Brett Rogers signs with Bellator after losing streak and assault arrest

Brett Rogers started his career with 10 wins, and followed it with four losses, one win, a no contest, an assault arrest stemming from a domestic abuse incident and a jail sentence of 60 days. Now, he's looking to start over again by signing with Bellator.

"Over the past year I have been challenged in my personal life, but all is now good in the Rogers family," Rogers said via a Bellator press release. "Everyone makes mistakes in life but it's how you recover that really counts. I spend every day with my wife and kids and enjoy every minute of it. Fighting is my job and I love it, but I also love my family and that's why I made things right before returning to the cage. All I can say is get ready for a new and improved Brett Rogers."

Rogers' last win came in October of 2010 over Ruben Villareal. After that, he dropped bouts to Josh Barnett and Eddie Sanchez. The no-contest comes from a February bout. He also has losses to Fedor Emelianenko and Alistair Overeem, and his biggest win came over Andrei Arlovski in June of 2009.

He will debut at Bellator 71 on June 22. An opponent has not been named.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/brett-rogers-signs-bellator-losing-streak-assault-arrest-204329657.html

Dean Amasinger  Jimmy Ambriz Matt Andersen  Alex Andrade  Jermaine Andrè 

Rich Franklin in at UFC 147 and Patrick Cote in at UFC 148

Vitor Belfort's broken hand resulted in shuffling of the fight cards at UFC 147 and 148. Rich Franklin has stepped in to fight Wanderlei Silva in the main event at UFC 147 in Brazil, and Patrick Cote will return to the UFC to fight Cung Le at UFC 148.

The Franklin-Silva bout will be fought at a catchweight of 195 lbs. It's a rematch of their 2009 bout that was won by Franklin in a close decision and earned both fighters a Fight of the Night bonus.

Franklin has once again proved his company man status. The former middleweight champ has stepped in to coach "The Ultimate Fighter" after Tito Ortiz was dismissed from coaching in the 11th season, knocked out Chuck Liddell with a broken arm not long after TUF, and fought at catchweights so that he could face the competition the UFC wanted.

Cote is getting another shot at the UFC after getting cut in 2010. He went from a title shot at UFC 90 to a three-fight losing skid. Since then, he won four fights outside the UFC and lobbied for a chance to return to the Octagon.

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Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/rich-franklin-ufc-147-patrick-cote-ufc-148-130759055.html

Andre Amade  Dean Amasinger  Jimmy Ambriz Matt Andersen  Alex Andrade 

Alistair Overeem talks about Steroids to NSAC - Alistair Overeem

Alistair Overeem in front of the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) talking about testosterone and steroids. After he failed a pre drug test for UFC 146 with elevated testosterone levels (16:1).

Source: http://mmalice.com/alistair-overeem/alistair-overeem-talks-about-steroids-to-nsac-video_f29810891.html

Hiroyuki Abe Cyril Abidi  Daniel Acacio Bernard Ackah  Terrance Aflague

House Of Vans Coat Drive

This Saturday, December 17th is the second annual House Of Vans Coat Drive from 1-6PM at the House Of Vans in Brooklyn. There will be a best trick contest for cash and sneakers and live performances from DJ PF Cuttin and McRad. Admission to the event is a new or slightly used coat to be donated to NYCares. be sure to RSVP here.

Source: http://theskateboardmag.com/blogs/templeton-elliott/2011/12/16/house-of-vans-coat-drive/

Jimmy Ambriz Matt Andersen  Alex Andrade  Jermaine Andrè  Yoji Anjo 

UFC 146 picks cover the biggest UFC card ever

UFC 146's all-heavyweight main card is this Saturday. To prime you for the the fights, read the picks from Kevin Iole, a selection of Cagereaders who posted their picks on the Cagewriter Facebook page and me. Don't agree with the picks? Speak your mind in the comments, on Facebook or on Twitter.

Champion Junior dos Santos vs. Frank Mir for the UFC heavyweight title

Kevin Iole: Junior dos Santos KO1 Frank Mir ? This could just as easily be Mir by first-round submission, but since all fights begin on the feet, I will go with dos Santos by KO.

Maggie Hendricks: JDS KO1 Mir ? Mir's only hope is to get this fight to the ground to avoid Junior's powerful stand-up. But as Shane Carwin and Cain Velasquez learned, getting JDS to the ground is not an easy feat, and Mir won't succeed.

Cagereader's take: Frank Mir is an outstanding, decorated mixed martial artist. He can be dangerous on his feet and clearly on the ground as well if you look at his past submissions. His best bet is to figure out how he can get Junior dos Santos to the mat. The unfortunate part for Mir is that dos Santos possesses some of the best standup in the heavyweight division and I think Mir will struggle with those heavy-hitting fists Junior is going to throw. I love them both as fighters but my guess is dos Santos will win this one and retain his belt via TKO. ? Roberto Garza

Cain Velasquez vs. Antonio Silva

Iole: Cain Velasquez TKO2 Antonio Silva ? I think Velasquez is the best heavyweight in the world and will prove it against Big Foot. Velasquez is a better version of Daniel Cormier and Cormier had his way with Silva.

Hendricks: Velasquez TKO1 Silva ? Velasquez has had to deal with competitors bigger than him since he was was Division I wrestler at Arizona State. He's learned how to use his speed, takedowns and striking to handle the size disadvantage, and he'll do it again on Saturday.

Cagereader's take: Cain Velasquez by TKO. Cain will rebound nicely in this bout. We'll see him return to his stalking/aggressive fight style which will eventually lead to some ground and pound against Silva. Silva is a top heavyweight but he's not very quick. He won't have a quick enough reaction to keep Cain away. ? Eddie Ledezma

Dave Herman vs. Roy Nelson

Iole: Roy Nelson W3 Dave Herman ? Nelson has the power to take Herman out, but most likely, Herman survives but takes a beating.

Hendricks: Nelson W3 Dave Herman ? Not to just copy Kev, but I don't see a way this fight will end early. This fight will be the bout it IS OK to blink while it's happening.

Cagereader's take: Roy Nelson will win against Herman. He is all wrong for Herman. Iron chin, BJJ blackbelt, better striking. Standup or ground game, Nelson is clearly better. ? Daniel Natividad

Stipe Miocic vs. Shane del Rosario

Iole: Shane del Rosario W3 Stipe Miocic ? This is more of a hunch because I don't know which del Rosario will show up. He's been off for a year since an auto accident. Del Rosario is a budding star and if he's healthy, I like him to make a statement against Miocic.

Hendricks: Miocic W3 del Rosario ? My heart says del Rosario because after the year he's had, he deserves a win. He was in a car accident with a drunk driver and even contemplated retirement during his trip back to the cage. However, Miocic's wrestling and striking will be too much.

Cagereader's take: I pick Miocic to win by decision. Del Rosario is the better and more experienced striker, but Miocic's wrestling ability will carry him to a decision victory. Miocic is confident in his hands, but he will eventually resort back to his bread and butter once he realizes the gap in striking ability between him and Del Rosario. Del Rosario has lacked in the takedown defense department before, and I expect him to have similar issues against the former NCAA Division I wrestler. Once on the mat, Miocic will land consistently from the top position, controlling the action and landing often enough to earn a decision win. ? Robert MacDonald

Stefan Struve vs. Lavar Johnson

Iole: Struve SUB2 Johnson ? Struve is susceptible to good strikers, but Johnson has a great vulnerability on the ground. I think Johnson has his moments, but look for Struve to take advantage of a mistake and end it with a submission.

Hendricks: Johnson KO2 Struve ? Though Struve does have a dangerous ground game, he opens himself up to getting punched in the face too often. Johnson is really, really good at punching people in the face.

Cagereader's take: Johnson ? I wanted to see Mark Hunt in this fight, but I actually see it going remarkably similar to how I would predict that one. Johnson has the style to wade in, get close, and do damage. That's enough to beat Struve. Struve's best option will be to pull guard and see if he can slap on a sub with his long limbs. I doubt he gets that chance, though. ? John Wilcox

Thank you to everyone who submitted picks.

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Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/ufc-146-picks-cover-biggest-ufc-card-ever-135306408.html

Jimmy Ambriz Matt Andersen  Alex Andrade  Jermaine Andrè  Yoji Anjo 

Demetrious Johnson beats McCall, gets shot at UFC?s inaugural flyweight belt

Demetrious Johnson took care of unfinished business at UFC on FX 3 in Fort Lauderdale on Friday night.

Johnson took the lead early by dropping McCall with a right hand halfway through the first round. McCall continually moved forward towards Johnson, but couldn't always land strikes when he did. Throughout the bout, Johnson's conditioning and footwork gave him an edge. He was able to move in and move out to land strikes, frustrating McCall throughout.

There was no scoring error this time as Johnson was announced the winner via unanimous decision. The judges gave it to Johnson 29-28, 30-27 and 29-28.

"It's about using my athletic ability and letting my mind go free," Johnson said about his performance.

The fight was a rematch after their March bout that ended in a draw. That fight didn't go to a fourth round to decide who would advance in the tournament because an incorrect score was announced.

The judges made a definitive, and correct, decision on Friday night. Johnson's win means he'll fight Joe Benavidez for the UFC's first flyweight championship.

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Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/demetrious-johnson-beats-mccall-gets-shot-ufc-inaugural-051534548--mma.html

Yoji Anjo  Tank Abbott Hiroyuki Abe Cyril Abidi  Daniel Acacio

Sam Sicilia gives Cristiano Marcello a serious case of the punch face at ?The Ultimate Fighter? finale (PHOTO)

Sam Sicilia won his bout over Cristiano Marcello at "The Ultimate Fighter" finale with a second-round TKO. Complete results from the preliminary card:

Daron Cruickshank def. Chris Tickle via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27)
Myles Jury def. Chris Saunders via submission (guillotine choke) - Round 1, 4:03.
Sam Sicilia def. Cristiano Marcello via TKO (punches) - Round 2, 2:53.
Joe Proctor def. Jeremy Larsen via TKO (knee and punches) - Round 1, 1:59.
Erik Perez def. John Albert via verbal submission (armbar) - Round 1, 4:18.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/sam-sicilia-gives-cristiano-marcello-serious-case-punch-010023093.html

Hiroyuki Abe Cyril Abidi  Daniel Acacio Bernard Ackah  Terrance Aflague