Smashmouth MMA

Lesnar v. Carwin Heavyweight Title Match Scrapped

2009-10-26T14:34:00.001-07:00

The anticipated heavyweight title matchup at UFC 106 between current UFC Heavyweight champ Brock Lesnar and contender Shane Carwin has been cancelled according to a Yahoo! Sports Exclusive.

Many deemed the heavy fisted Carwin as the first real challenge that Brock Lesnar has had since entering the Octagon.

Brock Lesnar has been sick for over 3 1/2 weeks and said "he’s never been this sick in his life,” according to UFC President Dana White, who also commented “He said it’s been going on for a long time and he just hasn’t been able to shake it.”

White says he doesn't think it was a case of the swine flu, otherwise known as the H1N1 virus.

It is unknown at this writing who will be the headlining bout (possibly the co-main event of Forrest Griffin v. Tito Ortiz?), or if Shane Carwin will go ahead and fight on this card against another opponent.

After last Saturday's dominating performance at UFC 104 by Cain Velasquez, a Carwin/Velasquez matchup would have many MMA fans salivating at the mouth. Odds are though that at about a month away, that would be too soon to see Velasquez hopping back into action.

Stranger things have happened in the world's greatest sport.

Story Source

"King" Mo to Strikeforce

2009-10-13T21:14:00.001-07:00

Sherdog.com is reporting that Mo Lawal is now under contract for Strikeforce, and could fight as early as December.

This is good for both Lawal, and Strikeforce. Good for Lawal in that it will give him exposure to the American fans, and build his reputation so that the UFC will give him a second look. This is good for Strikeforce because it gives them an eccentric character that has a lot of potential, and has name value that isn't the UFC's scraps.

Lawal recently defeated Mark Kerr with a TKO in the first round.

Kimbo Vs. Houston Alexander A Possibility At UFC 107

2009-10-13T21:02:00.000-07:00

It's being reported by fiveouncesofpain.com that a Kimbo Slice versus Houston Alexander matchup may occur at UFC 107 in Memphis, Tennessee later this year.

The report states that one of the fighters have been contacted to discuss the possible matchup.

Slice is coming off a stint in the most recent installment of TUF where he lost in his first match against ex-IFLer Roy "Big Country" Nelson.

After a show of power and destruction in his first few fights in the UFC, Houston Alexander has come back down to earth as opponents have exposed his lack of a ground game.

That's what makes this matchup intriguing. Two massively violent stand up fighters with definite knock out power and no ground game. This one could be a brainwave altering brawl.

Hey, don't scoff. This match could have that kind of action.

UFC 107 is scheduled for December 12, 2009 and features the headline championship match between B.J. Penn and Diego Sanchez.

Resurgence of the Phenom

2009-10-13T20:45:00.000-07:00

Coming off an extended hiatus, we here at Smashmouth have a lot of catching up to do. I think I would like to start with the biggest thing to happen in the last six months. What could this be? Anderson Silva's destruction of Forrest Griffin? No. Chuck on dancing with the stars? Definitely not. Rampage's departure from MMA? No, we all know that won't last.

No, I'm talking about Vitor Belfort's first round knock out of Rich "Ace" Franklin. While this probably isn't the biggest upset in UFC history, it does establish the resurgence of Vitor Belfort (19-8). Not only had it been over four and a half years since The Phenom had fought in the octagon, it also marked 12 years from which Vitor first walked in as a 19 year old freak athlete.

In Vitor's last fight in the UFC he lost a Split Decision to Tito Ortiz in a lackluster performance. Many thought this had marked the end of relevance for Vitor in MMA. This was until Vitor made a Splash in the MMA world again after he destroyed Matt Lindland, and Terry Martin.

After Affliction disbanded the UFC picked up Vitor's contract, and put him right to work. At UFC 103 Vitor looked great, and proved that he is one of the fastest, and strongest fighters in Mixed Martial Arts. Now with the talks that Vitor will fight Anderson "The Spider" Silva in January it poses an odd question. Can speed and strength overcome skill and style?

Time will tell. But I think that Vitor will be the first fighter in the UFC to upset the Spider, and give the middleweight belt a new home.

UFC 107: Penn Vs. Sanchez

2009-10-13T19:27:00.000-07:00

It has recently been announced that BJ Penn will fight top contender Diego Sanchez for the UFC Lightweight Division belt. The fight will take place on December 12 at UFC 107, in Memphis Tennesee.

Penn (14-5-1) is coming off a submission victory over Kenny "Kenflo" Florian. Sanchez (23-2) is coming of a split decision victory over Clay Guida, a fight that many consider to be a "Fight of the Year"candidate.

This will be a very interesting fight for BJ Penn who has yet to come across a fighter in the lightweight division that has truly tested him. Many thought that Kenny Florian would be Penn's biggest challenge. That was until BJ submitted Kenny in four rounds.

The difference in the Penn Vs. Sanchez fight will be how Diego's strength matches up against BJ's. Diego is a lightweight in a welterweight's body, and as we saw in BJ's last three fights at Welterweight, he struggles with this size difference.

With that said, I see Diego taking BJ to all five rounds with a Unanimous Decision win for Baby James.

The Empire Strikes Back

2009-07-24T19:59:00.000-07:00

Josh Barnett did his best Lando Calrissian by selling the hopes of MMA fans to roids.

That is, fans that actually still care about fighters.

Then Tom Atencio finally admits that Dana White is his daddy after Dana chopped off the hand and let him advertise in the Octagon again.

As a fan, I am saddened because the monopoly of MMA is going to continue without a fight. Dana is going to continue to be a godfather and strong-arm people to do what is going to make him rich.

I have less hope for the future. Though MMA may continue to be a strong niche sport, it is going to be run by a guy that very closely resembles the Boston tuff guys the big talking UFC president fled from so many years ago.

Here is to you Godfather. I guess we will all have to bow and kiss the ring.

Barnett 2 Time Looser

2009-07-22T17:05:00.000-07:00

Josh Barnett, a top 5 all time heavyweight is busted for the second time by the California State Athletic Commission for using a banned substance.

The baby face assassin is not the kind of guy you look at and think, "oh wow, that dude roids". He is as much the baby fat assassin, as he is the baby faced assassin known for his endurance as he very much passes the famous banned substances eye test.

I am a bit salted because I think that he was the last person that Fedor Emilianenko needed to beat to clean out all the prominent heavyweights over the last eight years of MMA. I also may be a frustrated cuz it cuts down one of the great months of MMA ever planned.

Congratulations Baby Fat, you have helped take MMA down a peg today and ruined an epic match up between two legends. You have set an organization scrambling for an opponent for their biggest draw, and you put a damper on my August 1st plans.

I understand. I wouldn't want to fight Fedor either, but you could have just decided to not sign the contract instead of roiding up and failing a test that will leave you banned from fighting in California.

Don't Interview Cris Cyborg Santos

2009-06-18T23:28:00.000-07:00

Want to interview MMA stars? You will definitely want to check out the video below before you make that career move. Live submission pass out goodness at the 4:44 mark.

Note to self: Order Showtime before August 15.

Shaquille O'Neal Wants A Piece Of Hong Man Choi

2009-06-17T19:10:00.000-07:00

Yep, Diesel (he's going to have to work that nickname out with Joe Riggs' lawyers) called out the giant that destroyed Jose Canseco.

Check out the post I did on it over at The Sports Frappe.

Couture To Face Nogueira At UFC 102

2009-06-15T16:48:00.000-07:00

Legendary heavyweight MMA fighters Randy Couture and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira are set to face each other at UFC 102 according to a press release from the UFC. The event will be the first that the UFC has hosted in Portland Oregon. It is scheduled for August 29.

This represents a homecoming to Couture, who began his career in Oregon.

Both fighters lost their belts in their last fight. Couture lost to Brock Lesnar, and Nogueira lost his interim belt to Frank Mir, setting the stage for a belt unification between Mir and Lesnar at UFC 100 on July 11 in Las Vegas.

Story Source

Tim Sylvia Moves Up And Spreads Out

2009-06-15T12:59:00.000-07:00

It was supposed to be two ex-heavyweight champs representing their respective sports at Adrenaline III in MMA competition.

48 year old Ray Murcer was a boxing heavyweight champ and Tim Sylvia was an MMA heavyweight champ in the UFC.

Sylvia had the heavyweight part covered coming in swelled at a nice 310 pounds. Problem was he did not bring the champ portion with him into the ring or obviously his pre fight preparation, resulting in getting knocked out by Murcer in 9 seconds.

You know the beef: Who would win in a head to head matchup, mmaer or boxer? The boxing side of this match may feel somewhat vindicated, but mma fans know better.

Story And Picture Source

Cro Cop Is One And Done

2009-06-13T19:32:00.000-07:00

You gotta love MMA. You can never tell what's going to happen in the cage, or outside.

In this case, The Croatian Sensation Mirko Cro Cop Filipovic went Moe Howard on his opponent Mostapha Al-Turk today at UFC 99, poked him in the eye, beat him into a referee stoppage and then lifted his hands in victory.

Pretty good restart for a Pride favorite that came to the UFC and was unceremoniuosly manhandled and was dismissed until today's second chance at redemption, right?

But check this:

UFC President Dana White broke his own rule for the first time in 9 years and gave Cro Cop a one fight deal. He had agreed to the next 2 fights in principle, but wanted to see how Filipovic fared in this fight. He was rewarded by being told after the fight that Cro Cop was leaving the UFC due to signing a 3 fight deal with DREAM.

To be the best, you have to beat the best. If you don't care about being the best, just chase the money.

It's clear which one Cro Cop opted for.

Story Source

Dear Anderson Silva: We Need A Champion

2009-04-18T22:50:00.000-07:00

Dear Anderson,

We know that your opponent Saturday night went to the ground easier than LA Rams QB Jim Everett being phantom tackled. In fact, at times it looked like he was begging for an excuse to quit.

But we desperately want dominance in our UFC Champions. Your act at UFC 97 was reminiscent of the high school bully that was two years older and stronger than the underclass victim he picked out, taunting and embarassing at every available opportunity.

The UFC doesn't have anyone in your weight class to give you a decent challenge, but in the absence of a pedigreed contender would you mind putting your opponent away in a dominant fashion so we don't have to hear people wonder out loud about your heart and whether or not you are simply trying to prevent injury to yourself?

Although you showed you have kicks, if I wanted to see someone do trick kicks (like when you went behind your own leg to kick Thales Leites with your other leg) I can go to youtube and watch people of all ages do that.

We simply want to see the "pound for pound best fighter" as many call you, instead of the Cirque Du Silva routine you've given us during your last two fights.

To make it worse, UFC 97 proved to be ex-champion killer night with the defeat of former Light Heavyweight champs Steve Cantwell (WEC), Brian Stann (WEC), and Chuck Liddell (UFC). We desperately needed you to represent and knock someone out.

We don't spend hundreds of dollars or sixty of dollars to watch you fight in person or via pay per view. Let me make it clear that the boos you heard rising from the crowd on hand in Canada and from homes and clubs at locations around the world, were not booing with you, but booing at you.

As far as Thales Leites, the UFC needs to set this turtle on his back to the pastures offered by other smaller and less relevant promotions than the "Ultimate Fighting Championship". The two fake "my eye was gouged" did not help this sitch.

Sincerely,
MMA Fan

Grey Dog Software Releases Free Demo of World of Mixed Martial Arts 2

2009-04-01T20:25:00.000-07:00

Grey Dog Software has released a playable demo of World of Mixed Martial Arts 2, allowing you to try out this sequel scheduled to be available for digital download on April 8th.

World of Mixed Martial Arts 2 will bring mixed martial arts to your PC allowing players to control every aspect of a mixed martial arts company. The player is in charge of just about everything to do with its running, including hiring fighters, match making, marketing, and so on.

Story Source And Download Link

The Heat is on the Iceman

2009-03-15T14:29:00.000-07:00

According to Dana White, who spoke with Neil Davidson of the Canadian Press, Chuck Liddell does not just need to win his next fight, he needs to be impressive.

The finish line may in sight for this era of MMA's first household name. Liddell was once represented by White and the two have both spoken fondly of each other. When push comes to shove Liddell is an employee and as we all know, performing poorly is a nice way to get yourself unemployed.

Liddell seems to be reluctant to change and has become predictable. The same wide stance and wide circling motion while dropping his hands and throwing lazy left hooks are now as synonymous with the Iceman as a head kick to Babalu or a flurry of punches dropping the Huntington Beach Bad Boy is.

I'm a fan, and I would love to see him fight for the next 10 years, however there needs to be an evolution at The Pit. It would also help if Liddell could keep his chin down in the next fight.

Tapout Founder Dies In Accident

2009-03-11T19:30:00.000-07:00

Tapout is one of the first clothing brands dedicated to the sport of MMA. Before stories on Sportscenter, before the PPV's every few weeks, there was underground fighting.

During those same days in the past there was a future Presidential candidate calling for MMA to be banned. Those were the days when MMA was the punk rock of sports. Now the sport is more Blink 182 than it is Black Flag.

Charles "Mask" Lewis was there. He was an influence. He supported fighters when there was little money in the sport. He scouted fighters and helped organizations become aware of up and comers.

Then he was pronounced dead at the scene of an accident at 12:57. Though not a lot of details are known at this time, I thought it important to to focus on a pioneer before we get caught up by the details of his passing.

RIP Mask

Legends to Clash

2009-02-28T18:13:00.000-08:00

MMA legend Randy Couture has accepted a fight with Nogueria. UFC 101, rumored to be in Couture's old stomping grounds in Portland Oregon, will be the stage for this epic clash.

Though Big Nog’s best days are behind him, and Couture's only fight in the last few years was a KO at the hands of a monster, It will still be fun to watch. Too bad it wasn’t 3 years ago.

Story Source

Couture Vs. Cro Cop A Possibility

2009-02-20T22:58:00.000-08:00

In an interview with Arianny Celeste, Randy Couture disclosed that there is a possibility that he might fight Mirko Cro Cop at UFC 99 scheduled for June 13 in Germany. The odds of the matchup occurring depends on how long a movie takes to wrap that Couture is featured in this spring.

UFC 99 is already scheduled to feature a 195 pound catchweight fight between former Pride champ Wanderlei Silva and former UFC champ Rich Franklin.

Story Source

99 Problems But A PPV Ain't One

2009-02-19T20:11:00.000-08:00

Say what you will about Dana White and the Ultimate Fighting Championship MMA empire he built, but it stands as one of the few recession resistant enterprises around today.

With the most recent UFC 94 event breaking Las Vegas live attendance and pay per view records, White looks like he will continue growing his brand of MMA promotion while others falter and flail.

UFC 100 is scheduled to be held somewhere around July this year, and may be the pinnacle event of 2009. It's rumored that the UFC is planning to have every weight class to have a title fight, barring any injuries to the participants.

Many aspects of fight fans' lives are being tightened during this economic downturn, but the belt's not yet hitting the UFC notch.

Matt Hughes: "My last two fights against Georges, he felt greasy"

2009-02-05T19:38:00.000-08:00

UFC 94 happened this past Saturday, and although it didn't live up to the hype it was still a great night of fights. Georges St. Pierre completely dominated the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th rounds of the much anticipated fight showing that he was the much stronger, and more improved fighter of the two. Towards the 3rd, and 4th round BJ looked completely helpless,and GSP was close to finishing the fight.

The fight was called after the 4th after BJ's corner threw in the towel. That should be the end of that right? Wrong! NSAC is investigating into the allegations that GSP's corner put Vaseline on his body making him greasy, giving him the advantage of being harder to submit.

But now another fighter is adding his opinion to the mix. Here is what Matt Hughes wrote on his website about the incident:
"Now, on to what everybody is talking about, the greasing. I’m not the only one who has said that GSP felt greasy during a fight. I know Matt Serra has mentioned it and, even in their first fight, I think BJ said something. I’m not saying GSP did something wrong and I’m not saying that it would have changed any outcomes of any fights; but what I am saying is, for my last two fights against Georges, he felt greasy."

It's here that I would like to borrow another catch phrase from Brokenstyle..."What?"

It looks like grease gate is in full swing, and we can look forward to months of accusations and finger pointing on top of a heaping pile of denial. When did the Matt Hughes fights happen? Oh that's right, over a year ago. So why it's coming out now is a bit of a stretch.

Though I'm sure St. Pierre will be made out to be the bad guy in this, the point is he's just the better fighter. Do I think he should have an unfair advantage?

Of course not.

But we have all seen the UFC behind the scenes training of GSP, and a guy that works that hard is unlikely to find a way to cheat. I don't think a bit of vaseline made Matt Hughes yell, "Tap,Tap" or BJ Penn's corner "Throw In The Towel." So let's be aware of this but let it go and look forward to Thiago Alves V. Georges St. Pierre, or BJ Penn V. Kenny Florian. That's the future, and the past is past.

Side Show Video

2009-01-01T23:32:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year SmashMouthers!

Dream had it's annual New Year's fight bash which included a modern day David v. Goliath redux.

This matchup involved Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic vs Hong Man Choi, with Cro Cop giving up many pounds and inches to the gigantic Choi in a match that was more Rocky Balboa versus Hulk Hogan (or whatever Hogan's character's name was) than a meaningful mma match.

This clearly falls into the "train wreck I can't take my eyes off of".

But to save you a trip to YouTube, here you go:

Couture Lands Role In Major Action Movie

2008-12-21T21:56:00.000-08:00

MSNBC.com is reporting that former UFC heavyweight and light heavyweight champion Randy Couture has secured a role in the upcoming action flick "The Expendables".

The role was originally written for Wesley Snipes and was reworked for Couture.

Unlike roles given to mma stars in the past, this $60 action movie comes with legitimate star power.

Couture will co-star with Sylvester Stallone, Jet Li, Jason Statham, Dolph Lundgren, and Oscar Award winner Forest Whitaker. Whitaker plays a cia agent while the other actors play characters in a band of mercenaries.

This is one of 3 movies that 2009 will see Couture in.

Story Source

Fight For The Troops Nets $4 Million For Cause

2008-12-16T18:08:00.000-08:00

Last week's Fight For The Troops telecast on Spike TV raised over 4 million for The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund. The fund ultimately seeks to raise $65 million to build a state of the art facility to treat returning veterans suffering from TBI (traumatic brain injury), a prevalent condition resulting from attacks from IED's in the war in Iraq.

$4 million dollars sounds like a drop in the bucket, but during the telecast IFHF President Bill White stated that they had raised much of the need, and that the UFC/Spike TV fundraiser was important to help them break ground.

In addition to the great gesture for a good cause around Christmas, good MMA action, and the monies raised, maybe the biggest contribution of the event was the awareness created as to the extent of the issues that our troops suffer while fighting for us.

Ultimate 2009?...Eh

2008-11-24T22:00:00.000-08:00

UFC 92 is coming up, and upon looking at the three main fights of the night it has me asking what really is so Ultimate? Granted there are a lot of "Big Names" on this card, but what does it really amount to?

The first and, in my opinion the most intriguing of the night, Is Wanderlei Vs. Rampage. This fight on paper has a lot of potential to be a great fight, and will probably reveal who the next contender for the Light Heavyweight challenger will be. As a lot of fight fans know these two have fought twice before in Pride. Wanderlei owned these fights, and actually knocked Rampage through the ropes. The reason that this has so much potential is because both of these fighters are a lot different than they were in their Pride days. Rampage is a more of a well round fighter, but has faced a lot of...how should i put this..."Challenges" in the past couple of months. Wanderlei while looking like the "Axe Murderer" against Keith Jardine, is not the vicious fighter he used to be. But lets face it, its not a rubber match, its not a great rivalry, just two fighters who have a lot to lose going at it.

Then there is Mir Vs. Noguiera. Here's a spoiler, it will end in a submission, or decision. Need I say more? The only intrigue in this one will be who will face Lesner. Mir being the one who has given Lesnar his only UFC defeat, or Nogueira who has tons of credibility.

Then there is the headliner of the night, Griffin Vs. Evans. While im like everybody else who likes Forrest Griffin, does Rashad Evans deserve a title shot? His only big win has been against Chuck Lidell, and he barely escaped losing to Tito Ortiz, due to a penalty to get the draw. But then again Forrest really didn't beat anyone credible other than Shogun. Jardine must be pissed.

Lets hope this fight card offers non stop action, otherwise UFC 92 wont fall under ultimate, but rather adequate.

Hello Fitch

2008-11-20T21:33:00.000-08:00

WHAT!

MMA Junkie is reporting that 24 hours after leaving the UFC John Fitch is back. This time without those pesky AKA coaches and the managment team of Zinkin Entertainment. I mean can you blame the guy who wants people looking out for your best interest, when you can be part of an organization that is obviously out for theirs.

"It was all or nothing," Fitch said. "[White] wanted our lifetime he wanted our souls forever"

Ya click the highlighted source.....

No he really said it.

If is wasn't so sad I would think it was funny. So UFC fan REACT, as Rome would say.

Dana is a businessman. Dana may also like MMA. Dana does not like MMA as much as he like buying expensive things.

Other members of the American Kickboxing Academy that are in the UFC will have to make that similar choice.

I seem to remember Dana being angry at GSP for signing with a mainstream management company. I think it was because as fighters become bigger than the organization Dana and the Zufffa clan will have to actually think of something other than lining there fat bank rolls.

I thought the picture reminded me of another sacrificial lamb. However that one was for grace not to further line the pockets of millionaires.