Bellator Champ Ben Askren tells "frequent cheater" Nate Marquardt to come to Bellator where he will "crush" him

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

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Nate Marquardt's admission of testosterone use as part of hormone therapy for a diagnosed case of low testosterone has brought out a wide variety of reactions from both fans, writers and fellow fighters.

The reactions have ranged from support of Marquardt for coming clean on the situation and disbelief as to why UFC President Dana White felt "disgusted" by him, to those labeling him a cheater and feeling his firing was more than justified.

One fairly prominent fighter in particular took the opportunity to take the second reaction directly to Marquardt on Twitter.

Bellator Welterweight Champion Ben Askren pulled no punches in his comment on the situation, challenging Marquardt to come meet him in the Bellator cage after his UFC release.

"[Nate Marquardt] you are a cheater," Askren wrote. "Not once but frequently. Stop cheating, come to Bellator and I will crush you."

It remains to be seen how Marquardt's story with the UFC will play out for sure, as he expects to be taken off suspension by the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission this week after submitting test levels within normal range. If his UFC release remains a permanent one, but his license is reinstated, it could open the door for a fight like this to actually happen.

Penick's Analysis: Askren went right for the jugular, releasing this comment shortly after Marquardt's admission went public on Ariel Helwani's MMA Hour program this afternoon. He's laying the foundation for what could be a heated "Super Fight" for Bellator if Marquardt is indeed done in the UFC. Askren doesn't have much in the way of challengers in this division, and after Jay Hieron there's a steep, steep dropoff, but if Bellator can sign Marquardt and set that fight up it would be huge for them. This is a story that will continue to play out over the next week and beyond, though, so we'll keep an eye out for developments as they happen.

Source: http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/UFC_2/article_9770.shtml

Kevin Randleman Randy Couture Josh Barnett Ricco Rodriguez

UFC 132 picks, Vegas-style: Questions marks on both sides in Silva vs. Leben

Whoever lands the first huge shot could decide the Wanderlei Silva-Chris Leben fight at UFC 132 on Saturday. Beyond that, there are too many questions to answer before coming up with a real solid pick on the fight.

Silva's been off forever, and as far as the fight game goes, he looks like an old 33. Before each fight, Leben's mental game is always in question. On last week's UFC 132 conference call, he admitted to overlooking Brian Stann and now he's in awe a bit of Silva.

Who comes out on top? Larry Pepe from ProMMARadio and MMAWeekly's Damon Martin joined me on RawVegas.tv to pick the fight. The guy were on opposite ends of the spectrum in this middleweight showdown.

UFC 132 betting odds (Courtesy Venetian Casino, Hotel & Resort Las Vegas)

Urijah Faber (+110) vs. Dominick Cruz (-140) - UFC bantamweight title

Chris Leben (+140) vs. Wanderlei Silva (-170) - Middleweight

Tito Ortiz (+350) vs. Ryan Bader (-500) - Light heavyweight

Carlos Condit (-110) vs. Dong Hyun Kim (-120) - Welterweight

Matt Wiman (+110) vs. Denis Siver (-140) - Lightweight

Shane Roller (+250) vs. Melvin Guillard (-330) - Lightweight

Rafael dos Anjos (+210) vs. George Sotiropoulos (-270) - Lightweight

Takeyu Mizugaki (+220) vs. Brian Bowles (-300) - Bantamweight

Brad Tavares (+200) vs. Aaron Simpson (-250) - Middleweight

Andre Winner (Even) vs. Anthony Njokuani (-130) - Lightweight

Jeff Hougland +170 vs. Donny Walker (-200) - Bantamweight

You can watch UFC 132 right here on Yahoo! Sports

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/UFC-132-picks-Vegas-style-Questions-marks-on-b?urn=mma-wp4120

Aldrin de Jesus  Todd Duffee  Marvin Eastman  Stav Crazy Bear Economou 

What's Next For The Winners And Losers Of Strikeforce "Overeem vs. Werdum"?

Strikeforce ?Overeem vs. Werdum? was an interesting event dominated almost completely by Heavyweight fighters. We saw some good fights, some interesting finishes, and a main event that honestly fell far short of expectations. Now once again it?s time to ask: what?s next? What does the future hold now that the Quarterfinals of the Strikeforce World [...]

Source: http://www.fighters.com/06/19/whats-next-for-the-winners-and-losers-of-strikeforce-overeem-vs-werdum

Alexander Gustafsson Jaime Gutierrez Dave Gomez Keith Hackney

UFC 132 Pre-Fight Press Conference: Live Video at 4pm ET

The UFC 132 pre-fight press conference for Saturday's "UFC 132: Cruz vs. Faber 2" event takes place today, and will stream live on MMAFrenzy.com at 4pm ET. Watch the UFC 132 pre-fight press conference live at 4pm ET by clicking here, as UFC President Dana White, UFC bantamweight champ Dominick Cruz, challenger Urijah Faber, and more discuss the card.

Source: http://mmafrenzy.com/19018/ufc-132-pre-fight-press-conference-video/

Jens Pulver Sean Sherk B J Penn Frankie Edgar

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

Jonathan Goulet Wilson Gouveia Jason Grace Crosley Gracie