Weekend warriors: Michael Chandler, Team Faber lead the weekend with big wins

Though the weekend was dominated by the UFC fights on Fox, there were plenty of other fights over the weekend, including this quick knockout Michael Chandler pulled off at Bellator:

In his first fight since beating Eddie Alvarez for the Bellator lightweight title, Chandler needed just 0:56 to TKO Akihiro Gono. After the bout, Gono said he was retiring from his 18-year MMA career that included bouts in Pride, the UFC, Sengoku and Bellator.

In other Bellator action, Bryan Baker earned a trip to the welterweight tourney final with a decision over Ben Saunders. Heavyweight Damian Grabowski decisioned Dave Huckaba in a bout that registered as less-than-exciting, and Ryan Ford TKOed Luis Santos in the second round.

On "The Ultimate Fighter," Urijah Faber won the most important event: the Coaches Challenge. He beat Dominick Cruz in an obstacle course that involved the use of a grenade launcher. Afterwards, Andy Ogle beat Mike Rio with a rear naked choke to give Team Faber five fighters in the quarterfinals. Next week, James Vick will face Joe Proctor and Justin Lawrence will take on Michael Chiesa in the first quarterfinal bouts.

At Super Fight League, (go ahead and sing the song) James Thompson beat Bobby Lashley in a unanimous decision. Zelg Galesic scored the weekend's memorable moment with a flying knee knockout of Doug Marshall.

What was your favorite bout of the weekend? Speak up in the comments, on Facebook or on Twitter.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/weekend-warriors-michael-chandler-team-faber-lead-weekend-134644661.html

Matt Andersen  Alex Andrade  Jermaine Andrè  Yoji Anjo  Tank Abbott

Tom Lawlor?s greatest entrances (VIDEO)

Tom Lawlor brings flair and a touch of MMA history to every one of his weigh-ins and walk outs. For his UFC on Fuel 3 bout with Jason MacDonald, Lawlor has promised the "most obscure reference yet."

Any guesses on the weigh-in shtick Lawlor will use this afternoon? Tell us in the comments, on Facebook or on Twitter, and watch weigh-ins here.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/tom-lawlor-greatest-entrances-video-162026235.html

Gilbert Aldana  José Aldo  John Alessio  Houston Alexander Ricardo Almeida 

UFC on Fox 3 will answer these five questions

UFC returns to network television for the third time on Saturday with four bouts on Fox and six on Fuel TV. What questions will be answered when the fights are over?

1. Is Johny Hendricks ready for the big time? Since losing to Rick Story in 2010, Hendricks has been on a tear. He won three straight fights, including a 12-second knockout of Jon Fitch. His last test before being promised a title shot is Josh Koscheck, a one-time welterweight contender who has equally impressive wrestling credentials.

2. Does Nate Diaz deserve a title shot? UFC president Dana White says with a win over Jim Miller, yes. Diaz won his last two fights, but lost the two before that. The lightweight belt is being contested in August and Anthony Pettis is waiting in the wings. Even with a win, Diaz may have some time on his hands before fighting for UFC gold.

3. Is Josh Koscheck over the hill? Koscheck is 34. Hendricks is 28. That age difference means it's easy to look at the fight as old fogie vs. young buck, but Koscheck took offense, calling any media who pointed out the gap between their ages "retards." If he wants to prove he's not an old man, he needs to give a better showing in the cage against Hendricks than he did against Mike Pierce in February, when he barely won a split decision.

4. Will Pat Barry vs. Lavar Johnson last more than a minute? This bout kicks off the month of the heavyweight, and it promises to be the perfect way to start a May that will feature the Strikeforce heavyweight grand prix finals and UFC 146's all heavyweight main card. Barry and Johnson have 20 knockout wins between them. Chances are that number will be 21 by the time the bout is over.

5. How do the latest crop of "The Ultimate Fighter" products stand up? The preliminary card, airing on Fuel TV and Fox Deportes, is full of TUF castmembers from the past few seasons. John Dodson, Louis Gaudinot and Dennis Bermudez are getting their first shots at fights outside of the TUF finale, and this is their chance to show they're more than just good TV.

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Related UFC news from Yahoo! Sports:

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/ufc-fox-3-answer-five-questions-143924003.html

Jimmy Ambriz Matt Andersen  Alex Andrade  Jermaine Andrè  Yoji Anjo 

Alan Belcher?s kick is your Knockout of the Week

For this week's Knockout of the Week, we jump into the wayback machine to Alan Belcher's second UFC fight. At Ultimate Fight Night 7, Belcher easily took out Jorge Santiago.

Belcher will fight Rousimar Palhares next week at UFC on Fox 3. Will he be able to escape the grasp of "Toquinho's" famous heel hooks, or will Belcher's punching power win the fight for him? Tell us in the comments, on Facebook or on Twitter.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/alan-belcher-kick-knockout-week-131910387.html

Yoshihiro Akiyama  Gilbert Aldana  José Aldo  John Alessio  Houston Alexander

Weekend warriors: Marloes Coenen stars at Invicta FC?s first event

At Invicta's first event, former Strikeforce bantamweight champ Marloes Coenen took a 30-26 on all cards' decision over Romy Russyen. Afterwards, she called out current Strikeforce champ Ronda Rousey. Jessica Penne won by a third-round TKO, and Liz Carmouche got a quick TKO over Ashleigh Curry. Olympic bronze medalist wrestler Randi Miller took a decision with plenty of ground and pound, and Sarah Schneider won with a first-round armbar.

Rousey was also a key piece of Friday's "The Ultimate Fighter," stopping by Team Cruz's practice to show the team some judo moves. She also stuck around to watch UFC 145 with them, but they were spooked by the mere appearance of a woman in their home.

In Friday's bout, Chris Saunders outlasted a tight bout with Sam Sicilia, giving the two-round decision to Team Faber. Dana White said afterwards he was surprised the bout did not go to a third-round. In Friday's final quarterfinal bout, Andy Ogle will take on Mike Rio.

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Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/weekend-warriors-marloes-coenen-stars-invicta-fc-first-132712023.html

Gilbert Aldana  José Aldo  John Alessio  Houston Alexander Ricardo Almeida 

The Ultimate Fighter Australia: Team UK vs. Team Australia set for Fall 2012

The UFC has announced its next international version of the The Ultimate Fighter will take place in Australia. The show will pit a team from Australia against a team from the United Kingdom. At the time of this post no coaches have been announced.

MMAFrenzy.com

Source: http://mmafrenzy.com/28497/the-ultimate-fighter-australia-team-uk-vs-team-australia-set-for-fall-2012/

Houston Alexander Ricardo Almeida  Eddie Alvarez Thiago Alves  Andre Amade