013

HE'S SERIOUS, FOLKS

Not sure if @danawhite washout comment was directed towards myself, but I'm speaking for current fighters so any upside would not be for me
— John Cholish (@JohnCholish) May 23, 2013

Would be nice if the UFC could formulate an actual intelligent response that I think would address fighters concerns
— John Cholish (@JohnCholish) May 23, 2013

E-Mail from Zuffa stating all purses from #UFConFX8 to be paid this past Monday. @arielhelwani twitter.com/JohnCholish/st…
— John Cholish (@JohnCholish) May 23, 2013

. @danawhite I was speaking out in support of how the majority of fighters feel. If you'd like to question my intelligence I'm in Vegas
— John Cholish (@JohnCholish) May 23, 2013

. @danawhite and would happy to sit down and discuss the matter with you.I think it's in the best interest of your fighters
— John Cholish (@JohnCholish) May 23, 2013

To update I just received my fight purse payment of $2,014 from Zuffa. I will be donating 100% of it to charity-Oklahoma Tornado Victims
— John Cholish (@JohnCholish) May 23, 2013

RIPPED AND READY

UFC Boston aug 17 VS Travis Brown -Here we come! instagram.com/p/Zp56-TxQ2k/
— Alistair Overeem (@Alistairovereem) May 23, 2013

WHOA

Some motherfuckers simply deserve a beatdown
— Chatri Sityodtong (@YODCHATRI) May 23, 2013

Don't get me wrong.I don't believe in violence as a way to solve problems.
— Chatri Sityodtong (@YODCHATRI) May 23, 2013

I believe that violence should be the last resort in any situation.In my opinion, communication is the best way to solve any problem.
— Chatri Sityodtong (@YODCHATRI) May 23, 2013

I respect people who flip me the bird and kick me in the balls more than I do people who smile in my face and talk smack behind my back.
— Chatri Sityodtong (@YODCHATRI) May 23, 2013

TWO OF THE GREATS

Yeah mothafuckas, I'm with the 2 goats!!!!!! #ufc #mma #champs #legends #fedor #bones #russia #america… instagram.com/p/ZqquXxJlmy/
— malki kawa (@malkikawa) May 23, 2013

WELCOME TO THE DARK SIDE

I like dogs. Is this how Twitter works?
— Greg Jackson (@GJfightmaster) May 23, 2013

I have many leather-bound books, and my apartment smells of rich mahogany.#forreal
— Greg Jackson (@GJfightmaster) May 23, 2013

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announced yesterday (Thursday, May 23, 2013):

KSW 23: Mariusz Pudzianowski (5-2) vs. Sean McCorkle (16-5)

FANPOST OF THE DAY

Today's Fanpost of the Day comes from mjanecek, who points out that: Bigfoot puts "Original" UFC Belt on Line against Velasquez in Battle over 21 Lineal Titles

When Bigfoot rematches with Velasquez on Saturday night, the current UFC title will not be the only thing on the line. The original UFC title, which was awarded the night Mark Coleman defeated Dan Severn at UFC 12 in 1997 and eventually left with Randy Couture when he went to Japan, will finally be unified with the current UFC strap owned by Cain Velasquez. In lineal terms, the HW title remains the only belt in the UFC that is not owned by the current UFC champion.

To add to the excitement, besides the original UFC belt, there will be 20 other lineal titles on the line! The winner of this fight will rise to 2nd on the Lineal Title Leaderboard (look to bottom of post), just below Ben Henderson and his 25 titles. The winner will also boast an impressive 80% Unification rate of all major MMA Heavyweight titles. The 5 Major titles that remain to be unified after Saturday's contest are:

1. Bellator MMA - Alexander Volkov (or Cole Konrad if he comes out of retirement)

2. M-1 Challenge - Konstantin Gluhov

3. Legacy FC - Derrick Lewis

4. UCMMA - Roy Nelson

5. WEC - Jon Jones (If you allow non-HW bouts, otherwise the title dead ends when Mike Whitehead retired)

Below is a list of all the Heavyweight titles that are at stake Saturday night and how they arrived at their current owners:

1. UFC

History: Coleman → Smith → Couture → Inoue → Kerr → Fujita → Coleman → Big Nog → Fedor → Werdum → Overeem → Bigfoot

Alternate History from UFC 1: Gracie → Sakuraba → Vovchanchyn → Coleman → Big Nog → Fedor → Werdum → Overeem → Bigfoot

2. Pride FC

History: Big Nog → Fedor → Werdum → Overeem → Bigfoot

3. WEC - Super Heavyweight

History: Waterman → Cro Cop → Randleman → Fedor → Werdum → Overeem → Bigfoot

4. Strikeforce

History: Overeem → Bigfoot

5. IFL

History: Big Country → Arlovski → Fedor → Werdum → Overeem → Bigfoot

6. EliteXC

History: Bigfoot → Werdum → Overeem → Bigfoot

7. Dream

History: Overeem → Bigfoot

8. Gladiator Challenge

History: Lambert → Sylvia → Mir → Cruz → Monson → Sylvia → Couture → Lesnar → Velasquez → Dos Santos → Velasquez

9. WAMMA

History: Fedor → Werdum → Overeem → Bigfoot

10. IronHeart Crown

History: Godsey → Hoffman → Buentello → Arlovski → Sylvia → Couture → Lesnar → Valasquez → Dos Santos → Velasquez

11. King of the Cage - Heavyweight

History: Hoffman → Barnett → Cro Cop → Fedor → Werdum → Overeem → Bigfoot

12. King of the Cage - Super Heavyweight

History: Bobish → Ambriz → Barnett → Cro Cop → Fedor → Werdum → Overeem → Bigfoot

13. Cage Warrior

History: Thomas → Foki → Perosh → Monson → Sylvia → Couture → Lesnar → Velasquez → Dos Santos → Velasquez

14. Cage Fury

History: Marrero → Gonzaga → Couture → Lesnar → Valasquez → Dos Santos → Velasquez

15. Cage Rage - British Version

History: Tedoradze → Claas Vieira → Nastula → Barnett → Big Nog → Mir → Lesnar → Velasquez → Dos Santos → Velasquez

16. Pancrase - Super Heavyweight

History: Kosaka → Fedor → Werdum → Overeem → Bigfoot

17. Pancrase - Heavyweight

History: Takahashi → Barnett → Cro Cop → Fedor → Werdum → Overeem → Bigfoot

18. M-1 Challenge - Inaugural Open-weight Tournament

History: Schrijber → Yvel → Schrijber → Avetisyan → Duarte → Schrijber → Schilt → Barnett → Cro Cop → Fedor → Werdum → Overeem → Bigfoot

19. Icon Sport

History: Cabbage → Sylvia → Mir → Cruz → Monson → Sylvia → Couture → Lesnar → Velasquez → Dos Santos → Velasquez

20. TKO

History: Alvarez → Cabbage → Arlovski → Sylvia → Couture → Lesnar → Velasquez → Dos Santos → Velasquez

21. Rings - Open-weight Tournament

History: Tamura → Bitsadze → Tamura → Sobral → Henderson → Silva → Hunt → Barnett → Cro Cop → Gonzaga → Couture → Lesnar → Velasquez → Dos Santos → Velasquez

Important Notes:

In order to keep these titles in their original weight class, only bouts contested at Heavyweight or above have been included.

The original King of Pancrase Open-weight title dead ends at Bas Rutten due to retirement from MMA

The Icon Sport title actually dates back to when the promotion was known as Superbrawl

The Ironheart Crown title is the second iteration. The first dead ends due to a change in weight class

Lineal Title Leaderboard:

1. Benson Henderson (25 titles) 83% Unification

2. Anderson Silva (18 titles) 60% Unification

3. GSP (17 titles) 61% Unification

4. Jon Jones (14 titles) 65% Unification

5. Bigfoot Silva (13 titles) 50% Unification

6. Cain Velasquez (8 titles) 31% Unification

7. Jose Aldo (6 titles) 29% Unification

8. Mighty Mouse (5 titles) 56% Unification

8. Dominick Cruz (5 titles) 26% Unification

8. Johny Hendricks (5 titles) 19% Unification

9. Marlon Moraes (4 titles)

9. Vitor Belfort (4 titles)

9. Akira Corassani (4 titles)

9. Constantinos Philippou (4 titles)

10. Gegard Moussasi (3 titles)

10. Pat Curran (3 titles)

10. Bibiano Fernandes (3 titles)

10. Ricardo Lamas (3 titles)

More after the jump...

Found something you'd like to see in the Morning Report? Just hit me on Twitter @shaunalshatti and we'll include it in Monday's column.

Morning Report: Health complications lead former UFC champ Matt Serra to 'walk away' from MMA

2013-05-23T12:00:03Z

Matt Serra always thought he'd come back, if only for one last adrenaline rush, one last moment of glory. But now, at the age of 38, health complications have caused the owner of the greatest upset in UFC history to call it quits.

"It's hard to say it," Serra told Newsday. "It's like you can't say it, even though it probably is true. I would love to put closure on my career with one last fight at the Garden, but at the same time, if that doesn't happen, I definitely consider myself done. It's hard to say the 'R word.' I might never say the 'R word.'

"I really think I'm walking away. I'm going to be 39, I just had my rib taken out. I'm having my third kid. My schools are doing well. What am I doing, looking for another pay day? It's not really for that. I mean, it doesn't stink, but it's not really for that. Am I still trying to hold on for the glory? Glory is a drug, dude. I'm telling you, that's the problem. It really is. I know why guys can't walk away. I absolutely get it."

The rib Serra is referring to is the first rib on his left side, which doctors removed last month after two blood clots in Serra's arm and another in his lungs nearly killed him, if not for a lucky 2 a.m. hospital visit.

"I got freaked out," said Serra. "You don't catch that [and] after the lung, that stops your heart or your brain. Then you're done. I'm very fortunate to, basically, be here. Sounds kind of morbid. If I didn't catch that -- I was about to go to bed. I'm like, man, something's not feeling right."

Serra must now inject the anticoagulant Lovenox into his stomach every day to curb the damage, and he'll continue doing so for the next three months. The surgery to remove his rib, however, was a bit more gruesome.

"They had to cut me open through my armpit and cut through whatever they had to cut through and get my rib out," said Serra. "It's definitely strange and I'm feeling it in there."

Serra retires with a mixed martial arts record of 17-7. He racked up a 7-7 record in the UFC, culminating in a stunning first-round TKO victory over Georges St-Pierre to seize the UFC welterweight strap, after earning an automatic title shot via TUF 4, The Ultimate Fighter's lone comeback season.

"I know I can be beat by some of these guys, but I know I can still knock some of these guys out and be a threat on the ground," Serra said. "But at the same time, it used to be that the thing that made me happiest was the next fight. Now, I whistle to work going to my schools. I love hanging out with my kids, my family. That's something you never really anticipate or understand it until you have a family.

"An aging fighter?" finished Serra. "You know, it's like an aging stripper, but not as funny. Not a lot of people want to see that."

5 MUST-READ STORIES

Serra walking away. Former UFC welterweight champion Matt Serra told Newsday that health complications have led him to more than likely retire from the sport of mixed martial arts.

Overeem vs. Browne. A heavyweight bout pitting former DREAM/Strikeforce/K-1 champion Alistair Overeem against Travis Browne has been scheduled for UFC on FOX Sports 1 at the TD Garden in Boston, MA on August 17, 2013.

Bellator's British invasion. A trio of English prospects inked long-term promotional agreements with Bellator MMA. UFC veteran Paul Sass, knockout artist Rob Sinclair, and TUF 9 alum Martin Stapleton are all expected to make their promotional debut this fall.

Volkmann out to 'expose' UFC. In an interview with Above and Beyond MMA, former UFC lightweight Jacob Volkmann claimed the UFC treats 95-percent of its fighters poorly, and ripped into the UFC's wage scale and healthcare plan.

Lowe files lawsuit over penis gel. Something pretty terrible happened to former UFC fighter Waylon Lowe. Just read this.

MEDIA STEW

Cain Velasquez may have been the least impressed person in the arena when 'Bigfoot' Silva unleashed the fury.

Power vs. Power. Get excited, folks.

Check out the slickest 11-second jiu-jitsu escape you'll see all day.

Yep, that's Dana White singing ~~"Baby I love you, baby."~~ "Baby, I love your way." Chael Sonnen is a very persuasive man.

Okay, this one surprised me. Just wait for it.

Dang, Dana doesn't hold back.

END OF THE TERROR

Thanks for the get well wishes & complements! The fans have always been great to me just like the @ufc has! Appreciate it!!! All my best!!!
— Matt Serra (@MattSerraUFC) May 22, 2013

HARSH WORDS FOR PATINO

So its been 11 days n I havent heard if Jorge has accept the rematch. So I will continue fighting once he Grow some he knows where 2 find me
— Efrain Escudero (@effyescudero) May 22, 2013

WAIT... REALLY?

Hearing some talk about my fight with Belfort being a fix. No amount of money would make me even consider taking a fall. I got caught I lost
— Luke Rockhold (@LukeRockhold) May 22, 2013

@bradtavares social media is out of hand
— Luke Rockhold (@LukeRockhold) May 23, 2013

HE'S BACK

The enemy has returned. I've signed w/the @ufc & no heavyweight is safe. They're all due a lesson in violence from the Warmaster. #ufc #mma
— Josh Barnett (@JoshLBarnett) May 22, 2013

@migueltorresmma The cage will overflow with blood and gore...which we will use to make a delicious menudo mi amigo.
— Josh Barnett (@JoshLBarnett) May 22, 2013

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announced yesterday (Wednesday, May 22, 2013):

UFC on FOX Sports 1: Alistair Overeem (36-12) vs. Travis Browne (14-1-1)

FANPOST OF THE DAY

Today's Fanpost of the Day sees Florence Romeo return with: Mark Hunt; and, a UFC Dream

"E toa e le loto, a e pa le noo. (Strong in heart, but broken in the back. Of a man whose will is stronger than his body.) - A Samoan proverb

Mark Hunt will fight Junior Dos Santos in a title eliminator at UFC 160 in Las Vegas, Saturday.

Let me repeat, Mark Hunt will vie for a chance at a heavyweight title fight, Saturday.

That's right, the Mark Hunt.

The one who in 2010 boasted a record of five wins and seven losses. The fighter who in September of that same year lost to Sean McCorkle, a veritable no-name, extending his losing streak to six. A man who was one of the only mixed martial artists who was asked by UFC officials to accept a sum of money instead of a contract.

Everyone had all but given up on the "Super Samoan."

But, then came a walk-off knockout win over Chris Tuchscherer at UFC 127 and a unanimous decision victory over Ben Rothwell at UFC 135.

Fans and critics reveled in the flash of Hunt's former striking ability, but largely believed his career was still on the decline.

And, then Hunt knocked out Cheick Kongo.

The MMA community seemed torn between lauding his efforts and scratching their heads. It wasn't so much the finishing punch Hunt delivered to Kongo at UFC 144, it was the manner in which he fought. Hunt appeared to have drastically honed his head and foot movement at the age of 38.

Was there was something left in the former K-1 Grand Prix champion? Or were the MMA gods giving the world one last show?

Those questions seemed to be answered at UFC on Fuel TV 8, when Hunt knocked out Stefan Struve with a left hook in the third round.

The winning streak, now at four, took on mythical qualities.

Fans and critics, alike, begged Dana White and the UFC for him to get a title shot. Videos were made. Articles were published. A hashtag (#rallyformarkhunt) was born.

So here we are, days away from the biggest fight in Hunt's career, and it only seems right for the MMA gods to pull off yet another miracle. Another shock. Another knockout. The MMA community wants it and, above all, Hunt deserves it.

But perhaps Hunt won't conjure the spirits of MMA. Maybe he won't need them. Maybe he can win on his own.

Because, in essence, there is no such thing as MMA gods. There never was.

There is just a man with a dream and an undying will to live it.

Found something you'd like to see in the Morning Report? Just hit me on Twitter @shaunalshatti and we'll include it in tomorrow's column.

Morning Report: Chris Weidman nearly signed with Bellator before last-second contract controversy

2013-05-22T12:00:06Z

Chris Weidman is slated to challenge for Anderson Silva's title at UFC 162. It's a stunning accomplishment for a fighter who picked up the game less than five years ago. But in an alternate universe, one without his uncle's caution, things could've gone quite differently.

According to a new report from the New York Post, Weidman nearly signed a multi-fight contract with fledgling Bellator Fighting Championships back in 2010. Actually, "nearly" is an understatement.

Back then Weidman was just a 26-year-old "broke as a joke" prospect hoping to make enough coin to pay his bills, and Bellator had the best offer. As the story goes, Weidman had the contract in hand, ready to sign, with a dinner reservation for his family at Bryant & Cooper Steakhouse booked to celebrate. It was a happy moment; vindication for a risky decision. But fate works in strange ways.

Weidman's uncle is a lawyer, who at the last second asked to peruse the document one last time, just in case he missed anything. And that's when he saw it.

According to Weidman, Bellator officials promised the contract would be a two-year deal. What Weidman's uncle discovered, however, was a tucked away clause that potentially extended the contract's life to anywhere from three to four years, depending on certain circumstances.

"I felt like I was betrayed by them," Weidman said to the New York Post. ... "They never told me that. It was a little sneaky."

"I was so upset. I was so let down. I was excited to go to Bellator."

You already know how the rest of this story goes. Weidman spurned Bellator's offer, and soon after made his UFC debut as a late replacement for the injured Rafael Natal. Had Weidman put pen to paper, he likely could've found himself stuck in a similar situation as Eddie Alvarez, struggling to break away from Bellator's legal grasp as their middleweight champion.

"Everything happens for a reason," Weidman concluded. "Thank God I took my time and didn't just rush into it."

8 MUST-READ STORIES

Weidman recounts Bellator experience. According to a report from the New York Post, UFC middleweight contender Chris Weidman nearly signed a longterm deal with Bellator in 2010 before a last-second contract dispute sunk the deal.

Barnett signs. After months of contract negotiations, top-10 heavyweight Josh Barnett inked a multi-fight contract with the UFC. USA Today first reported the news.

Mousasi wants Belfort at 185. Gegard Mousasi is currently rehabbing his injured knee, but when he returns, the former Strikeforce light heavyweight champion wants to fight Vitor Belfort or another top-3 contender at middleweight.

Bad to worse for Atchley. A day after WMMA pioneer Tara LaRosa accused Addison Sports Management president Brett Atchley of gross misconduct, the floodgates broke open as a slew of female fighters backed LaRosa's claims.

Bellator bookings. Undefeated Bellator welterweight champion Ben Askren is expected to defend his title against season seven tournament winner Andrey Koreshkov in the main event of Bellator 97. Season eight welterweight tournament finalists Douglas Lima and Ben Saunders are also scheduled to battle on the night's main card.

Hall leaves Tiger Schulmann's. TUF 17 prospect Uriah Hall relocated from Tiger Schulmann's fight gym to Mark Munoz's Reign MMA in Orange County, California.

Barao officially out, Nelson in. UFC interim bantamweight champion Renan Barao officially withdrew from his upcoming title defense against Eddie Wineland at UFC 161 due to torn ligaments in his foot. As such, UFC officials upgraded Dan Henderson vs. Rashad Evans to the main event, plus booked a heavyweight bout between Roy Nelson and Stipe Miocic for the pay-per-view card.

Rosenthal update. The sentencing date of MMA referee Josh Rosenthal has been shifted to July 2, 2013 at 9:00 a.m. in Oakland, California. Rosenthal pled guilty to federal drug trafficking charges in January after agents discovered over 1300 marijuana plants valued at $6 million during a raid of a facility co-owned by Rosenthal.

MEDIA STEW

Choking out your girlfriend one second, proposing to her the next. Welcome to the romantic side of MMA.

(HT: BigLeadSports)

Three quick takeaways from Dana's latest vlog: 1.) I don't know why, but Chael's little somersault at 5:10 surprised the hell out of me, 2.) Dana and Joe Silva's collective 'just saw a car crash' expression as they first noticed Jones' toe is classic, and, 3.) Michael Bisping, man of the people: "Let's get the f--k out of here, I'm getting f--king drunk."

The latest from Metamoris 2:

Props to New York Ric, who couldn't be more excited for Metamoris 2 if he tried.

Even with a handful of title defenses under his belt, Benson Henderson can't escape the Showtime Kick.

You just knew the Gracie brothers wouldn't be able to stay away from Jacare's slick UFC debut.

Fightland's latest profile subject: Ottavia Bourdain, wife of the Travel Channel's Anthony Bourdain.

THREE DAYS LATER

To all my fans and to all the reporters that was there on the after press conference I would like to ask for... twitpl.us/t/SOU
— Vitor Belfort (@vitorbelfort) May 21, 2013

WATER UNDER THE BRIDGE

Credit where credit due. Just saw victors ko of Rockhold. Great kick.
— michael (@bisping) May 21, 2013

BUMMER

The injury 2 Barao caused the @ufc 2 make sum changes 2 #UFC161 & has left me w/o an opponent. Sorry #HulkGladiators! I will be back soon!
— Soa The Hulk Palelei (@soathehulk) May 22, 2013

JUST CAN'T SHAKE IT

RT @101ydkor: @showtimepettis uhhhhhhh ohhhhhhhhhh twitter.com/101YdKOR/statu…
— We Are TEAM PETTIS® (@WeLoveA_Pettis) May 21, 2013

Mwahahaha, love being a video game character, never imagined I would be...gotta take the good w/the bad n the bad w/the good...#Motivation
— Benson Henderson (@BensonHenderson) May 21, 2013

WELL...

@mmathefilter washouts are never happy
— Dana White (@danawhite) May 21, 2013

WINNER

My 5 year old tells me he was late for work today And his boss got angry with Him, I said what's ur bosses name? Reply, Mr. Corndogs haha
— Edward Alvarez (@Ealvarezfight) May 21, 2013

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announced yesterday (Tuesday, May 21, 2013):

UFC 161: Renan Barao (30-1) out with injury opposite Eddie Wineland (20-8-1)
UFC 161: Rashad Evans (17-3-1) vs. Dan Henderson (29-9) upgraded to three-round main event
UFC 161: Stipe Miocic (9-1) vs. Soa Palelei (18-3) cancelled
UFC 161: Roy Nelson (19-7) vs. Stipe Miocic (9-1) booked for main card
Bellator 97: Ben Askren (11-0) vs. Andrey Koreshkov (13-0) booked for main event
Bellator 97: Douglas Lima (24-5) vs. Ben Saunders (16-5-2)
Bellator 97: Patricio "Pitbull" Freire (17-2) vs. Rob Emerson (12-10)

FANPOST OF THE DAY

Today's Fanpost of the Day is a cynical look at the future from devin.wilbourn: Why MMA will one day be boring...

As I've watched MMA over the years I've often wondered where this is all headed. What I mean is that as people get better and better at fighting eventually everyone who competes in MMA (at the pro level anyway) will be high caliber athletes, have a strong foundation in the basics (striking, jujitsu, wrestling etc...), and since we have weight classes will all be similar in weight, especially as fighters become more intelligent about weight cutting. The truth of the matter is I think MMA today is as good as it's ever going to get because the disparities in skill, athleticism and size are what really make fights interesting.

Now I'm sure you may feel compelled to argue that styles make match ups and there will always be styles but I'm not so sure. I would propose that styles just make up the current MMA landscape and culture. Styles however don't win fights, just when you're matched against someone who has a style that is susceptible to yours. What wins fights consistently however is athleticism, discipline, mastery of the game (point fighting included) and game planning. In the short term people will try to emulate fighters like Anderson Silva because he's fun to watch and exciting, but in the long term they will emulate fighters like GSP and Benson Henderson because they aren't fighting with a style, but a quantifiable combination of MMA mastery, peak athleticism, and solid game planning that can be observed and replicated. Bottom line, fighters will eventually care less about fight culture, and more about winning like any other professional athlete, and that will lead them to do what it takes to win consistently, which means mitigating risk, which ultimately means a less exciting fight.

Today however, we are in the unique place in a sport where people are skilled enough to enjoy watching, but there's still enough disparity to make it interesting. We see it with fight's like Anderson Silva and Chris Leban, whereas fights like say Michael Bisping and Alan Belcher are probably more indicative of how most fights will be in the future. Someone only carrying a slight edge over his opponent as both fighters have the tools and athleticism to nullify their opponents attacks, but won't be foolish enough to risk their position. I see it as similar to olympic sprinting, there comes a point where other than a freak athlete like Usain Bolt, everyone is on a fairly level playing field so the race is always very tight. While this is fine in racing, unfortunately fighting just ends up being like nascar, 3 rounds of circling with everyone watching in hopes that someone makes a mistake. I hope I'm wrong about this, I hope there are always freak athletes, and the game has enough possibilities to constantly be evolving and interesting, but I fear this just isn't possible.

I don't think we'll see this evolution for a few more years as the sport is still young, but if you find yourself complaining about the Anderson Silva's and Jon Jones' of the world and long for more title changes, you should bear in mind that the Benson Hendersons and GSP's are the future of the sport because not everyone can be a freak athlete like Jones or a tactical artist like silva. Those fighters are going to be few and far between, and even the ones that do rise will not have the dominance of Silva and Jones because their competition will be GSP's and Benson Henderson's. So enjoy MMA now, at least professional MMA anyway because a day is coming that you will have to have a more refined palate to appreciate the skill on display, much like you do now to enjoy a GSP fight. Yes you'll be able to see the brash unfettered MMA of old in regional circuits, but with it will come a total lack of anything spectacular and a whole lot of two guys who clearly don't know what they're doing. So I say again, enjoy it now, because the next 5 years will probably be the best it will ever be.

Found something you'd like to see in the Morning Report? Just hit me on Twitter @shaunalshatti and we'll include it in tomorrow's column.

Roy Nelson vs. Stipe Miocic added to UFC 161 main card

2013-05-22T11:30:01Z

A short notice heavyweight bout pitting Roy Nelson (19-7) against Stipe Miocic (9-1) has been added to the main card of UFC 161.

MMA Junkie first reported the booking, which was later confirmed by UFC officials.

UFC 161's main card was left one bout short after UFC interim bantamweight champion Renan Barao withdrew from a scheduled title defense against Eddie Wineland due to a torn ligament in his right foot on Tuesday. Wineland's status on the card remains undetermined at the time of this writing.

Miocic was initially slated to fight returning heavyweight Soa Palelei (18-3) on the night's preliminary card. Left without an opponent, Palelei will now serve as a backup opponent in case any of the card's four heavyweight suffer an additional injury.

Nelson returns to action just weeks after knocking out Cheick Kongo at UFC 159. The performance earned Nelson yet another ‘Knockout of the Night' bonus and extended his streak of first-round knockouts to three straight.

UFC 161 takes place June 15, 2013 at the MTS Centre in Winnipeg, Canada.

Gegard Mousasi leaning heavily towards middleweight, wants Vitor Belfort or other top contender

2013-05-21T21:07:08Z

Gegard Mousasi is currently rehabbing his injured knee, but when he returns, the former Strikeforce light heavyweight champion may very well be fighting in a brand new division.

"There's a big chance that I will go to middleweight," Mousasi revealed to MMAFighting.com "It all depends on the fights that I'm going to get. If I'm going to get a big name at middleweight, I'll probably go down.

"It's all about matchups. Let's say they're going to give me somebody like Vitor Belfort that's maybe a contender. That's the kind of fight I want."

Mousasi fought much of his early career in Japan at middleweight, and easily tipped the scales at 204 pounds without cutting weight for his UFC debut.

In the past, the 27-year-old believed dropping back down would've been a dicey proposition, but after considering the way he's recently trained and the ease with which he's lost weight, he's now confident it won't be a problem.

"To be honest, I believe middleweight will be much better for me," Mousasi said. "I will give my opponent less advantages. But at the end of the day it's all about skills. That doesn't mean that size advantages always win, but like I've said, in the highest level, you don't want to give the slightest edge to your opponent. Everyone is skilled, everyone has abilities. So that's why I think middleweight will be much more suitable to my body frame.

"It's all about the opportunity," he continued. "I really want to go for this belt. I believe that style-wise, matchup-wise, I matchup much better against Anderson Silva than Jon Jones, but it doesn't mean that I'm scared to fight at 205. Jon Jones is skilled and so is Anderson Silva, but at the highest levels, when you're competing against the top levels, you don't want to give anybody an advantage. So I don't want to give a weight and size difference advantage also. That's why I said middleweight."

Mousasi is currently ahead of schedule in his recovery from injury and is targeting a late-2013 comeback to the Octagon. When he returns, the Dutch-Armenian fighter hopes to immediately make up for lost time.

"My focus is to get to the belt as soon as possible," said Mousasi. "I‘ve done the route of [waiting]. I don't have those things that other fighters complain about, jetlag and days off. I don't have those issues. I never have. So I'm just looking for big fights.

"The fight I had last (Ilir Latifi), the guy wasn't known, he wasn't ranked. It doesn't mean anything. But I have a history. I only haven't fought in UFC, but I have a history. People come and get immediate title shots. I don't think that's going to be the case for me, but I've beaten champions, ex-champions. So it's all about one, maybe two big names and then I hope to get a title shot."

Mousasi emphasized that his decision is not yet final and will be reliant on whichever division offers him the quickest road to the top. If UFC matchmakers prefer him to fight at light heavyweight, he'll be more than willing to do so, but only against a top-3 opponent, and preferably against Alexander Gustafsson since the two never got the chance to meet at UFC on FUEL 9.

Nonetheless, middleweight is Mousasi's preference at this juncture.

Aside from Belfort, Mousasi also mentioned Yushin Okami as a possible opponent, repeating that he'll cut down to fight anybody residing in the top-3 of the UFC middleweight rankings.

In Mousasi's perfect world, victories over one or two top contenders at 185 pounds would ultimately lead to UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva. That matchup, Mousasi believes, is a more suitable bout than one against the much taller, longer and heavier Jones.

"I think size-wise, the difference wouldn't be much. Also matchup-wise, I think Anderson is more of a striker," Mousasi said in closing. "Jon Jones is more of a takedowns guy. So I think matchup-wise and also size-wise [it makes more sense]. But I don't have any problem fighting Jon Jones either. So before people make something else out of it and say, ‘Ah, he's already losing' -- I'm confident. I'm a fighter. If I don't have any confidence I can win a fight, then I shouldn't be fighting. So it's not about that. It's just being smart.

"I fought Mark Hunt, you know? I fought K-1 at heavyweight. My last fights, Mike Kyle was much bigger. The guy that I fought, Latifi, he cut 20, 22 pounds before that. He was also much heavier. Size doesn't mean a lot. But like I said, on the highest level guys are much better, so you don't want to give any advantage. That's what I'm saying."

Morning Report: Jon Jones eyeing two more fights in 2013; Tara LaRosa accuses MMA manager of crooked practices

2013-05-21T12:00:07Z

Just as one fight week ends, another begins. Yes folks, the blistering summer schedule has finally kicked off, and as such, we have another loaded docket of mixed martial arts goodness on tap today. So without further ado, let's get to some headlines.

6 MUST-READ STORIES

Jones wants back in. According to manager Malki Kawa, UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones is actively eyeing two additional fights in 2013. "That's very aggressive and I know that's crazy, but it's something that he discussed with me and we talked about it," Kawa said to Bleacher Report. "I told Superman to relax a little bit, you're injured right now, but he's got an aggressive timeline in his head. Certain goals and accomplishments that he wants and we're looking to get that record. The truth and the fact of the matter is before we can talk any superfight or any move in weight class or anything to that effect, Jon Jones wants to win his next fight at light heavyweight, he wants to break that record, he wants to own that record solely. He wants to be considered the greatest light heavyweight of all time at this point."

LaRosa accuses Atchley. A day after Invicta FC CEO Shannon Knapp issued a statement on Facebook warning fighters of an unspecified manager making false claims in her name, Women's MMA pioneer Tara LaRosa alleged the figure in question to be Addison Sports Management's Brett Atchley, who LaRosa claims tried to have her blackballed from Invicta FC and "physically accosted" her at an Invicta event and a Seattle airport.

The MMA Hour. Ariel Helwani and The MMA Hour are back in your life with another star-studded episode, featuring Rory MacDonald, Gray Maynard, Stephen Thompson, John Cholish, MMA manager Mike Kogan, and boxer-turned-martial artist Holly Holm.

Caraway responds. In response to allegations of elbowing Cat Zingano at TUF 17 Finale's weigh-ins, UFC bantamweight Bryan Caraway released the following statement on Facebook: "This is a joke and a feeble attempt to jump on the band wagon and get a little publicity. It's sad that someone would stoop so low. I know if someone elbowed Miesha I would say something about it right then not when conveniently there's a ton of media involved. Total Lies and BS."

Diaz unapologetic. In the day's least surprising news, UFC lightweight Nate Diaz isn't remorseful for the gay slur he included in his controversial tweet towards Bryan Caraway last week, according to manager Mike Kogan.

Riddle enters tourney. Former UFC welterweight Matt Riddle is expected to join the eight-man field of Bellator's season nine welterweight tournament. "This division is just so stacked, and being able to fight in a tournament makes it even better," Riddle said in a statement. "Bellator is doing a lot of great things right now, and I want to be a part of it."

MEDIA STEW

NickTheFace just crushed it.

"No. No, not at all. I'm actually at a disadvantage. Before the surgery, I started on hormone replacement therapy back in 2002 or 2003. ... If I don't take estrogen hormone replacement therapy, I can get osteoporosis. So any other women that I'm actually competing against, my testosterone levels are drastically lower than theirs. It's almost nothing." -- Fallon Fox, answering whether she has an advantage over her competitors.

The UFC just uploaded the entire Mark Hunt vs. Stefan Struve fight from UFC on FUEL 8. Even if you don't watch it all, I know you're going to skip ahead to 12:00 for the brutal third round.

Here we go, folks. 12 finishes from the regional scene -- you vote for the best one.

There's something unsettling about a supremely calm, ice cold Icelander silently pounding away on a heavy bag in what totally looks to be an industrial warehouse.

SHOTS FIRED

I thought he would just fade away, that's why I didn't make a deal about it before, but Brett Atchley continues to terrorize other fighters.
— Tara LaRosa (@TaraLaRosa) May 20, 2013

Brett Atchley just called my manager Monte Cox and told him to get me under control, or he was going to sue me.
— Tara LaRosa (@TaraLaRosa) May 20, 2013

@thecyrildotcom Monte told him it's probably not a real good idea to mess with me, because I never let things go. :-)
— Tara LaRosa (@TaraLaRosa) May 20, 2013

SOMETHIN'S A BREWIN'

Looks like I will most likely be doing a seminar after my @bellatormma bout in the Dallas/Ft Worth area at @genesisjiujitsu Stay tuned =)
— War Machine (@WarMachine170) May 20, 2013

@zoo_n_thegang @bellatormma @riddletuf7 is he even in Bellator? I don't much like his face.
— War Machine (@WarMachine170) May 20, 2013

"@warmachine170@bellatormma @riddletuf7 is he even in Bellator? I don't much like his face."First Round please :)
— matthew riddle (@riddletuf7) May 20, 2013

TOTAL NOOB

Hand is still bleeding a day after the doc cut it trying to get my hand wraps off!! Damn noob!! twitter.com/NikLentz/statu…
— Nik Lentz Ufc mma (@NikLentz) May 19, 2013

CLASSY

#urstillasorryassbitch
— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) May 18, 2013

EVEN CLASSIER

Doing my part. #SaveOlympicWrestling twitter.com/JoeJitsu/statu…
— Joseph Benavidez (@JoeJitsu) May 20, 2013

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announced yesterday (Monday, May 20, 2013):

FANPOST OF THE DAY

Today's Fanpost of the Day comes to us from Florence Romeo, who writes: Vitor Belfort; and, the Start of the TRT Era

"You never had control, that's the illusion! I was overwhelmed by the power of this place. But I made a mistake, too, I didn't have enough respect for that power and it's out now." - Dr. Ellie Sattler (Jurassic Park)

The day was May 18, 2013. The event: UFC on FX 8. The place: Jaragua Do Sol, Brazil.

Vitor Belfort, a self-proclaimed "young dinosaur," stood in the middle of the octagon. His opponent, Luke Rockhold, laid unconscious on the mat. Thousands cheered in the stadium, while millions watched in awe by television.

And, whether they knew it or not, they had just witnessed history.

Because with a single kick, Belfort had changed the landscape of mixed martial arts.

Forever.

Few lauded Belfort's efforts, claiming hard training and evolution. However, most, within seconds of the knockout, publicly reviled the effects of Testosterone Replacement Therapy. Do fighters gain a significant advantage with TRT? Is TRT a loophole? Is TRT the same as steroids? Have we officially entered the TRT Era?

And, if we have, can we survive it?

Because, if we have learned anything from sports such as baseball, cheating is not only detrimental but nearly fatal. Sure, the sport will continue. Sure, fighters will win and lose. But, not a single knockout, submission, or win will ever be viewed the same.

Today, we have to decide as fans what, and how much of what we'll be able to endure. How far will we suspend our imagination for entertainment? When is enough, enough?

Because, "the power is out now," and we are the only ones who can control it.

Found something you'd like to see in the Morning Report? Just hit me on Twitter @shaunalshatti and we'll include it in tomorrow's column.