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UFC 160 PREVIEW: Penick's main card breakdown and fight picks for "Velasquez vs. Bigfoot II" event

Fri, 24 May 2013 19:25:37 PST

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Saturday night's UFC 160 event has gotten considerably less steam than some recent pay-per-view events, in part due to the expected mismatch in the night's main event and the fact that the fight was seen just one year ago between Cain Velasquez and Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva. But it's an important card for a number of fighters, with quite a bit on the line. Here's what's coming on Saturday's main card:

Cain Velasquez vs. Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva (UFC Heavyweight Championship)

We've seen this fight play out once, and recently, as they fought this time last year at UFC 146. Velasquez's speed and wrestling quickly brought that fight to the ground, and his power on the ground caused significant damage quickly. The gash Velasquez opened up with the elbows on the ground only quickened the end for Bigfoot, as it impaired his vision and allowed even more damaging blows to land.

Coming into this rematch, it's hard to say that anything significant has changed, and if it has, it's been for the Champion, not the challenger. Velasquez remains faster, and his wrestling is far superior to that of Silva's. Add in the fact that Velasquez isn't going to disrespect Silva's skills the way Alistair Overeem did in February, and there doesn't seem to be a path to victory for Silva here.

Short of Velasquez allowing Silva to connect in the first round, there's no reason to believe we'll see anything different in this rematch. Velasquez has only gotten better, and though no one can take away Bigfoot's big KO wins over Travis Browne and Overeem, he hasn't suddenly developed the tools to stop what happened to him the first time.

PREDICTION: Velasquez via TKO in the second round

Junior dos Santos vs. Mark Hunt (Heavyweight)

Striker vs. striker; power vs. speed. Mark Hunt vs. Junior dos Santos represents an exciting matchup on paper, with Hunt looking for the walk off KO while dos Santos is hell bent on returning to a title fight in the heavyweight division.

Hunt's improbable rise has been something to see, and it's clear he's got the power to hurt any opponent. That said, the difference in speed and stamina is going to be dramatic between the two. Add in the clear technical advantages of dos Santos' striking game, along with his intelligent use of reach and movement, and the edge clearly goes to him.

He also doesn't have to worry about the takedown like he did against Velasquez, and that's one of the reasons he was caught in that fight. He's going to be much quicker to the punch throughout this fight, and I think he'll wear Hunt down late into this one.

PREDICTION: Dos Santos via TKO in the third round

Glover Teixeira vs. James Te Huna (Light Heavyweight)

This is another fight between two striking heavy fighters, with a combined 22 knockout wins between the two of them. But Teixeira's also a threat on the ground, and he's got submission skills along with his strikes to finish things when he has an opponent on the ground.

Coming in, Teixeira's clearly got the most momentum, having won three straight UFC fights, including a win over Quinton "Rampage" Jackson in January. His actual winning streak stretches back 18 fights over the last seven years, and he's just coming in as the more dangerous fighter.

Te Huna's a hard-hitting, really solid light heavyweight fighter, but he's susceptible to being finished on the ground and is facing a better finisher than he's fought yet in the UFC. I think Teixeira scores a knock down early in this one and moves to the submission game to finish it off.

PREDICTION: Teixeira via submission in the first round

Gray Maynard vs. T.J. Grant (Lightweight)

This is a big step up for T.J. Grant, and the story of this fight is whether or not that's something he's ready for. He's looked increasingly better in each fight he's had in the UFC, culminating in a fantastic first round stoppage win over Matt Wiman earlier this year, but he hasn't fought someone with Maynard's combination of striking and wrestling at 155 lbs. yet.

He's fought big, bullying grapplers in the past, and has fallen short thrice in the UFC against fighters of that ilk. However, that was at welterweight, and though Maynard's a big 155 lbs., he's not as big of a fighter as Ricardo Almeida or Dong Hyun Kim.

The other "X" factor in this matchup is the near year-long layoff for Maynard. His last outing was the dull fight with Clay Guida, and he's spent the rest of the last year camp hopping a bit and trying to make some changes in this game.

We've got two talented grapplers who have improved striking games in this fight, and it could be a bit of a grinding, brutal affair. Ultimately, I think it might be just a little bit too much for Grant in the end, and though he'll put up a good fight, i think he'll fall short.

PREDICTION: Maynard via decision

Donald Cerrone vs. K.J. Noons (Lightweight)

Donald Cerrone has lost four times in his MMA career, and after each of the first three, he's rebounded with an excellent performance. Following his loss to Jamie Varner, he scored a first round submission win over James Krause. After his first loss to Ben Henderson, he submitted Ed Ratcliff. After the second loss to Henderson, he had perhaps his most complete three round performance in avenging his loss to Varner.

All of that is to say, Noons may be in trouble here.

Cerrone's fallen short in some of his biggest spots, and in January on Fox he suffered the most humbling of losses when Anthony Pettis destroyed him with body kicks. He's already proven he can rebound in a big way, and this is the type of fight in which he can do just that.

The Noons that defeated Nick Diaz in Elite XC in 2007 is not the same version of K.J. Noons who fought in Strikeforce. He remains a good striker, but overall, he's just not been as complete of a fighter as Cerrone's shown on his best days.

Cerrone could stand and strike with Noons, but his best approach may be getting the fight to the ground on Saturday night, as he'll have an edge there with his submission game. Regardless, I think he's simply the better fighter coming into the event, and he gets back on track to start off the pay-per-view.

PREDICTION: Cerrone via submission in the second round

=====Preliminary Card Quick Picks=====

--Mike Pyle over Rick Story via submission in the second round
--Dennis Bermudez over Max Holloway via decision
--Robert Whittaker over Colton Smith via TKO in the first round
--Khabib Nurmagomedov over Abel Trujillo via submission in the second round
--Stephen Thompson over Nah-Shon Burrell via TKO in the second round
--Brian Bowles over George Roop via TKO in the first round
--Estevan Payan over Jeremy Stephens via decision

Weigh-in results for UFC 160 "Velasquez vs. Bigfoot II"

Fri, 24 May 2013 18:55:09 PST

Weigh-ins took place today for UFC 160 "Velasquez vs. Bigfoot II" in Las Vegas, Nevada, and all of the nights fights are now set. But there were some fireworks getting there, and two fighters on the card failed to make weight on their initial attempts.

Lightweight Nah-Shon Burrell missed the allowed 171 overage for his bout with Stephen Thompson, but made it there on his second attempt. But lightweight Khabib Nurmagomedov didn't even attempt to weigh-in a second time after coming in 2.5 lbs. over the allowable 156 lbs. To make things worse, he then shoved opponent Abel Trujillo hard, with the two needing to be forcibly separated after that.

On the main card, all of the night's competitors hit their mark, though both Mark Hunt and Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva neared the heavyweight limit of 265 lbs. Full weigh-in results are below:

Main Card

Cain Velasquez (240) vs. Antonio Silva (263)
Junior dos Santos (239) vs. Mark Hunt (264)
James Te Huna (206) vs. Glover Teixeira (205)
T.J. Grant (155) vs. Gray Maynard (156)
Donald Cerrone (155) vs. KJ Noons (156)

FX Prelims

Mike Pyle (170) vs. Rick Story (169)
Dennis Bermudez (146) vs. Max Holloway (145)
Colton Smith (170) vs. Robert Whittaker (171)
Khabib Nurmagomedov (158.5)* vs. Abel Trujillo (155)

Facebook Prelims

Nah-Shon Burrell (171)** vs. Stephen Thompson (170)
Brian Bowles (135) vs. George Roop (135)
Estevan Payan (145) vs. Jeremy Stephens (146)

* - Nurmagomedov forfeited 20% of his fight purse, ten of which goes to Trujillo
** - Burrell made weight on the second attempt

HOBAUGH: UFC 160's Junior dos Santos and the long road back to the UFC Championship

Fri, 24 May 2013 16:40:43 PST

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Winning a UFC title may be one of the toughest accomplishments in sports today. Getting back to one once you've lost it may be an even tougher accomplishment. Many great fighters have won and lost a UFC championship belt. That list is impressive enough to be sure. The list of those who have failed to recapture the belt after losing it is long and dotted with some of the greatest fighters who ever strapped on the gloves.

Just a partial list:

Rich Franklin (lost his title to Anderson Silva at UFC 64)
Matt Hughes (lost his title to GSP at UFC 65
Chuck Liddel (lost his title at UFC 71 for Rampage Jackson)
Rampage Jackson (lost his title at UFC 86 to Forrest Griffin)
Rashad Evans (lost his title to Lyoto Machida at UFC 98)
Forrest Griffin (lost his title to Rashad Evans at UFC 92)

Sense a pattern on those last four?

May of you might be thinking "Well, so what, you cannot stay champion forever." That is true, but many fighters have also lost and regained titles as well.

Another partial list:

Tim Sylvia: He was stripped of the his first belt after a failed PED test in 2004, then lost to Frank Mir at UFC 48 for the title. He then lost to Andrei Arlovski at UFC 51 for an interim belt. He then beat Arlovski at UFC 59 to regain the title, then lost it again at UFC 68.

B.J. Penn: He won the title at UFC 46 and then lost it at UFC 63. He then won the Lightweight Title at UFC 80 and then lost it to Frankie Edgar at UFC 112.

Randy Couture: He won and lost the title several times in two different weight classes.

The point here is that winning the title is one thing, defending it is another. And losing it and regaining is is one of the hardest thing to do in MMA, period.

Saturday night, Junior dos Santos takes his first step back to the title himself after losing to Cain Velasquez back at UFC 155. He is fighting Mark Hunt and that is a fight he should easily win if he fights the way he is capable of. Melvin Manhoef did KO Hunt in 2008, and if you have not seen the fight, find it. It is shocking. JDS has good enough wrestling to keep the fight standing against Hunt and win a decision victory.

Can he realistically win his way back to a UFC Heavyweight Title? The answer is 100% yes. He was undefeated until he lost to Velasquez and the rubber match should be an all time great fight. Assuming Velasquez gets by Bigfoot Silva this Saturday, and JDS gets by Hunt that night as well, this could set up their third meeting.

What does JDS need to do to win back his title? He needs to continue to get better and train off his back. He was never really in a position before the Velasquez fight to fight off of his back. If he is again not ready for the ground, he will lose. Velasquez is too good a grappler not to get JDS on the ground. I think a good game plan for Junior would include being offensive with take downs. He does not have to be successful with the takedown attempts, just get Velasquez's respect so he can keep the fight on the feet as much as possible.

If he can do these things, he can and will win the UFC Heavyweight Title again. As evidenced by those who have tried before him, this may be a long shot. But all he can do is continue to win and get better and let the rest take care of itself.

Please send me love, hate and fan letters to erichobaugh@gmail.com

[Junior dos Santos art by Grant Gould (c) MMATorch.com]

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Trainer: UFC Champ Cain Velasquez wants to be remembered by everybody as one of the greatest

Fri, 24 May 2013 16:10:05 PST

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

When Cain Velasquez enters the cage on Saturday night at UFC 160, he's got just one goal in mind: win. After all, in his first attempt at defending the UFC Heavyweight Championship, he failed on the largest stage ever, with over ten million people ultimately catching that knockout loss to Junior dos Santos on Fox. Sure, he avenged that loss in December, and he's defeated Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva once before, but the most important thing is to get that first title defense under him.

That title defense will be the first step in achieving his goal to be considered amongst the greatest fighters in the sport's history.

"When you say you want to defend the title for a long time, what does it really mean?" Velasquez's trainer, Javier Mendez, wondered in an interview with ESPN.com. "Remember, no one has defended the title more than twice, so if he's talking about wanting to keep defending that title, he wants to be remembered by everybody as one of the greatest, like Fedor [Emelianenko]."

"Look at what it's done for GSP [Georges St-Pierre]. Look at what it's done for Anderson Silva. So I think it's humongous if Cain can hold that title. It's huge for the UFC. It's huge for everybody involved. It's huge for me. It's huge for his management. Everyone wins when an individual, a champion, continues to win."

It's a long road to walk to get himself into the realm of the aforementioned Fedor, GSP, or Anderson Silva, especially considering he's not yet defended the title. And his lack of sound bytes has him under the radar on the star scale as well. But if he can do the unprecedented, and make a run with that title the likes of which hasn't been seen in the heavyweight division, Mendez thinks his results will speak for themselves.

"Cain is not a Chael Sonnen,” Mendez said. “So he's not going to say those catchy lines. He's just going to take all comers, and he's going to go to war. People will respect him for the humble champion that he is. It's going to take him a little longer to get down that road, because he didn't use his mouth. He used his fists. He used his fighting to speak for itself."

Penick's Analysis: Velasquez has already proven to be a fantastic heavyweight fighter, but going from great to "all-time best" is a much larger leap than going from good to great. And he has to prove himself with consistency, because if he loses that title again and the belt starts changing hands, then there isn't going to be a place for him amongst GSP, Silva, and Fedor. Jon Jones is the young Champ who has dominated enough to get himself in that conversation, and that's where Velasquez wants to be. It starts Saturday night, though there's still a lot more that will need to happen to get him there.

[Cain Velasquez art by Grant Gould (c) MMATorch.com]

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MMATorch Interview: UFC's Jon Anik on Vitor Belfort's finishing ability, candid thoughts on TRT, and more (part one)

Fri, 24 May 2013 15:45:03 PST

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

UFC broadcaster Jon Anik has been a major part of the UFC's continued expansion with the Fox family of networks, taking on a number of roles from play by play man to Ultimate Insider host on Fuel TV and more, and he's settled in nicely over his more than year and a half with the organization. He's already gotten a chance to make a few memorable calls on the UFC's live events on FX and Fuel TV, perhaps the greatest of which came just last weekend in an excellent call on Vitor Belfort's spinning heel kick knock down over Luke Rockhold at UFC on FX 8.

Anik joined MMATorch Editor Jamie Penick and MMATorch Columnist Rich Hansen this week on a new MMATorch Livecast at BlogTalkRadio.com to discuss Saturday's event and a number of other topics. In this first grouping of comments, Anik talks about the call on Belfort's kick, the absence of TRT conversation during Saturday's broadcast, and his own openly candid thoughts on TRT.

On his excellent call the moment Belfort landed the head kick:

I chalk that up mostly to being fortunate with the timing; I guess having called Vitor's last fight against Michael Bisping, he is pretty deceptive sometimes when he is trying to set up one of those seminal fight ending finishes. Better to be lucky than good, right place/right time, and I guess I got that 'canvas' word out just in time and Rockhold was twitching shortly thereafter. [It was] just an amazing experience to do those two fights, and really those two cards in Brazil. As you guys know the crowds are lit, they're there early, they stay late, and it was just a sight to behold and just a cool experience being in there Saturday night.

On the fight day grind:

It's a grind, man. We're on headset as you guys know for six and a half, seven hours, and so much of what we're doing over the course of the night is to try to conserve the energy so that we have room in our register to go up as the fights get progressively bigger. You know, you do 13 fights, obviously the main event should have a different feel.

On Belfort's finishing ability:

[Rockhold] seemed to come to pretty quickly - not that he ever went out before hitting the mat. That's why those final moments and your ability to execute are so key, because a lot of guys we see gas themselves out trying to finish somebody with ground and pound. So much of it is about location and accuracy when you have an opponent stunned to finish like that. Vitor did that against Bisping, he did it again against Rockhold, and that's why he remains one of the best in the world.

On the fantastic crowds in Brazil:

It is amazing [being in a crowd in Brazil]. I've always put the Canadian fight fans at the top of the list per capita where the best MMA fans reside. Man, Brazil's closing the gap. That was just an incredible night for the crowd, as it was for so many fighters. I guess my biggest take away is the fact that, maybe we had 8,000 people in there Saturday night, they sound like the Bell Centre's 22,000. They really sound as though there's three times as many people there. That's always my big take away... They take advantage of whatever bleacher they're on. I don't know, despite that being a new arena, that those were the most comfortable bleacher-type stands, but they were stomping their feet and chanting. And as you said, from the outset, middle of the afternoon, 5:15-5:30 our first fight local time, Lucas Martins and Jeremy Larsen which of course was the fight of the night. They're loud man, and really, they just don't let up. I think with a lot of fans, maybe they're drinking early, they're tailgaiting and they tail off, these fans don't tail off. That's why we keep going back, man. This arena, Jaragua do Sul, is very much in the middle of nowhere, and they go find it. A lot of people in Brazil had to fly into this fight; they go find it, and that's why we're going to keep tapping into different Brazilian destinations and see where it sticks. But so far, it's sticking everywhere.

On TRT not being mentioned during the UFC on FX 8 broadcast:

I think it was more a decision about what we wanted to hit on as opposed to what we didn't want to hit on. I suppose if there were a casual drop of the 'TRT' bomb during the broadcast it wouldn't have been some huge issue. I just knew that we weren't going to lead the show with it. Certainly it was a big backdrop to this fight. But I also feel like Vitor has sort of gotten a little bit of a bad rap - even though I am vehemently against testosterone replacement therapy and therapeutic use exemptions; no longer paid for my opinion on it, by the way. At ESPN I was paid in my chats to give my opinion on the subject, and I gave it with conviction. But as far as this show was concerned, and as far as Vitor's concerned, he's not the first, won't be the last. I hope he's one of the few that is the last, because I think it is a problem in mixed martial arts and in the UFC. But he's not the first to get a therapeutic use exemption, yet he seems to be a lighting rod for it and he seems to be the guy that generates the most discussion about it. I don't like it, and I don't know the extent to which fighters are using it, in terms of a percentage of how many; but I feel like when Forrest Griffin got a therapeutic use exemption against Tito Ortiz on that mammoth pay-per-view I believe that was Anderson Silva-Chael Sonnen II, it wasn't a huge focus for anyone. Yet he was the younger fighter in that situation, and nobody really talked much about it. I guess I don't know that it was a concerted effort on our part as much as it was a concerted effort to keep the focus on the fight, which quite frankly wasn't getting enough play if that Twitter trending topics is any indication.

On whether something needs to be done about TRT sooner than later:

Absolutely so that we're not looking back at this as the "TRT Era." Perhaps if there is change that we will look at this in part as the "TRT Era." I just think that there are so few medical cases of guys who actually need these therapeutic use exemptions and they need to be using this stuff to either stay alive or to compete. And I think the other side of the argument that I don't totally disagree with is that if you need this type of treatment then you shouldn't be fighting in a cage against another human being. And I do believe our sport is different, because you're defending a chin, and not a rim in basketball. So I do believe it's a problem; I wouldn't go as far as to use the word "epidemic." Because what you've got to realize, too, is that a fighter like Kenny Florian, his career was ended because of injury, and I have no doubt that if he were to pursue this course of action that his back would probably recover more quickly and he could probably resume his career. But a lot of guys who have normal testosterone levels don't want to use this because they don't want to have to use this with finality for the rest of their lives. I think these guys as a whole, these 450 fighters in the UFC, a lot of them care about health, and long term health. Thus, nutrition and everything else is a big part of their everyday lives. So I do think there's a decent chunk of these guys that are reluctant to use it. It is a problem, and I do believe that we risk a whole era being stained if we don't nip it in the bud and regulate it better.

Check back tomorrow for part two, featuring much more from Anik on Fox Sports 1, the flyweights, Nik Lentz, Fuel TV's future, his worst sports-fan moment, and more!

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UFC's newest heavyweight Josh Barnett gives predictions for UFC 160's Velasquez-Bigfoot, JDS-Hunt bouts

Fri, 24 May 2013 12:35:20 PST

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Now that he's signed with the UFC, Josh Barnett's ready to go on a tear, verbally and in the cage. He's already begun the former, dropping a number of quotable lines in an interview with Steph Daniels at BloodyElbow.com. That included picks for this weekend's UFC 160 event, featuring two big heavyweight fights.

Here's how Barnett sees Junior dos Santos vs. Mark Hunt and Cain Velasquez vs. "Bigfoot" Silva II playing out:

JDS-Hunt: "I'm gonna go with Hunt, just because I like the guy. He's got a wicked right hand, good kickboxing, and a good jaw. The key will be whether he can close the distance and keep it on the feet. I would not be surprised in the least if dos Santos does actually take him down, although we've never seen much of a takedown game out of him. I don't know how well he can execute and change up his strategy for the ring. Mark has gotten better with his takedown defense over the last five or six fights.

On the feet, Junior has got reach, he's very quick, he's got a very good jab. He's a heavyweight, so he can always knock you out, but he's not known for being a knockout puncher. That being said, if he can stay active and mobile, and just out of reach for most of the fight, he can win on points. I think it will come down to how close and how aggressive and how quick Hunt's feet are in terms of closing the gap.

Velasquez-Bigfoot: Cain is going to win again by TKO in the first or second. That's just too much speed for Bigfoot. If he keeps executing his single leg takedowns off his jab and right hand, I just don't see Bigfoot being able to do much with him. It'snot gonna ever be a submission scenario because I just don't think Cain is going to stay around long enough to allow Bigfoot to really grapple with him.

Bigfoot has a fist the size of a pumpkin pie. If he hits ya, he can knock anybody out, but he's been prone to keeping his head and chin real high. He has some speed going in one direction, but he's not really able to change directions. I'm sure after the Cormier fight and their first fight, Cain and his trainer's have probably settled on what is probably a pretty foolproof strategy in which to elicit the difference in speed between the two.

Barnett doesn't yet have an opponent set for his return to the UFC, but that should come together sometime in the next several months.

Penick's Analysis: Barnett can be spot on when he's being serious, though much of the time he gets lost in his own gimmickry when it comes to interviews. In this spot, though, his comments on Saturday night are relevant as he's now a part of the division and the organization. We might just see him against one of those fighters in his debut, depending on what the UFC wants to do with him, though a fight with Frank Mir seems a likely fight for him later this year. As for his actual picks, he's got the fights pegged pretty well. Hunt could win by knockout if dos Santos isn't careful, and Velasquez is probably going to win in similar fashion to their first fight. We'll see if that's how it pans out on Saturday, but it's not a bad breakdown.

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FRIDAY'S WEBSITE EXCLUSIVE: Lyman on the UFC's attempt to legitimize MMA through fighter cuts and suspensions

Fri, 24 May 2013 12:05:19 PST

Today's all-new website exclusive feature article is a piece from MMATorch contributor Cameron Lyman.

In his piece today, Lyman brings an OP-ED on the UFC attempting to legitimize MMA through fighter cuts and suspensions.

Check it out by visiting www.MMATorch.com when you get a chance today on a web browser on the device of your choosing. (DIRECT LINK TO ARTICLE - best viewed on a web browser rather than within our App.)

Our website has undergone a bit of facelift recently, so check it out. If you love our app when you're on the go, settle with some longer signature MMATorch articles on your laptop or PC or tablet.

Our new MMATorch Forum is now open for new members. If you had trouble signing up before with the image verification, that has been changed. Be a pioneer member as we continue to grow. Check in and join the conversation.

Thanks for your support of MMATorch in all its formats - app, web, and podcast.

"Jacare" Souza vs. Yushin Okami being targeted for 2013 UFC event

Fri, 24 May 2013 11:30:08 PST

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

After a highly impressive UFC debut last week at UFC on FX 8, former Strikeforce Middleweight Champion Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza is going to get a stiff test in his next fight. UFC President Dana White revealed on Thursday following a UFC 160 media event that Souza will take on Yushin Okami next, though a date and location for the fight is not yet set.

Souza's first round submission over Chris Camozzi was his second straight over a UFC competitor, technically, as he did the same to Ed Herman - who was loaned to Strikeforce for one fight - in January. His run since losing a decision to Luke Rockhold has him firmly in the top ten of the division, and a bout with Okami could lead to a title fight.

For Okami, it's another chance to work his way back to another rematch with Anderson Silva himself. The one-time title challenger suffered a shocking upset loss to Tim Boetsch after losing to Silva in 2011, but he's fired back with three straight wins in the last year. Most recently, Okami defeated Hector Lombard in Japan in March.

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Ligament damage may delay Jon Jones' UFC return, says Dana White

Fri, 24 May 2013 10:20:24 PST

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones wants to fight soon, and his manager has said he'd like to try fighting twice more in 2013, but that may not be possible. Though the toe he injured against Chael Sonnen last month at UFC 159 is healing, UFC President Dana White says lingering ligament issues have his immediate recovery time unclear.

"He says he feels great, the toe's healing good, but the problem is that ligament," White said on Thursday ahead of UFC 160 in Las Vegas (via MMAFighting.com. "That ligament popped. Anytime you tear a ligament, blood flow helps repair the thing and heal, and you don't get a lot of blood flow to the toe. Who knows? This thing could be six weeks, it could be six months. It's a pain in the ass, man. Always some little, crazy thing."

White added that Jones will undergo an MRI on the toe when he returns from a trip to Russia he made following the Sonnen fight, and that should help clear up where he's at in his recovery.

Penick's Analysis: Though Jones remained a wild card name to headline the first UFC on Fox Sports 1 card, this type of potential delay probably takes him out as a realistic option, unless he gets the MRI early next week and is cleared to go. But the "six weeks or six months" uncertainty doesn't necessarily inspire confidence. Hopefully it doesn't end up being that delayed, but it's a waiting game with Jones for now.

[Jon Jones art by Grant Gould (c) MMATorch.com]

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POLL: Who wins the Junior dos Santos vs. Mark Hunt bout at UFC 160?

Fri, 24 May 2013 10:05:54 PST

Who wins the Junior dos Santos vs. Mark Hunt bout at UFC 160?
Dos Santos by TKO
Dos Santos by SUB
Dos Santos by DEC
Hunt by TKO
Hunt by SUB
Hunt by DEC


Former Middleweight Title challenger Thales Leites reportedly returning to the UFC

Thu, 23 May 2013 23:30:54 PST
By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

In one of the more improbable returns to the UFC, former Middleweight Title challenger Thales Leites has re-signed with the organization, according to a report from Brazilian outlet SporTV.

The 31-year-old fought eight times in the organization from 2006-2009, earning a shot against Anderson Silva after a five fight winning streak. However, he had an embarrassing fight with Silva, complete with him flopping to his back numerous times throughout their five-round bout. When he followed that up with a loss to Alessio Sakara in another bad fight on the prelims, he was cut.

Since that 2009 release, Leites has gone 6-1, losing to Matt Horwich in 2010 before avenging that loss in his last outing in 2012. Though his return date isn't set, the Nova Uniao fighter hopes to compete on the UFC 163 card in Rio de Janeiro this August, headlined by his teammate Jose Aldo.

Penick's Analysis: I can't say I ever thought we'd see Leites in the UFC again. That fight with Silva at UFC 97 is one that is best forgotten, alongside Silva's embarrassing bout with Demian Maia the next year at UFC 112 in Abu Dhabi. That Leites followed that up with a terrible performance against Sakara didn't help, and when he then lost to Horwich in 2010 a return to the UFC was the furthest from anyone's mind. However, three straight wins since then, including one over the most recent TUF season's Tor Troeng as well as an even-up win over Horwich, is apparently just what he needed to be brought back. We'll see how long he lasts this time around, but I doubt this run contains a fight for the UFC Middleweight Title.

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Dana White says the UFC is not intentionally keeping Vitor Belfort out of the U.S. due to TRT issue

Thu, 23 May 2013 22:50:05 PST

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

With Vitor Belfort's use of testosterone replacement therapy coming to light following his win over Michael Bisping in Brazil, and his next fight on the treatment also taking place there, there were a lot of fans and pundits suggesting the UFC was intentionally keeping him out of harm's way on the TRT front. However, UFC President Dana White insisted on Thursday that it simply wasn't the case, and Belfort's bookings in Brazil were due to his popularity in the country and nothing more.

"Why wouldn't they give him an exemption? That's up to them," White said of commissions in the U.S. regarding Belfort's TRT use on Thursday (via MMAFighting.com). "The times he's done it, he's followed [the rules]. We're not keeping Vitor out of fighting anywhere. We've had Vitor fight in Brazil because Vitor sells out in Brazil."

"It's all a bunch of conspiracy f***ing crock of shit, is what it is. Whether it's reporters or fans or whatever that want to go after Vitor. Vitor's on TRT. Everybody knows it. I dislike TRT, and we are testing guys that are on TRT, to make sure they're within the limits and they're not cheating."

White added that Belfort was tested during his fight camp as well as after last weekend's UFC on FX 8 event. Furthermore, Belfort may just be in line for the UFC Middleweight Championship, though White wouldn't guarantee that would be his next fight.

Penick's Analysis: For the record, I can buy the UFC keeping Belfort in Brazil because he sells tickets, but him getting an exemption for TRT from a legitimate commission might be a different issue. And if that issue isn't pressed by the UFC booking him in the U.S. for his next fight, then it's going to continue to be questioned by fans and media alike. As it should be, because when there isn't independent oversight on something like TRT, it's at times hard to take the comments of him being tested in camp at face value. For now, Belfort's TRT use isn't seen as legitimate by many, so it's a topic that won't go away anytime soon.

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Erik Koch vs. Dustin Poirier targeted for UFC 164 in Milwaukee this August

Thu, 23 May 2013 22:35:32 PST

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

A year and a half after they were originally scheduled to face off, featherweights Erik Koch and Dustin Poirier are expected to face off at UFC 164 in Milwaukee this August, according to BleacherReport.com's Damon Martin on Twitter.

Looks like Erik Koch vs. Dustin Poirier being targeted for UFC 164 in Milwaukee.Like Mendes vs. Guida, not a done deal but close #UFC
— Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) May 23, 2013

The two were supposed to face off last February at UFC 143 in Las Vegas, but Koch suffered an injury that took him out of the event. Poirier went on to defeat Max Holloway on the card.

Since then, Poirier's dropped two of three fights, losing to Chan Sung Jung and, most recently, Cub Swanson. Koch, meanwhile, finally returned from his lengthy injury layoff in January, where he was stopped by Ricardo Lamas.

The fight will take place in Koch's current home town, as he trains out of Milwaukee at Roufusport. The event is set to take place on Aug. 31 in conjunction with the 110th anniversary of Harley Davidson.

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Ken Shamrock thinks Brock Lesnar wasn't "groomed properly" during his UFC run

Thu, 23 May 2013 21:50:39 PST

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

"I think Brock mentally got beat, but I always thought that they didn't treat Brock right either. I thought they threw him in too soon. He's fighting guys that had 20 fights in his second fight because he's so massive and so impressive. It wasn't fair to him. If he would have got groomed properly, he could've been the best fight in any weight class, best pound-for-pound ever, if he was groomed properly. I'm not sure that [the diverticulitis] is everything. I know that's a big part of it, but what if he was training properly? Would that have even been a factor? I don't even know. I'm just saying, this guy had an opportunity to be great, and I just saw him mentally get dwindled down because he was thrown right into that. With guys that had a lot more fights than him, a lot more technical than him. Imagine what you could have done with this guy if you had groomed him properly?"

-Ken Shamrock talks to Showdown Joe Ferraro on Sportsnet about why he thinks Brock Lesnar was mishandled by the UFC (transcribed by BJPenn.com).

Penick's Analysis: As insane as it seems, Shamrock is making a logical argument here. I know, that doesn't seem to happen often. But that's one of the great "what if's?" In this sport. What if Lesnar had been given time to develop more slowly? What if he could have refined his skills over a couple of years before fighting the top fighters in the world at heavyweight? There's a case to be made that he was done a disservice. At the same time, he was such a commanding presence, and carried a hefty price tag, so the UFC had little choice but to book him in big fights, especially when he was game to compete. Regardless, these "what if?" scenarios are only hypothetical, and it's impossible to say whether or not it would have worked out differently.

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Former opponent Travis Browne happy for "Bigfoot" Silva and his title shot at UFC 160

Thu, 23 May 2013 16:40:08 PST

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Had Travis Browne defeated Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva last October in Minneapolis, it might have been him making his way to a fight with Cain Velasquez this weekend at UFC 160. But he's not harboring any ill will towards Silva as the event approaches, and indeed is sending positive vibes his way as Silva prepares to fight Velasquez a second time.

"Honestly, I can say I'm happy for Bigfoot," Browne said in an interview with USA Today. "Right now, I'm back on my path. My last fight, I got back on the path I need to be in order to get those kind of opportunities."

"Since I fought Bigfoot, I've actually become a big fan of his, the way he carries himself and the way he handles himself," Browne continued. "You have to respect the guy, with what he's done in the sport. With that said, I'd still love to compete against him and hopefully one day avenge that loss, if that's in the cards. But he's turned into a fan favorite. He's really proved a lot of people wrong."

"After the loss to Bigfoot, we go back home, but now we're at the top again. We're just about six months behind, that's all."

Browne's got a chance to move himself right back into the top end of the divisional picture this summer, as he'll take on Alistair Overeem on the UFC's debut card on Fox Sports 1 in August.

Penick's Analysis: It's nice to see positive words from a fighter towards someone who has defeated them as soundly as happened in the Silva-Browne fight. He could have been bitter about the loss, especially with the injury he suffered early on in the bout, but instead he's hoping for the best for Silva. He might get a rematch down the line, especially if he gets past Overeem. but regardless of what happens with Silva and Velasquez on Saturday he knows his path back continues with Overeem.

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ABC's medical committee reportedly set to discuss WADA's move to raise marijuana testing threshold

Thu, 23 May 2013 15:35:07 PST

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

With Pat Healy's recent drug test failure and suspension out of UFC 159, the debate over marijuana and MMA has been highlighted once again. One of the biggest problems with marijuana being drug tested for and punished is the fact that it's not a banned substance out of competition. Marijuana is considered a banned substance on fight night, much like it would be against the rules for a fighter to show up drunk on fight night, but the level in which its tested at is catching individuals who have used days, weeks, or even months before competition.

The current testing protocol flags a test sample if it recognizes metabolites from marijuana at 15 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL). That level of the metabolite can stay in the system for a lengthy amount of time depending on an individual's usage history, as well as their body composition.

But a fighter testing positive at 20 ng/mL isn't someone who will have been impaired during the fight. There's no traces of the actual intoxicating compound of marijuana, THC, with the metabolites at that level, meaning again that those testing positive are not under its influence during the actual competition.

Because of that, the current punishments - including suspensions, the overturning of fight results, fines, and loss of discretionary income - all seem to be excessive considering those testing positive weren't high at the time of the fight.

However, a change in the testing standards from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) may bring about a change from the Association of Boxing Commissions, which sets the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts and influences commission testing around the U.S. Earlier this month, WADA moved the threshold for a positive test for marijuana from 15ng/mL to 150ng/mL. As an example of how that would change things for MMA, Nick Diaz's second positive test in Nevada at UFC 143 - which kept him out a year and fined him nearly $80,000 - had his metabolite levels at 50ng/mL, just a third of the level which will now constitute a positive test under WADA's new standards.

According to a report from Sherdog.com, the ABC's medical committee will have a teleconference on May 28 to discuss WADA's new standards, and will put together a statement for their own policy to present to the ABC during their annual meeting this August.

"In combat sports, marijuana may be used for purposes of elevating pain threshold. There is also a concern as to whether reaction time may be altered with use,” said Dr. Sherry Wulkan, the ABC's medical chair. “Therefore, at present, the 15ng/mL rule still applies. Whether [therapeutic use exemptions] should be granted for medicinal purposes will be one of the topics for discussion next week.”

Penick's Analysis: Based on Wulkan's comments, the ABC medical board isn't likely to adopt the 150ng/mL threshold entirely, but they may raise from the 15ng/mL it sits at right now. That said, if they put into place a therapeutic use exemption, fighters like Nick Diaz and Matt Riddle - who are legally allowed to use marijuana in their home states - could in turn be exempted for their use. The standards used by the UFC around the world and commissions in the U.S. should be adjusted, because so long as a fighter isn't competing high there shouldn't be an issue; and the levels at which fighters are getting flagged doesn't suggest fight day use. Still, until such time as the rules are changed, fighters need to abide by what's in place, and need to know in kind that any drug test failure for marijuana will be punished under the current system.

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UFC President Dana White thinks Jon Jones-Anderson Silva super fight could still happen in 2013

Thu, 23 May 2013 14:25:12 PST

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

"[Anderson] Silva has a fight coming up on July 6, he's fighting Chris Weidman. Many people think this is a very serious threat to his record and his title and everything else. But if he gets past this test with Weidman, we could see this [Jon Jones] super fight this year."

-UFC President Dana White talks to CBS Atlanta about the potential for the Anderson Silva-Jon Jones super fight happening in 2013 (transcribed by MMAMania.com).

Penick's Analysis: It's not a crazy idea, and even though we've heard this before, it could legitimately happen this year. Jones still wants to fight once more in the light heavyweight division to set his title defense record, but once he does that, the fight with Silva will make a lot of sense. So if Silva defeats Weidman in July, and Jones can return by August (which he just might), then Jones-Silva to close out 2013 could be workable. Don't dismiss it yet; we'll have to see what happens with Jones and his next fight first.

[Jon Jones art by Grant Gould (c) MMATorch.com]

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UFC 160: Junior dos Santos says his life "is all about becoming champion again"

Thu, 23 May 2013 12:45:38 PST

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Junior dos Santos will take his first step towards regaining the UFC Heavyweight Championship on Saturday night at UFC 160, taking on Mark Hunt in his first appearance since losing to Cain Velasquez in December. As the fight approaches, dos Santos is focused on Hunt, but is driven by the desire to recapture that title.

"It has already given me more motivation," dos Santos said about the loss to Velasquez in an interview with UFC.com. “I really want my belt back, and I am doing everything I can to make that happen. Having the belt means everything to me. My life now is all about becoming champion again.”

"There is no pressure [with a title shot on the line]. That's exactly what I want. I want my title back. [Hunt] is a very dangerous guy and I need to give this fight all of my attention to make sure I win. I really appreciate that Mark Hunt accepted this fight because I wanted to stay on the card at UFC 160. I am eager to get back in the cage, to get back to fighting. I was not myself last fight. I want to be back in that Octagon and back to winning."

Dos Santos respects the power and skill Hunt brings to the cage, but believes he's got more intangibles and physical gifts into the fight. Regardless, he's ready to show Hunt and UFC fans everywhere that he can rebound from adversity, and get himself back on the path to another fight with Velasquez.

"I don't know if I think [a loss is] necessary, but I know that when it happens, you learn a lot,” dos Santos said. “You learn more from defeat than from victory. I know in my case, I'm coming back stronger and better than ever.

"Fans are going to see a lot of determination, precision, and they will see my hand raised again. I will hold that belt again before the year is over."

Penick's Analysis: Dos Santos has no reason to believe he'll lose this fight. He's defeated a wide swath of opponents during his time in the organization, and it took five rounds of Velasquez grinding him down and beating him up for him to suffer his first ever loss in the UFC. Hunt is not the same type of fighter. Though he's got a lot of power - and dos Santos was hurt badly by Velasquez - Hunt is not going to have the threat of the takedown working in his favor either. This is a big spot for JDS, and if he pulls it off, he might be right back into a fight with Velasquez.

[Junior dos Santos art by Grant Gould (c) MMATorch.com]

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THURSDAY'S WEB EXCLUSIVE: Roundtable on Mark Hunt and whether jet lag affects him against JDS at UFC 160

Thu, 23 May 2013 12:10:13 PST

Today's all-new website exclusive feature article is a signature Roundtable discussion with the MMATorch staff.

Today's topic: Will jet lag play a major part in Mark Hunt's performance against Junior dos Santos at UFC 160? Regardless, who do you expect to win that fight?

Get eight perspectives from the MMATorch team when you visit www.MMATorch.com when you get a chance today on a web browser on the device of your choosing. (DIRECT LINK TO ARTICLE - best viewed on a web browser rather than within our App.)

Our website has undergone a bit of facelift this past week, so check it out. If you love our app when you're on the go, settle with some longer signature MMATorch articles on your laptop or PC or tablet.

Our new MMATorch Forum is now open for new members. If you had trouble signing up before with the image verification, that has been changed. Be a pioneer member as we continue to grow.

Thanks for your support of MMATorch in all its formats - app, web, and podcast.

UFC 162 headliner Chris Weidman says he nearly signed with Bellator before "sneaky" contract change

Thu, 23 May 2013 11:30:29 PST

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Chris Weidman's got the opportunity of a lifetime on July 6, a fight against UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva in just his tenth career fight and after only five fights in the UFC. However, were it not for some allegedly shady moves from Bellator MMA in 2011, Weidman wouldn't even be in the UFC.

Weidman explained this week to the New York Post that he was very close to signing with Bellator after a 4-0 start to his career. The deal was so close to being done that he had a copy ready to sign.

But while he was out to dinner with family, his uncle - an attorney - gave the contract one last cursory glance as a formality. That's when Weidman found a change which would lead him to feel "betrayed" by the organization before he had even signed with them. Weidman claims that he was told by Bellator that the contract would be a two-year deal, but once he had the contract in hand, it contained clauses which could have extended the deal to three or four years.

"They never told me that. It was a little sneaky," Weidman said. "I was so upset. I was so let down. I was excited to go to Bellator."

That slip-up by Bellator led Weidman to the Octagon, where he quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with, winning all five of his UFC fights in a 16-month span. That five-fight winning streak, along with some inopportune injuries to his fellow middleweights, has now led him to the fight with Silva, and all because Bellator tried to float one past him.

"Everything happens for a reason," Weidman said. “Thank God I took my time and didn't just rush into it."

Penick's Analysis: As we've seen from some other fighters giving their experiences with Bellator, this is an easy story to believe. The old "say one thing, do another" bit happens quite a lot in this sport, even from the UFC, but if this indeed happened the way Weidman described, they cost themselves a great fighter by pulling that move. It all worked out for Weidman, though, as he'd still be in Bellator today had he signed that deal, and instead he'll headline one of the UFC's bigger pay-per-view weekends this July against the best fighter in the world at 185 lbs.

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UFC 160's Gray Maynard doesn't think he'd be fighting anymore had he lost to Clay Guida

Thu, 23 May 2013 10:40:23 PST

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

It's been 11 months since the last time Gray Maynard stepped in the cage, but he'll make his return to the cage Saturday night at UFC 160. That last outing was a frustrating affair, a three round fight with Clay Guida where Maynard was just begging Guida to engage while chasing him around the cage.

It ultimately ended up being a split decision in his favor, but had one other judge seen things the other way, that could have been his third straight fight without a win. Had that happened, we may not have seen Maynard make his eventual return.

"Most of the time, people get pissed at what I'm doing [in a fight]," Maynard commented in an interview with MMAJunkie.com. "But that time, I got pissed at what he was doing. It's an emotional sport. That happened, and thank God I got the win on that – because I don't even think I'd be in the sport right now."

"I don't even want to talk about it. I can't believe it was a split. [But] it happened. I thought long and hard about that."

Thankfully he doesn't need to focus on that, as he'll return to the cage against T.J. Grant on Saturday night reinvigorated, and ready to enjoy himself in the cage with a potential title shot on the line.

"Being in the game, going through all those battles, it's become pretty enjoyable," Maynard said. "I enjoy everything now – the camps, the crowd, the cheers, the boos, punching, getting punched. It's a fun job, and you've got to take it in and enjoy it. That's all I'm doing now. I go out and do the best I can, give it my all and enjoy the whole thing of it."

Penick's Analysis: It would have been a shame for him to walk away if he had lost that fight, because 90% of the blame for the way that fight went down belongs to Guida. But he got the win, as he should have, and has taken the time to shake it out of his mind, change things up with his training, travel around the world to do so, and he's ready to return in a big way on Saturday night. It's going to be a huge fight for him and Grant, so if he's entering in a good place that bodes well for his chances.

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POLL: Will you order UFC 161 with Dan Henderson vs. Rashad Evans headlining?

Thu, 23 May 2013 09:55:49 PST

Will you order UFC 161 with Dan Henderson vs. Rashad Evans headlining?
Yes - The Interim Title wasn't selling the event before
Yes - But only at a sports bar or friends house
Yes - I'll seek out a non-legal stream
No - Won't pay up to $60 for a non-title pay-per-view


@MMATorch Reax: Will Josh Barnett be a UFC title contender by the end of 2014?

Wed, 22 May 2013 23:25:28 PST

We've compiled another slideshow using Storify of MMATorch readers' comments on Twitter. This is best viewed at our website, www.MMATorch.com.

On Android, you can read the raw text of the responses below or CLICK HERE to open in a web browser and see it formatted.

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Luke Rockhold responds to conspiracy theorists calling Vitor Belfort bout a fix at UFC on FX 8

Wed, 22 May 2013 22:50:07 PST

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Following Saturday night's UFC on FX 8 event, there's been some chatter from conspiracy theorists regarding the night's main event between Luke Rockhold and Vitor Belfort. The theory regarding that fight suggests that it was a work, and it stems from a split second moment just prior to Belfort's spinning heel kick that ultimately led to the finish.

With the video slowed down, it appears Rockhold slightly nodded his head right before Belfort spun with his kick. That small head nod has been taken by some as Rockhold giving Belfort a signal, suggesting that it was a planned finish.

On its face it's a ridiculous suggestion in an MMA fight, and given the viciousness of that kick the notion seems patently absurd. But nevertheless, enough people commented on the matter to bring out a response from Rockhold, who insisted he'd never even consider something like that.

Hearing some talk about my fight with Belfort being a fix. No amount of money would make me even consider taking a fall. I got caught I lost
— Luke Rockhold (@LukeRockhold) May 22, 2013

Penick's Analysis: Have fights been fixed in MMA history? Perhaps. There are plenty of stories of fairly shady practices with Pride in that regard, and even if there weren't outright fixes (which there may have been), there were certainly plenty of stories of opponents being set up to fail. But in the UFC? In 2013? It's a ridiculous conversation, and really didn't even need a response from Rockhold. He got cracked by one of the craziest strikes in UFC history, and it happened out of nowhere. That wasn't pre-planned, and Rockhold wasn't giving any signals. He got beat, plain and simple.

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Bellator MMA signs three UK fighters in Paul Sass, Rob Sinclair, and Martin Stapleton

Wed, 22 May 2013 17:30:06 PST

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Bellator MMA has signed three new fighters out of the United Kingdom, as they announced on Wednesday the additions of Martin Stapleton, Rob Sinclair, and Paul Sass to their roster.

"Our talent development team does the best job in MMA by bringing hugely talented fighters to Bellator from around the globe," Bellator CEO and Chairman Bjorn Rebney said. "The number one question I get from fans is 'when will a UK television deal be completed with Bellator?' With these three signings, along with a roster already featuring the likes of Paul "Semtex” Daley, Ronnie Mann and Michael Page, we are setting the table for making Bellator an every week televised occurrence in the UK."

A television deal isn't set just yet, but it's something they're working towards as they enter their first summer series on Spike TV.

Sass is the most well-known of the three, having competed five times under the UFC banner from 2010 through this February, where he was released following a two-fight losing streak. He's looking forward to a fresh start following those losses, the only two of his career.

"I'm incredibly excited to get the chance to compete with Bellator," Sass said. "After meeting with their staff and having a clear understanding of what's next, I can't wait to get into the cage and get into my first tournament."

Sinclair enters on a five fight winning streak, most recently defeating Ultimate Fighter runner-up Andre Winner in BAMMA last September.

"This is something I've wanted for a long time, but the timing has just never been right," Sinclair said. "After meeting with Bellator and talking to guys like Paul Daley and Ronnie Mann, it really seemed like the perfect fit. This chance with Bellator will give me the opportunity to fully train and prepare for fight like I should, and with a full camp in place, the lightweights in Bellator better be on notice."

Finally, Stapleton brings a 12-1 record into Bellator, which includes eight straight wins in the UK, four of which came by stoppage.

"This is an awesome opportunity for me to get a chance to show the world what I'm capable of, and not to sleep on a guy like me," Stapleton said. "I've worked my ass off over the last few years for this exact opportunity, and I'm not going to let it get away from me. The lightweight division in Bellator is stacked, and it just got a little deeper with me."

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Carlos Condit taking a brief break to work on wrestling, would be up for Nick Diaz rematch

Wed, 22 May 2013 16:50:16 PST

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

After two grueling fights against Georges St-Pierre and Johny Hendricks in a row, top welterweight Carlos Condit is taking a little time off to work on his wrestling game, but he'd like to get back into the cage late this summer or early in the fall.

"I had a couple of fights, back to back," Condit said in an interview with MMAJunkie.com. "So honestly, I'm probably just taking the summer doing some traveling and some training – obviously, a big aspect of my game I need to work on. My last two fights were basically lost due to the wrestling. So I'm really focusing on that before I get out there again."

When he gets back in, there are a number of options at 170 lbs., but Condit's interested in whatever big fights are there for him, and perhaps the biggest would be a rematch with Nick Diaz.

"I want to be in good fights with a lot of hype and a lot of buzz, and a rematch with Diaz and myself would interest a lot of folks," he said. "I guess we're just going to have to see how the welterweight picture shakes up here in the next couple of events, and maybe then we'll have a better idea. I definitely think I have another title run in me. I'm looking at making the next year or two some of my best fights. I'm trying to cement my legacy, and we'll see where I am after that."

Penick's Analysis: Despite two straight losses, Condit's still one of the best fighters at 170 lbs. He's got areas he needs to address, notably his wrestling game, and he knows that. If he closes those holes, he could easily work his way back to title contention. A fight with Diaz would be excellent if Diaz decides to continue fighting, but other than that Condit is ready and willing for whomever else in the top 10 makes sense.

[Carlos Condit art by Grant Gould (c) MMATorch.com]

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ROUNDTABLE: Will the UFC do anything about the TRT issue in regards to Vitor Belfort?

Wed, 22 May 2013 15:55:51 PST

Do you expect the UFC to actually do anything about the TRT issue in regards to Vitor Belfort? Should TRT be banned outright in MMA?

RICH HANSEN, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

If the UFC thinks there's money to be made in doing something about TRT in regards to Vitor Belfort, or anyone else for that matter, they'll be on it. If they decide the hassle is greater than the benefits, then they'll bury their heads in the sand so deeply that they won't sic Matt Hughes on Vitor Belfort for threatening to have someone kick John Morgan's ass for having the unmitigated gall to ask ~~Vitor~~ Mister Belfort a question about TRT. As for banning TRT in MMA, I'm not an endocrinologist, so I'm probably not the right person to ask. I don't see what good banning it will do, considering the large population of fighters on steroids and HGH, despite the ever so rigorous urine testing that the commissions put the fighters through.

FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

Yeah, but it shouldn't come anytime soon. If Silva beats Weidman I want to see him fight Jon Jones next. If Weidman wins I think you give Silva an immediate rematch unless Weidman wins in convincing fashion. No matter what happens it's likely that the middleweight title won't be defended again for several months.

BRAD WALKER, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

No and no. I will elaborate on this shortly but in numerous situations and for numerous reasons TRT can be legitimately necessary. I'm going to take a lot of crap for this on twitter but it's not unlike estrogen replacement for women when they age, it just makes your body regulate better and brings everything to normal levels.

ERIC HOBAUGH, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

No, he is a superstar who helped build the sport and except for the TRT, he has been a great ambassador for our sport. Yes, TRT should be banned. However, as long as one of it's biggest stars is using it, they will do nothing about it.

C.J. TUTTLE, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

The UFC is so confusing when it comes to this sort of thing. Everything is speculation. Sometimes they come out and handle some controversial instance with an iron fist, others with a slap on the wrist.

I think in the end, it's obvious the stuff is really working. More fighters are seeing this by the second and have to be hopping on the bandwagon.

The UFC should sit down, write everything out in stone, publish it, then when people break the PUBLISHED rules and regulations, cut them. No grey areas.

CAMERON LYMAN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

I think that the fans have the power to dictate how the UFC handles this issue. However, looking at a recent poll, about 60% of fans stated that Belfort deserved his title shot with TRT use. In my opinion, in Belfort, we are again seeing Barry Bonds and Mark Macguire peaking late into their careers. I don't believe it has a place in our sport and I'm sure we will look back at this time in regret especially if we let the #1 P4P champ fall to an enhanced athlete.

ANWAR PEREZ, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

The TRT issue is already getting tons of reaction (mostly negative) so eventually, the UFC will have to strengthen their stance, one way or another. They'll assess what the pros and cons of it are, because if it's one thing the UFC doesn't want, it's the look of a sport that allows questionable methods that MAY allow for advantages for one fighter against another. With the UFC trying their hardest for legalizing of MMA across the states (obviously New York), they'll make a stance that'll fall in favor of the company, if not the fighter. The UFC will make the determination if TRT is banned outright, as organizations will follow suit of the biggest player in town.

DAN MOORE, MMATORCH UK COLUMNIST

There's no need to ban it outright, but it does need to be regulated far more stringently. There are probably plenty of fighters who genuinely need it and, actually abide by the current regulations. Then there are fighters like Vitor Belfort, who - after previously getting popped - continued using and abusing the system for all it's worth.

It's clear the UFC are content to turn a blind eye and allow Belfort to continue fighting in Brazil. That way he escapes the need for commission approval and continues to be a cash cow for the UFC to milk. Everyone wins apart from the poor sucker he obliterates in the main event.

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Alistair Overeem vs. Travis Browne shifted to UFC's Fox Sports 1 debut in Boston, will not be main event

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:40:40 PST

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

The UFC has decided to shift a big heavyweight fight between Alistair Overeem and Travis Browne to free TV, as MMAJunkie.com reports that the fight has been moved from UFC 164 in Milwaukee to the UFC's Fox Sports 1 debut on August 17 in Boston.

Overeem is returning to action for the first time since his knockout loss to Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva in February. He was supposed to return this Saturday against Junior dos Santos, but an injury pushed him off the card.

He'll take on Browne, who himself was knocked out by Silva last fall in his only UFC loss. He rebounded last month at The Ultimate Fighter 17 Finale, knocking out Gabriel Gonzaga with a series of elbows against the cage.

Per the report, the fight will not be the headliner of the Boston event, citing UFC President Dana White, so a bigger fight is still yet to be announced for the first-ever UFC event on the brand new sports network.

Penick's Analysis: This remains a sensible fight, but it's surprising that Overeem's being shifted off of pay-per-view, because it seemed a likely co-headliner for the UFC 164 event. Still, as the second or third from the top on this FS1 card, it's likely going to be a really strong free TV event, and that's what they're going for. This booking definitely plays into that.

[Alistair Overeem art by Grant Gould (c) MMATorch.com]

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UFC reportedly targeting Chad Mendes vs. Clay Guida for UFC 164 in Milwaukee

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:25:09 PST

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Since losing to UFC Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo in January of 2012, Chad Mendes has torn through three straight competitors trying to get back to contention. He's defeated Cody McKenzie, Yaotzin Meza, and Darren Elkins in succession, and may be returning to action this August to continue his run.

That's the word from Fuel TV's "UFC Tonight" program on Tuesday night, where it was reported that the UFC is looking at re-booking Mendes against Clay Guida UFC 164 in Milwaukee.

The two were supposed to fight at UFC on Fox 7 last month, but an injury to Guida moved Elkins into that slot. Guida made his debut in the featherweight division in January, taking a highly contested decision against Hatsu Hioki.

UFC 164 takes place on Aug. 31, though no headliner has yet been tapped for the pay-per-view event.

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ENNIS: UFC on FX 8 and the message sent by the UFC's bout order

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:30:57 PST

By: Shawn Ennis, MMATorch Senior Columnist

The main storyline coming out of UFC on FX 8 was of course the victory by, and subsequent examination of, Vitor Belfort. His and others' TRT usage will continue to come under the microscope, especially as those who are using TRT continue to be successful at an age that normally signifies the beginning of the end for fighters. But one story, while certainly more innocuous than that of what amounts to legal steroid use, flies under the radar. I want to talk about the message the UFC sends with its bout order.

As is the case with other UFC cards, the first few fights of the evening took place on Facebook this past Saturday night. And as has been the case before, the lighter weight fighters found themselves in web-exclusive fights. While the fights are accessible, the viewership they attract is positively miniscule compared to the eyeballs that end up seeing fights over television airwaves. It would seem sensible, therefore, to put fights online that perhaps appeal to the live crowd but don't hold a ton of significance otherwise.

That wasn't the case on Saturday night. John Lineker and Jussier da Silva are two top ten flyweights, and both found themselves, in separate bouts, fighting on the smallest stage available to the UFC. On the surface, and for that matter as one digs deeper, it is difficult to see the reasoning for this.

One could make the argument that the flyweights don't attract a lot of viewers, so why bother showcasing them? The problem with this reasoning is that it is a self-fulfilling prophecy. What I mean by that is if the flyweights aren't showcased because they don't attract viewers, then they will not attract viewers because they aren't showcased. The only way anyone will know who these guys are (and the division is still pretty shallow, so it's not out of the realm of possibility that at least Lineker is a win or two away from a title shot) is if they are shown to a wider audience.

Would it really have made a difference to anyone if Rafael Natal fought Joao Zeferino on the Fuel prelims and Fabio Maldonado fought Roger Hollett online? Those two fights meant absolutely nothing to their respective divisions, and a fight like Lineker-Gashimov deserved to be on the main card, or at least televised.

The whole situation has to make one wonder why the UFC started the division in the first place if they aren't going to highlight top ten fighters. The narrative is that they need more fighters to fill out cards, and that's all well and good. But the number of fighters in the UFC's flyweight division right now is very small, and if most of their fights aren't even being seen outside of the title fights, what's the point? Sure, the gold is an automatic main event for a card, but if the title means nothing because no one knows the fighters, then the main event is diminished.

And as far as filling out cards, do we really need to have twelve fights in an event? If you're using the untelevised prelims as a proving ground for younger, newer fighters and giving them incentive to win in exciting fashion to make their way on to the main card or televised prelims, that sounds like maximizing your resources. But if you're using the fights that very few people see in order to actually tell you what's going to happen at the top of one of your divisions, that seems like a promotion undercutting itself for no good reason.

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Ben Askren vs. Andrey Koreshkov title bout headlines Bellator's second summer series event on Spike TV on July 31

Wed, 22 May 2013 12:50:05 PST

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

The second event of Bellator's summer series on Spike TV comes to Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Wednesday, July 31, headlined by a Welterweight Title bout between Ben Askren and Andrey Koreshkov.

The organization announced the fight and the event on Tuesday, which will take place from the Santa Ana Star Center.

"I'm really looking forward to getting back into that cage and putting on a show," Askren said. "I feel like I've continued to mature and get better in every one of my fights, and July 31 should be no different. I don't think Andrey has any ability to stop my wrestling and ground attack, so this will be another successful title defense."

Koreshkov enters the fight off a 5-0 run in 2012 that saw him capture a tournament winning victory over former Champion Lyman Good in November. The 22-year-old brings a perfect 13-0 record in against the 11-0 Champion.

"I'll be 110% ready for this fight,” Koreshkov said. “I'll make sure that Askren's tactics to put everybody in the audience to sleep won't work this time. Instead, I'll keep everybody entertained by putting him to sleep."

In addition to that fight, the season eight welterweight final between the Douglas Lima and Ben Saunders, delayed this spring due to injury, will also take place on this card.

"It’s an honor to fight a fighter like Ben again,” Lima said. “With the time off I've been able to fully heal to 100% and like always, will be looking to finish the fight early.”

"Quite simply, it's about damn time Douglas and I get back into the cage,” Saunders said. “July 31 can't get here soon enough. Can't wait."

Also announced for the event is former Featherweight Title challenger Patricio "Pitbull" Freire, who will take on Rob Emerson. The three-hour main card will air live on Spike TV.

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MMATorch Contests: Introducing the "Champion of Champions World Cup Competition"

Wed, 22 May 2013 12:10:20 PST
By: Dan Moore, MMATorch UK Columnist

MMA Torch is starting a brand new 'Champion of Champions World Cup' competition to in conjunction with the ongoing Confidence Pick games we run for UFC events only. A whopping 64 places are up for grabs, but qualifying can only be achieved by entering the MMATorch Confidence and Betting competition for UFC 160.

Qualifying can be achieved as follows:

-- This competition is open to anyone and everyone.
-- The MMA Torch Confidence Picks and Betting Champion(s) after UFC 160 will earn automatic entry.
-- The other 62 or 63 places will go to the highest scoring performers in the UFC 160 Confidence Picks pool (including UFC 160 title challengers).

How the event works:

-- 64 players will enter into a straight knockout tournament starting at UFC 161.
-- If less than 64 players enter - byes will be added to the first tournament draw.
-- If you win a round, you progress to the next one - much like NBA/NHL Play Offs or, Football's Champions League.
-- Format will include Round of 64, Round of 32, Round of 16, Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals and a Final.
-- Only PPV numbered events will be used for each round (UFC 161, UFC 162, UFC 163, UFC 164, UFC 165, UFC 166).
-- Entries used will be the same as the standard MMA Torch Confidence and Betting game (no additional picks are needed from players entering).
-- Each draw will be chosen at random using the good old 'names in a hat' format.
-- No prize is up for grabs, except for being crowned 'Champion of all Champions', which sounds good to me!

Game rules and the picks format is identical to the one currently used for the standard game. I'll simply extract your entry and subsequent results to formulate them into this 64 player knock-out competition.

I'll also post separate pre-card (match-ups) and post-card (results) articles to coincide with each PPV event. To enter this competition, please submit your entry after reading the following link, which contains details on how to enter: DIRECT LINK TO UFC 160 CONTESTS

For any questions, feel free to ask me on Twitter, @MMATorchDan

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Former UFC Champ Matt Serra closing the door on UFC return after nearly three years out of action

Wed, 22 May 2013 12:00:23 PST

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Though it's been nearly three years since he last stepped foot in the Octagon, former UFC Welterweight Champion Matt Serra has not closed the door on a return to the UFC. But on Wednesday, he gave the closest thing to a retirement speech that you'll likely see out of him.

"It's hard to say it. It's like you can't say it, even though it probably is true," Serra said in an interview with Newsday. "I would love to put closure on my career with one last fight at the Garden, but at the same time, if that doesn't happen, I definitely consider myself done. It's hard to say the 'R word.' I might never say the 'R word.'"

"I really think I'm walking away. I'm going to be 39, I just had my rib taken out. I'm having my third kid. My schools are doing well. What am I doing, looking for another pay day? It's not really for that. I mean, it doesn't stink, but it's not really for that. Am I still trying to hold on for the glory? Glory is a drug, dude. I'm telling you, that's the problem. It really is. I know why guys can't walk away. I absolutely get it."

Serra made good on the UFC's concept of "The Comeback" on the fourth season of The Ultimate Fighter, earning a shot at the UFC Welterweight Title when he defeated Chris Lytle in that season's finale. Then he did the unthinkable, and not only captured the Title, but knocked out Georges St-Pierre in the first round to do so.

Unfortunately for Serra, the dream was shortened by injury issues, and when he finally returned over a year after that title win, he was handily defeated by St-Pierre. Another year-long layoff ensued, and he returned to finally face Matt Hughes, whom he had coached against on The Ultimate Fighter's sixth season.

But he lost a decision in that fight and spent another nine months on the sidelines. He got one final highlight in February of 2010, when he knocked out Frank Trigg in the first round at UFC 109, and he'd return once more in a fight against Chris Lytle that September. He lost a decision in that fight, and has't been in the cage since.

His decision to walk away was prompted by a scary ordeal which hit him recently, as he was experiencing severe pain only to find out he had blood clots in his arm and his lungs. Drastic action was needed, so earlier this month, Serra underwent a procedure to have his rib removed.

"Then I got freaked out," Serra said. "You don't catch that [and] after the lung, that stops your heart or your brain. Then you're done. I'm very fortunate to, basically, be here. Sounds kind of morbid. If I didn't catch that - I was about to go to bed. I'm like, man, something's not feeling right."

"They had to cut me open through my armpit and cut through whatever they had to cut through and get my rib out. It's definitely strange and I'm feeling it in there."

That leaves Serra in recovery mode for some time, and while he still thinks he'd have something in store for the welterweight division, he's not looking to make that return.

"An aging fighter? You know, it's like an aging stripper, but not as funny," Serra joked. "Not a lot of people want to see that... I know I can be beat by some of these guys, but I know I can still knock some of these guys out and be a threat on the ground. But at the same time, it used to be that the thing that made me happiest was the next fight."

"Now, I whistle to work going to my schools. I love hanging out with my kids, my family. That's something you never really anticipate or understand it until you have a family. I love spending time with my girls. I'm a very involved dad."

Penick's Analysis: Obviously the joke will be made that he was already retired, but it's a hard thing for a lot of people to come to grips with. He's gone past the point of being able to compete regularly, and it took a serious and potentially life-threatening issue to finally stamp down the fact that he's done. He can look back on his career with nothing but pride, because he held that belt, and he pulled off the biggest upset in the history of the UFC to do so; that's something no one can ever take away from him. So while he fizzled a bit on his way out, the lengthy layoffs and injury issues are a factor in that story. But if he can close the door on that chapter of his life, he can fully concentrate on moving forward as a coach and family man, and that's a good role for him now.

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UFC 160 CONTESTS: Prediction and Betting Games Are Live!

Wed, 22 May 2013 11:25:45 PST

By: Dan Moore, MMATorch UK Columnist

The big boys are back in Las Vegas and UFC 160 has all the makings of being an absolute barnstormer of a card. Tommy Strong makes his first title defenses in both competitions and it's also the qualifying stage for the new 'MMA Torch Champion of Champions World Cup'. Details of that competition can be found in a separate article on the website.

We're still giving away prizes worth $100 (unless you work for MMA Torch!). I am recording the mean average scores for every competitor and the highest in both games will win $50 worth of goods from MMAWarehouse.com each.

Only selected fight cards taking place between 01 Jan - 30 Jun will count (We'll start over again for 01 Jul - 31 Dec 2013). Competitors will only be eligible if they have competed in 75% of the available cards. Anyone not reaching that target won't be considered, even if they have the highest mean average.

All picks for UFC 160 should be submitted to dannymoore100@hotmail.com by no later than 22:00 BST / 17:00 ET this Saturday.

MMATorch Confidence Picks Championship Match Up

Tommy Strong (Champion) vs. Ben Heather (Challenger) vs. Harry Cooper (Challenger)

Everyone else will be battling it out in the pool for the right to face Tommy, Ben or Harry at UFC 161 next month.

MMATorch Betting Picks Championship Match Up

Tommy Strong (Champion) vs. Mark Bunce (Challenger) vs. Brad Walker (Challenger)

Everyone else will be battling it out in the pool for the right to face Tommy, Mark or Brad at UFC 161 next month.

UFC 160 FIGHT CARD

Cain Velasquez vs. Antonio SIlva
Junior dos Santos vs. Mark Hunt
Glover Teixeira vs. James Te-Huna
Gray Maynard vs. T.J. Grant
Donald Cerrone vs. K.J. Noons
Mike Pyle vs. Rick Story
Dennis Bermudez vs. Max Holloway
Colton Smith vs. Robert Whittaker
Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Abel Trujillo
Stephen Thompson vs. Nah-Shon Burrell
Brian Bowles vs. George Roop
Jeremy Stephens vs. Estevan Payan

CONFIDENCE PICKS GAME AND RULES

1. UFC 160 is a 12 fight card. Therefore, the point values you assign must range from 12 (most confident) down to 1 (least confident).

2. Additionally, please list your prediction for method of victory, along with the round. Choose either TKO, KO, SUB, UD (Unanimous Decision) or SD (Split Decision).

3. Using UFC 158 as a template, here is how a simple entry might look:

12 - Georges St-Pierre - UD
11 - Condit - TKO2
10 - Ellenberger - TKO1
09 - Ring - UD
08 - Fletcher - SUB3
07 - Cote - SD
06 - Elkins - UD
05 - Mein - KO1
04 - Dillashaw - UD
03 - Story - UD
02 - Duran - SUB2
01 - Makdessi - UD

4. When you email me your entry, please sort the entry numerically (as shown) from high to low. Thanks.

5. The first tie-breaker is the sum of confidence points. Using the examples above, a Georges St-Pierre victory would earn 12 points. John Makdessi winning would earn just 1 point, etc.

6. If two participants earn the same number of confidence points, the next tie-breaker will be the total number of winners predicted. If Player A earns 40 points on 7 winning picks, and Player B earns 40 points on 6 winning picks, Player A would be declared the winner.

7. The next tie-breaker is the number of victory methods predicted correctly. Next would be predicted rounds of victory. If both players are still tied at this point, both players will be declared the winner. If the tie is for a championship, they would match up again at the next event, along with the winner of the pool. If the tie occurs in the pool itself, both challengers would advance to face the champion at the next event.

BETTING GAME AND RULES

Here are the UFC 160 betting lines courtesy of 5Dimes:

Cain Velasquez: -800
Antonio Silva: +550

Junior dos Santos: -420
Mark Hunt: +335

Glover Teixeira: -300
James Te-Huna: +250

Gray Maynard: -210
T.J. Grant: +175

Donald Cerrone: -300
K.J. Noons: +250

Rick Story: -150
Mike Pyle: +130

Dennis Bermudez: -265
Max Holloway: +225

Colton Smith: -220
Robert Whittaker: +180

Khabib Nurmagomedov: -265
Abel Trujillo: +225

Stephen Thompson: -155
Nah-Shon Burrell: +135

Brian Bowles: -275
George Roop: +235

Jeremy Stephens: -240
Estevan Payan: +200

8. Using UFC 158 as a template again, here is how a simple entry might look:

$450 on Condit
$300 on Duran
$50 on Ellenberger
$200 Parlay on Condit, Duran and Fletcher

9. Every player has $1000 of fake, imaginary, theoretical, play money to wager on each event. This is not a real money game, it is strictly for fun.

10. Players must place a bet of at least $50, but no more than $500, on each of 3 or more different fighters. Bets may be in any denomination, as long as the amount falls in the range of $50 - $500.

11. Players may also play a parlay bet. A parlay bet is a bet placed on multiple fighters. All fighters in the parlay must win their fights in order for the parlay to pay off. Parlay bets pay off at a higher rate than a bet on a single fighter. The parlay bet may be placed on either two or three fighters.

12. The minimum parlay bet is $50. The maximum parlay bet is $200. This money comes out of the $1000 alloted to each player. The parlay bet is NOT separate from the $1000 budget. A player is not required to play a parlay bet. The maximum number of parlay bets a player may wager is one.

13. Whether or not a player chooses to place a parlay bet, the player must still place at least three straight bets. It is not legal to place two bets on individual fighters and one parlay bet. No entry is considered valid unless there are a minimum of 3 straight bets placed on individual fighters.

14. If a fight ends in a draw, any money bet on said fighter will be refunded, with no fake money commission taken. If a fighter in a 3-fighter parlay is involved in a draw, that fighter will be removed from the parlay and the 3-fighter parlay will be treated as a 2-fighter parlay. If a fighter in a 2-fighter parlay is involved in a draw, that fighter will be removed from the parlay and the 2-fighter parlay will be treated as a straight bet on the remaining fighter.

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

15. If a fighter has a positive number such as +150 next to his name, he is the underdog, which means a successful bet on that fighter will pay off at a higher rate. That means that if the fighter wins, the bet will payout $150 net profit for every $100 bet on him. If a player were to bet $500 on a +150 fighter, and the fighter wins, the player will profit $750. If a player bets $500 on a +150 fighter, and the fighter loses, the player will lose his $500 bet.  

16. If a fighter has a negative number such as -200 next to his name, he is the favourite, which means a successful bet on that fighter will pay off at a lower rate. That means that if the fighter wins, the bet will payout $100 net profit for every $200 bet on him. If a player were to bet $500 on a -200 fighter, and the fighter wins, the player will profit $250. If a player bets $500 on a -200 fighter, and the fighter loses, the player will lose his $500 bet. 

Structure for each game 

17. For each UFC numbered (or listed otherwise) event, both the Confidence Picks and Betting Game will feature a champion and a challenger facing off against one another. The winner of the head to head battle will be declared the reigning champion.  

18. All other players for each UFC numbered (or listed otherwise) event will compete against each other for the right to face off against the reigning champion at the next UFC numbered event. This is known as The Pool.  

19. As games administrator, I have the subjective right to eliminate any entry for any reason I deem worthy.  

20. Entries may be submitted via email (dannymoore100@hotmail.com), or on the comment section of this post. Email is the preferred method, because if a player posts an invalid entry, I have no way to make sure I can get hold of the player so that it may be corrected. Please, under no circumstances should you both email and post on the board your entry. One or the other please, preferably via email.

21. If you have any questions, please email me and ask. 

Final Note

22. A player does not need to play both games during each event. Players may choose to submit an entry for one game or the other, or for both, at their own choosing.

For game updates follow me on Twitter, @MMATorchDan

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WEDNESDAY'S WEB EXCLUSIVE: Hyden Blog on UFC on FX 8's aftermath, Nate Diaz, and Weidman vs. Silva

Wed, 22 May 2013 11:25:10 PST

Wednesday's all-new website exclusive feature article is a piece from longtime MMATorch contributor Frank Hyden.

In his piece today, Frank looks back at UFC on FX 8, discusses Nate Diaz's fine and suspension, and addresses Chris Weidman's increased trash talk into Anderson Silva bout at UFC 162.

Check it out by visiting www.MMATorch.com when you get a chance today on a web browser on the device of your choosing. (DIRECT LINK TO ARTICLE - best viewed on a web browser rather than within our App.)

Our website has undergone a bit of facelift in the past week, so check it out. If you love our app when you're on the go, settle with some longer signature MMATorch articles on your laptop or PC or tablet.

Our new MMATorch Forum is now open for new members. If you had trouble signing up before with the image verification, that has been changed. Be a pioneer member as we continue to grow.

Thanks for your support of MMATorch in all its formats - app, web, and podcast.

POLL: Who should Josh Barnett's UFC return bout be against?

Wed, 22 May 2013 10:35:52 PST

Who should Josh Barnett's UFC return bout be against?
Alistair Overeem
Travis Browne
Cain Velasquez-Bigfoot Silva loser
Mark Hunt-Junior Dos Santos loser
Fabricio Werdum-Minotauro Nogueira loser
Daniel Cormier
Frank Mir
Other


Josh Barnett signs multi-fight deal with the UFC, expected to return later this year

Tue, 21 May 2013 23:30:35 PST

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Josh Barnett is on his way back to the UFC, as MMAJunkie.com reports that he's signed a multi-fight contract with the organization.

Barnett had been the most well-known holdout from the Strikeforce roster when it was absorbed by the UFC, and for a time it seemed as if the two sides would not come to a deal, but they've now come to an agreement, and Barnett will make his UFC return later this year.

He's a former Champion in the organization, having captured the title back in 2002 with a win over Randy Couture. However, he was stripped of that belt and released from the organization. He spent the next several years in Japan before joining Affliction in 2008. He won two fights under that banner before essentially ending their run when he failed another drug test, canceling his bout with Fedor Emelianenko and in turn Affliction's third event.

Following Affliction's demise, Barnett eventually made his way to Strikeforce for the Heavyweight World Grand Prix. He made it to the finals before suffering a decision loss to Daniel Cormier, and then he bounced back with a win over Nandor Guelmino on the final Strikeforce card. Now, he's headed back to where he first gained fame, more than 11 years later.

Penick's Analysis: Barnett's drug-addled history will always follow him, but he's remained one of the top fighters in the heavyweight division, and the UFC was really the only place for him to continue competing against the top fighters in the world. This is the right move for him, and keeps the top heavyweights in the world under the UFC's banner. There are a number of fights in the UFC that would be highly intriguing for Barnett, so regardless of when and where and against whom Barnett's return comes against, it's bound to be a good one.

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Roy Nelson in against Stipe Miocic at UFC 161 in Winnipeg

Tue, 21 May 2013 22:50:09 PST

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Roy Nelson was prepared to step up this weekend for UFC 160 in case Mark Hunt was unable to get a visa to fight Junior dos Santos, and that willingness to fight has apparently extended to another event in need.

The UFC announced Tuesday night that Nelson has agreed to face Stipe Miocic at UFC 161 next month, adding another fight to the main card in Winnipeg. However, it's technically a replacement fight, as Nelson's taking Miocic away from his originally scheduled fight against Soa Palelei on the card.

Palelei is currently without an opponent, though that could change in the coming week. The event has been shaken up this week following the loss of Renan Barao in the night's main event, which in turn moved Dan Henderson vs. Rashad Evans into the headlining slot on the June 15 card in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

[Roy Nelson art by Cory Gould (c) MMATorch.com]

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TUTTLE: My Top Guilty Pleasures in MMA

Tue, 21 May 2013 22:35:44 PST

By: C.J. Tuttle, MMATorch Contributor

Aside from fighter allegiances, fandom, and overall love of the sport, there are multiple underlying things that draw me to mixed martial arts. This past week's UFC event and other recent incidents create the perfect mosaic of what hidden aspects contribute to me being a fan. These things come into play in the case of the casual viewer as well, they just haven't fully come to terms with it yet...

I typically stay away from lists, but upon thinking about what I wanted to write this week I stumbled onto grainy videos of events ripped from old UFC VHS tapes. I began noticing things one might after re-watching a fight they had not seen entirely sober.

Fighting is undoubtedly part of our DNA. Sex and violence are two of the most potent drives of living beings – they also (as successful companies have realized over the past 100 years) make for great entertainment.

Guilty pleasure number one is: pure unadulterated violence.

I started off loving fighting in the form of boxing and idolized 'Iron' Mike Tyson. His fights and character created a contagious, innate excitement, and I thought little of the negative consequences his opponents were going to endure. This way of thinking is brutal and animalistic, but it laid the groundwork for my fighting obsession going forward.

Then MMA came along, and it's WAY better than boxing. It's simply more engaging, more realistic. This is why I feel 100 times more engrossed when watching a present day fight. These days the thrill and excitement of watching MMA for many people is offset by the guilt of watching other people damage themselves for viewing pleasure. With increasing frequency, it can feel weird to watch humans willingly damage each other for entertainment purposes.

It is hard to ignore the ever-increasing scientific data: repeated blows to the head can create lasting damage to our brains. Although (probably) safer than boxing, can we still believe that MMA fighters are somehow exempt from the scientifically proven consequences of repeated blows to the head?

I choose to blank out on this issue. Ignorance is bliss, right?

If the two people entering the trademarked Octagon consent to the risks they may encounter, shouldn't I be able to selfishly enjoy? To me, watching violence is just as bad as rooting against a guy you personally hate for some undisclosed prejudice.

Which brings me to guilty pleasure number two: good guys and bad guys.

Some pay to see the guy with the big mouth get shut up. Others, to witness the seemingly unbeatable (GSP, Silva, Jones) finally be dethroned. While some may only root against the British fighters, the Brazilian ones, or anyone with the last name Diaz.

For me it's as simple as the two fighters not touching gloves in the final stare down. There is nothing harder than some good ol' fashioned bad sportsmanship, and when the emotions are palpable the fight makes for fireworks.

I know I am going against a lot of online MMA forum "experts," but when a fighter's heart is more prevalent than his or (most recently) her technique, this makes for guilty pleasure number three.

These fights make for a better viewing experience than a technical stay pressed against the fence war. All these style of bouts do for me are cause me to tweet hateful things towards fighters and get blocked. As was the case when I tweeted Brendan Schaub after his bout with Lavar "The Rock" Johnson.

So yeah, there is something about watching these guys go toe to toe, repeatedly dropping each other left and right, both refusing to be finished, that gets my adrenaline flowing.

Speaking of blood flowing, have you seen Frye vs Takayama?

Whether it's bloody beatdowns like I just mentioned, Kevin Randleman style suplexes, or just simple (real) trash talk, anything reminiscent of The WWF Attitude Era is money well spent and the final guilty pleasure.

The first of the three is unexpected, but when you glance at the screen at the right moment you witness something compelling. Whether it's Rory Macdonald suplexing Nate Diaz three times in a row at UFC 129, or Antonio Silva brutalizing Alistair Overeem at UFC 156, if you're in the arena, a sports bar charging five dollars a head, or a friend's living room, the feeling is contagious.

The appeal of wrestlers crossing over the ring ropes and into the Octagon has been something that has brought me joy. Even the Bobby Lashley's give an answer for the old question, "what if this guy can really throw down?"

The latest event on FX made for a guilty pleasure that is developing in MMA. This is the milestone event, moment or memory that will go down in folklore. MMA is writing it's history, and glory days as you read this. There are knockouts and meltdowns that will make the legacy of the fighters we are witnessing in their primes or in Vitor Belfort's case, resurgences.

Hold grudges, talk s*** on fighter's who hold others down, and get pumped when someone gets a hematoma. It's all part of the beauty of MMA, and no one - not even people who send out fines for petty things like pot - can take it away from us.

COMMENTS? RANTS? c.j.tuttle@me.com @kidceej

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ROUNDTABLE: Should Vitor Belfort get a rematch with Anderson Silva after his KO over Luke Rockhold at UFC on FX 8?

Tue, 21 May 2013 20:10:50 PST

Should Vitor Belfort get a rematch with Anderson Silva after his KO win over Luke Rockhold?

RICH HANSEN, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

On paper, he should have gotten the Silva rematch in front of Weidman getting his shot. And Belfort sure as hell shouldn't have been saddled with a major step back like Luke Rockhold. Solid fighter, solid guy (too talkee but solid), mediocre fighter. So yeah, on paper, Belfort is the only logical guy.

But Rich; why do you keep saying 'on paper' so often? Why, that's such a good question, gentle reader. Let me explain. Since dropping to middleweight, Vitor Belfort has gone 7-2, with wins over Terry Martin, Matt "Twitch" Lindland, Rich Frankin*, Yoshihiro Akiyama**, Anthony Johnson***, Michael Bisping, and Luke Rockhold. His only losses have been at the hands of a couple of dudes you've probably heard of in Anderson Silva and Jon Jones. That's a hell of a record there.

* - Franklinweight
** - Sexyweight
*** - Fatweight

However, as many asterisks as you see above, at least that many more should be in play due to his use of TRT. Belfort's low T-levels are very likely due to his abuse of steroids earlier in his career. Keith Kizer has already said that he's unlikely to license Belfort if he continues with the TRT. So even though his record and resume demand the next title shot at 185, there's nothing in it for the UFC. Imagine the embarrassment the UFC would feel (not that they're capable of shame, mind you) having a champion who couldn't get licensed in their home base of Nevada, not to mention in a few dozen other states as well. Why would the UFC want to put themselves in that position? Then again, why wouldn't their Vice President of Nothing Matt Hughes slap Belfort with a Code of Conduct violation fine and suspension for threatening John Morgan's posterior?

FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

Yeah, but it shouldn't come anytime soon. If Silva beats Weidman I want to see him fight Jon Jones next. If Weidman wins I think you give Silva an immediate rematch unless Weidman wins in convincing fashion. No matter what happens it's likely that the middleweight title won't be defended again for several months.

ERIC HOBAUGH, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

He has earned it, but the TRT tarnishes it. He is cheating and the UFC has allowed this double standard. Dana White has said he does not like TRT, yet he allows it in the UFC. It is puzzling at best to me, why he is still fighting for the promotion. I think Anderson Silva might be done after his fight with John Jones if the UFC can pull that fight off, so this might be a moot point. A better question might be, will the UFC allow someone who uses TRT to become a champion after Silva retires?

C.J. TUTTLE, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

Yes.

Two weeks ago? No.

The knockout of Rockhold was impressive and anyone who says it wasn't has some sort of predisposed bias. Following the Bisping fight I was left feeling it was more of a fluke than a resurgence and Belfort was still prone to being outworked as before. But, after Saturday I am no longer on the fence and wish to see a re-match between the two.

Following SIlva's fight with Weidman, it could be really great to see a Brazilian card with this sitting right on top of it.

CAMERON LYMAN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

Unfortunately yes. He has finished two contenders in dominant fashion. I say unfortunately because his recent resurgence is marred by the fact that the is undergoing TRT. This is a huge asterisk beside his recent wins and the dialogue surrounding TRT and Belfort will only grow were he to win the belt.

ANWAR PEREZ, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

I can see Belfort getting the nod once more, but honestly, it's still going to be the same result. I'd like a fresher match-up like maybe against Jacare, but you never know considering things can change in the UFC (injuries) and Belfort would be a great sub in either the middleweight or light-heavyweight division.

DAN MOORE, MMATORCH UK COLUMNIST

Title opportunities should be based on a fighter's ability and performance inside the Octagon. No one else in the middleweight division has come anywhere close to being as effective as Belfort recently (including Weidman). It baffles me that the UFC doesn't want to give Belfort a shot so soon after Anderson SIlva obliterated him.

Cain Velasquez dismantled Antonio Silva only last year, yet he gets a rematch even if the first fight wasn't for a belt. TRT issues aside, the man's last two knock-out wins have been electric to watch. If the UFC does decide to offer Belfort another title shot, though, I'll be amazed if Silva doesn't insist on it taking place in Las Vegas.

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Video - Behind the scenes at UFC 159 in Dana White's first UFC 160 video blog

Tue, 21 May 2013 16:30:25 PST
In Dana White's first video blog for UFC 160 this week, he brings us back to last month's UFC 159 event with a backstage look at the event and its aftermath. Check it out below:

Video URL: http://youtu.be/V56CpiVWUco

UFC moves Dan Henderson vs. Rashad Evans to UFC 161 headlining slot after Renan Barao's injury

Tue, 21 May 2013 15:15:34 PST

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

With Renan Barao out of next month's UFC 161 event due to a torn ligament in his foot, the UFC has promoted the light heavyweight bout between Rashad Evans and Dan Henderson to the Winnipeg card's main event.

The organization announced the switch on Tuesday afternoon.

Both Henderson and Evans are entering the main event off of losses; Henderson to Lyoto Machida by split decision in February which snapped a significant winning streak for the final Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champ, and Evans to Antonio Rogerio Nogueira in his second straight loss at UFC 156.

The event takes place from the MTS Centre on June 15, the UFC's first ever event in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

Penick's Analysis: They've made the best of a bad situation here. It's not ideal to have two fighters off a loss headlining a pay-per-view, but they're both former Champions and known names, so that's all they can do at this point. There weren't too many other options given what they've got to fill this summer, and honestly this is a better fight than the Rich Franklin-Wanderlei Silva bout that had to headline last June's Brazil pay-per-view after injuries.

[Dan Henderson art by Grant Gould (c) MMATorch.com]

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Vitor Belfort apologizes for reaction to TRT questions at the UFC on FX 8 post-fight press conference

Tue, 21 May 2013 14:25:57 PST

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Following Saturday night's UFC on FX 8 event in Brazil, Vitor Belfort was asked about his use of the controversial testosterone replacement therapy, and his reaction drew wide spread criticism. Belfort reacted to the question by asking if someone in the crowd could "beat up" the reporter who asked it, MMAJunkie.com's John Morgan.

On Tuesday, Belfort took to Twitter to somewhat apologize for the way he responded to the question. Here's his unedited post:

"To all my fans and to all the reporters that was there on the after press conference I would like to ask for forgiveness the way I answer about TRT I RECOGNIZE THAT I ANWSER IN A IMMATURE WAY BUT WAS THE 10 th time that that reporter ask the same question. No excuse!! I made a WORNG call and I am here to ask for forgiveness God bless all you guys love to do what I do and I am keeping moving UP SEEKING GROW AS A MEN OF GOD AND AS A FIGHTER "DONT DOUT ME I WILL PROUVE U WORNG" PEACE"

Penick's Analysis: Amidst a multitude of spelling errors and a little rambling, this was essentially a comment saying "I'm sorry I responded immaturely but he made me!" Saying "but that was the 10th time that the reporter asked the same question" is conveniently ignoring that he also refused to answer the questions which are rightfully being asked about his TRT use. Belfort wants it to be something that can't or shouldn't be asked about, but he's in a dream world if that's the way he thinks. It absolutely should be questioned, and should be questioned vociferously, because the fact that he's been allowed to undergo the treatment on its face seems wrong, and he refuses to talk about why he "needs" it. If it's because of past steroid use, most don't think he should be allowed to use TRT now, and that's why it's something that will continue to be questioned despite any childish outcries from Belfort. That said, he still did say he made the "wrong call" with his response, and perhaps he'll eventually come around to giving the answers most are seeking.

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UFC officially announces Renan Barao's injury removal from UFC 161 main event in Winnipeg

Tue, 21 May 2013 13:50:32 PST

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Renan Barao is officially out of next month's UFC 161 pay-per-view event in Winnipeg, as the UFC's Canadian Twitter account announced his injury removal on Tuesday.

Injury forces Barao from title bout at #UFC161. Stay tuned for more card news.
— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) May 21, 2013

With the message to "stay tuned" for more news on the card, they may be searching for a new fight to headline the event, but nothing more is known at this point.

Penick's Analysis: This is just confirmation and what was expected. Barao was reportedly set to see doctors on Monday to find out how bad it was, and if that's how it played out he was indeed told he couldn't continue. It's unfortunate, but now the attention turns to what the UFC can find to put in here, and whether or not that's the route they go.

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Anthony Pettis' "Showtime Kick" animated in first look at "EA Sports UFC" for Xbox One [Updated w/video]

Tue, 21 May 2013 13:40:46 PST

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

EA Sports unveiled the first look at their new UFC game during the launch of the next generation Xbox One console. Announced alongside EA's Madden 25, FIFA 14, and NBA Live, EA's UFC will debut in the next 12 months on the console.

EA revealed a brand new gaming engine, EA Sports Ignite, which will drive their next generation of games. UFC featherweight contender Anthony Pettis was a part of their debut video, talking about some of the important things necessary to bring about the real feel of sports.

They hyped "human intelligence" and "true player motion" playing a part into their next generation, promising significantly higher processing power. They also gave a short look at each of the new games and how they'll look on Xbox One.

Pettis' "Showtime Kick" against Ben Henderson was animated in amazing fashion, but it wasn't clear whether that was gameplay footage or not. Regardless, the UFC is a big part of EA's plans on the next generation of consoles, and will be brought to the new Xbox One in the next year.

Penick's Analysis: The new Xbox One looks fantastic, and though it wasn't clear if the animation was what we'll get out of gameplay, the character models were incredibly life-like. We'll get more out of EA in the coming months regarding these games, but the UFC on the Xbox One is going to be a very intriguing game come this time next year.

UPDATE: Check out the video below (via IGN):

Video URL: http://youtu.be/JvKyMa4jADw

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UFC 163 adds bout between TUF vets Sergio Moraes and Neil Magny

Tue, 21 May 2013 12:25:27 PST
By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Two veterans of The Ultimate Fighter reality series will square off in Brazil this summer, as Brazilian outlet SporTV reports that Sergio Moraes will take on Neil Magny at UFC 163 on Aug. 3.

Moraes was the runner up on the debut season of "The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil," losing to Cesar Ferreira at UFC 147. However, he bounced back at UFC 153 last October, submitting Renee Forte.

Magny entered the UFC out of The Ultimate Fighter 16 last fall, and made a successful debut at UFC 157 when he defeated Jon Manley.

UFC 163 takes place from Rio de Janeiro, headlined by the Featherweight Championship bout between Jose Aldo and Anthony Pettis.

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Manager: Nate Diaz feels "no remorse" over Tweet that led to suspension, fine from the UFC

Tue, 21 May 2013 10:50:27 PST

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

After Nate Diaz made his derogatory Tweet towards Bryan Caraway last week, ultimately leading to a 90-day suspension and a $20,000 fine, it was the defense of the comment from his manager, Mike Kogan, that seemed to strike an even worse chord in many. And on Monday, Kogan decided to double down on that in an interview with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour. Here are his follow-up comments:

"Nate doesn't feel remorse for what he said. I don't feel remorse for what he said. I don't feel remorse for defending what he said or elaborating on what he said. Because it was not a homophobic statement. It was not intended to offend homosexuals. We weren't even talking about homosexuals. One can debate the multiple uses of this term. We can sit here and debate in the English language, there's a lot of words that mean a lot of different things, but whatever. As it is, it wasn't intended to be used the way people tried to twist the way it was being used. So therefore, what does he have to feel bad about? The fact that [Caraway] shouldn't gloat over other person's issues and try to kiss ass to make a point?

Did anybody ask Bryan Caraway about his stance on marijuana? No. Nobody asked Bryan Caraway anything. They just gave him the damn money because he was chasing after Dana all over Twitter begging for the goddamn bonus. Just take your money and go away.

If we would have made a homophobic statement, or a statement that was clearly intended to insult homosexuals, that's one thing. You come out and say, 'Hey, you know what, I'm really sorry it hurt people. We didn't mean to do that.' But to me, and this is just my philosophy, and I'm sure it's going to be disagreed with by many people. This is how I think, and how Nate thinks. The mere fact that there is a protocol to deal with these crisis situation implies its lack of sincerity."

Penick's Analysis: The entire point of Diaz's tweet was to emasculate Caraway, to say he was lesser for his actions. That he used a word commonly meant to impart those descriptions on a group of people or to equate those things to that group as an insult is exactly why that's not an acceptable thing to say from a public figure. They clearly don't get it, and Kogan continues to come off poorly the more he talks about it. If this was an attempt at PR damage control it's certainly gone the opposite way. But there's no point wasting much breath on the ignorance of Diaz and, clearly, his manager here; the concept is lost on them, even as Diaz now has a $20,000 less to his name.

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TONIGHT: New MMATorch Livecast welcomes special guest Jon Anik to discuss UFC on FX 8 and more

Tue, 21 May 2013 10:30:59 PST

Join us tonight for an all new MMATorch Livecast on BlogTalkRadio.com/MMATorch from, as UFC commentator Jon Anik joins the show as a special guest. He'll speak with MMATorch's Rich Hansen and Jamie Penick regarding UFC on FX 8 and more during the broadcast, which will run live from 8-9:30PM ET tonight.

Listen in live by heading to BlogTalkRadio.com/MMATorch, or listen in at 646-716-8090. You can also download the show shortly after it airs tonight.

The MMATorch Livecast runs weekly from 8-9:30PM ET, bringing you news, analysis, interviews, and more, so make sure to check us out each week!

POLL: Do you expect Chael Sonnen vs. Wanderlei Silva to actually come together?

Tue, 21 May 2013 10:00:25 PST

Do you expect Chael Sonnen vs. Wanderlei Silva to actually come together?
Yes - Sonnen's just running his mouth again
No - Wanderlei doesn't want the fight


READER REAX: MMATorch readers comment on Vitor Belfort's TRT use and if it bothers them more than other fighters on it (part two)

Mon, 20 May 2013 23:35:53 PST

With the conversation around TRT becoming more heated recently in regards to Vitor Belfort, we asked MMATorch readers on Monday whether his use in particular bothers them more than other fighters on the treatment, or whether it's just TRT use in general they have a problem with. Here's the first batch of responses:

Matthew M. (via Facebook): Yes it bothers me across the board, and no one more so then Vitor. The man got caught for using steroids, which is proven to hinder natural testosterone production! He made a mistake in the past now his levels aren't normal so he needs to be a man and deal with it! So tell me this, in what planet does a man get rewarded with an advantage for making a mistake in the past and not dealing with the consequences. Oh, wait, the UFC world. Where marajuana is the devil's blood but TRT is God's nectar. Most fighters hate it, fans hate it, MMA media hates it. Bottom line: get rid of that s***! Remember though, the fault lies in the commissions and not so much the UFC.

MMATorch Forum User Lukesanden: It's a travesty to the sport all around. Hang up the gloves if you can't hang with the big boys. I'll absolutely never understand how marijuana is a banned substance even if you have the OK from the doctor and it's legal, yet elevated testosterone levels are just fine if you get the OK from a doctor. The commissions might be the ones that need to get tested for marijuana use.

Simon L. (via Facebook): Don't allow TRT. It's that simple. Strange how all these fighters under 40 suddenly need it when in normal circumstances it effects 30% of the male population between 40 and 79. And if you've brought a lower rate in testosterone upon yourself from using steroids you should in no way be allowed to take anything that gives you normal readings. It's your fault you have a low reading!

MMATorch Forum User Jmarine03: Yes, it bothers me more. Belfort has a history of positive tests, which to me would explain why he would have low testosterone. That, coupled with the fact that he only fights in Brazil which gives the illusion that the UFC is avoiding an athletic commission, makes Belfort's use bother me more than others.

MMATorch Forum User Bobbysuperfly: It was just such an odd feeling listening to his post-fight interviews, from the post-fight show on Fuel with the analysts to the post-fight press conference. With all the comments about Belfort getting better and better, being in amazing shape, getting better with age, being so strong, being like a fine wine, etc. His TRT was all I could think about throughout all of this. It was like the big elephant in the room.

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Chael Sonnen says he's "not looking for" Wanderlei Silva bout anymore, says Silva "doesn't want to fight"

Mon, 20 May 2013 22:15:39 PST

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Chael Sonnen tossed out a challenge towards Wanderlei Silva last month after his loss to Jon Jones at UFC 159, and while he's continued to make comments towards "The Axe Murderer," Silva himself says the UFC hasn't even offered the fight. But while he makes that claim, Sonnen's taking things as him not accepting the fight, and said this week that he's moving past it.

"I'm not looking for it anymore, I don't like to bully guys," Sonnen told Karyn Bryant. "I tried to fight him, he doesn't want to fight. I'm not gonna stick a finger in a guy's chest. If a guy says 'no,' I'm not gonna be a jerk about it."

As it's Sonnen making the comments, that doesn't kill the possibility of the fight still happening, but for now he says he's backing off, and will seek another fight at light heavyweight. Unless he doesn't.

Penick's Analysis: It still doesn't make sense that the UFC wouldn't have offered that fight to Silva already, unless they're holding off until they figure out which event to put it on, but that's the story Silva has stuck with. Sonnen's clearly moving to "he doesn't want to fight me" with these comments, but right now it's still all just talk. Until one of them is booked against someone else, it seems likely that they're still going to eventually fight one another here.

[Chael Sonnen art by Grant Gould (c) MMATorch.com]

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ASK MMATORCH: Penick and Hansen answer reader questions on Brock Lesnar had he continued fighting, and Chael Sonnen's future

Mon, 20 May 2013 20:10:12 PST

If you have a question for MMATorch Editor Jamie Penick or MMATorch Columnist Rich Hansen, send it in to askmmatorch@gmail.com! Here are a few new questions for today:

Robert Writes: How do you think Brock Lesnar's career would have went had he continued after the loss to Overeem? I could see him fighting Roy Nelson (what a fun fight that would have been) in the Spring of 2012 then going on to fight Bigfoot Silva or someone in the summer, possibly winning both then earning another title shot (and likely losing to Cain or Dos Santos). I still think Lesnar would have beat anyone in the HW division besides the top three of Cain, Junior, and Overeem. Who do you think he would have been matched up against in his next few fights and how do you think his path would have went?

MMATorch Editor Jamie Penick Answers: It's easy to play the "what if?" game when it comes to Brock Lesnar's career, because a lot of it boils down to "what if he never got diverticulitis?" That disease brought him down to earth in a way that just wouldn't have happened otherwise, and completely changed who he was as a fighter. Had he not dealt with that disease on more than one occasion - the first of which was near life-threatening, lest we forget - perhaps we would have seen a different fighter against Shane Carwin, Cain Velasquez, and Alistair Overeem.

But as the question here is about how he'd have done post-Overeem, that changes the conversation a little. Taking into account how the diverticulitis hampered him, and clearly made him more self aware with body shots, that's an area his opponents likely would have tried taking advantage of. I think he'd have still probably gotten past Roy Nelson in 2012, and I think his wrestling and top game would have been enough to best a fighter like Bigfoot Silva, but a rematch with Velasquez probably wouldn't have gone much differently. I also don't think the fight with Junior dos Santos - that was supposed to happen in 2011 - would have gone his way, either. His fast rise was legitimate, and at his best he was excellent to watch, but between diverticulitis and getting figured out a bit by strong grapplers with better striking, his time would have been limited even if he'd have continued.

Matt Writes:If the Chael Sonnen vs. Wanderlei Silva fight were to happen and Sonnen were to win, where would go for from there? Middleweight? Light heavyweight? If so, which matchup a would you guys love to see?

MMATorch Columnist Rich Hansen Answers: I can't imagine Chael's ever going to fight at 185 lbs. again. No matter what he does, he won't be fighting for a title, so why cut the extra 20 pounds? The matchup I would love to see for Chael would be him in a monastery trying to take a lifelong vow of silence. Other possibilities include non-title fights with Jon Jones, Cain Velasquez, and Daniel Cormier.

[Brock Lesnar art by Grant Gould (c) MMATorch.com]

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Michael Bisping thinks Chris Weidman "could be a bad match-up for Anderson Silva" at UFC 162

Mon, 20 May 2013 19:45:38 PST

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

"As much as it pains me to say it, I think Chris Weidman could be a bad match-up for Anderson Silva. We all saw what Chael did in that first fight and as well as the second fight. Chael completely dominated Anderson in the first round of their second fight, had full mount, etc., completely out-grappled him and kinda fell apart in the second round. Does Chris Weidman have a chance? Without trying to be funny and disparaging towards Chris Weidman, I'd say yes, he does. If I cut the bullshit for a second, yeah, he definitely has a shot. I think it's an interesting fight."

-Michael Bisping breaks down the upcoming UFC Middleweight Title bout between Chris Weidman and Anderson Silva at UFC 162 (transcribed by BJPenn.com).

Penick's Analysis: Even though most rightfully believe Silva will come out of this fight the same way he's come out of every fight he's had in the UFC, Chris Weidman has as good of a chance as any other. We've spelled out before what Weidman would have to do to win, and there's a possibility he pulls it off, but until someone actually defeats Silva, there's no reason to bet against him.

[Michael Bisping art by Grant Gould © MMATorch.com]

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LYMAN: MMA Legalization in New York - An Issue Of Civil Liberty

Mon, 20 May 2013 18:50:12 PST

By: Cameron Lyman, MMATorch Contributor

Human beings are a dangerous bunch. Without the rule of law, the fabric of our society would go up in flames. Given the right circumstances, us humans are capable of the unspeakable in order to survive. And so we choose to live in a system where we are governed by laws, enforceable by punishment, to protect us from ourselves. In a way, we give up a small amount of our true freedom, in order to live in a free and safe world. The law of the land should reflect the wants of the people, so we assign Governors, Premiers, Prime Ministers, and Presidents to represent these wants. However, a problem occurs when you try to legislate morality. In my eyes, in order for there to be a crime, there has to be a victim.

But what if a person wants to engage in activity that may be harmful to themselves? I believe the answer should be: As long as you’re not harming or disrupting anyone else. There was a time when the consumption of alcohol was illegal. This led to bootlegging, which resulted in violent underworld wars over the control of the territories of trade. Prohibition proved a failure due to the fact that a large portion of the population did not agree with this law and it created bigger problems for society. If people want to do it, they’re going to do it. If what you’re doing is harmful to yourself but is disrupting some people, then there is a need for regulation. And so we consume alcohol in bars and smoke our cigarettes... where can we smoke cigarettes nowadays?

My next question is, what if two people willingly engage in an activity that may be harmful to each other? I suppose that would depend on what the activity was? Is anyone else being harmed? Are all parties consenting? This brings to mind the prohibition of marijuana and prostitution. Of course, these are two very different products of society but the implications are the same. They exist because there is a demand for them to exist. As well, if both of them are to exist, then there is a need for regulation, as they need to be made as safe as possible for all involved. After all, should my representatives tell me what I can and can't do to my body if I'm not harming or disturbing anyone else?

This brings us to fighting. You can bet, in the early days of man, when there was a fight, people watched. Over time, combat as a sport has evolved throughout many cultures worldwide. Whether it was the gladiators of Rome or two professional boxers, people have always shown interest in combat sports; but since it gained mainstream presence in the early nineties, mixed martial arts has proved to be extremely controversial. In its beginning, there were very little rules and regulations, which produced a kind of freak show of fighting. Soon enough, opponents of the sport arose and the UFC and other promotions began to face legal battles before hosting events. With the help of Senator John McCain and others, MMA became banned in most states.

Referee John McCarthy and commenter turned UFC commissioner Jeff Blatnick began to work with the various state athletic commissions to make changes to the sport to increase fighter safety. Going forward, one of their main challenges was in educating law makers in the safety of the sport. On September 30th, 2000, the first state-regulated MMA event was held using the Unified Rules of the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board. On January 1, 2001, Station Casino executives Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta purchased the UFC and, with their ties to the Nevada State Athletic Commission, got MMA legalized in Nevada. As the sport evolved and grew, more and more states eventually lifted the MMA ban. Today, the UFC and other promotions see New York State as the final stronghold of MMA opposition.

As it stands now, it is completely ridiculous that MMA could be unregulated by any state. Smoking cigarettes is the cause for 1 in 5 deaths in the USA, over 440,000 people yearly, yet cigarettes are not made illegal for two reasons: The people want them and there is way too much money being made for them to be illegal. So as long as the money is flowing, our representatives will allow us to harm ourselves, even kill ourselves if that's what we want. It's no wonder that Zuffa has used a strategy of presenting the economic impact of regulation to New York State lawmakers, in order to have the sport sanctioned.

Regarding the safety of the sport, to date there have been nine deaths from MMA fights, six of those fights coming in unsanctioned bouts and all coming in small promotions. In larger promotions such as the UFC, fighters are screened for pre-existing medical conditions prior to fights and are suspended from the sport when injuries and concussions occur. In fact, many studies conclude that MMA is safer than sports like football, hockey and even boxing.

So how can it be that MMA is still banned in New York State? If you listen to Dana White, the picture becomes even more troubling. According to White, the reason that MMA remains banned in New York has to do with the Las Vegas Culinary Union and its beef with the Fertitta brothers. According to White, the union takes issue with the Fertitta's unwillingness to allow unions into its casinos and the UFC.

In an interview with UFC Tonight, Dana stated, "We are working on [hosting a UFC event in New York]. Its amazing what dirty, stinking gangsters this Culinary Union from Las Vegas is. They are the scummiest group of people you could ever even imagine dealing with, and they are very powerful. The corruption that is going on over there is mind boggling, mind boggling, what dirty gangster's corruption is going on between New York and the Las Vegas Culinary Union. It's just, you would never think this would be possible in 2013, it's like a movie. Bullying? No, we are talking dirty stinking gangster stuff. It's not even about bullying. We are in the business where bullying wouldn't bother you. This is dirty, slimy, and grimy. I mean, I'm talking gangster. You would never imagine this could happen in the government in this country in 2013. The Las Vegas Culinary Union are dirty, dirty gangsters, and the politicians in New York are right in it. Madison Square Garden has been phenomenal in supporting us, and bringing this event to New York. The fans in New York have been phenomenal in supporting us and bringing this thing to New York. There is no reason why this thing shouldn't be in New York other than the dirty gangster, and criminal stuff that's going on between the Las Vegas Cuinary Union and officials in New York."

If in fact the Las Vegas Culinary Union has successfully lobbied New York politicians to uphold the ban on MMA, for reasons unrelated to the sport, then we truly have a reason to be furious. As the fastest growing sport in the world, it is clear that the majority of the people have no problem with MMA legalization. Any logical person who is educated on the subject can clearly see that this sport is here to stay and needs to be regulated. If our representatives base our laws on the wants of the highest bidder, as opposed to the wants of the people, then we truly live in a broken system.

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READER REAX: MMATorch readers comment on Vitor Belfort's TRT use and if it bothers them more than other fighters on it (part one)

Mon, 20 May 2013 14:25:24 PST

With the conversation around TRT becoming more heated recently in regards to Vitor Belfort, we asked MMATorch readers on Monday whether his use in particular bothers them more than other fighters on the treatment, or whether it's just TRT use in general they have a problem with. Here's the first batch of responses:

Tom P. (via email): This does bother me. This man has been popped before for steroids. It also bothers me that the UFC will let this happen especially after Dana White has publicly stated he is against it. Not only are they letting it happen but they are making it easy for him to cheat by letting him fight in Brazil where there is no commission to test him (ed. note: Brazil has a new commission that has granted Belfort an exemption, but the circumstances surrounding the exemption and testing are murky, at best). Belfort stated that it is not the TRT but his skill, but how do we know that without it he would be able to kick as fast and as hard? A slower and weaker kick would not have put Bisping or Rockhold down. In one sentence Belfort has stated he needs it to be able to compete, but when asked about it he says his wins are because of skill. That is a contradiction. If he was so skilled, fast, and strong on his own then he wouldn't need TRT.

MMATorch Forum User BFoe: Both. It's bothersome across the board; MMA has an inordinate amount of people on TRT, far more than would be expected based on how often hypogonadism occurs. Of course Dan Henderson has low T - he's 103 years old! It acts as a PED in those types of scenarios, as I doubt Hendo could compete on the level that he does without it. Vitor is a more concerning case, as he has a history of steroid use, and seems to take no responsibility for the fact that he's taking testosterone under dubious circumstances. It's easy to say, "Oh it's not steroids, it's just TRT," but Vitor's physique seemed noticeably different than it was when he fought Silva. He's always been in good shape, but he's definitely bigger right now. Add in the fact that he's having a difficult time getting this exemption in the U.S., and it's a pretty shady situation.

Matthew D. (via Facebook): The TRT thing bothers me because I can't know whether Vitor really is that good or is it just because of the therapy.

In theory, I don't mind TRT as long as it's due to a (very rare) disability and the testing is completely transparent; however, when it's someone who has gotten popped for steroids before and is only fighting in their home country (where, let's face it, how can there not be certain biases?), it rings completely false.

I also don't buy the age excuse, because as a fighter ages, they slow down physically but are supposed to get more savvy with experience. Older fighters who are allowed to have that extra experience but also the stamina/speed/recovery of a much younger althlete have a potentially unfair advantage. Part of aging is your T level goes down, deal with it and fight smarter.

Casey C. (via email): Belfort's TRT doesn't really bother me so much as the bigger problem of TRT in MMA in general. When an athlete takes testosterone it is cheating. If certain athletes cannot enjoy the benefits of steroids while others can it is an unfair advantage.

The MMA community needs to call TRT what it really is: prescribed anabolic steroids. Doping has become such a widespread problem that fighters who have been busted for doping in the past can visit a doctor to undo the damage that previous anabolic steroid use has done to their body.

Look at Alistair Overeem; he came off the gear and fought Bigfoot with dangerously low testosterone levels. I think it's unfair as much as I enjoy Overeem's fights that he can go to a doctor now to get the anabolic steroids he now needs to compete. Exactly like Vitor Belfort is doing, who has been busted in the past.

This all speaks to the larger problem of anabolic steroid use in MMA. To make all things even all athletes should be allowed to use steroids. The cat is out of the bag. Now that athletes in all sports know the benefit of these performance enhancing drugs we will never ever have completely natural athletes.

Jeremy T. (via Facebook): It bothers me across the board. Life's not always fair. Some people have certain medical conditions that limit or prevent people from participation. For example, Casey Martin sued for the ability to use a cart on the PGA tour, and he lost. If a fighter needs to use TRT to compete then he should not compete. If the fighter gets an injury that causes this limitation then he should not compete either. There needs to be limitations on what types of treatment we allow fighters, and just because there's a treatment to supplement what the body lacks the ability to provide does not mean its wise to do so, or to allow a fighter to do so.

Kenny D. (via Facebook): What bothered me the most about Vitor is his arrogance towards his TRT use. Not only shrugging off a question about it at the post fight conference but acting like no one should even be allowed to ask him about it. If he came out and explained his reasoning behind it I think people would be less harsh about him using it. On that note I also think anyone using it (Hendo included) is getting away with cheating to great longevity in the sport.

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Who wins the Junior dos Santos vs. Mark Hunt bout at UFC 160?
	Dos Santos by TKO
	Dos Santos by SUB
	Dos Santos by DEC
	Hunt by TKO
	Hunt by SUB
	Hunt by DEC

Will you order UFC 161 with Dan Henderson vs. Rashad Evans headlining?
	Yes - The Interim Title wasn't selling the event before
	Yes - But only at a sports bar or friends house
	Yes - I'll seek out a non-legal stream
	No - Won't pay up to $60 for a non-title pay-per-view

Who should Josh Barnett's UFC return bout be against?
	Alistair Overeem
	Travis Browne
	Cain Velasquez-Bigfoot Silva loser
	Mark Hunt-Junior Dos Santos loser
	Fabricio Werdum-Minotauro Nogueira loser
	Daniel Cormier
	Frank Mir
	Other

Do you expect Chael Sonnen vs. Wanderlei Silva to actually come together?
	Yes - Sonnen's just running his mouth again
	No - Wanderlei doesn't want the fight