MMA | UFC Betting Sites - The Best MMA Online Bookies

Georges St-Pierre Hopeful of a November Return and Headline UFC 154 in Montreal

While there is no exact date for Georges St-Pierre’s return to the UFC, the UFC welterweight champion is only hoping he can return later this year.The champion discussed his progress via satellite during a UFC press conference in Calgary, Alberta earli…

While there is no exact date for Georges St-Pierre’s return to the UFC, the UFC welterweight champion is only hoping he can return later this year.

The champion discussed his progress via satellite during a UFC press conference in Calgary, Alberta earlier today and he was optimistic in at least one appearance before the end of 2012.

“My rehab is going really well,” St-Pierre said. “The doctor says it is the fastest they’ve ever seen. I’ll be training full out in July and hopefully I’ll have a chance to fight in front of my Canadian fans in November.”

And should he make a full recovery, St-Pierre is expected to face newly-crowned interim UFC titleholder Carlos Condit in a unification title bout.

The UFC announced today that Montreal, along with two other Canadian cities, will play host to three UFC events later this year, with Montreal headlining UFC 154 on November 17.

St-Pierre said he is aware that the decision to perform in front of his hometown crowd is not entirely up to him.

The champion also commented on the fact that a possible super-fight with UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva is not far out of reach either, but it depends on several factors for it to occur.

“If everything goes well, like stars are aligned and everything, maybe we’ll see one day in the near future about what’s going to happen,” he said.

But until then, the biggest fight St-Pierre will need to prepare for is his overall health, a bout that is much more significant than with Condit or Silva.

“When you get an injury like I have and you’re off for a long period of time, the only thing you wish is to get back fast as possible,” he said.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Rampage Jackson Has "Something to Prove" Against Shogun Rua

While Quinton “Rampage” Jackson might be opposed to performing one last time in the Octagon, it isn’t to say he won’t be motivated when the time comes to face Mauricio “Shogun” Rua.The former PRIDE FC stars are expected to meet later this year after Ja…

While Quinton “Rampage” Jackson might be opposed to performing one last time in the Octagon, it isn’t to say he won’t be motivated when the time comes to face Mauricio “Shogun” Rua.

The former PRIDE FC stars are expected to meet later this year after Jackson is cleared from having knee surgery, an injury he suffered in training prior to his bout against Ryan Bader at UFC 144.

After requesting a matchup with a striker, the UFC not only granted him one more fight, but also against Rua, a bout which Jackson has long desired.

“Me wanting to rematch Shogun is nothing personal. Shogun coming up, he was the best back then and I knew I could beat him but it’s just unfortunate that I couldn’t get my ankle (healed),” Jackson told MMA HEAT. “I just want to get that fight back.”

Rua was the last man to knockout Jackson while competing in PRIDE FC in 2005.

Jackson is recently coming off two back-to-back losses for the first time in his career. Although his recent performances have been disappointing to say the least, a rematch with Rua should likely boost his confidence.

Jackson’s knee surgery has postponed the bout momentarily, but he said that he will be completely healthy and promises to put on an exciting performance against the Brazilian.

“I got something to prove to Shogun. I don’t care if I’m just coming off of knee surgery and stuff like that, I’m going to give Shogun a run for his money,” he said. “Shogun better train pretty hard for this because I know how to train hard.”

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

UFC Welterweight Brian Ebersole Calls Josh Koscheck Bad Names

The bitter breakup between Josh Koscheck and Javier Mendez from American Kickboxing Academy took a new twist last night when Brian Ebersole jumped into the fray.Ebersole, never known for mincing his words, lashed out at Koscheck (via Vigilante MMA) ove…

The bitter breakup between Josh Koscheck and Javier Mendez from American Kickboxing Academy took a new twist last night when Brian Ebersole jumped into the fray.

Ebersole, never known for mincing his words, lashed out at Koscheck (via Vigilante MMA) over what he believes is disrespectful and arrogant treatment of Mendez. And really, Ebersole is simply saying the same thing that everyone else in the world not named Josh Koscheck is saying.

This wasn’t a happy ending, and most of the blame seems to be falling squarely on Koscheck and his charming personality.

He mentioned that Javier coached him but that he didn’t learn anything. Really? I learn from BJJ blue belts whilst I travel the globe teaching and training. And you can’t learn from a former World Champion? That’s a curious comment, if you ask me, which you did.

I’m not alone in thinking he’s a dick. …

In all of our interactions, never once did he thank me for booking his 1st fight, or taking my Christmas holiday to head out and train with him (on my own dime). I think he was successful because he had a chip on his shoulder all his life. And that’s fine. But when life opens its doors to you, allows you to live the dream, maybe some class, tact, and grace is called for? …

Josh probably had a big problem anytime criticism came; and 90% of that would have come from Javier, because it was not in the nature of the other coaches. Not surprising that they butted heads. And not surprising that Kos has acted like a child in regard to his life-changing plans. Disappointing to many, no doubt. But not surprising to anyone who knows him.

I appreciate Ebersole’s honesty, and I appreciate his ability to put together a coherent sentence. I conducted a live chat with him prior to his fight in December, and he simply asked me for directions, took the computer from me and moderated the chat by himself.

And again, most of the blame for this situation appears to be falling on Koscheck. I don’t see any of his long-time friends from AKA jumping up and heading to his rescue, and that speaks volumes. I’ve been to AKA on several different occasions, and I can tell you from experience that there is a true team mentality within the ranks there.

Koscheck appears to be the odd man out, and I guess that’s the way he wants it.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Justin Bieber Gets Bloodied Up in MMA-Themed Video Shoot

After hanging out with UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva, it was only a matter of time before Justin Bieber decided to step into the ring.The pop music star, who turned 18 this month, was featured in a photo shoot for Complex Magazine’s 10th Ann…

After hanging out with UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva, it was only a matter of time before Justin Bieber decided to step into the ring.

The pop music star, who turned 18 this month, was featured in a photo shoot for Complex Magazine’s 10th Anniversary issue. Fashion photographer Tony Kelly was the man behind the camera during the shoot, which included a bloodied up Bieber duking it out in the boxing ring.

The video above is a behind-the-scenes look at the photo shoot.

“There’s no point in doing this if I’m not going to be the best,” Bieber told Complex. “I give up a personal life. I give up my friends and family to pursue what I love and to make my fans happy. Why would I give up so much to be just another singer.”

Bieber’s love for MMA has been well-documented. Outside of making appearances at UFC events, the teenage star invited Silva to dance onstage with him at a concert in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in October 2011.

Despite being a singer, Bieber comes from a relatively athletic background.

Growing up, he played basketball, hockey and soccer. In the 2011 NBA Celebrity All-Star Game, Bieber walked away with the most valuable player award after netting eight points, four assists and two rebounds.

How would an actual combat situation play out for “Biebs?”

Jeremy Bieber, Justin’s father, is actually a former Muay Thai fighter and avid MMA fan. Who knows? Maybe pops has taught his son a thing or two about how to handle himself in the ring.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

UFC’s Decision to Visit Canada 3 Times in 2012 Is a Smart One

UFC president Dana White and Canadian director of operations Tom Wright announced during a press conference in Calgary Wednesday morning that the UFC would be making three stops in Canada during the 2012 calendar year.The dates kick off with June’s vis…

The dates kick off with June’s visit to Calgary, which will be headlined by Jose Aldo defending his featherweight title against an unknown opponent. They’ll return in September for a show in Toronto—likely at the Air Canada Centre and not the Rogers Centre—and then make the trek back to Montreal two months later for what will likely be Georges St-Pierre’s first fight in nearly two years.

“The doctors said it’s the fastest recovering they’ve seen in an ACL injury,” said St-Pierre, who indicated that he wants to return at the Montreal event.

The one Canadian city that won’t be getting a new UFC event any time soon? Vancouver. After several successful visits to the city, the UFC is now fighting a ban on the sport after the conclusion of a two-year regulatory period. White noted that Vancouver likely will not get a show for the next two years, at the very least.

The UFC is wise in making Canada one of their centerpiece nations. Having gone to six events in Canada, I can tell you that the level of rabid fandom that exists in cities like Montreal far exceeds that of anywhere else in the world. Okay, I suppose you’d have to include Brazil in that category.

But the point remains—Canada is full of loving, supportive fans, and they’re going to continue getting big events because of it. I think the rest of the world should take notice, and I’m not even a Canadian.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

The UFC Announces Three PPV Events for Canada in 2012

The Ultimate Fighting Championship invaded Calgary today to announce their debut show in the city as UFC 149 will take place on July 21st from the Pengrowth Saddledome. It was the first time that UFC President Dana White visited the Alberta city and th…

Director of Canadian Operations Tom Wright was also on hand to announce two additional Pay Per View shows for the country in 2012. UFC 152 will take place in Toronto on September 22nd, and UFC 154 will go down in Montreal on November 17th.

Canadian fighters Mark Hominick and George St-Pierre were beamed in via satellite for the announcement and the November show could mark a much anticipated return for the welterweight champion St-Pierre.

It was also announced that the UFC has made a commitment to Toronto and Montreal as their Canadian anchor cities for the next two years.

No fights were confirmed for any of the Canadian shows but it was announced that Jose Aldo will defend his title in Calgary against an opponent to be named later. Despite no commitments yet, UFC President Dana White promised to deliver a “sick” card for the salivating fight fans of western Canada

Alberta fighters Nick Ring, Mitch Clarke and Jason MacDonald were on hand at the conference, and Macdonald announced that he would like to retire in the cage after a fight in Calgary in July. To be considered for that card, MacDonald must put in a good fight and come out healthy against Tom Lawlor at UFC On Fuel TV 3 in May.

Keep it tuned in here to Bleacher Report MMA for all updates and confirmed fights announced for those three Canadian shows.

Dwight Wakabayashi is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report MMA, MMA Editor at CKSN.ca and guest blogger for Sportsnet.ca

Catch him on Facebook and Twitter at wakafightermma.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com