Fights, bonus finalists announced for ?The Ultimate Fighter? finale

Fights, bonus finalists announced for ?The Ultimate Fighter? finaleLast night, we learned that the two finals from season 14 of "The Ultimate Fighter" will be T.J. Dillashaw vs. John Dodson and Diego Brandao vs. Denis Bermudez. The card will be headlined by a grudge match between the coaches Jason "Mayhem" Miller and Michael Bisping.

The rest of the card will feature several cast members. A bantamweight bout between Johnny Bedford against Louis Gaudinot will be aired on Spike, while the preliminary fights will feature:

Stephen Bass vs Marcus Brimage
John Albert vs Dustin Pague
Josh Ferguson vs Roland Delorme
Josh Clopton vs Steven Siler
Dustin Neace vs Bryan Caraway

For the first time, the UFC is letting fans vote on bonuses from the best fights, knockouts and submissions of the season. Each winner will receive $25,000. The finalists are:

Best fight

Louis Gaudinot vs. Dustin Pague
Dustin Neace vs. Akira Corassani
John Dodson vs. John Albert
Dennis Bermudez vs. Akira Corassani
John Dodson vs. Johnny Bedford

Best knockout

Diego Brandao def. Steve Silver
Diego Brandao def. Bryan Caraway
John Dodson def. Johnny Bedford
Akira Corassani def. Brian Pearman
Diego Brandao def. Jesse Newell

Best submission

Bryan Caraway def. Marcus Brimage
Dustin Pague def. Louis Gaudinot
T.J. Dillashaw def. Roland Delorme
Dennis Bermudez def. Akira Corassani
Roland Delorme def. B.J. Ferguson

It says something about Brandao's power that he's been nominated for three different knockouts. My vote for best submission will go to Denis Bermudez, and best fight to Gaudinot vs. Pague. You can cast your vote here.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Fights-bonus-finalists-announced-for-The-Ultim?urn=mma-wp10068

Terrance Aflague Yoshihiro Akiyama  Gilbert Aldana  José Aldo  John Alessio 

The best of Chael Sonnen at the UFC on Fox 2 press conference

The best of Chael Sonnen at the UFC on Fox 2 press conferenceCHICAGO -- After the UFC on Fox 2 press conference, UFC president Dana White commented on Chael Sonnen's ability to sell a fight. He called Sonnen the best promoter since Muhammad Ali. Comparing Sonnen to the man who called himself the "Greatest of All Time" isn't a title that White took lightly, adding that he knew it was going to get him in trouble.

Take a look at the best of Sonnen's soundbites from Wednesday's press conference, and tell us if White was right.

On if Anderson Silva is next on his schedule: "I got no problem with Anderson Silva, but I'm not going to change my schedule just to kick his ass. If I'm not the best guy and Mark is, then he can go have the shot. But Anderson's not going to fight me in Brazil, in America, in Antarctica, in his kitchen when I'm trying to get a Brazilian steak. He's not going to fight me."

On if Silva is ducking him or Dan Henderson: "I don't believe Anderson's hurt. He says he's hurt and then he's caught on tape working with Wanderlei Silva and working with Lyoto Machida, that got caught on tape. I really don't care about Anderson Silva. How hard is it going to be to become world champion when you're beating up math teachers? I think he's ducking me. I think he's ducking Dan Henderson. I don't think he's hurt."

[Related: Injury keeps Georges St. Pierre out of UFC 143; Nick Diaz to face Carlos Condit]

To a fan who thanked the UFC for coming back to Chicago: "You're welcome that we came back to Chicago. When Dana and I decided to come back to Chicago, he takes most the credit, but you were who we specifically were thinking of. Thank you for coming out today."

On running for office: "I held public office, and I left the only way a person should: in handcuffs."

On his opponent, Mark Munoz, remembering a dirty move that Sonnen used when the two wrestled in college: "Mark's explanation of it being heat of the moment, I appreciate that but I can assure you. It was a pre-meditated and pre-calculated event. I offer no apology. I don't even remember college! I'm driving around with a car with no insurance, a pocket with no money, and the biggest thing on my mind is which kid should I sit next to on exam day. As far as a wrestling match goes, it was the fourth thing on my mind."

On fighting friends: "Everybody's got guys they don't want to fight, and Mark's at the top of that list. Not just because he's a friend but because he's a hard match. I've competed with him and I've never beat him. We have to do this, and on top of that, Mark and I agreed to fight to set up an example for the rest of the guys. This is just competition. Basketball players don't not face each other because they're friends.The answer is yes, and we will compete and we will live with the result."

On Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow: "I've never seen a football game in my whole life. I've never seen a basketball game and my uncle won two championships. This is the only game I know to play. Good for Tim."

Other popular stories on Yahoo! Sports:
? Kris Humphries hopes marital drama doesn't impact search for new NBA contract
? Defeat on Sunday could mean unemployment for coaches Tom Coughlin or Jason Garrett
? Sharks fan creates incredible chain-mail sweater/jersey

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/The-best-of-Chael-Sonnen-at-the-UFC-on-Fox-2-pre?urn=mma-wp10401

Cyril Abidi  Daniel Acacio Bernard Ackah  Terrance Aflague Yoshihiro Akiyama 

Alistair Overeem and Antonio Silva breakdown their upcoming fight - Strikeforce

At the Strikeforce Heavyweight GP in Dallas, TC Inside MMA correspondent Ron Kruck caught up with Alistair Overeem and Antonio Silva. The Reem spoke about his victory over Fabricio Werdum and the challange that lies ahead in Silva. Bigfoot spoke about how to do the impossible and beat Overeem

Source: http://mmalice.com/strikeforce/alistair-overeem-and-antonio-silva-breakdown-their-upcoming-fight-video_54151b1ca.html

Matt Andersen  Alex Andrade  Jermaine Andrè  Yoji Anjo  Tank Abbott

Civic pride: Writer says Nick Diaz should nab ?Stocktonian of the Year? award

Civic pride: Writer says Nick Diaz should nab ?Stocktonian of the Year? award

Stockton's reputation has taken a beating over the years. Between foreclosures, a struggling school system and climbing crime rates, the northern California city needs to something to hang its hat on. According to the local newspaper, that something may be mixed martial artist Nick Diaz.

Yes, the same Diaz who goes on foul-mouthed rants, misses drug tests, no-shows press conferences, produces hilarious YouTube driving rants and sucker punched Jason Miller on national TV, is the guy who can help remake poor Stockton's image.

MMAWeekly found a gem. Diaz was placed on this list by Stockton Record writer Mike Klocke:

» Kenya Hernandez: The then eighth-grade student at Roosevelt School in Stockton testified on Capitol Hill about issues faced in inner city schools. Hernandez was strong, forthright and powerful in her messages to policy makers.

» Sheldon Arce, Alex Pascua and Jonah Phillips: The three students at Marshall Elementary School in Stockton sat down with Record reporter Lori Gilbert and school officials to relate their personal experiences about being bullied at school. Their comments were the most compelling and powerful words in a Record interview the past year. I applaud them for their courage.

» Nick Diaz: This isn't about maturity or proper behavior and decision making. The Stockton mixed martial arts fighter has none of those. What he has is talent and presence and - if he can keep (or get) that head of his on his shoulders - the potential to be a Stockton athletic rallying cry, ala Dallas Braden. Perhaps this is a year early. If he can win a huge upcoming fight and learn to act like an adult, maybe we'll have another Yaqui Lopez on our hands.

» LaCresia Hawkins: She grew up in southeast Stockton and has become a leader in promoting healthy eating and combating childhood obesity through her work with the Community Partnership for Families of San Joaquin. She helps organize the group's grass-roots health efforts.

» Gregory Basso: The retired Stockton businessman made a video which quickly went viral and became the rallying point for a community-wide assault on Forbes magazine's misery rankings of Stockton.

All kidding aside, athletes can serve a major role in boosting civic pride. Diaz may be a little off his rocker, but his success in the cage can at least give Stockton something positive to trumpet.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Civic-pride-Writer-says-Nick-Diaz-should-nab-S?urn=mma-wp10088

Eddie Alvarez Thiago Alves  Andre Amade  Dean Amasinger  Jimmy Ambriz

What you need to know from this week on ?The Ultimate Fighter?

What you need to know from this week on ?The Ultimate Fighter?

This is the last regular episode of the season, but also the last regular episode that will air on Spike and the last recap before the show drastically changes format when it jumps to the Fox family of networks. Read Kevin Iole's look back at the best of the Spike era, and leave your favorite TUF memory on Cagewriter's Facebook page. We'll share your memories right here on Cagewriter. For one last recap with spoilers, read on.

The awkwardness of teammates fighting each other is being lived out at Team Miller's practice. Miller is stepping back and not coaching either fighter, and allowing the fighters to choose their own cornermen. Johnny Bedford and John Dodson are squaring off, with Bedford fighting with a chip on his shoulder. He wants to get Dodson back for serving as a mole for Team Bisping, but also wants to make it to the finals of the show.

Bantamweight semifinal: Johnny Bedford (Team Miller) vs. John Dodson (Team Miller)

Round 1: The two chose to stay on their feet for the majority of the first round. Dodson did a good job of avoiding Bedford's strikes until about two minutes in, when Bedford briefly pulled inside for a clinch. Bedford got a takedown at 1:40, but Dodson sprung right back to his feet. In the final seconds of the round, Dodson caught a kick, and used it to knock Bedford down.

Curiously, both corner referred to their fighters as John throughout the bout. With two fighters from the same team with the same name, wouldn't last names make it easier? Miller, on the sidelines, yelled, "Fight to win, guys!" in between rounds.

Round 2: Bedford was more aggressive in the second round, landing more strikes early on. Dodson landed an uppercut that knocked Bedford out cold. He followed him to the ground with hammer fists, but they were unnecessary. Dodson won a spot in the finals with a nasty KO.

"Dodson was so fast that the ref couldn't even get there in time to stop it," Dana White said. The doctors asked Bedford where he was, and he answered, "I'm in Ohio." Yikes.

Next, the focus goes to Diego Brandao and Bryan Caraway. During prep for Caraway's bout, he told Team Miller that he vomits before most of his fights. To make Caraway feel better, Miller confesses that whenever he prepares for a fight, he can always hear a voice saying, "Just quit this and work at McDonald's."

During weigh-ins, Bisping proposed a side bet on his fighter, which Miller accepts. Afterwards, the house erupts into a game of beer pong and fighters riding bikes into the pool, but it winds up fairly tame in comparison to other TUF parties.

Featherweight semifinal: Diego Brandao (Team Bisping) vs. Bryan Caraway (Team Miller)

Round 1: Caraway starts with a clinch and knees, but Brandao breaks away and shows good takedown defense. Caraway returns to the clinch and drives Brandao into the fence, but Brandao gets out. With two minutes left in the round, Brandao rocked Caraway with a hook and then threw a knee that sent him the ground. Caraway recovered and got back to his feet, only to be hit again and thrown down to the ground. Brandao chased him around the cage with strikes, but somehow, Caraway survived. Finally, he fell to the ground, rolled on his back, and Brandao finished the bout with a final punch.

After the bout, Dana White said that Brandao and his finishing power will transition easily to the UFC.

Saturday's finals are T.J. Dillashaw vs. John Dodson and Diego Brandao vs. Denis Bermudez. White says that out of all the seasons of "The Ultimate Fighter," that these are the most talented fighters in the finals.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/What-you-need-to-know-from-this-week-on-The-Ult?urn=mma-wp10043

Thiago Alves  Andre Amade  Dean Amasinger  Jimmy Ambriz Matt Andersen 

A big year for UFC closes with Snoop Dogg at Christmas party

A big year for UFC closes with Snoop Dogg at Christmas party

The UFC took its game to another level in 2011, so why not go over the top with a year end celebration?

The long sought after network exposure arrived with the Fox deal, so it shouldn't surprise anyone that the fellas at Zuffa went big for company Christmas pasty that included a Snoop Dogg performance at Red Rock Casino Resort. Here's some raw video from the performance (NSFW).

A big year for UFC closes with Snoop Dogg at Christmas party

A jubilant Dana White, who is pictured with the Fertitta Brothers and Snoop, gave a big thanks to his staff.

A big year for UFC closes with Snoop Dogg at Christmas party

It must've been a helluva party. White, who is seemingly on Twitter 20 hours a day, checked back in Monday afternoon.

A big year for UFC closes with Snoop Dogg at Christmas party

Tip via TerezOwens.com

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/A-big-year-for-UFC-closes-with-Snoop-Dogg-at-Chr?urn=mma-wp10322

Alex Andrade  Jermaine Andrè  Yoji Anjo  Tank Abbott Hiroyuki Abe