Strikeforce lives! A big month is on the way

Strikeforce lives! A big month is on the wayIn the cage, Frank Mir just pulled off what might be the best comeback of the month. Outside, it's looking like Strikeforce is ready to shock naysayers and move briskly into 2012.

You just never know in the world of mixed martial arts. Three months ago it looked like Strikeforce was running on fumes. Now as we close 2011, it appears Scott Coker's baby is getting a second wind.

The Zuffa-owned company has two fight cards scheduled over the next three weeks and what sounds like a new deal to announce with Showtime any day now.

This weekend, the Strikeforce card in San Diego is headlined by the guy who's arguably the best fight in the deepest division in the world.

Gilbert Melendez defends his lightweight title. The biggest female name in the sport returns as well when Cristiane "Cyborg" is back from a near 18-Month layoff. The San Diego card also has KJ Noons, and one of the most underrated light heavyweights in the world in Gegard Mousasi.

Three weeks later, Strikeforce returns to an old Zuffa stomping ground at the Hard Rock  in Las Vegas. It's a chance for the promotion to start building its young middleweight champ Luke Rockhold. Plus one of the best talkers in the biz is back when "King Mo" Lawal faces Lorenz Larkin. If Larkin has shored up his takedown defense, it'll be wild to see King Mo try and strike with the 12-0 striking whiz.

It's the beginning of what Dana White just about promised will be a big revival. He also made it clear that Strikeforce fighters won't feel like they're in the minor leagues.

"Gilbert Melendez and all the guys that are in the Strikeforce show and with Showtime, I will make this right," White said. "They will be happy to be there. Believe me. I've got this thing worked out. I've got it figured out. It's going to be good for everybody. It's going to be good for the fighters, it's going to be good for Showtime, and it's going to be good for Strikeforce. Trust me, I got this."

Appearing on HDNet's Inside MMA, Coker thinks Strikeforce is a very healthy brand with a deep roster of stars.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Strikeforce-lives-A-big-month-is-on-the-way?urn=mma-wp10755

Yoji Anjo  Tank Abbott Hiroyuki Abe Cyril Abidi  Daniel Acacio

Brazilian legends Wanderlei Silva and Vitor Belfort to coach new ?TUF Brazil?

Brazilian legends Wanderlei Silva and Vitor Belfort to coach new ?TUF Brazil?Brazil is the new frontier for mixed martial arts and Dana White is expecting a huge 2012.

There's already two cards tentatively planned for Brazil and this morning, during a UFC 142 press conference, the promotion announced the coaches for "The Ultimate Fighter Brazil." Brazilians Vitor Belfort and Wanderlei Silva will coach and then fight at a later date in 2012.

Taping will begin after the UFC hits Rio de Janeiro on January 14, 2012.

"This show in the United States is huge ? it's one of the longest-running reality shows," White said at a press conference in Rio de Janeiro. "It's incredibly popular, it's been huge for us there. We think it's going to be 1,000 times bigger in Brazil. The amount of talent that's in this country right now? There's an undiscovered Anderson Silva, Jose Aldo, Vitor Belfort or Wanderlei Silva."

Brazilian legends Wanderlei Silva and Vitor Belfort to coach new ?TUF Brazil?

The Silva-belfort fight is actually a long-awaited rematch. Belfort, 21 at the time, pulled a massive upset on Silva at UFC Brazil. Some much time has passed that Belfort doesn't view it as a rematch.

"I think the first fight was very quick, I couldn't perform as well as I wanted to," Silva said. "I think this is one of the biggest rematches in all of modern MMA and I'm very pleased to give this to my fans and to once again fight in Brazil. This is a dream."

Tryouts in Brazil kick off tomorrow with a cast announcement expected to arrive in early 2012. When will Silva and Belfort meet? Rumors say it may be on a summer card in a Sao Paolo stadium. That's also the rumored time for Anderson Silva to return.

There is some pressure on Belfort to keep full interest in this mega-fight in tact. He's one of the headliners at UFC 142 where faces an interesting test in Anthony Johnson.

The UFC has lined up Globo as its network in Brazil to air the new TUF. In the United States, it's still up in the air, but Fuel would seem like a smart spot for the international show to land.

Photos courtesy Twitter.com/MikeChiapetta and Marcelo Alonso

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Brazilian-legends-Wanderlei-Silva-and-Vitor-Belf?urn=mma-wp10742

Tank Abbott Hiroyuki Abe Cyril Abidi  Daniel Acacio Bernard Ackah 

Mark Hominick shocked by ?Korean Zombie? with UFC record tying seven-second KO

Mark Hominick shocked by ?Korean Zombie? with UFC record tying seven-second KOChan Sung Jung said he was a better striker than Mark Hominick. Anyone want to argue?

He was spectacular tonight finishing Hominick in a UFC-record tying seven seconds in the pay-per-view opener at UFC 140 in Toronto. Hominick entered the fight as one of the biggest favorites on the card at minus-465.

Nicknamed "The Korean Zombie" for his reckless style, Jung took advantage of a sloppy Hominick. The Canadian came charging to the middle of the Octagon and winged a wild left hook. Zombie stepped back and launched himself forward with a straight right.

Hominick fell to his back and absorbed four clean shots to the face. His hands dropped to his side. All that came in seven seconds and referee Herb Dean had to save Hominick.

"I gotta give it up to him. I came out a little too wild. I really wanted to hit him with a clean shot. I know he keeps his hands down," Hominick told UFC analyst Joe Rogan. "I got a little too hyped up. You've seen me fight before, I don't fight reckless and I came out with a wild left hook. I just really wanted to get it done tonight."

Hominick has a decorated record as an elite striker and at times outperformed UFC featherweight champ Jose Aldo on the feet back in April, but he was way too cocky at the start of this fight. Maybe he wasn't completely focused on the task at hand. You couldn't blame him. Fighting in his home province this was Hominick's first fight back since the tragic loss of his trainer and friend Shawn Tompkins in August. The 37-year-old, who was also the best man at hominick's wedding, passed away in August after suffering a heart attack in his sleep.

After suffering a head kick knockout at the hands of George Roop last September, Korean Zombie was written as too sloppy to be a legitimate contender by many. He sent a loud message tonight as he tied the record for fastest knockout in UFC history set by Todd Duffee against Tim Hague at UFC 102.

Hominick (20-10, 3-2 UFC) appeared to be totally alert during his conversation with Rogan. It was a flash knockdown and he awoken by the final shot thrown by Jung. There is no standing eight count in MMA, so when a fighter is down, takes more abuse and isn't defending himself for even a split second, the referee is obligated to save him.

On a side note, some believe Duane "Bang" Ludwig actually holds the record for fastest UFC knockout. Ludwig knocked out Jonathan Goulet at Ultimate Fight Night 3, but was awarded the official finish at the 0:11 mark.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Mark-Hominick-shocked-by-Korean-Zombie-with-UF?urn=mma-wp10591

Ricardo Almeida  Eddie Alvarez Thiago Alves  Andre Amade  Dean Amasinger 

Brock Lesnar charged with hunting violations in Canada

Brock Lesnar charged with hunting violations in Canada

Brock Lesnar is a huge fan of hunting, but his favorite pastime got him in a spot of trouble in Canada. Lesnar faces charges in Medicine Hat, Alberta for doing the kind of things that tick off hunting officials. From our friends at CJCY in Alberta:

The charges came before Medicine Hat Provincial Court Thursday morning and include improper affixation of tags, spoilage of skin and edible flesh and possession of a controlled animal.

My lack of hunting knowledge makes this sound pretty bad, because spoilage of skin and edible flesh sound like plot devices from "Silence of the Lambs." However, the good people of Canada must not be too angry with Lesnar, because his court date was continued until January, after his fight with Alistair Overeem.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Brock-Lesnar-charged-with-hunting-violations-in-?urn=mma-wp10800

Gilbert Aldana  José Aldo  John Alessio  Houston Alexander Ricardo Almeida 

Brazilian legends Wanderlei Silva and Vitor Belfort to coach new ?TUF Brazil?

Brazilian legends Wanderlei Silva and Vitor Belfort to coach new ?TUF Brazil?Brazil is the new frontier for mixed martial arts and Dana White is expecting a huge 2012.

There's already two cards tentatively planned for Brazil and this morning, during a UFC 142 press conference, the promotion announced the coaches for "The Ultimate Fighter Brazil." Brazilians Vitor Belfort and Wanderlei Silva will coach and then fight at a later date in 2012.

Taping will begin after the UFC hits Rio de Janeiro on January 14, 2012.

"This show in the United States is huge ? it's one of the longest-running reality shows," White said at a press conference in Rio de Janeiro. "It's incredibly popular, it's been huge for us there. We think it's going to be 1,000 times bigger in Brazil. The amount of talent that's in this country right now? There's an undiscovered Anderson Silva, Jose Aldo, Vitor Belfort or Wanderlei Silva."

Brazilian legends Wanderlei Silva and Vitor Belfort to coach new ?TUF Brazil?

The Silva-belfort fight is actually a long-awaited rematch. Belfort, 21 at the time, pulled a massive upset on Silva at UFC Brazil. Some much time has passed that Belfort doesn't view it as a rematch.

"I think the first fight was very quick, I couldn't perform as well as I wanted to," Silva said. "I think this is one of the biggest rematches in all of modern MMA and I'm very pleased to give this to my fans and to once again fight in Brazil. This is a dream."

Tryouts in Brazil kick off tomorrow with a cast announcement expected to arrive in early 2012. When will Silva and Belfort meet? Rumors say it may be on a summer card in a Sao Paolo stadium. That's also the rumored time for Anderson Silva to return.

There is some pressure on Belfort to keep full interest in this mega-fight in tact. He's one of the headliners at UFC 142 where faces an interesting test in Anthony Johnson.

The UFC has lined up Globo as its network in Brazil to air the new TUF. In the United States, it's still up in the air, but Fuel would seem like a smart spot for the international show to land.

Photos courtesy Twitter.com/MikeChiapetta and Marcelo Alonso

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Brazilian-legends-Wanderlei-Silva-and-Vitor-Belf?urn=mma-wp10742

Tank Abbott Hiroyuki Abe Cyril Abidi  Daniel Acacio Bernard Ackah 

?Lil? Nog? pulverizes Ortiz?s ribs to score easy stoppage, Tito wants one more fight before retiring

?Lil? Nog? pulverizes Ortiz?s ribs to score easy stoppage, Tito wants one more fight before retiring

Tito Ortiz has fought a lot of battles, but there's only so much the body can take.

For the second straight fight, Ortiz's midsection gave out as he lost to Antonio Rogerio Nogueira in a first round stoppage due to strikes at the 3:15 mark of the first at UFC 140 in Toronto.

Ortiz was emotional following the fight saying he wanted to fight one more time before walking off into the sunset.

"Im going to take a little time off. I'm going to enjoy Christmas with my family," Ortiz told UFC analyst Joe Rogan. "I have one more fight left on my contract so hopefully Dana [White] will let me honor that out, get me one more fight."

Ortiz went down on a huge knee from "Lil Nog" with 3:36 left in the first. On the ground, Nogueira pounded away at Ortiz's body. He got off 67 shots, many of the vicious elbows and punches to Tito's right side.

?Lil? Nog? pulverizes Ortiz?s ribs to score easy stoppage, Tito wants one more fight before retiring

He did major damage on the 53rd and 54th shots. On strike No. 60, Ortiz winced and rolled to his side. Two more heavy shots to the ribs and Ortiz stopped defending himself. He had to be saved. When the former UFC light heavyweight champ sat up, he immediately grabbed the area around the ribs on his left side.

Ortiz, 36, set a record tonight walking into the UFC's Octagon for the 26th time. He's never fought for another MMA promotion.

"My goal in my career was to go 15 years, be the longest UFC figher in this cage. I've done that tonight. I'm gonna get one more. I'm going to give it my all, get a W and that'll be all for me."

Whether Nogueira was trying to or not, he found a weak area on Ortiz. Tito admitted it after the loss.

"He caught me clean in the same place I got hit versus Rashad [Evans]," Ortiz said. Evans essentially ended their fight at UFC 133 by landing a knee on Ortiz's sternum. "He hurt me. I tried to get up. Everytime he hit me there I felt the wind go out of me."

Nogueira, a big star in Japan with PRIDE, is starting develop a strong reputation with the UFC. The 35-year-old is 20-5 and 3-2 in the UFC. He needed this one badly having lost to Phil Davis and Ryan Bader in his last two fights.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/-Lil-Nog-pulverizes-Ortiz-s-ribs-to-score-easy?urn=mma-wp10602

Andre Amade  Dean Amasinger  Jimmy Ambriz Matt Andersen  Alex Andrade 

K.J. Noons Thinking About His Future, but Not Considering Quitting

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There was some talk before K.J. Noons fought Billy Evangelista on Saturday night that he might be contemplating quitting MMA. But with his victory over Evangelista in hand, Noons said people misunderstood his comments about retiring.

Noons said on The MMA Hour that he is thinking about retirement -- but only in the sense that he has to be smart enough to know that he won't make enough money in MMA to live on for the rest of his life, and that future planning is important. That doesn't mean he's currently considering quitting MMA.

"I love my job, fighting. But there is a life after fighting. I'm still young, I still want to fight, don't get me wrong on that," Noons said. "There's a life after fighting. It just made me think when I got married -- it's hard to make a living on fighting, and some guys in their young 30s, their knees are busted up, they have all these surgeries, they've got bulging discs, they've had all these injuries and they can't even do normal stuff in their mid-30s. That's all I was thinking of, I need to build something because I can't retire off MMA purses, at least not the purses I make."

Noons said he'll continue fighting in Strikeforce and hoping to get better, and he said he's fine with fighting in Strikeforce rather than getting called up to the UFC -- even though he's envious of the Fight of the Night bonuses that the UFC gives to the fighters who put on the best performances, something that Zuffa hasn't yet implemented in Strikeforce.

"I want to get better as a fighter, stay busy and just see where the cards fall," Noons said. "The only thing I'm missing out on is not getting the Fight of the Night every time I fight -- those bonuses, I'd be a wealthy man now."
One thing Noons is not focusing on is a return to the boxing ring. In 2008, Noons vacated the EliteXC lightweight title to pursue a career in boxing, but Noons said that Zuffa won't permit him to do both, and that he's perfectly content sticking with MMA.

"I love boxing, they just won't let me box right now. We'll see in the future," Noons said. "Hopefully in the future I can box again. ... I definitely get better paydays in MMA right now."

 

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Source: http://www.mmafighting.com/2011/12/22/k-j-noons-thinking-about-his-future-but-not-considering-quitti/

Terrance Aflague Yoshihiro Akiyama  Gilbert Aldana  José Aldo  John Alessio 

Frank Mir breaks Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira?s arm to win at UFC 140

Frank Mir breaks Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira?s arm to win at UFC 140

Frank Mir was the first man to ever knock out Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. At UFC 140 on Saturday night, he also became the first man to submit Nogueira.

Nogueira started the bout by landing short punches, then moving in for a takedown attempt. The two clinched, but it was Mir who got the takedown. Nogueira worked his way back to his feet, and the two continued to clinch against the fence.

The fight took a turn when Nogueira unloaded several strikes, knocking down Mir. It appeared that Mir was close to being finished when Nogueira rolled to try and get a submission. Instead, Mir got the submission, rolling into a Kimura and breaking Nogueira's arm. The fight was stopped at 3:38.

[UFC 140 video highlights: Mir vs. Nogueira]

Mir, the one-time heavyweight champion, is on a three-fight win streak which includes a KO, submission and a decision. His record is 16-5. Nogueira's last bout was a thrilling knockout at UFC 134, but the loss gives him a record of 33-7-1.

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Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Frank-Mir-breaks-Antonio-Rodrigo-Nogueira-s-arm-?urn=mma-wp10621

Gilbert Aldana  José Aldo  John Alessio  Houston Alexander Ricardo AlmeidaÂ