Author: Mike Hodges

Steven Seagal Says Chael Sonnen Had an Unfair Advantage Against Anderson Silva

Famous action star Steven Seagal won’t hold anything back when it comes to defending UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva.After what was a memorable battle at UFC 117, Silva and Chael Sonnen are prepared to touch gloves once more in a highly-anticp…

Famous action star Steven Seagal won’t hold anything back when it comes to defending UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva.

After what was a memorable battle at UFC 117, Silva and Chael Sonnen are prepared to touch gloves once more in a highly-anticpated rematch at UFC 148 on July 7.

Seagal believes their second meeting will look much different than their first fight and he shared his thoughts on The MMA Hour.

“Chael last time had an extremely unfair advantage,” Seagal said. “Because, you know, that whole deal with I don’t know what it’s called, steroids, or whatever, performance-enhancing drugs or whatever. … I think this time, probably he’ll be a little more careful with that, and I think that will even the playing field.”

Although Sonnen would go on to lose the five-round bout to Silva, and be handed a one-year suspension from the California State Athletic Commission shortly after testing positive for elevated levels of testosterone, his performance has generated much intrigue for the rematch.

And Seagal, like many other fans, cannot wait for the event and he picks the Brazilian to defeat his American counter-part convincingly.

“Let’s just say this, I think this time, they’re both going to be at their best,” Seagal said. “I don’t think there’s going to be any controversy, I don’t think there’s going to be any injuries. I think two great fighters are going to go out there and have it out, and I think my guy’s going to win. My guy’s going to win handily this time.”

It’s no secret that Seagal is an accomplished martial artist, however there is a mystery as to how he became involved in helping Silva, as well as other Team Black House fighters.

But it is certain that Seagal will be rooting for the champion, whether he is in attendance or not, only adding more anticipation to the main event.

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"Hijacked" Trailer Starring UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture

Randy Couture’s acting resume continues to expand, as the former UFC light heavyweight champion is set to star in the action film, “Hijacked.”The UFC Hall of Famer stars alongside actors Dominic Purcell and Vinnie Jones as he plays a CIA agent in searc…

Randy Couture‘s acting resume continues to expand, as the former UFC light heavyweight champion is set to star in the action film, “Hijacked.”

The UFC Hall of Famer stars alongside actors Dominic Purcell and Vinnie Jones as he plays a CIA agent in search of his ex-finance after she boards a plane that is targeted by a group of hijackers.

The film’s plot seems straight forward, but Couture is a good fit for the role.

Couture’s film career isn’t necessarily skyrocketing, but “The Natural” looks to be on a steady path to establish himself as a credible action star. And he is set to have a busy summer, with the upcoming release of “The Expendables 2” on August 17.

Couture’s charm and charisma instantly make him a marketable star in Hollywood. Couture’s stardom will also open the door for other marketable fighters like Georges St-Pierre and Jon Jones, should they get bitten by the acting bug in the future.

Couture’s success in films thus far will not only increase his profile, but help build the mainstream acceptance the UFC has been searching for in the last few years. It won’t hurt to have one of the company’s most recognizable faces appear on a UFC broadcast every now and then to promote his latest flick.

It’s a win-win situation for the company, and the UFC should look to take advantage of the opportunity with some of their top guys who are more media-savvy than others.

“Hijacked” will be released on Blu-ray and DVD on July 31.

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Frank Mir Wants to Go into Commentary When He Retires from the UFC

Frank Mir has always dreamed of trading in his gloves for a microphone.  The 33-year-old Las Vegas native has competed inside the Octagon for over a decade, but when he is not tearing limbs and breaking bones, he is standing cage-side and com…

Frank Mir has always dreamed of trading in his gloves for a microphone.  

The 33-year-old Las Vegas native has competed inside the Octagon for over a decade, but when he is not tearing limbs and breaking bones, he is standing cage-side and commentating on the bouts.

And he is optimistic about pursuing it full-time when he retires.

“I like analyzing fights and I like doing color commentating,” said Mir. “It’s an opportunity I would take advantage of when I run into it. Hopefully it’s something I can do full time,” Mir told the Chronicle Journal during a celebrity dinner in Canada earlier this week.

Mir has always been one of the more colorful personalities in the sport and he brings a lot of charisma. 

Mir is aware that time is not on his side and he could offer more credibility to the UFC broadcast team, Mike Goldberg and Joe Rogan. Goldberg and Rogan are great at what they do, but adding a third member to their team wouldn’t hurt necessarily and it would make them more professional. 

Fighters like Randy Couture and Kenny Florian have also commentated for UFC events in the past and there is no reason why Mir couldn’t do the same. Mir is a intelligent and articulate person who can offer in-depth analysis and insight while commentating on fights.

Commentary is an integral part of UFC broadcasts and it adds to the excitement during the main card. 

Although Mir isn’t calling it a career just yet, it won’t be too long before he finds himself out of the cage and into the booth, and it is a job perfectly suited for him.

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UFC 152: Javier Mendez Says There Is "No Truth" to Cain Velasquez’s Broken Hand

Fans can finally breathe again, as Cain Velasquez’s head coach denied rumors that the former champion suffered a broken hand, leaving his anticipated rematch with Junior dos Santos still on target for UFC 152.The head coach of American Kickboxing …

Fans can finally breathe again, as Cain Velasquez‘s head coach denied rumors that the former champion suffered a broken hand, leaving his anticipated rematch with Junior dos Santos still on target for UFC 152.

The head coach of American Kickboxing Academy shot down the reports that Velasquez would be unable to return in September and confirms he is already sparring in the San Jose-based training facility.

“No truth,” Mendez told TheScore.com.

Cain told the doc after his fight that his front knuckle was bruised and all they did was give him a slip that he needed an X-ray before being cleared. Standard commission practice is all that happened and they gave him a six-month suspension until he has his X-ray to clear him. He has no injuries other than the bruise and even sparred on Monday.

Earlier reports suggested otherwise, and fans were left wondering what would become of the new main event, scheduled for September 22 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto.

UFC president Dana White already confirmed a co-main event between Rory MacDonald and B.J. Penn is set to be on the card, and he also hopes to put Velasquez and dos Santos in the headliner, barring any injuries.

Mendez is confident that Velasquez can return to the Octagon in September, and he expects the rematch to end with different outcome.

“You can count on the rematch being different,” he said.

With the latest string of injuries tampering with UFC events these days, the company cannot afford to lose a marquee matchup featuring two of the heavyweight division’s top draws. This card will be promoted to a great extent, and considering the magnitude of the matchup, it makes sense for it to be held in one of the UFC’s biggest markets.

Fans may just get their wish to see one of the biggest fights of the year go ahead as planned, and that is a huge deal for the UFC.

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UFC 147: Wanderlei Silva Trains With Lyoto Machida to Prepare for Rich Franklin

Wanderlei Silva will train alongside Lyoto Machida while preparing for Rich Franklin ahead of UFC 147.”The Axe Murderer” has released a video blog documenting his training sessions prior to next weekend. Silva and Franklin are scheduled to square off i…

Wanderlei Silva will train alongside Lyoto Machida while preparing for Rich Franklin ahead of UFC 147.

“The Axe Murderer” has released a video blog documenting his training sessions prior to next weekend. Silva and Franklin are scheduled to square off in the main event.

Silva’s sparring session with Machida is intriguing to watch, as he picks up some pointers from “The Dragon” and grapples with him as well.

Machida scored a TKO victory over Franklin in December 2003 before the former UFC middleweight champion made his way to the UFC.

Silva has made a wise move, calling on Machida to assist him. It should help him leading up to the match.

Also, training with a world-class athlete like Machida would be a plus in itself.

Silva and Franklin last fought at UFC 99 in Germany where the Cincinnati native walked away with a close decision victory. However, since the Brazilian has been training with guys like Machida and Fabricio Werdum, the rematch might see a different result.

If he is to pick up his second consecutive win, don’t be surprised to see Silva paying a visit to Team Black House more often in the near future.

The camp boasts some of the sport’s best talent. Silva would benefit from training at different facilities to help perfect his game.

Silva may not be in title contention, but earning a win over Franklin will certainly be rewarding.

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Fedor Emelianenko Trains for Pedro Rizzo in the Netherlands

Who said Fedor Emelianenko couldn’t learn how to adapt and evolve in mixed martial arts?It appears the Russian heavyweight is taking his upcoming bout with Pedro Rizzo pretty seriously, as Emelianenko is put through a variety of drills and exercises ah…

Who said Fedor Emelianenko couldn’t learn how to adapt and evolve in mixed martial arts?

It appears the Russian heavyweight is taking his upcoming bout with Pedro Rizzo pretty seriously, as Emelianenko is put through a variety of drills and exercises ahead of his June 21st matchup.

And he has even called upon some the country’s top fighters in Ernesto Hoost, Peter Teijsse and Marco de Witt, training at the Vital Skills camp in the Netherlands.

The video certainly puts a different perspective on Emelianenko regarding his dedication and work ethic, especially after suffering three consecutive losses under the Strikeforce banner.

However, it’s frustrating to wonder what “The Last Emperor” could have made of his potential after seeing this footage, and how much more dominate he could have become while still competing at an elite level.

If his current training regimen is any indication, Emelianenko still intends on testing his skills against the best heavyweights in the world, putting the retirement rumors to rest.

Rizzo might be a tad shy of being considered as one of the best, however. But, nevertheless, a win over the 37-year-old Brazilian would add another former UFC champion to the Russian’s resume.

That might not mean much when comparing it to some of the sport’s top heavyweights in Junior dos Santos and Cain Velasquez, but it does say a lot for Emelianenko, who continues to remain relevant in the heavyweight division despite not fighting in the UFC.

Emelianenko looks in shape and it should definitely motivate him to pick up his third straight win.

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