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July 2009
Rich Franklin featured in CNBC’s new UFC documentary, debuts tonight
CNBC, the popular business-news cable station, has recently scored some solid ratings for a series of documentaries geared around pop culture, and one of its most successful shows - focused on the Ultimate Fighting Championship - now has a second edition that debuts tonight.
“Ultimate Fighting: Fistful of Dollars” is the follow-up to CNBC’s Emmy-nominated first program, “Ultimate Fighting: From Blood Sport to Big Time,” which debuted in 2007.
The 60-minute special debuts at 10 p.m.
In a sneak peak of the program found below, former UFC middleweight champion (and West Chester Twp. resident) Rich Franklin talks about the move from math teacher to mixed-martial-arts fighter.
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Blockbuster “Affliction: Trilogy” pay-per-view event canceled
A highly anticipated “Affliction: Trilogy” mixed-martial-arts event headlined by Fedor Emelianenko (30-1) vs. Josh Barnett (24-5) has been canceled.
The Aug. 1 event, slated for the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., was expected to feature a fight between the world’s No. 1 heavyweight fighter (Emelianenko) and the No. 2 heavyweight (Barnett).
However, Barnett learned earlier this week that his license had been denied by the California State Athletic Commission because he failed a recent drug test due to an anabolic steroid. Barnett also tested positive for a banned steroid in 2002 and was stripped of the UFC heavyweight title at the time.
Event organizations cited the loss of the heavily promoted fight as the reason for the cancellation, though slightly less marketable fighters such as Vitor Belfort and Paul Buentello (who were on the event’s undercard) and Brett Rogers, Don Frye and Jeff Monson offered to replace him on less than two weeks’ notice. However, with pressure from the company’s pay-per-view partner, Showtime PPV, and concerns about the marketability of a back-up matchup, the event was scrapped altogether.
“Finding an opponent for the No. 1 ranked MMA heavyweight champion in such a short period of time was a huge endeavor, and I’m thrilled at the amount of fighters willing to take on this challenge,” Affliction Vice President Tom Atencio stated. “But in the end, we just didn’t have enough time to promote a new fight to our standards.”
Notables such as “Babalu” Sobral, Jorge Santiago, Gilbert Yvel, Takanori Gomi and Ben Rothwell were also slated to compete on the card and will now miss out on some major paydays. (Affliction’s first two shows paid out an average of $150,000 per competitor.)
Ever since its inception in 2008, when the high-end clothing company was banned as a sponsor from of the UFC and began promoting its own shows, Affliction has constantly denied rumors and reports of its pending demise.
Today’s cancellation will do nothing to squelch the speculation, but in a statement issued today, Affliction vowed to promote future shows.
The event’s co-promoter, M-1 Global, is hosting its own show in California on Aug. 28. It’s conceivable that some “Trilogy” fighters could be shifted to that card, which is currently headlined by 43-year-old veteran fighter/actor/former pro wrestler Don Frye (20-7-1) vs. rising prospect and decorated collegiate wrestler “King” Mo Lawal (4-0).
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Jorge Gurgel headlines Oct. 25 Strikeforce card
Jorge Gurgel will headline an Oct. 25 Strikeforce card against highly touted lightweight prospect Billy Evangelista, the mixed-martial-arts fighter announced via Twitter on Tuesday.
The event is expected to take place at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, Calif., and air on Showtime, though the organization hasn’t yet made an official announcement.
Gurgel, a former Wright State student who operates his popular Team JG MMA facility in West Chester Twp., made his Strikeforce debut in June against Conor Heun. The former UFC fighter won a unanimous decision in one of the night’s most entertaining bouts.
The winner of the Gurgel (13-5) vs. Evangelista (9-1) main event could possibly be next in line for a title shot. Current Strikeforce lightweight champ Josh Thomson meets interim title-holder Gilbert Melendez at Strikeforce’s Aug. 15 event in San Jose, Calif. (That show is headlined by the long-awaited female fight between Gina Carano and Cris “Cyborg” Santos.)
The “Strikeforce Challengers” series is designed to spotlight the organization’s top prospects, though proven veterans such as Gurgel are often used as measuring sticks for the younger fighters.
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Rich Franklin agrees to new six-fight deal with UFC
Former UFC middleweight champion Rich Franklin has signed a new six-fight deal with the Ultimate Fighting Championship that goes into effect for his UFC 103 main event fight with Dan Henderson.
Franklin, from West Chester Twp., had one fight remaining on his previous contract, but as with most fighters, the UFC wanted a new deal in place before the old deal was fulfilled. The 34-year-old recently returned home from Las Vegas, where he negotiated the deal directly with UFC president Dana White.
Financial terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Since turning pro in 2000, Franklin has posted a career mark of 25-4, which includes a 12-3 record in the UFC.
Franklin, now fighting at light heavyweight, said the new deal could possibly carry him through the rest of the deal, though, “It’s something I can’t really decide now,” he said.
Franklin and Henderson first met in January with Henderson winning a controversial split decision. The rematch takes place Sept. 19 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas and airs on pay-per-view.
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Franklin vs. Henderson II headlines UFC 103
Although Rich Franklin has long been expected to headline UFC 103 in September, few could have predicted his opponent: Dan Henderson.
The two fighters first fought in January with Henderson winning a split decision (29-28, 27-30, 29-28).
The UFC today announced the headline bout of Franklin vs. Henderson II, which takes place Sept. 19 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas and airs on pay-per-view.
Soon after the initial loss at UFC 93, Franklin (25-4 MMA, 12-3 UFC) said he felt he won the fight and wanted the rematch. Few expected him to get it, especially since Franklin wanted to remain at 205 pounds while Henderson (25-7 MMA, 5-2 UFC) has recently focused on the 185-pound division.
Franklin was slowed by an accidental head butt in the first round and a deep eye poke (and scratched cornea) in the third during the first meeting. Since the loss, he’s fought once and posted a unanimous decision win over Wanderlei Silva at a catch-weight of 195 pounds.
Henderson enters UFC 103 off a stunning knockout victory over rival Michael Bisping at UFC 100. Henderson, 3-0 in his past three fights, said after the win that he wanted a second shot at Anderson Silva’s middleweight bout (Henderson was submitted in their first meeting at UFC 82). It’s still possible he could get the title shot, but he’ll likely need to get by Franklin first.
The latest UFC 103 card now includes (courtesy MMAjunkie.com):
* Dan Henderson vs. Rich Franklin
* Junior Dos Santos vs. Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic
* Martin Kampmann vs. Mike Swick
* Josh Koscheck vs. Frank Trigg
* Hermes Franca vs. Tyson Griffin
* Sean Sherk vs. Gleison Tibau*
* Efrain Escudero vs. Cole Miller
* Tomasz Drwal vs. Drew McFedries*
* Rafael dos Anjos vs. Matt Wiman*
* - Not officially announced
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Indiana’s first commission-approved MMA event includes UFC vets Gilliam, Thomas, Price, others
On July 1, Indiana became the 39th U.S. state to begin regulating mixed martial arts.
The first commission-approved show is now set for Aug. 8, and the star-studded event features many fighters who have competed in the world’s top promotions.
“War in the Yard” takes place at the Hoosier Park Racing & Casino in Anderson, Ind. (near Indianapolis). The is set for the same night as the Ultimate Fighting Championships’ “UFC 101: Declaration” show in Philadelphia, and event organization plan to air the pay-per-view event live immediately after the “War in the Yard” show.
UFC veterans such as Ryan Thomas, Jason Gilliam, Chris Price, Keith Wisniewski and other notables, such as Tristan Yunker, are booked for the 10-fight card. (Check out the full fight card below).
Tickets can be purchased by calling the Hoosier Park Box Office at (800) 526-7223.
The full card includes:
Ryan Stout vs. Ryan Thomas
Jason Gilliam vs. Jon Meyer
Tristan Yunker vs. Keith Wisniewski
Chris Price vs. Troy King
Shamar Bailey vs. TBD
Daniel Head vs. Kevin Barkdull
David Seal vs. Harley Hiner
Tommy Hayden vs. Pete Domingues
Lorenzo Hood vs. David Morris
Female bout TBD
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Follow Dayton Daily News’ MMA on Twitter
As a reminder, you can stay up to date on the latest national and Dayton-area MMA news on Twitter.
Simply go to www.twitter.com/MMAjunkieDann and “follow” the account. If you don’t have an account, the registration process is swift and easy.
For the uninitiated, Twitter is a real-time short messaging service. Basically, the service, which works over multiple networks and on many Internet-enabled devices, allows quick-hit blog posts.
I’ll take you behind the scenes of major events, give you the background on the latest fighter interviews, and share other news and notes that don’t always make it to print.
(You can also “follow” a host of MMA fighters, promoters and other industry insiders. Check out the MMA list at wefollow.com to see who’s on Twitter.)
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Rich Franklin in Las Vegas to discuss new UFC deal, UFC 103 slot still likely
Veteran UFC fighter Rich Franklin in currently in Las Vegas for a one-on-one meeting with UFC president Dana White to discuss a new deal with the organization, the Dayton Daily News has learned.
Franklin, a former UFC middleweight champion and West Chester Twp. resident, made the move to light heavyweight in 2008 and is 2-1 since then. The lone loss came to Dan Henderson via close split decision in January. (Most recently he scored a decision victory over Wanderlei Silva, though the fight took place at a catch-weight of 195 pounds).
Franklin (25-4) has one fight remaining on his current deal, and a new contract needs to be in place befor his next fight. A source close to the organization said that next fight will likely come at UFC 103, which takes place Sept. 19 in Dallas, possibly as a main event.
White recently confirmed a heavyweight bout between Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic (25-6-2) and Junior Dos Santos (8-1) is also slated for UFC 103. While the bout is arguably headline-worthy, a proven main-event draw such as Franklin could certainly bolster the card, which is the UFC’s first ever in Dallas.
No potential opponent has been determined for Franklin, but Luis Cane (10-1) is about the only top-level UFC light heavyweight who hasn’t recently fought or already been scheduled for a future bout. Additionally, Cane has done a few recent interviews in which he stated he’d welcome the bout.
Assuming a new deal is reached, it could be the final one of Franklin’s career. The 34-year-old isn’t sure when he’ll retire, but he said he wants to go out sooner rather than later.
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Hamilton High School football coach Chris Wells’ MMA career featured
While many professional mixed-martial-arts fighters make the sport a career, Chris Wells is more indicative of the typical pro fighter.
Not signed to one of the major organizations, the Hamilton High School assistant football coach and teacher is a weekend warrior who trains extensively but fights only occasionally.
Wells, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu brown belt who trains with Jorge Gurgel at his Middletown gym, is 8-2 over a decade-long career. Soon after his high school (all-state linebacker at Middletown High School) and college (Kent State and Thomas Moore College) football career, Wells took up MMA when the sport was still mysterious and far from mainstream.
Wells next fights July 25 at MMA Big Show’s event “Unstoppable” at Belterra Casino Resort & Spa in Indiana. In perhaps the biggest fight of his career, the 36-year-old takes on two-time UFC veteran Johnny Rees (10-2).
MMAjunkie.com recently featured Wells in our “Fight Path” feature, which focuses on fighters who have interesting stories about how they found the sport of MMA. Check it out:
Fight Path: From football to fighting, Chris Wells balancing MMA and teaching over 12-year career
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UFC 103 in Dallas Sept. 19, Rich Franklin could headline
The UFC will makes its Dallas debut on Sept. 19 with an event at the American Airlines Center.
The organization officially announced the event on Tuesday and revealed four matchups: Martin Kampmann (15-2) vs. Mike Swick (14-2), Josh Koscheck (12-4) vs. Frank Trigg (19-6), Hermes Franca (19-7) vs. Tyson Griffin (13-2) and Efrain Escudero (11-0) vs. Cole Miller (15-3).
The Kampmann vs. Swick fight earns the winner the next title shot with UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre, who defended his belt this past weekend at UFC 100 with a win over Thiago Alves. Trigg returns to the UFC for the first time in four years, and Escudero fights for the time since winning the eighth season of “The Ultimate Fighter” in 2008.
The event is also expected to feature a heavyweight bout beween Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic (25-6-2) and Junior Dos Santos (8-1), and three or four more fights will be announced in the coming weeks.
Rich Franklin, a West Chester Twp. resident and former UFC middleweight champion, is being considered for a main-event slot at the event, though no opponent has been determined. However, he could be shifted to a later card, and the Filipovic vs. Dos Santos bout could instead take headline status, though it may not be a strong enough draw for the event’s $44.95 price tag.
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Top area prospect Bowling fights at July 25 event in Indiana
One of the area’s top mixed-martial-arts prospects has recovered from a workplace accident and will next fight at MMA Big Show’s July 25 event.
Roger Bowling (5-0), who fights out of Cincinnati, will defend his MMA Big Show welterweight title when he meets Devon Plaisance (2-3) in the co-main event of “UNSTOPPABLE,” which takes place at the Belterra Casino Resort & Spa in Indiana.
Bowling, a top prospect who’s recently garnered the attention of some top fight promotions, was slated to fight UFC veteran John “War Machine” Koppenhaver at the organization’s June 20 show. However, he was forced off the card when a workplace lathe accident caused a broken forearm.
“UNSTOPPABLE” also features a main event between UFC vet Johnny Rees (10-2) and Chris Wells (7-1), a jiu-jitsu brown belt who fights of out of Jorge Gurgel’s West Chester Twp. gym.
All tickets to the event are just $10. To make a purchase or for more info on the card, go to www.mmabigshow.com.
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UFC 100 fighter payouts
The Nevada State Athletic Commission has released official disclosed salaries for this past Saturday’s, July 11, UFC 100 event at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Most state athletic commission make the figures available to the public.
However, a quick disclaimer is in order. The figures do not include taxes, licenses and other deductions. Additionally, a large portion of a fighter’s pay comes in the form of sponsorships, which aren’t reflected in the numbers below.
Additionally, the UFC’s top stars, such as Brock Lesnar and Georges St. Pierre, receive a portion of the pay-per-view revenue. In fact, Lesnar, who defeated Frank Mir in UFC 100’s main event, is expected to earn $3 million in all for this single fight.
The full disclosed payroll ($1.79 million in all) includes:
Brock Lesnar: $400,000 (no win bonus) def. Frank Mir: $45,000
Georges St-Pierre: $400,000 (includes $200,000 win bonus) def. Thiago Alves: $60,000
Jon Fitch: $90,000 ($45,000 win bonus) def. Paulo Thiago: $8,000
Dan Henderson: $250,00 ($150,000 win bonus) def. Michael Bisping: $150,000
Yoshihiro Akiyama: $60,000 ($20,000 win bonus) def. Alan Belcher: $19,000
Mark Coleman: $100,000 ($50,000 win bonus) def. Stephan Bonnar: $25,000
Jim Miller: $22,000 ($11,000 win bonus) def. Mac Danzig: $20,000
Jon Jones: $18,000 ($9000 win bonus) def. Jake O’Brien: $13,000
Dong Hyun Kim: $58,000 ($29,000 win bonus) def. T.J. Grant: $5,000
Tom Lawlor: $16,000 ($8,000 win bonus) def. C.B. Dollway: $14,000
Shannon Gugerty: $10,000 ($5,000 win bonus) def. Matt Grice: $7,000
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Ohio natives Coleman and Dollaway find mixed results on UFC 100 prelims
Mark Coleman needed a full three rounds to grind out a victory.
C.B. Dollaway didn’t get a full minute before his night ended in defeat.
The two Ohio natives were part of the preliminary card of the historic UFC 100 event at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas this past Saturday, July 11.
Coleman, the 44-year-old UFC Hall of Famer and former national wrestling champion at Ohio State, scored the biggest upset of the UFC’s milestone event by besting Bonnar via unanimous decision.
Coleman picked up his first UFC victory in 12 years and his first mixed-martial-arts win in nearly three-and-a-half years with the performance.
“A lot of people counted Mark out,” UFC president Dana White said. “The guy has a ton of heart and doesn’t quit.”
Relying heavily on his takedown skills from a lifetime of wrestling, the former U.S. Olympian lost the first of a scheduled three rounds but stormed to win the final two. He earned the unanimous decision with scores of 29-28 on all three judges’ cards.
Dollaway, a runner-up on the seventh season of the UFC’s competition reality series, “The Ultimate Fighter,” didn’t fare nearly as well and instead was on the wrong end of just as big of an upset as Coleman vs. Bonnar.
After a brief feeling-out period, Dollaway, who won an Ohio high school wrestling championship at Northmor High School in Mount Gilead, scooped up his opponent for a takedown. However, while airborne, opponent Tom Lawlor secured a guillotine choke. Dollaway was unable to break free of the submission and went unconscious before he was able to tap out.
The referee called a halt to the bout just 55 seconds into the first round.
With the win, Coleman moves to 16-9 and 7-4 in the UFC. Dollaway falls to 8-2 overall and 2-2 in the UFC.
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UFC 100 live results
LAS VEGAS - The Dayton Daily News is on scene for today’s UFC 100 event at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
The televised main card (pay-per-view, $44.95) begins at 10 p.m., but we’ll have live updates from the six-bout un-aired preliminary card, which includes Ohio natives Mark Coleman and C.B. Dollaway, beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Check back often for live and official results.
MATT GRICE (10-2) VS. SHANNON GUGERTY (11-3)
Result: Gugerty wasted little time slapping on a guillotine choke. Grice fought it off for the better part of a minute. But after Gugerty dropped to his back and rolled his opponent over, Grice went unconscious after refusing to tap. Shannon Gugerty def. Matt Grice via submission (guillotine choke) - Round 1, 2:36.
C.B. DOLLAWAY (9-2) VS. TOM LAWLOR (5-1)
Result: Former Ohio high school state wrestling champion C.B. Dollaway shot in on his opponent early in the bout and tried to slam him to the mat. Tom Lawlor, though, slapped on a guillotine choke while airborne. The ref intervened and stopped the bout seconds later when Dollaway went out cold after a second straight fighter refused to tap out. Tom Lawlor def. C.B. Dollway via submission (guillotine choke) - Round 1, 0:55.
T.J. GRANT (14-3) VS. DONG HYUN KIM (12-0-1)
Result: Korean Dong Hyun Kim used solid takedown defense and an active ground game to shut down Canada’s T.J. Grant. Kim won all three rounds, and Grant was docked a point in the second round for an illegal (and inadvertent) kick. Dong Hyun Kim def. T.J. Grant via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26).
JON JONES (9-0) VS. JAKE O’BRIEN (11-3)
Result: Jon Jones picked up his third straight UFC victory (and ninth overall) after dazing Jake O’Brien with a spinning back elbow. A fight-ending submission came soon after. Jon Jones def. Jake O’Brien via submission (guillotine choke) - Round 2, 2:43.
MAC DANZIG (19-7-1) VS. JIM MILLER (14-2)
Result: Jim Miller used superior wrestling skills to score takedowns at will. Danzig spent most of the fight on his back, and after suffering a deep gash on his forehead, he continually gushed blood. Miller worked through it and dominated all three rounds. Jim Miller def. Mac Danzig via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).
STEPHAN BONNAR (14-5) VS. MARK COLEMAN (15-9)
Result: Mark Coleman, a 44-year-old UFC Hall of Famer, picked up his first UFC win in 12 years and his first MMA win in three-a-half-years with a decision victory over Stephan Bonnar. After losing the first round and storming back to win the final two, Coleman, an NCAA Division I national wrestling champion at Ohio State, got the nod from the judges. Mark Coleman def. Stephan Bonnar via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).
YOSHIHIRO AKIYAMA (13-1) VS. ALAN BELCHER (13-5)
Result: A bout of evenly matched middleweights pitted UFC newcomer Yoshihiro Akiyama against UFC vet Alan Belcher. The outcome was ultimately the judges’ to make. Yoshihiro Akiyama def. Alan Belcher via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)
MICHAEL BISPING (18-2) VS. DAN HENDERSON (25-7)
Result: In the battle of coaches from “The Ultimate Fighter 9,” Dan Henderson scored a dramatic knockout victory over British fighter Michael Bisping. Henderson knocked him out cold with an overhand right and then blasted him (arguably needlessly) with a follow-up blow before the referee could stop him. Henderson said he wanted to teach him a lesson. Dan Henderson def. Michael Bisping via TKO (strikes) - Round 2, 3:20.
CHAMP GEORGE ST-PIERRE (19-2) VS. THIAGO ALVES (22-5) - welterweight title fight
Result: The UFC’s superstar champion posted another dominant title defense with a shutout unanimous-decision victory over clear No. 1 contender Thiago Alves. Georges St-Pierre scored takedowns at ease and continually put Alves on his back one frustrating round after another. Georges St-Pierre def. Thiago Alves via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-44, 50-45) to retain UFC welterweight title.
CHAMP BROCK LESNAR (3-1) VS. FRANK MIR (12-3) - heavyweight title fight
Result: Brock Lesnar used his superior size and strength to score his third straight UFC win and first-ever UFC title defense. The former WWE star and national collegiate wrestling champion easily scored takedowns and battered Frank Mir was a brutal ground-and-pound assault to force a second-round TKO stoppage. Brock Lesnar def Frank Mir via TKO (strikes) - Round 2, 1:48 to retain UFC heavyweight title.
JON FITCH (22-3) VS. PAULO THIAGO (11-0) - swing bout
Result: With the swing bout pushed to after the main event, the crowd was dead for the night’s finale. Jon Fitch, an Indiana native and former Purdue University wrestler, dominated the final two rounds but couldn’t secure the stoppage despite some dominant positions. Jon Fitch def. Paulo Thiago via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
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Fighters make weight for UFC 100
LAS VEGAS - All 22 competitors taking part in Saturday’s UFC 100 event officially made weight for the show.
The weigh-ins were held today at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, which is the same venue that hosts Saturday’s pay-per-view event.
UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar came in at the 265-pound limit for the heavyweight division and was 20 pounds heavier than opponent and interim title-holder Frank Mir (245).
Welterweight challenger Thiago Alves, who’s struggled in the past to make weight, had no problems for his title fight with welterweight champ Georges St. Pierre. Both fighters weighed 170 pounds.
The full weigh-in results for the soldout event included:
MAIN CARD
Champ Brock Lesnar (265) vs. interim champ Frank Mir (245)
Champ Georges St-Pierre (170) vs. Thiago Alves (170)
Michael Bisping (186) vs. Dan Henderson (185)
Yoshihiro Akiyama (185) vs. Alan Belcher (186)
Jon Fitch (170) vs. Paulo Thiago (170)
PRELIMINARY CARD
Stephan Bonnar (205) vs. Mark Coleman (205)
Mac Danzig (154) vs. Jim Miller (155)
Jon Jones (206) vs. Jake O’Brien (206)
T.J. Grant (170) vs. Dong Hyun Kim (171)
C.B. Dollaway (186) vs. Tom Lawlor (184)
Matt Grice (155) vs. Shannon Gugerty (156)
Check out a full image gallery of the weigh-ins at MMAjunkie.com.
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Four former NFL players to fight on UFC reality series
LAS VEGAS - As part of its weeklong celebration heading into Saturday’s historic UFC 100 event, the Ultimate Fighting Championship today unveiled its cast for the upcoming 10th season of its popular reality series.
The unveiling took place at the first-ever UFC Fan Expo at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Although the show had grown a bit stale in recent years, “The Ultimate Fighter 10: Heavyweights,” which debuts Sept. 16 on Spike TV, is creating plenty of buzz and is expected to score the series’ biggest ratings in years.
An eclectic mix of competitors, which includes four former players from the National Football League, is the reason why.
The group includes 1996 Tampa Bay Buccaneers No. 1 draft pick Marcus Jones, former New York Giant Matt Mitrione, one-time Atlanta Falcon Wes Shivers and former Buffalo Bills practice squad member Brendan Schaub. (Former Indianapolis Colt Rex Richards was also selected for the show, but he suffered an injury and was forced off the cast just a week before taping began.)
All four NFL vets made the transition into mixed martial arts in recent years and have promising fight careers.
The “TUF 10” cast is also heavy on proven talent. Roy Nelson, a former champion of the now-defunct International Fight League, has ranked as high as 10th in the world in his weight class. Scott Junk, Mike Wessel and Lancaster’s Wes Sims have both previously fought in the UFC and look to win their ways back in the organization.
Perhaps most notably, though, is Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson, a former underground bareknuckle brawler who became a YouTube sensation. Ferguson was the main headliner for the now-defunct EliteXC organization, which previously aired on CBS. Ferguson was a ratings hit, but his handpicked opponents had many questioning his legitimacy as an MMA fighter. Journeyman Seth Petruzelli, who usually fights a weight class lower than Ferguson, took the fight on just a few hours’ notice (as a late injury replacement) and delivered “Kimbo” his first career loss in a humiliating 14 seconds.
Ferguson will get a second chance to prove he belongs with MMA’s best on “TUF,” which has launched the careers of more than 100 UFC fighters.
The full list of “TUF 10” cast members includes:
Zak Jensen - standout wrestler at Augsburg College
Marcus Jones - former first-round NFL draft pick who had a six-year career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Scott Junk - Division II All-American football player at Southwest Oklahoma State and fought at UFC 76
James McSweeney - former international kickboxing and Muay Thai champion
John Madsen - defeated UFC heavyweight champ Brock Lesnar in a high school wrestling match
Matt Mitrione - played for New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings
Roy Nelson - former IFL heavyweight champion
Demico Rogers - high school football and wrestling star
Brendan Schaub - played for Buffalo Bills and Arena Football League’s Utah Blaze
Darrill Schoonover - decorated Army veteran
Wes Shivers - former member of the Tennessee Titans and Atlanta Falcons
Wes Sims - fought two heated battles with former UFC champ Frank Mir at UFC 43 and UFC 46
Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson - former EliteXC heavyweight contender and YouTube sensation
Abe Wagner - played linebacker at Michigan Tech and has a degree in mechanical engineering
Mike Wessel - UFC veteran and former strength and conditioning coach at the University of Arkansas
Justin Wren - All-American high school wrestler
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Brock Lesnar adds a bit of drama to UFC 100 presser
LAS VEGAS - His transition from World Wrestling Entertainment to the Ultimate Fighting Championship has been a smooth one, but Brock Lesnar still has a flair for the dramatic.
Lesnar played the “heel” role in legendary fashion during his pro-wrestling days. But as the 2000 NCAA Division I national wrestling champion and current UFC heavyweight champion has moved from the staged combat to real mixed-martial-arts fighting, the line still seems to be blurred between Lesnar the performer and Lesnar the actual person.
The latest example came during this past Thursday’s press conference for UFC 100, a historic pay-per-view event that takes place Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Lesnar, who won the UFC heavyweight title with a November TKO victory over Randy Couture, was one of six UFC 100 fighters on the dais. And Lesnar’s sometimes gruff and testy demeanor was in full effect.
Although scheduled to give a brief introductory statement and then participate in a question-and-answer session, Lesnar preferred his opening remarks also serve as his closing remarks.
“We could all stand up here all day long, and I’m not going to,” said Lesnar (3-1), who fights Frank Mir (12-3) in Saturday’s UFC 100 main event. “But I’m not going to. I’m going to exit the building when I’m done talking here because the talk for me is over. Mr. Mir, on Saturday night I’ll be seeing you in the octagon. I cannot wait. I hope you’re prepared. I know you are. … That’s all I have to say.”
With that, Lesnar scooped up his championship belt and headed for the nearest exit.
UFC president and event emcee Dana White quickly sprung to action, stopping the fighter, and whispered something into his ear. Amazingly, Lesnar returned to his seat, where he remained for the duration of the press conference and Q&A session.
While speaking with a group of reporters after the event, White joked that his job isn’t all the glitz and glamor some people make it out to be.
“I’m telling you, nobody wants my job,” White said. “Everybody thinks it looks good, but it’s no fun. Try telling a 400-pound man to sit down.”
(For the record, Lesnar is closer to 285 pounds and must weigh no more than 266 pounds for Friday’s official UFC 100 weigh-ins.)
Still, the point was made. But seeing how White owns 10 percent of a company recently valued at approximately $1 billion, he can put up with a few workplace hazards - even those that wear size XXXXL fight gloves.
Here’s the full lineup for Saturday’s UFC 100 event, which airs on pay-per-view at 10 p.m. ($44.95).
MAIN CARD: Champ Brock Lesnar vs. interim champ Frank Mir (heavyweight title unification), champ Georges St. Pierre vs. Thiago Alves (for welterweight title), Jon Fitch vs. Paulo Thiago, Michael Bisping vs. Dan Henderson, Yoshihiro Akiyama vs. Alan Belcher
PRELIMINARY CARD: Stephan Bonnar vs. Mark Coleman, Mac Danzig vs. Jim Miller, Jon Jones vs. Jake O’Brien, C.B. Dollaway vs. Tom Lawlor, Matt Grice vs. Shannon Gugerty, T.J. Grant vs. Dong Hyun Kim
We’ll have full coverage of Saturday’s event, including the result of Ohio natives Mark Coleman’s and C.B. Dollaway’s preliminary card bouts, beginning at 7 p.m. ET here in the DaytonDailyNews.com MMA blog.
