Author: kmowatt

Dana White Says James Toney vs. Randy Couture Set

Last week, before a one armed Rich Franklin (for all intensive and dramatic purposes) crushed the hopes of “Iceman” fans everywhere, we passed along word that said James Toney was taking his sweet ass time to sign the bout agreement for his UFC 118 (which prompted several Fix staffers to go into hysterics). Of course, […]

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Last week, before a one armed Rich Franklin (for all intensive and dramatic purposes) crushed the hopes of “Iceman” fans everywhere, we passed along word that said James Toney was taking his sweet ass time to sign the bout agreement for his UFC 118 (which prompted several Fix staffers to go into hysterics). Of course, if you’ve even turned on your computer over the last few weeks, you’re more than aware that the charismatic boxer / soon to be MMA fighter, is supposed to fight Randy Couture at the August 28th event in Boston.

Well according to Dana White this past weekend, all this speculation about Toney possibly waffling is grade A bs, as the UFC boss man not only confirmed the fight to MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani, MMA Junkie is also reporting that the fight is set. If you’re a huge or old school MMA fan, who’s grown desperately tired of debating with boxing purists that MMA fighter’s aren’t legit, let the Mr. Burns saying ‘excellent’ impersonations fly.

So, there you have it, and with the rematch between BJ Penn and newly minted lightweight champ Frankie Edgar scheduled as the headliner, Boston’s made out pretty good on this thing huh?

Dana White Says Chuck Liddell’s UFC Career is Over

Remember rolling your eyes as a kid when you were told that history was important to learn, because it ‘has a funny way of repeating itself’ (which is kind of an odd way of putting it, as often historical repetition involves war, atrocities, political scandal…you know, all that ‘funny’ stuff). Well if you watched UFC […]

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Remember rolling your eyes as a kid when you were told that history was important to learn, because it ‘has a funny way of repeating itself’ (which is kind of an odd way of putting it, as often historical repetition involves war, atrocities, political scandal…you know, all that ‘funny’ stuff). Well if you watched UFC 115 last night, then you know that Chuck Liddell made out the same way as he did last April, KO’d.

Now you may also recall that after getting knocked out by “Shogun” Rua last year, UFC Pres Dana White wasted little time declaring that Liddell should retire. Chuck didn’t announce his retirement, however, did “Dancing with the Stars”, and yadda, yadda, yadda, showed up in tremendous shape for last night’s bout with Franklin. Unfortunately for Liddell of course, once again, he got laid the hell out…

So, naturally,  White is once again calling for Liddell’s retirement. In the post-fight press conference last night, the UFC boss man offered this, when asked if Liddell should hang em up (thanks to MMA Junkie for the quote).

“Yeah, and I hope he agreed tonight,” the UFC president said. “I don’t think he won’t.”

Sounds familiar doesn’t it? Now due to similar things that were said last April, MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani pressed White on whether or not this time around, Liddell’s UFC career really is over; White responded with  “I guarantee you tonight was the last night.”  Well, if that is in fact the case (and really, this time it should be no?) it’s been a hell of a ride for “The Iceman.”

Lyoto Machida Says he’s Learning from First Loss

While a lot of people thought that Lyoto Machida really lost for the first time in his career when he was awarded a controversial Unanimous Decision victory over “Shogun” Rua last October, it was understandable that he and his family / training partners, didn’t really see it that way. It was a close bout, and […]

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While a lot of people thought that Lyoto Machida really lost for the first time in his career when he was awarded a controversial Unanimous Decision victory over “Shogun” Rua last October, it was understandable that he and his family / training partners, didn’t really see it that way. It was a close bout, and after all, Machida’s their boy; so heading into the rematch with Shogun they defended the judge’s previous decision. Things have changed dramatically since then, clearly, as Rua ruined Machida’s unblemished victory KTFO style in May.

So it will be interesting to see where Machida goes from here and how he handles the loss. The fact that we’re discussing Machida’s first loss, after fighting professionally since 2003 and facing dudes like Rashad Evans, Thiago Silva and Tito Ortiz in his last five fights, is pretty damn amazing. Well, in a recent interview with the Brazilian publication Tatame, it sounds like Machida is already on the rebound.

“Everything is a learning experience for me, a challenge. I’m trying to learn the most I can from this event. My father taught me that a true samurai loses seven challenges on his life, so this was only the first one. Many times we can only learn from the pain.”

Wow. He even got the samurai bit in there and everything. If that speech doesn’t belong in some martial arts epic what does? See, they don’t call him “The Dragon” because he’s really into Harry Potter. Your thoughts Mr. “Rampage” and hopefully next opponent Jackson?

Report: Dean Lister Coaching James Toney in Jiu-Jitsu

As James Toney continues to prepare for his expected, August 28th, UFC debut against Randy Couture, the boxer’s training camp continues to receive a lot of scrutinizing attention. Guess when you declare publicly that, despite having little to no experience in mixed-martial-arts heads of fighters may go “into orbit”, people are going to be real […]

james toney

As James Toney continues to prepare for his expected, August 28th, UFC debut against Randy Couture, the boxer’s training camp continues to receive a lot of scrutinizing attention. Guess when you declare publicly that, despite having little to no experience in mixed-martial-arts heads of fighters may go “into orbit”, people are going to be real curious as to whether or not you’ll back that sh-t up.

Well, recently it was revealed that not only is Toney training with Strikeforce champ “King Mo” Lawal, but reports surfaced that Toney may have actually tapped out the accomplished wrestler (could it have been a deliberately leaked bit of ‘counter intelligence? Dum, dum, dum, dum). Now in a recent story from MMA Fighting, the outlet is reporting that Toney has hired Dean Lister to help him out with his ground game; yeah, we’d say a former ADCC champ would probably do the trick. Although the story cited anonymous sources for the report and that Lister did not respond to MMA Fighting’s inquiries, the article points out that Lister is also Lawal’s BJJ coach. Connect the dots now….

On the flip side of all the Toney hype, it was reported in the latest episode of MMA Live, that the UFC newcomer is reportedly “dragging his feet over the bout agreement signing with Randy Couture.” Temporary hiccup or…?

Dana White Insists UFC Working Towards Events in China and India

With the tremendous growth of MMA over the last few years and the seemingly, ever increasing popularity of the UFC, the promotion’s chief Dana White has consistently stated that the company’s vision is to take the Octagon worldwide. Obviously the UFC has had huge success in nations like Canada, the U.K., Australia, and places like […]

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With the tremendous growth of MMA over the last few years and the seemingly, ever increasing popularity of the UFC, the promotion’s chief Dana White has consistently stated that the company’s vision is to take the Octagon worldwide. Obviously the UFC has had huge success in nations like Canada, the U.K., Australia, and places like Abu Dhabi, among others, but still, how far can the promotion go? Is White serious when he states the UFC is heading into places like China or India? Or are those comments more, you know, of the spouting off variety, like when half-tanked buddy at your favorite ‘watering hole’ tells you he’s an expert in JKP and would fight in the UFC, if not for his torn DCL.

Well in a recent interview with Fighters Only Magazine, White continued to insist that the UFC is indeed working hard at bringing the promotion to those tiny, billion plus person markets of China and India.

“No we’re working hardcore to go to those places right now. Those are right here, right now places. Just like when I said we were going to the Middle East”….”We already have several meetings and done deals in China and now we are working on India. Probably what’s going to happen first is we’re going to get on television there and also the internet, the internet is very popular in China. Then we are talking about doing The Ultimate Fighter China, which would feature Chinese fighters.”

Better start adding more to your UFC PPV fund now….

Tito Ortiz Still Wants Third Bout With Liddell

The fact that Chuck Liddell had zero sympathy for Tito Ortiz when news surfaced that the former champ was undergoing neck / back surgery again, was less surprising than hearing Dana White using the f-bomb in an interview.  In fact, not only was Liddell really pissed about their third fight being cancelled, “The Iceman” has […]

Tito-Ortiz-vs-Chuck-Liddell

The fact that Chuck Liddell had zero sympathy for Tito Ortiz when news surfaced that the former champ was undergoing neck / back surgery again, was less surprising than hearing Dana White using the f-bomb in an interview.  In fact, not only was Liddell really pissed about their third fight being cancelled, “The Iceman” has made it clear that in his not-so-unbiased-opinion, Ortiz never intended to fight.

Well, now Ortiz is in full rebuttal mode, defending his decision to undergo his second major back surgery in 18 months. In fact, in the most recent episode of Spike’s Inside the Ultimate Fighter podcast, “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” had this to say about Liddell insisting Ortiz is just ducking him (thanks to MMA Fighting for the quote).

“I think we should still fight, just because of the s— he’s been saying. Saying that I’m afraid of him and I’m a p—-, this and that. Go f— yourself man. Are you kidding me? Has he ever defended his world title longer than me? No. Has any light-heavyweight ever defended the world title longer than me? No. I’m only 35 years old. I’ll be back in the cage again, and I’ll be dominating.”

Ortiz reportedly went on to say that he’s even cheering for Liddell against Rich Franklin this weekend, just so the door remains open to a third fight. Wow. Hoping your foe doesn’t get hurt in a fight just so you can personally hurt him later…now that’s some hatred. To bet on UFC 115 head here.