Tim Tebow the latest football star to train MMA in the off-season

TMZ reports New York Jets quarterback (and whatever else position they decide to run him at) is training MMA with UFC heavyweight Brendan Schaub at the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Training Center in California. Tebow joins fellow footballers Jared Allen and several members of the St. Louis Rams and Atlanta Falcons in finding MMA to be the perfect cross-training for football.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/tim-tebow-latest-football-star-train-mma-off-134140672--mma.html

Houston Alexander Ricardo Almeida  Eddie Alvarez Thiago Alves  Andre Amade 

Vinny Magalhaes vs. Igor Pokrajac at UFC 152

Submission ace Vinny Magalhaes has now been given a date and opponent for his UFC return. Welcoming the The Ultimate Fighter 8 finalist back to the octagon will be Igor Pokrajac. Magalhaes (9-5) returns to the promotion after a three-year absence from the company. Since his departure, “Pezao” has put together a 7-1 run which [...]

MMAFrenzy.com

Source: http://mmafrenzy.com/29476/vinny-magalhaes-vs-igor-pokrajac-at-ufc-152/

Jermaine Andrè  Yoji Anjo  Tank Abbott Hiroyuki Abe Cyril Abidi 

Urijah Faber and Renan Barão throw punches at your head (VIDEO)

Have you ever wondered what it's like to have a UFC fighter's fists fly at your head? Wonder no more.

Luckily, you don't have to feel the actual punches from Urijah Faber and Renan Barão. They'll save those strikes for each other at UFC 149 on Saturday night. Make your predictions on the main event in the comments, on Facebook or Twitter.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/urijah-faber-renan-barao-throw-punches-head-video-141833898--mma.html

Hiroyuki Abe Cyril Abidi  Daniel Acacio Bernard Ackah  Terrance Aflague

Strikeforce?s Lorenz Larkin drops to knees and begs for bonuses after win

After winning a decision over Robbie Lawler at Strikeforce: Kennedy vs. Rockhold on Saturday night, Lorenz Larkin asked UFC president Dana White for a favor. During the postfight interview, Larkin got down on his knees and asked commentator Mauro Ranallo to join him there. Larkin then begged for equality among fighters, and asked that Strikeforce fighters receive fight night bonuses, like their UFC counterparts.

"We're your family, too," Larkin said.

Five and six-figure fight night bonuses are a norm for UFC fights. Bonuses are given out for the best submission, knockout and fight from each event. The extra money can turn out to be a financial boon for fighters. UFC heavyweight Pat Barry was six days from eviction and surviving on ketchup packets and rice when two bonuses for one fight came in.

[Also: Nate Marquardt KOs Tyron Woodley for Strikeforce welterweight title]

Though Strikeforce is also owned by Zuffa, the company which owns the UFC, the two groups are operated differently. Several UFC events are held every quarter, giving UFC fighters two or three fights a year. Strikeforce fighters are often waiting for months and months for their bouts.

Tim Kennedy, one of Saturday night's main eventers, waited a year for his bout, despite having no injuries holding him out of competition. Considering fighters only receive purses when they fight, how often they fight affects how much money they make.

Strikeforce fighter Tarec Saffiedine tweeted his support of Larkin, saying, "Ooooohhh yeaahh BONUSES! Thx u lorenz!"

UFC champion Georges St-Pierre once famously dropped to his knees in the cage to beg for a title shot. Larkin used the same ploy while pointing out it's not even about getting his own bonus, but it is about all fighters being treated fairly. It's sad that he even has to go to such lengths.

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Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/strikeforce-lorenz-larkin-drops-knees-begs-bonuses-win-032128489--mma.html

Eddie Alvarez Thiago Alves  Andre Amade  Dean Amasinger  Jimmy Ambriz