MMA Edition

Best Buy manager led Carey Vanier to pro MMA, Thursday’s Bellator 28 event

MMAEdition — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 19:30:00 +0000

Carey Vanier probably still would be cruising the aisles of Best Buy had one of his managers not asked him about risk.

The Bellator lightweight was interviewing for a promotion at the big-box retailer and realized he hadn’t taken any.

He had always been scared that he wouldn’t be able to provide for his
son if he pursued his true passion of fighting professionally in mixed
martial arts. But if he didn’t give it a try, he couldn’t live with
himself.

Ready to embrace heel role, Mike Pyle promises British beatdown at UFC 120

MMAEdition — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 17:00:00 +0000

Twenty-three-year-old British welterweight John Hathaway has made a big splash in the his division. But Mike Pyle is not impressed.

Pyle, who meets Hathaway at UFC 120 as a replacement for injured Dong Hyun Kim, says his young opponent is in over his head this time.

“I will beat the [expletive] out of John Hathaway,” Pyle recently told MMAjunkie.com Radio.

Friday’s "Shine Fights: Lightweight Grand Prix" moves from Virginia to Oklahoma

MMAEdition — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 15:30:00 +0000

Friday’s “Shine Fights: Lightweight Grand Prix” event, which features a single-night eight-man tournament, has moved from Virginia to Oklahoma.

After issues with the Virginia Professional Boxing and Wrestling Program, Shine Fights officials were forced to find a new venue.

Today, company COO Jason Chambers posted a Twitter message confirming the Sept. 10 pay-per-view show now takes place at the First Council Casino in Norman, Okla.

MMAjunkie.com Radio this week: Jardine, Silva, Belfort, Cruz, Daley and more

MMAEdition — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 13:00:00 +0000

With a holiday here in the U.S., MMAjunkie.com Radio this week has an adjusted schedule.

No shows take place today or Friday, but the radio crew offers a special “Primetime” edition on Tuesday in addition to the rest of the lineup.

Special guests this week include notables such as Keith Jardine, Wanderlei Silva, Vitor Belfort, Dominick Cruz, Antonio Silva, Paul Daley and others throughout the week.

The Sunday Junkie: Sept. 5 edition

MMAEdition — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 19:30:00 +0000

More than a week later, UFC 118 is still a hot topic among MMA fans, especially those who learned that pro boxer James Toney made a base pay of $500,000 for his lackluster showing against Randy Couture.

Jaison Jacob, this week’s winner of The Sunday Junkie (our weekly reader-feedback feature), takes the unpopular stance and explains why Toney was worth the investment.

Fans also discuss other aspects of UFC 118, wrestling’s rise to prominence in MMA, whether UFC champ Mauricio “Shogun” Rua should be stripped of the title, the danger of heel hooks, and other topics.

UFC Fight Night 22 weigh-ins set for Sept. 14; Chael Sonnen hosts Q&A session

MMAEdition — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 16:20:00 +0000

Weigh-ins for this month’s blockbuster “UFC Fight Night 22: Marquardt
vs. Palhares” event take place Tuesday, Sept. 14, at the Frank Erwin
Center in Austin, Texas.

The same venue hosts the following night’s Spike TV-broadcast fight
card, which serves as a lead-in to the debut episode of “The Ultimate
Fighter 12.”

Additionally, top UFC middleweight contender (and pound-for-pound top
trash talker in MMA) Chael Sonnen hosts a special Q&A session prior
to the weigh-ins. Both events are free and open to the public.

Villasenor vs. Villefort, Darabedyan vs. Straus official for Shark Fights 13

MMAEdition — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 14:50:00 +0000

After injuries to Shark Fights 13 competitors Drew McFedries and Marcus
Hicks left the Texas-based organization scrambling for replacements,
Danillo Villefort and Daniel Straus stepped up to the plate.

As MMAjunkie.com first reported, Villefort will face Joey Villasenor, while Straus meets Karen Darabedyan.

The promotion today officially announced the changes.

Shinya Aoki vs. Marcus Aurelio among three contests added to DREAM.16

MMAEdition — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 13:30:00 +0000

With just about three weeks until DREAM.16, the Japanese-based
organization has started to reveal a few details about the fight card.

While a light heavyweight title fight between mini-grand-prix finalists
Gegard Mousasi and Tatsuya Mizuno was already assured, three additional
contests were announced overnight.

The new contests include Shinya Aoki vs. Marcus Aurelio, “Lion” Takeshi
Inoue vs. Kazuyuki Miyata and Hideo Tokoro vs. Joachim Hansen.

Tim Boetsch vs. Phil Davis tapped for UFC 123

MMAEdition — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 22:45:00 +0000

Tim Boetsch and Phil Davis are bound for Motor City.

Sources close to event today informed MMAjunkie.com that the light heavyweights have agreed to fight at UFC 123, and
paperwork is on its way.

UFC 123 is expected to take place Nov. 20 at The Palace of Auburn Hills
in suburban Detroit. A light heavyweight match-up between former
champions Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Lyoto Machida headlines the
pay-per-view event.

Danillo Villefort added to Shark Fights 13, faces Joey Villasenor

MMAEdition — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 22:30:00 +0000

Drew McFedries’ loss is Danillo Villefort’s gain.

MMAjunkie.com has learned from sources close to the American Top Team
Fighter that he has verbally agreed to replace an injured McFedries on
just one-week’s notice and fight Joey Villasenor on the main card
of Shark Fights 13.

Bout agreements are expected to be finalized shortly.