Author: Joshua Carey

UFC’s BJ Penn Will See a Positive Result in Reagan Penn, Kendall Grove’s Success

While BJ “The Prodigy” Penn (16-7-2 MMA, 12-6-2 UFC) has been in the news this week regarding his status at UFC 13, it is the former UFC champion’s younger brother who most recently claimed victory.Reagan Penn (1-0 MMA), the younger brother of “The Pro…

While BJ “The Prodigy” Penn (16-7-2 MMA, 12-6-2 UFC) has been in the news this week regarding his status at UFC 13, it is the former UFC champion’s younger brother who most recently claimed victory.

Reagan Penn (1-0 MMA), the younger brother of “The Prodigy,” made his professional fighting debut last month at ProElite 1 in Neal S. Blaisdell Arena in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Reagan showcased his superior submission skills in handing opponent Paul Gardiner his first professional loss.

Needless to say, Reagan put the years of training with his legendary brother to good use.

Additionally, “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 3 winner Kendall Grove (13-9 MMA) claimed victory in his first post-UFC action.

Grove faced fellow UFC veteran Joe Riggs, and it took Grove just 59 seconds to avenge a 2004 loss to Riggs.

The momentum that has been built by the younger Penn and Grove will surely have a positive effect on BJ’s preparation for UFC 137, which takes place Oct. 29 at Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.

BJ was originally slated to face Carlos Condit, but after Nick Diaz went missing in action and skipped multiple press conferences, Condit was promoted to headline opposite Welterweight Champion Georges St. Pierre.

24 hours later, UFC President Dana White announced the news that BJ now faces Diaz in the co-headliner.

With a positive training atmosphere surrounding him, BJ appears primed for another run at championship gold.

The RVCA Sport Center in California is where the Hawaiian will spend his remaining weeks of preparation for the highly anticipated fight.

As seen in the video, the Penn brothers along with Grove, Justin McCully, and Troy Mandaloniz have formed one the sport’s most underrated teams.

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UFC 137: BJ Penn vs Nick Diaz Is Co-Main Event, Dana White Confirms Via Tweet

Nick Diaz (25-7 MMA, 6-4 UFC) was originally slated to face Georges St. Pierre (22-2 MMA, 16-2 UFC) for the UFC welterweight championship,He’ll now co-headline the event against former lightweight and welterweight champion B.J. “The Prodigy” Penn (16-7…

Nick Diaz (25-7 MMA, 6-4 UFC) was originally slated to face Georges St. Pierre (22-2 MMA, 16-2 UFC) for the UFC welterweight championship,

He’ll now co-headline the event against former lightweight and welterweight champion B.J. “The Prodigy” Penn (16-7-2 MMA, 12-6-2 UFC).

UFC President Dana White confirmed the news via his twitter: 

 “This is crazy but here we go again! You wanted it so you got it. Penn vs Diaz Oct 27th in Vegas”

After skipping pre-fight press conferences in Canada and Las Vegas to promote the championship headliner opposite Georges St. Pierre, Diaz was replaced in favor of Carlos Condit (27-5 MMA, 4-1 UFC).

Diaz is widely known for his dislike in dealing with media, but now it’s cost him a chance at the division’s championship.

The wild turn of events saw Diaz yanked out of the main event and Penn was suddenly left without an opponent.

However, 24 hours later White announced that Penn will remain on the card and now faces the former Strikeforce welterweight champion.

UFC 137 takes place Oct. 29 at Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.

For additional information, follow Joshua Carey on  Twitter

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Bellator’s Preliminary Fights to Stream on Spike.com, Begins at Bellator 49

It didn’t take long for Spike to re-emerge in the MMA world as officials today announced the news by press release.Spike.com will stream undercard fights during Bellator’s 12-week season from 7:00-9:00 p.m. ET/PT weekly.”We are thrilled to join forces …

It didn’t take long for Spike to re-emerge in the MMA world as officials today announced the news by press release.

Spike.com will stream undercard fights during Bellator’s 12-week season from 7:00-9:00 p.m. ET/PT weekly.

“We are thrilled to join forces with Spike.com,” said Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney. “The Spike brand is synonymous with mixed martial arts worldwide and is another member of the MTV family, who does an incredible job in resonating with the hard-to-reach 18-to-34-year-old male audience.”

Bellator 49 will mark the beginning of the relationship between the organization and Spike.

Bellator’s 5th season kicks off with the aforementioned event from Caesar’s in Atlantic City, N.J. this weekend.

Spike.com and MTV 2 are both divisions of MTV Networks, so the decision to stream Bellator’s preliminary fights isn’t that surprising.

MTV 2 will air Bellator’s main card action, so the move to stream on Spike.com makes sense for both parties.

Bellator’s champions are Zach Makovsky (Bantamweight), Joe Warren (Featherweight), Eddie Alvarez (lightweight), Ben Askren (Welterweight), Hector Lombard (middleweight), Christian M’Pumbu (Light Heavyweight, Cole Konrad (Heavyweight), and Women’s 115-pound title holder Zoila Gurgel.

 

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UFC 137: St. Pierre vs. Diaz Presser Open to Fans, Tickets Go on Sale This Week

This is an important week for next month’s UFC 137 pay-per-view as the organization is hosting a pre-fight press conference and ticket sales go on sale over the next four days.UFC officials announced that fans will be allowed to attend the pre-fight pr…

This is an important week for next month’s UFC 137 pay-per-view as the organization is hosting a pre-fight press conference and ticket sales go on sale over the next four days.

UFC officials announced that fans will be allowed to attend the pre-fight press conference, which takes place at Mandalay Bay Events Center on Wednesday.

In addition to UFC president Dana White, Georges St. Pierre (22-2 MMA, 16-2 UFC) and former Strikeforce welterweight champion Nick Diaz (25-7 MMA, 6-4 UFC) are set to appear for fans and media.

With that being said, tickets go on sale for UFC Fight Club members Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. ET, UFC e-newsletter subscribers get their opportunity before the general public on Thursday at 1:00 p.m. ET.

The general public finally receives the opportunity to get their hands on tickets for the highly anticipated event on Friday, September 9 at 1:00 p.m. ET.

Diaz has claimed victory in 10 consecutive fights and hasn’t lost since 2007. Nine of those victories have come by way of knockout or submission. He relinquished his Strikeforce championship in hopes of dethroning St. Pierre.

St. Pierre also hasn’t lost since 2007, he’s won nine in a row and has defeated the likes of Jon Fitch, Josh Koscheck (twice) and Diaz’ teammate Jake Shields.

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Cain Velasquez and the UFC’s All-Time Best in Significant Strike Accuracy

Cain Velasquez has been nothing short of dominant since entering the UFC.Velasquez’ five knockout victories in the organization has led him to becoming the organization’s heavyweight champion and has him set to headline the inaugural UFC on Fox event i…

Cain Velasquez has been nothing short of dominant since entering the UFC.

Velasquez’ five knockout victories in the organization has led him to becoming the organization’s heavyweight champion and has him set to headline the inaugural UFC on Fox event in November.

However, the American Kickboxing Academy-trained heavyweight doesn’t lead the pack as the No. 1 fighter in significant strike accuracy in UFC history.

The top spot goes to a fellow champion and future Hall of Famer; additionally, making the list are three former champions and five fighters who are currently booked for fall fights.

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UFC on Fox: Cain Velasquez and Junior Dos Santos to Headline Historic Event

Following a Thursday press release stating that UFC president Dana White would be making a major announcement, White tweeted:”The “BIG Announcement” 2 morrow at 10 am will be the FOX fight. The UFC and FOX are so pumped for @UFCONFOXSports!!!!!!!!”The …

Following a Thursday press release stating that UFC president Dana White would be making a major announcement, White tweeted:

“The “BIG Announcement” 2 morrow at 10 am will be the FOX fight. The UFC and FOX are so pumped for !!!!!!!!”

The inaugural Fox event, which takes place on Nov. 12 in Anaheim, Calif. features a championship headliner.

White didn’t disappoint by today announcing that UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez (9-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) will defend his title for the first time opposite Brazilian slugger Junior dos Santos (13-1 MMA, 7-0 UFC).

Velasquez and dos Santos were originally slated to headline UFC 139 in November, but the pay-per-view event now gets a new main event that will be announced at a later date.

When asked how difficult it was to pull Velasquez and dos Santos off pay-per-view, White responded, “It was the easiest conversation I’ve ever had yanking guys off pay-per-view and putting them on television.”

This past month the UFC and Fox agreed to a seven-year deal, which brings four annual events to Fox and brings the organization to cable partners FX and Fuel TV.

FX and Fuel TV will air extensive UFC programming including live fights and “The Ultimate Fighter.”

During the media conference call Fox executives said that they’ll give UFC on Fox 1 “Super Bowl” type treatment.

Additionally, the heavyweight championship headliner will fill the entire portion of the one-hour live network television broadcast.

Tickets for Velasquez and dos Santos go on sale Sept. 16 at the Honda Center or ticketmaster.com.

 

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