UFC NEWS: Darren Elkins dropping to featherweight, expected to meet Michihiro Omigawa at UFC 131 in June

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

LogoUFC_150_796.jpg

Darren Elkins is dropping down to the featherweight division, and is expected to face Michihiro Omigawa at UFC 131 in June, according to a report from MMAJunkie.com.

The 12-2 Elkins split his two appearances in the UFC's lightweight division in 2010, spending a total of 85 seconds inside of the Octagon. His UFC debut was cut short when opponent Duane "Bang" Ludwig suffered a nasty ankle injury just 44 seconds into the first round. His second bout ended even more quickly, but this time it wasn't in his favor. Brazilian buzzsaw Charles Oliveira caught him in an armbar in 41 seconds to hand him his second career loss.

He's now agreed to meet Omigawa, who returned to the UFC at UFC 126 earlier this month. After dropping to the featherweight division himself in 2008 after two straight losses in the UFC in his first stint with the organization, Omigawa compiled an 8-2-1 record in Japan before returning to the UFC. However, his return saw him get battered for three rounds against Chad Mendes, his first loss since a 2009 split decision loss to Masanori Kanehara in the Sengoku Featherweight Grand Prix finals.

UFC 131 is expected to take place from Vancouver on June 11, headlined by a heavyweight bout between Brock Lesnar and Junior Dos Santos.

Link to Original Source Article

Penick's Analysis: This is an interesting fight. Omigawa had a lot of success over in Japan, but he lost decisively upon his return against Mendes. But Elkins is a complete wild card, as his two UFC fights haven't lasted long, and his "win" came because of a freak injury. Also, his only other career loss came by TKO 13 seconds into a fight in May of 2009. But he's only gone to decision twice in his career, and holds a win over current Bellator #1 contender and tournament winner Pat Curran. He could do a lot of damage at featherweight, but this will be a big test to see just where he'll stand in the division. I like the matchup.

Source: http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/UFC_2/article_8540.shtml

Houston Alexander Ricardo Almeida  Eddie Alvarez Thiago Alves 

Isis The Amazon Gets ?Terrible? Reviews, Funny TNA Video

– I told you guys it was going to get insanely busy and man has it ever! We expect this to continue through WrestleMania so be sure to check back in often! We’re here 24/7/365 with the latest breaking news and rumors. Thanks for your continued support of the website. CHECK BACK IN OFTEN!!! – EVOLVE has announced some of the talent scheduled to appear at their April 19th show at BB Kings in New York City. The talent involved includes Chuck Taylor, Reby Sky, Jimmy Jacobs, Johnny Gargano, Sami Callihan, ...

Source: http://www.ifight365.com/2011/02/isis-the-amazon-gets-terrible-reviews-funny-tna-video/

Bob Sapp Rumina Sato Kerry Schall Nino Schembri

UFC QUOTABLES: Forrest Griffin healing from broken foot, looks to climb back to the top of the light heavyweight mountain

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

GriffinForrest_150_17.jpg

"I don't have a target date [for returning] in mind. I just want to get healthy, to get in the gym and enjoy training, have some fun, and when I'm ready, I'm ready. Right now, I can't jump rope or run. I tried grappling [last week] but it was a bad idea. I wasn't ready. Just pushing off with it hurt...

I want to make a run in that direction [towards a title shot], stack a couple wins together and let's see what happens. The mountain is tall. It's huge. I mean, look at the guys in the division. Lots of good guys. There's really no alternative. What are you going to do? Take a pay cut and fight lesser names? Might as well fight these good guys and see what happens...

Here's the deal: the extraordinary becomes ordinary really quickly. One minute, everything is new and amazing, the next it's expected. I guess for other people, I can equate it to having a kid. Before it, you can't fathom how different life can be, but once it happens, it's your new reality, and that becomes your normal life. Winning the championship, I remember back in 2000, I thought, 'Wouldn't that be cool?' and it happened years later. And now I'm here, and there's lots of guys who want that belt, so you've got to move up that mountain. And there's plenty of good fights as we move up the mountain."

-Forrest Griffin talks to MMAFighting.com about healing up from a broken foot suffered before his win over Rich Franklin at UFC 126 and looking to make a return to the top of the light heavyweight mountain.

Penick's Analysis: It's going to be no easy task in this extremely deep division, but because of his name and the fact that he is a former champion, he's likely not very far away from getting back to a shot at that belt. He'll have a tough opponent in his next fight when he returns to action, which likely won't be until sometime this summer with the foot injury, but if he can get past whomever that may be, he might get the next shot depending on who the champion is at that time. Whether he can get back there or not, fans will continue to tune in to see him fight, as he remains one of the UFC's top names and fan favorites.

[Forrest Griffin art by Cory Gould (c) MMATorch.com]

Source: http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/UFC_2/article_8541.shtml

Naoya Ogawa Sean O Haire Yushin Okami Bobby Ologun

UFC NEWS: Kenny Florian to meet Diego Nunes at UFC 131 in featherweight debut

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

FlorianKenny_CG_150_43.jpg

Two-time Lightweight Title challenger Kenny Florian will make his featherweight debut at UFC 131 this June in a fight against Diego Nunes.

Florian revealed the matchup on the latest edition of ESPN2's MMA Live, on which he is an analyst.

The 34-year-old Florian is making the drop after a loss to Gray Maynard in his last fight in August. He was scheduled to return in a headlining bout at January's UFC Fight for the Troops 2 against Evan Dunham, but injury took him out of that fight and he decided to make the move down to one of the UFC's newest weight classes.

In Nunes he faces a very talented and successful featherweight. Nunes has won three straight fights since suffering his first and only career defeat to LC Davis by decision in the WEC. He brings a 16-1 career record into this fight, and he most recently picked up his biggest career win when he upset former WEC Featherweight Champion Mike Brown in his UFC debut on New Year's Day.

UFC 131 is expected to take place from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada on June 11, and is also expected to feature TUF 13 coaches Brock Lesnar and Junior Dos Santos in the night's main event.

Penick's Analysis: This is a very solid featherweight fight. It's a big opportunity for Nunes, as he'll get on the pay-per-view card, and Nunes makes for a very tough test for Florian as he heads down to the featherweight division for the first time. This should be a very exciting fight, and this UFC 131 card is shaping up to be another really good offering from the UFC.

[Kenny Florian art by Cory Gould (c) MMATorch.com]

Source: http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/UFC_2/article_8525.shtml

Frank Trigg Mostapha Al Turk Ryuki Ueyama Caol Uno

What's Next For The Winners And Losers Of Strikeforce: "Challengers 14"?

It?s that time once again, fans and friends: another night of MMA action has came and went, and now it?s time to ask ?what?s next?? The event in question is the surprisingly-awesome Strikeforce: ?Challengers 14?, a show I personally feel will be right up there come year?s end as one of the best ?sleeper hit? [...]

Source: http://www.fighters.com/02/19/whats-next-for-the-winners-and-losers-of-strikeforce-challengers-14

Lorenzo Borgomeo  Kyle Bradley  Jai Bradney  Ebenezer Fontes Braga

Strikeforce Challengers 14 replay airs Tuesday on Showtime Extreme

A replay of this past weekend's Strikeforce Challengers 14 event airs Tuesday on Showtime Extreme.

The replay is set for 10 p.m. ET/PT.

The event initially took place this past Friday, Feb. 18, at at Cedar Park Center in Texas near Austin. Lightweights Pat Healy and Lyle Beerbohm headlined the show.


Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/mmajunkie/~3/ubkmYTw6DxU/strikeforce-challengers-14-replay-airs-tuesday-on-showtime-extreme.mma

Wes Sims Rob Sinclair

Scott Coker on Dana White Twitter Rant: 'Keep Watching Strikeforce'

by Michael David SmithStrikeforce CEO Scott CokerAfter Fedor Emelianenko lost on Saturday night's Strikeforce card, UFC President Dana White went wild on Twitter, where he ripped Fedor's management at M-1 Global for, in White's view, tarnishing Fedor's legacy by keeping him away from fighting in the sport's premier promotion.

White's tweets included comments like, "Fedor has been fighting bums for years!" and "Last nights fight was a set up for Fedor to win and he got his face smashed!" Many of the tweets included profane insults about Fedor's managers and fans, some of whom were using Twitter to argue with White about Fedor's legacy.

But while White was animated and many of his Twitter correspondents were, too, Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker said he didn't get worked up about any of it.

 

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Source: http://www.mmafighting.com/2011/02/15/scott-coker-on-dana-white-twitter-rant-keep-watching-strikefor/

Stephan Bonnar Lorenzo Borgomeo  Kyle Bradley  Jai Bradney