The Fight Fix at CSNWashington.com breaks down the biggest news makers from the month of February including this past weekends UFC 127 draw between BJ Penn and Jon Fitch. Also covered are the big news out of UFC 126 with Anderson Silva’s famous kick and Jon Jones earning a title shot with Mauricio “Shogun” Rua. As well as the loss by Fedor Emelianenko to Antonio Silva at the Feb. 12 Strikeforce show.
The Fight Fix at CSNWashington.com breaks down the biggest news makers from the month of February including this past weekends UFC 127 draw between BJ Penn and Jon Fitch. Also covered are the big news out of UFC 126 with Anderson Silva’s famous kick and Jon Jones earning a title shot with Mauricio “Shogun” Rua. As well as the loss by Fedor Emelianenko to Antonio Silva at the Feb. 12 Strikeforce show.
Despite his loss at this past weekend's UFC 127 event, light heavyweight James Te Huna donated his entire fight purse to victims of Australia and New Zealand's recent flooding.
Following the show, Marshall Zelaznik, the UFC's managing director of international development, announced that the organization is matching the Kiwi's donation.
Additional thousands will be raised by a UFC 127 memorabilia auction, which runs through Wednesday.
‘Irish Hand Grenade’ set to explode at MFC 29
Marcus Davis to debut at Conquer against ‘Ragin’ Kajan Johnson
Press Release – Already sporting a talent-rich lightweight roster, the Maximum Fighting Championship has added one of the division’s most powerful strikers, and a fighter who has targeted big finishes in fan-favorite encounters.
Marcus “The Irish Hand Grenade” Davis has signed a multi-fight deal with the Maximum Fighting Championship, and will make his much-anticipated debut when S.L. Feldman’s & Associates presents MFC 29: Conquer at The Colosseum at Caesars Windsor on Friday, April 8. Tickets for the event go on sale at Noon ET on Friday, March 4 at www.caesarswindsor.com and The Colosseum box office.
Davis (17-8) is expected to meet the livewire “Ragin” Kajan Johnson (18-11-1) in one of the featured matchups that will air live on HDNet Fights.
The Bangor, Maine, product and member of Team Sityodtong already feels like he has found a home in the MFC which prides itself in pushing the entertainment envelope.
“I feel I’m sort of the Nostradamus of MMA,” explained Davis. “When I started in the sport I was talking to boxing magazines and told them that MMA was going to take over boxing. They said I was crazy but it happened.
“I feel the same about being in the MFC. (Owner/President) Mark Pavelich has done a very good job not only developing his brand but also developing his fighters. That’s why I made the choice I did.
“I’m a fighter who wears his heart on his sleeve. I go out and give it all I’ve got to be entertaining. I think my style fits very well with the MFC.”
Davis is well-known for his all-out clashes as the 37-year-old has built a reputation of fights that leave a lasting impression. His career is highlighted by an 11-fight winning streak that included victories over notables such as Pete Spratt, Shonie Carter, Forrest Petz, Paul Taylor, and Jess Liaudin. While building up six knockouts and eight submission stoppages, Davis has captured victories over rival big punchers such as Jonathan Goulet, Chris Lytle, and Paul Kelly.
“No matter what, every time I fight, I try to end the fight and I’m bleeding all over somebody,” cracked Davis.
“I think the MFC lightweight division is stacked but there’s no doubt I’m the best striker. That’s what I’m going to bring. I’m going to get right in there. I’m looking forward to coming in and making a big splash.”
Johnson, who fights out of Vancouver, B.C., is coming off a one-sided decision win over Ryan Healy at MFC 27. Although Johnson sports four knockouts and 10 submissions on his resume, Davis doesn’t expect his upcoming foe to be ready for this sizeable step up.
“He hasn’t faced the type of competition I’ve faced and he has no idea the level of where my confidence is at,” added Davis. “He’s tough but I’m very confident.”
Former WEC competitor Cub Swanson's UFC debut was put on ice this past week.
The veteran fighter was forced out of a scheduled UFC on Versus 3 bout with Erik Koch, who now meets fellow featherweight Raphael Assuncao next month UFC 128.
Swanson today told MMAjunkie.com Radio about the reason for his scratch from the card, and it was a mouthful.
Echoing sentiments from the Mixed Martial Arts community, it appears Dana White will discipline Michael Bisping based on the Brit’s lack of professionalism during and after his bout with Jorge Rivera at UFC 127. While no specifics were mentioned regarding the punishment or what exactly prompted the decision it was revealed a suspension, fine, and possibly both were on the table.
News of the UFC President’s plan was first reported by MMAFighting. No time table on the sentencing was revealed.
The controversy surrounding Bisping’s behavior started early in last weekend’s match-up when “The Count” blatantly grabbed the cage to prevent being swept in the first round, then later planted an illegal knee cleanly on Rivera’s chin while later claiming the blow had been accidentally thrown a bit early despite video replays appearing to reveal calculation in the shot. Bisping was deducted a point and the fight continued with Rivera severely slowed.
Bisping’s questionable actions continued after finishing “El Conquistador” with strikes in the second round when he decided to spit out of the Octagon towards Rivera’s corner saying it was meant to land on the floor and not boxing coach Matt Phinney.
Five Ounces of Pain contacted Rivera’s management team at Alchemist MMA who responded with their position on the forthcoming action:
“We applaud UFC President Dana White’s announcement that Michael Bisping will be disciplined for his unprofessional manner inside the cage at UFC 127. We (also) hope that the UFC also decides to take disciplinary action against Mr. Bisping for the illegal knee he threw at Jorge Rivera during the first round of their fight. The issue here is standards. As Jorge recovered from the illegal knee, Joe Rogan and Mike Goldberg asked, “Does he get five minutes? Does he continue or what’s the norm here?” which underscores how there are no set standards in place for an illegal strike like this one. Jon Jones‘ only loss is due to a DQ from an illegal strike against Matt Hamill. Paul Daley delivered an illegal strike to Josh Koscheck after the bell and got sent out of the organization. Mr. Bisping should also be punished for his illegal strike. There has to be consistency and accountability or the sport will not evolve.”
When asked for his take on the situation in general Bisping apologized while crediting a series of hype-building videos from Rivera with making the match-up personal. However, he has remained firm in the illegal knee’s accidental nature and been dismissive of his phlegm’s direction.
UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar (13-1-1) is set to meet Gray Maynard for a third time on May 28 in the headliner for UFC 130 in Las Vegas.
It will be a back-to-back meeting for the fighters who fought to a split decision draw on New Years Day at UFC 125. Maynard won their first fight, handing Edgar the only loss of his professional career, back in April 2008 at UFC Fight Night 13.
Speaking to FightHype.com, Edgar talked about how this third meeting with Maynard possessed some mystery to it as each fighter makes changes based on their past two fights.
“It’s a guessing game, you know? He’s going to make the adjustments that he has to make going into the third fight and I’m going to make the adjustments that I have to make. We’re both professional athletes at the top of our games and it’s a little bit of an unknown going into the third fight with him…For the most part, a lot of people knew who I was, but I believe for the casual fan, a lot of people didn’t know who I was. Every fight that you fight, you definitely get more marketable and fighting a guy like BJ Penn on the biggest stage in the UFC helps it so much more.”
UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar (13-1-1) is set to meet Gray Maynard for a third time on May 28 in the headliner for UFC 130 in Las Vegas.
It will be a back-to-back meeting for the fighters who fought to a split decision draw on New Years Day at UFC 125. Maynard won their first fight, handing Edgar the only loss of his professional career, back in April 2008 at UFC Fight Night 13.
Speaking to FightHype.com, Edgar talked about how this third meeting with Maynard possessed some mystery to it as each fighter makes changes based on their past two fights.
“It’s a guessing game, you know? He’s going to make the adjustments that he has to make going into the third fight and I’m going to make the adjustments that I have to make. We’re both professional athletes at the top of our games and it’s a little bit of an unknown going into the third fight with him…For the most part, a lot of people knew who I was, but I believe for the casual fan, a lot of people didn’t know who I was. Every fight that you fight, you definitely get more marketable and fighting a guy like BJ Penn on the biggest stage in the UFC helps it so much more.”
Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney talks to The Wall Street Journal about why he changed from boxing to mixed martial arts. Rebney also discusses his companies new TV deal with MTV 2, the differences between Bellator and the UFC, as well as some of the challenges for the promotion in the future.
Despite his loss at this past weekend's UFC 127 event, light heavyweight James Te Huna donated his entire fight purse to victims of Australia and New Zealand's recent flooding.
Former WEC competitor Cub Swanson's UFC debut was put on ice this past week.
