Junior dos Santos ?Outraged? Over Cain Velasquez?s Shoulder Injury

“I’m really outraged. How does a person leaves a fight versus Brock Lesnar in perfect physical condition and then get hurt without being in training? The last news I heard about Velasquez, he was riding in Mexico. How did he get injured? I’m in the best moment of my career, training heavily and working hard [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/mmaconvert/~3/Cnu0avJEWb8/

Delson Heleno Dan Henderson Josh Hendricks Ed Herman Heath Herring

MMANews.com Talks To Cain Velasquez About Dos Santos, Title Win, Fedor

By Chris Howie<br> MMANews.com Staff<br><br> Cain Velasquez is fresh off dethroning Brock Lesnar of the UFC Heavyweight strap and has Junior Dos Santos sitting in wait as he is likely to defend the title for the first time in April at UFC 129 in Toronto, though the fight hasn?t been officially announced by the UFC.<br><br> The new Heavyweight Champion has been on the road more often than not and has seen the fan support around him sky rocket, something he feels at home with despite being away from home ?It?s been fantastic. I hear from fans all over the world. There is so much support behind me and it feels great. It?s been crazy (since winning the title). I?m definitely on the road a lot but that comes with the territory. The UFC is the best MMA organization in the world and to be a major part of that is an honor. At heart I?m a family man but I love all the support I receive from the fans and I can?t wait to go home and defend my title. ?.<br><br> When he does return home the number one contender for a shot at the title, Junior Dos Santos, will be waiting for his crack at becoming the top dog in the Heavyweight division. Dos Santos has displayed dangerous striking since making his UFC debut, winning all six of his fights, five of them stoppages due to strikes. .<br><br> <!--more-break--> A dangerous opponent, yes, but one Velasquez feels a win over helps establish his place among the best, ?Junior is a great fighter. He has incredible stand up and I expect nothing less than a war. I want to fight the best. I came into this sport to be the best and the only way to achieve that is to go face-to-face with best. It?s a hard road to keep this belt around my waist, but I?m up for the challenge.? .<br><br> 2-0 when he entered the UFC and now 9-0 in his career, the 28 year old Velasquez has faced stiff competition on his way to the top including Cheick Kongo, Ben Rothwell, and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira before stopping who many believed would hold the title for a long time, Brock Lesnar. It took him 4:12 and won him knockout of the night honors and UFC knockout of the year honors and despite derailing the perceived unstoppable freight train Velasquez stays humble in talking about Lesnar ?He is a great fighter, we both trained hard for the fight. It was a great feeling knowing all the hard work paid off.? .<br><br> All the hard work comes from time spent at his team?s gym in San Jose, CA, at the American Kickboxing Academy which features the likes of UFC stand outs Josh Koscheck, Jon Fitch, Mike Swick, and Phil Baroni, as well as others such as former USA Olympic Wrestling Team Captain Daniel Cormier and former Strikeforce Lightweight Champion Josh Thomson. ?My advantage will be to train the best I can and be surrounded by my camp that pushes the best out of me every day. I truly believe I have the best camp in the world. They really push me. My camp (AKA) pushes me to be the best. Day in and day out. I wouldn?t be where I am without them. ?.<br><br> <!--more-break--> Velasquez comes from a strong wrestling base having been a two time NCAA Division 1 All American and feels that although his wrestling base is a good one to start from, his drive to be a complete fighter in all aspects of the sport will help keep him where he is today ?Historically wrestlers have done very well but I truly believe you need to be well rounded in all aspects. Is it a must? I believe so. I believe every fighter has something you can learn from. I aim to be complete. To stay on top you need to be good at every aspect. I hope to achieve that.? .<br><br> Staying on top is something one of his idols, Fedor Emelianenko did for most of his career. The Russian is coming of his first loss and only recently, since the likes of Velasquez himself have come onto the scene, has he seen himself out of the top spot on heavyweight rankings. Despite Emelianeneko?s last outing, Velasquez still sees him as his dream opponent and gives his takes on the Russian?s legendary career ?Absolutely(he is still relevant). He is a legend and one fight does not define a career of dominance.? .<br><br> <!--more-break--> MMANews.com would like to thank BSN for setting up this interview between us and Cain. While we spoke Cain also explained his involvement with BSN and how their products have benefited him: .<br><br> On his involvement with BSN: ?Any fighter will tell you that diet and supplementation are key to maximizing your ability. BSN is the best of the best and I am happy to represent their brand. Plus I get all the free product I need!? .<br><br> On what works for him: ?Recovery products are the most important for me. Cellmass and Syntha-6 are my two favorite products. ?.<br><br> How their products can help you: ?Whatever their training need may be the have a product to support your goals. it is always important to fuel you body to allow it to recover. Protein is the key to that and BSN?s Syntha-6 makes refueling pretty easy!? .<br><br> Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

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

Lyoto Machida Marzagui Ayoub Paul McVeigh Frank Mir Daniel Moraes

Adieu Varner and Horodecki: Lightweight heads roll after final WEC

Not exactly the parting shot Varner was hoping for.

Jamie Varner and Chris Horodecki are the latest victims of one of the few downsides of the UFC/WEC merger: The promotion can only have so many fighters on a roster at once. The merger means the traditional post-fight cuts will be brutal, particularly in the lightweight division, which was supported by both the UFC and WEC.

Varner lost the WEC lightweight to Ben Henderson at the beginning of the year via a third-round submission that Varner mocked. The rest of 2010 was just as tough, as he fought to a draw with Kamal Shalorus, lost a grudge match to bitter rival Donald Cerrone and then was submitted by Shane Roller. Still, it's shocking to see a fighter go from the champ to unemployed in a year's time. From PunchDrunkGamer.com on Tuesday:

Jamie stated, “I am ready for 2011, there will be some changes in my game. It has been a nice ride with the WEC but its time for a change. Perhaps UFC will be in my future down the road...We shall see!”

Less shocking is Horodecki's cut. Though he was 2-2 in the WEC, his losses were spectacular. "The Polish Hammer's" debut in the WEC was wrecked by Anthony Njokuani's highlight-reel kick to the face. Horodecki won his next two, but then was submitted by a Cerrone triangle choke at WEC 53.

This is the reality of the post-merger UFC. In the past, a fighter would only be concerned about being cut if he lost two in a row, but now, every performance counts. Adieu, Polish Hammer and Varner. Horodecki, we'll miss that Goonies-esque face, and Varner, what will MMA be without you and Cerrone calling each other unsavory names? 

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Adieu-Varner-and-Horodecki-Lightweight-heads-ro?urn=mma-301180

Randy Couture Bas Rutten Kevin Randleman Randy Couture Josh Barnett

Strikeforce announces extension with ?Ruthless? Robbie Lawler

The final week of 2010 has been an exciting one for Strikeforce, as the company has once again shown an investment in their current crop of highly-touted talent by announcing a ?multi-year? contract extension with 185-pound stand-out Robbie Lawler only a day removed from doing the same thing with welterweight champion Nick Diaz. Official terms [...]

Source: http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2010/12/30/strikeforce-announces-extension-with-%e2%80%9cruthless%e2%80%9d-robbie-lawler/

Aaron Riley Joe Riggs Pedro Rizzo Colin Robinson Ricco Rodriguez

Brendan Schaub vs. Mirko "Cro Cop" on deck for UFC 128

After promising a strong return for the new year and washing away any talk of an immediate retirement plan, former PRIDE Open Weight Grand Prix Champion Mirko Filipovic, or rather “Cro Cop” will be returning to the octagon this March when he takes on another young gun in the heavyweight division. The Croatian heavyweight recently [...]

Source: http://www.fighters.com/12/30/brendan-schaub-vs-mirko-cro-cop-on-deck-for-ufc-128

Soa Palalei Bart Palaszewski Rousimar Palhares Mike Patt Ivan Pack

Brendan Schaub Vs. Mirko Cro Cop Now Likely For UFC 128

Although it was first expected that he would be facing Frank Mir in his next bout things have apparently changed for Brendan Schaub, again, as it is now expected he will be facing Mirko Cro Cop.<br><br> In between the rumored bouts of Mir and Cro Cop, Schaub had also been pegged to face Stefan Struve but according to Fighter's Only, Cro Cop Vs. Schaub should put to rest any more rumors surrounding Schaub and his next bout.<br><br> The two will be meeting up at UFC 128 in New Jersey on March 18th if everything sticks this time.

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

Rashad Evans Urijah Faber Wagnney Fabiano Kevin Kimbo Slice Ferguson Paulo Filho

STRIKEFORCE NEWS: Robbie Lawler signs new multi-year contract with Strikeforce

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

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Strikeforce has locked up another main event fighter to an extended contract, as they announced late Wednesday that middleweight Robbie Lawler has signed a new multi-year contract with the organization.

Lawler challenges for the Strikeforce Middleweight Championship on January 29 in San Jose when he meets Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza. Getting him locked up to a new deal was clearly an important move for the organization after the exit of Jake Shields following the end of his contract. But for Lawler, he's comfortable where he's at and is looking to follow up on a vicious first round knockout of Matt Lindland in December.

"Strikeforce has treated me good, and I am happy to re-sign with them," Lawler said. "They have given me an opportunity to fight for the title, and I'm looking forward to that and to fighting any and all of the top 185-pounders."

Lawler is 2-2 overall in Strikeforce. He knocked out Melvin Manhoef and Lindland, while suffering losses to Jake Shields and Renato "Babalu" Sobral.

Penick's Analysis: This is another good move on Strikeforce's part. Lawler is one of their best middleweights, and he's got a chance to capture their middleweight title. They've already lost one Champion in that division, so locking up Lawler for more years keeps him as one of their headliners for some time to come. With some of the complaints Lawler had over the last year and a half with getting booked in fights, I'm slightly surprised he wasn't looking to head back to the UFC, but Strikeforce continues to say 2011 will feature more fights more often, so if he's getting booked and is happy with his contract then that's what matters to him. His fight with Souza next month should be excellent.

Source: http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/Affliction2/article_7984.shtml

Andy Ologun Alan Omer Michihiro Omigawa Tito Ortiz Alexander Otsuka