Cartwheeling Bellator champ Zach Makovsky says bring on Joe Warren

Cartwheeling Bellator champ Zach Makovsky says bring on Joe Warren With three-straight outdoor fights to his Bellator Fighting Championships record, Bellator bantamweight champ Zach Makovsky (13-2...

Source: http://ninjashoes.net/forum/showthread.php?74301-Cartwheeling-Bellator-champ-Zach-Makovsky-says-bring-on-Joe-Warren&goto=newpost

Bob Sapp Rumina Sato Kerry Schall Nino Schembri

Randy Couture: "I'm retiring after the Machida fight. Win, lose or draw".

Randy Couture eyeing final fightEmail Print Comments10 By Josh Gross ESPN.com Win, lose or draw, UFC legend Randy "The Natural" Couture expects his fight versus Lyoto Machida at UFC 129 on April...

Source: http://ninjashoes.net/forum/showthread.php?74273-Randy-Couture-quot-I-m-retiring-after-the-Machida-fight.-Win-lose-or-draw-quot-.&goto=newpost

Edgar Garcia Leonard Garcia Andrew Gardner Tiki Ghosn

UFC releases Sean McCorkle following UFC Fight Night 24 loss to Christian Morecraft

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

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The UFC has released heavyweight Sean McCorkle following his second consecutive loss in the Octagon, according to multiple published reports.

The former super heavyweight, known more on the internet for his joking ways than for his in cage prowess, was given a shot in the UFC last September in his home state of Indiana at UFC 119. After submitting Mark Hunt in his UFC debut, he was given a co-main event bout against Stefan Struve in Montreal at UFC 124 in December.

A loss to Struve led to a preliminary card bout with Christian Morecraft at UFC Fight Night 24, and a technical submission loss to Morecraft sent him on his way out of the organization. McCorkle commented on the release in a message to Ariel Helwani at MMAFighting.com.

"I want to thank the UFC for giving me an opportunity that I had not earned, giving me very favorable match-ups, and hyping me far more than my talent warranted."

Think he was done there? Of course not, as he added:

"Oh, I'm sorry, I thought was writing a statement for Matt Mitrione."

Penick's Analysis: The release isn't surprising. McCorkle wasn't able to follow up on the momentum from his debut win, and two straight losses in the UFC in most divisions will send a fighter packing. He still has his sense of humor, and you have to admit that's a funny line aimed at Mitrione, who would be more than happy to dish it back to him. That's how McCorkle is, and it's how he was throughout his UFC stint over the last six months. The fact that he got a shot in the first place after being a super heavyweight in Indiana was probably validation enough for him as a fighter, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him get a return invitation if he picks up a few wins back on the regional scene.

Source: http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/UFC_2/article_9015.shtml

Jens Pulver Mike Pyle Nathan Quarry Jordan Radev

Motocross champ James Stewart charged with impersonating an officer

A Central Florida motocross champion whose website calls him "the Tiger Woods of supercross" was arrested Monday on a charge of impersonating a police officer, the Florida Highway Patrol said. ...

Source: http://ninjashoes.net/forum/showthread.php?74286-Motocross-champ-James-Stewart-charged-with-impersonating-an-officer&goto=newpost

Jovany Anaconda Varela Tony Vartanian Cain Velasquez Brandon Vera

Just a small reminder on what Lyoto Machida can do

Lyoto "The Dragon" Machida lost his last two fights, so it can be easy to forget what he is capable of doing. Until getting knocked out by Mauricio "Shogun" Rua, Machida was undefeated and capable of knocking out Rashad Evans like this:

That's effective striking.

But will Machida be able to summon this sort of strength at UFC 129, where he will face UFC Hall-of-Famer Randy Couture? Going from undefeated to a losing skid can mess with a fighter's head. Will Machida be able to right the ship in Toronto, or will his losing streak continue? Tell us in the comments, on Twitter or on Cagewriter's Facebook page.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Just-a-small-reminder-on-what-Lyoto-Machida-can-?urn=mma-wp1219

Chael Sonnen Krzysztof Soszynski George Sotiropoulos Haik Soukiasian

UFC middleweight Chael Sonnen's NSAC licensing hearing delayed to mid-May

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

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Chael Sonnen has once again found himself delayed in getting everything taken care of in order to make his return to the cage, as MMAJunkie.com reports that his licensing hearing with the Nevada State Athletic Commission has been pushed back from April 27 to mid-May.

Per the report the delay comes as Sonnen's probation officer won't clear him to enter Clark County next week due to the Laughlin River Run motorcycle rally. There is apparently a mandate in place to keep convicted felons out of the county during the rally after rampant violence at past versions of the annual rally, namely the 2002 rally that saw a brawl break out between rival motorcycle gangs The Mongols and Hells Angels. That brawl left three bikers dead and led to this "preemptive step" against any felons entering the county during subsequent rallys.

Sonnen will be appearing in front of the commission in an attempt to get himself re-licensed in the state both to fight and to corner other fighters. Sonnen admitted to using testosterone for what he claims is a diagnosed condition of hypogonadism for his fight with Anderson Silva at UFC 117, and at his suspension appeal with the California State Athletic Commission in December, Sonnen stated he had been on the treatment prior to his UFC 109 fight with Nate Marquardt in Nevada, and that he had gotten approval from NSAC executive director Keith Kizer for the treatment.

He has since admitted that no such conversations took place, though he falls back on saying his manager spoke with Kizer and he claims he took his managers advice. Due to those statements, his TRT and more, there's no guarantee he will be licensed by the state of Nevada. However, he will have a chance to answer the commission's questions and they will then determine by a majority vote whether or not they will license him to fight and to corner others.

Link to Original Source Article

Penick's Analysis: This circus is delayed a few weeks longer for Sonnen. This hearing with the NSAC is going to be interesting, and could turn into a similar mess as the one he had with the CSAC in December. Still, moving it to mid-May would still allow the UFC to tap him as one of the coaches on The Ultimate Fighter 14 if that's the route they want to take, as the season won't begin filming until June. I think signs are still pointing to that unfortunately being the case, but we'll find out what the NSAC rules at that meeting next month before the next step can be determined.

Source: http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/UFC_2/article_9125.shtml

Jorge Gurgel Andre Gusmao