Thursday, February 25, 2010

The up-and-coming Shine Fight Promotions has officially announced their third event, “Worlds Collide: Mayorga vs. Thomas.” Headlining the card will be the professional MMA debut of boxing legend Ricardo Mayorga as he takes on seasoned veteran Din Thomas. The event will air live on pay-per-view from the Crown Coliseum in Fayetteville, N.C. on May 15.

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Bellator Fighting Championships put the final pieces in place for its much-anticipated season two welterweight tournament today with the signings of knockout artist Brett Cooper and UFC veteran Ryan Thomas.  Cooper and Thomas are the seventh and eighth confirmed participants in Bellator’s eight-man 170 pound tournament, joining Ben Askren, Dan Hornbuckle, “Judo” Jim Wallhead, Jacob McClintock, Steve Carl and Sean Pierson.  First-round matchups will be announced next week.

Heavyweight MMA fighter Josh Barnett's positive steroid test appeal has been postponed for a fourth time. The California State Athletic Commission postponed the appeal after they refused to enter the meeting without the presence of Mr. Barnett.  According to Barnett, he was unaware that the meeting required his attendance and he sent his lawyer to be his representative, while he flew to Tokyo, Japan, to compete in a pro-wrestling match with fellow MMA fighter, Bob Sapp.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

For the first time in UFC history, UFC fans can head to their local movie theater and take in all the action in the Octagon, live and broadcast in high definition on the big screen starting with "UFC 111: St-Pierre vs. Hardy" on Saturday, March 27 at 10:00 p.m. Eastern/7:00 p.m. Pacific. UFC President Dana White announced the UFC has closed a deal with NCM Fathom to present a series of live UFC fights in more than 300 select movie theaters nationwide, as well as plans to have UFC fighters host screenings in various markets.

With its first season two event now less than eight weeks away, Bellator Fighting Championships today revealed the round one matchups for its much-anticipated, nationally-televised featherweight tourn-ament. The four fights will take place during Bellator’s first two season two events on April 8 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla., and on April 15 at the historic Chicago Theatre. Bellator will also conduct tournaments at 155, 170 and 185 pounds. Fighter pairings for those tournaments will be announced within the coming weeks.

The highly anticipated card "Caged Fury 9," held by the North American Allied Fight Series (NAAFS) on February 20, saw two new champions crowned in the Pro Series. The mixed amateur and professional MMA event took place at the Gray’s Armory in Cleveland, Ohio. In the co-main event, Daniel Straus notched a fifth round technical knockout victory over Bellator veteran Frank Caraballo to capture the interim lightweight championship belt and earn a match-up with four-time UFC veteran Jason "Dynamite" Dent at "Fight Night In The Flats VI" in June. In the main event, “Big” John Hawk edged out defending Champion Joe McCall of Matt Hughes’ H.I.T. Squad to become the NAAFS heavyweight champion.

Monday, February 22, 2010

Saturday's "MMA Big Show: Triple Threat" took place in the Belterra Casino in Florence, Indiana, and turned in a great night full of exciting fights. With three professional fights, ten amateur tilts, and the welterweight championship bout, fans were treated to great fights and big finishes from the Indiana based promotion.

Madison Square Garden has formed a co-promotional agreement with Bellator Fighting Championships to bring a total of four nationally televised Bellator events to two of the most historic and prestigious theaters in the United States, the Chicago Theatre and the Citi Performing Arts Center Wang Theatre in Boston. The events, to be broadcast on FOX Sports Net, NBC and Telemundo, will be staged at the same grand and majestic venues that, over the years, have hosted a collection of the world’s top entertainers.

A second 185-pound fight for former Pride Middleweight Champion Wanderlei Silva is currently in the works. The hopeful combatant is likely to be the man Silva was originally rumored to face in Sydney at UFC 110, Yoshihiro Akiyama. Akiyama has been waiting in the wings after defeating Alan Belcher last July at UFC 100. Silva claimed his first victory at 185 in his debut against Michael Bisping defeating the British star by unanimous decision.

Three men at UFC 110 solidified themselves as top contenders in their respective divisions. George Sotiropoulos, Ryan Bader, and Cain Velasquez all put on impressive performances helping make the UFC's first trip to Australia a huge success. With his victory over Michael Bisping, Wanderlei Silva emphatically declared that the other UFC middleweights had better take notice, though he still needs two or three more victories at middleweight before he can be considered a legitimate contender.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

The UFC's pilgrimage into the land down under is in the books and the card was action packed from the opening to the closing bell. Additionally, four "Fight of the Night" bonuses valued at $50,000 a piece were handed out following the event. Kicking the night off was a heavyweight clash between Anthony Perosh and Mirko "Cro Cop" Flipovic. Perosh was backpedaling and attempting failed takedown after failed takedown as CroCop's sprawl was on display more than his legendary striking. Late in the second round, Cro Cop landed a vicious elbow that opened cut over Perosh's eye that ended the fight after the second round concluded.

Saturday, February 20, 2010

As with past UFC events, MMA Spot will be bringing our readers round-by-round coverage and post-fight press conferences for tonight's pay-per-view broadcast of "UFC 110: Nogueira vs. Velasquez". The event will be taking place from the Acer Arena in Sydney, and features a heavyweight bout between Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Cain Velasquez. Also on the card, popular middleweights Wanderlei Silva and Michael Bisping will face off. Catch all the live blow-by-blow action as we bring you live coverage of the main broadcast card round-by-round.