MMA FanHouse

Miguel Torres Learns New Tricks from Boxing Champ Miguel Cotto

Ray Hui — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:36:00 EST

Filed under: WEC, MMA Boxing, FanHouse Exclusive

Former WEC bantamweight champion Miguel Torres will never train the same thanks to another famous fighter sharing his given name, WBO welterweight boxing champion Miguel Cotto.

Torres was a special guest last week at the Fight Factory in Tampa, Fla., the site of Cotto's training camp for his Nov. 14 fight against Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao.

"I'm picking up a lot of details, a lot of little things he does different than what I would in one of my training camps," Torres told FanHouse. "And I got to see how a professional boxer at the top of his game conducts his training camp and how his trainers cater to his needs and make him a better fighter."

One of the first things Torres noticed was how structured Cotto's regimen is. Different coaches each watch Cotto's footwork, defense and punching power. In addition to a strength and conditioning coach that keeps Cotto in world-class form, the champion boxer achieves an optimized diet through a personal chef that prepares his meals.

More importantly for Torres, who carries a never-say-die attitude, is to train his body more intelligently.

"I set up my own camps and when I go out and train, I basically beat myself down every day to make myself a tougher and better fighter," Torres said. "And Cotto's camp it's totally different. They train him just enough. They push him to a level where he's getting pushed and when he gets there, they let him rest and make sure he eats well and make sure he's working out right.

"They make sure he has scheduled workouts at the right times and when I did my own camps I was just try to push myself to the limit every time, and I've learned you can't do that, cause that breaks your body down and you never recover."

The two popular Hispanic fighters met through their sponsor Ecko Unlimited, who proposed the idea to Torres following his title loss to Brian Bowles at WEC 42 in August.

"There is some value in boxers hanging out with MMA fighters and training together," said Eric Samson, Director of combat sports marketing for Ecko Unlimited. "Both guys have a very tough mentality, a very tough attitude and both guys are pretty high level athletes in their respective sports. So the idea [came] of putting them together and seeing if they can train well together and if they can learn from each other and support each other."

Torres laced up his boxing shoes and spent the week at the Fight Factory hitting pads with Cotto's head trainer Joe Santiago, exercising with strength and conditioning coach Phil Landman and jumping in the ring with Cotto's sparring partners. Unfortunately though, Torres has not been clocking in actual sparring sessions with Cotto, who is only mixing it up with southpaws for his preparations against Pacquiao.

Torres is hoping that they'll work more closely next time around if Cotto is available to join him for his next WEC training camp.

"That's one of the things I would love to do," Torres said. "Either me go to Puerto Rico and train with him a couple of weeks or him come down here. We'll be able to hook up for sure because the relationship we've developed is very strong."

Torres believes he and Cotto share similar mentalities in that nothing in the ring or cage will surprise them when they are in peak shape and properly prepared.

"That's going to make his mentality a lot stronger, because he knows he's done everything the right way," said Torres, who will be in attendance at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Nov. 14 in support of Cotto.

As for Torres' next fight, the WEC wanted him for the WEC 45 card in December, but Torres' schedule would prevent him from participating in a full training camp. He has informed the WEC that he'll be available to fight at the earliest in January.

"After my last loss, I want to come with a smarter approach to my game, and that's what I'm learning from Miguel Cotto," Torres said.

Miguel Torres Learns New Tricks from Boxing Champ Miguel Cotto originally appeared on MMA FanHouse on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:36:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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'Unbelievable' Crowd Helps Make First MMA Event in Maryland a Success

Lem Satterfield — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:08:00 EST

Filed under: MMA Boxing

More than 5,000 boisterous fans attended Shogun Fights, the first sanctioned mixed martial arts event at Baltimore's 1st Mariner Arena on Saturday night.

"This crowd is unbelievable. I would dream to be on a card like this. I wish that I had this sort of crowd for my first fight," said MMA legend Renzo Gracie, who was joined in the crowd by Rickey Henderson, Lenny Moore and others. "This is the best crowd and event I've ever seen."

Check out the results and recaps below.

145 pounds: Binky Jones unanimous decision over Jason McLean

The crowd roared for its 39-year-old native son, who boxed, threw kicks and knee shots all effectively from a distance against his shorter foe in the main event.

After being taken down, Jones reversed McLean and began to ground and pound. Jones, however, was reversed in the later part of the round, but McLean was not as effective.

In the second round, Jones attempted a guillotine from a standing position. Later, McLean was penalized for kicking from his back. On their feet, Jones moved in behind his jab, and picked his shots until being taken down. McLean spent much of the round on top, but landed few clean strikes.

On their feet in the third round, Jones, yet again, dictated the pace from a distance, switching from the right-handed to the southpaw stance. A lateral drop landed Jones on top, a position from which he nailed McLean with elbows. Jones later escaped McLean's submission attempt and controlled the action until the end.

"I wrestled in high school and college, but it's not like football, baseball and basketball. That's it after college, and I didn't have nothing," said Jones.

"Now, the UFC is here, and here I am about to turn 40 next month," said Jones. "Thank the lord my body is still healthy enough to do this -- a pro, MMA fighter at Baltimore's first MMA show. It's amazing."

145 pounds: Ryan Mackin submits Joe Kelso, 1:57, second round (Keylock)

The first round was a brutal one in favor of Kelso, who scored a takedown and sat back on a number of submission attempts, including a rear-naked choke hold. Kelso's striking caused bleeding from below Mackin's hairline above his forehead that dripped down his face and chest.

"Match started, I wanted to stand with him," said Mackin, a former Maryland state wrestling champion. "I went back to my instincts and wrestled a little bit. He took me down and beat the hell out of me and bloodied me up pretty good,"

In the second round, Mackin drilled a straight left while standing, and, later, gained the top position and began to pound his rival with fist and elbow strikes to the ribs, face, and head.

"Second round, I knocked him around pretty good, caught him right on the jaw, and he sort of smiled about it," said Mackin. "But I could tell that I got him good and he was a little gassed, because he took this on short notice."

As Mackin's conditioning took over, the keylock was available, and Mackin snagged Kelso's left arm and forced the tap-out.

"I forced him into a bad shot, which was the gameplan, worked him into a good position, and he had to work really hard for the takedown," said Mackin. "So that gassed him out pretty good. I was able to lock up the Americana and submit him."

"My parents actually decided to buy tickets at the last moment, but I'm sure they're never going to watch again after this," said Mackin. "I loved the crowd. All of my friends and my family got to come see it also."

185 pounds: Dave Daniecki submits Wade Drake, 2:25, first round (D'arce choke hold)

Nancy Daniecki had "seen MMA on TV, but only for a few seconds," adding, "that's about all that I can watch." Ted Daniecki was "a little nervous, it being my own son."

But Dave Daniecki's parents had nothing to worry about.

Trapped against the cage's fence, Drake took a knee to the side, followed by an elbow to the face. Drake eluded a keylock, as well as a north-south choke, but a D'arce choke forced Drake to tap out.

"Dave really controlled the pace, got two takedowns, was working some ground-and-pound," said matchmaker Bryan Hamper. "He transitioned well from the north-south choke to a D'arce to finish the fight."

"I wanted to stand up and bang, knock the guy out. But I'm a wrestler, so my instincts kicked in. I'm real good at scrambling, defending or whatever. I'm comfortable with the fight and happy it didn't go past the first round," said Daniecki, who was photographed with the Ravens' Ray Rice in the cage.

"I didn't really pressure [his parents], I just talked about it, and they know that I love MMA," said Daniecki. "They know that I'm there in the gym five, six days a week. I think they just felt guilty."

165 pounds: Mike Paschal TKO over Scottie Ayers, 0:40, second round

Paschal and Ayers locked up, but then, the latter broke the clinch and tumbled backward, covering up in fetal position as Paschal fired away and forced the stoppage.

"My left knee just buckled," said Ayers. "We're going to go back to Houston and get it checked, get some MRI's and find out what happened. I think it's my ACL."

Paschal was surprised, but, nevertheless, happy, having transitioned to the cage from the boxing ring, where he is 19-2-1 with four KOs as a professional.

"His nose was cut. He tried to shoot, and I knew that was what he would try to do. I kind of threw him off. I watched him fall, banged him a couple of times, tried a couple of elbows. It looked like his eyes went up in his head," said Paschal.

"There's a lot more training involved than in boxing. I want to sit down with John Rallo to see if I'm going to do this again," said Paschal. "It's time-consuming because of the hours, but I'm thinking about it. I'm probably going to have to do this again."

155 pounds: Jacob Kirwan submits Brad Pole, 1:05, first round (Guillotine choke)

Kirwan countered a submission attempt for a double-leg takedown, stood up, and created distance on their feet. Then Kirwan scored another takedown, slipped behind Pole, and wrapped an arm around his rival's neck.

After sitting back into a guillotine choke, Kirwan forced the tap-out.

"I've finished four fights with that thing, man. It's become sort of my go-to move," said Kirwan, who dedicated the win to his younger brother, Noah, on his birthday.

"I have probably 60 or 70 people supporting me in my fights," said Kirwan. "They come from all over to see me. It gives me a feeling that you just wouldn't believe. Best crowd I've ever fought in."

185 pounds: Joey Kirwan submits Dan Root, 1:30, first round (Rear-naked choke)

Joey didn't quite finish his rival as fast as his brother, Jacob, but he did make him quit.

And afterward, Joey leapt to his feet, threw a fist skyward, and gave the throat-slashing gesture to the screaming crowd.

"I went out there, and he took me down. I knew that he was good on top, but I rolled for a leg lock, just for the position, but I ended up in a side mount," said Kirwan. "I got on top and hit him with an elbow and took him back. It worked out well."

155 pounds: Carey Vanier TKO Paul Mann, 2:09, second round (strikes)

Both fighters scored takedowns during a tremendously competitive first round. But Vanier finished strong and on top, before stepping up the pressure in the second round.

Vanier nailed Mann to the body, and, after a takedown, finished him with about eight consecutive strikes.

"In the second round, Carey caught him with some really good knees from the clinch, and you could tell that [Mann] started to feel the body shots," said matchmaker, Bryan Hamper. "Carey had two good slams. And then, he just finished it with strikes in the second round. He looked really sharp."

Vanier improved to 8-2.

"I think he kind of got tired, and striking, that's usually how my fights end," said Vanier. "I landed at least eight times, and a couple of them landed and I was thinking to myself, 'Wow, why is he still up?'"

205 pounds: Cody Donovan TKO over Joe Stripling, 1:16, second round

Donovan dominated the matchup, finally knocking the wind out of Stripling with a deep, shot of his left knee to Stripling's right ribs and liver.

"Joe was very aggressive, and I let his style affect my style. But I hit him with the right knee first, and I could tell that he didn't like it," said Donovan. "So I raised his right shoulder up real high and it kind of opened him up, and I just slammed that left knee home into the liver. I cut his sails down and he was done."

Donovan ran his record to 5-0 and looks to be "about two fights away from the UFC," said Hamper. "He's just a top prospect right now."

135 pounds: Pennsylvania's Jim Hettes submits Steven Baker, 1:35, first round (armbar)

The fight went quickly in the favor of Hettes, whose preparation included training sessions with Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone.

Hettes said he used the "basic S-mount armbar," adding that "I knew that he had a good ground game, so originally, I didn't want to go for any submissions at all."

But the opening presented itself, said Hettes, "and I went for it."

"It was great to see the crowd. It was intimidating at first," said Hettes. "This is a real nice venue."

145 pounds: Brett Thomas split decision over Rick Desper

Desper controlled the first round, and twice getting, but not finishing, rear-naked choke holds. In the second round, Thomas dropped Desper with a right hand. Desper grabbed a leg and covered up, and, later, shook Thomas with a hard left.

Desper scored a takedown in the third round, but Thomas was able to reverse him, and, later, to use a leg sweep and control much of the pace from the top until the end.

"I did fight him before, but with about 10 seconds left in the second round, he caught an armbar and submitted me. I knew that I could beat him standing up, and I knew that in Jiu-Jitsu, he's pretty good," said Thomas.

"He fights for Ground Control, and they're a real good team. But I was able to leg-sweep him in the third round and not let him hold me down," said Thomas. "I was ready for him this time. I developed a good defense for armbars."

135 pounds: Steve Deangelis unanimous decision over Lazar Stojadinovic

Deangelis hurt Stojadinovic on three different occasions, two of which eventually led to the latter being driven to the floor.

The first trip was the result of three, consecutive, alternating knees being driven to the face and chin, and the second, an uppercut that dropped Stojadinovic.

In the end, Deangelis had controlled the pace of the matchup for the victory.

'Unbelievable' Crowd Helps Make First MMA Event in Maryland a Success originally appeared on MMA FanHouse on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:08:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Actor Eric Martinez Ready to Square Off Against Rapper DMX

Ray Hui — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:06:00 EST

Filed under: Fighting, MMA Boxing, FanHouse Exclusive

Eric Martinez is an actor and entrepreneur who will throw his hat in the boxing ring Nov. 21 when he fights controversial rapper DMX on the Thunder Promotions "Alabama Pride" MMA card headlined by Butterbean vs. Tank Abbott.

The involvement of DMX, one of the all-time top-selling rappers and one of music's larger-than-life personalities, has become a hot topic in the MMA and hip hop circles and FanHouse caught up with Martinez to discuss the celebrity boxing fight. The interview is below.

Ray Hui: First of all, how did this all come about?

Eric Martinez: (Laughs.) Well, the promoters reached out and wanted to see if they can set up a celebrity fight between myself and DMX. It was just real simple. I heard that Busta Rhymes was actually the original opponent they were trying to get for DMX but I guess because of scheduling conflicts he couldn't make it. My manager talked to them and told them a little about what I did and they thought it would be a great fit basically they asked X and he agreed, I agreed, and there you have it.

I understand you are or in the past have done business with him. What's your relationship with DMX?

My company has actually done some work with him in the past as far as branding and promoting. Outside of acting, I run a company called Powermoves Entertainment. We do promotion, marketing, branding, consulting and we've done some stuff in the past [with DMX]. But that has nothing to do with this. I'm not his manager. Awhile back there was a press release that said I was part of the management team - which I was for a very, very short time, but my VP runs my company, and I guess you can say my company was working with him more than I was.

Your connection with him was one of the added question marks to the matchup. So they'll be no holding back between you two?

We're not going in there to lose and I'm not going in there to get beat up. We're going to get it on.

This is not going to be a glorified sparring match. You guys are going to look to knock each other out.

Right, it's for real. This is one thing I want people to understand, I'm a huge fan of the MMA world, I'm a huge fan of the sport, I'm a huge fan of the fighters. I have nothing but respect for the MMA world - actually all fighters: boxers, MMA fighters. And we're not trying to make a mockery of the sport. We're not trying to be the second coming of Floyd Mayweather and Oscar De La Hoya. We're just two guys who were offered the chance to fight and we're going to get it on and may the best man win. But at the end of the day we're not going to be doing MMA, we're going to be boxing. That's been the biggest thing a lot of people think we're going to be fighting MMA style. This isn't going to be a career for me. (Laughs.) There's real warriors out there that train and fight and I want people to know more than anything that I have nothing but the greatest respect for the sport and the fighters.

What is your boxing experience? And do you know if DMX has trained boxing before?

To be honest with you, there's not much experience behind either one of us. Neither one of us have ever fought professionally or otherwise. I can tell you I'm going to be doing everything I can to prepare myself for anything. I've been around the sport my whole life being from Albuquerque, NM, where there's nothing but fighters out here. I knew a lot of fighters. I've trained at some gyms. It is what it is. We're going to go out there and do the best that we can.

I actually heard about this fight a couple weeks ago and I didn't believe it at first. I was going: What the heck is DMX doing in a boxing ring or cage? (Both laugh.) I heard it was under MMA rules at first, too.

Here's the thing, Ray. There's going to be so many people out there. Unfortunately there's no way around it. You're going to have your haters and the people who feel they can take jabs at us. I've read some of the stuff they've said about Tank and Butterbean. But make no mistake about it, there's nothing wrong with being a competitor, trying something new, doing something you love. Like I said, this isn't a career for me and I know it's not a career for DMX. We got invited to do this, we're going to get it on, it's real, it's not a hoax, it's not a publicity stunt. We're going to fight.

With all the troubles that has gone on in DMX's life in recent years, is he hurting for money? (One of his numerous arrests the past few years was providing fake identification to avoid a hospital bill.)

No, no. DMX is doing really well. From what I understand he's doing great. He's got a new album coming out. He's got a lot of things on the table. I can guarantee you we're not doing this just for the money. We both agreed to do it because we both thought it would be fun.

It's shocking at least to me because DMX has a lot to lose in this fight. He has this aggressive image -- and I know there's a gentler yet intensely religious side to him -- but with the importance of bravado in the rap game, a loss in a real fight can hurt his reputation big time.

I can't speak for him directly. All I can say is that I'm preparing myself, I'm sure X is preparing himself and I'm sure he feels the same way. He's not going in there to get beat up. He's not going in there to lose and be made fun of. Obviously if either of us felt this was a bad career move, neither one of us would have done it. How many times you get a chance to do something like this? They are expecting a sellout.

Listen, I'm certainly not going out there to end his career and to be honest with you, X is such a great rapper. If the stuff that he's gotten in trouble for over the past five years haven't ended his career, I don't think anything like this could. I don't think people realize is that he really is a good dude. The few times I've been around him and the way I've seen him treat even his entourage and his people, that dude would give you the shirt off his back.

How many rounds is the fight and how long?

I think it's going to be three, two-minute rounds, but it could change to three, three-minute rounds.

How do you two matchup in size and weight?

(Chuckles.) Oh wow. I think he's like 5'10, 11, cause I'm 5'5. He's definitely taller than me.

That's a huge reach advantage.

Yeah, he's got a big reach advantage. It was funny cause at the photo shoot his people were like, "Wow, you're a stocky little dude." (Laughs.) And X is kinda lanky and I think X outweighs me probably by 15 pounds. But again, I'm not worried. I've always kept myself in pretty decent shape and come fight night, I'll be ready for whatever.

Actor Eric Martinez Ready to Square Off Against Rapper DMX originally appeared on MMA FanHouse on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:06:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tuff-N-Uff: Top Amateur MMA Fight Night

Elie Seckbach — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 06:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fighting, MMA Videos, MMA Boxing

Elie Seckbach, the Embedded Correspondent, brings his exclusive video reporting to FanHouse. Check back regularly for more videos.

The Tuff-N-Uff fighting championship is where MMA Stars are born. It's one of the leading amateur MMA events in the nation, drawing an impressive crowd of 4,000 fans to the Orleans Hotel in Las Vegas over the weekend of August 22. Among those competing in the event were Ryan "The Lion" Couture, son of MMA great Randy Couture, and Chris Brady -- a fighter who is poised to be a star in the sport once he goes pro -- who is fighting for a championship in the 135-pound division.

Eddie Jackson works out of Legends Gym in Hollywood preparing for his big night at Tuff-N-Uff, in the video we talk to him about the life of an amateur MMA fighter.

Check out the video after the jump.

Tuff-N-Uff: Top Amateur MMA Fight Night originally appeared on MMA FanHouse on Tue, 15 Sep 2009 06:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Floyd Mayweather, Golden Boy 'Not Worried' About UFC 103 Competition

Ariel Helwani — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 18:30:00 EST

Filed under: UFC, MMA Boxing

The Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Juan Manuel Marquez fight will be the first high-profile boxing match to go up against a major UFC pay-per-view on the same night in quite some time. How many pay-per-view buys both shows generate will tell an interesting story as to which sport controls the interest of the general mainstream sports public.

But if you think Mayweather or Golden Boy Promotions is concerned about competing for eye balls with the red-hot UFC on September 19, think again.

"We're not really worried about it," Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, said on a Tuesday conference call to hype the upcoming fight. "The fact is that we have the full support of the pay-per-view industry and all the main channels and everything, the marketing and so on. So that just underlines the fact that Floyd Mayweather is the pay-per-view king. So if you are the pay-per-view industry, who are you going to support? It is, of course, Floyd Mayweather, the pay-per-view king. So we're not really worried about it. Let them do what they do, and we'll focus on our own event."

It's hard to ignore the fact that, according to Yahoo! Sports' Dave Meltzer, the UFC followed up the 1.6 million pay-per-view buys for July's UFC 100 with approximately 850,000 buys for August's UFC 101. Throw in the reported 635,000 buys for UFC 98, the 625,00 for UFC 97, the 800,000 for UFC 94, the 1.2 million for UFC 92 and the 1.01 million for UFC 91, and one has to question whether Golden Boy and HBO aren't seriously worried about the effect UFC 103 can have on their show.

Meanwhile, according to Schaefer, Mayweather averages 900,000 pay-per-view buys every time he fights, and generated a combined 3.4 million buys in 2007 alone.

Mayweather, who has not talked favorably about MMA in the past, was in no mood to discuss the sport on Tuesday's conference call.

"I'm here to talk about what I got to do," he said. "You know, what UFC got to do, that's their business. This is about me and Marquez pay-per-view, and we're not competing against no one else."

UFC president Dana White recently told ESPN Radio 1100's Steve Cofield that he isn't concerned with competing against the boxing match, simply because he believes Mayweather can't sell pay-per-views on his own.

"He's not a superstar," White said. "Floyd doesn't sell. Floyd plus another great fighter sells. You need two good fighters that people really want to see. It's not a fight people want to see."

Once again, Mayweather wasn't interested in firing back at White.

"I'm not worried about what Dana White said. I mean, Dana White says what he says -- it don't matter. I'm not thinking about Dana White."

The UFC's recent decision to air a portion of UFC 103's preliminary card for free on Spike TV is not doubt a move to attract some extra viewers to their show. Golden Boy and HBO have countered by announcing that their event will be shown live at 170 movie theaters across the country.

Whether both sides want to admit it or not, the most interesting battle on September 19 may not be the one contested in a ring or cage, but rather in living rooms across the world.

Floyd Mayweather, Golden Boy 'Not Worried' About UFC 103 Competition originally appeared on MMA FanHouse on Tue, 01 Sep 2009 18:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nick Diaz Signs Pro Boxing Contract

Ray Hui — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 10:24:00 EST

Filed under: MMA Boxing

Nick Diaz has signed a contract to box professionally in addition to his commitments in MMA with Strikeforce, longtime boxing promoter Don Chargin announced Thursday.

"When the subject of mixed martial arts versus boxing arises, it always comes down to the boxer winning a boxing match easily and vice versa for MMA," Chargin said in a release. "However, after having seen the replays of Diaz's fights over the course of his career, I truly believe that this kid has what it takes to really make for some very entertaining fights within boxing. While some would state that he's merely a slugger possessing a good chin and a heavy work rate, there's something about his rhythm and fighting intelligence that really caught my eye."

Terms of the agreement and a fight date were not revealed.

Diaz (20-7) is currently without a fight after his removal Tuesday from Saturday's Strikeforce card after skipping a drug test to avoid the possibility of a suspension. Diaz is an open user of cannabis, which he is legally allowed to take in California for attention deficit disorder.

"A positive test would not only have barred him from participating on Aug. 15, but would have also made him ineligible to fight for over a year in California, thus making his rematch fight with Joe Riggs a remote possibility," states GracieFighter.com, the official website of Diaz's camp. "After weighing all options, it was decided that his best option would be to forego this fight."

Diaz has boxed once before as a super middleweight (167 pounds), winning a four-round decision on a card in April 2005 in Sacramento, Calif.

Nick Diaz Signs Pro Boxing Contract originally appeared on MMA FanHouse on Thu, 13 Aug 2009 10:24:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dana White Says UFC Won't Back Down From Opposing Floyd Mayweather Event

Mike Chiappetta — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 20:26:00 EST

Filed under: UFC, MMA Boxing

PHILADELPHIA -- Floyd Mayweather may still be unbeaten in the ring, but he may get the biggest challenge of his life on the business front later this year.

On Sept. 19, Mayweather's comeback bout against Juan Manuel Marquez will go head-to-head with UFC 103 on pay-per-view, and UFC President Dana White isn't backing down.

"I didn't plan on going head-to-head with them. They're weird like that," White said at a UFC 101 question-and-answer session with fans. "We had that date, and everyone asked them to go off that date but for some reason they like to fight with us."

It's rare to see dueling pay-per-views, but unless either side backs down, it seems an inevitability. Mayweather has repeatedly badmouthed MMA, saying the sport isn't on his level as a business and that it was invented for white fighters who were having trouble succeeding in boxing.

"These guys think this is some kind of a war and we're trying to destroy boxing. I don't hate boxing, but these guys keep trying to go head-to-head with us and doing stupid s***," said White, wearing a hometown Phillies jersey in front of the Wachovia Center crowd. "I don't even know what to say. I'm not going to back down on the Mayweather date."

White explained that because of venue considerations, the date is unchangeable for the UFC, and regardless, he had no reason to change it.

"I believe everyone in this room are probably fight fans, so everyone wants to see a good fight," he said. "If we had a fight on one night, and that's the night you could see... Listen, I don't think anyone's crazy about the September [Mayweather] fight. But, people do want to see Pacquiao-Mayweather. I want to see that fight. If they're going to put it on the same night we're going, I'm going to put a pay-per-view right next to the octagon when we're doing the show that night. It's just stupid to do, but that's the way these guys operate and the way they work."

UFC 103 features a main event of Rich Franklin against Vitor Belfort.

Among other newsworthy items White discussed, he mentioned that the UFC is considering merging together with the WEC.

"We're talking about that right now," he said.

Such a move would put a larger spotlight on accomplished fighters including Mike Brown, Urijah Faber and Miguel Torres, who is headlining Sunday's WEC card.

Other Dana White news tidbits...

On whether the UFC would be coming to New York soon:
"We cannot be denied anymore. We're going to New York and everywhere else."

On their recent Affliction acquisitions:
"We had a whole list of guys from the Affliction deal. Off the top of my head, I think we got 17 guys, with Vitor [Belfort] being one of them."

On utilizing the PRIDE assets they acquired in 2007:
"Things didn't work out with PRIDE the way we had planned, so we put together a TV show called 'The best of PRIDE' which will air in January on Spike. So all the old great PRIDE fights that happened will all the stars who are UFC guys now, you'll be able to see it."

On potentially doing a weekly UFC live event:
"The reality is they would love that right now. I could make that deal with a network in two seconds. The problem is that there's definitely not enough talent for a 'Tuesday Night Fights' type show.

Dana White Says UFC Won't Back Down From Opposing Floyd Mayweather Event originally appeared on MMA FanHouse on Fri, 07 Aug 2009 20:26:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gary Shaw Reality Show Back On

Ariel Helwani — Mon, 11 May 2009 15:16:00 EST

Filed under: EliteXC, MMA Boxing, FanHouse Exclusive

While watching the Antonio Tarver vs. Chad Dawson boxing match on HBO this weekend, I couldn't help but notice a very familiar logo smack-dab in the middle of ring: "Blood, Sweat & Bling," it read.

I knew I had seen this logo before, but it took me a while to actually figure out where. Then, as I noticed boxing promoter, Gary Shaw, pictured right, sitting ringside next to his son, Jared, who appeared to have been shouting instructions at Dawson every moment of the fight, I remembered why that logo looked so familiar.

I quickly thought of this infamous reality show teaser that appeared online late last year (Warning: Not safe for work language):

Brace yourselves, because according to Jared Shaw, the former VP of EliteXC, the Shaw family reality is back in production.

The above clip was actually put together several years ago, long before the Shaws got involved in mixed martial arts and EliteXC. However once it was leaked, the clip apparently generated enough buzz online that it got the wheels in motion to restart production. According to Shaw, new footage was shot last week leading up to the Tarver-Dawson fight (Dawson fights for Gary Shaw Productions), but there is no word as to when and where the show will air.

Gary Shaw Reality Show Back On originally appeared on MMA FanHouse on Mon, 11 May 2009 15:16:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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March Badness: Din Thomas Wins, Tells Rihanna He'll Whoop Chris Brown

Michael David Smith — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 21:31:00 EST

Filed under: MMA Gossip, MMA Boxing

Mixed martial artist Din Thomas knocked someone out on Saturday night in Pensacola, Florida. And after he KO'd Gabe Lemley in the ring at March Badness, he offered to knock out someone else: Chris Brown.

Thomas, a former Ultimate Fighting Championship competitor, used a brutal knee to the face to knock out Lemley at the March Badness MMA and boxing event. Then, in the ring, he grabbed the microphone and told the crowd and the pay-per-view audience watching at home that he'd love to do the same to Brown.

"It's not cool to put your hands on a woman," Thomas said. "So Rhianna, if you want someone to kick his ass, holler at me."

Thomas, who improved his professional record to 24-8, is a featherweight who tips the scales at just 145 pounds. But with his knockout power and his black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, he'd have no trouble giving Brown a whooping. Brown had better hope Rihanna doesn't take Thomas up on the offer.

Rihanna Snapshots

Rihanna sighting on March 18, 2009 in Hollywood, California. Celebrity Sightings In Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA United States March 18, 2009 Photo by Jean Baptiste Lacroix/WireImage.com To license this image (57004244), contact WireImage.com

Jean Baptiste Lacroix/WireImage.com

Rihanna is seen on the streets of Manhattan on March 14, 2009 in New York City. Celebrity Sightings In New York - March 14, 2009 New York, NY United States March 14, 2009 Photo by Marcel Thomas/FilmMagic.com To license this image (56976689), contact FilmMagic.com

Marcel Thomas/FilmMagic.com

Rihanna leaves Da Silvano restaurant on March 14, 2009 in New York City. Celebrity Sightings In New York - March 14, 2009 Streets of Manhattan New York, NY United States March 14, 2009 Photo by James Devaney/WireImage.com To license this image (56980009), contact WireImage.com

James Devaney/WireImage.com

Rihanna (C) leaves Da Silvano restaurant on March 14, 2009 in New York City. Celebrity Sightings In New York - March 14, 2009 Streets of Manhattan New York, NY United States March 14, 2009 Photo by James Devaney/WireImage.com To license this image (56980008), contact WireImage.com

James Devaney/WireImage.com

Marcel Thomas/FilmMagic.com

March Badness: Din Thomas Wins, Tells Rihanna He'll Whoop Chris Brown originally appeared on MMA FanHouse on Sat, 21 Mar 2009 21:31:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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March Badness MMA and Boxing Results: Roy Jones' Fight Show

Michael David Smith — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 21:00:00 EST

Filed under: MMA Gossip, MMA Boxing

March Badness, the combined boxing and mixed martial arts show promoted by Roy Jones Jr., is underway. The pay-per-view broadcast has now started, and we'll provide you with live results and commentary on tonight's fights.

MMA Results:
Dennis Hallman beat Danny Ruiz by first-round submission (rear-naked choke)
Din Thomas beat Gabe Lemley by first-round KO (knee)
Bobby Lashley beat Jason Guida by unanimous decision
Jeff Monson beat Roy Nelson by unanimous decision

Boxing Results:
B.J. Flores beat Jose Luis Herrera by unanimous decision
Kieyon Bussey beat Robert DaLuz by majority decision
Roy Jones beat Omar Sheika by fifth-round TKO

March Badness MMA and Boxing Results: Roy Jones' Fight Show originally appeared on MMA FanHouse on Sat, 21 Mar 2009 21:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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March Badness MMA Weigh-In Results: Bobby Lashley 251.5, Jason Guida 232

Michael David Smith — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 07:30:00 EST

Filed under: MMA Gossip, MMA Boxing

Update: Get Live March Badness Results

The results of the March Badness weigh-in are in, and the big former pro wrestler Bobby Lashley will have a 20-pound size advantage over his opponent, Jason Guida.

Lashley weighed in at 251.5 pounds, while Guida weighed in at 232. Of course, Lashley looks like a bodybuilder while Guida looks like a couch potato, so Lashley probably has about 50 pounds of muscle mass on Guida.

Full weigh-in results for all five March Badness MMA fights are below.

Roy Nelson 262 lbs. vs. Jeff Monson 245.75 lbs.
Bobby Lashley 251.5 lbs. vs. Jason Guida 232 lbs.
Din Thomas 144.75 lbs. vs. Gabe Lemley 144.75 lbs.
Dennis Hallman 169 lbs. vs. Danny Ruiz 170 lbs.
James Freeman 171.25 vs. John Mowry 176.75 lbs.

Click here for March Badness boxing weigh-in results. We'll have live March Badness results on Saturday night here at FanHouse.

Hat tip: www.f4wonline.com.

March Badness MMA Weigh-In Results: Bobby Lashley 251.5, Jason Guida 232 originally appeared on MMA FanHouse on Sat, 21 Mar 2009 07:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rampage Jackson Is Having a Really, Really Bad Week

Josh Alper — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 11:35:00 EST

Filed under: UFC, MMA Boxing

Things are not looking up for former UFC light heavyweight champion Rampage Jackson. Days after leading police on a chase following a hit and run in Orange County, Jackson's been picked up by police once again.

TMZ.com is reporting that a police car was waved down in Irvine by people who said that Jackson, staying nearby, was acting weird. The cops entered the house, saw Jackson and then removed him from the premises. He wasn't arrested, according to the report, but deemed a danger to himself and others. He was taken to a hospital for observation.

This obviously calls Jackson's mental state following his loss to Forrest Griffin into further question. Depression, substance abuse or a hundred other potential ways it is manifesting itself is best left for professionals to decide but I hope Jackson's getting whatever help he needs.

More on Rampage Jackson's Terrible Week
Rampage Jackson Goes on a Rampage
Update On the Fallout From Rampage Jackson's Arrest
Will Rampage Jackson's Arrest Hurt the Sport of Mixed Martial Arts?

Rampage Jackson Is Having a Really, Really Bad Week originally appeared on MMA FanHouse on Thu, 17 Jul 2008 11:35:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Will Rampage Jackson's Arrest Hurt the Sport of Mixed Martial Arts?

Josh Alper — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: UFC, MMA Boxing

Rampage Jackson's arrest has garnered as much, if not more, coverage than any one of Jackson's fights inside the Octagon. There are plenty of people who probably barely knew Jackson's name before who now associate it with lawlessness. That's not a good thing for Jackson's image, obviously, but does it have the same effect on the sport?

MMA has been growing steadily and battling a stigma of being barbaric all the while. A high-profile arrest is sure to cement a negative opinion into some people's minds but could it go beyond that? MMAPayout.com addressed that issue earlier today.

When an MMA fighter finds himself in trouble with the law, the immediate reaction of just about everyone in the community is to ask "how badly will this hurt MMA?"

Truth be told, Rampage's incident won't. Not really.

I agree with that take. People who already disliked the sport will have more fuel for their fire but it's hard to see too many fans being turned off by one bad incident. People didn't stop watching the NFL because of Pacman Jones, after all, and his actions were a lot more malicious than anything Jackson did in Orange County.

The people that like the sport will still watch it and the people that don't will continue to rail against it. When you take a look at the ratings for UFC this weekend, I'd be surprised if there was any change because Jackson got arrested.

Will Rampage Jackson's Arrest Hurt the Sport of Mixed Martial Arts? originally appeared on MMA FanHouse on Wed, 16 Jul 2008 15:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Does The Last Pre-Arrest Interview With Rampage Jackson Hold Any Clues?

Josh Alper — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 10:55:00 EST

Filed under: UFC, MMA Boxing

The hardest thing to figure out about Rampage Jackson's arrest yesterday is what caused him to make such a dreadful decision after getting into a car accident. It's always dangerous to play armchair psychiatrist, especially when you don't hold a psychiatry degree (armchair or otherwise), but we can try to parse a video from Monday for a clue to his mental state.

Throwdown.com spoke with Jackson about how he was feeling after losing to Forrest Griffin by decision on July 5th. I'll give my gut reactions below as it's a long video but well worth watching if you've got the time.

Jackson certainly seems down about the loss but that's about it. Not too different than any other fighter who suffered a loss, in fact. It would be easy to say he seems depressed, I guess, but without yesterday's antics I don't think anyone would draw that conclusion.

Does The Last Pre-Arrest Interview With Rampage Jackson Hold Any Clues? originally appeared on MMA FanHouse on Wed, 16 Jul 2008 10:55:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Update On the Fallout From Rampage Jackson's Arrest

Josh Alper — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 10:40:00 EST

Filed under: UFC, MMA Boxing

There's a raft of information following Rampage Jackson's arrest in Orange County yesterday, little of which sheds light on what was going on with Jackson when he decided to lead police on a car chase after being involved in an accident. He's out on bail, posted by Dana White, and, according to MMAjunkie.com, there's no indication that he was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the arrest.

TMZ.com is reporting that Jackson was deemed "medically unfit" for booking after the arrest, which would seem to contradict his being out on bail as that would follow his booking. Five Ounces of Pain checked with some local hospitals and found that Jackson hasn't turned up as a patient, although medical privacy laws may keep such information under wraps.

Finally, while it's too early to speculate on just how Jackson's case will be prosecuted, Bloody Elbow has done some checking into the California Penal Codes and found that none of the initial charges carry much in the way of jail time. My biggest concern, as a MMA fan, is Jackson's mental state. I was eager to see how he bounced back from a controversial loss, which is now the least of his concerns, and am now just hopeful that Jackson can navigate all of these troubles without digging a deeper hole for himself.

Update On the Fallout From Rampage Jackson's Arrest originally appeared on MMA FanHouse on Wed, 16 Jul 2008 10:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Can Tim Sylvia Beat Fedor Emelianenko on Saturday Night?

Josh Alper — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 16:55:00 EST

Filed under: Affliction, MMA Boxing

Given Fedor Emelianenko's stature in the MMA world, he's getting most of the attention during the run-up to Saturday night's Affliction main event against Tim Sylvia. Fedor is such a heavy favorite that it's easy to forget that Sylvia is a pretty accomplished heavyweight in his own right. He's big, experienced and well schooled but will those things be enough for him to pull off the upset?

You could waste a couple of hours discussing Fedor's strengths as a fighter so it's probably easier to try and pinpoint weaknesses that Sylvia can exploit on Saturday. Sam Caplan of Five Ounces of Pain brings up the problems Emelianenko has had defending against takedowns and jabs in the past. Sylvia isn't great at the former but he's a strong jabber who could take advantage of his reach to keep Fedor off his body.

The other thing slanting in Sylvia's favor is the recent experience of both fighters. As great as Emelianenko is, he hasn't fought the same caliber of competition that Sylvia's faced over the past couple of years. Of course Sylvia's lost to a few of those fighters but rust can be a tough thing to overcome. It's also worth noting that one of the guys who beat Sylvia, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, lost to Emelianenko both times they fought to a conclusive finish.

There's a chance for Sylvia to win on Saturday but he'll probably need the fight of his life. That could happen. If it does, it would likely be one of the most memorable fights in MMA history.

Can Tim Sylvia Beat Fedor Emelianenko on Saturday Night? originally appeared on MMA FanHouse on Tue, 15 Jul 2008 16:55:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Floyd Mayweather Really Doesn't Sound Like a Guy Who Is Staying Retired

Josh Alper — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 12:35:00 EST

Filed under: Boxing, MMA/Boxing

When Floyd Mayweather announced his retirement from the boxing ring, it wasn't hard to see him switching gears and making a return. He's a boxer, never a group known for keeping their word, he's "retired" before and a marketable name. The sport doesn't have so many of those and someone was surely going to offer enough cash to at least make him think twice about staying on the sideline.

It's getting even harder to believe that Mayweather is finished. His comments about HBO announcers would seem to burn bridges but I don't see it that way. He's telling HBO that if they want to televise his return to the ring, they'd be well advised to change their broadcast to one that suits him better. That's just part of the reason why it feels like we'll see Mayweather in gloves again. He premiered a documentary about himself at a party in Grand Rapids. It included the following soundbite.

"Oscar De La Hoya, (expletive) you and (expletive) everything you stand for. I don't like you, you don't like me."

Mayweather's retirement eliminated the chance at a rematch between them this fall but it's hard to see that comment as closing the door for good. De La Hoya-Mayweather is still the biggest money fight in the boxing world and fanning the flames will only make for a bigger pile of cash. The man's nickname is "Money" and boxing is going to be the best way he can keep getting it.

(H/T Larry Brown Sports)

Floyd Mayweather Really Doesn't Sound Like a Guy Who Is Staying Retired originally appeared on MMA FanHouse on Tue, 08 Jul 2008 12:35:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kendall Holt and Ricardo Torres Fight Produces the Round of the Year

Josh Alper — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 13:50:00 EST

Filed under: Boxing, MMA/Boxing

Neither Kendall Holt nor Ricardo Torres is a particularly well-known boxer. Hopefully that didn't stop you from catching their junior welterweight title fight on Saturday night. If you did catch it, feel free to click below and watch it again but if not, do yourself a favor and watch the first round of their fight. It won't take but a couple of minutes to watch the video (courtesy of Deadspin) and is worth every second of your time.

Holt avenged an earlier, quite dubious loss to Torres with the knockout. Given the fireworks and assuming Torres is physically okay, we could well see a rubber match to finalize things between the two men.

Kendall Holt and Ricardo Torres Fight Produces the Round of the Year originally appeared on MMA FanHouse on Mon, 07 Jul 2008 13:50:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mixed Martial Arts Becomes Legal in Tennessee Tomorrow

Josh Alper — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 17:40:00 EST

Filed under: MMA, MMA/Boxing

The state of New York, despite much talk, hasn't moved any closer to legalizing mixed martial arts. Earlier today, MDS told you that Delaware, a small state but still a state, looks like it is moving toward an outright ban on the sport. Happily, not all states are still stuck on the outdated and incorrect "human cockfighting" label that detractors use against the sport.

A law legalizing and regulating MMA will become law in Tennessee tomorrow.

Another measure that takes effect Tuesday will legalize and regulate mixed martial arts fights in Tennessee through the creation of a Tennessee Athletic Commission.

Gov. Phil Bredesen's approval came despite concerns over a provision to require half of any money beyond that needed to operate the commission go toward grants to NCAA Division I wrestling programs.

I'll admit to not having followed the Tennessee legislature all that closely but I'm not sure why that last bit is such a bad thing. Wrestling programs tend to be strapped for cash at most universities because they don't generate much revenue, a helping hand doesn't seem like the worst thing.

Good for Tennessee. There's revenue to be gained from states willing to play host to MMA events and absolutely no sense being made by states that regulate and allow boxing while turning up their noses at it.

(H/T Bloody Elbow)

Mixed Martial Arts Becomes Legal in Tennessee Tomorrow originally appeared on MMA FanHouse on Mon, 30 Jun 2008 17:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Elite XC's Second CBS Show Better Than the First Even Without Nick Diaz-K.J. Noons

Josh Alper — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: MMA, MMA/Boxing, Elite XC

Over the weekend, MDS opined that it looked like Elite XC's second show on CBS would be better than the first. They released the particulars of that card, set for July 26 in Stockton, California, and it is indeed a good show.

As expected it will be headlined by a rematch for the middleweight title between Robbie Lawler and Scott Smith. The first fight, on the initial CBS telecast, ended too early when doctors ruled Smith couldn't continue after Lawler's thumb found its way into his eye. Lawler looked like the better fighter last time but Smith was holding his own and, hopefully, this time we'll get a satisfying finish.

Interestingly, Elite XC chose not to pit Nick Diaz against K.J. Noons in a lightweight title fight. Diaz, who is from Stockton, will fight Thomas Denny instead and one would hope the match is intended to wet whistles for a card centered on a title fight down the road.

There will be two other title fights, however. Jake Shields will meet Nick Thompson for the vacant welterweight title and Antonio Silva will meet someone for the vacant heavyweight belt. It's a shame that none of the fine heavyweights fighting for Affliction the week before will be an opponent for Silva as the best that Elite can offer aren't really worthy of a title fight.

It will be interesting to see how the show fares in the ratings without Kimbo Slice. There's better MMA but no crossover star to anchor the affair.

Elite XC's Second CBS Show Better Than the First Even Without Nick Diaz-K.J. Noons originally appeared on MMA FanHouse on Wed, 25 Jun 2008 17:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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