Tag: quick quote

Luke Rockhold Wants Costa Philippou For UFC Debut

The last man to hold the Strikeforce middleweight belt, Luke Rockhold (10-1) is looking forward to his Octagon debut and unlike his lightweight counterpart, Gilbert Melendez, Rockhold will not get an immediate title shot at UFC title holder Anderson Silva. So to take matters into his own hands, Rockhold wants to find the shortest path […]

Rockhold retains the Strikeforce middleweigh title (Photos by Esther Lin/Forza LLC/Getty Images via Forza LLC)

The last man to hold the Strikeforce middleweight belt, Luke Rockhold (10-1) is looking forward to his Octagon debut and unlike his lightweight counterpart, Gilbert Melendez, Rockhold will not get an immediate title shot at UFC title holder Anderson Silva.

So to take matters into his own hands, Rockhold wants to find the shortest path to ‘The Spider’ and feels Costa Philippou (12-2, 1NC) will help him get there.

Rockhold spoke to MMAFighting.com recently about his plans for competing in the UFC for the first time.

“I think Costa Philippou makes the most sense right now,” he said. “He’s coming off a win, and I think he’s a good opponent. Let’s get it on at [UFC on FOX 7].”

…

“I want the fight that gets me to Anderson as fast as I can. I believe I can fight him like no one else can. I want that opportunity because I believe I’m the No. 1 contender.”

UFC on FOX: Henderson vs. Melendez is expected to take place April 20, 2013 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California.

Rockhold had been scheduled to defend his title against undefeated fighter Lorenz Larkin at this past November’s canceled event, and then again at last weekends final Strikeforce event. Both times, Rockhold was kept from defending his belt by a nagging wrist injury.

Rockhold has won nine straight fights which includes two title defenses. His most recent win came in July with a decision victory over Tim Kennedy in Portland, Oregon.

Philippou is on a five fight win streak and is 5-1 in the Octagon since joining the promotion in March 2011. His most recent victory came last month at UFC 155 with a third round TKO finish of Tim Boetsch.

John Dodson Wants To Become First Fighter To Hold “Three Titles”

In less than two weeks, flyweight John ‘The Magician’ Dodson (14-5) will look to claim the first of three UFC titles the New Mexico fighter hopes to possess over his career. Dodson is scheduled to meet UFC flyweight title holder Demetrious ‘Mighty Mouse’ Johnson on January 26 in the main event of the UFC on […]

John Dodson – image via UFC.com

In less than two weeks, flyweight John ‘The Magician’ Dodson (14-5) will look to claim the first of three UFC titles the New Mexico fighter hopes to possess over his career.

Dodson is scheduled to meet UFC flyweight title holder Demetrious ‘Mighty Mouse’ Johnson on January 26 in the main event of the UFC on FOX 6 event in Chicago, Illinois.

Dodson hopes to be the first fighter to capture three division titles and is looking at the flyweight, bantamweight and featherweight divisions.

‘The Magician’ spoke about his aspirations to the BrandonSun.com recently.

“I want to hold all those three titles at 125, ’35 and ’45. If I can do that, that would be amazing. Then I can die a happy man.”

“I want to be the first guy to do it,” he said. “A lot of people sit there and talk about it but I want to be able to do it. I want to go out there and put that mark on that wall … I can dominate the sport. I believe I can do this …. ”

“I want to have my name written in the stars.”

Dodson has won five straight including three inside the Octagon. The TUF 14 bantamweight winner debuted in the Octagon in December 2011 picking up a TKO win over fellow castmate T.J. Dillashaw. Dodson then went on to defeat Tim Elliot at UFC on FOX 3 and then Jussier Formiga in a flyweight title eliminator bout at UFC on FX 5 last October.

Beltran And Palhares Deny Any Intentional Wrong Doing Following UFC on FX 6 Failed Drug Tests

On Thursday, news broke that both UFC light heavyweight Joey ‘The Mexicutioner’ Beltran and UFC middleweight Rousimar Palhares had failed post-fight drug tests following last months UFC on FX 6 event in Australia. Beltran tested positive for the anabolic steroid Nandrolone, while Palhares tested positive for elevated testosterone levels. Both fighters received nine month suspensions […]

Joey Beltran

On Thursday, news broke that both UFC light heavyweight Joey ‘The Mexicutioner’ Beltran and UFC middleweight Rousimar Palhares had failed post-fight drug tests following last months UFC on FX 6 event in Australia.

Beltran tested positive for the anabolic steroid Nandrolone, while Palhares tested positive for elevated testosterone levels. Both fighters received nine month suspensions and Beltran had his victory over Igor Pokrajac changed to a “No Contest.”

Both fighters released statements today on the failed drug tests denying any intentional wrong doing on their part, but were accepting of the sentences handed down by Ultimate Fighting Championship officials.

Beltran took to Twitter (@mexicutioner760) to apologize to fans over the “shame” of the situation.

I can say without a shadow of a doubt I did not inject Nandrolone into my body. I am sorry to my family and friends for the shame this brought to any of you. I promise soon the whole story will be told and I will go through whatever is necessary to find the reason for this positive test. I am at fault for taking a supplement or perhaps combination of something that caused my test result. My team and I will seek the truth. I am sorry once again and truly apologize to the people that matter the most to me.

– Joey Beltran

Palhares released a statement to MMAjunkie.com which was posted this afternoon.

“I’ve always been extremely regimented with my diet and would not use anything that could harm my body or my performance inside the octagon,” Palhares stated. “And it wasn’t different this time. I never had the intention to cheat. I’ve got almost 30 fights in my career, most of them in the UFC. I have been subjected to several surprise tests, and there was never anything wrong. Besides, I knew that I would be tested after the fight in Australia because it is standard in the UFC. I have a clear conscience, but accepted the punishment. The rules are there for everyone and must be followed.

“I consulted with my doctor, and he will go over all food supplements used in my preparation for the fight and the test results. I want to know exactly what happened that made the testosterone rate unusual in my body.”

Both men will now have to sit out for the next nine months and will have to pass a drug test before they are reinstated.

UFC on FX 6 took place on December 15, 2012 at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre in Queensland, Australia.

As noted, Beltran had originally earned a unanimous decision over Pokrajac competing on the Fuel TV broadcasted prelim card, while Palhares suffered a first round TKO defeat against Hector Lombard in the opening main card bout on FX television.

Cung Le Still Looking To Compete In The Octagon At 40

Former Strikeforce middleweight champ, actor, and fan favorite Cung Le (9-2) is not ready to hang up his gloves just yet. The 40-year-old fighter is coming of a “Knockout of the Year” win against Rich Franklin this past November at UFC: Macau and has been spending his time since then healing. Le injured his foot […]

Cung Le – photo via Strikeforce.com

Former Strikeforce middleweight champ, actor, and fan favorite Cung Le (9-2) is not ready to hang up his gloves just yet.

The 40-year-old fighter is coming of a “Knockout of the Year” win against Rich Franklin this past November at UFC: Macau and has been spending his time since then healing. Le injured his foot in the bout and has been dealing with some bone chips in his elbow.

Speaking to MMAWeekly.com recently, Le expressed his desire to return to the Octagon.

“I feel like I’ve still got some fights left in me, so I’m not going to retire right away,” Le told MMAWeekly.com. “I felt like a performance like that – and I know some people were saying I was starting slow, it’s like hello it’s a five-round fight, I’m going to pace myself, but at the same time I know when to explode and I know when to pace myself…. ”

“I’m going to make sure I heal right this time because I think getting into Macao after hurting my foot really bad, and I did have some elbow problems leading up to that fight. I’m just glad I got two big wins in the UFC, and as soon as I heal up I think I’m going to be gearing up again,” Le stated.

“It takes a little bit longer to heal. I’m 40 years old,” Le joked. “But I want to make a proper rehab and we’ll take it from there.”

While Le may not make a run for a title again, there are certainly a number of 185-lbs fighters that he could face. I feel an intriguing matchup might be him and current Strikeforce champ Luke Rockhold once Rockhold moves over to the UFC.

Bellator’s ‘King Mo’ Lawal Has A Boxing Clause In His Contract, Wants ‘Kimbo Slice’

Traveled veteran Muhammed ‘King Mo’ Lawal (8-1, 1NC) is set to debut inside of the Bellator cage later this month on Spike TV when he faces Przemyslaw Mysiala in the opening quarterfinals of the promotions Season Eight light heavyweight tournament. When Lawal signed with Bellator he was also signed by TNA Impact Wrestling, becoming the […]

Photos by Esther Lin/Forza LLC/Forza LLC via Getty Images

Traveled veteran Muhammed ‘King Mo’ Lawal (8-1, 1NC) is set to debut inside of the Bellator cage later this month on Spike TV when he faces Przemyslaw Mysiala in the opening quarterfinals of the promotions Season Eight light heavyweight tournament.

When Lawal signed with Bellator he was also signed by TNA Impact Wrestling, becoming the first pro-mma fighter to compete in mixed martial arts and pro-wrestling at the same time.

Recently news surfaced that ‘King Mo’ had more than just mma and pro-wrestling added to his contract. According to BloodyElbow.com, Lawal also has a boxing clause in his contract and is hoping that he and former Youtube sensation, TUF 10 heavyweight ‘Kimbo Slice’ can meet in the ring, possibly on Spike TV.

I got a boxing clause in my contract. I just gotta get through this tournament and be healthy. Bjorn said that he was going to get me fights. But the thing with the contract is that we gotta agree on the opponent. But someone like Kimbo Slice? I’d be alright. We could hype that up, they can get behind me…

I think King Mo vs. Kimbo Slice would be a good boxing match. I got good training, he’s got good training. I want to make it happen. So my main goal is to get through this tournament, win it, defend it, defend the belt once or twice and after that get that fight with Kimbo.

That’s why I’ve been training with Jeff Mayweather so hard. Trying to get my boxing skills up. I think me vs. Kimbo would be a good fight. We could put it on Spike TV or something!

Check out the rest of ‘King Mo’s’ comments on why he wants ‘Kimbo Slice’ and what his own personal goals are by boxing, just hit the link above.

Lawal had his last mixed martial arts bout just over a year ago, defeating Lorenz Larkin by knockout. The result was changed to a “No Contest” after ‘King Mo’ tested positive for anabolic steroids and was suspended nine months. Lawal was released by the Strikeforce promotion, and after a near career ending staph infection in his leg, was signed by Bellator.

Former Strikeforce Champ Gegard Mousasi Wants To Prove He Is A Top Three Fighter This Saturday

With the final Showtime broadcasted Strikeforce event scheduled for this Saturday in Oklahoma City, many of the cards competitors are looking to prove they belong among the elite fighters of the world. The winner is likely to get a UFC contract while the loser gets shown the door. One of the few fighters on the […]

Gegard Mousasi

With the final Showtime broadcasted Strikeforce event scheduled for this Saturday in Oklahoma City, many of the cards competitors are looking to prove they belong among the elite fighters of the world. The winner is likely to get a UFC contract while the loser gets shown the door.

One of the few fighters on the card who will likely get a UFC contract regardless of the outcome on January 12, is former Strikeforce light heavyweight champ Gegard Mousasi, who takes on Mike Kyle on the main card.

Mousasi is 19-1-1 in his last twenty-one bouts and is currently on a five fight undefeated streak, but the Iranian born fighter feels he has something to prove by winning at the final Strikeforce event. ‘The Dreamcatcher’ wants to prove that he is one of the “top three” fighters in the world and deserving of a chance to compete against some of the UFC’s best.

Mousasi was a guest on MMAWeekly Radio earlier this week to speak about his bout with Kyle as well as the likely move to the UFC.

“I’m glad the fans are excited about the fights, especially stand-up fighters like Shogun (Rua), (Lyoto) Machida, or (Alexander) Gustafsson, I think those are fights that are going to be exciting,” Mousasi stated.

…

“That’s my goal to show that I am in the top five or the top three (in the world),” Mousasi stated.

“I feel like I have the potential and with the right training and the right mentality I can do it, and I feel that way right now. January 12 is the date I will show it.”

Strikeforce: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine is scheduled to take place on Jan. 12 at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The main card will air on Showtime, while part of the prelim card is set to air on Showtime Extreme.