UFC 107 Main Events Announced

B.J. Penn will defend his UFC lightweight title against Diego Sanchez on Dec. 12 in Memphis, Tenn., the promotion officially announced Tuesday.

The UFC also confirmed previously reported matchups pitting Frank Mir vs. Cheick Kongo and Thiago Alves vs. Paulo Thiago.

“I can’t wait to defend the title,” Penn said in a news release. “I know what kind of competitor Diego Sanchez is and I am training very hard. This will be a good test.”

Penn submitted Kenny Florian in his most recent defense at UFC 101 in August. Sanchez, 2-0 at 155 pounds and 21-2 overall, is coming off a split decision over Clay Guida in June.

“I’ve always wanted to face the best,” Sanchez said. “I’ve worked so hard for this and now I finally have a shot at the title. I’m training like I’ve never trained before and I expect an all-out war.”

Mir and Kongo will be the co-headliners for the event, which takes place at the FedEx Forum.

… for more visit sherdog/ufc 107

Silva to Defend Title vs. Belfort at UFC 108

Anderson Silva is set to defend his middleweight title against fellow Brazilian Vitor Belfort at UFC 108.

The event is expected to take place on Jan. 2 from Las Vegas, kicking 2010 off with a bang.

UFC president Dana White recently confirmed to the Los Angeles Times that the bout has been verbally agreed to by both fighters.

Silva’s last trip to the Octagon was a highlight-reel, first-round knockout win over Forrest Griffin, which followed a middleweight championship title defense over Thales Leites, while Belfort has most recently put together impressive back-to-back knockouts over the likes of Rich Franklin and Matt Lindland.

credit: cbssports/silva belfort ufc 108

Ultimate Fighter Season Preview

Kimbo, Rampage and lots of blood on tap for new ‘TUF’ season

There is more buzz surrounding the premiere of the 10th season of UFC’s The Ultimate Fighter than for any season since 2006.

You have Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson as one of 16 heavyweight contestants trying to earn his way onto the UFC roster. You have two coaches who love to talk trash: Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Rashad Evans. Three cast members have previous UFC experience. Four more have NFL experience.

There’s also former IFL heavyweight champ Roy “Big Country” Nelson, one of the favorites to win it all.

… for more visit cbs/tuf preview

UFC 102 Live this Weekend- Preview

Couture Vs. Nogueira Headlines UFC 102 from Portland, Oregon on August 29

Randy Couture vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira

The headline bout of the evening features an intriguing crossroads match between Randy Couture and Antonio Rodrido Nogueira. Couture hasn’t fought in nearly a year, since his stoppage loss to Brock Lesnar. Nogueira fought at the end of 2008, surprisingly losing to Frank Mir via stoppage. While the winner gets another crack at the title, the loser will lose significant ground in the UFC heavyweight division.

Nogueira clearly has the advantage in terms of jiu-jitsu, however Couture’s wrestling and ring generalship should allow him to keep the fight wherever he wants it to be. I expect Couture to move inside of Nogueira’s longer reach and when the fight gets to the ground, he’ll be the one on top unleashing the punishment. Nogueira however can take plenty of punishment for being stopped, so I expect this one to go to a decision.

… for more visit associatedcontent/ufc 102 predictions

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Anderson Silva Wants Frank Mir

UFC is open to middleweight champ Anderson Silva moving up to heavyweight

Anderson Silva wants big-money event fights. And he’s willing to work at heavyweight to make sure they happen.Prior to Silva’s flooring Forrest Griffin earlier this month in Philadelphia, SI.com confirmed that Silva’s representatives had spoken with Zuffa about the heralded UFC middleweight champion moving up to heavyweight for the first time in his career.

Not only that, they already had an opponent in mind: Frank Mir.

… for more visit si/anderson silva heavyweight fights

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UFC 100 Replay TONIGHT on Spike

This Saturday – SPIKE TV to Air Fights from UFC 100

Spike TV will present a special cable telecast of some of the most exciting bouts from UFC 100, one of the biggest nights in the history of mixed martial arts, on Saturday, August 15 at 10:00pm-12:30am ET/PT. Featuring Brock Lesnar’s coronation as heavyweight king and Dan Henderson’s must-see knockout over Michael Bisping, the Spike TV telecast marks the first time that bouts from this landmark event will be televised off of Pay-Per-View.

… for more visit ufc/ufc100 reairing

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UFC 101 Full Results

B.J. Penn vs. Kenny Florian for the UFC lightweight title

The crowd seems more for Penn than Florian, but the atmosphere for this can’t match the prior match.  Fans booed Miragliotta as referee.

Florian was booed, Penn got a much bigger reaction, crowd sorta split.  They see Penn as a superstar though.  Florian with a high kick.  Penn dropped him momentarily with a punch but Florian right back up.  In a clinch.  Penn rocked himwith a hard right.  Loud chant for BJ.  Penn in with a punch and now they’re in a clinch by the cage.  Florian tried for a takedown and couldn’t get it.  Low kick by Florian.  Florian went for another takedown.  Trading and Penn rocked him and hurt him at the end of the round.  Florian looked dejected going to his corner because nothing was working.  10-9 Penn

Low kick by Florian.  Tried another but Penn moved out of the way and threw a punch.  Florian bulled him into the cage.  Florian with some punches off the clinch.  Penn broke free.   Penn with a good punch off the clinch.  Florian again went for a takedown and wasn’t successful.  But he is neutralizing Penn right now.   Florian bulled him into the cage and trying for a takedown.  Now Florian is throwing some body shots.  Penn back with an uppercut and a few punches.  High kick by Florian and a low kick.  Close round, Florian was more aggressive and busier but Penn’s blows were crisper, maybe close for Florian. 19-19

High kick by Florian blocked.  High kick missed by Florian.  Florian bulling him into the cage again.  Penn throwing knees to the thigh.  Fans are starting to boo.  Florian keeps thrwoing a takedown.  He’s also thrwoing a lot of body shots.    Florian threw an elbow off the break.  Florian going for another takedown.  Now Penn moving forward and throwing anjd Florian avoiding everything.  Florian bulled him into the fence again.  He’s not even coming close on the takedwons.  Penn finally connected with a flurry.  they traded but Penn scored with a good shot.  Very close round.  Penn is the better fighter but the last two rounds could go either way.  Penn did get the most effective blows in and Florian was the aggressor again.  You could easily go 10-10 with that round.

Florian has him against the cage again.  Penn threw a few punches and took Florian down with ease.  He really should have done this earlier.  Penn throwing short elbows.  Pennn with punches and elbows.  Penn got a full mount and Florianj gave up his back.  Penn has 1:45 left in the round.  Florian escaped the choke but gave up his back again.  He threw heel kicks to the body and now has the choke in and it’s over.  Florian raised his hand and Penn kissed Florian.  Good finish to the match.

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Kenny Florian Bitter for Missed Opportunity

Kenny Florian had dedicated the last three years of his life to becoming the UFC lightweight champion.

The Dover native got his shot at UFC 101 Saturday night at Wachovia Center against B.J. Penn, but fell short. Penn ended the fight with a rear-naked choke submission with 1:06 remaining in the fourth round.

Florian performed admirably, but the sting of coming up short of his dream was still fresh yesterday.

“My goal wasn’t to go out there and say, ‘Hey, look Kenny Florian went longer than anybody else did with B.J. Penn at 155 (pounds) and he was in the best shape of his life,’ ” Florian said. “It’s a disappointment and it’s a failure because I didn’t win the fight. The way I’m feeling right now, it’s a tough pill to swallow.”

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Forrest Griffin Camp Reveal Dislocated Jaw, Anderson/Machida

The mystery of Forrest Griffin’s jog from the Octagon in Philadelphia immediately after being knocked out spectacularly by Anderson Silva at UFC 101 was clarified Sunday when the American’s camp revealed he had suffered a dislocated jaw after being struck by the supremely-gifted Brazilian.

Griffin was roundly criticised in the hours following the fight, and for failing to show at the post-event news conference, but Griffin had been taken to the hospital for checks, unable to hear in one ear, and in order to get his jaw checked.

The demolition of Griffin was staggering in both its simplicity, and enactment. Silva, the 185lb UFC champion, fighting Griffin at light-heavyweight, measured the American up for the first minute of the fight, and he now does with all his rivals.

… for more visit telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/boxingandmma/5998996/Forrest-Griffin-camp-reveal-dislocated-jaw-as-Anderson-Silva-contemplates-Lyoto-Machida

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UFC 101 This Weekend- Predictions

UFC 101 has two interesting main events

Kenny Florian vs BJ Penn- Penn retains lightweight title via fourth round TKO

To me, Kenny Florian is one of the fighters who was chosen by Dana White to be “the one” long before he earned anything in the ring. The facts are, he has consistently been matched lightly, and his previous step-up bout against Sean Sherk was a loss. He has improved a great deal since then, as his performances over Joe Stevenson and Roger Huerta have showed and he deserves credit for that. However, there isn’t much that I would say he does better than BJ Penn.

Penn isn’t going to let himself be elbowed while pinned down on the mat against a fellow lightweight fighter. He isn’t going to be submitted by Florian and Penn’s stand up game is smooth, accurate and ferocious. The only question in this fight for me is if Penn has been made hungry by the loss against St. Pierre, or if he is distracted by the perceived injustices he suffered from in that fight.

Forest Griffen vs. Anderson Silva- Silva wins via third round TKO

Anderson Silva is climbing once again to the 205 pound light heavyweight division. This time, he will be facing much tougher competition when he squares off against former light heavyweight champion Forrest Griffin. As opposed to what some other people think, I think Griffin is a very live underdog in this match. He has pulled off the huge upset before, most notably against Mauricio Rua but also in his title winning effort against Quinton Rampage Jackson.

The complaints leveled upon Anderson Silva though have been ridiculous. His wins have become so routine and he ran through the top competition at middleweight so quickly, that people have become bothered when they don’t see the spectacular from him. Unfortunately for Forrest, I think Silva is sufficiently bothered by the criticism to really want to go after Griffin and put on a show. Griffin’s leg kicks are no match for Silva’s overall offensive attack, and eventually he’ll have had too much.

… for full predictions visit associated content/UFC 101 predictions

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