MMA manager Alex Davis details tragedy in Rio de Janeiro, MMA community rallying for support in Brazil

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

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This article initially published on Monday, January 17

The tragic storm that hit Rio de Janeiro last week has taken a huge toll on the cities of Nove Friburgo and Teresopolis, among others, with the death toll rising to above 700 as of Monday. The mudslides caused by the massive rainfall have swallowed homes and the lives of residents and rescue workers alike, and the areas have been devastated by the forces of nature.

Many in the MMA community in Brazil have been directly affected, and as such all are reaching out for whatever help they can receive. MMA manager Alex Davis, who co-founded American Top Team and represents a number of big name clients in the sport, including Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva, JZ Cavancante, Jorge Santiago, Todd Duffee and more, has written a detailed account of what has happened over the last week in those areas, which you can read below (reprinted with permission):


"Last Tuesday evening, the storm started rolling in. I usually enjoy watching storms, but as the hours passed, I could tell that this was different, that this was a "cabeca dagua" or cloudburst, which I have seen one time before and know the destructive power that can be unleashed by it.

As time passed, from my house here on the farm, I could see the lightning and hear the thunder. Although hardly a drop of rain fell here, I knew that right across the mountain, somewhere was catching it. I tried to sleep, but sleep was impossible as I could sense the storm raging. At approximately 5:00 am in the morning, my son Johann, who lives in the center of Nova Friburgo, called to tell me a landslide had fallen on his street and that he had joined a dear friend of ours, Sgt. Marcos Verly, trying to dig out people that had been buried alive. Barely 40 minutes later he called me crying, telling me that a second landslide had fallen, that he had managed to get out in time, but that Sgt. Very and 3 other firemen had been buried, along with his cousins and other people who were helping also. A few minutes later my daughter, Michelle called in a panic, saying that she could see multiple landslides from her house, and that she was afraid that her house might come down also. At this point, phone communication ceased, leaving me blind and overcome with worry. I knew that using a car would be impossible, so I borrowed a motorcycle and went into town to look for my family. The scene of destruction that I encountered is beyond description. It was mudslide after mudslide, the river that runs through Nova Frinburgo had risen more then 7 or 8 meters above its normal level, leaving a complete mess of mud and debris. Luckily, I found all my kids safe, although they live right in the center of things. My son Johann was in a state of shock, having seen friends buried alive right in front of his eyes.

At this point, I need to tell a dramatic story about my son helping in the rescue effort. Among the people buried were a family of four, Husband, wife, 11 month old son, and grandmother. Marcos Verly and Johann knew they were alive, and were trying to get to them along with the other firemen, when the second landslide fell, and then still a 3rd mudslide even bigger, engulfed everything. Big machinery was brought to begin digging out the family and also the rescuers. As they dug, they started hearing calls from under the mud and debris. It was the father who had managed to dig under the debris to his 11 month old son, he held him against his chest, and both were miraculously alive, although the mother and grandmother were dead right beside him. As the hours passed, that father gathered saliva in his mouth and fed it to the baby. Later the rescuers managed to get a tube into to the debris and gave water to the father, who would fill his mouth and give it the baby. His description of how he did this and how the baby would grab his face and fit its mouth on his in desperation for water makes me weep! Finally, 16 hours after they had been buried, they were dug out alive. I happened to be there when the baby was freed from the mud as I was bringing water to the rescuers as they worked tirelessly with the slim hope of finding people alive.

The next day, I gathered all the equipment I had, and went and volunteered myself to the fire department, to help in anyway possible in the attempt to find more people. The scene was completely chaotic, the Fire Department was overwhelmed with a disasters of gigantic proportions, and to make things worse, no cell phone or land line communication were available whatsoever. There I began a journey of 6 days of non stop missions to help the people of Nova Friburgo. The stories of entire families buried alive are so frequent that this has become the norm! Thousands of people trying to dig out their loved ones, and in doing so, failing to realize that they were putting themselves into still more danger, as the 300mm (nearly 10 feet!) of rain had left all the terrain extremely unstable.

Whole communities are isolated, as bridges were wiped out, and hundreds of landslides blocked all the roads. After the initial loss of life to the mudslides and flooding, this is the largest crises still to be faced, and is still at this very moment a crises of huge proportions. There are pockets of communities all over the region, most very poor even in normal times, and now without clean water, electricity, food and even the most basic necessities. The effort is now to bring aid to these people, I spent days using my dirt bike to reach these small communities assess their needs, bring the information back to the Professional Rescuers effort, and try to get help to them. Since it is impossible to get food and water in by road, more then 30 helicopters are working day and night to get the food to the isolated communities, but even so, still many people are in precarious situations.

Besides this, many people of all walks of life have been economically wiped out, whole businesses have disappeared under the mud. This will bring even more stress as time passes due to the loss of jobs and economic activity. We will now face the second phase of the disaster, as the hundreds if not thousands of people buried will start putrefying, although they are too deep to be reached, the gases and fluids will seep through brining illness and stench.

The population has been heroic in dealing with what is the largest natural disaster in Brazilian history, normal people in the streets guiding traffic, people forming human chains to unload donations, volunteers backpacking water and milk to the isolated communities, everyone coming together in a huge effort to help there brothers. There has come one positive out of this catastrophe, Brazil has been blessed by not having large disasters like this one throughout our history, watching other catastrophes through the news. Now that one has hit our doorstep, the population has risen to the challenge, in a completely unselfish, heroic way, organizing themselves out of nothing to deal with the daunting challenges that now face this region.

Please, keep up the prayers, the help and the thoughts, although this will all be out of the media, many good people will still be suffering for a long time.

As you know, myself and my friends have started a charity that will go directly to these people. No middle organizations will be involved. Please help if you can.

Sincerely,
Alex Davis"


I encourage any of our readers in a position to give assistance to visit CombatAthleteCharities.com, where there is a link to donate via paypal. Below are more options for donating if you wish to send a check or money order or donate in person if you are in the Florida area:

The Armory Locations

603 Commerce Way West Jupiter, FL 33458
or
3133 Fortune Way - Suite #21, Wellington, FL 33414

American Top Team

4631 Johnson Rd Coconut Creek, FL 33073

Mail donations directly to:

Combat Athletes For Nova Friburgo
160 Congress Park Drive
Suite 211
Delray Beach, FL 33445

All checks should be made payable to:
Combat Athletes for Nova Friburgo

Source: http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/Other_News_4/article_8181.shtml

Choi Hong man Jeremy Horn Chris Horodecki Harold Howard Tom Howard

Kimbo Slice Quits Boxing, Reportedly Set for Pro Wrestling Tournament

Filed under: , ,

So much for the great Kimbo Slice boxing experiment.

The former street fighting sensation turned MMA fighter abruptly quit his pursuit of becoming a boxing star in October, Slice's former promoter Jared Shaw told MMA Fighting.

"[Slice left the boxing training camp] due to some various injuries and to go film The Scorpion King. Upon his return, he didn't show me any interest in boxing, so we just decided for right now to put it to the side," Shaw said.

Source: http://www.mmafighting.com/2011/01/18/kimbo-slice-quits-boxing-reportedly-set-for-pro-wrestling-tourn/

Frank Trigg Mostapha Al Turk Ryuki Ueyama Caol Uno Alexander Ustinov

You ever seen cars that have attached balls on them? *literally?*

With title bout off the table, who should Anthony Pettis fight next?

When Gray Maynard and Frankie Edgar fought to a draw on New Year's Day, the big loser was Anthony Pettis. He earned a title shot by winning the WEC lightweight belt in the promotion's last show, but that was pushed back in favor of an Edgar/Maynard rematch.

Now, reports have surfaced that Pettis will take on Clay Guida this spring instead of waiting for the chance at the UFC title shot. There was another UFC lightweight who was hoping for that bout.

Kenny Florian, who expects to return from a knee injury he sustained while training for a bout with Evan Dunham, wanted a shot at Pettis.

"I think if he wants to establish himself as a top lightweight, I think I've done a lot more than a lot of the guys out there," said Florian, who beat Guida by rear naked choke in Dec. 2009. "Gray Maynard beat me, obviously, but I still think I'm the third guy in the division. What better way to get to the top than a win over me?"

It's quite a benevolent move from Florian to offer himself as a launching pad for Pettis' career, but Florian isn't dumb. A win over the red-hot Pettis, who made national sports news with his Matrix-like kick in his win over Ben Henderson, could right the course for Florian. His last fight was a loss to Gray Maynard. He was then called a choker by UFC president Dana White and then was hit with the knee injury.

Would you rather see Pettis take on Guida, a wrestler with a frenetic pace, or a well-rounded fighter like Florian? Perhaps he would be challenged by a jiu-jitsu ace like George Sotiropoulous, or another fighter in the UFC's stacked lightweight division. Here's your chance to play amateur matchmaker.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/With-title-bout-off-the-table-who-should-Anthon?urn=mma-306071

Masakatsu Funaki Zelg Benkei Galesić Mauro Galvao Arman Gambaryan Manvel Gamburyan

UFC Suspends Chael Sonnen

by Michael David Smith UFC star Chael Sonnen, who was already serving a suspension for a positive drug test, has now been suspended by the UFC after his guilty plea to money laundering.

UFC President Dana White told TMZ that Sonnen's contract has been "frozen" while he tries to get his personal life in order. But White also made clear that he still supports Sonnen and wants to see him back in the Octagon.

"Chael Sonnen has gone through a lot in the last few months and we think it's important for him to focus on getting his personal life together before focusing on his career in the UFC," White said. "I spoke with Chael earlier today and he agrees that setting priorities in his life is the best thing for him right now. I sincerely hope Chael is able to straighten out his personal life."

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Source: http://www.mmafighting.com/2011/01/04/ufc-suspends-chael-sonnen/

Cheick Kongo Josh Koscheck Pascal Krauss Keigo Kunihara Mike Kyle

Vadim Finkelchtein Wants Strict Drug Testing During Strikeforce GP

M-1 Global President Vadim Finkelchtein wants a level playing field during the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix and hopes that the athletic commissions do the proper testing to make sure no one in the tournament is using performance enhancing drugs and talked his past issues with fighters failing drug tests:<br><br> "Two out of eight fighters in the tournament previously failed a drug test. Obviously, I'm talking about Josh Barnett and Antonio Silva. We want fair competition for everyone, so that's why I will ask the commission to perform a strict drug testing. Fedor is not using any kind of substance to enhance his performance, and will be ready for any kind of testing. So if the commission decides to follow our suggestion, we'll be ready. Our organization paid a heavy price after the cancellation of the fight between Josh Barnett and Fedor. We did a lot of promotion for this fight, which in the end did not take place. That's why as a promoter and manager, I don't want this to happen ever again." Props: Lowkick.com

Source: http://www.mmanews.com/home.php

Tony Fryklund Kazuyuki Fujita Masakatsu Funaki Zelg Benkei Galesić Mauro Galvao

Movie critic gets the 'creeps' seeing kids try MMA, Jason Statham disagrees

The UFC can hold all the press conferences it wants, but there's still going to be that element of potential critics who have their pre-conceived notions about mixed martial arts.

Mark down movie critic Jeffrey Lyons as an opponent. The longtime movie guru in the New York area asked actor Jason Statham if there should be a minimum age for kids to train in MMA. Statham, a fan and student of MMA, intelligently shot him down. 

It's not just Lyons. Check out the comment thread on this TapouT-Ruffo brothers commercial. There's lots of folks around the world who are still in the dark on MMA.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Movie-critic-gets-the-creeps-seeing-kids-try-M?urn=mma-307764

Houston Alexander Ricardo Almeida  Eddie Alvarez Thiago Alves  Andre Amade 

STRIKEFORCE CHALLENGERS 13 LIVE RESULTS: Penick's on-going round by round report of Woodley vs. Saffiedine event on Showtime

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

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STRIKEFORCE CHALLENGERS 13
JANUARY 7, 2011
LIVE FROM NASHVILLE, TENN

Mauro Ranallo opens up the broadcast as always and runs down the fights that are on tap tonight. Stephen Quadros and Pat Miletich break down the main event between Tyron Woodley and Tarec Saffiedine, as well as giving quick thoughts on the rest of the card.

FIGHT ONE: RHADI FERGUSON VS. JOHN RICHARD (LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT)

ROUND ONE: Richard rushed in with an overhand right and got in close. He shot in and managed to get Ferguson to the ground. Ferguson grabbed for a leg lock but Richard got out of it and took Ferguson's back. He started landing a couple of big shots and Ferguson tried to roll through. Richard nearly got a rear naked choke locked on but Ferguson held it off and rolled again. Richard held onto the hooks. Ferguson stalled Richard, but Ferguson held onto the position. Ferguson then finally spun out and wound up in Richard's guard. Ferguson landed some short punches to the body and a few hammer fists. He knocked the mouth piece of Richard out and the ref halted it to put it in. He did it again and the ref warned him to keep it in or he'll get a point taken away. Ferguson started landing punches, but they didn't seem to have a ton of power behind them. Ferguson continued to throw punches as Richard was on his knees. Richard spit out his mouth piece again. They halted the action again for the mouthpiece and the ref took a point away from him. Both fighters are tired and the round ends in this position.

Penick's Scorecard: 10-8 Ferguson. Richard gassed two minutes into the round and gave up position, and with the point deduction Ferguson gets a big lead after taking over the second part of the round.

ROUND TWO: Both fighters are exhausted to start the round and Richard tried to throw a looping left. He landed a kick low and Ferguson tried to get a stoppage from the ref, but Richard bull-rushed him and took him down. Richard landed some strikes. Ferguson scrambled and grabbed a leg for a knee bar. Richard tried to get out and Ferguson went for a heel hook and another knee bar. Richard was finally forced to tap, but the ref didn't pull Ferguson off right away and Richard takes a bit to get back up.

WINNER: Ferguson via submission (heel hook) at 2:00 of the second round

POST FIGHT: Ferguson said he had a ton of injuries he was dealing with in training. The crowd was completely silent as Ferguson was talking.

STAR RATING: (**-) Nice submission win from Ferguson, but that was not a pretty fight. Richard was dead tired after two minutes, can't completely blame him as he took the fight on really short notice and had to cut a lot of weight, but it made for a lot of stalling in the first. But Ferguson's scrambles worked well for him, and that was a good knee bar used to finish Richard off.

FIGHT TWO: AMANDA NUNES VS. JULIA BUDD (WOMEN'S 145 LB. BOUT)

ROUND ONE: Nunes landed an inside leg kick. Nunes came in with strikes and dropped Budd with a big left as she was swinging in a flurry. She followed up with hammer fists on the ground and Budd went out. Highly impressive from Nunes, but the ref was awful in stopping the fight far too late.

WINNER: Nunes via KO at :14 of the first round.

STAR RATING: (**+) The speed in which she just did that was highly impressive. Budd only had one career fight prior to this, but it was a highly impressive win over a well-regarded Shana Olsen. Her Muay Thai skills are also no joke, but she didn't even get a chance to utilize it as Nunes just blasted her with that opening flurry. Impressive stuff. On a side note, that referee was terrible with the stoppage, he got in there far too late.

FIGHT THREE: DANIEL CORMIER VS. DEVIN COLE (HEAVYWEIGHT)

ROUND ONE: Cole took the center and tried to walk Cormier to the cage. Cormier landed a couple of jabs and tried to get in close but backed out. Cormier landed an inside leg kick and a hard overhand punch. He got in close and clinched, pressing Cole to the cage. Cole turned him around. Cormier landed an uppercut in the clinch. Cormier landed a nice straight kick and walked Cole down. He got in and tried to trip Cole up, then pulled off a nice throw into side control. Cole got Cormier to half guard. Cormier tried to pass and Cole scrambled and got to his feet. Cormier grabbed a body lock but let it go and landed a couple of punches. Cole landed a knee. Cormier tried to pull off another clinch and Cole held it off. Cole landed a couple of strikes and Cormier stayed on him in the clinch against the cage. After a stalemate on the cage, Cormier backed off. He landed a big overhand right, but Cole took it. Cormier threw up a head kick. He landed a few more strikes agains the cage and then pulled off a trip takedown into Cole's guard. He landed a hard punch and pressed Cole into the cage. Cormier ended the round on top.

Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Cormier. Not the best action throughout the round, but Cormier pulled off a really nice throw and a nice trip takedown late, as well as getting in some nice strikes as well. He's well in control right now.

ROUND TWO: Cormier rushed in with punches but Cole backed off. Cormier shot but Cole stuffed it. Cormier then threw him in the clinch and got him to the ground. Cormier landed strikes against the cage in the half guard. Cormier passed to mount, but Cole got out of it using the fence to kick off. Cormier scrambled and got back to side control. Cole tried to turn into him and Cormier stepped back into half guard. Cormier stayed busy with short strikes to the body and head in the half guard, then passed to side control. Cole tried to scramble and Cormier stayed on his back and put a hook in. He got the other hook in and went for the choke but lost position as Cole rolled. Cole managed to roll to his back and got Cormier into the half guard. Cole tried to grab for a kimura late in the round and Cormier tried to hold it off. Cole couldn't lock it on and Cormier held off to the end of the round. He wasn't in trouble with that sub attempt at all.

Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Cormier. Cormier's dominating the position, but Cole's staying in it with scrambles. It's still quite sloppy, but Cormier's still in control.

ROUND THREE: Cole tried to move forward early and ate a hard leg kick from Cormier. Cole landed a right but Cormier countered with a few punches. Cole threw some punches with very little on them and missed. Cormier grabbed a clinch and tried to get a trip takedown but Cole held it off. The clinch was a stalemate and the ref separated them. Cormier landed a hard right to the body. Cormier rushed in for a takedown, Cole moved aside and nearly landed a knee to a grounded Cormier's head. Cormier scrambled and took his back, but Cole got back to his feet. They jockeyed for position in the clinch against the cage. Cormier tried to separate and Cole held him and landed a knee. Cormier landed another right, but the action slowed and they were separated with a minute and a half left. Cole pressed Cormier back to the cage and tried to land a few punches. Cormier grabbed a body lock and took Cole down hard on the cage. Cormier stayed on Cole against the cage, who tried to walk up the cage. Cole just threw punches to Cormier's back as he was getting smothered. Cormier started throwing a few flurries and finished the round and fight on top.

Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Cormier. Both fighters were quite tired by fight's end, but again it was mostly Cormier. Cole just didn't have any energy to do anything, and Cormier cinched up the round with the late takedown.

WINNER: Cormier via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)

POST FIGHT: Cormier gave Cole credit. He said he was disappointed, and Mauro couldn't understand why he was disappointed. But Cormier promised to be back better the next time.

STAR RATING: (**-) Despite the fawning over Cormier throughout the fight by the broadcast team, it wasn't a great fight. Cormier's got immense talent, and he clearly won the fight, but it wasn't the best he's looked. Cole hung in there despite being outclassed, though. Cormier continues to have a ton of upside, and has a lot of great tools, it simply wasn't his best fight so far. Still, with the schedule he's kept over the last year, that he's won six fights in 10 months is damned impressive.

FIGHT FOUR: OVINCE SAINT PREUX VS. ABONGO HUMPHREY (LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT)

ROUND ONE: St. Preux tagged Humphrey early with a big left. He landed a body kick and Humphrey got a hold of him. He tried to pull of a throw and St. Preux landed in his guard. Abongo tried to push St. Preux off, and St. Preux stayed on him. He landed a good right and then passed to half guard. He then passed nicely to side control and tried to trap Humphrey's arm in a crucifix. Humphrey got out. St. Preux went for the mount but Humphrey scrambled and got into his guard. St. Preux tried to lock on a triangle. Humphrey then dropped down for a leg. St. Preux tried to hold it off and finally moved into mount. St Preux started dropping some hard shots and Abongo turned. St. Preux landed some big punches from behind. He then exploded to lock on an arm triangle. Humphrey tried to fight out and finally did. St. Preux's head was too high up on the side, but he ended the round in the mount.

Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 St. Preux. Very good opening round for St. Preux. He stunned Humphrey early and had him on defense on the ground throughout much of the round.

ROUND TWO: Humphrey tried to press in early. He blocked a high kick from St. Preux. St. Preux stunned Humphrey with a big combo and Humphrey shot in. St. Preux stuffed it, then turned him around and took him down. St. Preux landed some short punches and called for a stand up as Humphrey held onto him. Humphrey rushed in and they started swinging wild punches. This just broke down into sloppiness here. Both fighters landed shots there, but most of the strikes missed. St. Preux then dropped down and took Humphrey down again. Humphrey held the closed guard again and St. Preux just landed some body punches. He's tiring out here. He postured up and landed a couple of hammerfists. He passed to half guard. The ref stood them up again. Humphrey tried to press in and St. Preux landed a couple of hard knees as Humphrey ducked in. Humphrey started teeing off on St. Preux on the cage and St. Preux shot for a really bad takedown that he actually completed. Humphrey had a guillotine choke attempt but it wasn't on tight and the round ended.

Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 St. Preux. St. Preux's hectic schedule the last two months has him really tired right now, but that round was definitely fun despite its sloppiness.

ROUND THREE: St. Preux got another takedown early and Humphrey closed his guard. St. Preux stayed slightly busy, but Humphrey held control of him and forced another stand up. St. Preux is really tired right now. Humphrey threw a high kick but it hit the body. St. Preux shot in for another takedown and Humphrey grabbed a guillotine on the way down. St. Preux stayed calm and worked out of it and got to side control. Humphrey pulled him back to guard. They were stood up again due to inactivity. St. Preux landed a high kick as Humphrey was throwing one and it knocked Humphrey down and St. Preux landed on him in half guard. St. Preux landed a few hard punches as the round ended.

Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 St. Preux. St. Preux was tired, but he continued to take Humphrey down and keep control in the fight. Humphrey tried to do some damage, but it was all OSP in this one.

WINNER: St. Preux via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)

POST FIGHT: A very tired St. Preux said he knew he needed to win the third round. He said he's excited to get home for awhile after a hectic schedule.

STAR RATING: (**+) There was a lot of fun action in that fight, but both were so tired by the end that there was a ton of stalling. Still, that's to be expected with St. Preux fighting 45 full minutes in a very short period of time after never having gone to decision before.

MAIN EVENT FIGHT FIVE: TYRON WOODLEY VS. TAREC SAFFIEDINE (WELTERWEIGHT)

ROUND ONE: Woodley popped in with a nice kick and a right hand. They clinched as Saffiedine got in close and Woodley landed some nice strikes in close before pushing him to the cage. Woodley held onto Saffiedine and landed a few knees before pulling off a nice throw to get Saffiedine to the ground. Saffiedine pulled back to the cage and tried to walk up the cage and he got back to his feet. Woodley stayed on him on the cage. Saffiedine landed a couple of knees and Woodley responded in kind. He dropped down for a double leg. Saffiedine held off the attempt. Woodley landed a knee. Saffiedine tried to shake Woodley off but Woodley stayed on him on the cage and landed a couple of knees. Saffiedine threw some strikes and knees of his own with his back against the cage. Woodley landed more hard knees to the thighs and the ref finally broke them. Woodley got poked in the eye as they separated and the ref said because he didn't see it he wasn't going to give him time. That was.... ridiculous. Woodley then popped in with a superman punch. He landed a kick and another punch and got back to the clinch. He pressed Saffiedine to the cage and the round ended.

Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Woodley. He landed some good strikes, got a takedown and controlled the position in the clinch. Good start. Awful officiating on the eye poke.

ROUND TWO: Saffiedine walked Woodley to the cage and threw a high kick. Woodley landed a nice right. Saffiedine got in close with a right hook and clinched Woodley against the cage. He controlled Woodley's body and landed some hard knees on the cage. Woodley exploded and got a nice trip takedown. Woodley landed some short strikes. Saffiedine pressed Woodley off with kicks and nearly locked on a triangle. He moved to an omoplata but Woodley popped out. Woodley tried to pass but Saffiedine kept him in the guard. Saffiedine crawled back to the fence. Woodley held him down and landed a couple of short strikes. Saffiedine gave up his back and Woodley landed a hard knee to the body. Woodley landed a few more knees and then tried to get a hook in. He ended the round with Saffiedine on his knees holding onto his wrist.

Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Woodley. Saffiedine was winning early in the round in the clinch, but then he got taken down and Woodley continued to work from the top and had positional control for three minutes of the round.

ROUND THREE: Saffiedine landed a hard leg kick early. They got into the clinch and exchanged strikes in the center of the cage before jockeying for position on the cage. Woodley landed an uppercut as Saffiedine backed off. Woodley shot in for a single leg. Saffiedine sprawled and held it off. Saffiedine scrambled and got into side control on Woodley. Woodley exploded back up and landed a knee and got into the clinch. Saffiedine pressed him to the cage. Woodley landed a few knees with his back on the cage. They traded knees. Woodley landed a hard right and shot in for a takedown and completed it. Saffiedine tried to grab for a kimura as Woodley got him down. Woodley held onto Saffiedine's leg and this will lead to a stalemate. Saffiedine pulled on the arm but Woodley popped out. They scrambled and Woodley stayed on him. The ref then separated them with a minute left. Saffiedine landed a knee. Woodley landed a couple of punches. He landed a hard body kick. He shot and got stuffed immediately, and they clinched on the cage. Saffiedine tried to back off and Woodley shot in. Saffiedine got separation and Woodley stayed on him again. Saffiedine separated and they exchanged shots as the round ended.

Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Woodley. Saffiedine was too willing to clinch in this fight, and I think it will be his downfall for this fight. Woodley negated Saffiedine's early takedown with one of his own and I think Woodley edged the fight.

WINNER: Woodley via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

POST FIGHT: Woodley gave Saffiedine credit for being a tough opponent, but he thought he did well tonight. He said it was about getting out of his range and popping in when he had his spots.

STAR RATING: (**+) Solid fight, very even through most of the bout, but nothing too impressive from either guy tonight. Woodley remains a highly talented prospect, and he played his game in this one and forced Saffiedine to fight his fight, and it worked for him. Another good win under his belt and he'll get back to action with little wear and tear after this one.

-That's another event in the books. Thanks for sticking with us tonight, and make sure to check back throughout the weekend and beyond as we begin gearing up for an extremely packed schedule of MMA action over the next few months.

Source: http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/Affliction2/article_8080.shtml

Alexander Gustafsson Jaime Gutierrez Dave Gomez Keith Hackney Matt Hamill

Brian Stann Very Politely Calls Out Wanderlei, Bisping, Anderson, GSP


(“Think of this next right hand as my way of thanking you for the opportunity and expressing what an honor it was to meet with you here this evening.” PicProps: Las Vegas Sun)

OK, so maybe “calls out” is a little bit strong in reference to Anderson Silva and Georges St. Pierre, but the American-Hero-turned-mediocre-light-heavyweight-turned-newly-minted-middlweight-comer certainly didn’t shy away from candidly assessing his skills against both the UFC 185-pound and 170-pound champions while also mentioning his desire to fight Wanderlei Silva and Michael Bisping during a recent interview with the UK Telegraph. Read on to hear Brian Stann's respectful, but classicly fighter-centric take of most of the rest of the middleweight division, and beyond. Also, be warned that we took the liberty of changing the British English spellings back to ’Merican, for obvious reasons.

Reasons like the Revolutionary War.

"Hopefully, my next fight will be Wanderlei Silva, who is obviously a legend in the sport, and it would be an honor to fight your guy from the UK, Michael Bisping, an amazing fighter who has truly distinguished himself in the weight class ...” Stann tells the Telegraph’s Gareth Davies. “He has proved himself to be an exciting, all-round fighter and has the ranking. Guys like Michael Bisping and Wanderlei have what I want in the sport -- the respect and the rankings, and that’s where I want to be.”

read more

Source: http://www.cagepotato.com/brian-stann-very-politely-calls-out-wanderlei-bisping-anderson-gsp

Mark Hunt Brad Imes Enson Inoue Takeshi Inoue Tokimitsu Ishizawa