Tag: quick quote

Bellator’s Eddie Alvarez Looking To Face Top Competition, Joins The Blackzilians Team

Former Bellator lightweight champ Eddie ‘The Silent Assassin’ Alvarez (22-3) saw his seven fight win streak stopped by Michael Chandler last November in a fourth round submission loss which also saw Alvarez lose his title. Alvarez tells “The MMA Show with Mauro Ranallo” that he had been looking for an immediate rematch with Chandler but […]

Former Bellator lightweight champ Eddie ‘The Silent Assassin’ Alvarez (22-3) saw his seven fight win streak stopped by Michael Chandler last November in a fourth round submission loss which also saw Alvarez lose his title.

Alvarez tells “The MMA Show with Mauro Ranallo” that he had been looking for an immediate rematch with Chandler but was turned down by Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney. His only option was to re-enter next seasons tournament if he wanted to regain his title.

Instead of doing that, Alvarez is taking a different route and is looking to pit himself against some of the worlds top fighters. He is tentatively booked to face DREAM champ Shinya Aoki in a rematch, saying he’s signed the papers and is waiting for Aoki to sign to make it official.

“I was a little upset about the whole thing. I thought the promotion would have my back. I didn’t even hear I wouldn’t get the rematch until I heard it through the media… ”

“I’ve worked nine years in my career to get where I am. I’ve earned the right to fight guys in the top five, the top 10,” he said. “The reality of it is I can’t become No. 1 by fighting the guys in Bellator’s tournament, not even by beating Michael Chandler again — that’s more of a pride thing. I already went through a tournament (Bellator’s inaugural season one lightweight bracket) and became champion. I didn’t make a lot of title defences because I was waiting for the tournaments to unfold.

“I get a slack from the internet from people saying I haven’t fought people in the top 10. It’s nothing I can do — it’s a matter of getting guys in the promotion, getting guys to sign. Everyone in the top 10 is signed to another promotion so it’s hard to get your hands on a guy that’s ranked up there so instead you have to fight a lot of unranked opponents, and in the case of Bellator, there’s a lot of tough unranked opponents so you take a risk.”

“I already signed the contract for Aoki. We’re waiting for Aoki to sign. I believe he will sign it and I’m keeping my fingers crossed,” Alvarez said. “I’ve been asking Bjorn for that fight for a long time since I’ve been Bellator champion and I hope to get it. I just want to fight in big fights. Aoki’s finally a guy who’s ranked in the top of my weight class.”

Alvarez has also become the latest addition to the Florida based Blackzilian team, telling host Mauro Ranallo about the change in gyms. The Blackzilians also recently signed another high profile fighter in former Strikeforce heavyweight champ, and current UFC No. 1 contender Alistair Overeem.

The bout between Alvarez and Chandler was certainly one of the best fights of 2011, but was overshadowed by the Dan Henderson vs. Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua match taking place on the same evening.

Also featured on Monday’s “The MMA Show” are UFC welterweight Josh Koscheck, UFC heavyweight Dave Herman, Blackzilian coach Mike Van Arsdale, and AKA coach ‘Crazy’ Bob Cook. Michael Bisping had been scheduled to appear but phone issues cut the interview very short.

Should He Defeat Josh Koscheck At UFC on FOX 3, Johny Hendricks Wants To Call Out Carlos Condit

With his fight official versus Josh Koscheck for May 5th at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey, welterweight Johny Hendricks (12-1) feels he’s real close to a title shot and that a win over Koscheck should earn him a No. 1 contenders position. Hendricks has won three straight and is 7-1 in the […]

With his fight official versus Josh Koscheck for May 5th at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey, welterweight Johny Hendricks (12-1) feels he’s real close to a title shot and that a win over Koscheck should earn him a No. 1 contenders position.

Hendricks has won three straight and is 7-1 in the UFC competing in the 170-lbs division with his most recent win coming against Jon Fitch at UFC 141. Hendricks managed to do what no one else in the Ultimate Fighting Championship could do, and that was to finish Fitch in the Octagon needing just twelve seconds to end the match via knockout.

Speaking to media personality, and cageside announcer, Mauro Ranallo on Monday during a radio appearance on ‘The MMA Show with Mauro Ranallo‘, Hendricks discussed his upcoming fight saying he plans on calling out interim champ Carlos Condit with a win on May 5th.

“If I go out there and beat Josh Koscheck a title shot has to be there because for a while he has been No. 3 in the division. If Condit doesn’t want to wait for Georges St-Pierre I’ll definitely call him out. That’s my main focus and that’s why I’m here — to bring the belt home. That’s all that matters to me.”

Also on Monday’s episode were Duke Roufus, UFC bantamweight Yves Jabouin, fighter Gary Mangat, as well as Sherdog.com’s Jack Encarnacao and The Fight Network’s John Pollock.

Anthony ‘Rumble’ Johnson Discusses Weight Cut Issue Following UFC 142

Former UFC welterweight, and one time middleweight, Anthony ‘Rumble’ Johnson was a guest on TapouT radio on Thursday with the fighter answering questions from a possible return to the UFC, fighting for another promotion, and his weight cut issues leading up to UFC 142. Johnson was set to make his middleweight debut versus Vitor Belfort […]

Anthony Johnson (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Former UFC welterweight, and one time middleweight, Anthony ‘Rumble’ Johnson was a guest on TapouT radio on Thursday with the fighter answering questions from a possible return to the UFC, fighting for another promotion, and his weight cut issues leading up to UFC 142.

Johnson was set to make his middleweight debut versus Vitor Belfort at the Rio de Janeiro event, but failed to make weight due to medical reasons. Because of the medical issues, a physician stepped in and ordered ‘Rumble’ to rehydrate, which by the time Johnson stepped on the scale, put him at 197-lbs for the fight.

Johnson would go on to lose via first round rear-naked choke and was subsequently released by the UFC.

‘Rumble’ recounted the incident to TapouT.

“It was crazy cause like I was losing weight, the weight was coming off fine. I would get breaks between my cutting sessions and stuff like that. I don’t know man, that last time my old man, his name is Marcus he helps me cut weight every time. He said ‘Alright kid get up lets go, lets cut some more weight.’ I tried to move and I just couldn’t feel my legs, I couldn’t move anything. And they looked at me, they thought I was playing around. Mike Van Arsdale was in the room with me and I was like ‘Mike I’m not fucking playing, I cannot move my legs I can’t even feel them. So everybody hopped up and helped me out and stuff. They moved my body around and stuff. They went and got Bert from the UFC and called the UFC doctor who told them what to do, who told me to drink fluids because I had electrolyte shock which stopped my legs from moving.”

UFC President Dana White “Beyond Disappointed” With Nick Diaz Over Positive Drug Test

Ultimate Fighting Championship president Dana White released his own comment Thursday night reference the failed drug test by Nick Diaz after the fighter tested positive for “marijuana metabolites” following his loss to Carlos Condit at UFC 143. White kept his comment short and sweet stating that he was “beyond disappointed” with the Stockton, California native. […]

Ultimate Fighting Championship president Dana White released his own comment Thursday night reference the failed drug test by Nick Diaz after the fighter tested positive for “marijuana metabolites” following his loss to Carlos Condit at UFC 143.

White kept his comment short and sweet stating that he was “beyond disappointed” with the Stockton, California native.

“I am beyond disappointed that he tested positive for marijuana,” said White. “It is now in the hands of the Nevada State Athletic Commission.”

On Thursday, Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) Executive Director Keith Kizer revealed that Diaz had tested for marijuana use and has filed a complaint for disciplinary action.

This is the second such incident for Diaz with the Nevada Commission, after testing for marijuana after PRIDE 33 in a bout that saw him submit Takanori Gomi in February 2007. The result of the bout was overturned by the NSAC and changed to a “No Contest” result, and Diaz received a fine as well as a six month suspension.

Fans can expect a lengthier sentence this time around.

Manager Cesar Gracie Says Diaz vs. Condit II Will Not Happen

A day after UFC president Dana White Tweeted (@danawhite) message about working on a rematch between newly crowned UFC interim welterweight champ Carlos Condit and Nick Diaz, Cesar Gracie, manager and coach to Diaz, has come out squashing any further talk. ESPN.com talked to Gracie and received this definitive answer. “Yeah, I said that (there […]

Photo by Nick Laham/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

A day after UFC president Dana White Tweeted (@danawhite) message about working on a rematch between newly crowned UFC interim welterweight champ Carlos Condit and Nick Diaz, Cesar Gracie, manager and coach to Diaz, has come out squashing any further talk.

ESPN.com talked to Gracie and received this definitive answer.

“Yeah, I said that (there will be no rematch). But that’s all I can say,” Gracie said. “I can’t say anything else. I can’t do anything.

“Quote that if you want to. There is not going to be a rematch. Other than that, that’s all I can say.”

Diaz and Condit squared off in the main event of this past weekends UFC 143 event in Las Vegas with Condit walking away with a somewhat controversial unanimous decision. Diaz pressed the attack throughout the fight, while Condit continually backed away using counter-punching to earn points.

The statement from Gracie may be a negotiating tactic from Diaz’ camp, as the fighter has complained many times that he does not make enough money.

Fans should expect some sort of official statement from UFC president Dana White Friday.

Strikeforce Fighter Roger Gracie May Sign With Black House MMA, Considering Drop To Middleweight

Decorated Brazilian Ji-Jitsu champion, and current Strikeforce light heavyweight, Roger Gracie (4-1) is looking to sharpen his fight game outside of submissions, and is reportedly in talks with the Black House MMA gym according to team manager Jorge Guimaraes. The Black House team is home to such fighters as UFC champion Anderson Silva, former champs […]

Photo by Josh Hedges/Mike Roach/UFC

Decorated Brazilian Ji-Jitsu champion, and current Strikeforce light heavyweight, Roger Gracie (4-1) is looking to sharpen his fight game outside of submissions, and is reportedly in talks with the Black House MMA gym according to team manager Jorge Guimaraes.

The Black House team is home to such fighters as UFC champion Anderson Silva, former champs Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira, Lyoto Machida, and Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante along with a long list of famous fighters.

Guimaraes says Gracie is in talks with him, and fellow Black House manager Ed Soares, with only the “little details” to be worked out between the two sides.

“It’s not sure yet, we’re working on the little details”, explains Jorge, who is friends with Roger’s father, the coral belt Mauricio Gomes, decades ago. “His father is my friend from Rolls Gracie time, he’s someone I really like and I really care for Roger. I guess Roger is an example, not only as a fighter, but as a person. I’ll do everything I can do for him, it’ll be a challenge for me”.

Guimaraes is the responsible for managing names like Anderson Silva, Lyoto Machida, the Nogueira brothers, and he is excited about the possibility of managing the greatest BJJ champion of all times.

“To me, he has all the tools to build up a great MMA career, he just need some work, focused. I’m sure he’ll be a tough one to fight in MMA”, compliments the manager, revealing the possibility of Roger dropping to the middleweight division. “He’s considering dropping, but it’s not set in stone yet”.

As noted by Guiamaes, Gracie is considering a drop to 185-lbs in the future after competing three times as a light heavyweight fighter in the Strikeforce cage.

Gracie’s most recent bout took place last September and saw him lose by first round knockout to former Strikeforce champ Muhammed ‘King Mo’ Lawal at the Barnett vs. Kharitonov event.