Hominick, Yagin, Browne and Rothwell pocket UFC 145 bonuses

The bonuses for UFC 145 were given to main card fighters, who put on a more exciting show than the preliminary bouts. Mark Hominick and Eddie Yagin's bloody decision was awarded Fight of the Night. Ben Rothwell's quick knockout of Brendan Schaub won Knockout of the Night, while Travis "Hapa" Browne won Submission of the Night for his arm triangle of Chad Griggs. Each bonus gave the fighter an extra $65,000.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/hominick-yagin-browne-rothwell-pocker-ufc-145-bonuses-052231160.html

Bernard Ackah  Terrance Aflague Yoshihiro Akiyama  Gilbert Aldana  José Aldo 

Olympics are a long-term goal for the newly formed IMMAF, but it?s a steep climb

While in Sweden for UFC on Fuel 2, the UFC announced their backing of the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation, a group that will help MMA grow globally as well as streamline and standardize the sport so it can be included in the Olympics.

"Having an umbrella organization that will oversee and help build the sport on a global level will not only provide advanced and ever-improving safety standards but will also create a unified global model to help introduce the sport to new markets. It is our hope that it will also take us one step closer to witnessing the inclusion of the sport of MMA on the Olympic program," UFC chairman Lorenzo Fertitta said via press release.

But getting a sport included in the Olympics is a difficult, drawn-out, incredibly political process, which was discussed by IMMAF chair August Wallen.

You talk to any athlete and say, 'Would you like to compete in the Olympics?' who would say no? That's something we have to have as a vision down the line, but getting a lot of national federations, starting world championships, applying for SportAccord, that's things we can control. When you're going into the Olympics, you have to compete with other sports that want to go into the Olympics.

To be included in the Olympics, the sport has to think long-term and be ready to make several changes. MMA needs to be accepted by SportAccord, an umbrella group that supports individual sports' governing bodies. Not only does the IMMAF need to prove that MMA is a sport, but they have to show how it corrals MMA's disparate national governing bodies.

Drug-testing requirements

In their application to SportAccord, the IMMAF will have to include a "copy of its constitution/statutes, regulations and directives which must comply with the World Anti Doping Code (incl. detailed statistics on the tests conducted and the number of anti-doping rules violations having led to sanctions)."

Right now, in the U.S. alone, the different states' commissions anti-doping standards are not anywhere near as stringent as that of the World Anti-Doping Alliance. For example, the Nevada Athletic Commission is just trying out out-of-competition drug testing. They used it when all of the heavyweights for UFC 146 happened to be in town for a pre-fight press conference, and they are one of the few states to even try it. It's a good start, but WADA's idea of out-of-competition testing includes sending drug testers out and having them knock on athletes' doors at ungodly hours for drug tests and expensive tests that are beyond the means of most cash-strapped state commissions.

Membership in SportAccord also requires that the sport is truly global. They define that as "at least 40 active Member Federations from at least three continents." A member federation is a national governing body, like USA Wrestling. While MMA is popular enough to easily meet the three continents requirement, 40 national governing bodies is a tough get as the sport stands now. Several countries the UFC visits have no governing body, so the UFC has to act as their own commission by providing judges, referees and running weigh-ins.

SportAccord has many more qualifications including an already existing world championship structure, proof that judges are well-trained and fair, and a long-term strategy which ensures long-term health for the sport.

After SportAccord, the IOC

Once the IMMAF meets all these requirements and gets accepted into SportAccord, it's a whole other uphill battle to get in the Olympics. They need to convince two thirds of the notoriously stodgy International Olympic Committee that MMA is a sport that is worthy of inclusion.

If MMA plans to lobby for the Summer Olympics, where it would make the most sense, it has to hope that another sport is cut. The Summer Games are capped at 28 sports. Golf and rugby were voted into the docket for this summer's Olympics in London and the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Baseball and softball (which were in the Olympics but cut in 2008), karate, squash and roller sports are also trying to make it in the Olympic door.

This is not to say inclusion of MMA in a future Olympics can't happen. Wallen said he would like to see a country with strong MMA ties get the Olympics so that the sport can be included as a demonstration. Istanbul, Turkey; Tokyo, Japan; Baku, Azerbaijan; Doha, Qatar; and Madrid, Spain are bidding for the 2020 Games.

With the IMMAF's founding, the sport is much closer to the goal than it was a year ago as the IMMAF can help MMA's disparate governing bodies move towards standards that will cover the sport from top to bottom.

However, MMA fans should realize that seeing Jon Jones or Jose Aldo win Olympic gold is unlikely. Hope, instead, to see Jones' daughter on the Olympic podium.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/olympics-long-term-goal-newly-formed-immaf-steep-190845287.html

Bernard Ackah  Terrance Aflague Yoshihiro Akiyama  Gilbert Aldana  José Aldo 

Dustin Poirier prepares for bout with the Korean Zombie by taking on a horde of zombies

Chan Sung Jung will take on Dustin Poirier in the main event at UFC on Fuel 3 in May. To prepare for "The Korean Zombie's" always-coming-forward style, Poirier is working with a special set of training partners: the undead.

The undead can make great training partners, but it can be tough to figure out how to feed them. Where can you find the braaaaaaaaiiiiiinsssssss to feed everyone?

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Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/dustin-poirier-prepares-bout-korean-zombie-taking-horde-154950603.html

Thiago Alves  Andre Amade  Dean Amasinger  Jimmy Ambriz Matt Andersen 

Friday night talkback thread: Makovsky defends title at Bellator, TUF rolls on and XFC 17

Zach "Funsize" Makovsky, who has a top-five nickname, will put his belt on the line against Eduardo Dantas at Bellator in Atlantic City tonight. Tournaments will also roll on. In the bantamweight tourney, Marcos Galvao will face Ed West and Luis Nogueira will take on Olympic wrestler Alexis Vila. Mike Corey will fight Daniel Straus for the right to face Marlon Sandro in the featherweight tournament final.

On "The Ultimate Fighter," Team Cruz and Team Faber are even with two wins a piece. Chris Tickle (from Team Cruz) and Joe Proctor (from Team Faber) will fight to give one of their teams an edge.

On HDNet, XFC 17 will feature Corey Hill, the TUF alum who suffered one of the ugliest leg injuries in UFC history, American Top Team standout Luciano dos Santos and Felice Herrig, an up-and-comer on the women's circuit.

Use this thread to talk about the night's fights. Tomorrow, we'll start the UFC on Fuel 2 for People Who Don't Have Fuel chat. Don't forget to give us your picks for the main card at UFC 145, too. Thank you for reading Cagewriter and for being so awesome.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/friday-night-talkback-thread-makovsky-defends-title-bellator-225646741.html

Eddie Alvarez Thiago Alves  Andre Amade  Dean Amasinger  Jimmy Ambriz

Newcomer Marcus LeVesseur Steps in Against Cody McKenzie at UFC on Fuel TV 3

UFC newcomer Marcus LeVesseur will step in for Aaron Riley against Cody McKenzie at UFC on Fuel TV 3 on May 15. Cody McKenzie announced the news of the change on twitter. UFC on Fuel TV 3 takes place May 15 live from Fairfax, VA. The event will be headlined by a featherweight title eliminator with Chan Sung Jung taking on Dustin Poirier. The card will also feature the return of fan favorite Donald Cerrone, as he takes on the always entertaining Jeremy Stephens.

Source: http://mmafrenzy.com/28324/newcomer-marcus-levesseur-steps-in-against-cody-mckenzie-at-ufc-on-fuel-tv-3/

José Aldo  John Alessio  Houston Alexander Ricardo Almeida  Eddie Alvarez

Eddie Yagin?s star rises; has Mark Hominick?s set?

Editor's note: Jay Busbee is cageside for UFC 145. Follow him on Twitter.

ATLANTA ? Shortly after 10:30 Eastern on Saturday night at UFC 145, two careers crossed paths.

Mark Hominick, the onetime title contender who's fallen on hard times, squared off against the undistinguished, largely unknown Eddie Yagin. The result was the best fight of the night to that point, a featherweight bout that left both men bloodied and beaten.

Right from the start, Yagin made it clear that whatever Hominick's pedigree, Yagin wouldn't blanch. The so-called "Filipino Phenom" bored in on Hominick with lethal speed for seven uninterrupted minutes. Problem is, the fight went the full 15, and by the time it was done, both men were beaten beyond recognition

This was an upright fight; neither fighter even attempted a takedown. Yagin put Hominick on the mat with uppercuts followed by devastating overhand rights, combinations that raised an egg-sized swelling on Hominick's right cheek. And through the first half of the fight, it appeared that would be enough to do in the once-promising Canadian.

But Hominick didn't become a onetime championship challenger on reputation alone. And although he had a rough 2011, losing the championship bout in a decision and another fight in a seven-second knockout, he still had enough in the tank to turn Yagin's nose into a bloody mess.

As the second round closed and the third opened, Yagin's eyes widened, bringing to mind Mike Tyson's old line about everyone having a plan until they get punched in the face. And for a brief moment in the third round, it appeared that Hominick could right his listing career with a knockout of Yagin. But his punches weren't landing with enough force, his jabs weren't nearly quick enough, and Yagin, bloody face and all, stayed on his feet until the final horn.

After the fight, the Filipino Phenom was both gracious and elated. "Hominick is veteran and unbelievably badass," he said. "I was hoping I was going to get that fight with Mark, and the fight was exactly as I pictured it. I thank UFC for the opportunity. Because Hominick was favored, and a UFC veteran, and I'm a rookie UFC guy, I'm pretty happy about this win."

Hominick's future from here on out is uncertain. But Yagin's is as bright as the arena lights above him. Once he wipes the blood out of his eyes, he'll like what he sees.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/eddie-yagin-star-rises-mark-hominick-set-035018554.html

Dean Amasinger  Jimmy Ambriz Matt Andersen  Alex Andrade  Jermaine Andrè 

Dana White Unsure if He Can Continue Doing Business With Overeem

Though they did deny his license and suspend him, the Nevada State Athletic Commission was very sympathetic with Alistair Overeem during his hearing yesterday. UFC president Dana White has far fewer warm feelings for the hulking Dutch heavyweight, telling Jim Rome today that he still isn't sure whether Overeem is worth keeping on his promotion's roster or not.

Source: http://mmafrenzy.com/28333/dana-white-unsure-if-he-can-continue-doing-business-with-overeem/

Daniel Acacio Bernard Ackah  Terrance Aflague Yoshihiro Akiyama  Gilbert Aldana