Rory MacDonald: ?Georges can give me pointers and tips, but in the end it?s my fight and not his.?

It would be difficult to recall a time when the UFC welterweight division has been more competitive than it is today. Even with longtime welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre on the shelf with a knee injury since last November, the weight class has been getting just as much attention of not more than any other weight class in the organization. On top of GSP?s injury the division has seen the retirement of BJ Penn and the suspension of Nick Diaz over the past nine months, but the 170-pound fighters have been putting on great fights and keeping their names in the news at all times.

MMAFrenzy.com

Source: http://mmafrenzy.com/29021/rory-macdonald-georges-can-give-me-pointers-and-tips-but-in-the-end-its-my-fight-and-not-his/

Terrance Aflague Yoshihiro Akiyama  Gilbert Aldana  José Aldo  John Alessio 

UFC switches to EA for video games

The UFC has teamed up with video game maker EA to distribute the next edition of the UFC's fight-based video game. The news was announced E3, a convention for the gaming industry, on Monday.

"We've hooked up with the biggest video game company on the planet. We can now distribute this game to the 175 countries, 22 different languages, and over half-a-billion homes worldwide that we're in," White said. "This is a huge day for the UFC, a big day for the fighters, and more importantly, for you, the fans."

There had been animosity between the two groups in the past. EA put out their MMA video game not long after the UFC's THQ-powered game, a move White was not happy about. EA used Strikeforce and Bellator fighters, and White threatened to keep fighters signed with EA out of the UFC. White went so far as to say, "EA sucks" in a 2010 interview because of their initial rebuke of MMA.

Previously, the UFC worked with THQ on their video game, but the rights were transferred to EA for an undisclosed sum. THQ has already been through drastic staff reductions and more are likely in the future because of losing this game.

Now, the UFC will be working with the company who made their name with sports-based video games. EA is the group behind the Madden NFL football, FIFA soccer, NCAA football, NHL and NBA Live games.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/ufc-switches-ea-video-games-125218130.html

Thiago Alves  Andre Amade  Dean Amasinger  Jimmy Ambriz Matt Andersen 

Olympic wrestler Steve Mocco making transition to MMA

Steve Mocco won two NCAA wrestling titles and competed in the Olympics as a heavyweight. Now, he has his eyes set on dominating a new sport: MMA.

Mocco, who competed in the Beijing Olympics in 2008, has had MMA on his mind for years. After training with Antonio Silva to prepare him for his bout with Cain Velasquez, Mocco decided to make the jump. He'll train at American Top Team in Florida. Mocco told Sammy Perez of Joe Show Radio:

"This decision was a whirlwind. I was down there training and all the guys were great. Once they discovered I was interested in fighting, everything fell into place."

He didn't want to wait any longer because he knows his prime athletic years are numbered. He's hoping to get a fight before the end of the year.

The decision also was made easier by Mocco not making this year's Olympic team. He finished third at the Olympic Trials in April.

Mocco was a collegiate star and a controversial figure. He started his career and won a national title with Iowa, then after redshirting, transferred to Oklahoma State. With that move, Mocco competed for the top two wrestling programs in the country.

While wrestling in college, Mocco had several battles with future Bellator heavyweight champ Cole Konrad. They met twice in the national championship. Mocco also faced off with future UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez, and was an Olympic teammate of Strikeforce heavyweight grand prix champ Daniel Cormier.

Mocco is following in the footsteps of several other wrestlers with elite, international experience to jump to MMA. Dan Henderson, Randy Couture, Joe Warren, Mo Lawal, Ben Askren and Cormier, among others, found success as fighters after wrestling at the highest levels.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/olympic-wrestler-steve-mocco-making-transition-mma-124342214.html

Gilbert Aldana  José Aldo  John Alessio  Houston Alexander Ricardo Almeida 

Tito Ortiz to Be Inducted into UFC Hall of Fame Before UFC 148

It's been known for quite some time that when Tito Ortiz walks out of the cage at UFC 148, regardless of the outcome, it will be "The Huntington Beach Bad Boy's" last professional bout. It was announced today, however, that prior to the bout, the controversial former champion will now join some of his greatest adversaries in the UFC Hall of Fame.

MMAFrenzy.com

Source: http://mmafrenzy.com/29009/tito-ortiz-to-be-inducted-into-ufc-hall-of-fame-before-ufc-148/

Eddie Alvarez Thiago Alves  Andre Amade  Dean Amasinger  Jimmy Ambriz

UFC on FX 3 Medical Suspensions

The UFC on FX medical suspensions are in, while no fighters received a lengthy, concrete suspension, "Fight of The Night" contenders Josh Neer and Eddie Wineland as well as "Knockout of the Night" victim Josh Neer head the list with 60-day suspensions for each man.

MMAFrenzy.com

Source: http://mmafrenzy.com/29013/ufc-on-fx-3-medical-suspensions/

Cyril Abidi  Daniel Acacio Bernard Ackah  Terrance Aflague Yoshihiro Akiyama