UFC still committed to bringing MMA to New York

UFC president Dana White and chairman Lorenzo Fertitta met with the press in New York City to make their commitment to the Big Apple clear. They announced via an online press conference that once MMA is regulated, the UFC will bring two shows to Madison Square Garden. According to studies from an independent researcher, those two shows would bring $23 million and more than 200 jobs to N.Y.

"By bringing UFC events to New York, the state will see a positive financial impact," White said. "The arenas will get to host major UFC events and local hotels, restaurants, and other businesses will attract new customers. They’ll look forward to the times we bring UFC to New York." 

N.Y. assemblyman Dean Murray was on hand to talk politics, and the process that had to happen to get MMA legalized and sanctioned in his state. He will try to sway newly sworn-in governor Andrew Cuomo to include revenue from MMA in the state budget, which will give it an easier path. He is pushing for MMA's legalization because he wants the state to find new economic streams.

"In today's climate, we don't need to be raising taxes. We need a chance to raise revenue," Murray said.

But one thing was clear throughout the press conference -- the UFC's biggest hurdle in getting MMA in the Empire State was not effective lobbying or discussions of economic impact. It's the need for education. 

White emphasized the process of education several times throughout the half-hour press conference, and then a reporter on-hand showed just why education about of MMA was needed, asking, "How will you regulate martial arts when you add in kicks and punches?"

White calmly pointed out that kicks and punches are part of MMA, one of the few sports regulated by the government, and that safety is always the first concern. 

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/UFC-still-committed-to-bringing-MMA-to-New-York?urn=mma-307253

Ron Waterman Roman Webber Mark Weir Fabricio Werdum

Thiago Silva has "Rampage" up next; says: Jon Jones is a jerk

Thiago Silva, one of the best light heavyweights in the world, returned to form at UFC 125 when he defeated former contender Brandon Vera in very convincing fashion on Jan. 1. The American Top Team product bested the Muay Thai specialist throughout the fifteen-minute affair, recording his first decision victory inside the octagon. The win [...]

Source: http://www.fighters.com/01/13/thiago-silva-has-rampage-up-next-says-jon-jones-is-a-jerk

Rey Phillip Santos Bob Sapp Rumina Sato Kerry Schall

Five fights to help you beat the winter blues

It's that time of year. The time when the holidays are over, the credit card bills are filling your mailbox and the snow has turned from a pretty white blanket to gray slush. What will help you through the long winter? People pummeling each other, of course! Here are five to savor before the vernal equinox on March 20.

Jan. 29, Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Cyborg -- Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza vs. Robbie Lawler: Brawler vs. grappler. Striking vs. submissions. Gritty vs. smooth. This match-up for the Strikeforce middleweight belt matches up different styles of MMA: the heavy hands of Lawler agains the submission genius of Souza. Though Jacare has showed improved stand-up in his last two fights

Feb. 5, UFC 126 -- Miguel Torres vs. Antonio Banuelos: After constantly bringing exciting fights to the WEC, Torres and Banuelos will bring the bantamweight brand to the UFC. There is about 0.0005% chance that this fight will not be exciting. Not to mention, does an epic mustache win out over an epic mullet? We'll find out.

Feb. 12, Strikeforce and M-1 Global -- Fedor Emelianenko vs. Antonio Silva: So many questions will be answered in this bout in New Jersey. How will Fedor rebound from his loss to Fabricio Werdum? Will the long layoff affect him? What will be Fedor's answer to Silva's size? Will the Russian guy who got away from Chrissie Moltisanti and Paulie "Walnuts" be there to cheer on Fedor? 

Mar. 5, Strikeforce -- Alistair Overeem vs. Fabricio Werdum: He's made history fighting everywhere but Strikeforce, but will he Overeem able to get past the Fedor-slayer to get through the first round of the Strikeforce heavyweight tournament, defending his belt along the way?

Mar. 19, UFC 128 -- Edson Barboza vs. Anthony Njokuani: My legs hurt just thinking about this bout. Barboza won his UFC debut by piling up leg kicks on Mike Lullo. Njokuani has elbows and head kicks that can end fights. Don't expect this bout to last long or to be boring.  

What fights are you looking forward to in the cold, winter months?

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Five-fights-to-help-you-beat-the-winter-blues?urn=mma-304472

Yoshihiro Akiyama  Gilbert Aldana  José Aldo  John Alessio 

Friday Link Dump

(Video courtesy YouTube/robalicious415)

- Arctic laser popcorn (doubleviking)

 - Rory MacDonald vs. Nate Diaz slated for UFC 129 in Toronto (mmafighting)

- MMA Supremacy review (gamefront)

- SBNation kills off WatchKalibRun, MMA4Real and Boxing Bulletin (watchkalibrun)

- Spiderman vs. Captain America (therugged)

- Watch Diego Sanchez's first ammy fight (middleeasy)

- How social media has changed our lives (bullz-eye)

- Belforts says he's not going to dance around Silva (thegarv)

- 10 things you lose when you commit (askmen)

- Milwaukee quietly declares yesterday Anthony Pettis day (fightlinker)

- 11 boxing rappers and vice versa (mademan)

- Falcao out of UFC On Versus III (mmaweekly)

- America's homeless got talent (tuvez)

- Edgar-Maynard III penciled in for UFC 130 (sherdog)

- Cameron Diaz talks Green Hornet biology (break)

- Lowered expectations: Anderson Silva wants to fight Bisping in the UK(espn)

Source: http://www.cagepotato.com/friday-link-dump-93

Cung Le Chris Leben Thales Leites Fabio Leopoldo

Video: Rashad Evans is Going to Hurt Shogun...Or At Least Make Him Feel Very Uncomfortable

(Video courtesy YouTube/nathanmarquardt)

It looks like Rashad Evans has taken a page out of number one UFC lightweight contender Gray Maynard's training manual to get ready for his upcoming light heavyweight  championship bout with Mauricio "Shogun" Rua.

read more

Source: http://www.cagepotato.com/video-rashad-evans-going-hurt-shogunor-least-make-him-feel-very-uncomfortable

Eric Butterbean Esch Efrain Escudero Rashad Evans Urijah Faber

Nate Diaz vs. Rory MacDonald Expected for UFC 129 in Toronto

Welterweight Nate Diaz and Rory MacDonald will look to bounce back from losses in their most-recent fights when they're expected to meet at UFC 129 on April 30 in Toronto. UFC 129 is headlined by welterweight champ Georges St-Pierre vs. Jake Shields and Randy Couture vs. Lyoto Machida.

Source: http://mmafrenzy.com/17261/nate-diaz-vs-rory-macdonald-expected-for-ufc-129-in-toronto/

Todd Duffee  Marvin Eastman  Stav Crazy Bear Economou  Yves EdwardsÂ