Carlos Condit Opens as Favorite Over Nick Diaz at UFC 143

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As if Nick Diaz needs a reason to motivate himself for his upcoming UFC 143 main event matchup with Carlos Condit -- a bout that will determine a UFC interim welterweight champion -- Diaz can turn to the oddsmakers for some fuel.

Diaz has voiced a displeasure at a perceived lack of respect for his achievements, and despite winning 11 fights in a row and vacating the Strikeforce welterweight belt to fight in the UFC, that apparently wasn't quite enough for linesmakers, who installed Condit as the favorite at UFC 143.

Condit was only slightly favored in the opening line listed at several online sports books. He was listed at -125 while Diaz was -105.

Since then, however, bettors have already closed the gap, and the fight is now a pick 'em, with both fighters at -115.

At UFC 137, Diaz (26-7, 1 no contest) made his first start in the UFC since 2006 and romped in a unanimous decision win over BJ Penn. Afterward, he was bumped ahead of Condit and into a title fight with Georges St-Pierre, but a torn ACL sidelined the bout, paving the way for Diaz and Condit to collide.

Condit is also in the midst of a strong run, having won four in a row and 12 of his last 13 overall. He's finished each of his last three opponents -- Rory McDonald, Dan Hardy and Dong Hyun Kim -- by KO or TKO.

UFC 143 takes place on Feb. 4 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.

 

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Source: http://www.mmafighting.com/2011/12/22/carlos-condit-opens-as-favorite-over-nick-diaz-at-ufc-143/

Jimmy Ambriz Matt Andersen  Alex Andrade  Jermaine Andrè  Yoji Anjo 

Rafaello Oliveira Out of UFC on FX 1 Fight against Reza Medadi

A hand injury has forced Brazilian lightweight Rafaello Oliveira out of his matchup against Swedish newcomer Reza Medadi that was slated for UFC on FX 1 on January 20 in Nashville, Tennessee, Oliveira announced Thursday. UFC on FX 1 is headlined by lightweights Melvin Guillard and Jim Miller.

Source: http://mmafrenzy.com/26964/rafaello-oliveira-out-of-ufc-on-fx-1-fight-against-reza-medadi/

Ricardo Almeida  Eddie Alvarez Thiago Alves  Andre Amade  Dean Amasinger 

A little Strikeforce video to get you excited for Saturday?s fights

It's been months since Strikeforce's last main card event, but they are coming back with a doozy. Take a minute to watch this video and be reminded of how fun their cards can be.

Gilbert Melendez is on a five-fight win streak, and Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos is returning to the cage for the first time since June of 2010. Will they retain their belts, or lose them to Jorge Masvidal and Hiroko Yamanaka? Give us your predictions in the comments or on Facebook.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/A-little-Strikeforce-video-to-get-you-excited-fo?urn=mma-wp10806

Dean Amasinger  Jimmy Ambriz Matt Andersen  Alex Andrade  Jermaine Andrè 

Chael Sonnen unimaginatively takes shot at Chicago Cubs

When touting UFC on Fox 2, Chael Sonnen took a shot at the Chicago Cubs, a team who plays 5.5 miles away from the United Center, where Sonnen will fight Mark Munoz. (He takes the shot at the very beginning of the video.)

What disappoints me about that is it's lack of imagination. Using the Cubs as a punching bag is for amateurs, and Sonnen is a highly regarded professional in the world of trash talk. Dana White called him the Muhammad Ali of MMA for his ability to sell a fight. Ali would never go for such an obvious joke.

C'mon, Chael. Do your research. Learn my city, and make better jokes than that.

Thanks to Chicago's MMA.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Chael-Sonnen-unimaginatively-takes-shot-at-Chica?urn=mma-wp10992

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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

Yoshihiro Akiyama  Gilbert Aldana  José Aldo  John Alessio  Houston Alexander

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/rock-climbing-blog/~3/m7EzE0aQ8xw/philsheard

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