Blagoi Ivanov, an undefeated Bellator heavyweight, is reportedly clinging to life at Pirogov Hospital in Sofia, Bulgaria after being stabbed in the heart in a Sunday morning barroom brawl.
According to Bulgaria’s Sofia News Age…
Blagoi Ivanov, an undefeated Bellator heavyweight, is reportedly clinging to life at Pirogov Hospital in Sofia, Bulgaria after being stabbed in the heart in a Sunday morning barroom brawl.
According to Bulgaria’s Sofia News Agency, the fighter remains in critical condition on artificial life support.
Ivanov and two friends were allegedly attacked by eight individuals armed with bats and knives immediately after arriving to a bar on Graf Ignatiev Street. Police arrived at 5:10 a.m. to discover the assailants missing and a deep stab wound under Ivanov’s armpit that was later found to have pierced his heart.
The three victims were rushed to Pirogov Hospital, where surgeons reportedly carried out a life-saving operation on Ivanov. Despite the procedure, doctors maintain that the 25-year-old’s life is still “under a real threat.”
Ivanov’s two friends were treated for light wounds and bruises and have since been released from the hospital.
Police are currently investigating the attack. According to reports, the same bar was also the scene of a recent shooting.
Ivanov (6-0, 1 NC) is perhaps best known for being the man to dethrone Fedor Emelianenko in the 2008 Combat Sambo World Championships finals. After rolling to a 3-0 record to kick off his professional mixed martial arts career, “Baga” inked a deal with Bellator Fighting Championships, where he promptly finished William Penn and Zak Jensen to advance to the semi-finals of Season 5’s heavyweight tournament.
However, Ivanov would ultimately withdraw from a Bellator 56 bout against Thiago Santos due to an injury sustained in training. He then fought against former UFC heavyweight champion Ricco Rodriguez, earning a third-round TKO victory last December.
What a weekend.
Rampage Jackson hurled PRIDE fans one final shot of nostalgia with a vintage powerbomb. Mark Hunt penned another chapter of his storybook run in his old stomping grounds. Joe Rogan spontaneously combusted as Tim…
What a weekend.
Rampage Jackson hurled PRIDE fans one final shot of nostalgia with a vintage powerbomb. Mark Hunt penned another chapter of his storybook run in his old stomping grounds. Joe Rogan spontaneously combusted as Tim Boetsch blasted his way to eleventh-hour glory. Anthony Pettis lived up to his nickname, rocketing into title contention in utterly spectacular fashion.
And of course, Ben Henderson gutted his way to the sport’s highest level, capping the night in tearful celebration with his mother as gold draped around his waist.
Even now, it’s hard to put into words what took place on Saturday night. Between the nostalgic return to Japan and the greatest collective spectacle of any card in recent memory, UFC 144 produced an unexplainably unique experience that will not soon be forgotten. Relive the action and catch up with the aftermath on today’s Morning Report.
5 MUST-READ STORIES TO START YOUR DAY
UFC 144 post-fight interviews. Ariel Helwani caught up with all the stars of UFC 144, including UFC president Dana White, new lightweight champion Ben Henderson, Rampage Jackson, Anthony Pettis, and Mark Hunt.
Frankie Edgar doesn’t ‘need’ to drop to featherweight. With wins over Jim Miller, B.J. Penn (x2) and Gray Maynard, Frankie Edgar has one of the sharpest résumés in the entire 155-pound division. So why does one loss relegate him to the featherweight division?
Time for Ben Henderson vs. Anthony Pettis II. Michael David Smith examined Saturday night’s biggest storylines, highlighting the winners, the losers, notable quotes, and the UFC’s next blockbuster rematch on the Morning After.
Hatsu Hioki is Japan’s last best hope for a UFC title. After cementing his status as the No. 2 featherweight in the world, Hioki may soon find himself carrying the hopes of a nation as Japan’s only viable contender.
Rampage Jackson says he won’t retire. Rampage surprised those expecting a post-UFC 144 retirement, and instead blamed his loss on an unspecified injury that nearly prevented him from competing.
MEDIA STEW
Courtesy of Fox Sports, relive UFC 144’s electrifying night of fights with this comprehensive highlight package.
While in Japan, Georges St. Pierre had an opportunity to visit a kyokushin karate gym and be on the receiving end of a kindergarten beat down.
With Vegas traffic stuck at a standstill, Phil Baroni decided to take matters into his own hands. NSFW: Language. (via Middle Easy)
Check out Pavel Kusch’s absurd 30-second finish of Alexander Starikov at last week’s Cage Warriors 46 event.
A sharply-dressed Ben Henderson beams alongside his mom after his title-winning performance. (via @UFC)
As glorious as Gomi’s and Boetsch’s come from behind wins and Henderson’s five round championship victories were, Yamamoto’s defeat was as tragic as those moments were wonderful. The scene captured a range of feelings and the real and stirring art in mixed martial arts: Lee at his highest high with Yamamoto at his lowest low behind him. The fallen great releasing his frustration on the mat. The passion and desire to get the elusive win he needed to save his career and the poignant reality of coming so close only to have it ripped away. The raw emotion. While the young, dynamic Kid would have dominated a fighter like Vaughan Lee, in defeat, Kid Yamamoto moved me with his candid heartbreak in a way that a flashy knockout never could and truly delivered his most beautiful performance.
Found something entertaining, brutal, or bizarre you’d like to see in the Morning Report? Just send it to @shaunalshatti and we’ll include it in tomorrow’s post.
After twelve long years, the last hurdle to the UFC’s return to Japan has been cleared.
Lightweight title challengers Frankie Edgar and Ben Henderson both made weight during Friday’s UFC 144 weigh-ins at the Saitama Super Arena…
After twelve long years, the last hurdle to the UFC’s return to Japan has been cleared.
Lightweight title challengers Frankie Edgar and Ben Henderson both made weight during Friday’s UFC 144 weigh-ins at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, rendering their championship tilt official.
Henderson, the former WEC titleholder, hit the crowded stage first, tipping the scales at 154 pounds. Edgar soon followed suit, measuring in at 154 pounds to a respectful round of applause from the Japanese audience.
Despite a tense staredown, both men remained gracious throughout the proceedings. “Ben’s a tough dude. It was a good camp to prepare for him,” said Edgar, the UFC’s reigning champion. “Obviously a new face, a new name. Let’s do it.”
“Frankie’s the man,” Henderson replied. “He has a great chin, has a great heart. He has proved himself time and again. He’s a great champion. It’s going to be an honor for me to take a belt away from a champion like that.”
Not surprisingly, light heavyweight co-headliner Quinton Jackson received the loudest ovation of the afternoon. A former star of PRIDE FC who doggedly lobbied to land on the card, “Rampage” somehow came in far overweight his first Japanese contest since 2006, hitting 211 pounds on the official scale. Jackson agreed to forfeit 20-percent of his purse to Ryan Bader.
“I really wanted to fight here. You guys have no idea what I went through,” Jackson said. “I had a lot of up and downs in my camp, and a lot of struggles to get here. Me and Dana (White) almost bumped heads again, but Dana’s a cool man and he understood how badly I wanted to be here in Japan, so he allowed me to not fight in Chicago and be here to put on a show for you guys. I love you all.”
Jackson further explained his failed cut on FUEL TV. “I thought I was going to make the weight, but I got injured in my camp and it kind of hindered me from doing a lot of running,” he revealed. “I didn’t want to miss this fight because this fight was so important to me and I fought so hard to get it… I cut 21 pounds. I just couldn’t get the last six.”
Bader, meanwhile, found his mark at 205 pounds. The TUF 8 winner appeared unfazed at his opponent’s warm reception as he looks to notch the biggest victory of his young career.
“It’s an honor to fight (Rampage), especially here in Japan,” Bader said. “I (grew) up watching PRIDE and watching it here in Japan. I always dreamed of fighting here one day, so a dream came true.”
After all we’ve been through in the early stages of 2012, the phrase “never leave it in the hands of the judges” has never meant more than it does now. Just ask Dana White.
Aside from griping and hand-wringing, the problem appe…
After all we’ve been through in the early stages of 2012, the phrase “never leave it in the hands of the judges” has never meant more than it does now. Just ask Dana White.
Aside from griping and hand-wringing, the problem appears to be out of anyone’s control, and with the UFC’s flyweight tournament resting over the horizon, another judging disaster has the potential to implode the legitimacy of an entire division before it even takes off.
So it shouldn’t surprise anyone that the UFC apparently has a plan, and according to “Mighty Mouse” Johnson, the wheels are already in motion.
5 MUST-READ STORIES TO START YOUR DAY
UFC creates ‘sudden death’ rule for upcoming flyweight tournament. According to Demetrious Johnson, the UFC included a special provision in his contract to ensure the 125-pound tournament couldn’t suffer the wrath of the judges.
UFC 144: by the odds. Ben Fowlkes runs down all the favorites and underdogs heading into Saturday night’s pay-per-view.
A night in Tokyo with Rampage Jackson. Ariel Helwani walks the streets of Tokyo with Quinton Jackson in this candid look at the man behind the nickname.
Hatsu Hioki vs. Bart Palaszewski dissection. Dallas Winston extensively breaks down UFC 144’s pivotal featherweight tilt, Hioki vs. Palaszewski.
Sean Loeffler details wild and dangerous fight in the Philippines. You’re bound to run into some strange sights when you’ve been in the fight game as long as Sean Loeffler, but few could top the night he spent in the Philippines back in 2002.
MEDIA STEW
Courtesy of the UFC, we’ll kick things off with Rampage Jackson’s most iconic moment at the Super Saitama Arena — taking on Ricardo Arona at PRIDE Critical Countdown 2004. (click the image to watch)
Now back to the present, as Jackson battles Ryan Bader in a special PRIDE rules simulation, complete with soccer kicks, knees to the head, and the ultimate game-changer — stomps.
Of course, Bader has his own highlight reel, including this smashing of Keith Jardine back at UFC 110.
Stitch tells us the story of the bloodiest fight he’s ever worked (starts at 0:26).
The official UFC Undisputed 3 predictions have been scarily accurate so far, so should Frankie Edgar be worried about this one?
He recently stated 240-pounds would be an ideal weight for him at heavyweight. He is 6’4” and sports the previously mentioned 84.5 inch reach. We’ll look at each measurement in detail:
240-pounds: You may be surprised to learn that “old school” heavyweights like Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (239-pounds), Mirko Filipovic (220-pounds) and even Roy Nelson (246-pounds) have no advantage over Jones. Even the chiseled Cheick Kongo (235-pounds) can’t compare on the scales.
6’4” Height: Of 31 fighters currently on the UFC heavyweight roster, only eight would be looking down on Jones at the weigh-ins. Four of those only have an extra inch on him, being listed at 6’5”. The last heavyweight champ taller than “Bones” was none other than the affable Tim Sylvia.
84.5 inch reach: We already know he has the longest reach in the UFC, but it may surprise you to know that other heavyweight monsters like Brendan Schaub (79.5 inch), Ben Rothwell (80 inch) and Gabriel Gonzaga (76 inch) come in with a sizable disadvantage here.
So that raises the question of who is close enough on paper to negate the genetic gifts of Jonny “Bones” Jones? Here’s my list:
Found something entertaining, brutal, or bizarre you’d like to see in the Morning Report? Just send it to @shaunalshatti and we’ll include it in Monday’s post.
With the clock ticking and the year’s biggest card right around the corner, a floodgate of news has seemingly busted wide open.
Needless to say, there’s plenty to see today, from UFC 144 interviews and predictions, to Nick Diaz…
With the clock ticking and the year’s biggest card right around the corner, a floodgate of news has seemingly busted wide open.
Needless to say, there’s plenty to see today, from UFC 144 interviews and predictions, to Nick Diaz’s suspension and the return of Fedor Emelianenko. So catch up with all the MMA you may have missed on the Morning Report.
5 MUST-READ STORIES TO START YOUR DAY
UFC 144 pre-fight interviews. Ariel Helwani caught up with all of UFC 144’s big names, including headliners Ben Henderson and Frankie Edgar, and co-headliners Rampage Jackson and Ryan Bader.
Nevada temporarily suspends Nick Diaz’s license. At the request of Nevada deputy attorney general Christopher Eccles, Diaz received a temporary suspension for his post-UFC 143 positive drug test.
UFC 144 predictions. Michael David Smith answered Saturday night’s pressing questions while running down his picks for UFC Japan.
M-1: June targeted for return of Fedor Emelianenko. According his management, Emelianenko is tentatively scheduled to return to action sometime around mid-June in Monaco.
Dan Hardy vs. Duane Ludwig booked for UFC 146. “The Outlaw” hopes to avoid a five-fight losing streak as he hits the mat for the first time since last August.
MEDIA STEW
UFC lightweight champ Frankie Edgar is absolutely relentless in his second professional fight. (click the image to watch)
Will Ferrell plays the role of Bruce Buffer in this fanmade UFC 144 trailer.
UFC title challenger Ben Henderson takes on Ricardo Tirloni in one of his last fights before the WEC scooped him up.
Frankie Edgar is always entertaining to watch, but he is never going to be a big draw such as Anderson Silva or his predecessor, BJ Penn were – he is neither a submission finisher or a knockout artist. What is unique about Edgar, however, is his method of taking apart lightweights – exploiting the same lack of striking confidence and experience in the lightweight division that Bantamweight champion, Dominick Cruz does in his own weightclass: a lack of ability to deal with lateral movement. Is it possible for Benson Henderson to out-strike Edgar? Of course. Will he actually out-strike Edgar? That remains to be seen, but the opportunities do exist to pick Edgar apart, it is whether Henderson’s coaches have noticed this and whether he can focus when he is face to face with Edgar’s perpetual motion style.
Found something entertaining, brutal, or bizarre you’d like to see in the Morning Report? Just send it to @shaunalshatti and we’ll include it in tomorrow’s post.
Superior Cage Combat middleweight champion Bristol Marunde has signed on to replace Derek Brunson against former titleholder Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza at next Saturday’s Strikeforce: Tate vs. Rousey event.
Strikeforce CEO Scott Co…
Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker confirmed the signing on Wednesday via Twitter.
Brunson was scratched from the contest after failing his pre-fight medicals by testing below the commission’s minimum vision threshold without his contact lenses. Ohio Athletic Commission Executive Director Bernie Profato revealed that Brunson’s vision is 20/400, which fails to meet the state standard of “uncorrected visual acuity.”
Strikeforce: Tate vs. Rousey is slated for March 3, 2012, at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Women’s bantamweight champion Miesha Tate defends her title against former Olympian Ronda Rousey in the night’s main event.
The late match-up switch marks an enormous leap in competition for Marunde (15-6), whose biggest previous wins came against UFC veterans Jay Silva and Rich Attonito. Training out of West Coast Fight Team, the 29-year-old journeyman recovered from early turbulence to amass nine victories in his last ten appearances, including three first-round stoppages, with his only stumble arriving via a submission loss to Jordan Smith in 2009.
Souza (14-3, 1 NC), meanwhile, looks to rebound after dropping his Strikeforce middleweight title in a unanimous decision loss to Luke Rockhold last September. The setback snapped a four-fight win streak for the Black House fighter, which included dramatic wins over Tim Kennedy, Robbie Lawler, and Matt Lindland.
