UFC 148 starts with an eye poke and three decisions

If the first three fights of UFC 148 are a harbinger of things to come, we're in for a long night. All three were decisions that were less than exciting.

Constantinos Phillippou survived a vicious, though unintentional eye poke from Riki Fukuda to take a slow, stand-up filled decision. The judges saw it 30-27, 30-27, 29-28. Before that, Shane Roller grinded out a wrestling-filled decision over John Alessio. The 29-28 on all cards unanimous decision snapped a three-fight losing skid for Roller.

UFC 148 was started with a unanimous decision win for Rafaello Oliveira over Yoislandy Izquierdo.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/ufc-148-starts-eye-poke-three-decisions-011958528--mma.html

Jermaine Andrè  Yoji Anjo  Tank Abbott Hiroyuki Abe Cyril Abidi 

Fabricio Werdum, Cub Swanson and Rich Franklin: Three stars from a full weekend of MMA

After a UFC double-header, who stuck out as the best from UFC on FX 4 and UFC 147? Read on for Cagewriter's picks, and write yours in the comments, on Facebook or Twitter.

No. 1 star -- Fabricio Werdum: The former Strikeforce heavyweight is 2-0 since rejoining the UFC. Though his jiu-jitsu is feared, he showed against Mike Russow he can strike with the best of the division, finishing a fighter who had never been knocked out before.

No. 2 star -- Cub Swanson: We've heard of the potential of Swanson for years, but injury often got in his way. Swanson showed he was more than just potential as he took out Ross Pearson with a punishing TKO, his second straight TKO win.

No. 3 star -- Rich Franklin: After proving his company man status once again, stepping in for the injured Vitor Belfort, Franklin won an exciting five-rounder against fellow legend Wanderlei Silva. Afterwards, he charmed the Brazilian crowd by speaking Portuguese to them. You can't ask for much more from a fighter.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/fabricio-werdum-cub-swanson-rich-franklin-three-stars-145843402--mma.html

Houston Alexander Ricardo Almeida  Eddie Alvarez Thiago Alves  Andre Amade 

California State Athletic Commission facing major financial difficulties

Things are not going well for the California State Athletic Commission. It is having severe financial troubles, and recently censured George Dodd, its executive director, for not telling the board just how bad the money situation is.

MMA Fighting is reporting the group that oversees MMA events is already under water, and could run a deficit of $700,000 by the time the year is over.

"Without the ability to pay for even basic services, the Commission will have no choice but to cease operation immediately and cancel or postpone indefinitely all Commission regulated events," Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) director Denise Brown wrote in a recent letter to CSAC's executive director George Dodd.

Zuffa has three events scheduled for California in the next two months. UFC on Fuel 4 will be in San Jose, UFC on Fox 4 will take place in Los Angeles, and Strikeforce's championship bout between Ronda Rousey and Sarah Kaufman is set for San Diego. None of these events are expected to be affected, but California is a go-to state for Zuffa. California hosted four UFC and Strikeforce events in 2011.

Considering the state's financial problems, it's not a surprise to see the CSAC stumble. California is projecting a deficit of $4 billion and has been running in the red for four years. Its financial problems are so well-known there is a Wikipedia entry devoted to California's budget crisis.

But where the true problem lies for the CSAC is how to dig out of its hole. Without money, it can't run high-grossing events, but without high-grossing events, it can't earn money.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/california-state-athletic-commission-facing-major-financial-difficulties-214419182--mma.html

Tank Abbott Hiroyuki Abe Cyril Abidi  Daniel Acacio Bernard Ackah 

Chael Sonnen makes a few changes to UFC 148 poster

The background of Chael Sonnen's Twitter page showed a slightly different UFC 148 poster.

Yes, that's Sonnen with the belt and the taglines, "The rematch Anderson Silva has been running from" and "The true Middleweight Champions makes his third title defense." Sonnen's poster has little to do with the truth, but it is at least amusing.

Thanks to the People's Cecil for the high-quality image.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/chael-sonnen-makes-few-changes-ufc-148-poster-141113986--mma.html

Jimmy Ambriz Matt Andersen  Alex Andrade  Jermaine Andrè  Yoji Anjo 

Mark Munoz and Chris Weidman fighting for a title shot at UFC on Fuel 4

In Monday's discussion of middleweights looking to inch closer to a shot at Anderson Silva and the championship, two names were not discussed: Mark Munoz and Chris Weidman. Since they already have a fight, they don't need to lobby for the right fight, like Michael Bisping, Alan Belcher and Brian Stann do.

They'll face each other on Wednesday night at UFC on Fuel 4. For Munoz, a win means a shot at Silva.

"With a win over Chris Weidman, I'm going to prove that I should have the title shot," Munoz told MMAjunkie.com Radio.

Weidman told MMA Fighting he is also seeking a title shot. After a lackluster win over Demian Maia in January, he wants to make it crystal clear he deserves the next shot at the belt.

"I'm fighting to make a statement in this fight," he said. "It would be my fifth win in the UFC in a row, I've fought a lot of tough guys, veterans in this sport. I really didn't have any easy fights, so I want to make a statement. I would love a chance against Anderson Silva, I think I really match up good against him, and I mean, I would love a shot, so we'll see. I really just want to make a statement in this fight. I want to make it blatantly obvious that I should be the one fighting Anderson Silva. That's the goal."

Both men have NCAA Division I wrestling backgrounds, though Munoz was a national champion for Oklahoma State while Weidman wrestled for less-acclaimed Hofstra. They are also coming in riding win streaks: four in a row for Munoz and five in a row for Weidman.

Who will walk out of the main event closer to the title shot? Tell us in the comments, on Facebook or on Twitter.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/mark-munoz-chris-weidman-fighting-title-shot-ufc-141001181--mma.html

Matt Andersen  Alex Andrade  Jermaine Andrè  Yoji Anjo  Tank Abbott

UFC on Fuel TV 4 Bonuses: Weidman, Caceres, Te Huna and Beltran Take Home $40k

In what proved to be a sleeper hit for the UFC, the promotion’s fourth offering on Fuel TV, which emanated from the HP Pavilion in San Jose , California, delivered a night of exciting action in nearly every bout. While many fighters looked impressive tonight, four men were rewarded with $40,000 in fight night bonuses. [...]

MMAFrenzy.com

Source: http://mmafrenzy.com/29391/ufc-on-fuel-tv-4-bonuses-weidman-caceres-te-huna-and-beltran-take-home-40k/

Dean Amasinger  Jimmy Ambriz Matt Andersen  Alex Andrade  Jermaine Andrè 

UFC 148 Reported At 1 Million Pay Per-View Buys

It was dubbed “the biggest UFC fight in history,” and while the long-awaited rematch between UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva and the boisterous Chael Sonnen was able to shatter a live gate record, it would appear that UFC 100 remains king in the realm of Pay Per-View. While 148 drawing around 1 million Pay Per-View [...]

MMAFrenzy.com

Source: http://mmafrenzy.com/29403/ufc-148-reported-at-1-million-pay-per-view-buys/

Terrance Aflague Yoshihiro Akiyama  Gilbert Aldana  José Aldo  John Alessio 

Strikeforce?s Jordan Mein hits head on camera during fight

Jordan Mein got up close and personal with one of Showtime's cameras during Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Kennedy. Watch what happens when he returns to his feet.

Camera operators at fights often lean into the cage when covering fights, but they are usually quick enough to get out of the way. This could have been disastrous for Mein if he had already absorbed many head shots. However, he was winning handily at this point in the fight and went on to take the decision, 30-27 on all three judges' cards.

Other popular content on Yahoo! Sports:
? Nate Marquardt KOs Tyron Woodley for Strikeforce welterweight title
? Long-time California coach Jeff Tedford faces crucial year in 2012
? Report: Browns' supplemental pick failed three drug tests in college

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/strikeforce-jordan-mein-hits-head-camera-during-fight-005200681--mma.html

Jermaine Andrè  Yoji Anjo  Tank Abbott Hiroyuki Abe Cyril Abidi