At this point, it’s probably best to assume the injury ‘bug’ is here to stay. It may not always be bad. It may never be as bad again as it was for UFC 149. But it’s bad and it shows no signs of letting up. My major takeaway? No more thin cards. No more headliners and maybe one other decent fight. Several fights need to move the needle on each card if for no other reason that it’s an insurance policy.
As you may have heard on read on this very site, Ben Rothwell is out of his fight with Travis Browne at UFC on FOX 4. And because UFC can’t find a suitable opponent for Browne on short notice, Mike Swick vs. DaMarques Johnson has been bumped to the main card. It’s a big opportunity for Swick (and Johnson) and the fight may turn out to be a barn burner. But that’s not the point. The point is that these injuries are happening too often per fight card. Unless they miraculously slow down, the only real way to fight back against the tide is to put as much talent together in one place.
But that’s neither here nor there. What is is today’s dose of multimedia goodness. We’ve got all the news from yesterday, video of Georges St. Pierre back to training, Ben Henderson offering criticism of the MMA media and much more. Enjoy.
FIVE MUST-READ STORIES
Ben Rothwell out of UFC on FOX 4 Fight. It appears we are firmly in the era of injuries wrecking everything that’s good about the UFC and MMA. This card is no exception.
UFC confirms Vitor Belfort vs. Alan Belcher at UFC 153. Just as I mention injuries ruining everything, my hope is that they don’t ruin this, which on paper looks like it could be one of the best middlefights in recent memory. Fingers: firmly crossed.
Rory MacDonald vows to hurt ‘out of shape’ Penn. People keep asking about this new ‘cocky’ MacDonald, but I don’t buy it. Sure, he’s trying to sell a fight. Who can blame him? But more than anything, maybe the kid is just coming out of his shell.
Ronda Rousey training with Carmen Electra. Get your mind out of the gutter. This is nothing but a training session and the photos are from Instagram.
Gilbert Melendez to Defend Title Against Pat Healy. If you were curious as to whether Melendez was going to continue to spend perhaps the most critical portion of his prime fighting good but less than optimal competition for someone at his level, the answer is for (at least) the forseeable future.
MEDIA STEW
Lyoto Machida has a nice array of techniques to end fights. He’d like to show them to you. You can watch them here.
Did you know Super Fight League now has a reality show? Now you do and here’s a preview.
The effervescent ‘Gracie Breakdown’ this time takes a look at the one-armed kimura Phil Davis used to submit Tim Boetsch, a.k.a. the ‘Mr. Wonderful’.
GSP is back to hitting pads again and doesn’t look half bad. It doesn’t mean a whole lot, but watch the video anyway.
BENDO: MMA MEDIA OMBUDSMAN
BREAKING NEWS: @ufc fighter thinks he can beat this guy, or that guy & the champ too…#DUH
— Benson Henderson (@BensonHenderson) July 25, 2012
BREAKING NEWS: @ufc fighter gets new huge tattoo…#DUHHAAHAHAHAHA…
— Benson Henderson (@BensonHenderson) July 25, 2012
BREAKING NEWS: @ufc fighter reveals hidden injury going into fight, says he would’ve won if 100%…#DUH
— Benson Henderson (@BensonHenderson) July 25, 2012
BREAKING NEWS: @ufc fighter says judges screwed him over, thinks he won the fight clearly…#DUH
— Benson Henderson (@BensonHenderson) July 25, 2012
BREAKING NEWS: @ufc fighter has 15 lbs (GASP) to cut only days before weigh-ins…#DUH
— Benson Henderson (@BensonHenderson) July 25, 2012
BREAKING NEWS: @ufc Pres. @danawhite drops f-bomb during press conference #DUH(I’m just joking boss, doing lame MMA headlines)
— Benson Henderson (@BensonHenderson) July 25, 2012
BREAKING NEWS: @ufc won’t fight training partner who he loves like a brother & mentor…#DUH
— Benson Henderson (@BensonHenderson) July 25, 2012
BREAKING NEWS: @ufc fighter camp & coaches thinks their guy won the fight, says other fighter is too big, it’s unfair…#DUH
— Benson Henderson (@BensonHenderson) July 25, 2012
BREAKING NEWS: @ufc fighter tweets & calls out another fighter, says this time it’s not business, it’s PERSONAL (mwahahaha)…#DUH
— Benson Henderson (@BensonHenderson) July 25, 2012
BREAKING NEWS: @ufc fighter who gained massive amount of muscle in only 3 weeks gets popped for steroids…#DUH
— Benson Henderson (@BensonHenderson) July 25, 2012
Mwahahaha, alright tweeps, I’m done for now…I’m sure I’ll be inspired by some more AWESOME mma credible news sources later on…#DUH
— Benson Henderson (@BensonHenderson) July 25, 2012
ALRIGHT, THEN
I’ve been pushing like a pregnant lady this training camp #ughhh (Rick Ross voice)
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunsonMMA) July 25, 2012
CLIMATE CHANGE = MAKING WEIGHT
It is so hot in KC it is like a portable sauna. A run around the block and everyone should be on weight. 105 in the shade! 🙂
— Shannon Knapp (@shanknapp) July 25, 2012
DEAR LA KINGS: DON’T TWITTER BEEF WITH UFC
@LAKings Our checking line > your checking line twitter.com/ufc/status/228…
— UFC (@ufc) July 26, 2012
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS:
UFC 153: Vitor Belfort vs. Alan Belcher
UFC 153: Rony Jason vs. Sam Siclia
UFC 153: Sergio Moraes, Renee Forte vs. TBA
UFC 150: Yushin Okami vs. Buddy Roberts (Rousimar Palhares, Chris Camozzi injured)
Strikeforce, Sept. 29 – Gilbert Melendez vs. Pat Healy
Strikeforce, Sept. 29 – Daniel Cormier vs. TBA
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes courtesy UFC veteran and current Bellator welterweight Ben Saunders, who is an active and enthusiastic member of the Bloody Elbow community thanking fans after his win over Brian Warren (video included in the previous link):
I want to Thank all of my teammates that helped me prepare for this fight. I want to thank my whole family, all my friends, and everyone one of you fans that constantly support me & root for me. Every time I enter that cage I am not just fighting for myself and my Legacy. But for all of you guys as well. I feed off of all of your guys positive energy… powering up like DBZ to unload this energy upon my opponents.
Big Props to Brian Warren for stepping into the cage with me and putting it all on the line. We both had Big Dreams that night and unfortunatley one of us had to have are dreams shattered. That is just part of the harsh game of MMA. Someone always has to lose…. He is a Great guy and a true veteran of this sport. Brian you will be back at it again in no time… pimpin. Keep ya head up!