Rich Franklin Puts Chuck Liddell on Ice; Underdogs Have Their Day at UFC 115

Filed under: UFC, NewsNo matter the sport, the great ones always seem to hold on a bit too long. Emmitt Smith closed out his football career as a struggling tailback for the Arizona Cardinals, Babe Ruth hit .181 in his last year for the Boston Braves a…

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Rich Franklin knocks out Chuck Liddell at UFC 115.No matter the sport, the great ones always seem to hold on a bit too long. Emmitt Smith closed out his football career as a struggling tailback for the Arizona Cardinals, Babe Ruth hit .181 in his last year for the Boston Braves and Michael Jordan clanged jumpers off the iron for the lowly Washington Wizards.

The last memory of Chuck Liddell in the Octagon is also likely to be a sight that most fans would rather not remember. After a spirited round in which he showed more variety to his offense than he’s shown in years, it all came crashing down around the legend. Despite his newfound diet and his hard work, the lasting image of Liddell from UFC 115 was like the few that had come in the fights directly before it: Liddell falling backwards, his head bouncing backwards to the mat as he fell unconscious. This time the punch came from Rich Franklin, putting a close on the event, and likely Liddell’s career.

Asked if it was the end for the UFC Hall of Famer, UFC President Dana White answered directly.

UFC 115 Live Blog: Ben Rothwell vs. Gilbert Yvel Updates

Filed under: UFCThis is the UFC 115 live blog for Ben Rothwell vs. Gilbert Yvel, a heavyweight bout on tonight’s pay-per-view from the General Motors Place in Vancouver, BC, Canada.

Rothwell (30-7) and Yvel (36-14-1) are both looking for their first U…

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This is the UFC 115 live blog for Ben Rothwell vs. Gilbert Yvel, a heavyweight bout on tonight’s pay-per-view from the General Motors Place in Vancouver, BC, Canada.

Rothwell (30-7) and Yvel (36-14-1) are both looking for their first UFC victory in their second UFC fight. Yvel lost by first-round TKO to Junior dos Santos at UFC 108 in January. Rothwell lost to Cain Velasquez at UFC 104 last October.

The live blog is below.



UFC 115 Live Blog: Tyson Griffin vs. Evan Dunham Updates

Filed under: UFCThis is the UFC 115 live blog for Tyson Griffin vs. Evan Dunham, a lightweight bout on tonight’s pay-per-view from the General Motors Place in Vancouver, BC, Canada.

Griffin (14-2) and Dunham (10-0) are a rare breed in that they both t…

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This is the UFC 115 live blog for Tyson Griffin vs. Evan Dunham, a lightweight bout on tonight’s pay-per-view from the General Motors Place in Vancouver, BC, Canada.

Griffin (14-2) and Dunham (10-0) are a rare breed in that they both train out of the Xtreme Couture gym in Las Vegas and are willing to meet inside the Octagon as well.

The live blog is below.



UFC 115 Main Event Breakdown: Chuck Liddell vs. Rich Franklin

Filed under: UFCStylistically, Chuck Liddell’s night got easier when Tito Ortiz was forced to withdraw from their fight and he was replaced by Rich Franklin. Competitively though, it likely got more difficult.

After facing and beating Ortiz twice, Lid…

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Chuck Liddell, Rich FranklinStylistically, Chuck Liddell‘s night got easier when Tito Ortiz was forced to withdraw from their fight and he was replaced by Rich Franklin. Competitively though, it likely got more difficult.

After facing and beating Ortiz twice, Liddell has a very good idea of nearly everything Ortiz brings to the table. He understands his strategy, setups and execution. He’s experienced his spacing, striking and shooting. He’s seen it all in 3-D and conquered it. That’s not to say that the third time around would be automatic, just that the variables that go with unfamiliarity are non-existent.

Franklin, too is a familiar opponent, but in a different way. The former UFC middleweight champion has been around the MMA game long enough that he has few secrets in his arsenal, but Liddell has yet to experience them in person. He doesn’t know how quick his hands are, how strong he is, or what kind of power he packs with his striking. And that’s what makes the main event of UFC 115 compelling.

Dean Lister Tapped to Work With James Toney on Jiu-Jitsu

Filed under: UFC, FanHouse Exclusive, NewsWith his mixed martial arts debut about two months away, former multi-division boxing champion James Toney has enlisted ex-UFC star and Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Dean Lister to tutor him in a crash course …

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With his mixed martial arts debut about two months away, former multi-division boxing champion James Toney has enlisted ex-UFC star and Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Dean Lister to tutor him in a crash course on the ground game, MMA Fighting has learned.

According to two separate sources, Lister has been working with Toney for about one month in preparation for his August UFC 118 bout against UFC legend Randy Couture. Lister did not respond to messages seeking comment.

Pat Curran Takes Bellator Lightweight Tourney; Megumi Fujii Moves to 20-0

Filed under: Bellator, News
Pat Curran authored his second straight close — some might say controversial — upset, earning a split decision win over Toby Imada to capture the Bellator season two lightweight tournament at Bellator XXI at the Seminole H…

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Pat Curran authored his second straight close — some might say controversial — upset, earning a split decision win over Toby Imada to capture the Bellator season two lightweight tournament at Bellator XXI at the Seminole Hard Rock and Casino in Hollywood, Florida.

With the win, Curran earns the opportunity to face Bellator champion Eddie Alvarez later this year.