Strikeforce "Challengers 16" Picks And Predictions

We?re now only a few days away from the sixteenth entry into Strikeforce?s ?Challengers? series of events. In the main event, grappling expert Caros Fodor takes on James Terry, who has (T)KO?d his last two opponents. The co-main event will also be an interesting match-up, as Ryan Couture returns to Strikeforce and looks to continue [...]

Source: http://www.fighters.com/06/21/strikeforce-challengers-16-picks-and-predictions

Ronaldo de Souza Ron The Monster Sparks Patrick Speight Mario Sperry

MMA Marketplace: Books to get you through the ?off-season?

MMA Marketplace: Books to get you through the ?off-season?It's that time again. After a marathon of fight cards, MMA goes into its traditional "off-season," with no major cards until Strikeforce hits suburban Chicago on July 30. (There will be Strikeforce Challengers, Bellator and DREAM cards in the next few weeks.)

How do you manage? First, be happy that you're not a basketball fan. With the NBA lockout in place, there's no telling when they'll get to see their sport again. Then, you could do something crazy like pop open a book. Here are a few of the latest MMA books that are either new on the market or will be released in the coming weeks.

"Why I Fight: The Belt Is Just an Accessory," by Jay Dee "B.J." Penn and Dave Weintraub: The autobiography of the UFC's former and lightweight champion has been praised for being honest, detail-oriented and well-written. Penn doesn't hold back, touching on everything from the way the UFC does business to his own fighting philosophies.

"MMA Instruction Manual: The Muay Thai Clinch, Takedowns, Takedown Defense, and Ground Fighting" by Anderson Silva and Glen Cordoza: If you're interested in a technical breakdown of MMA, why not learn from the fighter ranked No. 1 in the world? Silva's book focuses on how to employ some of the dangerous attacks he uses in his fights. For some reason, Steven Seagal is not listed as a co-author.

"Fighting Words: In-Depth Interviews with the Biggest Names in Mixed Martial Arts" by Mike Straka: As the host of HDNet's "Fighting Words," Straka has interviewed many of MMA's luminaries. His book promises a close look at MMA through interviews of Chuck Liddell, Randy Couture, Cain Velasquez, Frankie Edgar, Dana White, Renzo Gracie, Ken and Frank Shamrock, Bas Rutten and Jon Jones. (Side note: The book's release date is reportedly July 15, but you can it's in-stock at Amazon today.)

"Death Clutch: My Story of Determination, Domination, and Survival" by Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman: Brock Lesnar is both a loved and hated figure in MMA. If you want to feed your love or your hate of the former UFC heavyweight champ, read the book that promises a look at "about what it takes not only to succeed in the world's fastest-growing sport but to become the Undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the World."

"Say Uncle!: Catch-As-Catch Can Wrestling and the Roots of Ultimate Fighting, Pro Wrestling & Modern Grappling" by Jake Shannon: If you're a history nerd (like me), you'll get into this look at catch wrestling and how it evolved around the world. With interviews from Karl Gotch and Josh Barnett, the book illustrates catch wrestling's continuing effect on MMA today.

On a completely un-MMA note, Yahoo! Sports own Jay Busbee recently released "Bluff City," an awesome work of fiction that features the Elvis Brawl, a pro wrestling match of Elvis impersonators. Clearly, it is worth your time.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/MMA-Marketplace-Books-to-get-you-through-the-o?urn=mma-wp4449

Frank Shamrock Ken Shamrock Sean Sherk Katsuyori Shibata

Ex-WWE Star Gets Tryout Match At iMPACT!, Suicide Note

– Suicide has reappeared on company’s roster page. – Former WWE star Luke Gallows worked a tryout match for TNA prior to tonight’s iMPACT! Wrestling taping in Orlando, Florida. He lost to Gunner. – TNA will have three events this weekend, as seen below: Thursday 6/16 in London, Ontario at John Labatte Centre: *TNA champion Mr. Anderson vs. Kurt Angle .AJ Styles vs. Scott Steiner *TNA Tag Tag champions James Storm & Alex Shelley w/ Robert Roode vs. The British Invasion *TNA X Division Champion Abyss vs. Kazarian *TNA Knockouts Champion Mickie James & Tara vs. Angelina ...

Source: http://www.ifight365.com/2011/06/ex-wwe-star-gets-tryout-match-at-impact-suicide-note/

Yoshihiro Nakao Roy Nelson Mario Neto Carlos Newton

First no Fedor-Couture, now we?re denied Chestnut-Kobi

MMA's done a pretty good job of putting together the super matches we've asked for as fans. It's helped that Zuffa purchased most of its competitors, but there are still a few fights we've been denied.It's nothing like what boxing is dealing with in the elusive Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather or even worse competitive eating's quandary with Joey Chestnut and Takeru Kobayashi.

A squabble between promoter (Major League Eating) and athlete (Kobayashi) is keeping fans from seeing Chestnut-Kobayashi IV, V, VI and so on. It's a damn shame.

Yesterday, while Chestnut was scarfing down 62 hot dogs on Coney Island, Kobayashi tore through 69 on a rooftop in Manhattan.

It's similar to Fedor Emelianenko's battle over the years with the UFC. Fedor and his management team didn't want to sign an exclusive contract that would keep the fighter from competing in Sambo. Kobayashi wants to be able to travel the world and compete in non-sanctioned MLE events, but the promoters, the Shea brothers, won't acquiesce.

Because Fedor and Zuffa couldn't come to terms, we missed out on these dream matchups -Fedor vs. Randy Couture; Fedor vs. Brock Lesnar; Fedor vs. Chuck Liddell; Fedor vs. Anderson Silva and  Fedor vs. Tito Ortiz.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/First-no-Fedor-Couture-now-we-re-denied-Chestnu?urn=mma-wp4425

Martinsh Egle Eric Butterbean Esch Efrain Escudero Rashad Evans

MMAjunkie.com's Dann Stupp on The FAN 590 Toronto tonight at 8 p.m. ET

Prior to tonight's UFC 132 pay-per-view main card, MMAjunkie.com's Dann Stupp joins The FAN 590 Toronto to discuss the show.

Stupp joins "Sports Central" with Roger Lajoie at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT). Tonight's Las Vegas event and Dominick Cruz vs. Urijah Faber title fight are among the topics.

Tune in to 590 AM in Toronto, or listen online at www.fan590.com.


Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/mmajunkie/~3/-Ndi1TrsDzA/mmajunkie-coms-dann-stupp-on-the-fan-590-toronto-tonight-at-8-p-m-et.mma

Kazuyuki Fujita Masakatsu Funaki Zelg Benkei Galesić Mauro Galvao

ROUNDTABLE: Predictions for UFC 132's main event between Dominick Cruz and Urijah Faber - Hansen, Hyden, Amadi, Hobaugh, Park, Williams, Pelkey and Penick

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How will the rematch between Dominick Cruz and Urijah Faber play out at UFC 132?


RICH HANSEN, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

Cruz's speed is something that Faber hasn't seen in a long time.  Cruz is vastly improved from the green kid he was in 2007, and I would be very surprised if he doesn't stick and move his way to a decision victory in which he takes little or no damage from Faber.

FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

I think Cruz comes out ready to bring it to Faber, but I think Faber is going to be too much for Cruz. I think Urijah gets the submission win sometime in the third round or so. I just think Faber is too well-rounded for Cruz. I think moving back to bantamweight was a great move for Faber.

JASON AMADI, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

Dominick Cruz will enjoy a reach advantage, a probable speed advantage, an advantage in terms of striking, and good enough defensive wrestling to keep the fight standing. 

Urijah Faber is a stud and will probably smash every other fighter at 135 or 145 pounds, 
but Dominick Cruz has just put together a style that is beyond what Faber can deal with at this point. It has nothing to do with a decline, it has nothing to do with aging, Dominick Cruz is just a significantly better fighter than he was four years ago, and Urijah Faber isn?t.

ERIC HOBAUGH, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

Both of these fighters are very different from when they first fought in March, 2007. Cruz's hard to catch style is difficult to figure out. He is hard to hit and does not take too many big shots. Faber has lost not only his title, but has lost three times since their first fight.  His overall game, however, has improved. That juxtaposition is due to the fact all fighters have raised their game in the last four years. I feel this fight goes to a razor close decision with Faber winning.

CHRIS PARK, MMATORCH UK SPECIALIST

I believe that Urijah Faber thinks he will have his way with Dominick Cruz and that he will finish him. I disagree. Faber can daydream about their first encounter all he wants but this is a different beast that he faces on Saturday.

Look at Matt Hughes vs. Georges St Pierre. Their second fight told a very different story and so will this. I think Faber will struggle to keep hold of the majorly evolved Cruz and his elusive movement and speed will make this a very long night for Urijah Faber.

ALEX WILLIAMS, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

Dominick Cruz outpoints Urijah Faber.  I'm a Faber fan and pulling for him to win, but I think Cruz has improved too much since their first fight, and Faber may be just past his prime.  Before watching the UFC Countdown show, I had no idea how little formal training Cruz had before their first bout.

MATT PELKEY, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

My gut says it'll look pretty similar to Cruz's last handful of fights. He's really perfected his craft in the last couple years, and, barring Faber landing a big punch or snatch Cruz's neck early, I expect Cruz to out-dance, out-box, and out-wrestle Faber to another decision and another successful title defense.

JAMIE PENICK, MMATORCH EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

The key for Faber is to find a way to close the distance on Cruz and get this fight to the ground, without allowing Cruz to dictate the pace of the striking. Faber is hard to hit, and can absolutely hang on the feet with Cruz in this fight, but his best weapons come in his submission game. If he can force Cruz to the ground - something that both Benavidez and Jorgensen were unable to do - then this is absolutely a fight he can win. The speed factor is a little worrisome, but I think Faber gets this fight to the ground and finds Cruz's neck or one of his limbs and walks out of Las Vegas the UFC Bantamweight Champion.

Source: http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/roundtables/article_9799.shtml

Tor Troeng Nobuhiko Takada Yoshihiro Takayama Daiju Takase

Poll results: Does champ Cruz or challenger Faber win tonight's UFC 132 headliner?

UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz can claim reach milestones tonight at UFC 132.

The WEC's final 135-pound champion can make his first successful UFC title defense, and he can avenge the only defeat of his professional career.

But in our latest MMAjunkie.com/"Inisde MMA" poll, we wanted to know who wins tonight's championship headliner between titleholder Cruz and challenger/bitter rival Urijah Faber.


Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/mmajunkie/~3/Ndzf6XHnGcM/poll-results-does-champ-cruz-or-challenger-faber-win-tonights-ufc-132-headliner.mma

Sylvester Terkay Harout Terzyan James Thompson Nick Thompson

5 Reasons To Watch UFC 132 "Cruz vs. Faber"

On July 2, 2011, the UFC will hold its highly-anticipated ?UFC 132? event, featuring champion Dominick Cruz defending his UFC Bantamweight Championship against the only man he?s ever lost to, Urijah Faber. Also, MMA legend Wanderlei Silva returns from an extended absence and challenges tough, veteran brawler Chris Leben. Still, some fans may be asking [...]

Source: http://www.fighters.com/07/02/5-reasons-to-watch-ufc-132-cruz-vs-faber

Travis Lutter Stevie Lynch Adam Lynn Chris Lytle

A Closer Look At UFC 132: Dominick Cruz vs. Urijah Faber For The UFC Bantamweight Championship

It?s now time, fans and friends: with this entry, my special two-day, six-part, ultra in-depth look into ufc 132 draws to a close. Throughout the series I?ve given my analysis of, the history behind, and even early predictions for all of UFC 132?s major Pay-Per-View bouts. The first part of the series can be seen [...]

Source: http://www.fighters.com/06/30/a-closer-look-at-ufc-132-dominick-cruz-vs-urijah-faber-for-the-ufc-bantamweight-championship

José Aldo  John Alessio  Houston Alexander Ricardo AlmeidaÂ