From the Desk of Al Stover

To crush or be crushed

2011-02-20T16:40:00.000-08:00

Possible opponents for Gina Carano’s return match to MMA

Xtreme Couture announced that women’s MMA fighter Gina Carano (7-1) had returned to their gym to train. Carano officially announced her return to the sport at the last Strikeforce event.

Carano has not fought since August 2009, and the number of women fighters on Strikeforce’s roster has grown.

Although Strikeforce may throw someone to Carano for a quick win for her return match, there are others who could - and probably be willing - to step up to face Carano.

Sarah Kaufman (12-1)

Not too long after Carano made the announcement, Sarah Kaufman, former Strikeforce Women’s Welterweight champion, had tweeted that she would welcome the opportunity to face Carano in a fight.

"I would give Gina a fight that would force her to "leave it all in the cage,” Kaufman said.

Kaufman and Carano are known strikers with some ground game. While fans might relish in the fact of these two women going at it, Carano, who in the past has struggled to make the 145 lb weight, would have much harder time to cut down to 135.

Kaufman could always move up the weight class, or they could make it a catch weight bout.

Marloes Coenen (18-4)

Marloes Coenen, who is the Strikeforce’s Women’s Welterweight champion, would most likely have to move up in weight to face Carano. However, this would not be as difficult, as she previously fought at 145 in her match against Christiane Santos.

Coenen is a well rounded fighter, who has earned many knock out and submission victories. Her experience would also give her an advantage over Carano.

If Strikeforce did decide to put Coenen against Carano, it may take place in late 2011, she Coenen is scheduled to defend her championship against Meisha Tate in March.

Kim Couture (3-4)

Kim Couture, who is the ex-wife of UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture, was not interested in joining mixed martial arts until Carano had joined Xtreme Couture, according to an interview with MMA Junkie.

While there may or may not be any bad blood between the two, a match with Carano may be just the the fight Kim needs to get her career on the right track.

Julia Budd (1-1)

Although Julia Budd’s mixed martial arts career is beginning, she a muay thai fighter who has earned many accolades, including a victory over Carano in the ring.

Carano may ask for this fight, just to get a chance to exact some amount of vengeance for the loss she suffered at Budd’s hands.

However, a victory over Carano would give Budd the jump start to what could be a very successful career in mixed martial arts.

Miesha Tate (11-2)
Miesha Tate is becoming one of Strikeforce’s well known faces. Her model looks and fighting prowess could very easily make her the new “Face of Women’s MMA.”

It was a year after Carano’s loss that Tate had won a four women 135 lb tournament and earned a title shot, which will take place in the next month.

Like Coenen and Kaufman, Tate would most likely have to move up weight to fight Carano.

Other possible match-ups

Christiane Santos (10-1) - Carano may ask for this match just to see if she can avenge the first MMA loss she suffered at the hands of Santos. Still a rematch with Santos may seem like a few years away.

Tonya Evinger (8-5) - Strikeforce may be able to get Evinger to return if gives her a chance to avenge her loss to Carano in September 2007.

Megumi Fujii (23-1) - for all of the fans who hate Carano, this would probably be a dream match for them, as Fujii would be a tough opponent for someone who has taken a long time away from the cage like Carano. Still, anything could happen in MMA, and Carano could pull out a victory.

Stephanie McMahon (0-0) - only in my fantasies.

Historical figures who could make it in MMA

2011-02-18T19:54:00.000-08:00

Over the years history has given us individuals who were known for their great strength, resiliency, and indomitable will. Here are some figures, who if they were alive today, may have had a good career in the world of mixed martial arts.

Abraham “The Rail Splitter” Lincoln (1809 - 1865)

Middleweight

Lincoln, who was the 16th president of the United States, was known for standing over six feet with an average weight of 18o lbs. Although he was depicted as a boxer in a political cartoon, there was no record of him actually being in the ring.

Despite not officially being recognized as a boxer, Lincoln would have a long reach and a height advantage over most of the opponents in his weight class. He could have also used his honesty with his trash talk. If his opponent had a weakness, Lincoln could call his opponent on it, and use it against him. If he were alive today, he may be training with America’s Top Team.

Possible opponents

Wanderlei Silva
Chael Sonnen
George Washington

Jesus “The Messiah” Christ (5 BC - 30 CE)

Lightweight/Welterweight

Many fighters have sported the slogan “Jesus didn’t tap”, referring to his crucifixion, where he endured agonizing torment until his death. Although the crucifixion is a testament to how much pain he can endure, he also fasted for forty days in the desert, where he resisted temptation. He was also raised as a carpenter’s son and walked everywhere, which may have given him muscle.

Christ was very charismatic and popular with the populous. People would flock to see him and he was known for being around the best and the worst people (prostitutes, lepers, and tax collectors just to name a few). While he may not make his announcement to join the sport at the Second Coming, The Lamb would definitely travel to different events and gyms. If we were to fight, Christ would be someone who want to give the fans everything in the ring and the cage.

Possible Opponents for Jesus

Georges St. Pierre (great fight for the fans)
Jason Miller
Dana White
Satan

“The Maid of Orleans” Joan of Arc (1412 - 1431)

Women’s Welterweight

Joan of Arc was many things, including a saint, a heroine, and a strong, and a martyr. crime was said to be heresy. She also gained criticism due to her heresy and wearing men’s clothes. It was later said that she wore men’s clothes to keep herself from being molested, according to clergy reports years after her death.

However, Joan was also known for her military success. She had gained many victories for the French during the 100 Year War, and ended the siege of Orleans. Today, Joan would find her competition not only in the women‘s part of the sport, but also may with the men,

Possible Opponents for Joan

Cris Santos
Megumi Fujii
Marloes Coenen
Urijah Faber

“The Scourge of God” Attila the Hun (406-453)

Middleweight/Light Heavyweight

Hun was a ruler who commanded armies of North Eastern Europe and Western Asia, his empire only second to the Roman Empire. Despite having a smaller empire, Attila still battled the Romans. Despite being a mighty warrior, Attila did not have a warrior’s death. Possible causes of his include internal bleeding or a hemorrhage.

Attila and his armies were known to be very dominating on the battle fields, which could transition to his in ring abilities. The huns’ ability to survive in the wild could also help with Attila’s resilience. In addition to being a good fighter in the ring, Attila would most likely open his own gym to train his fighters.

Possible Opponents for Attila

Alistair Overeem
Phil Baroni
Matt Serra (Catchweight)
Alexander the Great

Ghengis “Temujin” Khan (1162 - 1227)

Middleweight/Light Heavyweight

Like Attila, Khan was a ruler who known for having a massive army. He was respected by his subjects and developed many concepts that were later used by Western and Chinese civilization. Although he was loved by his subjects, he did not trust many due to his father being poisoned when Khan was just a small boy.

In addition to his strength, Khan was also a tactician, who developed many strategies for his army. His tactical mind may give him an advantage over his opponents who step into the cage with him.

Possible Opponents for Khan

Kazushi Sakruaba
Rashad Evans
Lyoto Machida

Jack “Gavleston Giant” Johnson (1878 - 1946)

Heavyweight

An accomplished boxer, Johnson was known for many achievements, including being the first African American Heavyweight champion. He has over 90 fights on his professional record and is a member of the National Boxing Hall, the International Boxing Hall of Fame, and the World Boxing Hall of Fame. Johnson was also known for being sentenced to prison 1912, for violating the Mann act which was “transporting a white woman across state lines for immoral purposes”.

While Johnson’s knock out power would certainly help him in his stand up game against fighters who are prone to knock outs, he would also have to take extensive ground training, wrestling or Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, to have better chances in the cage. Johnson was also known for being a celebrity who had his fans, as well as his critics, and was known for “chasing” prospective opponents to get them to fight him, particularly white opponents.

Possible Opponents for Johnson

Antonio Rodrgio Nogueria
Shane Carwin
Brock Lesnar
Mike Tyson

“King of Sparta” Leonidas I (540’s B.C. - 480 B.C.)

Light Heavyweight

A king of Sparta, Leonidas is most well known for his role in the Battle of Thermopylae (which 300 is based on). He was not originally the heir of his father, so he had to be sent to the agoge and endure harsh training before coming a full citizen of Sparta. He became king after his brother Cleomenes went into exile in 490 B.C., and would remain king until his death at Thermopylae.

Leonidas was said to be a descendant of Heracles and that he had inherited the strength and bravery of the fabled Greek Hero. Whether this was true or not, Leonidas’ fighting spirit and strength could be an asset inside of a ring or a cage.

Possible Opponents for Leonidas

Forrest Griffin
Michael Bisping
Xerses
Gerard Butler

“Geronimo” Goyahkla (1829 - 1909)

Lightweight/Welterweight

Goyahkla was born of the Apache tribe, but was then taken to live with the Chihenne people by his mother, after the death of his father. He would eventually marry and start a family, though they would later die after an attack by Meixcan soldiers. He was mainly known for being an Apache warrior and got the nickname Geronimo after a battle in which he repeatedly attack Mexican soldiers with a knife while being shot at.

Geronimo’s fearlessness in battle would be a help to him against any opponent he faced. He would have a tough chin and resiliency after surviving gunshot wounds. Being a military leader, he would also be an affective manager, perhaps painting the faces of his fighters, just like he did with the warriors who followed him.

Possible opponents for Geronimo

Jake Shields
B.J. Penn
Matt Hughes

Other figures who could break into MMA

George Washington - military general and a hero to many, including Lincoln. Who would not love to see a match between Washington and Lincoln?

George S. Patton - Another well known military leader, although Patton would make just as a good of a coach as he would a fighter.

Alexander the Great - King who ruled Macedonia. In a way, he kind of set the standard of how empires and kingdoms are built.

Hannibal, son of Hamilcar Barca - A very well talented commander who among other things was known for marching elephants across the alps and into rome.

Marco Polo - Although he was a merchant, he traveled throughout Asia, and is sometimes depicted with a bow and a sword. He may have also learned some strategy from the Monguls.

If you can think of any historical figures who would be good fighters, let me know.

Black fighters who have excelled in MMA

2011-02-11T11:49:00.000-08:00

In celebration of Black History Month, here are some notable African American (and Canadian American fighters).

Editorial Note: If there are some fighters who are not on here, my fullest apologies. I chose to leave out fighters like Anderson Silva and Jose Aldo and Paul Daley, mainly because Black History month is celebrated in Canada and the U.S.

Jon Jones (12-1)

Jon “Bones” Jones, who has a background in Muay Thai, Greco Roman Wrestling, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, has been labeled by many as the future of the UFC. Although the hype around him has reached new limits, Jones is still a formidable fighter.

Jones has only lost one of his 12 fights, (a DQ over Matt Hamil in December 2009). His most recent win came from a submission victory over Ryan Bader via a modified guillotine choke.

After his win over Bader, Jones will replace Rashad Evans in the Light Heavyweight title match against Mauricio Rua at UFC 128.

Quinton Jackson (31-8)

Perhaps one of most well known fighters around the world, “Rampage” Jackson is a man who talks a lot of smack, but can also back it up when it comes to a fight. He known for his wrestling background, as well as his power, which he can use to knock out his opponents, or slam them on the canvas.

During his career, Jackson has not only captured the UFC Light Heavyweight title and a runner up in the 2003 Pride Middleweight Grand Prix, but has also had rivalries with a who’s who list of fighters, including Wanderlei Silva, Chuck Liddell, and Rashad Evans. Jackson would go on to coach against Evans during the Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights season, and eventually lose their fight via decision back in May 2010.

Jackson‘s most recent win was against Lyoto Machida last November. He was originally scheduled to fight Thiago Silva at UFC 130, however he will now face Evans in a rematch.

Rashad Evans (15-1-1)

Fans were first treated to Rashad Evans during the Ultimate Fighter 2, where he won the heavyweight competition on that show. Prior to the UFC, Evans had won his first five fights, and even won the Gladiator Challenge Light Heavyweight tournament.

After the Ultimate Fighter, Evans would go on to defeat fighters such as Chuck Liddell, Michael Bisping, and even Forrest Griffin, who defeated for the UFC Light Heavyweight championship. After losing the title to Lyoto Machida, Evans would score a decision victory over Thiago Silva and coach against Quinton Jackson in The Ultimate Fighter Heavyweights. He would later go on to defeat Jackson in late May 2010.

Evans was expected to face Mauricio Rua for the UFC Light Heavyweight title, but had to pull out of the fight due to injury. He will now face Quinton Jackson in a rematch, at UFC 130.

Antonio McKee (25-4-2)

McKee is a brown belt in Judo and has an extensive background in wrestling. Despite having many wins on his record, he was the subject of criticism due to having the majority of his fights (19 of them wins) going to decision. He is the current MFC Lightweight champion.

McKee signed a multi-fight deal with the UFC in September 2010. He would make his debut against Jacob Volkmann at UFC 125 where he would lose by decision. After the loss, he was cut by the promotion.

After being cut from the UFC, McKee returned to Maximum Fighting Championships where he will defend his title against Drew Fickett on the 25th.

Muhammed Lawal (7-1)

The fighter known as “King Mo” has been capturing the attention of MMA fans in Japan and in the United States with his flashy entrances and persona. In his first two years of MMA he had won seven fights and captured the Strikeforce Light Heavyweight title. He would lose the title to Rafael Cavalcante in August 2010.

In addition to his MMA career, Lawal has an extensive amateur wrestling background. Prior to his MMA career, he was a Division I All American and a Big 12 champion.

Recently, Lawal has undergone knee surgery. He has stated that 2011 would be the year he gets his belt back.

Ben Henderson (12-2)

Henderon has a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and was an All American wrestler in college. In his MMA career, he is a former WEC lightweight champion and WEC interim lightweight champion.

At the last WEC event, Henderson put on a show with opponent Anthony Pettis. Despite putting on a valiant effort, he ended losing the match by decision.

Henderson will make his UFC debut at UFC 129.

Josh Koscheck (15-5)

Koshcheck has been a long time UFC fighter, since competition in the first season of the Ultimate Fighter back in 2005. He has also become one of the sport's most notable trash talkers.

After earning victories over fighters like Frank Trigg, Chris Lytle, and Diego Sanchez, Koscheck’s biggest career moment to date would be defeating Paul Daley to become the number one contender for the UFC Welterweight title, and becoming a coach on the Ultimate Fighter 12.

After The Ultimate Fighter season 12, he lost to Welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre back in December 2010. Despite not winning the belt from St. Pierre, Koscheck is still ranked one the top 10 welterweight fighters in MMA.

Yves Edwards (40-16-1)

Edwards is one of MMA’s more experienced fighters.

Since debuting in 1997, Edwards has fought in several organizations, including UFC, Pride FC, Bodogg Fight FC, Elite XC, and Strikeforce. Edwards practices a variety of martial arts, including a self created style he called “Thug-Jitsu.”

His most recent win was a submission victory, over up and comer Cody McKenzie.

Demetrious Johnson (9-1)

Known to the fans as “Mighty Mouse”, Johnson won his first six fights before debuting in the WEC. In his debut, he would lose to Brad Pickett by decision.

Despite the loss, Johnson would go on his next two fights in the WEC.

In his UFC debut, Johnson spoiled the hyped up debut of Norifumi “Kid” Yamamoto.

Jason High (13-3)

From Kansas City, Jason High has fought in Canada, Japan, and the United States. He gained notaritey in the Dream promotion where he made it to the finals of their Welterweight Grand Prix. He lost in the finals to Marius Zaromskis.

Since the loss, he has won four out of his five last fights (the only loss coming from Charlie Brennerman in the UFC)

High recently signed with Strikeforce and will debut in 2011.

Honorable and not so honorable mentions

Kevin Randleman (17-15) - one of MMA’s more seasoned fighters, this former UFC Heavyweight champion has come up against some of the best fighters, both in Pride and in the UFC. Although he turned 40, Randleman has said he will continue his career.

Carlos Newton (15-14) - Newton is a former UFC Welterweight champion and a UFC 17 tournament runner up. He was also a longtime fighter in Pride, and a coach in the International Fight League. He is expected to fight in May 2011.

Herchel Walker (2-0) At 48 years old, this former NFL player has already acquired two wins on his record, including a first-round knock out victory over Scott Carson. Walker said that he will continue his MMA career.

Gary Goodridge (23-23-1) - Goodridge has fought in several organizations. His earliest accomplishments include being a finalist in the UFC 8 tournament, and a quarterfinalist in the 2000 Pride Grand Prix.

Bobby Lashley (5-1) - was on a five-fight winning streak before losing to Chad Griggs back in August 2010. He was taken out on a stretcher and has not fought since the loss to Griggs.

Bob Sapp (11-6-1) - Although he has not had as much success as his peers, Sapp has been a kick boxer, pro wrestler, and a football player. Sapp was supposed to fight at the Dream Dynamite 2010 show, but did not due to contract issues. He is scheduled to fight sometime in March 2011.

Kimbo Slice (4-2) - Had a brief stint in the Ultimate Fighter season 10, and a win in the UFC. Slice has been reported to pursue careers in boxing and pro wrestling.

James Toney (0-1) - former boxing champion James Toney decided he would pursue a career in MMA. According to reports, he hounded UFC president Dana White for a fight with one of the UFC's top guys. Toney got his wish, but in his first MMA match he got schooled by Randy Couture at UFC 118, (this didn't stop the UFC from paying him $500,000). He most recently called out Quinton Jackson.

Quote of the morning

2011-02-10T04:52:00.000-08:00

"Champions aren't made in gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them - a desire, a dream, a vision. They have to have last-minute stamina, they have to be a little faster, they have to have the skill and the will. But the will must be stronger than the skill."

- Muhammad Ali

Quote of the morning

2011-02-09T05:03:00.001-08:00

Only a man who knows what it is like to be defeated can reach down to the bottom of his soul and come up with the extra ounce of power it takes to win when the match is even. - Muhammad Ali

Quote of the morning

2011-02-08T05:00:00.001-08:00

"Experience: that most brutal of teachers. But you learn, my God do you learn."
- C. S. Lewis

UFC 126 Weigh-In

2011-02-05T16:30:00.000-08:00

Yesterdays weigh in and stare down could be a sign of tonight's action.

2011-02-05T15:57:00.000-08:00

"My style is kneeing people in the face." - Wanderlei Silva

Champ vs. Phenom

2011-02-03T20:34:00.000-08:00

Anticipated title match to happen this Saturday

This Satuday's UFC even in Las Vegas will not only feature the return of many fighters to the octagon, but also looks to be one of the most stacked fight cards in early 2011.

Among the action there will be a title match, a bout between legends, a contest between two future champions, and the debut of a Japanese super star.

Middleweight Championship bout:

Anderson “The Spider” Silva (c) (27-4) vs. Vitor “The Phenom” Belfort (19-8)

Winner: Silva by decision

This match has been almost 18 months in the making, ever since Belfort knocked out Rich Franklin and earned the right to face Silva for the title. After injuries, failed drug tests (not by either fighter), and suspensions, the long awaited match between these two will take place.

Both Silva and Belfort are regarded as great strikers in MMA, however Silva is hard to hit and if Belfort is not careful, not only will his shots miss the champion, but Silva may come back with a good left and get the knock out. However, I expect the champion to keep Belfort’s striking neutralized and, if all else fails, pull something out of his bag of tricks that will help him keep the title.

Light Heavyweight bout:

Forrest Griffin (17-6) vs. Rich “Ace” Franklin (28-5 1NC)

Winner: Franklin by KO

Griffin and Franklin have a lot of in common. They are former UFC champions, they have beaten the best and they have been beaten by the best. Still Franklin has more wins coming into this fight, his most recent a KO victory over Chuck Liddell with a broken forearm. Griffin has also been away from the octagon since 2009 and that could be a disadvantage for him.

This fight has the potential to be one of the best bouts in 2011, however I think Franklin will do a repeat of a KO, similar to the one he had over Liddell.

Light Heavyweight bout:

Jon “Bones” Jones (11-1) vs. Ryan “Darth” Bader (12-0)

Winner: Bader by decision

If Franklin and Griffin are the past of the UFC, then Bader and Jones are the future of the UFC. Here are two rising stars in the UFC, Jones, who was voted “Breakout Fighter of the Year” and Bader, winner of the Ultimate Fighter 8. Both of these men have a couple of big wins to their credit.

However, where Jones is known for his punching, Bader has been known to fight defensively, and counter striking, as he did in his last fight with Nogueira. Still, I would be surprised if this fight did not go to a decision. I would be much more surprised if this bout did not win Fight of the Night Honors.

Welterweight bout:

Jake “The Juggernaut” Ellenberger (23-5) vs. Carlos Eduardo “Ta Danado” Rocha (9-0)

Winner: Ellenberger by decision

Ellenberger will be looking to ruin Rocha’s MMA debut in the United States. Rocha may be undefeated but Ellenberger has three more years experience.

One advantage to Rocha is that he ranks higher in Brazilian Ju-Jitsu than Ellenberger. Still Ellenberger’s punching power will be the difference in this fight.

Bantamweight bout:

Miguel Torres (38-3) vs. Antonio Banuelos (18-6)

Winner: Banuelos by KO

Both of these WEC veterans will be making their UFC debut this evening, but Banuelos, despite not being a former bantamweight champion or having half as many wins as Torres, will pull off the upset of the night.

Torres will go down in round 2.

Preliminary card

Lightweight bout:

Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone (13-3 1NC) vs. Paul ‘Tellys” Kelly (11-3)

Winner: Cerrone by submission

In a classic UFC veteran vs. WEC veteran, Cerrone has more wins on his right record and has a great mat skills.

While Kelly has been in the octagon more in his career, Cerrone has been known for putting on great fights and going toe to toe with the best in the Lightweight division.

Featherweight bout:

Chad “Money” Mendes (9-0) vs. Michihiro Omigawa (12-8-1)

Winner: Mendes by decision

Omigawa’s experience may give him an advantage, but Mendes’ undefeated streak makes up for it. Mendes, who being making his UFC debut after the UFC-WEC merger, will be looking to spoil Omigawa’s return to the UFC. Mendes will utilize his wrestling and keep Omigawa for all three rounds.

Bantamweight bout:

Norifumi “Kid” Yamamoto (18-3 1NC) vs. Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson (8-1)

Winner: Yamaoto by KO

Yamamoto, whose accolades include a four-second KO victory, is making his debut in the UFC after success in K-1 Hero’s and a 1-2 record in DREAM. Despite this fight being on the under card, the promoting for Kid’s debut has gone as far as streaming the fight on Facebook.

While sometimes hyped up fighters who make their debut are defeated, Yamamoto is coming into the match win a first-round KO win while his opponent Johnson is coming in with a two fight winning streak. Still, if Yamamoto can land some good blows in the first few minutes of the fight, he will not only earn another win, but also may be in line for a future title shot.

Lightweight bout:

Paul “Relentless” Taylor (10-6-1 1NC) vs. Gabe “Godzilla” Ruediger (17-6)

Winner: Ruediger by submission

Ruediger has to be odds on favorite coming into this one. Taylor, who has not only lost is last two fights and is fighting in only his second Lightweight bout, while Ruediger is a former WEC Lightweight champion, and has more wins on his record.

Although Taylor says he is looking to start a five-fight winning streak after the match, Ruediger will dash Taylor’s dreams by using his skills in Brazilian Ju-Jitsu and Judo, and submit Taylor early in the first round.

Light Heavyweight bout:

Kyle Kingsbury (9-2 1NC) vs. Ricardo Romero (11-1)

Winner: Romero by submission

Romero is practically undefeated (his only loss, a DQ for an illegal soccer kick) and has only went to decision once in his entire career, as well as a two-time Ring of Combat champion. However, Kingsbury is on a two-fight winning streak and won Fight of the Night Honors in his last bout. While he could give Romero a run for his money, the fighter from North Brunswick will ultimately finish him.

Many anticipate that Romero could be a rising star in the UFC and beating Kingsbury could help him move up the ladder in the Light Heavyweight Division.

Welterweight bout:

Mike Pierce (11-3) vs. Kenny Robertson (10-0)

Winner: Pierce by decision

Although Robertson is undefeated in his mixed martial arts career, Pierce is the favorite coming into this fight. Robertson is coming off of broken toe that sidelined him from his original UFC debut last October, and Pierce has won three of his four fights in the UFC. If Pierce can stick to his game plan of controlling the pace of the fight, he will have no trouble earning points from the judges.

According to MMA Junkie, Pierce has also had a confidence boost due to being the odds makers’ favorite in the first time in his career.

To view the official fight card, visit the UFC site

Getting back on the Horse

2011-02-03T04:57:00.001-08:00

According to Xtreme Couture’s blog, MMA fighter Gina Carano returned to training at Xtreme Couture, spending the morning sparring with instructor Gil Martinez. Is this just a day in the gym, or is “Conviction” gearing up for a full-time return to MMA and a possible redemption.

It has been over a year since Carano lost to Cristiane Santos in the first Women’s MMA championship match. Her record as of her last fight stands at seven wins and one loss.

Tito's last chance

2011-01-19T14:22:00.000-08:00

For years, UFC fighter Tito Ortiz’s entrances have consisted of him walking from the locker room, to the octagon surrounded by his trainers and carrying an American flag.

The moment he leaves the locker room, cheers and boos echo through out the crowd, while Eminem’s “Mosh” blasts through the speakers.

March 26 may be the last time fans get to see Ortiz’s entrance as he faces Antonio Rogerio Nogueira at UFC Fight Night 24, which takes place at the Key Arena in Seattle.

UFC President Dana White has hinted at cutting Ortiz (15-8-1) from the promotion, after losing four of his five last fights.

According to a November article on MMA Weekly, White said that he had thought he was going to cut Ortiz after his loss to Hamill until Ortiz told him he was not done fighting in the UFC.

“He asked me for one last chance, so I’m gonna do it,“ White said. “This is definitely his last chance and he knows that too.”

Ortiz’s first stint with the UFC

Ortiz made his mixed martial arts debut in 1997, fighting in the UFC 13 Lightweight tournament as an alternate. He lost to Guy Mezger in the finals of the tournament.

Ortiz would continue to fight for the UFC. Utilizing his wrestling ability and ground and pound, he would later avenge his loss against Mezger, and even win the UFC Light Heavyweight championship, successfully defend it five times. He also would attain wins against fighters like Ken Shamrock, Wanderlei Silva, and Vitor Belfort.

Although he was one of UFC’s top stars, Ortiz was also suffering from a back injury, as well as personal problems between him and the UFC’s front office, mainly with UFC president Dana White.

Ortiz’s last fight was against Lyoto Machida in May 2008. He would lose to Machida by unanimous decision.

Shortly after the loss to Machida, Ortiz said he would not be returning to the UFC.

In an interview with MMA Weekly radio, Ortiz said his main reason for leaving the organization was due to treatment from the UFC president.

“He’s a monster and I am going to go elsewhere where they respect me,” Ortiz said.

Exile and return

After some time away from the UFC, Ortiz had back surgery. He also began training in Brazilian Ju Jitsu. Shortly after the birth of his tine sons, Ortiz said he had made amends with White in 2009, according to an interview with TapouT radio. This eventually led to Ortiz being resigned by the UFC.

Ortiz’s opponent for his return bout was originally supposed to be against former heavyweight champion Mark Coleman. Coleman withdrew due to injury, and was replaced by Forrest Griffin, a man Ortiz had beaten in 2006. He ended up losing to Griffin by split decision.

Ortiz’s next fight would be against Matt Hamill, a man Ortiz had coached during the third season of the Ultimate Fighter reality tv series. As with Griffin, Ortiz would lose the fight by decision.

Ortiz was scheduled to face longtime rival Chuck Liddell but had to pull out of the fight due to unknown reasons.

Lil’ Nog

Nogueira (19-4) is the twin brother of former UFC and PRIDE champion, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, a Brazilian fighter in the heavyweight division. He is currently in the top ten light heavyweights in the world, according to the USA Today and SB Nation consensus rankings.

According to an interview with the National Post, Nogueira said he is preparing for what he believes will be a difficult fight.

“Tito’s ground and pound is very good and he is a really talented athlete,” Nogueira said. “This should be a great fight for the fans.”

Although Ortiz is known for his head games, he said he is taking a different approach when it comes to Nogueira, due to the respect he has for the Brazilian fighter.

“Lil Nog is one of the best fighters in the world,” Ortiz said. He’s dangerous on the feet and on the ground. That’s why you won’t hear me talking any smack.”

White said that the fight against Nogueira would be the biggest fight in Ortiz’s career.

“Lil Nog is ranked in the top 10 and a win puts Tito back in the mix,” White said.

Battle of the Bulks

2011-01-13T14:53:00.000-08:00

Strikeforce’s heavyweight tournament comes into fruition

The Strikeforce mixed martial arts promotion, will be holding an eight man heavyweight grand prix tournament throughout 2011.

Scott Coker, CEO of Strikeforce, had announced the tournament in late 2010. While there were skeptics of the announcement, due to Strikeforce’s prior announcement of a middleweight title tournament that actually never happened, the promotion is following through with their plans and have already announced the fighters competing in the tournament, and the dates for two of the four quarterfinal matches.

Who will be competing in the grand prix

The Strikeforce grand prix will feature former champions, as well as stars who are hoping to climb the ladder in the promotion’s heavyweight division.

According to the Strikeforce website, the first two quarter final matches will take place Feb. 12 at the Izon Center in Rutherford NJ. One tournament match will feature Fedor Emelianenko, former Pride Heavyweight and 2004 Grand prix champion going up against Antonio Silva, former EliteXC heavyweight champion.

Also featured on the Feb. 12 card will be Andrei Arlovski, former UFC heavyweight champion, versus Sergei Kharitonov.

The other two matches in the quarterfinals of the grand prix are Brett Rogers facing Josh Barnett, former UFC heavyweight champion.

The date for this fight has yet to be announced. Some speculate this match might not take place due to Barnett’s suspension for testing positive for Steroids back in 2009, as well as California Athletic State Commission’s denials of Barnett’s request for appeals, and Barnett’s no showing of the hearing of his application for a fight-license, according to MMA junkie.

The fourth match will be Fabricio Wedrum facing current Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem.

Wedrum, who submitted Emelianenko back in June, defeated Overeem by submission at the Pride Open Weight Grand Prix back in 2006.

Special rules and positions implemented for tournament

Although Overeem is the promotion’s current heavyweight champion, according to an article in the Ringside report, his heavyweight championship will not be on the line during any point in the tournament.

“To make it simple, the tournament champion will stand on his own,” Coker said. “We will have our heavyweight champion, and our tournament champion.”

In addition to the main fights on the tournament bracket, Coker said that a fourth judge will be implemented for the grand prix, and a five-person fight committee who will select a reserve fighter in the case that a fighter who advances in the tournament gets injured before they can advance in the finals.

“This fighter will be chosen from a pool of fighters that will include the previous opponent and the winners of reserve matches,” Coker said.

What the tournament could do for Strikeforce

One benefit of this grand prix is that it gives Strikeforce a chance to showcase the talent in their heavyweight division.

In addition to having experienced fighters like Emelianenko, Barnett, and Arlovski in the tournament, it also allows rising stars like Rogers, Wedrum, and Kharitonov to showcase their talents to the audience and promoters. Reserve matches for the tournament could also be successful for the promotion.

There are some still some preparations Strikeforce will need to make if they want to promote the tournament in the right way. One is drawing fans into the watching the tournament broadcast.

While Strikeforce cards on Showtime have helped the promotion during their initial years, it may hurt the promotion if the UFC were to show events on Spike TV, or the Versus Network during the same time as Strikeforce cards that were featuring tournament matches.

According to MMA Junkie, Strikeforce: Babalu vs. Henderson drew in 465,000 viewers during its broadcast on Showtime, while the UFC’s Ultimate Fighter 12 finale drew in over 2 million viewers. The highest Strikeforce watched event was Carano vs. Cyborg back in August 2009, with 576,000 viewers.

Regardless of how successful the heavyweight grand prix becomes, Coker has hinted that Strikeforce will hold more tournaments in the future.

History of tournaments in MMA

Grand Prixs and other tournament have been a stable in mixed martial arts since the sport’s inception. Tournaments are still held in promotions such as DREAM and the Bellator Fighting championships.

While the UFC has the Ultimate Fighter competition in tournament format, several of their early events were comprised of one night tournaments. While the earliest tournaments were open weight, the organization began holding four-man tournaments in different weight classes in 1997.

Many of the winners of these tournaments would go on to have long careers in mixed martial arts. Some of the tournament winners include Royce Gracie (UFC 1, 2, and 4), Mark Coleman (UFC 10 and 11), Randy Couture (UFC 14 heavyweight), Dan Henderson (UFC middleweight), and Kazushi Sakuraba (UFC Japan).

Pride FC was known for holding a grand prix each year. Among the list of winners include Coleman (2000 openweight), Maurcio Rua (2005 middleweight), Wanderlei Silva (2003 middleweight, and Mirko Filipovic (2006 openweight).

Strikeforce has held tournaments in the past. They held a middleweight tournament back in 2007, and a women’s welterweight tournament back in August that was won by Meisha Tate.

Quick facts about the Strikeforce grand prix

Will take place during various Strikeforce events in 2011
Each match will be three, five-minute rounds, with the exception of the final tournament match. This match will be five, five-minute rounds.
The eight fighters hold together a number of 13 mixed martial arts championships.

The tournament bracket, courtesy of the MMA news

Questions:

Who would you like to see compete in a tournament?

What weight would it be at, or would it be open weight?

How many fighters?

UFC 125: Edgar vs. Maynard

2010-12-31T14:11:00.000-08:00

Preliminary Card

Lightweight bout: Jacob “Christmas” Volkmann (11-2) vs. Antonio “Mandingo” McKee (25-3-2)

Winner: McKee by decision

McKee is not only making his UFC debut, but he is also coming into the fight with a 13 fight winning streak.. He has also been the subject of criticism, being labeled as a boring fighter by various media sources, due to the majority of his wins being by submission.

Although he was able to finish his last two fights, McKee’s debut match will likely go the distance.

Welterweight bout: Daniel “Ninja” Roberts (11-1) vs. Greg Soto (8-1)

Winner: Roberts by submission

Roberts has more wins on his record, winning most of his fights by submission. If he Roberts can take it to the ground, the match will be his.

Featherweight bout: Mike Brown (24-6) vs. Diego “The Gun” Nunes (15-1)

Winner: Brown by submission

Brown, a former WEC featherweight champion, will be looking towards a UFC title. He also has more experience than Nunes. He also has two wins against former featherweight champion Urijah Faber.

Middleweight bout Phil “New York Badass” Baroni (13-12) vs. Brad Tavares (6-0)

Winner: Tarvares by decision

Despite not having as much experience as his opponent, Tavares was one of fighters to advance in the Ultimate Fighter 11 competition (losing to winner Court McGee in the semi finals). He is undefeated and has overall good striking and ground game.

However, Baroni, who is known for being one of the more vocal fighters in mixed martial arts, has been training to improve his striking as well.

Lightweight bout Marcus ’The Irish Hand Granade” Davis (17-7) vs. Jeremy “Lil Heathen” Stephens (18-6)

Winner: Davis by knock out

Although Davis has lost three of his four last fights, this will be his debut in the lightweight division, which could give him a power advantage. Stephens has yet to be knocked out in his career, and Davis just be the man to do it.

Featherweight bout Josh “The Fluke” Grispi (14-1) vs. Dustin “The Diamond” Poirier (8-1)

Winner: Grispi by submission

Gispi was expected to face UFC Featherweight champion Jose Aldo, but the champion had to pull out of the match due to injury. He has accumulated wins with knock outs as well as submissions.

Grispi may use this as motivation to submit Poirier early, and cement his contender ship for Aldo’s featherweight title.

Main card

Lightweight bout Clay “The Carpenter” Guida (27-11) vs. Takanori “The Fireball Kid” Gomi (32-6 1NC)

Winner: Gomi by knock out

With the WEC lightweight fighters being absorbed into the UFC, Gomi (former Pride Lightweight champion) and Guida (former Strikeforce Lightweight champion) are two competitors who have the potential to put themselves in title contention. Both of these men are aggressive strikers.

Gomi is coming into this fight with a knock out victory over Tyson Griffin. However, Guida is a fighter who can stand toe to toe with the best strikers, even after getting hit with a barrage of punches. Still, Gomi will be looking to establish himself in the UFC and by beating Guida, he will be one step closer to a title shot.

Welterweight bout Nate Diaz (13-5) vs. Dong Hyun “Stun Gun” Kim (11-0-1 1NC)

Kim by knockout

Diaz, winner of the Ultimate Fighter 5 competition, is coming into this match with a submission victory over Marcus Davis, while Kim has yet to attain a loss in his career. Kim is also coming into this bout with a win over Amir Sadollah, winner of the Ultimate Fighter 8.

Although Diaz has never been knocked out, Kim’s striking will prevail in this match up, handing the Kid from Stockholm a KO.

Light Heavyweight bout Brandon “The Truth” Vera (11-5) vs. Thiago Silva (14-2)

Winner: Silva by knockout

While Vera has lost his last two fights, Silva has only two losses on his record (former light heavyweight champions Rashad Evans and Lyoto Machida). Both men have the same number of fights on their record, despite Vera debuting three years earlier than Silva.

Silva’s striking could help him finish Vera in the opening round.

Middleweight bout Chris “The Crippler” Leben (25-6) vs. Brian “All American” Stann (9-3)

Winner: Leben by decision

Leben is a long time UFC fighter, and one of the more exciting fighters, as well as one of the most vocal. He is coming into this match with a three fight winning streak and more experience.

Leben’s ground game could easily earn him points in all three rounds.

Lightweight Championship bout Frankie “The Answer” Edgar (c) (13-1) vs. Gray “The Bully” Maynard (10-0 1 NC)

Winner: Maynard by decision

Maynard will be looking to enter 2011 as the UFC Lightweight champion. In addition to having no losses, he is on an eight fight winning streak, and has already beaten Edgar in the past.

However, things will be different as championship bouts have five rounds instead of three, and Edgar has already gone the distance in two separate title matches, giving him at least one advantage in this match. Still, if Maynard, who like Edgar has won most of his fights by decision, can repeat his performance, he will leave the MGM Grand with the title.

One belt to rule them all

2010-12-26T15:31:00.002-08:00

Champion vs. champion, just one of several titles matches set for 2011

Whoever walks out of the MGM Grand Arena with the UFC lightweight title this Saturday, will be one step closer to making history.

One of the championship matches expected to take place in 2011 will be a title unification bout between the UFC lightweight champion and Anthony “Showtime” Pettis, the last WEC champion.

The Merger between WEC and UFC

UFC President Dana White had announced the merger between the WEC and UFC back in October. The WEC had been bought by Zuffa back in 2006, according to MMA weekly. According to White, all three weight divisions (bantamweight, featherweight, and lightweight) would be absorbed into the UFC.

Pettis had earned the right to face the UFC lightweight champion after defeating Ben Henderson to become the last WEC lightweight champion.

Jose Aldo, the then current WEC Featherweight champion, was immediately promoted to the UFC Featherweight champion.

Dominick Cruz was promoted to the bantamweight champion after successfully defending the WEC bantamweight title against Scott Jorgensen.

UFC 125 main event: Edgar vs. Maynard

The main event of UFC 125: Resolution, pits Frankie “The Answer” Edgar (12-1), current UFC Lightweight champion, against number one contender Gray Maynard (10-0-1).

Maynard has wins over Nate Diaz, Jim Miller, and even the current champion. He defeated Kenny Florian at UFC 118 to earn the title opportunity against Edgar.

While Maynard has a chance of becoming a world champion and keeping his undefeated streak alive, Edgar has a chance to avenge his only loss in his MMA career.

Other title bouts for 2011

In addition to the UFC lightweight title matches, other title matches are already set in place for 2011.

UFC Middleweight champion Anderson Silva will be facing Vitor Belfort in their long awaited match up. Belfort had earned the title shot after defeating former champion Rich Franklin back in 2009. The match between Silva and Belfort has been pushed back due to injuries by both fighters. The winner of this match is set to face Yushin Okami.

UFC Heavyweight champion Cain Velazquez and UFC Light Heavyweight champion Maurcicio Rua are scheduled to make their first title defenses against Junior Dos Santos and Rashad Evans, respectively.

Strikeforce fighter Dan Henderson is scheduled to face current Strikeforce Light Heavyweight champion Rafael Cavalcante.

Other title match ups for Strikeforce include the middleweight title match Robbie Lawler vs. Rounaldo Souza, and the welterweight championship match between Nick Diaz and Evangelista Santos. Both of these matches will take place January 29.

Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker has also announced of a heavyweight grand prix. Fighters rumored to participate include Josh Barnett, Fedor Emilienanko, and current Alistair Overeem, the current Strikeforce Heavyweight champion.

Miss Falfaren and the reindeer

2010-12-19T17:39:00.000-08:00

Note: This is a little Christmas/holiday themed story I wrote involving the elf detective Ireniana Falfaren.

The consultative detective Ireniana Falfaren was hanging the tinsel above the fireplace when she heard a knock from the door. She quickly tied her hair in a ponytail before placing two unlit candles on the coffee table, then rolled down her white sleeves as another knock came from the door.

“I am coming,” she said as she walked over to the door.

As she opened it, she saw Captain Nestor Rogers dressed his armor. When she saw the stack of cards and letters in his hand, she smiled. “I take it those are for me and Melissa.”

“They came by the barracks, I thought I may bring them to you,” the captain said.

Ireniana smiled and took the cards. “Why thank you for bringing them captain. Melissa will have to read her cards when she gets back from home.”

The captain walked in and brushed the snow off of his coat. “Many of the officers have gone back home for the holidays. I am surprised you did not go back to Delnair.”

“The winter weather has not been too friendly for those who travel on the road,” Ireniana said. “Neither of my sisters have been able to make it home for the Yule holiday. Still my father will not be lonely, and once the snow melts, I plan to visit him. But what about you captain? Why are you still in Mauertain?”

Nestor rubbed his hands together. “I have told you before Ireniana. With the chief, someone has to keep an eye on the city. Are you are still planning on coming to the Bronze Scale for the barracks celebration?”

“Of course I am,” Ireniana said as she brushed some snow out of the captain’s brown hair. As she saw the tense look in his eyes, she said,“ Now, I assume that you did not just come over to ask me if I was attending your little party?”

Nestor bit his lip. “There was a body found down the street from the barracks. You know that little zoo area where children can pet the reindeer and interact with the animals? He was someone who worked there.”

The detective raised an eyebrow before grabbing her coat. “Do you think he mugged on the street?”

Nestor shook his head. “Actually, the woman who reported the death says she saw him get kicked by one of the reindeer and pushed into the pitchfork that went through his body.”

Ireniana put her coat on before walking out of the door. “This sounds interesting and odd. Perhaps it will make more sense when you lead me to the crime scene.”

Ireniana approached the body that was covered in a white blanket, seconds after she arrived at the scene. One of the officers Ireniana knew as Sergeant Jenkins, pointed to the blanket. ”We did this to keep the snow off of him.”

Ireniana peeled back the blanket. The victim appeared to be a young man with sandy blond hair with a black tear drop painted below his eye. There were three small holes in his chest. To Ireniana’s surprise, the man’s eyes were closed. “It looks like he died in peace,” she said while turning to the captain.

“His name is Ron Elenas,“ Nestor said. He pointed to a slender red haired woman, who was speaking with a female officer. “There is the witness Beatrice Wallin, According to her, she and the victim were feeding the reindeer when one of the animals grew hostile and kicked him into the hay. In the hay was the pitchfork that stabbed him.”

“Did she say why the reindeer had grown hostile?” Ireniana asked as she watched the woman stannd along side two of the guards.

“According to Beatrice, the reindeer were being mistreated and overworked,” said the captain.

“Overworked by Ron?’ Ireniana asked.

“By the owner, Wanderer Doerr,” The captain said.

The detective nodded. “Melissa and I have met him a couple of times. He was once a ranger and many of the animals he carries were rescued by him.”

“What you call rescue, some would call slavery,” said a high pitched voice from behind Ireniana and Nestor.

Ireniana glanced back to see Beatrice Wallin walk towards her. “Captain Rogers, am I done being questioned? I have the animals to attend to.”

“It will be just another moment Miss Wallin,” Nestor said. “This is Ireniana Falfaren and she would like to speak with you.”

Beatrice gave the elf a cold look before pointing to the reindeer. “Clacker is tired, and she needs her rest.”

“Then I will make sure this does not take long,” Ireniana said. “You told the guards that the reindeer grew agitated and attacked Ron?”

Beatrice shook her head. “I was signaling that it was time for dinner as Ron was bringing Clacker and the other reindeer from the field. Before I knew it, Clacker kicked Ron into the hay as he was trying to get him to come to him. I do not know what could have angered him.”

Ireniana looked past the woman and stared at the animal. “Did you just refer to the reindeer as a him?”

“Of course Clacker is a male deer,” Beatrice said. “I have been feeding the reindeer for a month.”

“But you never thought to check in the below regions?”

A horrified look crossed Beatrice’s face. “That is atrocious, why would I do such a thing?”

“If you would checked, you would realize that Clacker is a female deer,” Ireniana said. “At least that is my conclusion, due to Clacker’s lack of male parts.”

Beatrice looked down as Ireniana laughed. “It is all right my dear. Now, why do you say these animals are slaves?”

Beatrice pointed at the reindeer. “Wanderer Doeer puts these animals up for show for the amusement of the public and to make some profit. Some of his animals are sick and tired, and they should be taken to caretakers who will give them the proper care, but he only cares about his coin purse. If you had any sense, you would arrest him and shut down his little zoo.”

Ireniana crossed her arms as two criers walked past them, the sound of their bells filling the air. The detective covered her ears as she noticed Clacker let out a cry and buck up and down. She was about to walk over to the animal when a dark skinned man with slightly pointed ears, arrived from across the street and began chanting a song. Clacker turned to the man and gently moved towards him. The man smiled as he began to rub her back.

“A good morning to you Wanderer,” Ireniana said as she watched the man.

Wanderer regarded the elf with a nod. “Good morning Miss Falfaren. When the guards came to my door and told me about Ron, I came here as quickly as I could. It seems I came here just in time.”

Ireniana watched the reindeer nudge up against her master in a loving way. Behind her, Beatrice pointed at the ranger and said,” You see, he only treats the animals with respect in front of a crowd.”

Wanderer looked over at Beatrice. “Beatrice, when Clacker was getting angry, why did you not come and get me? I was only tending to the horses in the stables, I could have been there in seconds.

Beatrice continued to glare at the ranger. “You mean, you could have been there in seconds after you whipped the horses.”

Wanderer shook his head as one of the guards led Beatrice away. Ireniana watched the woman before turning to the ranger. “Beatrice did not have very nice things to say about you, or the way you keep your animals.”

“She says that I am an overbearing slave master who uses the animals for his own financial purpose,” Wanderer commented. “Of course, Ron had said that as well, but only when it came to methods and beliefs regarding nature.”

The captain stepped to Ireniana. “When it comes to regarding nature?”

Wanderer continued to watch the officer lead Beatrice away. “She did not think that way when she first visited the zoo two months ago. At first she seemed to enjoy the aspect of taking care of the animals, and asked for a job to help with the Yule season. Then she changed her view on things after she began running around with Ron. Like him, she began calling me a slave driver and said that these animals were in captivity and yearning to go back into the wild.”

Ireniana looked at Clacker. “Clacker seems to enjoy the attention. You are a ranger and a descendant of the elves, which means you have to have had studied nature at some point in your life.”

“My father is half elf and half human, so you better believe that I have studied nature,” Wanderer said. “I have learned about nature since I was a small boy, though Ron seems to think my ranger training is nonsense.”

“If Beatrice was only employed for a few months, what about Ron?” Nestor asked. “How long has he worked for you?”

“A little over a year,” Wanderer said. “He is a druid from the north. One of the reasons I hired him is because he seemed attune to the animals, even though I knew our ideas would clash.”

“Some elves who are druids tend to think they are better caretakers of nature then anyone else,” Ireniana said.

Wanderer sighed. “I must get back to the zoo to tend to the animals. Captain, is it all right if I take Clacker?”

Nestor tilted his head. “As her owner, you are responsible for her actions.”

“I realize that, but Clacker is not hostile and has never hurt anyone,” Wanderer said. “I know she would never attack Ron on purpose, unless he had done something to her.”

“Has Ron ever mistreated the animals?” Ireniana asked.

“Not to my knowledge,” Wanderer said. “He would discipline the animals if they were misbehaving, but so have I. But Clacker has never misbehaved..”

The captain looked at the reindeer before looking back to the ranger. “Very well, you can take her back home.”

“Thank you captain,” Wanderer said. “If either of you need anything else, feel free to come by. The zoo is open today, and I may be busy, but I can take time to answer any more questions.”

Ireniana watched the ranger lead the reindeer away. “You think Wanderer is responsible for killing Ron?,” she said in a soft voice.

Nestor said. “Do you think it would be possible for him to train the deer into attacking the helper?

“If he is, then we will have to arrest him,“ Ireniana said. What will happen to the animals?”

Nestor shook his head. “You will not like this answer, but the animals would end up being placed back into their natural homes. Many of them live in the forest, so they would just end up around this area. That is, unless you are up for taking them in, though I doubt that Melissa would agree with you.”

“She would not have to know until she returns,“ Ireniana said. “I will meet you later this evening captain.”

Captain Nestor waved goodbye, then returned to his fellow officers. Ireniana began walking down the street, she made a quick detour and followed Wanderer and his reindeer.

III

Ireniana arrived at the zoo’s gates just as a group of children were leaving. As she passed them, she overheard one of the girls speak of a rabbit that fell over in the snow. After stepping through the gates, she saw Beatrice feeding two reindeer.

“You accuse your employer of overworking your animals and yet you came back to work,” Ireniana said as she approached Beatrice.

Beatrice scowled. “Just because my employer is a slave driver does not mean I will allow these animals to suffer. I see you have taken my word on Wanderer’s treatment of animals.”

“Let us just say that I do not want to leave a stone unturned,” Ireniana said. “Wanderer said that you came to him and asked for the job after coming here so many times.”

“I fell under the illusion that Wanderer had cast on this place, like so many of the people who come here,“ Beatrice said. “After a week of working here, Ron showed me the real side of this zoo. He showed me the sick animals that Wanderer keeps.”

Ireniana pointed to the reindeer the woman was feeding. “These animals seem to look healthy.”

Beatrice shook her head. “Of course they are. Wanderer only lets out the healthy looking ones. I will show you what he is hiding.”

Ireniana silently followed Beatrice to a small fenced area on the right side of the zoo. Inside a cage were two rabbits who were laying on their sides, breathing heavily. Next to the rabbits sat two reindeer that were sneezing and coughing.

“This was the first thing Ron showed me,“ Beatrice said as they walked to the feeding trough. “If these animals were properly released into the wild, and not some attraction-” she stopped as she saw Wanderer walk towards him with Clacker behind him.

Wanderer immediately approached Beatrice with a stern look on his face. “Miss Falfaren, I did not expect to see you. Beatrice, what was this I hear about one of the rabbits being sick?”

“I am showing Miss Falfaren what you keep hidden,” Beatrice said. “You claim that you do not know about the sick animals, but Ron told me about the sick rabbits and reindeer.“

Wanderer turned to Ireniana and sighed out of frustration. “If the reindeer are coughing, it is just a cold. But Ron did not tell me about the rabbits.”

Ireniana noticed the pink flower petals in the trough as Wanderer continued. “Or it may be because they have been fed something they were not suppose to eat, I have suspected that you and Ron have been tampering with their food.”

The detective raised an eyebrow. “You suspect there is something wrong with the feed?” she asked.

Wanderer pointed to the trough. “I always inspect the feed the animals are given, but from time to time Ron has given them food that I did not look at myself. When I confronted him about it, he assured me that it was good for them. As for being a slave driver, perhaps I should tell Miss Falfaren how you and Ron were keeping the animals up at night, trying to get them to run and jump when they should have been sleeping.”

Beatrice said nothing as she hit the feeding the bell. As the sound of the bell ringing echoed, Clacker lifted her legs towards Beatrice, then backed into Wanderer, who fell backwards over the trough and hit his head on the ground.

Clacker continued to buck towards Beatrice until Ireniana began whispering an elvish lullaby that slowly calmed the reindeer. “This is how it happened with Ron,” Beatrice said. “That reindeer tried to attack me.”

Ireniana helped Wanderer to his feet as he clutched his jaw. “If you were any help, you would go and get someone to look at your employer. At the very least, you could get him some help.”

Wanderer let out a moan as Ireniana set him on the ground. “Will you be all right?” Ireniana asked.

Wanderer smiled as he stood up and rubbed Clacker‘s back. The reindeer nuzzled her master’s bruised cheek, then regarded Ireniana with a sad look. Ireniana stroked the reindeer’s fur before she looked into the trough and examined traces of the food. After sniffing it, she cringed.

“What is wrong?” Wanderer asked, noticing the look on the detective‘s face.

“I thought I saw lilac pedals in the food,” Ireniana said. “If it is ingested, it can make someone sick.”

Wanderer sighed as he looked into the trough. “This must have been made by Ron. But why would be put pedals into the food?”

“Perhaps this is why Clacker had attacked him,” Ireniana said. “He must have been deliberately poisoned the animals in order to have the public notice and have the guard shut you down and place the animals back into the wild. Wanderer, will you be all right?”

“I will be fine for now,” the ranger said. “For now, I have to finish the rest of the work day. Afterwards, I plan to speak with Beatrice about the feed, and about Ron‘s plan. Let us hope this can change her views on the matter.”

Nestor had set down his drink as he watched Ireniana enter the lobby. To his surprise, the detective wore a red sleeveless dress with a red scarf, with her curly black hair tied in a bun. She stumbled as she walked towards him. “These damn heels,” she said as she sat next to him.

Nestor tilted his chin and smiled at the elf. “You look lovely Miss Falfaren,” he said with smirk.

Ireniana smiled as one of the servers set a glass of wine in front of her. “You must be glad to get out of the uniform every once in a while. I will be honest with you captain, I may need more than one glass tonight.”

Nestor nodded. “I am sure Wanderer will be fine, Ireniana. Beatrice will have to care for the animals while he gets better. I planned on sending some men to help her in the morning. I just can not believe that Ron would go as far as to poison the animals.”

Ireniana sighed before noticing a sergeant at a table, sitting in his chair with his eyes closed. “That is interesting that Sergeant Jenkins would choose this time to nap.”

The captain laughed before looking at the sleeping officer. “Jenkins has that ability to sleep anywhere. There are times when we think he could be dead, but he’s just in a deep sleep. Apparently it was something he learned when he was a body.”

Ireniana nodded before almost knocking over her glass. “How could he have learned something like that as a boy?”

Nestor raised an eyebrow. “I thought you knew that Jenkins was a druid before joining the guard.”

“We usually do not have much time to talk,” Ireniana said. “Many druids are known to have that kind of ability. Captain, where was Ron’s body taken?”

“It was placed in the temple after you left the scene,“ Nestor said. He shook his head, then saw Ireniana’s eyes light up. “Do you think he was still alive when his body was found?”

“Ireniana shook her fist. “He was in a deep sleep to fool us, which means he and Beatrice lied about him getting kicked in the chest and knocked into a pitchfork.”

Nestor raised an eyebrow. “How could they lie about Ron falling into the pitchfork? He had the holes from the pitchfork.”

Ireniana nodded. “Yes, he had the holes, but they were not symmetrical like they would have been if they had fallen over. The holes were by his own design.“

Nestor sat back as Ireniana quickly rose from her chair. “Where are you going? Are you going to the zoo?”

“There is more, but I will tell you on the way. ,” Ireniana said. “If this man was desperate enough to shut down the zoo by faking his own death, imagine what he and Beatrice could do to Wanderer?”

“They should have our coats reasy,“ Nestor said as he stood up and looked at Ireniana’s feet. “If we want to get there quickly, you should probably not wear the heels.”

Ireniana and Nestor had made it over to the zoo just as Ron and Beatrice were entering the zoo‘s front gates. As the captain drew his sword, Ireniana stepped forward and said,” Where is Wanderer?”

“He is inside of the house,” Ron said in a cool voice while rubbing his thigh. “He is out cold from the hit Beatrice had given him.”

Nestor stepped next to Ireniana and looked between the man and the woman. “Why did you have to go through all of this? Wanderer never mistreated the animals. He cared for them.”

“Him keeping the animals in this zoo was mistreatment enough,” Ron said as he continued towards the gate. “The old ranger was so set on keeping these animals from their homes that he never saw the pain they go through.”

Ireniana walked right up to Ron, staring into his eyes. “The only pain I had ever seen these animals go through is that poison you fed to them. I know all about how you used lilacs to poison the food, and the nighttime running with the animals.”

Ron began to walk backwards as Ireniana continued,“ Clacker also knew that you were using poison because she kicked you when you tried to get her and the other reindeers to eat., but her kicking you was not apart of the plan, and so you injured yourself and faked your own death.”

Nestor raised an eyebrow. “But I thought you said the reindeer never kicked him.”

“I said Clacker never kicked him on the chest,” Ireniana corrected. “However, Clacker did get a good shot to his thigh. That is why he is rubbing it.”

Ron stared at the detective before looking at the gate. Nestor took another step towards them. “And what would you have done if you released those animals into the wild, they decided to come back to the zoo?”

“I would have placed them into the care of the druids who live into the forest,” Ron said. “They are adept at helping animals adapt back into the wild.”

Ireniana shook her head. “This is not about putting animals back into the wild. This is about taking a kidnapping a man’s friends and taking them away. Have you ever thought about the emotional response you are placing Wanderer through.”

“As if we give a damn to what that ranger thinks,” Ron said. He turned to Beatrice. “Open the gates and release the animals.”

“Beatrice, you do not have to do this,” Nestor said. The woman hesitated before opening the gates.

Ron smiled as he walked over to Beatrice. Ireniana rolled her eyes. “You know that the animals are asleep. The captain and I could have enough officers to stop you.”

Ron regarded the detective with a wave of his hand. “Even if you went to get the entire Mauertain Guard, due to the all night exercise routines, Beatrice and I would have already made off with some of the animals.”

“I have had enough of this,” Nestor said as he and Ireniana walked into the gate. Ron picked up a rabbit and held his fingers along its neck.

“Not one step closer, or else I will snap this rabbit’s neck,” Ron said. “Perhaps I should have let the old fool witness this. He would let me walk out of here with the entire zoo than let one innocent rabbit get hurt.”

Ireniana gritted her teeth until she saw Clacker approach Ron. As the reindeer’s footsteps came closer, a clicking noise came echoed from the distance and the rabbit Ron held, woke up and bit him in the fingers. He screamed and dropped the rabbit, then turned and faced the reindeer.

Before he could shout a command to halt the animal, Clacker lifted up both legs and kicked Ron in the jaw. Nestor ran and grabbed the man just as he hit the ground and placed his hands behind his back. “Ron, I hope you know that we currently have a couple of druids who work at the guard, and they do not take kindly to those who threaten animals.”

Nestor pulled Ron to his feet and began leading him away. Ireniana stroked the reindeer’s chin, then saw Beatrice walking towards them. “That was some quick running. What made you change your mind about Ron?”

Beatrice shrugged. “Back in the cabin. He wanted to kill Wanderer, but I stopped him. Will I have to be taken to the prison?”

Ireniana led Beatrice out of the zoo. “If it were my decision, I would bring you in for attempted kidnapping, but I am going to let Wanderer decide your fate.”

“Do you think he will fire me?” Beatrice asked.

“He does need help taking care of the animals,” Ireniana said. “And as long as you say you are sorry.”

Beatrice nodded “Oh I am sorry Miss Falfaren.”

“Then that is all I need,” Wanderer said as stood at the gates. “If you are indeed sorry Beatrice, then I will allow you to remain here.”

Ireniana raised an eyebrow before she noticed the bruise around his eye that was above the faint bruise on his jaw. “Wanderer, how did you know we were outside?”

“Druids are not the only ones who know how to fake a sleep,” Wanderer said. “I was just about to go outside when I saw you and the captain arrive. I made the clicking noise that caused Jibady to come awake and bite Ron. Miss Falfaren, you look lovely.”

“Thank you,“ Ireniana said, tightening her coat around her body. “The captain and I were at a Yule ball before we arrived. Which means I should probably get back to the barracks and see if the captain needs any help.”

Wanderer smiled and waved goodbye to the elf. Ireniana took one last look at Beatrice before walking back to the Bronze Scale, hoping that the holiday wine would still be there.

What lies ahead for Sonnen

2010-12-05T16:06:00.000-08:00

Chael Sonnen, a UFC fighter in the middleweight division recently lost the appeal to his case about him failed a post-fight drug test, which revealed elevated levels of testosterone in his urine, after his fight with middleweight champion Anderson Silva at UFC 117.

The California Athletic State Commission had originally punished Sonnen with a $2,500 fine, and a years suspension. After the appeal process, Sonnen’s suspension was reduced to six months.

Sonnen’s reason for using testosterone

According to an article in SI.com, Sonnen and his legal team explained that his reasons for taking the tesosterone injections was due to Sonnen suffering from hypogoanedism. Hypogonadism is a condition that results from the inability of the testes to produce testosterone, according to the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center College of Medicine.

Men who are diagnosed with the condition experience symptoms such that include lack of muscle and bone mass, erectile dysfunction, decrease in body and facial hair growth, and decreases in size or firmness of testicles. One of the treatments for hypogonadism is an injection of testosterone every two weeks.

During the appeal process, Sonnen had said that he had told various people about the testosterone treatments. One of these men included Nevada State Athletic Commissioner Keith Kizer. Kizer denies hearing of such information.

According to Cagepotato.com, Sonnen’s counsel said that the fighter did not try to hide the fact he was using testosterone for treatments, as he had listed it on the pre-drug screening form.

Possible opponents for Sonnen’s return

Sonnen’s suspension will be up in March, just in time for the UFC 128 event. Although the possibility of a rematch against Anderson, or a shot at the middleweight title, is not likely to happen at this point, there are still other opponents for him to choose from, such as Yushin Okami, that is the date of his title shot has not been determined. There is a possible match with fellow middleweight like Michael Bisping, or a rematch with Nate Marquardt.

One fighter who may be eager to fight Sonnen could be Wanderlei Silva.

Prior to his fight with Anderson, Sonnen had made comments about the champion’s background, mocking that he had received a black belt while training under the Nogueira brothers.

“I think having a black belt under the Nogueira brothers is saying, like, I got a free toy in my happy meal,” Sonnen said.

According to mmafighting,com, there is a video of Wanderlei, who was riding in the same van with Sonnen, told him that he did not need to attack the Nogueria brothers.

“These guys are the history of the sport,” Wanderlei said. “We need to have a good conduct about that. In Brazil, we have a saying. You have respect, you don’t lose your teeth.”

UFC President Dana White was quoted to saying that he had wanted to promote a rematch between Anderson and Sonnen, before the news of Sonnen’s failing the drug test.

After Sonnen was suspended, Anderson’s next opponent was announced to be Vitor Belfort, who had originally earned the right to face Anderson for the title, after defeating Rich Franklin in September 2009.

Belfort was taken off of the UFC 122 card and replaced by Nate Marquardt who faced Yushin Okami. Okami won the match and is slated to face the winner of the Anderson vs. Belfort bout, which is rumored to take place at UFC 126.

Fighters who have used drugs and rose back to the occasion

While being suspended may hurt Sonnen’s career, it does not mean that he will never get a chance to become a champion. There have been several fighters in mixed martial arts who have tested positive for having drugs in their system, have been dealt punishments, and yet are still fighting in the sport.

Sean Sherk, former UFC Lightweight champion had tested positive after successfully defending the title against Hermes Franca back in 2007. Although he was stripped for the title, he would later return to the UFC, and still competes.

Tim Sylvia had been the UFC heavyweight champion when he failed a drug test in 2003. After losses to Frank Mir and Andrei Arlovski, Sylvia would regain the title in 2006, and keep the belt for almost a year. According to USA Today, Sylvia became the inaugural heavyweight champion for the Powerhouse World Promotions organization.

Strikeforce: Henderson vs. Babalu 2

2010-12-04T11:54:00.000-08:00

Preliminary Card

Welterweight bout:

Fernando Bettega (6-4) vs. Wayne Phillips (4-3)

Winner: Bettega by submission

Lightweight bout:

Justin Lawrence (0-0) vs. Max “Payne” Martytniouk (0-0)

Winner: Martyniouk by decision

Light Heavyweight bout:

Terrell Brown (2-0) vs. Patrick Cummins (0-0)

Winner: Brown by decision

Middleweight bout:

Lucas Lopez (19-10) vs. Cortez Coleman (5-1)

Winner: Lopez by decision

Light Heavyweight bout:

Lee Brousseau (5-2) vs. Mike Glenn (4-5)

Winner: Glenn by decision

Lightweight bout:

Tom Aaron (8-2)vs. Matt Ricehouse (3-0)

Winner: Aaron by KO

Middleweight bout:

Booker DeRousse (3-4) vs. Coltin Cole (1-0)

Winner: Cole by KO

Catchweight (130 lbs) bout:

Ben Brown (1-0) vs. J.W. Wright (0-0)

Winner: Wright by decision

Main Card

Light Heavyweight bout:

Benji “Razor” Radach vs. Ovince St. Preux

Winner: Preux by TKO

Despite taking this fight at a two weeks notice, Preux will end up winning this fight. He currently has a five fight winning streak, four of those coming from KO/TKO.

Heavyweight bout:

Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva (14-2) vs. Mike “Mak” Kyle (18-7-1)

Winner: Kyle by KO

Kyle is subbing for Valentjin Overeem. Despite having more losses than Silva, Kyle has fought and won championships in different organizations. This is his first heavyweight bout in over a year, and he will be sure to capture a win.

Welterweight bout:

Paul “Semtex” Daley (29-9-2) vs. Scott “Hands of Steel” Smith (17-7 1NC)

Winner: Daley by KO

Daley is making his Strikeforce debut, against one of the organization’s veterans. Although he is known for being controversial, Daley is also known for winning championships and getting it done in the cage. Daley’s win could give a push towards a welterweight title shot.

Middleweight bout:

Robbie “Ruthless” Lawler (19-6 1NC) vs. Matt “The Law” Lindland (22-7)

Winner: Lindland by decision

In addition to having more wins on his record, Lindland is coming into this fight with a win from Kevin Casey. He is also a renowned grappler, and has faced off against various opponents such as Fedor Emelianenko, Vitor Belfort, Quinton Jackson, and Carlos Newton. Having a win against Lawlor might put him into the middleweight title picture.

Light Heavyweight bout:

Dan Henderson (25-8) vs. Renato “Babalu” Sobral (36-8)

Winner: Henderson by submission

This main event has many implications. Not only will the winner get a shot at the Strikeforce Light Heavyweight title, but it is a rematch that has been ten years in the making. Henderson, who is looking to be a major star in Strikeforce, will take the fight and try and control it on the ground.

Scott Coker, CEO of Strikeforce, has said in interviews that 2011 is going to be a big year for Strikeforce. He plans to feature Heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem in a bout, as well as looking over opponents for Emelianenko, Josh Barnett, and even the return of Gina Carano.

The Ultimate Fighter finale 12 predictions

2010-12-04T10:31:00.000-08:00

Preliminary bouts

Middleweight bout:

Rich “The Raging Bull” Attonito (9-3) vs. Dave Branch (7-1)

Winner: Attonito by TKO

Attonito has more experience and is coming in with a four fight winning streak.

Featherweight bout:

Fredson Paixão (10-3 1NC) vs. Pablo “The Scarecrow” Garza (9-1)

Winner: Garza by decision

Despite coming off of a loss from his first (and last) WEC fight, Garza will be looking to make an impact in his UFC debut.

Catchweight (138 lb) bout:

Will Campuzano (8-2) vs Nick Pace (5-1)

Winner: Pace by decision

Pace may be coming into this fight with a loss, but this also means that he will be determined to get back on the winning track.

Lightweight bout:

Sako “The Chainsaw” Chivitchian (5-0) vs. Kyle Watson (12-6-1)

Winner: Watson by submission

Both of these fighters will be making their UFC debut. Although Chivitchian has no losses on his record, Watson has more experience. He has also won all but two of his fights by submission.

Featherweight bout:

Tyler “Thunder” Toner (10-2 1NC) vs. Ian “The Barn Owl” Loveland (13-7)

Winner: Loveland by decision

Despite taking this fight on two weeks notice, Loveland has enough arsenal to take down Toner.

Lightweight bout:

Cody “Big Time” McKenzie (11-0) vs. Aaron “The Daywalker” Wilkinson (6-3)

Winner: McKenzie by submission

McKenzie is not only undefeated, he has yet to go the distance in any of his pro bouts. He has 10 of his 11 fights by submission, nine of those by guillotine choke.

Main card

Featherweight bout:

Leonard "Bad Boy" Garcia (14-6-1) vs. Nam Phan (16-7)

Winner: Phan by TKO

Phan is the fresher of the two and will be looking to establish a solid winning streak.

Welterweight bout:

Rick “The Horror” Story (11-3) vs. Johny Hendricks (9-0)

Winner: Hendricks by decision

Hendricks is not only undefeated in his career, he is also looking for his 5th straight win inside of the Octagon, as is Story. Hendricks has also won the majority of his fights by decision.

Middleweight bout:

Demian Maia (13-2) vs. Kendall “Da Spyder” Grove (12-7 1NC)

Winner: Grove by decision

While Maia may have more wins and fewers losses, Grove is a former Ultimate Fighter winner (season 3) and being on the stage at a Finale may be just the thing to earn him a win against a former middleweight title contender.

Light Heavyweight bout:

Stephan “The American Psycho” Bonnar (12-7) vs. Igor Pokrajac (22-7)

Winner: Bonnar by TKO

The former Ultimate Fighter finalist may have lesser wins than Pokrajac, but he is also coming off of avenging a loss from earlier in the year. Bonnar will be looking to make a comeback of sorts. Like Grove, being on an Ultimate Fighter Finale card may be just the thing to inspire him to get the win.

Lightweight bout:

Jonathan Brookins (11-3) vs. Michael “The Menace” Johnson (8-4)

Winner: Brookins by submission

Both of these fighters were on Team GSP and fought their way to the finals. Not only does Brookins have a better record, he also has no problem defeating fellow teamates, defeating fellow teammate Kyle Watson in the semi finals of the competition.

Visit the UFC page to check out more information on the event

My five favorite Justice Leaguers

2010-11-30T16:45:00.000-08:00

In response to my five favorite Avengers, I am doing a quick story on my five favorite Justice League members.

Batman (Bruce Wayne, Dick Grayson)

Batman is not only one of the most recognizable members of the Justice League, but he is also a founding member. Although he did form his own team in the Outsiders, Batman has always returned to the League whenever they needed him.

After taking up the Batman mantle, Dick Grayson was approached to rejoin the team by long time friend Donna Troy. Writer James Robinson said that one of the goals of bringing Grayson to the team was to write teamup stories with Supergirl, sort of as a homage to World’s Finest, which was a series that featured Batman/Superman team-ups.

Whether it was Wayne or Grayson under the cowl, having Batman in the League gave the team a detective, and someone with expert hand to hand skills. One of the great things about Wayne, was his paranoia that led him to create a list with all of the weaknesses of the other members. While this may cause controversy among the other heroes, this was also a good backup plan. After all, how else would you stop super powered beings if you had no super powers yourself.

Green Lantern (Hal Jordan, John Stewart, Guy Gardner, Kyle Rayner)

All four of these Green Lanterns have served time on the Justice League at some point in their careers. Hal Jordan was one of the founding members of the League and served on the team for many years. In the last few years, Jordan has returned to the team periodically, first after his death, and most recently after the Cry For Justice event..

John Stewart served as a replacement for Hal Jordan. His tenure on the team was not very long in the comics, however he was one of the founding members in the Justice League cartoon.

Guy Gardner served on different incarnations of the team, including Justice League International. One of his memorable moments was when he had gotten in an argument with Batman, and was knocked out with one punch.

Kyle Rayner was a member of the Justice League during the 1990’s, shortly after he became the Green Lantern. He periodically served on the team before Jordan’s return.

Currently none of these four Green Lanterns are serving on the Justice League. However, the Jade, the first female Green Lantern of Earth (the daughter of Allen Scott, the original Green Lantern) is currently on the team.

Each Green Lantern brings something to the team, whether it was Jordan’s experience and fearlessness, Stewart’s military experience, Rayner’s unpredictability, or Gardner’s rage. Another good thing about having a Green Lantern on the team, is that there is someone on the team who deals with space, thus giving the writers the freedom to allow the Justice League to go around space.

The Flash (Barry Allen, Wally West)

Like Wayne in his time at Batman and Jordan as the Green Lantern, Barry Allen as the Flash is one of the founding members of the Justice League and was on the roster for many years. In the first issue of the Justice League series, Allen faced off against the villain Despero in attempt to save his teammates. His tenure on the team ended after his “death” during the Crisis on Infinite Earth mini series.

Similar to Grayson, Wally West, who operated as Allen’s sidekick Kid Flash, joined the team soon after he took up the mantle of his mentor. He was also featured on the Justice League animated series.

Currently neither Flash is on the Justice League. However, they are both starring in The Flash series. The speedster on the team is Jesse Quick.

Having the Fastest Man Alive on the team gives the Justice League some light hearted moments, as well as having someone who can go from any corner of the Earth to help with a crisis.

Zatanna (Zatanna Zatara)

Zatanna has been a member of the League since the 1970’s. In addition to being the first member of the team to use magic, she has been involved in one of the team’s most controversial moments. During the events of the Identity Crisis mini series, Zatanna wiped the memory of Doctor Light, something she has done to many of the villains who had knowledge of the Justice League.

She has recently left the team and currently stars in her own series, written by Paul Dini, who not wrote for the Batman animated series and Detective Comics, but also has a mad crush on Zatanna (something I can relate to).

Cyborg (Vic Stone)

A long time member of the Teen Titans, Cyborg joined the team shortly after the Cry for Justice event, but was written off of the team after a battle with Doctor Impossible’s gang. Although his tenure on the team was recent and short, Cyborg will have a presence on the team, according to writer James Robinson.

During his time on the team, Cyborg has rebuilt the Red Tornado and has been helping Roy Harper.

After seeing Cyborg joining the League, I felt that he had gotten his moment, similar to what I felt when Wolverine and Spider-man had joined the Avengers, yet his lack of appearance in the Justice League title, can mean they are either placing him back on the Teen Titans, or put him in his own series. Hopefully Cyborg will make it back to the team on a more fighting capacity.

Honorable mention

Wonder Woman - Gotta love the lasso and the old school outfit

Martian Manhunter - the Heart and Soul of the Justice League

Stepping up the Scales

2010-11-21T18:31:00.000-08:00

Penn returns to Welterweight with 21 second KO over Hughes

B.J. Penn, former UFC Lightweight and welterweight champion, made a triumphant return to welterweight this last Saturday at UFC 123, scoring a knock out victory against former two-time champion Matt Hughes in just 21 seconds.

After the fight, he began heading back to the locker room, but quickly came back to the octagon out of respect for his opponent, according to the post-fight press conference.

“I was trying to recreate the Caol Uno fight,” Penn said. “But I can not be disrespectful of Matt. I gotta go back in there and give Matt the honors.”

Road back to welterweight

Penn (16-7-1) had been coming into his fight with two straight losses from UFC Lightweight champion Frankie Edgar. According to the post-fight press conference, Penn was fired up as soon as he got the call that he would face Hughes.

“Me and Matt put on great fights and I am just happy it went that way,” Penn said. “Matt Hughes is my idol and will always be my idol.”

Penn’s KO not only gave him his first victory in the welterweight division in the last four years, it also gave him the overall victory in his trilogy against Hughes. He had won their first fight back in 2004, in which he was crowned the fourth UFC welterweight champ. Hughes won their rematch back in 2006.

Former fighters who have had success gaining (or cutting) weight

Penn, is not the only MMA fighter to have success in two different weight classes.

UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture was the first fighter to win titles in two divisions, earning titles as a heavyweight and a light heavyweight.

Another UFC fighter who has gained success in changing weight divisions is Jake Shields. Shields is a former Elite XC Welterweight champion, and a former Strikeforce Middleweight champion.

Strikeforce fighter Dan Henderson earned titles in Pride Fighting Championship’s welterweight and middleweight division. Current Strikeforce heavyweight champ Alistair Overeem competed in Pride’s middleweight Grand Prix tournament, earning victories over Vitor Belfort and Igor Vochancyn.

Most recently Urijah Faber, a former WEC featherweight champion, has moved back down to bantamweight. In his first fight back to bantamweight, he defeated Takeya Mizugaki by submission in the first round.

Future Matches for Penn in the welterweight division.
Although it seems like Penn has been given a fresh start in his return to the welterweight division, he still has quite a ladder to climb if he wants to regain the title.

Possible opponents for Penn in the welterweight division include Shields, Carlos Condit a former WEC Welterweight champion, and Josh Koscheck, the current number one contender for the UFC welterweight title.

Another possible bout for Penn would be a rematch against former champion Matt Serra. Penn previously defeated Serra in a lightweight bout back in 2002.

Perhaps the one match up Penn will be anticipating for is a rematch with current champion Georges St. Pierre.

According to MMAweekly, Penn’s next opponent may be Jon Fitch at UFC 127.

Possible villains for The Dark Knight Rises

2010-10-31T18:28:00.000-07:00

With the announcement of the title of the third movie in Christopher Nolan’s Batman franchise, The Dark Knight Rises, there has been speculation of which villain from Batman’s rogues gallery will be featured in the movie.

According to an interview with Hero Complex, Nolan said that the Riddler will not be in the movie. He did say the movie will be introducing new characters, as well as old characters. While Batman’s rogues gallery is extensive, in each Batman film, the villain is usually someone who can drive the story of the movie and push the Dark Knight.

While there is a wait to see which of the Caped Crusader’s villains will be featured in The Dark Knight Rises, here are several guesses of which bad guys could be appearing along side Batman.

Hush

Introduced in Jeph Loeb and Jim Miller’s “Hush” story arc, Hush is a character who was originally a childhood friend of Bruce Wayne’s by the name of Tommy Elliot. Elliot would grow up to resent him and bring many of Batman‘s enemies together in a plot to destroy the Dark Knight.

Holiday

A serial killer introduced in Loeb and Tim Sale’s Batman The Long Halloween. Holiday would kill a person each month. He was also a character who was closely involved with the Maroni crime family, who has been featured in the Nolan Batman films.

Calendar Man

A criminal who commits crimes in conjunction to the day they are committed, Calendar Man is one of Batman’s oldest foes, yet is not as well known as the Joker or the Penguin.

The Ventriloquist/Scarface

Anrold Wesler is a man with multiple personality syndrome, using a dummy to express his darker side. While Ventriloquist may seem unusual for Nolan’s style of film at first, the idea of a dummy as a mob boss could work as Nolan has used Gotham’s different crime families in his films. Wesker’s disorder could also work in Nolan’s film.

Catwoman

Catwoman is perhaps the front runner of possible villains appearing in the film, with actresses like Angelina Jolie rumored to play the part. Julie Newman, who played Catwoman in the 1960’s Batman movie was quoted as saying that Jolie would own the role. Regardless, Catwoman is not necessarily a homicidal maniac, but having her in the film could not only give Bruce Wayne a romantic interest, but also give Batman an ally.

Maxie Zeus

Like Wayne, Zeus is a wealthy businessman, yet he also has a god complex. With Zeus in the film, there is a chance to put some beautiful artwork and set design, influenced by Greek lore.

Black Mask

Black Mask is one of Gotham City’s most notorious crime bosses and has risen in the ranks to become one of Batman’s most feared enemies. Black Mask was also an enemy to Catwoman. This could reinforce the idea of an alliance by Catwoman and Batman.

Bane

Although Bane’s only appearance in the movies was in Batman and Robin, he was one of the Dark Knight’s most formidable enemies. In their initial encounter, Bane broke Bruce Wayne’s back and sidelined the Caped Crusader for a lengthy period of time. Bane has also great physical strength, with or without the use of Venom. One of the misconceptions of Batman and Robin is that Bane is a just a lackey henchmen, when in fact, he is quite intelligent and articulate.

Talia Al Ghul

One of Bruce Wayne’s loves, Talia Al Ghul has yet to make any kind of movie appearance. Her father was killed in the first film and having her come for revenge in the third film could make the movie full circle, or maybe she will act as a romantic interest. She is quite skilled in fighting and also has the resources of her father’s League of Assassins.

Scarecrow and Ras Al Ghul
While these two villains were in the first film, who says they can not be brought back. As of The Dark Knight, Dr. Jonathon Crane is still alive and still has his Scarecrow mask and equipment. As for Ras Al Ghul, the Nolan decided to keep the Lazarus Pit out of the movie, but he may bring it back to explain Al Ghul’s resurrection.

My five favorite Avengers

2010-10-24T19:42:00.000-07:00

With the premier of Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, I have decided to name five of my favorite heroes who are Avengers, whether they are currently on one of the teams, or have served on the team in the past.

5. Peter Parker - Spider-man/ James “Logan” Howlett - Wolverine

I placed Spidey and Wolverine together because they both are similar in many ways. They both have different connections throughout the Marvel Universe, and they have gone up against some of the most dangerous villains on their own. They also can be loners as well as reliable teammates.

They both currently serve on the main Avengers team and Luke Cage’s New Avengers. Wolverine also serves on the main X-Men team and on X-Force.

4. Thor Odinson - Thor

Thor is one of the heroes who founded the Avengers back in the 60’s. He is also someone who has come to the aid of the team almost every time they were in peril (save for the Disassembled event) and can act as a powerhouse when the team comes up against huge enemies. Although he was away from the team for a lengthy amount of time, the Secret Invasion and Seige events helped bring him back into the fold.

Thor currently serves on the main Avengers roster.

3. Janet van Dyne - The Wasp
The Wasp is one not only one of the founding members of the Avengers, but she also was the first female member of the group. Although she did not wear revealing outfits like the Scarlet Witch or Tigra, she brought her own sex appeal to the series.

She also has gone through much trauma on the team, from enduring the abuse of her estranged husband Hank, to her death at the end of the Secret Invasion mini series.

2. Dr. Henry McCoy - Beast

In addition to being a founding member of the X-Men, Beast was also someone who served on the Avengers for a long time. He had some memorable moments with the team including the Korvac Saga and built relationships with some of their members, including Wonder Man. For years he would go between the X-Men and the Avengers.

After the Disassembled event, Beast was one of the Avengers who attended the last dinner before the team announced with disbanding back in 2004. Beast recently left the X-Men once more and has joined with Steve Rogers’ Secret Avengers team.

1. Bruce Banner - The Hulk

The Hulk’s tenure on the Avengers is shorter than many. Despite only serving on a few missions then leaving, the Hulk was an ally and an enemy of the team for years. He has been known to ally himself with some of the members and even created his own team of Avengers during the Fall of the Hulks event.

Heroes I would like to see on the team

Elektra - She has the connections in the Marvel Universe to both heroes and villains. She is also an expert in hand to hand combat.

Nightcrawler - The furry X-man has had experience working on several teams. Although he is dead at the moment, the Avengers could be

Blade - He has worked with different teams throughout his superhero career, his most recent was with Britain’s MI:13. He could bring a supernatural feel to the team.

Storm - Her husband T’Challa has been a member as have her friends Logan and Hank, but Storm has yet to be on the main roster. Her work with the X-Men has shown the world that she can lead a team.

Doctor Octopus - He is someone who could have came in during the Dark Avengers series or someone who could have been an instructor in the Initiative program during Norman Osborn‘s . He has experience but he also has the ability to throw a wrench in Osborn’s plan.

What are some of your favorite Avengers?

Beauty and brawn

2010-10-22T14:56:00.000-07:00

Canadian Muay Thai champ and fitness model to make MMA debut

Julia “The Jewel” Budd, a Muay Thai kickboxer from British Columbia is not only making her Strikeforce debut on tonight’s Strikeforce: Challengers 11. She is also competing in her first official MMA fight.

Budd will be facing Shana “Rock Solid” Olsen, who currently has a fight record of four wins and no losses. This will also be Olsen’s debut in Strikeforce.

The Jewel’s background and credentials

Budd was born and raised in Roberts Creek, a small town outside of British Columbia, according to her website. She competed in sports as a youth and in high school she began training in Muay Thai kickboxing.

Budd trained at Gibson MMA under the tutelage of Lance Gibson, a former UFC fighter. She became known on the American kickboxing circuit after defeating opponents like MMA fighter Gina Carano and kickboxing champion Keri Scarr.

Although she has no official bouts on her fight record, Budd has fought in one non sanctioned fight back in 2007, according to mixedmaritalarts.com. She defeated fellow kick boxer Natalie Fuzz by unanimous decision.

Shana “Rock Solid” Olsen

Olsen, said that fighting for a major promotion like Strikeforce has been along time coming.

“I have a strong desire to make it to the top, and right now I am in the process of working my way up.’’

At the weight in, Olsen also said that she has trained hard and is not putting pressure on herself to beat Budd in fashion.

“I am fighting a Muay Thai champion who defeated Gina Carano, so my work is cut out for me,” Olsen said.

“I am fighting someone who’s strong and knows what she’s doing, but I’m also strong, fit and ready to go,” Budd said at the weight in.

Outside of the ring

In addition to boxing, Budd works as a fitness model on television and print. She has appeared on MTV, TSN, and print advertisements for Impact Magazine.

Budd also holds a B.A. in kinesiology from the University of British Columbia. She is also a National Strength and Conditioning Association certified trainer, and operates her own training company out of Gibson MMA.

Budd said she takes her MMA career one fight at a time and works to be the best.

“There is no doubt I am stepping up for this one and will be the underdog,” Budd said. “I love MMA, putting in the work, the lifestyle and the challenge.’’

Julia "The Jewel" Budd

Resides: B.C.Canada

Association: Gibson MMA

MMA fight record: 0-0-0

Career highlights: B.C. Muay Thai champion, Canadian Muay Thai champion

UFC 121: Lesnar vs. Velasquez predictions

2010-10-22T08:56:00.000-07:00

Main card

Heavyweight Championship bout: Brock Lesnar [5-1] (c) vs. Cain Velasquez [8-0]

Winner: Velasquez by KO

Many say that Lesnar won his last fight due to factors like Shane Carwin being gassed out, and the referee’s inability to the stop the fight when he should have. Regardless, he is still the champion and has faced a top contender with knock out power, and a former champion with great Brazilian Jiu Jitsu skills.

However, Velasquez has an un blemished fight record and has been able to keep in great condition. This is going to be a pretty close one.

Welterweight bout: Jake Shields [25-4-1]vs. Martin "The Hitman" Kampmann [17-3]

Winner: Kampmann by decision

Shields is going to be making his UFC debut, with an almost guaranteed title shot if he wins, in a division that already has many hungry fighters. Standing in his way of this guaranteed title shot is Kampmann, who has won eight of his 10 last fights, including back to back wins against Paulo Thiago and Jacob Volkmann.

Kampmann is also the man who spoiled Carlos Condit’s UFC debut and this may be a repeat for him.

Welterweight bout: Diego "Nightmare" Sanchez [23-4] vs. Paulo Thiago [13-2]

Winner: Sanchez by decision

Sanchez is looking for his first win after returning to the welterweight division, which is already stacked as it is. He has more experience than Thiago and that desire to return to title contention.

If he can keep this fight at his level, he can win and possibly make it to a Welterweight title shot..

Light Heavyweight bout: "Huntington Beach Bad Boy" Tito Ortiz [16-7-1] vs. Matt "The Hammer" Hamill [10-2]

Winner: Hamill by decision

This is a classic student vs. teacher match up. Hamill has since left Ortiz’s tutalage and has learned some things on his own. Also while Ortiz has had time away from the octagon, Hamill has earned wins over Keith Jardine, Mark Munoz, and Jon Jones.

However, it is not wise to count Ortiz out, as he has trained hard since his loss to Forrest Griffin and has battled personal issues. This fight will surely go the distance.

Heavyweight bout: Brendan "The Hybrid" Schaub [7-1]vs. Gabriel "Napao" Gonzaga [11-5]

Winner: Gonzaga by KO

While Schaub has won his last two fights, he faces his toughest challenge in Gonzaga, who is not only a UFC veteran, has more experience, but also a decorated submission wrestler.

However, like the main event, this heavyweight battle could end up being a war of striking, with a quick finish.

Under Card

Middleweight bout: "The Crusher" Court McGee [11-1]vs. Ryan Jensen [16-5]

Winner: McGee by submission

McGee is coming into this fight with a lot of momentum. Not only is he coming in as The Ultimate Fighter 11 winner, he also has not had a loss since 2007, which was against Jeremy Horn. Jensen on the other hand has attained four of his six losses in the UFC. McGee also has a boxing background which could help him with his endurance.

At TUF 11 finale, McGee won the Submission of the Night bonus, and there is no reason why he could not walk away with that bonus again.

Middleweight bout: "The Predator" Patrick Côté [14-6] vs. "Filthy" Tom Lawlor [6-3-0, 1NC]

Winner: Cote by KO

Both Cote and Lawlor have lost their last two fights, but Cote lost to a champion and one of the UFC’s veterans in Alan Belcher. He also has a little bit more experience than Lawlor and looks to get back into title contention.

Cote will have no problem taking out Lawlor pretty early.

Welterweight bout: Mike "The Joker" Guymon [13-3-1] vs. Daniel "Ninja" Roberts [10-1]

Winner: Roberts by submission

Despite not having as much as experience as Guymon, Roberts has yet to have a second loss on his record. Both men are still a little bit fresh in the UFC and will be looking to earn their place in the organization.

Both fighters have also won many of their fights by submission, so much of this fight may be spent on the ground.

Lightweight bout: "Hands of Stone" Sam Stout [14-4-1]vs. Paul "Relentless" Taylor [10-5-1, 1NC]

Winner: Stout by KO

Of the two UFC veterans, Stout has more wins on his record. He also has a kickboxing background that could help with his striking and stand up game.

Middleweight bout: Chris Camozzi [13-3] vs. "The Ox" Dong Yi Yang [9-0]
Winner: Camozzi by submission

Although Yang may be making his UFC debut, Camozzi is coming into this fight with much more experience and a victory in The Ultimate Fighter 11 finale. Camozzi had to exit the Ultimate fighter compeition because of injury, so he is still looking to prove himself inside of the octagon.

He will get the submission in the second round.

Heavyweight bout: Jon Madsen [6-0]vs. Gilbert "The Hurricane" Yvel [35-15-1, 1NC]

Winner: Yvel by KO

Yvel has yet to have a win in the UFC and he is coming up against someone with a perfect record, but with those losses comes experience. He also has a won many of his fights by submission and knock out.

Yvel will finish this fight pretty early. If he does lose this fight, he just may get cut from the roster.

UFC 121 preview

Dutch MMA champion makes it to K-1 Grand Prix finals

2010-10-20T15:32:00.000-07:00

Alistair Overeem, current Strikeforce heavyweight champion, will not be defending his championship until 2011. When he does make his next Strikeforce title defense, he may already have another title added to his credentials: 2010 K-1 World Grand Prix tournament champion.

Overeem is getting ready for the K-1 World Grand Prix 2010 Finals, which will take place December 4, in Tokyo.

Brief bio and kickboxing history

According to his website, Overeem was born in England but moved to the Netherlands with his brother and mother when he was six years old. He participated in sports like judo and basketball, and would begin training at 15 years old. He would later go on to train with Bat Rutten, a former UFC Heavyweight Champion. He currently trains with Team Golden Glory, which is based out of the Netherlands, according to their website.

Overeem had his first kickboxing match at age 17, where he won his first match by unanimous decision. After losing his next two fights, he would take a break and focus on his MMA career. He returned to the world of kickboxing in 2007 where he Jurgen Dolch by TKO in the first round at Ultimate Glory 3.

What is K-1?

According to their website, K-1 is an organization where fighters from around the world fight with their opponents using various fighting techniques to defeat their opponents. K-1 is also known for creating a set of unified rules for their contests.

The first K-1 tournament was held in 1993 and won by Branko Cikatic, a Croatian fighter. Other fighters who have won the K-1 Grand Prix in the past include MMA fighter Mark Hunt, Semmy Schilt, and Ernesto Hoost.

2010 K-1 Grand Prix

According to the K-1 website Overeem, whose current kickboxing record is at seven wins and four losses, picked Tyrone Sprong (by way of drawing the seventh ball) to be his first opponent in the Grand Prix finals. He said he was happy to face Sprong, who he said he trained with for seven years.

“It will be the old days of sparring,” Overeem said.

To get to the K-1 Grand Prix finals, he defeated Bosnian fighter Dzevad Poturak in the first round of the tournament in Yokohama last April. He then went on defeat Ben Edwards, an Austrailian kickboxer, at the K-1 2010 Grand Prix Soul Final 16 just two weeks ago.

Both of these victories won two minutes into the first round, by TKO and knock out respectively.

MMA career

Overeem had his first MMA professional fight at 19 years old where he won by a guillotine submission.

Before fighting in Strikeforce, Overeem has fought in major MMA promotions like Pride FC, DREAM, and RINGS. His current record is 33 wins, 11 losses, and one no contest.

In addition to being the current Strikeforce Heavyweight champion, Overeem has wins over fighters like Vitor Belfort (former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion), Mark Hunt (K-1 2001 World Grand Prix Champion), and Igor Vovchanchyn (Pride 2000 Grand Prix runner up).

Other fighting tournaments

This is not Overeem’s first time participating in the K-1 Grand Prix kickboxing tournament as he had fought in K-1’s 2009 tournament.

According to K-1’s website, he had fought his way to semi finals where he lost to Badr Hari, who lost in the final match.

He has also fought the Pride 2003 and 2005 Middleweight Grand Prix tournaments, according to the Pride Fighting Championship website.

Possible future

Winning the tournament may give Overeem the momentum to compete in K-1’s 2011 Grand Prix. It could also make him a bigger star in the world of sports.

As far as his MMA career goes, he is expected to defend his championship in 2011. Possible contenders for the title include Fabricio Wedrum, the man he was suppose to defend against, Russian fighter Fedor Emilianenko, and Antonio Silva, who is scheduled to face Overeem’s brother Valentijin in December.

Famous last words

2010-10-15T09:22:00.000-07:00

When a fighter's trash talking backfires.

Trash talking is always a staple in upcoming match ups, whether it is in two world class athletes professional sports, or just two opposing sides on the playground during recess.

In mixed martial arts, this is no different as most fighters will talk smack to each other before a fight. Some fighters do it to gain a psychological edge over their opponents, while others do it because being very vocal is a part of their personality.

Here are some quotes that seemed to back fire on fighters before their fights. (If some of these quotes are a little bit off, please forgive me as source material was hard to find for this)

“I am impervious to all pain!” - Pat Smith before his fight against Ken Shamrock

Smith was one of the first fighters to enter the octagon. He made his mixed martial arts debut at UFC 1. Although he claimed he was impervious to pain, Smith would tap out to a heel hook applied by Shamrock, just under two minutes into the first round.

Despite his loss to Shamrock, Smith would go on to accumilate a fight record of 18 wins and 14 losses. He also has over 60 wins in professional kick boxing.

Shamrock vs. Smith highlights

"I'm gonna choke him, then get him up and send him home." - Royce Gracie before his fight with Matt Hughes at UFC 60

One of the godfathers of mixed martial arts, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu master, Gracie won the first, second, and fourth UFC open weight tournaments and was a finalist in the PRIDE 2000 open weight Grand Prix tournament.

He returned to the UFC in 2006 to fight then welterweight champion Matt Hughes. Gracie would go on to lose to Hughes by TKO in the last minute of the third round.

Gracie training to fight Matt Hughes

"Matt Hughes is a dick, a talented dick, but a dick" - Matt Serra before his fight against Matt Hughes

The Serra and Hughes rivalry was one of the more heated rivalries in the UFC around 2009. Their rivalry began during The Ultimate Fighter Season 4, where Hughes was a coach and Serra was a compeititor. They would go on to coach against each other in season 7 of The Ultimate Fighter.

While Serra talked a lot of smack before the fight, Hughes would go on to win the bout by decision. Since his loss to Hughes, Serra has go on to defeat Frank Trigg, yet he lost his last bout to Chris Lytle.

Interview with Serra, talking about Hughes, his daughter, and more.

"He can’t even win the belt in his division. he thinks he can just move up in weight and take mine." - Matt Hughes before his title defense against BJ Penn.

This fight came after Penn had unable to capture the UFC lightweight title at UFC 41. While Hughes’ pre match comments doubted the Hawaiian fighter, Penn was able to beat Hughes in the third round and win the welterweight title. Hughes would eventually recapture the welterweight title while Penn would later win the lightweight belt, becoming the second UFC fighter to win titles in two different weight divisions.

Hughes has sense avenged his loss again Penn, and the two will once again face off in a rubber match at UFC 123.

Fan made trailer for Hughes vs. Penn 3

“He's gonna leave his chin hangin' out there, and I'm gonna break his jaw." - Chris Leben before his fight with Anderson Silva.

Leben was rising in the ranks in the UFC before fighting Silva, who was making his UFC debut. With a record of 14 wins, one loss, and the WEC middeweight title (before they had been bought by Zuffa), Leben would talk about how he would take Silva’s punches and throw them back, and how Silva would go back to Japan to find weaker competition.

Unfortunately, Leben would end up taking a knee from Silva and get knocked out 49 seconds in the first round. He is scheduled to fight against former WEC light heavyweight champion Brian Stann at UFC 125.

Leben vs. Silva highlights

Quinton Jackson’s interview before his fight against Mauricio Rua at the 2005 Pride Middleweight Grand Prix opening round.

Jackson is one known for being one of MMA’s most vocal fighters. Prior to his fight against Rua, he talked about his unpredictability, saying that even did not know what he was going to do in the ring.

However, it would be Rua would get the upper hand against Jackson, as he would end up winning the fight by TKO four minutes into the first round. A scheduled rematch between the two may in the works if Rua is successful in his title defense against Rashad Evans, and if Jackson can beat Lyoto Machida at UFC 123.

Highlights from Jackson vs. Rua bout

“I want to f$*(…fight Chuck!” - Wanderlei Silva before confronting Chuck Liddell in the octagon.

While this is not necessarily talking smack, Wanderlei’s quote in the octagon is infamous among MMA fans and is sited to be one of their favorite quotes by a fighter.

Wanderlei would get to fight Liddell in December 2007. Liddell would win the fight by decision.

Wanderlei’s infamous declaration to fight Chuck.

UFC 120 predictions

2010-10-14T18:02:00.000-07:00

Under card
Light Heavyweight bout: James McSweeney vs. Fabio Maldonado

Winner: Maldonado by TKO

Maldonado has an overall better fight record and more wins than McSweeney. He is also training under the Nogueira brothers and has won most of his fights by knockout.

Lightweight bout: Spencer Fisher vs. Kurt Warburton

Winner: Warburton by TKO

Warburton will be making his UFC debut on this card. Having a TKO victory over Warburton would certainly help jumpstart his UFC career

Lightweight bout: Paul Sass vs. Mark Holst

Winner: Sass by submission

Sass has an overall better fight record, with winning eight of his fights by submission.

Light Heavyweight bout: Steve Cantwell vs. Stanislav Nedkov
Winner: Nedkov by TKO

Nedkoy is undefeated coming into this fight and he will finish the fight undefeated.

Heavyweight bout: Rob Broughton vs. Vinicius Queiroz

Winner: Broughton by submission

Broughton has the submission power and the home crowd to defeat Queiroz

Light Heavyweight bout: Cyrille Diabaté vs. Alexander Gustafsson

Winner: Gustafsson by decision

Despite having less fights, Gustafsson will go the distance with Diabate in this fight and get the decision.

Main card

Welterweight bout: James Wilks vs. Claude Patrick

Winner: Patrick by submission

Patrick has an overall better fight record and has won most of these fights by submission. While Wilks won the The Ultimate Fighter season 9, Patrick is also a former title holder from an MMA promotion in Canada.

Heavyweight bout: Cheick Kongo vs. Travis Browne

Winner: Browne by knock out

I am going with Browne to get the upset of the night. Kongo may have more fights on his record and have the punching power, but Browne has won 8 of his ten fights by knock out/TKO

Welterweight bout: John Hathaway vs. Mike Pyle

Winner: Hathaway by decision

Although Pyle has more fights on his record, it is always hard not to pick the undefeated fighter, especially when he will most likely have the home crowd behind him.

Welterweight bout: Dan Hardy vs. Carlos Condit

Winner: Hardy by decision

Not only does Hardy have the home field advantage, he is also looking to getting back into the title picture.

Middleweight bout: Michael Bisping vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama

Winner: Bisping by TKO

With the home crowd behind him, Bisping has the potential to dominate Akiyama and take him out early in the main event.

Legacy of laughs

2010-10-10T16:16:00.000-07:00

Mark Hamill to retire his Joker voice

Mark Hamill, known primarily for his role as Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars series, has voiced the comic book villain known as The Joker on and off for the last 18 years. He will be retiring from the role of the Joker after this year.

Hamill’s career

According to the International Mark Hamill Fan Club website, Hamill was born in Oakland, to a large family in September of 1951. He made his professional acting debut on the Cosby Show in 1971, and would go on to star in television shows like General Hospital and The Texas Wheelers.

In 1977 he would make his film debut in Star Wars and would star in its two sequels The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi.

After Star Wars, Hamill would go on to make movies and also do guest appearances in television shows, such as Just Shoot Me and the Flash. He also went on to star in various theater productions.

Hamill would also lend his voice to different cartoons for the next several years, including the Simpsons, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and Spiderman: The Animated Series.

An avid comic book fan, Hamill is also the writer of the comic book series, The Black Pearl.

Getting the role of the Joker and voicing the character

Hamill was originally denied the part of the Joker in Batman: The Animated Series (BTAS), as the producers had already cast Tim Curry. Hamill was brought in guest star in the episode “Heart of Ice” as a one-time appearance. After Curry dropped out of the role, Hamill was one of the first choices to replace Curry.

In an interview, Paul Dini, producer and writer for BTAS, said Hamill nailed the role of the Joker perfectly.

“The second we heard that scary laugh, we knew we had the Joker,” Dini said.

Bruce Timm and Alan Burnett, producers of BTAS, said that the Joker, who in the comics has been depiected anywhere from a homicidal maniac to a comical character, could not kill in the show.

“Instead of murdering people we would have him give them that hideous Joker grin which on its own way almost worse,” Timm said.

Hamill said that one of the things that of the things that informs the Joker is his laugh.

“His laugh should be like a musical instrument,” Hamill said. “It should sort of illustrate his mood.”

Hamill said he would practice the Joker’s laugh on the way to the recording sessions. He also said that he would stand up during recording sessions.

“I thought to energize the character, to shake my fists, I’ve felt I got to stand up,” Hamill said. “I’ve always thought I was in a radio drama.

Hamill’s different Joker moments

Hamill played the Joker in 15 of the 85 episodes in BTAS. He also played the Joker on various DC Comics related animated series and animated movies, including The New Batman/Superman adventures, Justice League, and Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker.

Kevin Conroy, who has played Batman about as many years as Hamill has played the Joker, said that Hamill played an extraordinary Joker.

“His face transforms and he kind of devours the microphone,” Conroy said. “It’s something to watch. The two of us interact really well since we’ve been doing this for so long.”

Hamill has also voiced the Joker on DC Comics video games. Most recently he lent his voice on the 2009 hit Batman: Arkham Asylum, and the upcoming titles: DC Universe Online and Batman: Arkham City.

Actors who have also played The Joker

After Hamill took a long break from voicing the Joker in 2004, other performers have stepped up to voice the Clown Prince of Crime.

Veteran voice actors like John DiMaggio (Batman Under the Red Hood), Jeff Bennent (Batman: The Brave and the Bold) and Kevin Michael Richardson (The Batman) have voiced the Joker in animation.

According to an interview with IGN, Hamill spoke positively of Heath Ledger’s award winning performance of the Joker in The Dark Knight.

“He was the most joyless Joker,” Hamill said. “Not a hint of theatricality; he was almost like a heroin addict. It never would have occurred to me, and that’s why it was so delightful and surprising.”

The Last Hurrah

According to an interview with the Animation World Network, Hamill said that what he liked about voicing the Joker was his villiany and the different kinds of laughter he brought to the character.

“Instead of having it be one continuous laugh, I could use it like a color on the canvas,” Hamill said. “There could be sinister laughs, there could be joyful, gleeful, maniacal laughs, there could be malevolent and evil laughs.”

“I do have to thank the people at Batman, because this work opened an entire new career for me.”

In the interview with the IGN, Hamill said that this role would be his last as the Joker.

“There’s no question about that,” Hamill said. “But it’s the last hurrah.”

Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Noons predictions

2010-10-08T05:36:00.000-07:00

I usually don't do Strikeforce predictions, but since Kaufman and Coenen, (who I have written about in the past) are fighting on this card, I thought I would give it a shot. I kept this one basic.

Main Card

Welterweight Championship bout: Nick Diaz (c) vs. United States KJ Noons

Winner: Diaz by decision

Women's Welterweight Championship: Sarah Kaufman (c) vs. Marloes Coenen

Winner: Kaufman by knock out

Lightweight bout: Josh Thomson vs. Gesias Cavalcante

Winner: Thomson by decision

Welterweight bout: Tyron Woodley vs. André Galvão

Winner: Woodley by submission

Under Card

Welterweight bout: James Terry vs. Bret Bergmark

Winner Bergmark by decision

Middleweight bout: Eric Lawson vs. Ron Keslar

Winner Lawson by decision

Lightweight bout: Jess Bouscal vs. Luis Mendoza

Winner: Mendoza by knock out

Fantastic Four no more

2010-10-03T19:16:00.000-07:00

Marvel’s first family is set change once again

The Fantastic Four, a superhero team in Marvel Comics is set to undergo changes within its title.

Tom Brevoort, Vice President Executive Editor of Marvel, and writer Jonathon Hickman, who has been on the title since May 2009, has confirmed that in the title’s latest story arc Three, that there will be a death of a major character, possibly one of the four that are on the team.

According to a conference call, Hickman said that the Three story arc and a character death is a midpoint in a large story arc that he has planned for the title.

“It wasn’t a shock value thing we were doing just to make a point,” Hickman said. “This all works to a purpose.”

Who are the Fantastic Four?
Fantastic Four started in July 1962 by writer and editor Stan Lee, and artist Jack Kirby. According to various interviews with Lee, the concept came from a response from DC Comic’s Justice League of America.

The team consists of Reed Richards (Mr.Fantastic), his wife Susan Richards (Invisible Woman), her brother Johnny Storm (Human Torch), and Ben Grimm (The Thing).

In the title’s first issue, the four hijacked a space ship and rode to space, where they were hit with cosmic radiation that gave them super powers.

Fantastic Four did many things that were different at the time of superhero comics, including having the four main characters have their secret identity’s exposed to the public and being branded traitors to the country. Lee and Kirby also had the characters interact as a family, which included moments of bickering between the characters

The family atmosphere between the four characters and several of the supporting characters and villains created by Lee and Kirby were not only popular with the fans, but were an influence in the fictional Marvel Universe.

Possibility of who is dying and who will be living

With the story arc of Three, readers will be wondering which of the main characters will be dying in the next few issues of the comic. In the Fantastic Four’s 583 issues, Reed has been supposedly killed off during the run of writer Walt Simonson (find numbers for this). He also the smartest man in the Marvel world.

Since Hickman’s first story arc was mainly about Reed, there is a possibility that he may get the axe.

An alternate reality of Susan has also been killed during the run of Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch. This could be seen as a foreshadow to Susan’s own death, as well as seen as a red herring.

Grimm was actually killed during writer Mark Waid’s run on the title, but the team traveled to heaven to get him back. The possibility of his death may have least chance because he is also starring in New Avengers, written by Brian Michael Bendis and illustrated by Stuart Immomen.

Storm’s death seems the most likely as he has never actually died or come really close to death. Hickman said that the death and events in Three will have an everlasting impression on various Marvel books, ranging from the Amazing Spiderman to The Avengers.

Other possible deaths could include Doctor Doom, who is currently suffering from illness, and Franklin and Valeria, Reed and Susan’s children.

Change could be good for the team

The change to the title will most likely be met with criticism by fans and critics. The deaths of major characters result anywhere between fans voicing their anger on message boards, to readers sending in letters and threats to the writers, to giving up reading the entire brand of comics.

Back in 2006, after Captain America was killed in his book, fans voiced their opinion, with many saying they would never pick up a Marvel comic again.

According to Bevoort, there are fans who love the idea of the book’s current events and love Hickman’s long form story telling.

Although the death of characters may be a bad thing, it can also bring something new to the title. With the deaths of heroes like Captain America, Superman back in 1992, and most recently Batman, there was new interest to the titles and supporting characters.

In the case of Captain America and Batman, writers were able to place their former sidekicks to take the mantle of their fallen mentor and even keep it when original heroes were brought back.

There is also the common theme in comic books, that no one truly ever dies, with the exception of Uncle Ben.

Gaps and replacements in the team's roster

The death of one of the Fantastic Four’s characters could bring a new face onto the team. While the characters do have a family nature, there have been numerous super heroes who have joined the Fantastic Four to replace a member or two. These names have included Luke Cage, leader of the New Avengers and Thunderbolts, Black Panther, his wife Storm, who is also a member of the X-Men, and She Hulk.

During his run, Simonson set up a possible death to the entire team, and brought in Super-man, Ghost Rider, Wolverine, and the Hulk to replace them. Although this move was only temporary, this team of four have been featured in various What If stories, and stories taking place in the alternate universe.

The future of the title

While a death of a major character is promised, it also sounds like the book, or just the name of the title, will be no more following this story arc.

Bervoot said that there will not be a book titled Fantastic Four this time next year.

Road to the gold

2010-09-29T16:08:00.000-07:00

Former UFC champions and their path back to the top

With his victory this past Saturday over Evan Dunham, Sean Sherk is on the first step back to regaining the UFC Lightweight title, a belt he was stripped of back in 2007 after testing positive for Nandrolone.

While the UFC has been making new stars, Sherk and other former UFC champions are stepping up their game and accumulating, with hopes of one day getting back their title.

Former champions getting title shots

Rashad Evans, a former Light Heavyweight champion, is getting a shot against current champion Mauricio Rua in spring or summer of 2011, according to MMAJunkie. He had won the opportunity to face Rua after defeating Quinton Jackson, another former light heavyweight champion.

Another ex champion getting a title shot is Vitor Belfort. Belfort, who won the UFC light heavyweight title in 2004, will be fighting UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva for the title after Chael Sonnen, who was scheduled to face Silva in a rematch, tested positive for performance enhancing drugs. Sonnen was recently suspended.

Belfort had initially won the right to face Silva after defeating Rich Franklin last September, but would have had to put his contendership on the line against Yushi Okami at UFC 122. He was pulled out of the fight and replaced by Nate Marquardt, with the winner getting a title match against the winner of Belfort vs. Silva.

Hall of Famers and future Hall of Famers eyeing another title

At the heavyweight level, former heavyweight champion and interm heavyweight champion Frank Mir could be on the track back to the heavyweight title after his recent knock out victory over Mirko Filipovic.

Randy Couture, a former heavyweight champion, light heavyweight champion, and UFC Hall of Famer, could be put right back into the title picture. Since moving back to the light heavyweight division, he has won his last three fights (though his fight with James Toney was classified as heavyweight).

In an interview with On Portland, Couture said he would fight then light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida if that was what the UFC had wanted.

Matt Hughes, another UFC Hall of Famer could be on the track to a third welterweight title. He has won his last three fights, all against Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu specialists. He is scheduled to face B.J. Penn at UFC 123 and another win could put up for a title shot.

Tito Ortiz, another former light heavyweight title holder, said in an interview with Joe Rogan that he wants to win another world title.

Former champs who are just not there yet
Some former champions have a potential of getting back to the title picture, but the moment they seem like they are getting ready to get back their title, they end up losing their next fight.

Franklin, a fomer middleweight champion has won six of his nine last fights since losing the title to Anderson Silva back in 2006.

After his knock out victory over Chuck Liddell, he was asked whether or not he was staying at the middleweight level, or going up to the light heavyweight weight class. Franklin said it that decision would be up to Dana White and Joe Silva.

The winner of the Machida and Jackson fight at UFC 123 could also be pushed in the right direction to a title shot.

Bader reaches new heights with win over Lil Nog

2010-09-26T17:55:00.000-07:00

Ryan Bader, a mixed martial fighter who fights in UFC’s light heavyweight division has faced his hardest opponent at UFC 119, Antonio Rogerio “Minitoro” Nogueira. Bader defeated Nogueira by unanimous decision.

With the biggest career Bader, who is currently 12-0 in his MMA career, what is next for him after defeating Nogueira.

According to an interview with Fight Line, Bader says that he thinks he is pretty close to a title shot, but he still has a lot to learn.

“Ultimately my goal is to have the belt some day,” Bader said. “It's up to the UFC who they want to put me against.

Bader was born and raised in Reno. He was a high school state wrestling champion, and Division 1 wrestler in college. He made his MMA debut in 2007. He first showed up in the UFC on the eighth season of The Ultimate Fighter, winning the overall competition. Since winning The Ultimate Fighter, Bader has earned victories over Keith Jardine and Eric Shafer.

He currently trains with Power MMA and Fitness.

While a title shot is the ultimate goal for Bader, there are other opponents he will have to go through before getting a title shot. According to the Bleacher Report, Bader’s next opponent may be Jon Jones, who is also rising in the light heavyweight division. Jones has earned victories over Brandon Vera and Vladimir Matyushenko.

Tomas Rios, a Sherdog writer thinks Bader’s next fight should be against Rich Franklin.

Other possible opponents for Bader include Matt Hamill, Tito Ortiz, and maybe even Quinton Jackson.

Whether his next fight is against a legend, or another Ultimate Fighter contestant, Bader knows he has a challenge ahead of him.

Whoever's next, it's going to be a tough fight, no matter what,” Bader said.

Shields to debut at UFC 121

2010-09-22T11:38:00.000-07:00

Jake Shields, former Strikeforce Middleweight champion will make his UFC debut in October against Martin Kampmann at UFC 121: Lesnar vs. Velasquez. Shields, whose fight record stands at (25-4-1) will be fighting in the welterweight division.

Shields had left Strikeforce during the renegotiation period of his fight contract. During the period where Shields was a free agent, UFC President Dana White said he would have paid a large sum to take one of Strikeforce’s champions, according to Fighters Only Magazine.

In an interview with Fighters Only Magazine, Shields said that he liked the idea of fighting current UFC Welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre and UFC Middleweight champion Anderson Silva.

Shields’ departure was not without controversy. Not only did he leave Strikeforce while he was the organization’s middleweight champion, Shields had also engaged in a brawl with Jason “Mayhem” Miller moments after fighting Henderson. According to Shedog’s website, Sheilds was one of the fighters that was fined and suspended.

Although Shields is gone from Strikeforce, he does have his supporters from the organization. In an interview with MMA Weekly Gilbert Melendez, Shields training partner and the current Strikeforce Lightweight champion, said he thinks Shields will do well in UFC.

“Of course I wish he was still here with me in Strikeforce,” Melendez said. “But he’s got to do what he’s got to do and I support him 100 percent.”

Shields’ other accomplishments include championships the EliteXC Welterweight title, Shooto Middleweight title, and Rumble on the Rock Welterweight tournament winner. He also has notable wins over Robbie Lawler and Paul Daley

Shields was also featured on the MTV show Bully Beatdown hosted by Miller, and was an assistant coach on the Ultimate Fighter Season 11 for Team Liddell.

If Shields win his debut match against Kappmann, he could be quickly thrown inline for a title shot in the future.

UFC 119 Predictions

2010-09-21T17:14:00.000-07:00

Heavyweight bout: Frank Mir vs. Mirko Filipovic'

Winner: Filipovic by knock out

In this battle of two heavyweight legends, I am going with Filipvoc ’s striking and devastating kicks over Mir‘s ground game and submission expertise.

I am not counting Mir out, as he has an advantage over Filipovic’s eagerness to take a fight so soon after his match against Patrick Barry. Filipovic’s injury could also have a factor into this match.

Light Heavyweight bout: Antônio Rogério Nogueira vs. Ryan Bader

Winner: Bader by decision

Bader is coming into this fight with 11 wins and no losses while Nogueria is currently at 19 wins and three losses. I am going Bader to go the distance with the younger Nogueria brother and earn the judges’ decision.

Ironically Bader won the Ultimate Fighter season 8 as part of Aontonio Rodrigo Nogueria’s team

Welterweight bout: Matt Serra vs. Chris Lytle

Winner: Serra by decision

Lytle is not only coming into this match with a three fight winning streak, but he also looking to avenge the loss he suffered at Serra’s hands at the Ultimate Fighter 4 finale. Serra is also coming into this fight with a bit of momentum juice after running Frank Trigg out of the UFC last Feburary.

Like Trigg, Serra will beat Lytle again, and like their previous bout, it will go to a decision. This rematch between these two could decide a future contender for a welterweight title.

Lightweight bout: Sean Sherk vs. Evan Dunham

Winner: Dunham by submission

Dunham is another fighter who is coming into tonight’s event with an undefeated streak and like Bader, he has a formidable foe in Sherk, a former UFC Lightweight champion.

While Sherk may be looking to continue his path towards regaining the lightweight title, Dunham will step in the way and throw a wrench in the former champ’s plan in the form of a submission

Lightweight bout: Melvin Guillard vs. Jeremy Stephens

Winner: Guillard by knock out

Guillard has faced problems in the last couple of years, and has seemed to overcome his problems. Like Stephens he is coming into the fight with a two-fight winning streak.

This bout will end quick with Guillard getting the knock out.

Undercard bouts

Middleweight bout: C.B. Dollaway vs. Joe Doerksen

Winner: Doerksen by knock out

Heavyweight bout: Matt Mitrione vs. Joey Beltran

Winner: Mitrione by knock out

Lightweight bout: Thiago Tavares vs. Pat Audinwood

Winner: Audinwood by decision

Lightweight bout: Steve Lopez vs. Waylon Lowe

Winner: Lopez by decision

Welterweight bout: TJ Grant vs. Julio Paulino

Winner: Paulino by knock out

Heavyweight bout: Mark Hunt vs. Sean McCorkle

Winner: McCorkle by knock out

UFC 119 web preview

Dutch fighter going for Strikeforce gold

2010-09-18T10:19:00.000-07:00

Dutch fighter Marloes "Rumina" Coenen will step into the cage once again as she faces undefeated fighter and Strikeforce Welterweight champion Sarah Kaufman.

Coenen, whose record is currently at 17 wins and four losses, is looking to end Kaufman’s undefeated streak and take her championship at Strikeforce: San Jose, which takes place October 9. Her last fight was against Strikeforce Middleweight Champion Cristane Santos, which ended with Santos winning by TKO in the third round.

Although she had sustained injuries in the fight with Santos, Coenen’s said in a Strikeforce conference call, she had learned a lot from her loss to Santos.

“I stepped in and I was convinced I could KO her and it didn’t work,” Coenen said. “Everything has healed and I have proven to myself that I can take a punch, and in a weird way, it feels really good.”

Although her fight with Kaufman is at a lower weight class, Coenen said that dropping weight will not be an issue. She said her trainers are working with her to drop the weight.

“I have two experts who are coaching me and have created a diet plan, and are telling me when to eat, how to eat and when to take vitamins and I will be on weight,” Coenen said.

Born and raised in the Netherlands, Coenen started training in martial arts at the age of 14. She trained with Shooto Holland under trainer and mixed martial arts veteran Martijn de Jong, according to her website. Coenen won her first amateur bout in 20 seconds and debuted professionally in 2000, against Yuuki Kondo. The fight ended with Coenen winning by submission two and a half minutes into the first round.

Some of Coenen’s accomplishments include winning the 2000 ReMix World Cup and earning victories in different MMA promotions around the world.

Since debuting in Strikeforce, Coenen has one half of her fights. She avenged her loss against Roxanne Modaeffri, who previously beat her in the K-GRACE tournament finals.

Coenen currently trains with Team Golden Glory. In addition to fighting, Coenen is wanting to study in Communications Sciences in Amsterdam.

Coenen, who is known for her striking and ground game, said her training regiment is the same, while only a small percentage is dedicated to her sparring with someone at Kaufman‘s size.

We have a special wrestling coach, and we work on wrestling techniques, and I train with a lot of guys who are smaller,” Coenen said.

Coenen also said that while she is expecting every possible scenario, she thinks the majority of the fight will be a standup and striking game.

“Sarah is a striker and I like to dish out as well,“ Coenen said.

In the same conference call, Kaufman said that while Coenen is moving down from 145 lbs to 135 lbs, her training has not been any different.

“It doesn’t matter who they fought before, and where they just came from and I though Marloes looked really good in the fight with Cyborg,” Kaufman said. “My training has been just as intense and I am expecting just as tough of a fight as I’ve ever had.”

Whether or not she defeats Kaufman, Coenen is scheduled to compete at the Ultimate Glory 12 event seven days after Strikeforce: San Jose.

Links:

Transcript of Strikeforce conference call

Strikeforce: San Jose preview

Team Golden Glory

Pride and kickboxing star to debut at UFC 119

2010-09-17T08:44:00.000-07:00

Pride fighting veteran Mark Hunt will make his UFC debut against undefeated Sean McCorkle at UFC 119: Mir vs. CroCop.

Hunt, who is known for his raw power, his striking ability, and a tough chin debuted in Pride back in 2004. According to his Pride FC profile, the 36-year-old Hunt was raised in Auckland New Zeland, growing up in a large family.

While he has spent a long time in martial arts, Hunt never actually intended to be a fighter. According to his Pride profile, Hunt was involved at an altercation at a night club. It was there he got the attentions of the bouncers who convinced him to train.

While Hunt is considered a star in MMA, he could also be seen as the underdog in his fight with McCorkle. He has lost his last five fights, his most recent was back in May, against Gerard Mousasi at the Super Hulks Grand Prix tournament for the DREAM fighting promotion.

Hunt’s fighting record is at five wins and six losses. Although his lossesexceeds his wins, Hunt has wins over fighters such as Wanderlei Silva and Mirko “CroCop” Filipovic.

In addition to his MMA career, Hunt is an accomplished kick boxer, with 30 wins and 13 losses. His accolades in the kick boxing world include winning the 2001 K-1 World Grand Prix champion.

To prepare for his fight against McCorkle, Hunt has been training with American Top Team, who is known for training such fighters as Bobby Lashley, Cole Miller, and Thiago Silva.

American Top Team posted on their site: We were honored he has chosen to train with us in preparation for his upcoming bout against undefeated fighter Sean McCorkle.

McCorckle, who currently holds a record of nine wins and zero losses, was surprised to be fighting Hunt, who he considers a legend. In an interview with ProMMANow, McCorkle said fighting Hunt in front of his hometown will be the strangest feeling in the world.

“I was kind of hoping it would be someone I don‘t like,” McCorkle said.

While McCorkle will have the distraction of fighting in front of his hometown, Hunt will have a lot to prove in his UFC debut. If he loses this one, this may be his only match in the UFC and one of the last chances he has to put his MMA career back on track.

Links:

Mark Hunt's Pride profile

UFC 119 preview