Author: Matt Erickson

Gamburyan-Nunes, Assuncao-Pearson Added to UFC 141 in December

Filed under: UFC, NewsThe UFC’s year-end show in Las Vegas continues to take shape.

Not long after announcing a lightweight battle between still-surging contender Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone and Nate Diaz – who combined have 15 fight night bonuses in the…

Filed under: ,

The UFC‘s year-end show in Las Vegas continues to take shape.

Not long after announcing a lightweight battle between still-surging contender Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone and Nate Diaz – who combined have 15 fight night bonuses in their last 22 fights – the promotion announced a pair of featherweight bouts for UFC 141.

Former WEC featherweight title challenger Manny Gamburyan will face Diego Nunes, a bout rescheduled from UFC 135 in September. And Junior Assuncao will take on “The Ultimate Fighter” winner Ross Pearson. The UFC made the announcement of the fights on its Twitter feed and official website.

Gamburyan (11-6, 2-4 UFC) looks to break out of a two-fight skid that started with his featherweight title knockout loss to champ Jose Aldo at WEC 51 in September 2010. In June, returning to the UFC for the first time since January 2009, Gamburyan lost a majority decision to Tyson Griffin, who was making his featherweight debut. Gamburyan was a Season 5 contestant on “The Ultimate Fighter,” and reached the finals before losing to Diaz.

Nunes (16-2, 1-1 UFC) will return for the first time since a close decision loss to Kenny Florian at UFC 131 in June. The former WEC standout has gone to a decision in his last seven bouts.

Assuncao (13-4 MMA, 2-2 UFC) won his return to the UFC in September with a unanimous decision over the debuting Eddie Yagin. It was Assuncao’s first fight at featherweight after competing at lightweight throughout his career. Assuncao went 1-2 in his first stint in the UFC from 2006-07.

Pearson (12-5 MMA, 4-2 UFC) suffered a split decision loss to Edson Barboza at UFC 134 in June in Rio de Janeiro. Pearson won Season 9 of “The Ultimate Fighter,” taking a unanimous decision against Team Bisping teammate Andre Winner. He won two more after that, including a decision win over Dennis Siver. But with two losses in his last three fights, a win may be crucial for him.

UFC 141 will take place Dec. 30 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The pay-per-view will be headlined by a heavyweight contenders fight between former champion Brock Lesnar and former Strikeforce champ Alistair Overeem, who will make his UFC debut. The co-main event will be the lightweight bout between Cerrone and Diaz.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

UFC 137 Medial Suspensions: Nick Diaz, BJ Penn Included on Shelf List

Filed under: UFC, NewsLAS VEGAS – Ten fighters from Saturday’s UFC 137 card have been given medical suspensions by the Nevada State Athletic Commission, including one of up to six months for a winning fighter.

The NSAC on Monday released the suspensi…

Filed under: ,

LAS VEGAS – Ten fighters from Saturday’s UFC 137 card have been given medical suspensions by the Nevada State Athletic Commission, including one of up to six months for a winning fighter.

The NSAC on Monday released the suspensions to MMA Fighting. Brandon Vera, who beat Eliot Marshall on the preliminary card at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, is on the shelf until April 28 unless a likely torn ligament in his left elbow is cleared by a doctor. A dominant third round by Marshall included a late armbar attempt that apparently did the damage to Vera’s elbow.

And Bart Palaszewski must have his right hand x-rayed and cleared for a possible break before he can return. Palaszewski told Joe Rogan after his knockout upset win over Tyson Griffin that he thought he broke both his hands.

Main event fighters Nick Diaz and BJ Penn were also handed short suspensions. Penn, who said after the fight he intends to retire, was shut down for 60 days; Diaz, who dominated Penn in the second and third rounds to win a unanimous decision, is out until Nov. 29. He is expected to fight Georges St-Pierre for the welterweight title on Feb. 4 in Las Vegas.

The full list of medical suspensions is below.

Danny Downes: Suspended until Nov. 29 with no contact until Nov. 20 due to lacerations.

Brandon Vera: Suspended until Dec. 14 with no contact until Nov. 29. In addition, must have torn ligament in left elbow cleared by orthopedic doctor or no contest until April 28.

Bart Palaszewski: Suspended until Dec. 14 with no contact until Nov. 29 for lacerations. In addition, must have right hand x-rayed cleared by orthopedic doctor or no contest until April 28.

Tyson Griffin: Suspended until Dec. 14 with no contact until Nov. 29.

Dennis Siver: Suspended until Dec. 14 with no contact until Nov. 29.

George Roop: Suspended until Dec. 14 with no contact until Nov. 29 for lacerations.

Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic: Suspended until Dec. 14 with no contact until Nov. 29.

Matt Mitrione: Suspended until Dec. 14 with no contact until Nov. 29.

BJ Penn: Suspended until Dec. 29 with no contact until Nov. 14.

Nick Diaz: Suspended until Nov. 29 with no contact until Nov. 20.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

UFC 137 Medical Suspensions: Nick Diaz, BJ Penn Included on Shelf List

Filed under: UFC, NewsLAS VEGAS – Ten fighters from Saturday’s UFC 137 card have been given medical suspensions by the Nevada State Athletic Commission, including one of up to six months for a winning fighter.

The NSAC on Monday released the suspensi…

Filed under: ,

LAS VEGAS – Ten fighters from Saturday’s UFC 137 card have been given medical suspensions by the Nevada State Athletic Commission, including one of up to six months for a winning fighter.

The NSAC on Monday released the suspensions to MMA Fighting. Brandon Vera, who beat Eliot Marshall on the preliminary card at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, is on the shelf until April 28 unless a likely torn ligament in his left elbow is cleared by a doctor. A dominant third round by Marshall included a late armbar attempt that apparently did the damage to Vera’s elbow.

And Bart Palaszewski must have his right hand x-rayed and cleared for a possible break before he can return. Palaszewski told Joe Rogan after his knockout upset win over Tyson Griffin that he thought he broke both his hands.

Main event fighters Nick Diaz and BJ Penn were also handed short suspensions. Penn, who said after the fight he intends to retire, was shut down for 60 days; Diaz, who dominated Penn in the second and third rounds to win a unanimous decision, is out until Nov. 29. He is expected to fight Georges St-Pierre for the welterweight title on Feb. 4 in Las Vegas.

The full list of medical suspensions is below.

Danny Downes: Suspended until Nov. 29 with no contact until Nov. 20 due to lacerations.

Brandon Vera: Suspended until Dec. 14 with no contact until Nov. 29. In addition, must have torn ligament in left elbow cleared by orthopedic doctor or no contest until April 28.

Bart Palaszewski: Suspended until Dec. 14 with no contact until Nov. 29 for lacerations. In addition, must have right hand x-rayed cleared by orthopedic doctor or no contest until April 28.

Tyson Griffin: Suspended until Dec. 14 with no contact until Nov. 29.

Dennis Siver: Suspended until Dec. 14 with no contact until Nov. 29.

George Roop: Suspended until Dec. 14 with no contact until Nov. 29 for lacerations.

Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic: Suspended until Dec. 14 with no contact until Nov. 29.

Matt Mitrione: Suspended until Dec. 14 with no contact until Nov. 29.

BJ Penn: Suspended until Dec. 29 with no contact until Nov. 14.

Nick Diaz: Suspended until Nov. 29 with no contact until Nov. 20.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Back for More: Donald Cerrone-Nate Diaz Planned for UFC 141

Filed under: UFC, NewsLAS VEGAS – Someone must have told Donald Cerrone when Chris Lytle retired, the UFC had a job opening for its Bonus King position.

The “Cowboy” will go after his fourth bonus of 2011 and will tie the UFC’s record for most fights…

Filed under: ,

LAS VEGAS – Someone must have told Donald Cerrone when Chris Lytle retired, the UFC had a job opening for its Bonus King position.

The “Cowboy” will go after his fourth bonus of 2011 and will tie the UFC’s record for most fights in one calendar year when he meets Nate Diaz at UFC 141. The UFC on Monday afternoon confirmed the lightweight scrap will serve as the co-main event.

UFC 141 will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Dec. 30, a rare Friday pay-per-view for the UFC to avoid going head-to-head with the New Year’s Eve holiday the following day. Scheduled to headline the card is a heavyweight contenders fight between former UFC champ Brock Lesnar and recent signee Alistair Overeem, the former Strikeforce heavyweight champion who was released from that promotion earlier this year only to sign with the UFC.

Cerrone on Saturday won his sixth straight fight and fourth in the UFC since merging over from the WEC when he submitted Dennis Siver in the first round at UFC 137. Of his four UFC fights so far in 2011, Cerrone has three post-fight bonus awards – one each for Fight of the Night, Knockout of the Night and Submission of the Night, which came against Siver.

Diaz snapped a two-fight losing skid last month when he submitted Takanori Gomi in the first round at UFC 135, winning Submission of the Night. That came after back-to-back decision losses to Dong Hyun Kim at UFC 125 and Rory MacDonald at UFC 129. Diaz has been nearly as active as Cerrone – he will fight for the fourth time this year.

Cerrone’s bonus money in 2011 totals $215,000. His show and win purse totals out to $174,000 this year. A win and another bonus against Diaz would put him over the half-million mark for the year – not bad for a fighter who last year at this time was winning $10,000 bonuses in the WEC. Diaz has won seven bonuses in his last 11 fights.

The UFC record for non-tournament fights in one calendar is five, currently shared by Roger Huerta in 2007, plus Chris Leben and Nate Diaz’s brother Nick, both in 2006. Assuming no delays in Cerrone’s fight with Nate Diaz in December, he’ll join that small group.

After UFC 137 on Saturday, Cerrone said he wanted to get back in the cage as soon as possible, and even mentioned he’d love to be on the UFC’s December card.

“I want to keep fighting,” Cerrone said at the post-fight press conference. “I don’t want to sit and wait.

Cerrone even mentioned earlier in Fight Week that he was considering a move down to featherweight to fight Nam Phan, whom he believes disrespected his friend and teammate Leonard Garcia following his rematch win over him earlier this month. But that will get put on hold to stay at lightweight to fight Diaz.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

UFC 137 Fighter Salaries: Nick Diaz, BJ Penn Lead $1 Million-Plus Payroll

Filed under: UFC, News, salariesLAS VEGAS – The Nevada State Athletic Commission on Monday released the salary figures for UFC 137, which took place Saturday at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.

Former Strikeforce welterweight champion Nic…

Filed under: , ,

LAS VEGAS – The Nevada State Athletic Commission on Monday released the salary figures for UFC 137, which took place Saturday at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.

Former Strikeforce welterweight champion Nick Diaz, who vacated his belt in that promotion to rejoin the UFC to challenge for Georges St-Pierre‘s 170-pound title, led all fighters with a $200,000 payday. His opponent in the main event, former UFC lightweight and welterweight champion BJ Penn, earned $150,000 in the loss.

Following the fight, which Diaz won by unanimous decision, Penn told Joe Rogan his intention is to retire from the sport. Diaz, though, was given an immediate title shot against St-Pierre – a title shot he was scheduled to have at UFC 137 before UFC president Dana White pulled him from that fight after he missed two press conferences to promote the event.

Additionally, Diaz and Penn each earned another $75,000 for winning the Fight of the Night bonus award.

Co-main event heavyweight Cheick Kongo was the third highest paid fighter on the card. After his $70,000 win bonus, he made $140,000. And Brandon Vera, fighting for the first time since a January loss to Thiago Silva that was overturned to a no contest when Silva tested positive for banned substances, made $120,000 for his win over Eliot Marshall.

Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic alluded all week that his fight against Roy Nelson may be his last one. And after his third-round TKO loss, Cro Cop told Rogan that would be his last fight. He earned $75,000 in the loss.

The complete purses (show money/win bonus) are listed below. They do not include post-fight bonus totals, non-disclosed “locker room” bonuses or any sponsorship monies.

Nick Diaz: $200,000 (no win bonus) def. BJ Penn: $150,000
Cheick Kongo: $70,000 ($70,000 win bonus) def. Matt Mitrione: $10,000
Roy Nelson: $20,000 ($20,000 win bonus) def. Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic: $75,000
Scott Jorgensen: $16,500 ($16,500 win bonus) def. Jeff Curran: $8,000
Hatsu Hioki: $15,000 ($15,000 win bonus) def. George Roop: $8,000
Donald Cerrone: $27,000 ($27,000 win bonus) def. Dennis Siver: $27,000
Bart Palaszewski: $18,500 ($10,000 win bonus) def. Tyson Griffin: $25,500*
Brandon Vera: $60,000 ($60,000 win bonus) def. Eliot Marshall: $15,000
Ramsey Nijem: $10,000 ($10,000 win bonus) def. Danny Downes: $4,000
Francis Carmont: $6,000 ($6,000 win bonus) def. Chris Carmozzi: $8,000
Clifford Starks: $6,000 ($6,000 win bonus) def. Dustin Jacoby: $6,000

* Griffin was scheduled to earn $34,000 for his fight against Palaszewski; Palaszewski was scheduled to make $10,000. Griffin missed weight, however, and was penalized 25 percent ($8,500) of his show money, which was added to Palaszewski’s show money total.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

GSP vs. Diaz Back On, Likely for UFC’s Super Bowl Card

Filed under: ,

LAS VEGAS – The welterweight showdown between Georges St-Pierre and Nick Diaz that was supposed to headline UFC 137 on Saturday needed all of about 90 minutes after the card to be back on.

UFC president Dana White said at Saturday’s post-fight press conference that Carlos Condit has agreed to step aside from his pending title fight with welterweight champ St-Pierre – so Diaz could move in for the title shot. The planned headliner is expected to take place as the main event of the UFC’s pay-per-view on Super Bowl weekend in Las Vegas, White said.

Diaz, who vacated his Strikeforce welterweight title to come to the UFC, was originally scheduled to fight St-Pierre but was removed from the bout when he failed to show for a pair of press conferences earlier this fall. In his place, White gave Condit the title shot and put Diaz against BJ Penn, a fight he dominated on Saturday in Las Vegas. But St-Pierre was injured earlier this month.

The potentially complicated waiting game, however, was made a lot simpler when White said St-Pierre “flipped out” over Diaz’s post-fight comments in the cage. White made a call to Condit, Condit agreed to put his title shot on hold, and the St-Pierre vs. Diaz welterweight title fight became a reality and got a date much quicker than anyone could have expected before Saturday night.

After beating Penn – and potentially sending him into retirement – Diaz told Joe Rogan he believed St-Pierre was not truly injured. “I don’t think Georges is hurt. I think he’s scared,” Diaz said. The cameras inside Mandalay Bay Events Center cut to St-Pierre, who was sitting cageside after helping corner his TriStar Gym teammate Francis Carmont.

White said he saw a side of his welterweight champion backstage after the event that he hadn’t seen before.

“Let me put it to you this way,” White said. “I’ve known Georges St-Pierre since 2004 and he’s one of the nicest guys I’ve ever met. He’s exactly the same no matter what the situation is, no matter who he’s fighting. Since 2004, I’ve never seen him like he was tonight. Georges St-Pierre flipped out tonight after Nick Diaz was in the ring. Nick needs motivation, he’s got it – he’s going to fight Georges St-Pierre. Carlos Condit has agreed to step aside and fight the next guy.”

“This is what I wanted since the beginning,” St-Pierre said in a statement. “Let’s do what was supposed to be done originally. I’ve always wanted this fight – now I want it even more. I can’t wait for Super Bowl weekend.”

White added at the press conference that St-Pierre was adamant about how he wants his title defense against Diaz to go down. St-Pierre has defended his welterweight title six times since reclaiming it from Matt Serra at UFC 83 in April 2008.

“(St-Pierre) said, and I quote, ‘(Nick Diaz is) the most disrespectful human being I’ve ever met, and I’m going to put the worst beating you’ve ever seen on him in the UFC,'” White said.

Diaz stole the press conference on a night that saw the likely retirements of legendary fighters Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic and Penn, oftentimes nearly rambling about everything from the houses in his Stockton, Calif., neighborhood to why no one wants to help him prepare for fights. He said being the villain is what works to get him fights.

“You’ve got to come off like that just to get a fight,” Diaz said. “Know what I’m saying? I’ve got to be the bad guy. You point the finger, make me the bad guy, and now I get to fight.”

As for Condit, he goes from a title shot against St-Pierre to a top contender’s fight, expected for the same card on Feb. 4 in Las Vegas. White did not reveal who that opponent will be, but possible candidates would likely include Jon Fitch and Jake Ellenberger, who upset Diaz’s training partner Jake Shields last month.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Filed under: ,

LAS VEGAS – The welterweight showdown between Georges St-Pierre and Nick Diaz that was supposed to headline UFC 137 on Saturday needed all of about 90 minutes after the card to be back on.

UFC president Dana White said at Saturday’s post-fight press conference that Carlos Condit has agreed to step aside from his pending title fight with welterweight champ St-Pierre – so Diaz could move in for the title shot. The planned headliner is expected to take place as the main event of the UFC’s pay-per-view on Super Bowl weekend in Las Vegas, White said.

Diaz, who vacated his Strikeforce welterweight title to come to the UFC, was originally scheduled to fight St-Pierre but was removed from the bout when he failed to show for a pair of press conferences earlier this fall. In his place, White gave Condit the title shot and put Diaz against BJ Penn, a fight he dominated on Saturday in Las Vegas. But St-Pierre was injured earlier this month.

The potentially complicated waiting game, however, was made a lot simpler when White said St-Pierre “flipped out” over Diaz’s post-fight comments in the cage. White made a call to Condit, Condit agreed to put his title shot on hold, and the St-Pierre vs. Diaz welterweight title fight became a reality and got a date much quicker than anyone could have expected before Saturday night.

After beating Penn – and potentially sending him into retirement – Diaz told Joe Rogan he believed St-Pierre was not truly injured. “I don’t think Georges is hurt. I think he’s scared,” Diaz said. The cameras inside Mandalay Bay Events Center cut to St-Pierre, who was sitting cageside after helping corner his TriStar Gym teammate Francis Carmont.

White said he saw a side of his welterweight champion backstage after the event that he hadn’t seen before.

“Let me put it to you this way,” White said. “I’ve known Georges St-Pierre since 2004 and he’s one of the nicest guys I’ve ever met. He’s exactly the same no matter what the situation is, no matter who he’s fighting. Since 2004, I’ve never seen him like he was tonight. Georges St-Pierre flipped out tonight after Nick Diaz was in the ring. Nick needs motivation, he’s got it – he’s going to fight Georges St-Pierre. Carlos Condit has agreed to step aside and fight the next guy.”

“This is what I wanted since the beginning,” St-Pierre said in a statement. “Let’s do what was supposed to be done originally. I’ve always wanted this fight – now I want it even more. I can’t wait for Super Bowl weekend.”

White added at the press conference that St-Pierre was adamant about how he wants his title defense against Diaz to go down. St-Pierre has defended his welterweight title six times since reclaiming it from Matt Serra at UFC 83 in April 2008.

“(St-Pierre) said, and I quote, ‘(Nick Diaz is) the most disrespectful human being I’ve ever met, and I’m going to put the worst beating you’ve ever seen on him in the UFC,'” White said.

Diaz stole the press conference on a night that saw the likely retirements of legendary fighters Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic and Penn, oftentimes nearly rambling about everything from the houses in his Stockton, Calif., neighborhood to why no one wants to help him prepare for fights. He said being the villain is what works to get him fights.

“You’ve got to come off like that just to get a fight,” Diaz said. “Know what I’m saying? I’ve got to be the bad guy. You point the finger, make me the bad guy, and now I get to fight.”

As for Condit, he goes from a title shot against St-Pierre to a top contender’s fight, expected for the same card on Feb. 4 in Las Vegas. White did not reveal who that opponent will be, but possible candidates would likely include Jon Fitch and Jake Ellenberger, who upset Diaz’s training partner Jake Shields last month.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments