Georges St-Pierre Training with Vitor Belfort in Preparation for UFC 143

Georges St-Pierre continues to redefine the sport of mixed martial arts with his innovative and creative training regimen. The UFC welterweight champion recently attended a training session with Ginastica Natural Training founder Alvaro Romano and…

Georges St-Pierre continues to redefine the sport of mixed martial arts with his innovative and creative training regimen. 

The UFC welterweight champion recently attended a training session with Ginastica Natural Training founder Alvaro Romano and Vitor Belfort to participate in an intense workout. 

St-Pierre can be seen actively participating with Belfort and Romano, along with other members of Greg Jackson’s MMA, as well as socializing with Romano and receiving advice in between drills. 

St-Pierre will make his seventh title defense against Nick Diaz at UFC 143 on Super Bowl weekend in February 2012. The French-Canadian was originally scheduled to face Diaz at UFC 137 before the former Strikeforce welterweight champion was forced off the card after failing to show up for a media tour and promote the main event. 

The champion was then forced to withdraw from the event as well after suffering an injury during training camp just two weeks before facing newly-scheduled opponent Carlos Condit.

Now, healed from his injuries, St-Pierre looks to be back in training and implementing different techniques and strategies to help him prepare for his encounter with Diaz at UFC 143. 

Meanwhile, Belfort, who is coming off an injury himself, will face Anthony “Rumble” Johnson at UFC 142 in Brazil on January 16th. 

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Michael Bisping Is Confident He Will Knockout Jason "Mayhem" Miller

Michael Bisping and Jason “Mayhem” Miller will finally square off this weekend at The Ulimate Fighter 14 finale. Bisping and Miller have served as opposing coaches throughout the entire season and will meet in the main event, where the winner will…

Michael Bisping and Jason “Mayhem” Miller will finally square off this weekend at The Ulimate Fighter 14 finale. 

Bisping and Miller have served as opposing coaches throughout the entire season and will meet in the main event, where the winner will find themselves one step closer to earning a middleweight title shot. 

Both competitors hold a mutual dislike for each other, and they got into heated confrontations on multiple occasions during this past season. 

In an interview with Fighthubtv.com, Bisping said he is confident in his skills to earn a victory over Miller, and he will be prepared for wherever the bout goes.

“I truly believe I’m going to be too much for him, I think I’m going to be too big and strong for him, too fast, and I think my wrestling is too good. I don’t think he’ll get me down to the ground,” Bisping said.

“The Count” has fought some of the best fighters in the sport and is currently on a three-fight win streak with victories over Dan Miller and Yoshihiro Akiyama. 

Along with his experience and skill-set, Bisping doesn’t see himself at a disadvantage against Miller and expects to walk away with the win, and specifically a knockout.

“I think I’m going to TKO him in the second or third round,” he said.

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Georges St-Pierre Doesn’t Care for Nick Diaz, Focused on Hurting Him

Georges St-Pierre isn’t the type of fighter to engage in mind games. So, when it was learned that Nick Diaz would challenge the champion to a title bout at UFC 143, St-Pierre immediately accepted. Diaz’s post-fight comments regarding St-Pierre’s i…

Georges St-Pierre isn’t the type of fighter to engage in mind games. So, when it was learned that Nick Diaz would challenge the champion to a title bout at UFC 143, St-Pierre immediately accepted. 

Diaz‘s post-fight comments regarding St-Pierre’s injury reportedly enraged the champion. However, “Rush” didn’t seemed bothered by Diaz’s remarks. 

“It’s always been the fight I’ve wanted to have,” St-Pierre told QMI Agency during an autograph session in Toronto. “He wanted to have a title fight and he got it. (Calling me out is) the best way to do it and it’s not personal.”

Whether Diaz’s intentions were personal or not, his remarks certainly got St-Pierre’s attention. Diaz defeated BJ Penn at UFC 137 to earn a title shot against St-Pierre, after original challenger Carlos Condit was forced to step aside. 

The Stockton native has become notorious for his constant trash talk and belittling his opponents, which is something St-Pierre has become all too familiar with. Opponents such as BJ Penn, Matt Serra and Josh Koscheck have all tried to get under the champion’s skin, only to lose in dominant fashion. 

But St-Pierre has said it is only tactic employed by his opponents to frustrate him and force him to fight with emotion. 

“I’ve seen it all from everyone before,” he said. “If they’re trying to get into my head and make me fight a bad fight, it’s just mind games and it doesn’t work. I’m just going to focus on hurting him.”

Diaz’s comments are likely just the beginning of this heated rivalry, which will eventually come to fruition on February 6th.  

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Chris Leben Tested Positive Following UFC 138 Drug Test, Suspended for 1 Year

Chris Leben’s career is in shambles once again. Following his loss to Mark Munoz at UFC 138, it was learned that Leben failed his drug test and tested positive for Oxycodone and Oxymorphone. UFC president Dana White released a statement …

Chris Leben‘s career is in shambles once again. 

Following his loss to Mark Munoz at UFC 138, it was learned that Leben failed his drug test and tested positive for Oxycodone and Oxymorphone. 

UFC president Dana White released a statement earlier today on UFC.com regarding Leben’s future.

“I like Chris and I want him to do well, but based on his actions, he’s been suspended for one year,” White said. “If he needs professional help, we are going to be there for him. We want to see him succeed not only in the Octagon, but in his personal life.”

Leben’s history with drug problems have been well documented, as the 31-year-old previously tested positive for Stanozolol following his bout with Michael Bisping at UFC 89 and was suspended for nine months. “The Crippler” has also had his fair share of run-in’s with the law as well; he has been charged with DUI on multiple occasions.

Leben also issued a statement earlier today and he apologized for his actions.

I would like to make it known that I fully accept this suspension and apologize for embarrassing the UFC, my friends and family, and sport of mixed martial arts. I’ve got to make some real changes over the next year and I’m going to focus on getting my life and career back on track. Again, I’m sorry to the UFC and fans that’ve supported me since my days on The Ultimate Fighter.

The sudden news is disappointing to hear regarding Leben, whose brawling style and willingness to fight has made him a fan-favorite. Leben was progressing among the rankings in the middleweight division and was beginning to market and establish himself as a legitimate contender at 185 pounds.

Due to this being his second offense with the company, it is likely Leben will be required to seek professional help in order to overcome his problems and return to the UFC in better physical and mental shape.

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Rampage Jackson Says He Is Excited to Face Ryan Bader in Japan

While it might have taken a while, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson has finally landed a spot on the main card at UFC 144. Jackson was originally left off of the event, leaving the former UFC light heavyweight champion feeling upset with the UFC. But, du…

While it might have taken a while, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson has finally landed a spot on the main card at UFC 144

Jackson was originally left off of the event, leaving the former UFC light heavyweight champion feeling upset with the UFC. But, due to his drawing power and popularity, Jackson was ultimately offered a chance to compete. 

Jackson has remained a favorite with the Japanese fans since competing in PRIDE FC from 2001-2006. It was there where he established himself as one the promotion’s top stars, facing some of the world’s best fighters in Chuck Liddell, Ricardo Arona, Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and Wanderlei Silva. 

Jackson’s tirade might have forced the UFC to react and meet his demands, but he believes the UFC isn’t happy with his approach. 

“I had to fight and complain and b—- to my manager,” Jackson told Japanese media during a UFC 144 press conference earlier this week. “Now I think the representatives of UFC are upset with me a little bit, but ask me, do I care?”

Jackson will meet Ryan Bader in the co-main event, which will surely be one of the most anticipated bouts on the card due to Jackson’s presence and reputation with the Japanese crowd. “Rampage” has always had a passion for the Japanese culture and said he prefers competing in Japan opposed to the United States.

Jackson fell short in his title bout to Jon Jones at UFC 135, suffering just his third loss in the UFC, but he hopes to rebound with a win over Bader. Perhaps more importantly, he wants to put on an entertaining bout.

“I’m all about putting on an exciting fight in Japan,” he said. “One thing I love about Japanese fans, and why I love them the most, is that they don’t care if you win or lose. All they care is if you have samurai spirit, that you put on a good fight. That’s why Japanese fans are my favorite.”

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UFC 140 In-Depth Video Preview

UFC 140 promises to bring one of the most compelling and stylistic bouts of the year as Jon Jones is set to defend the light heavyweight title against Lyoto Machida. Jones is prepared to make his second title defense and compete in his fourth bout…

UFC 140 promises to bring one of the most compelling and stylistic bouts of the year as Jon Jones is set to defend the light heavyweight title against Lyoto Machida

Jones is prepared to make his second title defense and compete in his fourth bout this year. He successfully defended the title just two months ago against Quinton “Rampage” Jackson at UFC 135, submitting the former light heavyweight champion in the fourth round.

Machida, meanwhile, is coming off a highlight reel knockout against Randy Couture at UFC 129, which saw “The Dragon” reenter the title picture after previously dropping two consecutive losses.

The main card features a heavyweight bout between Frank Mir and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, as well as a matchup involving Antonio Rogerio Nogeuira and Tito Ortiz. 

In the above video, UFC color commentator Joe Rogan breaks down the card with exclusive interviews and in-depth analysis.

UFC 140 is scheduled for Dec. 10, live from the Air Canada Centre in Toronto.

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