Jose Aldo?s post-fight celebration spills into crowd at UFC 142

UFC feather weight champion Jose Aldo adopted Rio de Janeiro as a home when he started fighting. After he beat Chad Mendes to defend the belt, they adopted him right back.

Immediately after the fight was stopped, Aldo ran out of the cage and into the crowd. The raucous crowd swarmed around him, all hoping to touch their triumphant fighter. The featherweight was lost among the bodies until he emerged on a cornerman's shoulders and finally made it back to the cage.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/jose-aldo-post-fight-celebration-spills-crowd-ufc-055023672.html

Bernard Ackah  Terrance Aflague Yoshihiro Akiyama  Gilbert Aldana  José Aldo 

Kenny Florian?s back injury may be career-ending

The Boston Herald brings us sad news from UFC veteran Kenny Florian. A back injury suffered in December may be career-ending. Numbness and tingling in his legs have prevented Florian from training. From Florian:

"It's possible, unfortunately," Florian said of his career ending. "I've kind of been going back-and-forth with some of the doctors, so it's possible. I'm going to see. As of right now, obviously I can't compete and train like I was at all. I'm just kind of doing what I can and hoping that things heal up and get better. I'm just kind of in a holding pattern. That's why I decided to do this commentary for the time being and take this next six months to really heal up and try to make some money on the side. It sucks. The last couple of months I've just been figuring out what's going on and what I'm going to do."

Florian has been working on "UFC Tonight" for Fuel TV. Before that, he was an analyst for ESPN's "MMA Live" and has done fight commentary. He is a skilled broadcaster who can bring his years of experience as a fighter to viewers. There is no doubt that he has a future on television.

[Don't miss the action: Watch UFC 142 live on Y! Sports]

Unfortunately, Florian may find the future is here a bit earlier than he expected. His career has been impressive. Florian was on the first season of "The Ultimate Fighter," where he made it to the finals despite being undersized as a middleweight. There, he lost to Diego Sanchez. Since then, his only losses have been in title or title contender fights.

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Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/kenny-florian-back-injury-may-career-ending-224735967.html

Hiroyuki Abe Cyril Abidi  Daniel Acacio Bernard Ackah  Terrance Aflague

Strikeforce prelims: Gian Villante wins quick, shaky stoppage against Trevor Smith

LAS VEGAS - After wading into deep water a little soon in his career, Gian Villante is finding his way in the Strikeforce light heavyweight division. The former Hofstra football player rose to the occasion by swarming Trevor Smith and taking him out in less than 70 seconds.

He'll take the win, but the way it went down was little questionable.

Smith, a former wrestling star at Iowa State, had trouble from the start defending himself on the feet. Fighting from a low wrestling stance, he got rocked by a short left hook. The stunned Smith backed up and then tried a sloppy right kick. Villante caught the kick and pushed forward to land a right, and dropped Smith.

On the ground, he got off 13 shots. The last two drilled Smith in the back of the end. That's when referee Kim Winslow stepped in to stop things. A confused Smith began to work a single-leg on the ref. It was all over in just 65 seconds.

Villante (9-3) has won two straight while Smith drops to 9-2. Villante lost his Strikeforce debut against 235-pound heavyweight Chad Griggs and dropped his second against top-level 205-pound prospect Lorenz Larkin.

Strikeforce undercard results:

Estevan Payan def. Alonzo Martinez via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Ricky Legere def. Chris Spang via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Nah-Shon Burrell def. James Terry via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/strikeforce-prelims-villante-wins-quick-shaky-stoppage-against-025415385.html

Dean Amasinger  Jimmy Ambriz Matt Andersen  Alex Andrade  Jermaine Andrè 

GSP video: Welterweight champ targeting November return

The sharks are circling in the welterweight division. The target for potential feasting is this November. That's when UFC welterweight champ George St-Pierre is anticipating his return to active fighting.

GSP tore his right ACL in December and underwent surgery shortly after. Several fighters have tried to return from a similar injury too quickly and paid the price.

On this HDNet Inside MMA video, Phil Davis tells St-Pierre to take his time. GSP agreed saying that he suffered the injury by rushing back from a less severe ailment to his left knee.

"Hard training will be in July and fighting again in November, I'd say could come back in November," said St-Pierre.

St-Pierre thinks he'll be fighting before the end of 2012. Nick Diaz and Carlos Condit meet for the interim UFC 170-pound title at UFC 143. But, it's anyone's guess who makes it to November in possession on the interim strap.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/gsp-video-welterweight-champ-targeting-november-return-172158094.html

Daniel Acacio Bernard Ackah  Terrance Aflague Yoshihiro Akiyama  Gilbert Aldana 

Vitor Belfort overcomes Anthony Johnson?s size to get UFC 142 submission

Fighting in front of his hometown crowd, Vitor Belfort submitted Anthony Johnson in the first round at UFC 142 in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday.

Johnson wanted to use his wrestling skills caught a kick for a takedown early in the first round. Belfort looked for submissions from his back, but couldn't find any, and they were stood up by referee Dan Miragliotta. Belfort landed a knee and stuffed Johnson's takedowns, while Johnson was still able to land several big strikes.

As the crowd chanted, "Ole Ole Ole! Vitor, Vitor!" Belfort took Johnson's back and cinched it with a body triangle. Belfort methodically worked his arms under Johnson's chin, and secured the rear naked choke for the submission at 4:49 in the first round.

The fight was in question after Johnson weighed in at 197 lbs. for the 185-lb. division. Johnson had to weigh in again at 2 p.m. on Saturday and weigh less than 205 lbs. for the fight to go on. Johnson fought for years at welterweight and had trouble with the weight cut then.

"I fought big guys. I'm not afraid of size. I'm ready to fight whatever, but I cut 20 lbs. in four days. I've got to be a professional. I cannot control the outcome, but I can control my attitude," Belfort said after the bout.

Belfort lost to Anderson Silva in a title bout last February, but has two first-round wins since then. Next, he is slated to coach the first Brazilian edition of "The Ultimate Fighter" against fellow Brazilian MMA legend Wanderlei Silva.

Johnson is in a precarious position. Not making weight will draw the ire of UFC president Dana White, and it does not help to lose a fight the next day.

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Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/vitor-belfort-overcomes-anthony-johnson-size-ufc-142-043537297.html

Bernard Ackah  Terrance Aflague Yoshihiro Akiyama  Gilbert Aldana  José Aldo