Author: Ben Fowlkes

Former Foe Jorge Rivera Sympathetic to Nate Quarry’s Career Uncertainty

Filed under: UFC, FanHouse ExclusiveWhile some MMA fans may have been surprised and dismayed to hear that UFC veteran Nate Quarry is considering retirement, one man who isn’t so shocked is Jorge Rivera, who handed Quarry his most recent loss at a UFC F…

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While some MMA fans may have been surprised and dismayed to hear that UFC veteran Nate Quarry is considering retirement, one man who isn’t so shocked is Jorge Rivera, who handed Quarry his most recent loss at a UFC Fight Night event back in March.

“I understand. I get it,” Rivera told MMA Fighting on Tuesday. “You know, you can only go so long. I’m sure he has plans with his life, and you only want to take so many beatings. You only want to suffer so much, because there’s life after fighting, man. Hopefully there’s a good, long life after fighting.”

Quarry, who required facial reconstructive surgery to put thirteen screws and a titanium mesh in his cheek after a particularly brutal TKO loss to Rivera, told Ariel Helwani on Monday’s edition of The MMA Hour that he wasn’t completely certain he’d ever fight again.

Roy Nelson Left in Heavyweight Purgatory After Carwin’s Withdrawal

Filed under: UFCUFC heavyweight Roy Nelson was four days removed from knee surgery when the UFC approached him about fighting on the Jan. 1 card. His doctor advised against it, but “Big Country” agreed anyway, which is what it makes it all the more pai…

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UFC heavyweight Roy Nelson was four days removed from knee surgery when the UFC approached him about fighting on the Jan. 1 card. His doctor advised against it, but “Big Country” agreed anyway, which is what it makes it all the more painful to have the bout pulled out from under him now that his opponent, Shane Carwin, has withdrawn with a back injury, Nelson told MMA Fighting.

“I was bummed, but the only reason I was bummed was just because of how much I was pushed to fight Shane. Because of my knee surgery, my doctor said I shouldn’t fight until like February or March, and I kind of got pushed into it.

“That’s the reason why it hurts, more than anything, is just the fact that I was pushed into something that I really didn’t want to do but was going to do just because you don’t want to hear the ‘Are you an f-ing fighter?’ speech. Everybody knows, you never fight 100%, but it was an opportunity and I was more than willing to jump on the opportunity.”

Happy Halloween From MMAFighting.com

Though usually we’re all MMA all the time, today we take a break to wish you and yours a happy Halloween with this special video. Don’t worry, what it lacks in the spookyness category it makes up for by being instructional, if only in the cautionary tale sort of way. Happy Halloween, MMA Fighting readers. Thanks for all your support.

Though usually we’re all MMA all the time, today we take a break to wish you and yours a happy Halloween with this special video. Don’t worry, what it lacks in the spookyness category it makes up for by being instructional, if only in the cautionary tale sort of way. Happy Halloween, MMA Fighting readers. Thanks for all your support.

Twitter Mailbag: Do You Wanna Do It?

Filed under: UFC, WECIt’s hardly surprising, but the WEC/UFC merger seems to be on people’s minds this week, which explains why this edition of the Twitter mailbag is loaded with questions about how this new development will change all of our lives for…

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It’s hardly surprising, but the WEC/UFC merger seems to be on people’s minds this week, which explains why this edition of the Twitter mailbag is loaded with questions about how this new development will change all of our lives forever and ever.

Don’t worry, there’s still time to talk about awkward pro wrestlers and even single out an MMA media colleague for scorn and ridicule.

If you have a question of your own, hit me up on Twitter @BenFowlkesMMA. And no, an insult with a question mark at the end does not qualify as a question.

@JeffTheJeff mailbag: are you going to miss the WEC? What will the WEC’s legacy be?

Trainer Trevor Wittman Explains Why He’s the Happiest Man on Fight Night

Filed under: UFC, FanHouse ExclusiveIn some ways, Trevor Wittman is to a UFC pay-per-view as a great character actor is to a Hollywood blockbuster. Even if you don’t know his name, you recognize him as soon as you see him on screen.

That’s because th…

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In some ways, Trevor Wittman is to a UFC pay-per-view as a great character actor is to a Hollywood blockbuster. Even if you don’t know his name, you recognize him as soon as you see him on screen.

That’s because the 36-year-old Wittman — trainer to fighters like Shane Carwin, Rashad Evans, Nate Marquardt, and several others– has a trademark. While other trainers and coaches are scowling their way to the cage, Wittman is the slightly goofy guy who’s grinning like a golden retriever with his head stuck out the car window.

“Brock [Lesnar] told me, ‘Man, you’ve got the most intimidating smile in the game,’ Wittman laughs. “You look across the cage at the other guys and you usually see that tough guy look. Me, I’m just happy to be there and excited to see my guy perform.”

Better Late Than Never: UFC-WEC Merger Is Long Overdue

Filed under: UFC, WECIt’s about time. After years of operating the WEC as a little brother organization to the UFC, Zuffa has finally decided to do the sensible thing and bring all its fighters under one roof. It was a long wait, but at least it’s over…

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It’s about time. After years of operating the WEC as a little brother organization to the UFC, Zuffa has finally decided to do the sensible thing and bring all its fighters under one roof. It was a long wait, but at least it’s over.

The way UFC president Dana White tells it, this was all about timing. It was the perfect plan and now is the perfect time to implement it. Then again, White’s never been afraid to indulge in a little revisionist history when it suits him, so take that explanation with a grain of salt.

The truth is, the WEC has long suffered from the same branding problem that every other competing MMA organization has faced. To many casual fans, the UFC is MMA. That’s great for the industry leader, but not so great for little brother. That’s why, as exciting as the WEC fights have been, ratings have lagged.