Author: Ray Hui

Bahadurzada, Broughton, Nedkov Out of UFC 142

Filed under: UFC, NewsSiyar Bahadurzada, Stanislav Nedkov and Rob Broughton have been pulled from the UFC 142 card on Jan. 14 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the UFC announced Friday.

Paulo Thiago is reportedly off the card as well, though the UFC has yet …

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Siyar Bahadurzada, Stanislav Nedkov and Rob Broughton have been pulled from the UFC 142 card on Jan. 14 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the UFC announced Friday.

Paulo Thiago is reportedly off the card as well, though the UFC has yet to confirm Thiago’s removal. Tatame.com says Thiago suffered an elbow injury in wrestling practice and adds Nedkov is out due to VISA issues.

These changes affect Erick Silva, Mike Pyle, Fabio Maldonado and Edinaldo Oliveira, all of whom will need new opponents.

UPDATE: Gabriel Gonzaga will step in for Rob Broughton against Oliveira.

Headlined by Jose Aldo defending his UFC featherweight title against Chad Mendes, the current UFC 142 card is below.

Pay-Per-View Bouts
Jose Aldo (Brazil) vs. Chad Mendes
Vitor Belfort (Brazil) vs. Anthony Johnson
Rousimar Palhares (Brazil) vs. Mike Massenzio
Erick Silva (Brazil) vs. TBA
Edson Barboza (Brazil) vs. Terry Etim

FX Preliminary Bouts
Thiago Tavares (Brazil) vs. Sam Stout
Fabio Maldonado (Brazil) vs. TBA
TBA vs. Mike Pyle
Ednaldo Oliveira (Brazil) vs. Gabriel Gonzaga
Felipe Arantes (Brazil) vs. Antonio Carvalho
Yuri Alcantara (Brazil) vs. Michihiro Omigawa

 

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Ian McCall Welcomes Challenge Against Demetrious Johnson at UFC on FX 2

Filed under: UFCIan McCall will make his UFC debut in March at UFC on FX 2 in Australia against recent UFC bantamweight title challenger Demetrious Johnson. And as a representative of UFC’s new flyweight division, McCall (11-2) wants to introduce himse…

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Ian McCall will make his UFC debut in March at UFC on FX 2 in Australia against recent UFC bantamweight title challenger Demetrious Johnson. And as a representative of UFC’s new flyweight division, McCall (11-2) wants to introduce himself to fans in a dramatic way.

“I became No. 1 for a reason,” McCall said Monday on The MMA Hour. “I rededicated myself, I think that [135-pounders] don’t finish people enough. I’m a finisher. I can make it exciting. I can make it what people want to see. That’s one thing I can promise that people will be always be happy after I fight.”

McCall admits his first experience under the Zuffa banner was underwhelming. Fighting for the Zuffa-era WEC in 2007 and 2009, McCall compiled a 1-2 record with the promotion.

“I kinda blew it in the WEC,” the 27-year-old said. “I took it for granted. I didn’t work very hard.”

Since his last WEC fight, McCall has won four straight, including a win over Jussier da Silva to earn his No. 1 standing at flyweight.

Now, McCall will take on Johnson in the semifinals of an unofficial tournament to crown the first-ever UFC flyweight champion. Top contender Joseph Benavidez will take on 123-pound Shooto champ Yasuhiro Urushitani on the other side of the bracket.

McCall thinks Johnson is the ideal opponent to show what he’s all about.

“i really, really wanted this fight because he’s so talented,” McCall said. “And also because he’s riding so high and everyone is so stoked on him. I think it’s a good fight for me. I think I match up well — not only to win but to make it exciting. I like challenging myself. I don’t want to go in there and fight some random guy who sucks. I want to fight the best.”

 

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Demian Maia: I Know I Can Submit Michael Bisping

Filed under: UFC, MMA Fighting Exclusive, News, UFC on FOXCHICAGO — Demian Maia thinks he can be the first person to hand Michael Bisping a submission loss.

“He has a good submission defense but it doesn’t matter,” Maia recently told MMA Fighting. “I…

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CHICAGO — Demian Maia thinks he can be the first person to hand Michael Bisping a submission loss.

“He has a good submission defense but it doesn’t matter,” Maia recently told MMA Fighting. “I’ve fought guys before that have never been submitted before many times and I’ve submitted them. I know I have the chance to submit him.”

It will also be his strategy when he meets Bisping at UFC on FOX 2 on Jan. 28. Maia acknowledges this fight against Bisping will be a great opportunity for him to showcase his jiu-jitsu skills again.

Maia, who held submission wins in his first five UFC fights, has seen his six most recent fights end in decision. Maia explains the lack of finishes have been due to more challenging opponents and his focus on improving in other areas of MMA.

“It’s expectations,” Maia told the press at last week’s UFC on FOX 2 conference. “I fight everytime tougher and toughers guys. I took time to learn more boxing, thai boxing and even wrestling. I cannot just train jiu-jitsu anymore. I need to be an MMA fighter.”

Maia last fought at UFC 136 in October, outpointing Jorge Santiago after three rounds. Meanwhile, Bisping is coming off a win against Jason “Mayhem” Miller on Dec. 3.

Maia was informed on Dec. 2 the possibility of meeting the winner of Bisping-Miller later at UFC on FOX 2. After Saturday’s fights, Bisping had to return home and decide if he would make a quick turnaround and fight again on the Jan. 28 card. The fight wasn’t official until last Wednesday’s UFC on FOX 2 press conference at the United Center.

“They just set me the flight tickets yesterday, like two hours before I went to the airport,” Maia said. “We just came here.”

In fact, Maia didn’t sign the bout agreement until after the conference.

If Maia wants to submit Bisping though, he’ll have to take him down first. Bisping has done a solid job keeping the fight standing, winning nine of his 15 UFC fights via (T)KO.

“Sometimes people underrate him, I don’t know why,” Maia said. “But I think he’s tough, he’s good. He’s only lost three fights in his career.”

 

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Josh Koscheck to Face Mike Pierce at UFC 143

Filed under: UFC, NewsJosh Koscheck’s new opponent at UFC 143 will be Mike Pierce.

“With Carlos Condit moving to face Nick Diaz for the interim welterweight championship, it will be powerhouse wrestler vs. powerhouse wrestler as Mike Pierce takes on …

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Josh Koscheck‘s new opponent at UFC 143 will be Mike Pierce.

“With Carlos Condit moving to face Nick Diaz for the interim welterweight championship, it will be powerhouse wrestler vs. powerhouse wrestler as Mike Pierce takes on Josh Koscheck at UFC 143,” UFC president Dana White stated recently on UFC.com.

In September, Koscheck (16-5) recorded a knockout over UFC Hall of Famer Matt Hughes at UFC 135. That was Koscheck’s first fight back after suffering an orbital bone injury in a loss to Georges St-Pierre at UFC 124 in December 2010.

Pierce (13-4) went 2-1 this year with wins over Kenny Robertson and Paul Bradley and a loss to Johny Hendricks. Upon learning of the opening at UFC 143, Pierce went to the media and Twitter to ask for the Koscheck fight.

UFC 143 takes place SuperBowl weekend on Feb. 4, 2012 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.

 

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Shonie Carter Told by UFC Matchmaker That UFC on FOX 2 Card Is Full

Filed under: UFC, NewsCHICAGO — Although there’s no spot currently for him on the card, UFC veteran Shonie Carter says he won’t stop his campaign to take part in the Jan. 28 UFC on FOX 2 event.

Carter is asking for a one-fight deal with the UFC to co…

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CHICAGO — Although there’s no spot currently for him on the card, UFC veteran Shonie Carter says he won’t stop his campaign to take part in the Jan. 28 UFC on FOX 2 event.

Carter is asking for a one-fight deal with the UFC to compete on the undercard of what will be the biggest MMA card in his hometown of Chicago.

On Wednesday, Carter attended the UFC on FOX 2 press conference not as a fighter, but a journalist.

“It actually hurts to be here and be a journalist and thinking fight at the same time,” Carter told MMA Fighting, standing on the floor of the United Center. “These young men, I’ve watched them when they were rookies. They grew up watching me and I have the upmost and profound respect for all of them and I don’t ever quit. I believe in fighting the good fight and until that first bell rings, or until the weigh-ins are over, I am going to campaign.”

At the press conference, UFC president Dana White replied to a reporter’s question about Carter by saying “I think he needs to talk to [UFC matchmaker] Joe Silva,” before sending out a “Good luck, Shonie.”

Carter has tried to no avail, but is holding out hope for an opening.

“I have reached out to [Silva] and he said the card was full,” Carter told MMA Fighting. “But I’m still working out like a mad man.”

On paper, Carter doesn’t deserve consideration on the card, having lost six of his last seven fights. And Carter, who is best known for a spinning backfist knockout over Matt Serra at UFC 31, hasn’t competed in the UFC in five years.

But to Carter’s credit, the former WEC champion has been a staple in the Chicago martial arts scene for over a decade and is a well-liked figure in the sport.

Carter explains fighting at the United Center would be a special moment for him and a thank you to all his hometown fans. Carter grew up in the West Side of Chicago and he currently lives so close to the arena that he’s just two bus rides away.

“11-and-a-half minutes, I timed it,” Carter said with a laugh.

While it might be a long shot, it’s not stopping Carter from trying.

“I’m going to keep bugging [Silva],” Carter said. “Until he says yes.”

 

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Rockhold, Lawler, King Mo, Others Set for Action at Jan. 7 Strikeforce Event

Filed under: Strikeforce, NewsStrikeforce on Thursday announced four of the five televised bouts slated for its Jan. 7 event at the Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

The new matchups are Robbie Lawler vs. Adlan Amagov, Muhammed “…

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Strikeforce on Thursday announced four of the five televised bouts slated for its Jan. 7 event at the Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

The new matchups are Robbie Lawler vs. Adlan Amagov, Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal vs. Lorenz Larkin and Tarec Saffiedine vs. Tyler Stinson.

And as previously reported, the main event will be middleweight champion Luke Rockhold defending his belt against UFC veteran Keith Jardine.

“Jardine is a big name who’s fought a lot of tough guys in this sport,” Rockhold said in a statement. “I’m not going to sleep on him or this opportunity. This isn’t just another fight for me, I’ve wanted my chance to prove I’m a champion and a five-round title defense is the way to do it.”

Rockhold (8-1), undefeated in seven Strikeforce fights, captured the middleweight strap away from Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza by unanimous decision in September. Jardine (17-9-2) made his Strikeforce debut in April, fighting Mousasi to a draw. Jardine will be making his 185-pound debut.

Lawler (18-8) will be looking to snap a two-fight losing streak. In 2011, Lawler lost to both Souza and Kennedy. Amagov (9-1-1) made the jump from the Russian MMA scene to Strikeforce in July and has since won two bouts.


In his lone fight in 2011, Lawal (8-1) scored a first-round knockout over Roger Gracie. Larkin (12-0) won four fights this year, three of which took place inside the Strikeforce cage.

Saffiedine (11-3) lost to Tyron Woodley in January and then bounced back to beat Scott Smith in July. Stinson (22-7) made his Strikeforce debut in July and earned an impressive KO over Eduardo Pamplona.

 

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