MMA Addict

Dana White Says "It's Time To Bring Fedor In"

noreply@blogger.com (Dan Ponjican) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:25:00 PST

We say bring it Dana! Make it happen already!

"The guy just got his face smashed in by Brett Rogers. Do you know what Brock or [UFC heavyweights] Frank Mir and Cain Velasquez would do to Brett Rogers? It's time to bring this guy [Fedor] in, to see Brock Lesnar smash his head." -UFC President Dana White

Fight Camp 360: Fedor vs. Rogers

noreply@blogger.com (Dan Ponjican) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:45:48 PST

TUF11 Tryouts Video

noreply@blogger.com (Dan Ponjican) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 10:05:44 PDT

Attention Dana White and TUF production team! This video is more entertaining than the actual seasons of TUF (at least for the past few seasons). Let us in on this part of the screening for the actual TUF production. Learn from other popular TV reality shows like "So You Think You Can Dance" and "American Idol". They both start seasons out with the screening process. This is where fighters are HUNGRY. Hungry fighters make for exciting MMA TV!

As it stands now, once fighters make it to the TUF season, they feel like they already have arrived and lose their drive and hunger. They are already on TV... why should they work anymore?

Dana White UFC 104 Video Blog - Oct. 22th

noreply@blogger.com (Dan Ponjican) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:39:04 PDT

Dana White UFC 104 Video Blog - Oct. 19th

noreply@blogger.com (Dan Ponjican) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 08:15:41 PDT

Back by popular demand!

Rampage Jackson DONE with MMA/UFC

noreply@blogger.com (Dan Ponjican) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 07:47:24 PDT

In a report posted on MMAWeekly.com, Quinton rampage Jackson is quoted as saying, "I’m done fighting...". Apparently this movie was a big deal for him because he took it personal when Dana White gave him the usual "pep talk" for leaving the UFC high and dry after a promised fight against Rashad Evans. They were supposed to fight after the latest Ultimate Fighter season wraps up.

Blog Post on Quinton "Rampage" Jackson's Own Blog

The UFC has done a lot for me but I think I have done more for them. The UFC bought WFA to get my contract & they saved my life, so I felt loyal to them. They pushed me into a fight with Chuck Liddel even when I clearly stated I wasn't ready to fight for the belt because the American fans didn't know me but I took the fight and didn't complain & after I won the American fans booed me for the first time which changed the way I saw them & it hurt me deeply.

Then before I can even get out of the cage they announced that I was fighting Dan Henderson without even asking me. After I beat Dan Henderson, I made history in becoming the first undisputed champion in MMA but was never even given the pride belt in the cage & I was never promoted as the undisputed champ. Later Anderson Silva was.

Then they had me coach TUF season 7 and fight Forrest and the fight was very controversial & normally when a fight is that close & controversial there is normally an instant replay. I can name a couple of instances. Instead they offered me the Vanderlei Silva fight which I gladly accepted even though I know it was a very risky fight for me to take because of all the drama that was happening to me at the time. I fought that fight with a jaw injury and then a couple weeks later Dana called me and asked me to fight Rashad. For the first time I said no, I didn't want to fight because it was such short notice & I wouldn't have had a long break between camp. Dana talked me into fighting Rashad anyway but Rashad refused the fight and so I had to fight Jardine as a favor to the UFC instead of getting my belt back (which wasn't even worth it to me financially).

Then I reinjured my jaw in the fight with Vanderlei & Jardine. Frank Mir gets hurt so they wanted to switch my fight from UFC 100 to the fight Frank couldn't make it to but I couldn't fight cause I needed jaw surgury. So they give Machida the fight against Rashad & they told me they want me to coach TUF season 10 against Rashad. That's why I wanted Rashad to win so bad but when Rashad got knocked out I told them I wanted to fight Machida for the belt but Dana told me if I coach TUF against Rashad that I could fight Machida afterwards cause this was a different type of ultimate fighter show they were doing. After I signed the contract Dana then changes his mind & says I have to fight Rashad & even told me what to say in the press & so my fans think I was scared to fight Machida. After all that I still never complained & I did it all.

Then this movie role came about that I have been trying to get for over a year & as soon as I found out I was close to getting it, I called Dana right away & asked to push the Memphis fight back just a month or so. I told him what this movie role meant to me. I told him that I used to bond with my father watching the tv show as a kid when my parents where still married & it represents the memories I had with my father when we lived together. My dad became an alcohalic & addicted to drugs & we grew apart. But after my dad got his life back together, I was so proud of my dad & I told him I would always take care of him in the future & make him proud of me. My dad & I are still very big fans of the show & I am basically doing this for the childhood memories I had spending time in front of the tv with my dad. Dana went on the internet & mocked me because of that & I still did nothing. Dana & I finally talked & we made up & then after that he went back on the internet & said some bullshit & he was talking bad about the movie when information is not even supposed to be released & talking about payments which is not even true could really hurt my future acting career, which could very well last longer than my fighting career. I'm not like Randy Couture. My body has been getting so many different injuries that I wont be able to fight until my forties & neither do I want to fight that long. So I feel like my second career could be in jeopardy.. so I'm done fighting. I've been getting negative reviews from the dumb ass fans that don't pay my bills or put my kids though college. So I'm hanging it up. I'm gonna miss all my loyal fans but hopefully they'll follow me to my new career & I will gain more loyal fans along the way. & all you hater fans out there can kiss my big black hairy ass! & anybody that don't like what I just said can come try to kick my ass!

I still feel the UFC is a great organization and I felt like I was very loyal to them but they didn't respect my loyalty but I wish the UFC the best. I did a lot of things for them. I wish no bad blood between us but I have kids & a family back in Memphis to provide for & thats all that matters to me!

Cro Cop Retires

noreply@blogger.com (Dan Ponjican) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 05:56:18 PDT

Mirko Cro Cop is hanging them up after a one sided fight against Dos Santos Saturday night.

Read the full article on thesun.co.uk.

The mixed martial arts legend — once regarded as the most feared striker on the planet — called time on his career after admitting he no longer has the desire to continue fighting.

UFC president Dana White suggested the 35-year-old Croatian should consider quitting after he verbally submitted to the dominant Dos Santos in the third round of their heavyweight encounter.

And Cro Cop has now admitted Saturday was his final professional MMA bout. He said: "Maybe the ones who have said that I'm done are right.

"Obviously, I can't break my mental block in the Octagon. I have twenty years of training like a spartan behind me. It has caught up with me, my body is broken down. I've been worn out."

Filipovic's career highlight was his 2006 Pride Open Weight Grand Prix triumph which saw him defeat Hidehiko Yoshida, Wanderlei Silva and Josh Barnett before clinching the title.

But since joining the UFC after Pride's collapse in 2007, Cro Cop's performances inside the Octagon have been feeble.

Back-to-back losses against Gabriel Gonzaga and Cheick Kongo saw his first stint in the organisation end abruptly.

He moved to Japan's DREAM outfit and scored victories over Tatsuya Mizuno and Hong Man Choi before returning to the Octagon at UFC 99 with a win over Britain's Mostapha Al-Turk.

But those successes were against opponents generally perceived as being far weaker than Cro Cop.

And that was underlined against Dos Santos on Saturday, with the Croat looking nervous and tentative, allowing the young Brazilian to take control of the fight and ultimately end his career.

Filipovic added: "That was not the kind of performance the public pay for. I don't feel the hunger anymore.

"I have started playing it safe, I'm not prepared to take risks. [Dos Santos] is younger, more hungry, more aggressive. He wanted to win a lot more."

"Protect Your Caterpillar From Kimbo Slice"

noreply@blogger.com (Dan Ponjican) — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 13:37:06 PDT

UFC Widow Pin

noreply@blogger.com (Dan Ponjican) — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 13:25:59 PDT

Perfect gift for your girl for those late nights when you are out with the guys watching UFC!

http://www.zazzle.com/ufc_fight_night_widow_pin_square_button-145196973044206094

Ultimate Fighter Season 10 Preview

noreply@blogger.com (Dan Ponjican) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 05:52:49 PDT

I think I can say with a degree of confidence that this season of the Ultimate Fighter (Season 10) is going to be at least as exciting as the first season which I thought was the best.

Meet The Heavyweights

Shane Carwin talks Brock Lesnar

noreply@blogger.com (Dan Ponjican) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 12:40:40 PDT

Dana White vs. Fedor and M1

noreply@blogger.com (Dan Ponjican) — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 06:18:05 PDT

I think this GIF sums it up pretty well actually.

It seems to me that most people looking at the Fedor/M1 vs. UFC situation are looking at it from a "Western Culture" perspective rather than the "Eastern" viewpoint. We are motivated by money here in the great USA. But this isn't necessarily true in Russia. While money is important in the eastern block it is more a means to an end and the end is power.

Trust me when I say, Vadim and probably even Fedor or milking this and thoroughly enjoying having most of the MMA world focus on them in the spotlight and seemingly control the immediate future of the sport.

My prediction: They will stay in this position of power as long as they can to preserve their position of perceived power. Once the hype starts dying down, they'll probably take the deal that again, gives them the most power, and not necessarily the most money.

Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker talks Fedor Emelianenko, Affliction merger and selling out Brett Rogers (Video)

noreply@blogger.com (Dan Ponjican) — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 07:09:39 PDT

Kimbo Slice talks about joining the UFC and TUF 10

noreply@blogger.com (Dan Ponjican) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 12:56:55 PDT

Dana White Video Blog: UFC 100

noreply@blogger.com (Dan Ponjican) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 12:57:28 PDT

Dana calling out Japanese fight promoters in his UFC 100 video blog.

TUF 10: The Heavyweights Video Preview

noreply@blogger.com (Dan Ponjican) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 06:05:22 PDT

Here is a promo of the upcoming Ultimate Fighter season 10 featuring Kimbo Slice and 16 other Heavyweights.

The Ultimate Fighter Gets Heavy

Kimbo Slice will be on the Ultimate Fighter

noreply@blogger.com (Dan Ponjican) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 08:52:55 PDT

Looks like Kimbo Slice will be one of the heavyweight fighters on the 10th season of TUF! Okay, I admit it... I am excited! This is what he should have done in the first place if he wanted to be a legit MMA fighter. But I suppose you can't blame a guy for jumping at the opportunity to make millions and rise to the top of a small promotion. Now let's see how he does in the bottom of the "top of the heap".

Source MMAWeekly

Though the promotion has been otherwise tight lipped about participants for Season 10 of The Ultimate Fighter, dubbed "The Heavyweights," UFC president Dana White on Monday confirmed to Kevin Iole of Yahoo! Sports that Kevin
"Kimbo Slice" Ferguson is one of the 16 chosen participants.

This season, which is currently heading into filming, will feature only heavyweights, the first season of the series to highlight only one weight class.

White has consistently poked fun at Kimbo, saying that he's not a real fighter and was pushed into headlining bouts way too soon by his former employer, EliteXC.

The brash executive noted in the past, the only way Kimbo would make it into the UFC is via The Ultimate Fighter. Well, it appears he is willing to go that route despite rumors that he was either headed to Japan or into a possible professional boxing career.

“It should be interesting, given some of the things I’ve said about him,” White told Iole.

Indeed. Kimbo's entire career into and in mixed martial arts has been, at the least, "interesting." He made his way into the public conscience as a YouTube sensation; noted for his illegal street fights and backyard brawls. EliteXC picked up on his unique appeal and signed him as the focal point of its promotion.

After some training at Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas, and under the guidance of former UFC champion Bas Rutten, Kimbo's skills slowly started to come together. He was immediately thrown into headlining bouts, however, roundly receiving criticism from both industry professionals and fans alike.

Following the self-destruction of EliteXC, he was courted for a time by Strikeforce; the promotion that filled EliteXC's position as the MMA centerpiece for Showtime and CBS. The two sides were never able to come to terms, so Kimbo now finds himself angling his way into a shot at the UFC.

On The Ultimate Fighter, he will fall under the tutelage of either of two former UFC light heavyweight champions, Rashad Evans or Quinton "Rampage" Jackson. The outspoken trio of Evans, Jackson, and Slice, in any combination, has the potential to inject an amazing amount of ratings fuel into the venerable Spike TV reality series as it enters its tenth season.

None of the other 15 contestants for The Ultimate Fighter: The Heavyweights has been revealed.

Break up the Heaveyweights?

noreply@blogger.com (Dan Ponjican) — Fri, 01 May 2009 13:49:54 PDT

Does anyone else agree that we need to break up the Heaveyweight division in MMA?

Every since the Randy Couture loss to Lesnar, I can't help to feel that we are missing a great, highly competitive weight class. I realize that there are a few that enjoy watching the freakshow beat downs of a David vs. Goliath variety, but most are looking for closely matched, competitive fights. This pretty much exisists in all of the MMA weight classes except the Heaveyweights.

Think about it, guys walking around in the 300lbs+ variety (i.e. Lesnar) up against guys who choose not to cut at all but walk around at 230-240ish are really bad matchups. What you end up with is in many cases a lesser skilled oponent powering out of positions and moves strictly due to his size advantage. That is about as enteraining and relavent as the Fedor vs. Aoki grappling match earlier this week. BORING!

I say, break up the Heaviess into 205 - 230 and Super-Heavies at 230 - 265. Makes sense to me.

Comments?

More Grease Gate! This time Anderson Silva

noreply@blogger.com (Dan Ponjican) — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 13:38:12 PDT

Anderson Silva clearly greasing up before his fight on Saturday.

Is Fedor gonna Fight Lesnar?

noreply@blogger.com (Dan Ponjican) — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 12:07:50 PST

Speculation is swirling around the comments made in this interview with Fedor posted on dreamfighters.com. Apparently, there are talks planned between Fedor's camp and Dana White about a possible match between the top heavy weight in the world and Brock Lesnar.

Excerpt:
DreamFighters.com: Will you be fighting on the next affliction Card? Is there been any talks of you fighting Brock Lesnar?

Fedor Emelianenko: Yes, I will fight again on the next affliction card. Besides this me and my management hope to get a chance to talk to Dana White in person in June to discuss a possible fight between me and Brock.

Strikeforce buys up ProElite for $3m

noreply@blogger.com (Dan Ponjican) — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 13:29:04 PST

MMAWeekly reported today that Strikeforce bought ProElite for $3 million. Is it only me or did we all hope that Afflication would have picked up these assests? I think the chances of breaking a UFC monopoly are slim unless these other MMA orgs merge together now while the time is right and put together a decent program to compete. Affliction is good, but it sure could have used some of the big names from ProElite!

EliteXC Signs Andrei Arlovski for Oct. 4th Event

noreply@blogger.com (Dan Ponjican) — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 09:50:43 PDT

EliteXC is looking to deepen it's talent pool and that they did by signing Andrei Arlovski to face Roy Nelson in the October 4th event. This certainly solidifies this card and should help CBS event drastically.

Loretta Hunt of Sherdog.com reported the news on Wednesday.

Arlovski (13-5), a former UFC heavyweight champion, was victorious in his Affliction debut in July, punishing Ben Rothwell en route to a third-round technical knockout.

Nelson (13-2) was the last reigning IFL heavyweight titleholder whose only loss under the International Fight League banner was a split decision to Rothwell in April 2007.

Nelson hopes to do what Rothwell couldn't, to beat Arlovski.

EliteXC: Heat is only weeks away and it takes place at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Fla. The featured bout pits former street brawler Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson against MMA pioneer Ken Shamrock. The action will air live on CBS.

Live Chat log from UFC Confernece Call

noreply@blogger.com (Dan Ponjican) — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 13:47:20 PDT

4:12 Dana white has two heavyweights on the phone
4:12 Saturday, November 15th
4:12 MGM Grand
4:12 Brock Lesnar
4:13 vs.
4:13 Randy Couture
4:13 "randy has always been the heavyweight champ in the ufc. it took some time to get it straight but he is back to fight again"
4:13 question time.
4:13 is this a one-fight deal?
4:14 Dana: "No matter the outcome, Randy will be in the UFC..."
4:14 Dana: If Fedor becomes available or if something can be done with his promotion we will make the Fedor fight
4:14 Ariel: Seems like he is softening his stance
4:15 Dana announces that Lesnar vs. Couture is for the title
4:15 Dana: Portland is not happening
4:15 not yet
4:16 Dana says that he always liked Randy and always has
4:16 Dana is chatting with Todd Martin from CBS. Just asking about all the details
...
4:17 Dana: some business issues but its all under the bridge
4:17 NY Times is on the line
4:17 What does this mean fro Mir and Nog?
4:17 Winner of the Brock and Randy fight will be the heavyweight champion
4:17 Nog and Mir will fight for the interim title and then it will be champion vs. champion
4:18 Finally someone asks Randy a question. But no one is asking why he came back!
4:18 It was just about his thoughts on Brock
4:19 Dana: Everything between Randy and I are kool moe dee
...
4:20 Brock is talking about Randy posing all kinds of threats but is confident
4:20 Here comes Kevin Iole.
4:20 "How did this come about"
...
4:21 Dana: We spoke everyday and never went to court. We were happy to resolve it
4:21 Randy: There were some compromises made on both sides. The UFC is trying to make the Fedor fight happen.
4:22 "I think we are both happy and want to move forward in a positive way"
4:22 Randy: We have cleared the air and have addressed some of the issues we had. We understand each other now
4:22 Again, Randy vs. Lesnar for the title on 11/15 at the MGM Grand
4:23 Winner fights winner of Nog/Mir to unify titles
4:23 Dana said fans weren't interested in Kongo vs. Lesnar
4:24 Dana: "Mark my words, Couture vs. Lesnar will be the biggest fight in UFC history"
4:25 Brock is saying that he really wanted to fight Randy.
4:25 Randy says he has no ring rust
4:26 Randy: "Yesterday after practice I weight 224.5 lbs..."
4:26 Couture says he hopes to stay around that weight for the fight.
4:28 Randy: I still want to fight Fedor. I can't speak for him. I don't know what's important for him but if he wants to be the #1 fighter in the world he needs to come fight me.
4:29 Dana: I don't know if Fedor cares about his legacy but we are going to offer him a fair deal. If it means something to him to beat Randy let's do this.
4:29 Dana then says he will never interfere with someone else's contract (i.e. Affliction)
4:30 Q: Are you willing to bend the longstanding UFC rules to split the promotion to have Fedor fight?
4:30 Dana. No
4:31 Randy is trying to justify the Lesnar fight. He has faith that the UFC is hoping to sign Fedor
4:32 Dana: We wanna know who the #1 fighter is. If you wanna be the best in the world you gotta beat the best in the world.
4:32 Q: "Why won't you bend your co-promotion stance?"
4:33 Dana: I am not going to do anything...He's under contract. These guys are dying on the vine. They will be gone in a couple of months. (Affliction)
4:33 Dana: Randy vs. Lesnar will have over 1 million PPV buys
4:33 Dana: I will be f-----g horrified if Affliction is around come January
4:34 Q: "Randy, is this the outcome you wanted?"
4:34 A: "It's a step in the right direction. I would rather be fighting Fedor in November but hopefully we will get there."
4:36 Dana said that Nog is thrilled that the Randy Couture is back.
4:38 Q: Why keep the interim title around?
4:38 A: Because he won it
4:39 Randy: "I would never disrespect Nog. I am just choosing a path of least resistance. We are finding a way of making that fight sooner rather than later."

Randy Couture return to UFC probable!

noreply@blogger.com (Dan Ponjican) — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 06:55:12 PDT

Stories are breaking all over the net today about what looks like an all but confirmed return of the legend of Randy Couture to the UFC for a single last fight. Opponents are not confirmed as well but all hints point to heavyweight wrestler Brock Lesnar.

thefightnetwork.com POSTED: August 30, 2008 - 7:13 pm
Various online reports in recent days have surfaced claiming that disgruntled UFC heavyweight champion Randy Couture has been involved in negotiations with Zuffa about a possible return to the promotion.

Adding additional fuel to those reports is Michael Rome of BloodyElbow.com, who reported Friday that he had confirmed negotiations are indeed taking place between Couture and the UFC. And as first mentioned by FiveOuncesOfPain.com on Thursday, Rome also adds that Couture’s first fight back with the company could take place at UFC 91 on November 15 in Portland, Oregon against Brock Lesnar. It is unclear whether the Couture vs. Lesnar fight would have a title at stake.

According to Rome, the deal currently on the table would not be a settlement that would bring Couture back under the terms of his old deal, but an entirely new deal that would offer an increase in compensation over his old agreement.

Five Ounces of Pain was first informed of the possibility of a Couture return earlier this week but was unable to report the story with complete confidence. However, it is obvious at this point that Couture’s return is more than just a rumor and at some point soon it could become a reality.

In addition to Bloody Elbow, MMAjunkie.com was the first to report earlier this week about the possibility of a Couture return. And after Bloody Elbow published its report last night, Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer issued a report of his own as well.

According Meltzer’s report, the terms of Couture’s new deal would be for three fights. After re-debuting vs. Lesnar, future opponents discussed include current UFC interim heavyweight champion Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, former UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell, and even currentWAMMA heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko.

Expectations about a possible Fedor vs. Couture bout under the UFC banner should be tempered, as Meltzer also stated in his report that many of the past issues that have prevented Fedor from signing with the UFC still exist.

While a deal making a Couture return to the UFC possible is still not yet official, Ariel Helwani of MMARated.com is reporting that the deal could be finalized as early as this Tuesday. Helwani is also reporting that the UFC has received a formal proposal from M-1 to co-promote the much-anticipated Fedor vs. Couture fight as the second fight in Couture’s new proposed UFC contract.

Tito moves to Affliction for Oct. 11th Fight

noreply@blogger.com (Dan Ponjican) — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 07:32:16 PDT

Yahoo sports has sources claiming Tito has all but confirmed his signing with Affliction. He is slated to face Renato "Babalu" Sobral on the next Affliction fight card slated to happen on October 11th with Fedor and Arlovski being the main event.

Yahoo Sports
Sources have told Yahoo! Sports that free agent Tito Ortiz will fight Renato "Babalu" Sobral in the co-main event at Affliction's next fight card, on Oct. 11 at the Thomas & Mack Center on the UNLV campus in Las Vegas. The main event will feature a heavyweight bout between WAMMA champion Fedor Emelianenko and Andrei Arlovski.
Affliction vice president Tom Atencio would not confirm the Ortiz-Babalu fight. He said details for the fight card will be released during an Aug. 6 news conference that most likely will be held in Las Vegas.
Atencio also indicated that he didn't think Affliction could speak with Ortiz until Aug. 4 because of a 60-day non-compete clause in Ortiz's UFC contract. Ortiz's last fight for UFC was on May 24 at UFC 84. If the 60-day clause is accurate, the deal ended last weekend. Atencio said the biggest stumbling block for an Ortiz deal would be the financial terms.
Affliction would seem to have the inside track at signing Ortiz, a former UFC light heavyweight champion (15-6-1, 14-6-1 UFC). He and his girlfriend, Jenna Jameson were conspicuous during the Affliction "Banned' event, sitting next to Affliction partner Donald Trump. Ortiz and Trump developed a relationship during the most recent season of The Apprentice.
Sobral told MMAJunkie.com that Ortiz is the fight he wants.
"That's my dream fight," a smiling Sobral said. "I'm looking for another guy. Wait for the name. It's coming. I think Tom (Atencio) is going to bring a name for me. And I'll be here to kick his ass."
Babalu's relationship with UFC ended in August of 2007. Sobral (30-7, 6-4 UFC) was released from his contract after a controversial win over David Heath. Sobral would not release a choke even after referee Steve Mazzagatti stopped the fight. Babalu won his Affliction debut on Jul. 19 with a unanimous decision over Mike Whitehead.
Because Affliction is not a licensed promoter in Nevada, Roy Englebrecht will serve as the promoter. Englebrecht was the promoter of record of the Banned card at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.