The mouths that roared: With Munoz hurt, Bisping vs. Sonnen now set for UFC on Fox 2

If you thought Chael Sonnen was being a little too polite in the lead up to his fight against Mark Munoz, problem solved. Munoz had to back out of the fight due to an injury and now the brash Sonnen will face one of MMA top heels in Michael Bisping on Jan. 28 on the UFC on Fox 2 card in Chicago.

Dana White confirmed the news minutes ago on Twitter.

You'll also notice White said Sonnen-Bisping is a UFC middleweight title contender fight. It's a huge break for Bisping, who was probably two wins away from getting a shot at Anderson Silva.

Silva is currently sidelined with shoulder issues. He may return during the summer, but last week suggested to Brazilian media sources that his absence may be extended into the fall.

Bisping has long been a target of fans and other fighters. Sonnen is a huge trash talker. The lead up to the fight could reach epic proportions.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/mouths-roared-munoz-hurt-bisping-vs-sonnen-now-222513314.html

Bernard Ackah  Terrance Aflague Yoshihiro Akiyama  Gilbert Aldana  José Aldo 

UFC on Fox 2: Beltran vs. Johnson on Fuel TV Prelims with Bedford vs. Gagnon Scratched

A heavyweight matchup between Joey Beltran and Lavar Johnson will air on UFC on Fox 2's Fuel TV prelims after a bantamweight bout between The Ultimate Fighter 14's Johnny Bedford and newcomer Mitch Gagnon was scatched from the event for undisclosed reasons.

Source: http://mmafrenzy.com/27329/ufc-on-fox-2-beltran-vs-johnson-on-fuel-tv-prelims-with-bedford-vs-gagnon-scratched/

John Alessio  Houston Alexander Ricardo Almeida  Eddie Alvarez Thiago Alves 

At UFC 142, Erick Silva disqualified for illegal blows

Erick Silva got his first UFC win in just 40 seconds. It looked like he had another quick win, but controversy erupted as soon as the 29-second bout was over.

From the opening touch of the gloves, Silva threw a knee, which caused Prater to fall to his knees. Silva followed up with several hits to the side of Prater's head. The bout was stopped by referee Mario Yamasaki, and it seemed like Silva was on the way to his second straight win.

But the official decision took longer than normal to announced, and Yamasaki explained to Silva that he was disqualified because Yamasaki said the blows were to the back of Prater's head.

UFC commentator Joe Rogan disagreed with the call, saying that the punches hit the side of Prater's head. Yamasaki said that he needed to make the call in the moment, and he saw the blows hit the back of Prater's head. MMA referees do not have instant replay.

Silva took the disappointment well.

"I have great respect for the referee," Silva told Rogan. "I don't think they were hitting the back of the head."

The bout will go down as a loss on Silva's record.

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Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/ufc-142-erick-silva-disqualified-illegal-blows-035820320.html

Andre Amade  Dean Amasinger  Jimmy Ambriz Matt Andersen  Alex Andrade 

Watch the first five minutes of Gina Carano?s movie ?Haywire,? does it matter her voice is altered?

Gina Carano's new film is due to hit theatres on Jan. 20. But before it hits the big screen, there's a little controversy over whether Carano's voice has been changed in the movie.

Check out this Hulu exclusive with the first five minutes of "Haywire" and see what you think.

Below is a conversation we had with her back in 2009. Clearly, she sounds different?  Will it take away from your enjoyment of the film? Obviously, non-MMA fans will have zero idea Carano's voice has been changed.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/first-five-minutes-gina-carano-movie-haywire-did-002854113.html

Houston Alexander Ricardo Almeida  Eddie Alvarez Thiago Alves  Andre Amade 

Alcantara, Pyle and Arantes early winners at UFC 142

The UFC returned to Brazil on Saturday night for UFC 142. Two decisions and a quick knockout started off the card in Rio de Janeiro.

Pyle's quick win

Mike Pyle made quick work of Ricardo Funch with a right hand, a nasty knee and ground and pound to end their bout at 1:22 in the first round.

After the bouts, Pyle put out a warning to other welterweights.

"That's how I'm going to look every single time I step in the Octagon!"

Yuri Alcantara made the hometown crowd happy with a 30-27, 29-28, 30-27 decision over Michihiro Omigawa.

Alcantara started with a knee from the bell, and stung Omigawa with several strikes after. Late in the first, Alcantara swarmed with big strikes, including a spinning back elbow that knocked Omigawa to his knees. Omigawa remained calm and used his judo skills to reverse position and end up on top. Alcantara turned stretched out Omigawa in an armbar, but Omigawa was saved by the bell. A bit of controversy ensued as there was a question on if Omigawa tapped, but he didn't and the bout continued.

In the second round, Alcantara started with great striking and then got full mount. He took Omigawa's back, but wasn't able sink in a choke. Alcantara had the edge in the second round, but Omigawa came back looking fresh in the third round.

Though Omigawa still had movement, he ate a ton of punches in the third round. With 1:45 left in the fight, Omigawa easily got a takedown and was able to land punches from the guard. They were stood up with 15 seconds left in the bout, and Alcantara managed a takedown in the final seconds.

Arantes starts card off with a win

Felipe Arantes earned his first UFC victory with a decision over Antonio Carvalho. It was a close match until Arantes took Carvalho down late in the third and used elbows to beat up Carvalho and seal the fight in his favor. The judges saw it 29-28 on all three cards for Arantes.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/alcantara-pyle-arantes-early-winners-ufc-142-015312053.html

Terrance Aflague Yoshihiro Akiyama  Gilbert Aldana  José Aldo  John Alessio 

Rousimar Palhares spectacular leg lock finishes Mike Massenzio at UFC 142

Don't let Rousimar Palhares get near you in the Octagon. If he does, you're probably going to walk away from the fight with a limp

Palhares flashed brilliance in taking down Mike Massenzio, quickly getting a hold of his leg and finishing things with a heel hook just 63 second into pay-per-view fight No. 3 of the night at UFC 142.

Massenzio, a veteran of 19 pro MMA fights was blown away.

"That's a world-class athlete who was the better fighter tonight. I had the best camp of my career. I just got stuck. It wasn't my night. I'm really disappointed," said Massenzio.

Palhares (14-3, 7-2 UFC) has posted five submissions in seven UFC wins. The Brazilian has also had his brushes with controversy. Even after the referee stopped things, he's held on to several submission finishes a little too long in the past. Tonight, he behaved himself.

"What a great victory! It's what I always say when I get in there?if it's God's will then it is God's will. I went in there and got it done. I like submissions and I got another one tonight," said Palhares.

MIKE MASSENZIO:

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Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/palhares-spectacular-leg-lock-finishes-massenzio-ufc-142-041048859.html

Yoshihiro Akiyama  Gilbert Aldana  José Aldo  John Alessio  Houston Alexander

Jorge Rivera goes out a winner in retirement fight at UFC on FX 1

He doesn't rank up there with the likes of Matt Hughes, Chuck Liddell and Randy Couture, but Jorge Rivera certainly did his part as one of the building blocks for the UFC.

A long-time card filler since 2003, Rivera announced earlier in the day that he was retiring following his fight tonight. He seized the opportunity to shine in his final trip to the Octagon by wearing down and eventually punching out Eric Schafer at the 1:31 mark of the second round of the final fight on the FUEL TV portion of the UFC on FX 1 card.

"I want to thank Zuffa. I want to thank Dana White, the Fertitta brothers, Burt Watson, whose voice I'm going to miss dearly in the back," Rivera told UFC play-by-play announcer Jon Anik.

Rivera then turned his attention to thanking his family and training partners. That's when he got a bit emotional.

It was nice to see the near 40-year-old make it to the cage tonight for his 15th career fight with the promotion. He nearly retired back in 2009 after the tragic passing of his daughter Jessica.

Rivera (19-9) turned pro back in 2001. He finishes with an 8-7 record in the UFC. He rose near the top of the division facing former UFC middleweight champ Rich Franklin at UFC 50. He also lost to current contender Michael Bisping. He had to overcome some rough times in his personal life when Jessica, 17, passed away after a fatal reaction to birth control medication.

"I'm grateful I fought here in front of a lot of people. It's been a real nice trip. It's been real good to me," said Rivera.

Rivera's seen the sport come a long way. In 2003, UFC pay-per-views had trouble eclipsing 50,000 buys. Tonight, between FUEL TV and FX, all 11 fights are being televised to a nationwide audience.

The victory was typical Rivera. He never panics in the cage, so even when he was getting dominated in the grappling game, Rivera stayed composed in the first round. Schafer, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, had top control for much of the opening round, but never threatened with a submission.

Schafer (12-7-2, 3-6 UFC) is a new entry to the middleweight division. His stamina was an issue in his UFC debut fight at 185 pounds against Aaron Simpson and it happened again tonight.

"He's a strong guy. I was watching him in the back. He had a real tough [weight] cut, so I knew the longer the fight would go, he would have a harder time. And I could feel him breathing harder and harder," said Rivera.

Rivera escaped one final takedown attempt with 4:10 left in the second. With Schafer on his hands and knees, Rivera stunned him with a right uppercut. He eventually faded to the cage where he ate 23 unanswered shots. After several requests from referee Herb Dean to defend himself, Schafer didn't respond and the fight was stopped.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/jorge-rivera-goes-winner-retirement-fight-ufc-fx-020509572.html

Alex Andrade  Jermaine Andrè  Yoji Anjo  Tank Abbott Hiroyuki Abe