Author: Ariel Helwani

Paul Heyman, Lesnar’s Ex-WWE Manager, Explains Friendship With Champ

Filed under: UFC, FanHouse Exclusive, NewsLAS VEGAS — Would you believe it if I told you that Paul Heyman, the former owner of Extreme Championship Wrestling and Brock Lesnar’s first manager in WWE, is now one of Lesnar’s closest friends? Well, it’s t…

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LAS VEGAS — Would you believe it if I told you that Paul Heyman, the former owner of Extreme Championship Wrestling and Brock Lesnar‘s first manager in WWE, is now one of Lesnar’s closest friends? Well, it’s true, and it’s amazing when you think about the fact that friendships don’t last very long in the world of pro wrestling.

Lesnar and Heyman are so close that when they first saw each other this week, prior to Lesnar’s title fight at UFC 116 versus Shane Carwin, Lesnar handed Heyman a photo of his daughter, Mya, and Heyman’s daughter, Azalea, holding hands in their strollers taken at WrestleMania in 2003. Heyman pointed to that photo and gesture as an example of how strong their eight-year bond is.

MMA Fighting spoke to Heyman following Thursday’s press conference about his relationship with Lesnar, how close he came to buying Strikeforce, his new project, The Heyman Hustle, and his future in MMA and pro wrestling.

Check out the interview below.

Chris Leben Takes Exception With Akiyama’s Hesitancy to Fight Him

Filed under: MMA Videos, UFC, VideosLAS VEGAS — Chris Leben met with the media on Wednesday to discuss his UFC 116 fight against Yoshihiro Akiyama.

“The Crippler” explained how the UFC gave him an offer he couldn’t refuse to fight on two weeks’ notic…

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LAS VEGAS — Chris Leben met with the media on Wednesday to discuss his UFC 116 fight against Yoshihiro Akiyama.

“The Crippler” explained how the UFC gave him an offer he couldn’t refuse to fight on two weeks’ notice, why this is the biggest fight of his life and why he took exception with Akiyama’s hesitancy to initially agree to the fight.

Watch a highlight video of Leben discussing all these issues and working out in front of the fans, shot and edited by MMA Fighting’s E. Casey Leydon, below.

Alistair Overeem’s Participation at DREAM.15 in Doubt

Filed under: DREAM, FanHouse Exclusive, News, JapanReports surfaced online late Tuesday evening that Alistair Overeem vs. Ricco Rodriguez was all but signed for the DREAM.15 card on July 10.

However, a source close to Overeem told MMA Fighting that t…

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Reports surfaced online late Tuesday evening that Alistair Overeem vs. Ricco Rodriguez was all but signed for the DREAM.15 card on July 10.

However, a source close to Overeem told MMA Fighting that the fight isn’t close to being official and that there is a “90%” chance that Overeem won’t be fighting on the card altogether.

In addition, Overeem’s trainer, Martijn de Jong, told The Fight Show‘s Mauro Ranallo Wednesday afternoon that Overeem is “definitely not” fighting Rodriguez at DREAM.15.

Dan Hardy vs. Carlos Condit Targeted for UFC 120

Filed under: UFC, NewsA welterweight bout between former No. 1 contender Dan Hardy and former WEC welterweight champion Carlos Condit is in the works for the yet to be announced UFC 120 event, MMA Fighting has learned.

MMA Weekly first reported that …

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A welterweight bout between former No. 1 contender Dan Hardy and former WEC welterweight champion Carlos Condit is in the works for the yet to be announced UFC 120 event, MMA Fighting has learned.

MMA Weekly first reported that the bout has been agreed to by both parties Monday afternoon.

UFC 120 is scheduled for October 16. It will mark the organization’s fourth event at the O2 Arena in London, England.

Gegard Mousasi vs. Jake O’Brien on Tap for DREAM.15

Filed under: DREAM, FanHouse Exclusive, News, JapanA light heavyweight bout between Gegard Mousasi and UFC veteran Jake O’Brien is close to being finalized for DREAM.15, MMA Fighting has learned has learned from sources close to the event.

Both sides …

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A light heavyweight bout between Gegard Mousasi and UFC veteran Jake O’Brien is close to being finalized for DREAM.15, MMA Fighting has learned has learned from sources close to the event.

Both sides have verbally agreed to the fight, and barring any setbacks, contracts are expected to be signed shortly.

The fight is expected to be a part of the upcoming DREAM light heavyweight tournament, which will also feature an opening round bout between Melvin Manhoef and Tatsuya Mizuno.

Cung Le, Scott Smith Discuss Rematch, Possible Trilogy

Filed under: MMA Videos, Strikeforce, VideosBoth Cung Le and Scott Smith met with the press following their rematch Saturday night, which was won by Le via second round TKO.

Smith talked about wanting to get another shot at Le, who he beat in Decembe…

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Both Cung Le and Scott Smith met with the press following their rematch Saturday night, which was won by Le via second round TKO.

Smith talked about wanting to get another shot at Le, who he beat in December, while Le discussed his game plan going into the rematch, his mind set going into this fight after his son was born with complications earlier this week and what the future holds for the former middleweight champion.

Watch highlights of the press conference below.