Mma

[Goat Gosselin]

- PENN TO DEFEND BOTH TITLES IF HE BEATS ST. PIERRE
Friday, November 21, 2008 - by Jeff Cain - MMAWeekly.com
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Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight titleholder B.J. Penn moves back up to the welterweight division to take on UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre on Super Bowl weekend, Jan. 31, in Las Vegas for the welterweight title. Speculation about what weight class Penn's fighting future would be in if he defeats St. Pierre has swirled since the bout agreements were signed.



According to UFC president Dana White, if Penn beats St. Pierre, he will be the first fighter to hold two UFC titles at the same time and will defend both belts.



"Once you win the title and you accomplish so many things in the fight business, then it becomes about legendary status, making your mark, going down as one of the greatest fighters of all time," said White.



"The problem I always talk about with B.J. is trying to contain this kid and keep him focused on staying at 155 and defending his title there. He's been doing that. And I think now is the time. Now is a great time. He's saying if he wins the 170-pound title, he's going to defend both titles."



"Should B.J. win, one of the things he would do is defend two titles at the same time," White continued. "Nobody has ever done that. It's never been done."



Penn has held the UFC welterweight title before, winning it by defeating long-time champion Matt Hughes at UFC 46, ironically on the same day he'll rematch St. Pierre, Jan. 31, 2006.



"I want to leave a mark in this sport," Penn told the media during a recent press conference. "When I was 22-years-old, I wanted to become the lightweight champion of the world. I'm going to be 30-years-old next month and I want to become the best ever. And this is my chance."



But BJ Penn's not thinking about defending his lightweight championship right now. He's focused on Georges St. Pierre. "I could think about that stuff all day, but really I've got to concentrate on the first step ahead of me. And it's a big one. It's Georges St. Pierre," said the UFC lightweight titleholder. "I really can't look past that night... I'm just concentrating on the man that everyone says is the best."

[Goat Gosselin]

UFC Fighter Goran Reljic Rescues Men From Crash
By: Kris Karkoski | Nov 20, 2008

Goran ReljicUFC middleweight Goran Reljic has rescued two men who crashed into the sea in his native Croatia, according to Slobodna Dalmacija (translation courtesy of Robert at Free Fight Videos):

A crash that almost killed two young men on the 15th of October at round 3am could have had disastrous consequences when the two young men, both from Privlaka, spun and crashed into the sea.

Thankfully both men survived, due to the brave actions of Goran Reljica, the Croatian ultimate fighter, who resides in the immediate vicinity of the town in question.

When he heard the crash, Goran jumped out of bed, still in his underwear and jumped into the sea.

He swam to the car, proceeded to brake the windshield of the vehicle and pull both men to land. Several eyes witness accounts confirm the story and so does Goran himself who doesn’t want any praise or recognition for the good deed.

“The only satisfaction I get is that both young men are alive and healthy, I don’t need any praise, I simply did what anyone one would have done in that situation” said Reljic

Reljic was scheduled to fight on the 25th October however a back injury forced him out of his fight with Brazilian Thales Leites. Even with his back injury Raljic did not hesitate to help and rescue the two young man from the sinking car.

[Randal Graves]

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Daley kind of reversed it. Shields went for an armbar from the mount and Daley defended it well and rolled into Shields guard. This was with 20-30 seconds in the round so Daley only manged to drop a few punches. I don't believe Shields would have ever gone for that armbar if it weren't for the time. He took that risk because he knew Daley wasn't going to have time to do anything if he did manage to get out of the armbar. That's my take anyway.

[Goat Gosselin]

- FABER VS PULVER 2 ON TAP FOR WEC 38 ON JAN. 25
Tuesday, November 25, 2008 - by MMAWeekly.com Staff
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Recently knocked off his featherweight perch by Mike Brown, Urijah Faber will make a quick turn and get right back in the cage on Jan. 25 at WEC 38. A little more surprising, however, may be whom he will be facing. Sources close to the bout tell MMAWeekly.com that Faber will rematch Jens Pulver at the San Diego event.

Although bout agreements have yet to be signed, sources indicate that both sides have verbally agreed to the rematch. Faber bested Pulver in a five-round war in their original outing on June 1 in Sacramento, Calif.

As mentioned, Faber is coming off of a knockout loss to current WEC featherweight champion Mike Brown. The defeat was his first as a featherweight and only the second of his career. Faber's first defeat was a lightweight bout against current UFC contender Tyson Griffin. He is still ranked No. 2 in the world as a featherweight.

Pulver is also coming off of a loss. At the same WEC 36 event in Hollywood, Fla., where Faber lost his title, Pulver lost his bid to return to contention. Greg Jackson-trained fighter Leonard Garcia – now the likely No. 1 contender to Mike Brown – TKO'd Pulver in the opening round.

Faber and Pulver's first bout was World Extreme Cagefighting's most successful event to date. WEC 34 drew 12,001 fans and recorded gate receipts of $738,855, according to the California State Athletic Commission.

That was in Faber's hometown of Sacramento, but moving south to San Diego likely won't have much of a negative effect, as Faber is an extremely popular fighter throughout California. The pair's first bout was also considered one of the WEC's – if not MMA's – most exciting of the year.

Early speculation had paired Faber with rising featherweight talent Jose Aldo at WEC 38, but negotiations for that fight apparently fell apart in recent days.

Although MMAWeekly.com sources say that the fight between Faber and Pulver is all but signed, management for neither fighter would confirm the bout when contacted for comment at the time of publication.

[Goat Gosselin]

PROELITE BLOCKING FREE AGENCY FOR JAKE SHIELDS
Tuesday, November 25, 2008 - by Tom Hamlin - MMAWeekly.com
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The remaining representatives from near-defunct fight promotion ProElite are doing what they can to stop EliteXC welterweight champion Jake Shields from leaving the fold.

Shields’ manager and father, Jack Shields, on Monday told MMAWeekly.com that an unnamed lawyer representing ProElite informed him on Saturday that his son was not a free agent.

The elder Shields, along with several fight managers under the ProElite umbrella, in late October sent the company a “notice of breach” letter asking them to fulfill their promotional and payment obligations within 30 days or their contracts would be abandoned.

ProElite responded to the letters on or around Nov. 3, stating they were in the process of “downsizing” and said they planned to continue promoting in early 2009. They also stated that EliteXC fighters needed express written consent to fight for other promotions.

According to Shields, the same lawyer contacted him on Nov. 12 to discuss the company’s standing, and claimed it had righted problems with the California State Athletic Commission. On Nov. 6, former CSAC Executive Officer Armando Garcia suspended the promoter’s license of ProElite in one of his last actions at the agency.

“He said the athletic commission suspended the license when they heard the news reports of ProElite going out of business, but they were reinstated now,” said Shields.

MMAWeekly.com on Monday confirmed with new CSAC Assistant Executive Officer Bill Douglas that he had indeed reversed the suspension and that ProElite and King of the Cage both had their promotional licenses reinstated.

It is unclear whether the lawyer promised legal action if Shields continued to pursue opportunities for his son. He is currently consulting with a lawyer to verify the legality of the decision to field offers from other fight promotions. Until then, he remains where most ProElite fighters do – in a holding pattern.

Nevertheless, Shields sounded optimistic he could free the champ.

“I want to try and get him in a good situation,” Shields said.

[Goat Gosselin]

OKAMI IN THE WAY, LISTER WANTS SHOT AT SILVA
Wednesday, November 26, 2008 - by Damon Martin - MMAWeekly.com
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When the official card for UFC 92 in Las Vegas was announced, the middleweight bout between Dean Lister and Yushin Okami was conspicuously left off the main card despite the fact that many are seeing this bout as a de facto No. 1 contenders match to challenge champion Anderson Silva in the future.

Currently sporting a 4-1 record in the UFC, Lister has been working hard to get to a title shot and he's hoping that his fight with Okami gets noticed, but has no ill will towards the promotion for the fight not currently being slated for the pay-per-view broadcast.

"Well, as a fighter you always want to be on TV and especially when you are hearing people saying this is pretty much a No. 1 contender’s match," Lister told MMAWeekly.com. "I know that Joe Silva and Dana (White) are the best at putting the best fights out there and I know that a lot of buzz is beginning to generate about our fight, so I hope that catches there attention. Maybe somebody should start an online poll."

The bout between C.B. Dollaway and Mike Massenzio got the main card nod, which seems to be the fight most are questioning getting the spot in front of the Okami vs. Lister fight. Despite the bump down to the preliminary card, Lister also says he has nothing against those fighters either.

"No, not at all," Lister replied when asked if there was any bad feelings towards Dollaway and Massenzio. "I mean, if I was them and my fight was scheduled to be on the main card of the biggest UFC event of the year, I would be excited too. I just think people know that Yushin and I are closer to fighting for Anderson’s title and, like I said before, you always want to see people watch you get to the top."

The logical progression after the fight with Okami and Lister is the winner could land a shot against Silva for the middleweight title, and the former Abu Dhabi champion sees this match-up as a great opportunity to get to the top.

"I think Yushin and I are both in the top five of the UFC’s middleweight division. We have both only lost once and it was via decision, so I believe the winner should definitely be considered for a shot at the title," Lister stated. "Either way I’m going to let Anderson know he has me waiting for him."

He makes no bones about whom he wants to fight if he can get past Okami.

"I will call Anderson out the moment my arm is raised. Joe Rogan won’t even be able to ask me to comment on the replay," Lister said. "I will fight whoever the UFC puts in front of me, but I would be crazy to say I don’t want to fight for the title. He is a great champion and a great ambassador and that is the reason I want to fight him and take the title. You've got to beat the best to be the best."

If there is a positive to take away from the fight being put on the preliminary card, Lister feels it is the motivation to make his fight with Okami the best fight fans could see that night.

"I’m really hoping the fight will be moved up. As far as putting on a show, that’s going to happen regardless," Lister commented. "I would like to thank my management, Haymakers Empire and my sponsor Tapout, because on Dec. 27 at UFC 92 that’s what I am bringing, haymakers and tapouts!"

[tlock]

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I am happy to see Barnett fight, but I think affliction is trying to protect him so he can fight the winner of the Arlovski/Fedor fight. Rogers is an up and comer and I would be surprised if he can beat Barnett

[Goat Gosselin]

MMAWEEKLY WORLD MMA RANKINGS UPDATED
Wednesday, November 26, 2008 - MMAWeekly World MMA Rankings
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The latest MMAWeekly World MMA Rankings were released on Wednesday, November 26. This system ranks the Top 10 MMA fighters from all across the world – now in each of the seven most widely accepted weight classes.

Taken into consideration are a fighter's performance in addition to his win-loss record, head-to-head and common opponents, difficulty of opponents, and numerous other factors in what is the most comprehensive rankings system in the sport.

Fighters who are currently serving drug-related suspensions are not eligible for Top 10 consideration until they have fought one time after the completion of their suspension.

Fighters must also have competed within the past 12 months in order to be eligible for Top 10 consideration.

Below are the current MMAWeekly World MMA Rankings, which are up-to-date as of November 26.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION (over 205 pounds)

#1 Heavyweight Fighter in the World: Fedor Emelianenko

2. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira

3. Josh Barnett

4. Andrei Arlovski

5. Randy Couture

6. Tim Sylvia

7. Gabriel Gonzaga

8. Fabricio Werdum

9. Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic

10. Brock Lesnar

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION (205-pound limit)

#1 Light Heavyweight Fighter in the World: Forrest Griffin

2. Quinton Jackson

3. Lyoto Machida

4. Rashad Evans

5. Chuck Liddell

6. Wanderlei Silva

7. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira

8. Keith Jardine

9. Rich Franklin

10. Thiago Silva

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

MIDDLEWEIGHT DIVISION (185-pound limit)

#1 Middleweight Fighter in the World: Anderson Silva

2. Robbie Lawler

3. Matt Lindland

4. Kazuo Misaki

5. Yushin Okami

6. Nathan Marquardt

7. Dan Henderson

8. Gegard Mousasi

9. Yoshihiro Akiyama

10. Paulo Filho

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

WELTERWEIGHT DIVISION (170-pound limit)

#1 Welterweight Fighter in the World: Georges St. Pierre

2. Jon Fitch

3. Thiago Alves

4. Josh Koscheck

5. Jake Shields

6. Matt Hughes

7. Matt Serra

8. Diego Sanchez

9. Carlos Condit

10. Karo Parisyan

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

LIGHTWEIGHT DIVISION (160-pound limit)

#1 Lightweight Fighter in the World: B.J. Penn

2. Eddie Alvarez

3. Shinya Aoki

4. Joachim Hansen

5. Tatsuya Kawajiri

6. Gesias "JZ" Calvancante

7. Takanori Gomi

8. Kenny Florian

9. Mitsuhiro Ishida

10. Josh Thomson

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

FEATHERWEIGHT DIVISION (145 pound-limit)

#1 Featherweight Fighter in the World: Mike Brown

2. Urijah Faber

3. Akitoshi Tamura

4. Hideki Kadowaki

5. Hatsu Hioki

6. "Lion" Takeshi Inoue

7. Jeff Curran

8. Rafael Assuncao

9. Wagnney Fabiano

10. Leonard Garcia

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

BANTAMWEIGHT DIVISION (135 pounds or less)

#1 Featherweight Fighter in the World: Miguel Torres

2. Masakatsu Ueda

3. Brian Bowles

4. Koetsu Okazaki

5. Marcos Galvao

6. Takeya Mizugaki

7. Manny Tapia

8. Will Ribeiro

9. Chase Beebe

10. Atsushi Yamamoto

[Randal Graves]

I just saw Billy Miles cornering James Irvin from a fight like 3 years ago. I wonder how man guys get a shot in the UFC because of who they know.

[Goat Gosselin]

GURGEL AXED BY UFC, SIGNS WITH STRIKEFORCE
Thursday, November 27, 2008 - by MMAWeekly.com Staff
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Following his release from the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Jorge Gurgel wasted no time, promptly signing a new contract with Strikeforce. The promotion on Thursday announced the exclusive agreement with the seven-time UFC veteran and Ultimate Fighter alumnus on Thursday.

“I am excited. To me, this is like a new start. I’m coming in fresh. I’m re-motivated and excited to mix things up in Strikeforce,” said the 31-year-old Gurgel, a native of Brazil, who relocated to Cincinnati, Ohio a decade ago.

Gurgel was part of the fight of the night in his most recent Octagon appearance, sharing the honor – albeit in a losing effort – with Aaron Riley. The loss was the third in his last four appearances, however, so the UFC cut him loose.

Gurgel went toe-to-toe with Riley for the duration of their three-round bout. That's something he enjoys, but may not be the wisest approach if he finds himself in bouts with current Strikeforce standouts, such as lightweight champion Josh Thomson.

“I make some bad decisions because I have too much fun. I have never used my jiu-jitsu in the UFC,” he said. “All of my fights in the UFC have been slugfests. People always tell me after my fights that they know I can be one of the top contenders in my weight class. They ask me why I don’t use my jiu-jitsu. I have so much fun standing up and I completely think I’m winning all the time.”

“I’m going to do a lot of things differently in Strikeforce,” said Gurgel. “I will always bring the same intensity and I’m always going to fight 110 percent. I just want to be able to use everything that I know.”