Former Strikeforce Middleweight Champion Cung Le ready for Scott Smith rematch
Former Strikeforce Middleweight Champion Cung Le was upset by Scott Smith in the main event of Strikeforce's "Evolution" event last December, losing by TKO in the third round while en route to a one-sided decision victory. But while his first MMA loss came in his first fight in nearly two years after taking time off to appear in several movies, Le is getting ready to get back into action a lot sooner this time around.
"I'm ready to go next month if I have to," Le told MMATorch.com. "I've been staying in the gym and staying in shape and making sure my cardio improves every time I'm in the gym. I think a big part of it was my cardio in the last fight"... [CONTINUE READING]
-RELATED LINK: PENICK'S AUDIO INTERVIEW WITH LE: CLICK HERE
This Sunday afternoon, join editor-in-chief Jamie Penick and columnist Matt Pelkey from 2-4 p.m. ET (11-1 PT) for a live call-in show at BlogTalkRadio.com. Set a reminder notice now or Sunday visit the following URL to listen: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/mmatorch. BlogTalkRadio is customized for both the web and your mobile phone.[CONTINUE READING]
"I think he's very similar to Brock Lesnar. He's somebody that's strong, and he's a good wrestler. But I think that Carwin, in a lot of ways, is actually more dangerous for me... Brock and Carwin are both better wrestlers than I am. Most likely, they'll both be able to take me down. Most likely, they'll both be able to win the fight if I get stuck against the cage on my back with my head jammed up.[CONTINUE READING]
Josh Barnett finally has an opponent for his MMA return. After much speculation and several fighters turning down fights with "The Babyfaced Assassin," multiple published reports state that he will make his return next weekend at DREAM 13 against Siala "Mighty Mo" Siliga. For the full report and Penick's Analysis...[CONTINUE READING]
Bellator Fighting Championships is set to announce the signing of their most high profile fighter on Monday, as MMAJunkie.com reports that UFC veteran Roger Huerta will be joining the eight man lightweight tournament for the organization's second season. Huerta is coming off a loss to Gray Maynard last September in his final contracted UFC fight. That was his first fight in 13 months after losing to Kenny Florian at UFC 87. For more on the signing along with Penick's Analysis...[CONTINUE READING]
"And if the opportunity came up to broadcast MMA, I don't think I'd have any issues doing it. I wouldn't be wearing the black hat. I wouldn't be doing all my pro wrestling cliches. You wouldn't hear any slobberknockers or any of the phrases I've coined over the years, like "business is about to pick up" or "he's beating him like a government mule." You wouldn't hear that. But I think people would be very surprised at what they would hear, simply because I'm passionate about their game. [CONTINUE READING]
While MMAJunkie.com reported today that a bout between Chuck Liddell and Rich Franklin was in the works for UFC 115 this June, UFC President Dana White says that's not happening. In addition, he revealed another bout for Franklin that is just as, if not more, intriguing. For White's comments and Penick's Analysis on the new developments...[CONTINUE READING]
If anyone looks at previous roundtables we've done at MMATorch.com, they'll notice that I was quite upset that Frankie Edgar got a chance at BJ Penn over Gray Maynard. However, you are right, I did fail to address one aspect of matchmaking that gets heavy criticism. The actual system of who gets the title shot wasn't really discussed in depth by me in initial column, so let me do so here. In the case of Frankie Edgar getting a title shot over Gray Maynard, I agree with you that Maynard should have gotten the title shot first, however there are some key factors to look at...[CONTINUE READING]
A bout between UFC Hall of Famer and former Light Heavyweight Champion Chuck Liddell and former UFC Middleweight Champion Rich Franklin is in the works for UFC 115 in June, according to a report from MMAJunkie.com. Franklin steps in for Tito Ortiz, who is out of the fight for unknown reasons. For the full report along with Penick's Analysis...[CONTINUE READING]
Strikeforce's April return to CBS will stay on April 17th, according to Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker in comments made to MMAJunkie.com. With the UFC working on an event to counter Strikeforce: Nashville on the 17th, Coker had mentioned the possibility of Strikeforce moving dates to the 24th in order to avoid the head to head with the UFC, though that now will not take place. For Coker's comments and Penick's analysis...[CONTINUE READING]
In response to Amadi's article on matchmaking, he raises valid issues with the tournament model for MMA, but fails to address issues with the matchmaking practices in the UFC. The prime example of the issues I am talking about is Frankie Edgar recieving a title shot over Gray Maynard, despite having a loss to Maynard. I am aware here recieved his shot for being "more exciting" and "more dominant" in his performances, but he still lost to Maynard...[CONTINUE READING]
I'll be interviewing Gray Maynard early next week. if you have questions you'd like me to ask him, please send them to jasonschielke@gmail.com...[CONTINUE READING]
The following is MMATorch columnist Jason Schiekle's exclusive one-on-one interview with Bas Rutten conducted in February 2010. Rutten is a three-time King of Pancase and UFC Hvt. Champion, with top wins against Frank Shamrock (twice), Kevin Randleman, Maurice Smith, Masa Funaki, and Guy Metzger. Born in Tiburg, Netherlands, he now lives in California. He retired in 1999 as a result of... [CONTINUE READING]
The concept of matchmaking in MMA is constantly under scrutiny by fans, fighters, and media. It is often said that matchmaking is the one aspect of the fight game that has to change for MMA to make that final leap to becoming a legitimate professional sport on the level of the NBA, NFL, NHL, or Major League Baseball...[CONTINUE READING]
With the UFC vs. Strikeforce battle heating up in April, it's a good time to flash back to MMATorch senior columnst Shawn Ennis's column from 2006 comparing the strengths and weaknesses at the time between UFC and Pride. It's a fascinating look at the differences between the two top MMA promotions competing for talent and trying to grow into the dominant worldwide brand, but approaching the presentation of the sport differently...[CONTINUE READING]
"Brock [Lesnar] actually took care of me from the financial standpoint. He knows the guys he wants around him to help him train, people he gets along with, and he compensates you for it. I was fortunate, because it allowed me to train full time. Every time he had a practice, I was there, not just to get myself better, but to help him peak for his fights... I wanted to be well rounded before I walked in. It's foolish to think that because you are good at wrestling you're going to be great at MMA[CONTINUE READING]
Last night's airing of "UFC Primetime" on Spike TV, focused on the training of George St. Pierre and Dan Hardy, drew a total audience of 1 million viewers. That's presumably combining the ratings for both back-to-back airings last night (such as 600,000 first airing, 400,000 second airing). It drew a 1.1 rating among men 18-34 (325,000) and a 1.0 rating among men 18-49 (537,000). It was the most watched episode in the series' history...[CONTINUE READING]
MMAJunkie.com has confirmed that WEC 47 this past Saturday did a 0.46 household rating for a total of 373,000 viewers. Trending data has UFC 110, headlined by a heavyweight bout between Cain Velasquez and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, somewhere between 215,000 and 240,000 pay-per-view buys...[CONTINUE READING]
After a long wait, Strikeforce heavyweight Roger Gracie looks set to make his promotional debut on the still-unannounced May 15th show according to a report from MMAJunkie.com, citing sources close to the event. The likely opponent is former UFC heavyweight champion Kevin "The Monster" Randleman, but nothing has been confirmed at this point. [CONTINUE READING]
After watching last night's debut episode of the three part UFC Primetime: St. Pierre vs. Hardy special, I couldn't help but think one thing throughout: GSP is scary. Scary good, and he's getting better. Dan Hardy exudes confidence in himself and his ability as an underdog, but as St. Pierre himself pointed out on the show, Hardy's not really saying anything different than any of GSP's opponents have coming into fights with him over the last three years...[CONTINUE READING]
"Hardy can definitely win. Overall, GSP has the better chances to win, of course, but Hardy is getting better and better and, honestly, I am more excited to see this GSP fight versus Hardy than pretty much anyone else you could put GSP in with. I am super excited about the fight; I can't wait to see what happens as a MMA fan. Dan can definitely win this if he takes his chances with his strikes... Dan Hardy definitely deserves his title shot in Newark...[CONTINUE READING]
With season eleven of the Ultimate Fighter set to debut at the end of this month, the UFC is gearing up for season twelve as well. Following the Fight Night 21 event in Charlotte, N.C. that serves as the lead in to the season on March 31st, open tryouts will be held for the twelfth season on April 1st at the Omni Charlotte Hotel's grand ballroom. For more information, including weight classes represented in season twelve...[CONTINUE READING]
The UFC 110 bout between Stephan Bonnar and Krzysztof Soszynski ended in a bit of controversy, as the competitive fight was stopped by the doctor's in the third round due to a cut suffered by Bonnar, awarding the TKO victory to Soszynski. The issue with the stoppage came from the fact that the cut was caused by an inadvertent head butt in the center of the cage, a blow highlighted by Joe Rogan's commentary and the subsequent replays that showed it was clearly the head butt that caused the cut....[CONTINUE READING]
MMATorch Editor-in-Chief Jamie Penick is joined by a very special guest for an audio interview on the Torch Audio Update, former Strikeforce Middleweight Champion. Le discusses his loss to Scott Smith, what he learned from the fight and wanting to get back into action much quicker this time around. Click for the audio link...[CONTINUE READING]
Torch Editor Jamie Penick interviewed former Strikeforce Middleweight Champion Cung Le on Tuesday to get Le's thoughts on his December loss to Scott Smith as well as what his plans are for the sport in the near future. For exclusive quotes from that interview and more on what Le's doing to get past the loss in the last fight...[CONTINUE READING]
One of the chief complaints for Strikeforce broadcasts on Showtime has been the policy of not airing any preliminary card fights when time permits, and instead opting to cut off more than one broadcast with time remaining on their allotted broadcast slot. Well, for their April 17th return to CBS at least, that may change. For details on their possible plan of action along with Penick's Analysis...[CONTINUE READING]
UFC Primetime: St. Pierre vs. Hardy, the three part Spike series serving to hype up the UFC 111 main event between Georges St. Pierre and Dan Hardy for the UFC Welterweight Championship, premieres tomorrow night, Wednesday March 10th, at 10PM ET on Spike TV. For a video spot for the program[CONTINUE READING]
The UFC's first trip to Vancouver continues to fill out, with two new bouts being added to the UFC 115 event expected to come June 12th from the GM Place. For the new bouts in the works along with Penick's Analysis on said matchups ...[CONTINUE READING]
Versus released the full video of the unaired WEC 47 "Fight of the Night" between George Roop and Leonard Garcia. Click to see the fight...[CONTINUE READING]
Jens Pulver's 2003 autobiography, “Little Evil, One Ultimate Fighter's Rise to the Top,” starts with his father lining up his three children and telling them he was about to kill them. Jens takes his readers on a harrowing ride starting with his early childhood in rural Washington state and culminating with his winning and retaining the first Lightweight title in UFC history...[CONTINUE READING]
James Toney reminds me of Dom from "Entourage" - an overconfident, overweight, strong-arming, rule-breaking thug. No disrespect to the former Champ, he's a world-class boxer who can turn off the lights on any UFC fighter if his barely protected knuckles ever make contact. What I'm trying to say is, even though I respect his scrapping skills, I feel his pompous persona has a contaminating effect to the sport. Plus, I'm not even going to try to lie to you; I just get that indescribable, unjustifiable sense of revulsion every time I see him...[CONTINUE READING]
The Audio Choke is back with Matt Collins, Greg Rowland, and Toben Shelby. Today they review WEC 47 and the aftermath for the participants, followed by a discussion of the James Toney signing with the UFC, what grinds Toben's gears, the upcoming war between Strikeforce on CBS and UFC on Spike TV, and a quick preview of MMA to come! Click for the audio link...[CONTINUE READING]
If there is one thing that annoys me to no end, it's the comparison between pro wrestling and mixed martial arts. However, in light of recent events in both, and the historical similarities between the two, I feel for the clarification purposes, in order to discuss what has happened, what will happen, and what MMA fans seem to be crying out for, it is necessary...[CONTINUE READING]
"I'm still a boxer. Boxing is my No. 1 goal. ... This is something that's going to keep me invigorated. Unlike most boxing people, I'm a fan of MMA. Why not give it a chance?... I'm going to go back and forth. I'm a two-sport guy. I'll fight in the UFC, then boxing, then another UFC fight, and then boxing. I'll do as much as I can, whatever fights I can get...[CONTINUE READING]
