UFC 142?s Three Stars: Aldo, Barboza and Palhares

Brazil provided another picturesque setting for a UFC card dominated by Brazilian favorites. Even our Three Stars is filled with fighters from a country so important to MMA. Who are your Three Stars from UFC 142? Tell us in the comments or on Facebook.

No. 1 star -- Jose Aldo: With a swift, well-deployed knee, Aldo showed again that he is the cream of the the featherweight crop. He then brought the celebration to the jubilant crowd in Rio de Janeiro, creating a memorable moment for every fan at UFC 142 and a headache for UFC security. Can you blame him for the euphoria? Starting with the WEC featherweight championship, Aldo has held his belt for 26 months and five title defenses. A man that dominant in his division is allowed to celebrate with his fans.

No. 2 star -- Edson Barboza: From his three previous fights in the UFC, we knew that Barboza was capable of debilitating kicks. No one -- particularly Terry Etim -- expected him to throw a spinning wheel kick, executed so perfectly that Etim was out well before he hit the canvas. He won both Knockout of the Night and Fight of the Night bonuses for that performance, and something tells me that he's an early favorite for Knockout of the Year awards.

No. 3 star -- Rousimar Palhares: Any fighter preparing for Palhares knows that he is a heel hook master, with the majority of his submission wins coming that one hold. Mike Massenzio knew the heel hook was looming, but couldn't stay out of Palhares' grip. For submitting Massenzio in just over a minute, Palhares won Submission of the Night.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/ufc-142-three-stars-aldo-barboza-palhares-150507547.html

Houston Alexander Ricardo Almeida  Eddie Alvarez Thiago Alves  Andre Amade 

Sonnen vs. Bisping is for title shot, but Chael says Silva will never fight him

Dana White released his first video blog for the card on FX today. One interesting scene includes the UFC president dealing with the withdrawal of Mark Munoz from the UFC on Fox 2 card. White is getting ready to release news of the new Chael Sonnen-Michael Bising fight and says the winner will get a title shot against the currently sidelined UFC middleweight champ Anderson Silva.

White must know something Sonnen doesn't because the outspoken contender sounds pretty sure he'll never face Silva.

"I'm not going to fight Anderson either way. They can say whatever they want. Anderson is never going to do that fight," Sonnen told "The MMA Insiders" show last week on Las Vegas' ESPN1100/98.9 FM. "I hope he's healthy and has a good life, but I'm not buying into this mythical world that Anderson is going to some day sign a contract to fight me."

During today's UFC on Fox 2 conference call, Sonnen reiterated his theory and said Silva turned down the fight to their boss' face.

"He even said no to (UFC executive) Lorenzo Fertitta's face. Face-to-face, not over the phone ? Lorenzo brought him out, sat him down, and said, 'This is the fight we want.' And Anderson said no," said Sonnen.

Sonnen knows management isn't pleased and questions the severity of Silva's back and shoulder injuries.

"They're not happy about it. The message to Anderson was this ' Chael is the opponent for you. You can fight him or you can't fight nobody. He elected to fight nobody,'" said Sonnen. "Dan Henderson said it perfectly, if the right opponent comes up, all of Anderson's injuries will go away."

Silva's next opponent will be known next Saturday night. A date and location is completely up in the air until Silva announces when he can officially return.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/sonnen-vs-bisping-title-shot-chael-says-silva-231128840.html

Tank Abbott Hiroyuki Abe Cyril Abidi  Daniel Acacio Bernard Ackah 

UFC on FX 1 Video Blog with Dana White

UFC President Dana White has delivered a video blog for tonight's UFC on FX 1 event detailing his week leading up to the event, including booking Chael Sonnen vs. Michael Bisping for UFC on Fox 2, UFC on FX 1 predictions from TUF 15 coaches Urijah Faber and Dominick Cruz, and UFC on FX 1 weigh-ins.

Source: http://mmafrenzy.com/27291/ufc-on-fx-1-video-blog-with-dana-white/

Jermaine Andrè  Yoji Anjo  Tank Abbott Hiroyuki Abe Cyril Abidi 

MMA Marketplace: The UFC wants to brand your car

The UFC wants you to let the world's roadways know that you are, in fact, as real as it gets. To help, they put out a new line of merchandise aimed at putting their three letters all over your vehicle.

Seat covers, wheel covers, floor mats, hitch covers; you can cover your car in the UFC. But will it help you get out of a ticket? Someone buy this stuff and let us know. The pictured seat cover is $44.95, and the steering-wheel cover is $19.95.

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Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/mma-marketplace-ufc-wants-brand-car-141924665.html

Jimmy Ambriz Matt Andersen  Alex Andrade  Jermaine Andrè  Yoji Anjo 

Rio crowd explodes as Jose Aldo posts crazy finish of Chad Mendes at UFC 142

So much for the lack of finishes from Jose Aldo. The UFC's featherweight champ ended the "Rocky IV" dreams of Chad Mendes with a big knee and two brutal punches.

At the end of the first round, the champ beat the clock by landing a vicious knee. Mendes went limp and fell to his back where he ate two more punches squarely to the face. Referee Mario Yamasaki stopped things at the 4:59 mark of the first round in the main event of UFC 142 in Rio de Janeiro.

Aldo can be a lunatic sometimes when it comes to the post-fight celebration. Tonight, he set a new standard.

At the end of the fight, the second the Octagon door opened, he flew through it running into the crowd. In what was a near riot-like scene as the fans went crazy on Aldo. He was eventually carried on their shoulders and got back into the cage after a few minutes.

Aldo (21-1, 3-0 UFC) runs his win streak to 14 straight. He hasn't lost a fight since 2005.

"Jose is a great champion. I wanted keep the pressure on and close the distance and get my hands on him," Mendes said. He's got great takedown defense and footwork. Watching a lot of his fights, I knew it would be tough to take him down. He was the better man."

Mendes, a former elite college wrestler, had to get the fight to the ground to give himself a shot. Aldo was simply too big and too athletic. The champ stuffed all five of Mendes' takedown attempts.

In between those tries, Mendes (11-1) ate kick after kick on his lead leg. It took roughly three minutes for the challenger to switch stances to protect that leg.

With just under a minute left in the round, Mendes actually got into a favorable position. He had standing back control and delivered some solid knees to the back of Aldo's legs. Aldo freed himself with eight seconds left in the round. Mendes turned, ducked his head and tried to shoot forward for another takedown. Aldo's reaction time was ridiculous as he landed a quick left knee. Mendes fell to his back where he ate two huge punches to force the stoppage.

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Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/rio-crowd-explodes-jose-aldo-posts-crazy-finish-050851819.html

Bernard Ackah  Terrance Aflague Yoshihiro Akiyama  Gilbert Aldana  José Aldo