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Video: Corissa Furr Interviews Tito “The People’s Champ” Ortiz

Certified hottie Corissa Furr of Fighting Famous was recently able to score an interview with the mixed martial artist formerly known as “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy,” Tito Ortiz, in the midst of training for his upcoming bout with Antonio Rogerio Nogueria at UFC 140. Ortiz was quick to correct Furr when introduced as such, claiming to have taken on a more positive, Sanchezian outlook on life, in order to show that “through hard work and dedication you can achieve anything in this life.” Though this kind of mentality can do wonders for the soul, be wary Tito, it can reek havoc on one’s appearance.

Tito goes on to state that he “doesn’t even talk trash to fighters anymore.” Some of you will likely find yourself scratching your head after reading and/or hearing this statement, and rightfully so, considering the shit storm of verbal warfare Ortiz came at Rashad Evans with before his last fight in the UFC. But that was like, 4 months ago, you guys. Time has a way of changing people. So while you’re at it Tito, go ahead check the whole flinch test at the weigh-ins off that list of as well.

We’ll try and decipher the enigma-wrapped-riddle that is Ortiz’s syntax after the jump.

Some highlights:

On the UFC on FOX deal: “Just to see that Dana White and Lorenzo Fertita have worked so hard to get UFC where it is, giving us fighters an opportunity to fight on a main stage as Fox…and Fox picking us up, I’m very thankful.” (Oh, how the tides have turned.)

On his positive attitude: “I took a lot from my own book, I’ve been through so much hard stuff through my life and I’ve kind of seen the positive note of, ‘you surround yourself with great people and positive people and great things turn out from that,’ and I think I learned that on myself.”

On fighting three times in a year: “I’ve gone through major surgeries [and] been able to get back in the gym and push myself in training. I’m excited. I just want to get in the cage again. After fighting Ryan Bader and beating him and then coming in against Rashad *looks to camera* who had 14 months to prepare for it, and it shows why he’s the number one contender. I put on a great fight. I almost caught him in a submission, he defended it well, and now I’m fighting little Nog…my hands are full but I plan on getting my hands raised.”

On fighting in front of Canadians for the first time: “I heard its crazy in Toronto and I can’t wait for it. I have great support through my Canadian fans who go to *website plug* *clothing company plug*…and I’m very thankful for my Canadian fans, so they get to see me live in Toronto.”

On Pride vs. UFC and fighting Shogun: “Now that we’re all together, I think it don’t matter about the past, it’s all about the future of fighting the best. Little Nog is one of the best, Shogun IS one of the best…Time will come for everything, I think, and I think right now it’s just December 10th.”

On possibly becoming “Comeback Fighter of the Year”: “I don’t know, I think beating Bader already showed I was the comeback fighter of the year. I never went anywhere, I just got through some major surgeries and any other athlete would have quit…I got Submission of the Night against Ryan Bader, I got Fight of the Night against Rashad Evans, let’s try to get knockout of the night against little Nog.”

-Danga

Quote of the Day: Nate Quarry Has What The UFC Needs, Commentating-Wise

(When The Walking Dead didn’t call him back, Quarry knew he was bound for the UFC once again.)

Nate Quarry has always been a charismatic guy; not only was he the first fighter ever to ink a sponsorship with a basketball shoe company, but anyone who’s ever seen his epic clowning of Kalib Starnes and post-fight speech thereafter knows the man has character in spades. More aware of this than anyone is Quarry himself, who recently began angling for a UFC commentating job on the popular mixed martial arts forum The UG:

I want to be an on-air personality for the UFC. There I said it … My qualifications? Well, I’ve been a fighter for the past 14 years. I’ve trained with some of the legends of the sport and even cornered them for some of the greatest fights in UFC history. I was there when the UFC went from 5 shows a year to being in every home in America. And, I know my ish. Plus, I’ve been a public speaker since I was 7 years old, standing up in Church and giving Bible readings. Last year I spoke at a TEDx conference where it was me, a mike and 300 business people for 18 minutes. And now I travel around the country speaking on behalf of my XLIF back surgery that game me my life back. Not to mention I hosted my own tv show on Comcast called American Cage Fighter. It was only broadcast in Nor Cal but was really well received and replayed every day of the week. Do I have your support?

Simply put, yes Mr. Quarry.

(When The Walking Dead didn’t call him back, Quarry knew he was bound for the UFC once again.)

I want to be an on-air personality for the UFC. There I said it … My qualifications? Well, I’ve been a fighter for the past 14 years. I’ve trained with some of the legends of the sport and even cornered them for some of the greatest fights in UFC history. I was there when the UFC went from 5 shows a year to being in every home in America. And, I know my ish. Plus, I’ve been a public speaker since I was 7 years old, standing up in Church and giving Bible readings. Last year I spoke at a TEDx conference where it was me, a mike and 300 business people for 18 minutes. And now I travel around the country speaking on behalf of my XLIF back surgery that game me my life back. Not to mention I hosted my own tv show on Comcast called American Cage Fighter. It was only broadcast in Nor Cal but was really well received and replayed every day of the week. Do I have your support?

Simply put, yes Mr. Quarry. Though it is a shame to know that we likely won’t ever see him fight again (he hasn’t competed since a second round TKO loss to Jorge Rivera back at UFN 21 in 2010), it would be nice to hear an actual fighter’s take for once when it comes to the action unfolding inside the octagon. Kenny Florian provides this from time to time, but establishing a fighter on a more permanent basis would be a great move for the UFC.

For those of you who might have forgotten, Quarry was a contestant on the very first season of The Ultimate Fighter and could add an interesting perspective when it comes to the ever growing number of TUFees fighting in the octagon. The man is also a ten fight UFC veteran who has overcome near insurmountable odds in order to continue competing professionally.

But the problem here is Quarry’s timing. Aside from their recent signing of former MMA Live host Jon Anik to cover various UFC related gigs, including a role as play-by-play announcer for the UFC’s fights on FX and FuelTV, the UFC has also brought over commentator Todd Harris to handle their pre-fight shows since their absorption of the WEC. So where exactly could Quarry fit in? Perhaps Anik needs a color commentator for the FX and FuelTV shows, and there’s no way Quarry could be any worse at it than Troy Aikman.

So what say you, Potato Nation, would you like a little more of “The Rock” in your lives?

-Danga

Booking Roundup: Herman vs. Struve at UFC on FUEL, Dunham vs. Sass at UFC on Fox 2

(Believe me when I tell you that I take each and every fight with 100% seriousness.)

On the heels of his second round Fight of the Night earning performance over John Olav Einemo at UFC 131, Dave Herman had a bit of momentum going for him. The Team Quest boldly claimed that “Jiu Jitsu doesn’t work” and then proceeded to handily defeat an ADCC champion in his UFC debut. But Herman’s hype train was nearly derailed in September, when he tested positive for marijuana and steroids in the aftermath of his aforementioned win over Einemo. The details surrounding his testing were sketchy to say the least, but in light of the circumstances he was pulled out of his UFC 136 bout with Mike Russow nonetheless. Well it seems “Peewee’s” pee is now clean, as he has been booked for a fight with Dutch submission specialist Stefan Struve for the UFC’s debut on FuelTV this February.

(Believe me when I tell you that I take each and every fight with 100% seriousness.)

Herman has won six of his last seven and will be looking to score the biggest win of his career over Struve, who most recently submitted our good friend Pat Barry at UFC Live 6 in October. Prior to that, Struve was on the receiving end of a highlight reel superman punch KO at the hands of Travis Browne, so a win here is necessary unless he wants to start dreaming up ways to make 205.

In other booking news, lightweight contender Evan Dunham and undefeated British submission specialist Paul Sass have agreed to meet one another at UFC on Fox 2, which transpires January 28th at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Dunham recently snapped a two fight losing streak at UFC Fight Night: Shields vs. Ellenberger, where he outstruck TUF 13 contestant Shamar Bailey handily en route to a unanimous decision.

Sass, on the other hand, is fresh off a brilliant first round heel hook victory over TUF 12 finalist Michael Johnson, also at UFC Live 6. “Sassangle” has posted an incredible eight wins via triangle, including a win over Mark Holst at UFC 120. His Jiu Jitsu game will all but be nullified by Dunham, however, who is a black belt in BJJ and has scored six submission wins of his own, including an armbar win over TUF 8 winner Efrain Escudero.

The UFC’s debut on FuelTV is headlined by a bout between top welterweight contenders Diego Sanchez and Jake Ellenberger, and goes down February 15th at the CenturyLink Center in Omaha, Nebraska.

-Danga

Video: Mayhem Miller TUF Journal- Day 1

The TUF 14 Finale is just a few days away, and unless you overheard Michael Bisping’s spoiler fail on Inside MMA, then this season’s participants in that finale are still a mystery to you. That being said, Team Mayhem coach Jason Miller has released the first of several video journals leading into his upcoming scrap with opposing coach and global pandemic, Michael Bisping, which goes down this Saturday at the Palms Casino.

Though not much is revealed in the first installment (other than Miller admitting Nick Diaz to be one of his favorite fighters), we do get a sneak peak at Mayhem’s diet and weight cutting method from nutritionist and Team Mayhem assistant coach Ryan Parsons. Turns out, Parsons is a strong believer in the power of romance in a fighter’s life. Tom Lawlor concurs.

The video begins with Mayhem, mid conversation on a phone interview and backing the claims he has made in countless interviews: his training camp is the best he’s ever had, Bisping will go for the takedown first, etc. And after gathering his favorite autographed Bisping photo and horsing around with apocalypse dog, it’s off to Vegas.

A quick look at his grocery list makes me yearn for just one Whole Foods store to be built in Upstate New York, because Walmart is not the place to buy blueberries in November. Anyway, Miller also gives us another glimpse at the Bane-esque NormaTec suits that we saw earlier this season on The Ultimate Fighter.

I like the simple, laid back approach to the journal that editor E. Casey Leyden has taken. Kind of appeals in a minimalist movie poster sort of way.

Don’t forget to catch tonight’s season finale of The Ultimate Fighter 14 at 10/9c.

-Danga

Chael Sonnen and 7 UFC Fighters Who Could Play in the NFL

The sport of mixed martial arts is built upon not only some of the world’s greatest fighters, but athletes as well. Specifically, in the Ultimate Fighting Championship there are many fighters who could have pursued a career in something other tha…

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Chael Sonnen and 7 UFC Fighters Who Could Play in the NFL

Twitter Beef of the Day: Chael Sonnen vs…Arianny Celeste?

(That puppy dog act won’t work this time…that’s enough of that…ok we forgive you.)

HOW COULD HE DO THIS TO THE POOR GIRL?!

During a recent interview with the Las Vegas Weekly Review, otherworldly trash talker Chael Sonnen had some less than positive things to say about long time UFC ring girl and 2011 Hottest Woman in MMA Runner-up Arianny Celeste. When asked who his pick would be for Ring Girl of the Year at the upcoming 2011 Fighter’s Only World MMA Awards, yes, those Fighter’s Only World MMA Awards, Sonnen had the following to say:

We only had one and that was Chandella [Powell]. The other was the IQ card girl. Arianny [Celeste] kind of walks around and holds up her latest test score. One time when there was a title fight, she got all the way up to five and we were very proud of her.

Holy King of all that is zing.

And believe it or not, when Arianny got wind of these comments, she was less than pleased. But our girl managed to respond in the most adult, professional manner possible, a tweet, which read:

Hey what’s ur name.. after @spideranderson kicks your ass..u won’t even be able to count to 5!! Get ready to kiss brazils ass!

Not bad Arianny, not bad. She’s clearly referencing the 1954 Marlon Brando classic On the Waterfront with the whole “counting” rebuttal. It’s honestly a better comeback than most of us would have expected from someone who usually responds to awkward situations like this. But prepare yourselves for Sonnen’s comeback:

(That puppy dog act won’t work this time…that’s enough of that…ok we forgive you.)

HOW COULD HE DO THIS TO THE POOR GIRL?!

We only had one and that was Chandella [Powell]. The other was the IQ card girl. Arianny [Celeste] kind of walks around and holds up her latest test score. One time when there was a title fight, she got all the way up to five and we were very proud of her.

Holy King of all that is zing.

And believe it or not, when Arianny got wind of these comments, she was less than pleased. But our girl managed to respond in the most adult, professional manner possible, a tweet, which read:

Hey what’s ur name.. after @spideranderson kicks your ass..u won’t even be able to count to 5!! Get ready to kiss brazils ass!

Seems easy to wear a bikini and seems easy to walk in a circle, but try walking in a circle while wearing a bikini. Talented girl!

This marks the first time Sonnen has finished a fight in the first round since 2007. This also marks the first time that a fighter has gotten into a certified CP Twitter Beef with a ring girl. A glorious day for mankind indeed. That reminds us, have you followed CagePotato on Twitter yet? No? Well, we implore you to reconsider.

For those of you who aren’t keeping track, Arianny has won Ring Girl of the Year for the past three years running, so we can only imagine what she’ll have to say to Sonnen when she inevitably wins it this year, despite our view on the matter. Hell, this could all be a ploy by Sonnen to ensure that she does win it, if only to provide some much needed hype for the awards show itself. The man truly is an evil genius.

-Danga