Author: By E. Spencer Kyte

Three years ago inside a darkened movie theater in Toronto, Dustin Poirier watched, slouched in his chair, as his career on the regional MMA circuit played out on the big screen.The breakout star of the critically acclaimed documentary Fightville, which opened the 2011 Hot Docs Festival two days prior to 55,000 people packing the Rogers Centre for UFC 129, the humble Louisiana native was still adjusting to being in the spotlight.While the film tracked his rise through the ranks in his home state, culminating with his knockout win over Derek Gauthier in Montreal and a note that the then-unbeate … Read the Full Article Here

Ryan LaFlare could have walked away from life as a professional mixed martial artist.After beginning his career with six straight wins under the Ring of Combat banner, his promising start came to an abrupt halt as a combination of injuries led to the Long Island native enduring a two-and-a-half year hiatus.But for a man who always felt like he had unfinished business when it came to his athletic endeavors, quitting wasn’t an option.*  *  *  *Over the years, athletes from various backgrounds have made the transition to MMA.From collegiate wrestlers and traditional martial artists … Read the Full Article Here

This month, the UFC returns to FOX with a 13-fight lineup at the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida, headlined by a No. 1 contender bout in the heavyweight division pitting Fabricio Werdum against Travis Browne.The April 19 event will be the 11th UFC on FOX event to date.From the night Junior dos Santos claimed the UFC heavyweight title in November 2011 to Benson Henderson’s split decision victory over Josh Thomson at the United Center in January, there have been 37 bouts delivered to network television so far.With 10 events in the books and the next one on the horizon, there’s no time like the … Read the Full Article Here

With the UFC slated to arrive in his hometown in April, Orlando newcomer Jim Alers had high hopes that he’d be making his maiden trip into the Octagon in familiar territory.Sporting a 12-1 record and riding an eight-fight winning streak, the featherweight has been biding his time, eager to follow the same path Irishman Conor McGregor took from the top of the Cage Warriors 145-pound weight class into the deep and talented ranks in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.Having succeeded McGregor as the Cage Warriors champion, the 27-year-old submission specialist waited on the call to the big league … Read the Full Article Here

There might be no better example in mixed martial arts of how our environments and experiences shape us than Carlos Condit.At 29 years old, the man known as “The Natural Born Killer” stands as one of the elite competitors in the sport. The final WEC welterweight champion and former interim UFC welterweight titleholder, Condit has amassed a 29-7 record over his 11-plus year career, his resume littered with veteran names and tough fights from the very beginning.Born, raised, and still representing Albuquerque as a member of Team Jackson-Winkeljohn, Condit’s aggressive approach and perennial plac … Read the Full Article Here

Sitting on the dais inside a conference room deep in the bowels of the Brisbane Entertainment Centre last December, Justin Scoggins stood out.Seated next to battle-hardened veterans Soa Palelei and Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, the 21-year-old looked more like a local high school student being given a backstage pass to the event than a formidable new addition to the flyweight division. Earlier in the evening, however, the South Carolina native proved himself to be just that, finishing Richie Vaculik with a torrent of punches late in the opening round.Less than two years after making his professional … Read the Full Article Here