Author: J.Jones

Fight Night 81 Highlights/Results: Cruz Tops Dillashaw in Close Decision, Alvarez Outworks Pettis, + More

(via UFC on FOX)

“Ring rust does not exist.”

It was a mantra that Dominick Cruz had been repeating for years…literally, years. In the two years he had spent battling injuries since his last fight and the four years he spent doing the same before his *other* last fight, Cruz has kindly been reminding us that 1) Ring rust is a lie 2) He never really lost his belt and 3) The members of Team Alpha Male were a bunch of meathead jocks that couldn’t ‘andle his riddum’. But until last night, the former WEC and UFC bantamweight champion was all talk.

“You can’t hit what you can’t catch,” was another trademarked slogan that Cruz made sure to repeat ad nauseum in the trash talk-filled lead up to his bantamweight title fight with TJ Dillashaw at Fight Night 81, and without comparing him to the one true MMA psychic, Mystic Mac, it’s safe to say that “The Dominator” might have a magical crystal ball of his own.

The post Fight Night 81 Highlights/Results: Cruz Tops Dillashaw in Close Decision, Alvarez Outworks Pettis, + More appeared first on Cagepotato.


(via UFC on FOX)

“Ring rust does not exist.”

It was a mantra that Dominick Cruz had been repeating for years…literally, years. In the two years he had spent battling injuries since his last fight and the four years he spent doing the same before his *other* last fight, Cruz has kindly been reminding us that 1) Ring rust is a lie 2) He never really lost his belt and 3) The members of Team Alpha Male were a bunch of meathead jocks that couldn’t ‘andle his riddum’. But until last night, the former WEC and UFC bantamweight champion was all talk.

“You can’t hit what you can’t catch,” was another trademarked slogan that Cruz made sure to repeat ad nauseum in the trash talk-filled lead up to his bantamweight title fight with TJ Dillashaw at Fight Night 81, and without comparing him to the one true MMA psychic, Mystic Mac, it’s safe to say that “The Dominator” might have a magical crystal ball of his own.

In a thrilling, hyper-paced five round fight, Cruz made Dillashaw miss, miss, and miss again, utilizing his classical, ferocious footwork to stay two steps ahead of the champion while countering brilliantly throughout the fight. In total, Dillashaw landed just 109 of the 408 strikes he threw last night while absorbing 112 of Cruz’s 302 attempts. It was a razor-close fight if you were to go purely by the numbers, but “The Dominator” was clearly the better man when all was said and done, and the judges (or at least, two of them) seemed to agree.

To Dillashaw’s credit, he was able to land far more strikes on the returning Cruz than any fighter before him ever had, and arguably took both of the championship rounds, but it just wasn’t enough. The former champion may have risen up the ranks by emanating Cruz’s style, but he was simply left flat-footed and swinging at air when forced to deal with the real McCoy. We’re sure that a rematch will be on the horizon for these two, but for now, that loss is going to be a tough one for Dillashaw to eat.

In the co-main event of the evening, former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis faced off against former Bellator lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez and looked like a shell of his former self, to put it mildly. Utilizing the blueprint Rafael Dos Anjos used to dethrone Pettis, Alvarez opted to, for lack of a better term, “grapplefuck” Pettis into a state of tranquility over the course of three rounds. Even in the brief moments that the fight was being contested at range, Pettis just seemed unable or unwilling to let his hands go, resulting in an undoubtedly disappointing, yet dominant win for Alvarez (that was of course rendered a split decision).

While the judging on display at Fight Night 81 was its usual mix of indecisiveness and incompetence, the refereeing was, for the most part, on point. That was, of course, until the featured heavyweight bout between Matt Mitrione and Travis Browne. On two separate occasions, Browne’s fingers managed to find their way into Mitrione’s eyes without so much as a warning from referee Gary Forman, with the second instance not even resulting in a pause in the action until Mitrione complained that he was “seeing double.”

Of course, there was also the issue of the clearly separated shoulder that Mitrione suffered in the fight to no avail, but that’s for another day. As it stands, Browne picked up another big TKO win, and the only thing more gruesome than Mitrione’s eye are his free agent prospects following the tough loss.

Check out the full results for Fight Night 81.

Main card
Dominick Cruz def. T.J. Dillashaw via split decision
Eddie Alvarez def. Anthony Pettis via split decision
Travis Browne def. Matt Mitrione via third-round TKO (4:01)
Francisco Trinaldo def. Ross Pearson via unanimous decision

Undercard
Patrick Cote def. Ben Saunders via second-round TKO (1:14)
Ed Herman def. Tim Boetsch via second-round TKO (1:39)
Chris Wade def. Mehdi Baghdad via submission (RNC) (1st, 4:30)
Luke Sanders def. Maximo Blanco via submission (RNC) (1st, 3:38)
Paul Felder def. Daron Cruickshank via submission (RNC) (3rd, 3:56)
Ilir Latifi def. Sean O’Connell via first-round TKO (:30)
Charles Rosa def. Kyle Bochniak via unanimous decision
Rob Font def. Joey Gomez via second-round TKO (4:13)
Francimar Barroso def. Elvis Mutapcic via unanimous decision

The post Fight Night 81 Highlights/Results: Cruz Tops Dillashaw in Close Decision, Alvarez Outworks Pettis, + More appeared first on Cagepotato.

CagePotato PSA: ‘MMA Federation’ Is the Next Great MMA Game (and We’re In It!)

Boy oh boy, Potato Nation, do we have some exciting news for you. In partnership with our partners at AddictingGames.com, Defy Media and CagePotato will be exclusively sponsoring the launch of MMA Federation, the debut release from 360 Studios hitting Android and iOS today!!

What is MMA Federation, you ask? Only the next evolution in mobile fighting games!

You can check out the official trailer for MMA Federation above, but basically, it works like this:

— MMA Federation is a multiplayer, mobile game that allows you to challenge players worldwide and become the ultimate MMA champion
— Start by creating an elite squad of fighters and upgrade your fighting abilities with over 20 addicting mini-games
— Create your own unique, Ranger Stott-esque fighting style to dismantle your opponents, and earn rewards to move up the leaderboard

Addicting Games will be the exclusive North American publisher of MMA Federation, so get all of the details after the jump!

The post CagePotato PSA: ‘MMA Federation’ Is the Next Great MMA Game (and We’re In It!) appeared first on Cagepotato.

Boy oh boy, Potato Nation, do we have some exciting news for you. In partnership with our partners at AddictingGames.com, Defy Media and CagePotato will be exclusively sponsoring the launch of MMA Federation, the debut release from 360 Studios hitting Android and iOS today!!

What is MMA Federation, you ask? Only the next evolution in mobile fighting games!

You can check out the official trailer for MMA Federation above, but basically, it works like this:

– MMA Federation is a multiplayer, mobile game that allows you to challenge players worldwide and become the ultimate MMA champion
– Start by creating an elite squad of fighters and upgrade your fighting abilities with over 20 addicting mini-games
– Create your own unique, Ranger Stott-esque fighting style to dismantle your opponents, and earn rewards to move up the leaderboard

Addicting Games will be the exclusive North American publisher of MMA Federation, so get all of the details after the jump!

With the ultimate goal of giving sports sims a good shake up, 360 Studio’s debut release MMA Federation is set to hit iOS and Android in the UK and US on January 14th, handing mobile martial arts fans the chance to take part in player vs player action for the very first time.

MMA Federation – which has already made major waves in Canada reaching the country’s top fighting game on the App Store ahead of its global debut – is a turn based battler at heart, with players able to call on moves from five unique fighting styles as they fight rivals from around the globe to propel up to eight different characters up the game’s global ranks.

Despite this fresh approach, however, MMA Federation has some serious experience behind it, with studio head Rick Giolito having previously made his name being the legendary creator and executive producer on flagship EA games like KnockOut Kings™ and Medal of Honor™.

We wanted to create a truly authentic MMA game where players take complete control of their fighter – their look, fighting style and gameplay strategy,” offered Giolito. “We are working with top MMA teams like Tristar, American Top Team, Blackzilians, Straight Blast Gym, and Rofusport, as well as top promotional organizations including World Series of Fighting (WSOF) and Resurrection Fighting Alliance (RFA) in USA, Hard Knocks Fighting and Elite 1 MMA in Canada, Pancrase in Japan and BAMMA in the UK. From Europe to South Africa to Japan, we wanted to create an immersive MMA world packed with real gyms, stunning arenas, famous fighters and MMA legends.”

Indeed, one of the additional advantages of MMA Federation over more narrowly focused MMA fighting game licenses has been its ability to reach out to the rest of the MMA and martial arts family, deploying an in-game shop packed with branded sportswear and equipment used by professional fighters, including gear from brands like Bad Boy, Jaco, Hayabusa, Revgear and many more. It’s 360 Studios’ view that MMA Federation isn’t just another accomplished fighting game, but a release designed to bring together and represent the entire MMA community in a fun way.

Part of this approach is allowing live, player vs player contests without lag where players can join real MMA teams like Tristar, American Top Team and SBG, making use of the moves they’ve picked up in training mode.  Training your fighters, which is available offline for when you don’t have an internet connect, is ‘taught’ by world famous fighters such as Michael ‘Venom’ Page, King Mo and coaches like Bas Rutten (Elite MMA), Firas Zahabi (Tristar) and John Kavanagh (SBG). Gamers will be able to both merge and master a multitude of different fighting techniques &styles – from Muay Thai, Boxing, and Kickboxing, to Jiu-Jitsu and Wrestling – to create their own unique fighting style.

Tapping into authentic events with real Promoters and global tournaments, the world MMA Federation sits in is designed to feel instantly familiar to any martial arts fans, though the turn based battle system means play is strategic and will also appeal to more casual players looking to take their first steps into the MMA arena.

And not only that, but the CagePotato “Devil Horns” logo will be watching over you as you train and compete! So head over to the MMA Federation page, get it on Google play or download it from the app store, and start swangin’ them bungalows today!

The post CagePotato PSA: ‘MMA Federation’ Is the Next Great MMA Game (and We’re In It!) appeared first on Cagepotato.

BJ Penn Calls Out Nik Lentz, Gets Utterly ANNIHILATED By His Response


(via Penn’s Instagram)

Let’s cut right to the chase.

Despite not scoring a win since 2010, having his soul stolen by Frankie Edgar in his last octagon appearance, and admitting that he “shouldn’t have come back” before emotionally retiring for realsies in the evening’s post-fight press conference, BJ Penn…wants to come back. And not only that, he wants to come back to face Nik Lentz, who has been goading him into a fight on social media for months now, in March. This is sad, we’re all sad for hearing it, so on and so forth…

It all started when Penn snapped the above photo with Greg Jackson, with the caption “We coming!” Jackson later told reporters that he was “very optimistic” about Penn’s future following a meeting with the former two-division champion, who then proceeded to formally challenge Lentz to a fight at UFC 197 on March 5th.

Penn chose an ambitious timetable for his return, to say the very least, and yesterday evening, Lentz responded with what must be the most cold-blooded takedown in the history of combat sports.

The post BJ Penn Calls Out Nik Lentz, Gets Utterly ANNIHILATED By His Response appeared first on Cagepotato.


(via Penn’s Instagram)

Let’s cut right to the chase.

Despite not scoring a win since 2010, having his soul stolen by Frankie Edgar in his last octagon appearance, and admitting that he “shouldn’t have come back” before emotionally retiring for realsies in the evening’s post-fight press conference, BJ Penn…wants to come back. And not only that, he wants to come back to face Nik Lentz, who has been goading him into a fight on social media for months now, in March. This is sad, we’re all sad for hearing it, so on and so forth…

It all started when Penn snapped the above photo with Greg Jackson, with the caption “We coming!” Jackson later told reporters that he was “very optimistic” about Penn’s future following a meeting with the former two-division champion, who then proceeded to formally challenge Lentz to a fight at UFC 197 on March 5th.

Penn chose an ambitious timetable for his return, to say the very least, and yesterday evening, Lentz responded with what must be the most cold-blooded takedown in the history of combat sports.

Check it out below, via MMAFighting, then down a shot every time you recoil from the absolute savagery of Lentz’s words. You will be dead within 3 paragraphs.

BJ,
I received your poorly-worded, utterly predictable, message. In spite of its clumsy structure, awful spelling, incorrect usage (you state at one point that I wrote a poem about you making fun of yourself), and general air of arrogance, entitled stupidity, I’m considering your request.

There are, of course, some conditions.

– I’m never competing at 145 ever again. Neither should you. I came to this conclusion after doing careful research, and deciding what was right for my long-term health as well as my short-term performance. If you fight at 145, it won’t be long before you’re eating banana mush in a nuthouse. I am accountable to my family, and my future with them. Because you are an impulsive tyrant surrounded by yes-men, you have no ability to make rational, intelligent decisions. So I am making this one for you. If we fight, it would be at 155.

– I’m not fighting in March. Neither are you. You may imagine you are, and the imbeciles you surround yourself with may nod in agreement like the trained dogs they are, but you aren’t fighting in March. You’ve lied to your fans, and let them down over and over, and nobody is clamoring to put the BJ PENN EXCUSE FACTORY back in business. Were I to agree to fight you in March and whup your ass, it would only give you and your lackeys the “BJ didn’t have enough time” bullshit excuse. Additionally, if we do fight, it will be on MY timetable, NOT yours. You are retired, and have no schedule. I am an active fighter, on the roster, with a schedule and training platform that is not beholden to your desires, grudges, or need for narcissistic supply.

– You still owe Mike Dolce $22,000. Knowing him, he is too gracious and dignified a man to revisit the traitorous back-stabbing skullduggery you engaged in with him after the third time Frankie Edgar kicked your ass inside-out. I, however, don’t have the luxury of grace, and dignity is best left out of any exchange that includes you. You will donate $22,000 of your purse to the HAWAII DOG FOUNDATION, a no-kill, all-volunteer rescue organization working hard to rescue and rehabilitate dogs in Hawaii, in Mike Dolce’s name.

Give these conditions some thought. They are non-negotiable. They are rules you WILL abide by, or you can go whistle. I have a contract, and plenty of guys to fight. As a Narcissist, you have nothing but an image. And you NEED attention. You have all the money you could ever spend; but it doesn’t satisfy you. I have what you NEED. I’M in charge. You can do what narcissists usually do when confronted by a higher power; SLINK AWAY. Or you can confront your needs, realize I can fulfill them, and come to terms with me, looming over you, holding the….

WHIP HAND.

I’m ALREADY in charge, you poor, deluded, fool. I did more to motivate you with TWO POEMS than all your yes-men, and titles, and highlights could.
Get as angry as you want. Go out behind your huge inherited estate and kick rocks. Go cry to your Mommy. Go shit in your hat and bark at the moon.
You want to fight?
Then it’s on MY terms.
FACE IT.

Now run along, little man. Go find a way to swallow your overarching pride and do it MY way, or scuttle about like a deformed crab at low tide, like a masochist at last call, desperately looking for somebody else to thrash you.

You can go to Greg Jackson’s, you can go to Jermaine Jackson’s, you can listen to Mahalia Jackson, you can resurrect Jackson fuckin’ POLLOCK to paint you a better picture of yourself than the one we all see; but…

You’re an unclaimed, busted-down suitcase on a dusty shelf in an abandoned bus-terminal. Accept my conditions, or rot in obscurity.

Nik Lentz
Your BOSS”

With all due respect to Penn, I don’t think there’s a thing he could do to Lentz physically that would match the — and I hate to repeat myself here — absolute savagery of what was just said here. This message is the absolute pinnacle of the pen being mightier than the sword, and though I doubt he’ll take our advice, Penn would be best off to just stay retired.

Then again, Motivated Penn is perhaps the most dominant fighter this planet has ever known, above that of even Sea Level Velasquez, “Look in His Eyes” Chuck, and Full Camp Mendes. By Lentz’s own admission, he has motivated Penn more with a poem (which you can read here) “than all your yes-men, and titles, and highlights could.” So the question now becomes: Is Greg Jackson the man to bring Motivated Penn out from hiding, or is BJ just setting himself up for another tearful goodbye?

The post BJ Penn Calls Out Nik Lentz, Gets Utterly ANNIHILATED By His Response appeared first on Cagepotato.

Yoel Romero Hit with “Potential USADA Violation” + An Update to Our Steroid Bust Timeline


(“Gay Jesus, why you have forsaken me yet again?”)

Despite officially being rolled out on July 1st, the UFC’s new, comprehensive drug-testing policy only really went into effect at the start of the new year, according to those in the know. Less than a month later, it appears that USADA has already nabbed its first violator in the form of top middleweight contender Yoel Romero.

The post Yoel Romero Hit with “Potential USADA Violation” + An Update to Our Steroid Bust Timeline appeared first on Cagepotato.


(“Gay Jesus, why you have forsaken me yet again?”)

Despite officially being rolled out on July 1st, the UFC’s new, comprehensive drug-testing policy only really went into effect at the start of the new year, according to those in the know. Less than a month later, it appears that USADA has already nabbed its first violator in the form of top middleweight contender Yoel Romero.

Last night, the United States Anti-Doping Agency informed Romero of a “potential violation,” claiming that Romero had flunked one of their out-of-competition tests. While the exact substance Romero tested positive for has yet to be revealed, MMAJunkie’s Steven Marrocco took to Twitter to get the rumor mill turning.

“Hearing that Romero popped for a designer steroid – a peptide that increases testosterone production,” wrote Marrocco.

As expected, the UFC released an obligatory statement on Romero’s violation via their website last night.

The UFC organization was notified today that the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) informed Yoel Romero of a potential Anti-Doping Policy violation stemming from an out-of-competition sample collection.

USADA, the independent administrator of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, will handle the results management and appropriate adjudication of this case involving Romero. Additional information will be provided at the appropriate time as the process moves forward.

*Yawn*

If you’re interested in hearing some actually interesting thoughts on Romero’s potential violation, look no further than Tim Kennedy, who might still be a little bitter over his controversial loss to Romero at UFC 178.

In fact, the reaction to Romero’s positive test has been pretty similar across the board, with even Michael Bisping piling on Kennedy’s verbal assault.

“So Yoel tests positive, not surprised at all #roider of God is a cheating scumbag, Tweeted Bisping, “@TimKennedyMMA I feel ur pain having been there before.”

Newly-crowned middleweight champion Luke Rockhold wasn’t far behind, writing “I’m sick of all these cheaters. It’s pathetic, man up or get the fuck out.”

As of now, Romero has yet to comment on the issue, but as a former Olympian and one of the names on the short list of middleweight contenders, it’s safe to say that his violation, if proven, will have dire consequences.

Related: In light of the Romero news, we’ve gone ahead and updated our MMA Steroid Busts Timeline to include all of 2015′s violators. We’ll hold off on adding Romero to the list until more information is supplied, but check it out and let us know if there’s anyone we missed.

The post Yoel Romero Hit with “Potential USADA Violation” + An Update to Our Steroid Bust Timeline appeared first on Cagepotato.

NSAC Settles With Nick Diaz, Reduces Suspension to 18 Months, Fine to 100K

Today, Potato Nation, vindication is spelled S-T-O-C-K-T-O-N M-O-T-H-A-F-U-C-K-A-S.

Well, if not “vindication,” than at least something close to it. That’s because earlier today, Nick Diaz and the Nevada State Athletic Commission were able to reach a settlement regarding the absolutely bogus suspension he received after testing positive for marijuana metabolites back at UFC 183.

Details after the jump.

The post NSAC Settles With Nick Diaz, Reduces Suspension to 18 Months, Fine to 100K appeared first on Cagepotato.

Today, Potato Nation, vindication is spelled S-T-O-C-K-T-O-N M-O-T-H-A-F-U-C-K-A-S.

Well, if not “vindication,” than at least something close to it. That’s because earlier today, Nick Diaz and the Nevada State Athletic Commission were able to reach a settlement regarding the absolutely bogus suspension he received after testing positive for marijuana metabolites back at UFC 183.

Details after the jump.

You see, the NSAC, for the bumbling, stubling, incompetente arsholes they are, found themselves in even more hot water than usual after slamming Diaz with an unprecedented five year ban in September, by which I mean that they received a string of alleged death threats ordering them to reduce Diaz’s suspension. There was also an online, less violent White House petition, but wgaf about that.

So with this unforeseen motivation to reconsider suddenly knocking at their doors, the NSAC responded by holding a quick and painless hearing this afternoon to renegotiate the terms of Diaz’s case. The result: Diaz’s suspension was reduced from five years to 18 months (retroactive to UFC 183) and his fine from $165,000 to $100,000.

While the settlement itself was not released to the public, we managed to get ourselves a copy of it thanks to Jeremy Botter.

Diaz’s new deal does not come without a couple stipulations, mind you. Mainly, that Diaz will have to provide 3 urine samples in the month leading to his next fight in Nevada. Why the UFC would be stupid enough to book Diaz another fight in Las Vegas is beyond me, but there you go.

While this settlement is undoubtedly the silver lining in the gray cloud that was Diaz’s fighting future, it bears mentioning that it’s still kind of insane. Rousimar Palhares, for instance, received just a two year suspension and a $40,000 fine for nearly ripping Jake Shields‘ arm off at WSOF 22, and Anderson Silva received just a year suspension after testing positive for a cocktail of steroids in the same fight.

So yeah, it’s not quite justice, but in any case, the reduced suspension now means that Diaz will be eligible to compete on August 1st. Following the suspension he will inevitably receive following *that* fight, look forward to seeing Diaz return to action sometime in 2020.

The post NSAC Settles With Nick Diaz, Reduces Suspension to 18 Months, Fine to 100K appeared first on Cagepotato.

Royce Gracie Is Facing Some Serious Financial Charges, You Guys


(And pays 100% under-the-table!!)

When first taking in the idea of seeing 49 year old Royce Gracie and 51 year old Ken Shamrock do battle in the Bellator arena, I was struck with a rather obvious, yet repeatedly forgotten realization. Mainly, that former greats of MMA (or any sport, really, but *especially* MMA) only decide to put the gloves back on for 1 of 3 reasons:

1. They feel that they’ve still got something to prove, a belt/championship to attain, an spouse’s face to rub it in, etc.

2. They miss it.

3. They’re broke.

In the case of Royce Gracie, who will be returning from a 9 year, steroid-shamed absence from the sport at Bellator 149, it’s become apparent recently that his motivations lie closer to #3 than #1.

The post Royce Gracie Is Facing Some Serious Financial Charges, You Guys appeared first on Cagepotato.


(And pays 100% under-the-table!!)

When first taking in the idea of seeing 49 year old Royce Gracie and 51 year old Ken Shamrock do battle in the Bellator arena, I was struck with a rather obvious, yet repeatedly forgotten realization. Mainly, that former greats of MMA (or any sport, really, but *especially* MMA) only decide to put the gloves back on for 1 of 3 reasons:

1. They feel that they’ve still got something to prove, a belt/championship to attain, an spouse’s face to rub it in, etc.

2. They miss it.

3. They’re broke.

In the case of Royce Gracie, who will be returning from a 9 year, steroid-shamed absence from the sport at Bellator 149, it’s become apparent recently that his motivations lie closer to #3 than #1.

Duh, right? I mean, why else would someone — especially someone entering the era of osteoporosis — put their health on the line for something as undignified as a Bellator pay-per-view?

(*checks earpiece*) (*learns that Bellator 149 will in fact be broadcast on Spike TV*) (*cries*)

Needless to say, upon waking from the shame eruption blackout I suffered following that announcement, I immediately began running down my list of options. It couldn’t be that Gracie still felt he had something to prove — he was, after all, up 1-0-1 over Shamrock, rendering a trilogy fight all but pointless — and I don’t necessarily think that he found himself looking at how evolved and well-rounded the average fighter is nowadays and saying aloud, “Gee, I miss never being able to do that,” either.

It had to be money, right? What else could draw a man who belongs on the Mt. Rushmore of the sport out of hiding at 50 goddamn years old?!!!

Well, and you know how much I hate to say this, it appears that I was right. (It’s as much a curse as it is a gift, you guys.)

According to BloodyElbow’s Paul Gift, Gracie is being sought after by the Internal Revenue Service, or IRS for us laymen, for failure disclose upward of $1.5 million earned between 2007-2011, the majority of which was wired to Gracie from offshore accounts and spent on vacation properties and paying off credit card debt. After being summonsed to appear before the IRS and produce bank documents aligning with their income and failing to appear in 2012, the Gracies were then hit with a Notice of Deficiency petition by the U.S. Attorney Chief.

According to the Petition, [IRS] Agent Ybarra was assigned “to examine potential international tax issues relating to the [Gracies’] federal income tax returns…” She believed she had discovered foreign bank accounts in which the Gracies had signature authority, yet did not disclose to the IRS.

To date, my investigation has revealed that during the years 2008 – 2011: 1) the [Gracies] had signature authority over an [sic] foreign bank account at HSBC bank in Switzerland; 2) the [Gracies] had signature authority over a foreign bank account at Caixa Penedes bank in Spain; 3) the [Gracies] had a foreign bank account at First Gulf Bank in Abu Dhabi; and, 4) the [Gracies] did not disclose the full extent of their foreign bank account activities on their U.S. tax returns (Forms 1040) as required by law.

On February 1, 2013, the [Gracies’] attorney sent a letter listing their objections to complying with the summonses. No documents were included with this letter. Among the objections set forth in the letter was a claim that the 2008 year was barred because the IRS had closed its 2008 domestic audit. The [Gracies’] also raised a Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination.

Not only that, but Royce and his wife, Marianne, also allegedly filed individual tax returns showing minimal taxable income, along with $4,000 child tax and earned income credit claims during the aforementioned three-year span. An Earned Income Credit, for those unfamiliar, “is essentially a subsidy to low-income, working families, providing a tax credit to the working poor which phases out as a family’s income rises.” As the saying goes, “All my heroes are ghosts. That, or tax cheats, sexual predators, domestic abusers, or recently revealed anti-Semites.”

You can read all the grimy details of the IRS case against the Gracie’s over at BloodyElbow. While there has been no word as of yet as to how this may or may not effect Gracie’s future meeting with Shamrock, Gift also notes that, “if Gracie’s attorneys prepared him for a likely settlement or possible undesirable trial outcome, he may have need for more liquid funds in the near future and fighting Ken Shamrock could be just the ticket.”

So great; two broke 50 year-olds are gonna be fighting for milk money in the main event of Bellator 149, but only after a two street brawlers with fake names swing hammers at each other first (or something). How far this sport has come. (*wipes tear from eye*)

The post Royce Gracie Is Facing Some Serious Financial Charges, You Guys appeared first on Cagepotato.