Mixed Martial Arts - the Official Discussion & General Info

[Asbel]

April 6th is a Thursday and UFN 4 will air right before the TUF 3 premiere.

[Asbel]

Xray of Rich Franklin's broken hand (clear in right xray). Damn, to think he fought with that for 3 1/2 rounds is crazy. Rich is quickly becoming one of my most respected fighters. Great fighter, great conditioning, big heart, intelligent and humble. He deserves his rest now and maybe even a can for his next fight. :)

More post fight pics: http://www.richfranklin.com/photogroup.asp?group=17

[Bishman]

Ouch. It is crazy when you think about how Rich Franklin kept fighting with a broken hand. He is indeed a true warrior. And I gained a lot of respect for him. And lol... "he deserves a can". No! Franklin will be ready for the #1 MM contender when he returns.


Franklin destoryed "The Crow" face. Look at him. He looks like a mole. Wow.

[Bishman]

[Bishman]

Wall Street Journal on the UFC:

On the Vegas Strip, A Fast, Brutal Sport Deals Blow to Boxing 'Ultimate Fighting' Matches Score Fans, Ads, Bettors; Luring the 'Maxim' Crowd By PETER SANDERS March 15, 2006; Page A1 LAS VEGAS -- With its history of glitzy championship bouts, this city's famous gambling Strip is boxing's home turf. But when longtime fans Brian Schulz and Derek Ellis drove five-plus hours here from northern Utah one recent Saturday night, the hottest fight in town wasn't staged in a boxing ring. It was inside "the Octagon." The Octagon is the eight-sided, fenced-in battleground used by the Ultimate Fighting Championship, the martial arts-inspired circuit that is fast gaining popularity nationwide. Here in Las Vegas, the sport -- known for its chokeholds, elbow punches and acrobatic takedowns -- is making a run at boxing's supremacy. Rich 'Ace' Franklin throws David 'The Crow' Loiseau to the mat during a March 4 Ultimate Fighting bout at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. For decades, Las Vegas was the biggest venue for boxing's prizefights, featuring ring stars like Evander Holyfield, Mike Tyson, Riddick Bowe and Lennox Lewis. But with few new marquee names and younger spectators craving harder, faster action, heavyweight boxing's golden era has faded. The Ultimate Fighting Championship is muscling in with corporate sponsors, pay-per-view specials and star-flecked audiences. On Feb. 4, boldface names like Paris Hilton, Cindy Crawford and Charles Barkley showed up for a championship Ultimate Fighting event at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino. Dana White, the UFC's 36-year-old president, says the sport fills a void left by boxing's failure to adapt to fans' changing tastes. "The UFC is the most exciting combat sport in the world because there are so many ways to win and so many ways to lose," he says. "Boxing is your father's sport." On March 4, Mr. Schulz, 41, was among more than 10,000 fans who paid between $50 and $450 to watch the action at the Mandalay Bay Events Center, also in Las Vegas. He likes to describe Ultimate Fighting as "a purer sport than boxing." For one thing, it's more violent. Ultimate Fighting is a so-called mixed martial-arts event that combines karate, judo, jiu-jitsu, boxing, wrestling and old-fashioned street fighting. The result is a sport that features many more ways for combatants -- wearing thin, fingerless gloves, not the padded boxing kind -- to effect maximum carnage. The object is simple: overwhelm the opponent by whatever means necessary, save a few banned tactics like biting. If a fight doesn't lead to a knockout or surrender, then a panel of three judges uses a scoring system to determine the winner. The early March card at Mandalay showcased Ultimate Fighting's fast pace and brutality. In one match, Jason Lambert and Rob MacDonald sparred like boxers for a minute or so. Then, Mr. Lambert drove his head into Mr. MacDonald's midsection and piled him into the mat. Squatting on his face, Mr. Lambert twisted and wrenched his opponent's left arm backward in an unnatural and painful trajectory. Grimacing in pain, Mr. MacDonald "tapped out," banging his free hand on the mat in the UFC's universal "mercy" signal. In a later match, Mike Swick was quickly tossed to the mat by opponent Steve Vigneault. But Mr. Swick instantly turned the tables with a move called "The Guillotine Choke." Cradling his opponent's head in his elbow, between bulging biceps and his forearm, Mr. Swick squeezed hard and temporarily cut off Mr. Vigneault's ability to breathe. Boxing promoter Gary Shaw attributes Ultimate Fighting's rise to a generation inured to violence and mayhem -- the sort commonly depicted in movies and videogames. "The mixture of wrestling with boxing and the fact that it's not staged goes to the bloodthirsty segment of the population," he says. The fights are bona fide competitions, part of the official Ultimate Fighting Championship circuit. The UFC is the leading force among a growing number of slickly packaged versions of a sport that has evolved from unregulated, no-holds-barred free-for-alls staged in bars and Indian casinos a few years ago. Those brawls attracted the attention of regulators and other critics as long as a decade ago. Sen. John McCain described the sport as a "human cockfight" and sought to ban the competitions. Rather than collapse under government scrutiny, the sport's proponents decided to adopt formal rules and regulations. Over the past several years, they worked with states like New Jersey and Nevada to ensure that officials would authorize them to stage fights. Today, the UFC has weight classes, ringside doctors and a scoring system that is similar to boxing. It has also reined in some violence, outlawing such crowd-pleasing tactics as eye-gouging, head-butting and biting. Mixed martial-arts events are now sanctioned by more than 20 state athletic commissions. The most recent state to sign on was California, where in September Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed legislation allowing the bouts. The UFC has shrewdly built a following with flashy marketing that appeals to the coveted 18- to 34-year-old male sought by everyone from Maxim magazine to beer makers. A weekly reality show on Viacom Inc.'s Spike TV features contestants vying for a spot on the UFC circuit; it draws a weekly average of two million viewers. At the events, ear-splitting rock music plays over endless highlight reels between fights, and big-screen ads pitch BMW cars and coming movie thrillers like "The Hills Have Eyes." Also prominently featured are ads for the league's DVD titles like "Ultimate Beatdowns Vol. 1." In Nevada, casino bettors can now make wagers on the fights. In Las Vegas and some other cities, the audience for Ultimate Fighting matches can now rival or surpass big boxing matches. For the Super Bowl weekend matchup between Randy Couture and Chuck Liddell -- UFC stars capable of earning $1 million or more per year -- about 10,300 people packed the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Tickets ranged from $50 to $750, but scalpers commanded well above face value. Most fans were in their seat for the entire card, not just the marquee matchup. An image of spectator Paris Hilton, flashed on the big screen, drew lusty boos from the raucous crowd. The event took in about $3.4 million. A few weeks later, a big junior middleweight boxing match was held at Mandalay Bay between "Sugar" Shane Mosely and Fernando Vargas, two of the sport's few remaining brand-name fighters. Though the venue seats nearly 11,000, only about 8,500 fans showed up to watch the bout. The fight took in about $3.5 million. A spokesman for Mandalay Bay's owner, MGM Mirage, declined to comment on why the venue did not sell out. Although big names in boxing acknowledge the ring's flagging appeal, they don't necessarily blame the UFC. Don King, the boxing promoter, thinks an aging demographic, the loss of recognizable names in the heavyweight classes and a disappearance from network television have all crippled the sport. "Since network television left boxing, people can't identify with the fighters," Mr. King says. "If boxing were a stock, I'd sell it short," says Bert Randolph Sugar, a longtime boxing writer who's enshrined in the sport's hall of fame. Even so, Mr. Sugar dismisses Ultimate Fighting as little more than "bar fights without the beer bottles." Write to Peter Sanders at peter.sanders@wsj.com

Hate the negative undertone throughout the article... but it did bring out some good points.

[Asbel]

TUF 3 Fighters! http://www.sherdog.net/forums/showthread.php?t=354789

Light Heavywieghts- Kristian (Kris) Rotharmel- http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/f...?fighterID=949 From- New Orleans, LA Record- 4-2 Wt.- 205 Age- 33 Team- Notes- holds a loss to Jeremy Horn. Kristian's dad was killed in Hurricane Katrina. Matt Hamill- From- Cincinnati,OH Record- WT.- 205 Age- Team- Jorge Gurgel Notes- Matt is deaf. 2004 NCAA Division 3 Hall of Fame inductee. First US wrestler to win gold medlas in freestyle and greco at the 1997 wolrd games for the deaf. 3x NCAA division 3 champion at the National Technical Institute for the deaf. Has been featured in SI and NCAA News. 1997 Deaf Sports Federation Athlete of the year. Trains with Rich Franklin. Michael "The Count" Bisping- http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/f...ighterid=10196 From- Liverpool, England Record- 10-0 WT.- 205 Age- 26 Team- Wolfslair Gym Notes- holds a win over fellow TUF 3 Brit, Ross Pointon. Tait Fletcher- http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/f...fighterid=8174 From- Los Angeles, CA Record- 3-1 WT.- 205 Age- 34 Team- 10th Plantet Jiu-Jitsu Notes- Trains under Eddie Bravo, and with Joe Rogan. Josh "Bring the Pain" Haynes- http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/f...fighterid=6254 From- Medford, OR Record- 17-4 WT.- 205 Age- 28 Team- Team Quest Notes- His oldest son diagnosed with brain cancer at birth. His biggest win is over Delon Williams. Noah Inhofer - http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/f...ighterid=11378 From- Yankton, South Dakota Record- 22-4 WT.- 205 Age-24 Team- Notes- currently attending University of South Dakota to become a special ed. teacher. Has a loss to fellow TUF 3 fighter Mike Nichols. Jesse Forbes- http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/f...ighterid=13453 From- Tempe, AZ Record- 2-0 WT.- 205 Age- 21 Team- Arizona Combat Sports Notes- 2x all-state wrestler in high school. trains with Drew Fickett. Mike Nichols- http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/f...ighterID=11278 From- Denver, CO Record- 3-1 WT.- 205 Age- 34 Team- Notes- 2005 pan-am games jiu-jitsu gold medalist. Holds a win over fellow TUF 3 fighter Noah Inhafer. Middleweights- Kalib Starnes- http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/f...fighterid=8095 From- Vancouver, BC, Canada Record- 8-0-1 WT.- 185 Age- Team- Revolution Fight Team Notes- #2 ranked MW in Canada. Biggest win is over Jason MacDonald. Danny Abbadi- From- Amman, Jordan (moved to Brooklyn, NY; now lives in Orlando, FL) Record- 2-1 WT.- 185 Age- 28 Team- Victory Martial Arts Notes- also holds a 14-1 pro kickboxing record. Soloman Hutcherson- http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/f...fighterid=5342 From- Racine, WI Record- 10-2 WT.- 185 Age- Team- Freestyle Academy Notes- went to a NC with Jon Fitch. Also has a loss to Jorge Rivera. Ross “The Gladiator” Pointon- http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/f...fighterid=6541 From- Stokeontrent, England Record- 4-6 WT.- 185 Age- 28 Team- The Gladiator Gym Notes- holds a loss to fellow TUF 3 Brit Mike Bisping Ed “Short Fuse” Herman- http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/f...fighterid=6561 From- Portland, Or Record- 14-2 WT.- 185 Age-25 Team- Team Quest Notes- holds wins over Nick Thompson, Dave Menne, and Brian Ebersole. Has a loss to Joe Doerksen. Rory “Version 2.5” Singer- http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/f...fighterid=3525 From- Athens, GA Record- 9-5 WT.- 185 Age- 30 Team- The Hardcore Gym Notes- Forrest Griffin’s main trainer. Has competed in Pride. Mike Stine- http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/f...fighterid=9266 From- Long Island, NY Record- 3-0 WT.- 185 Age- 27 Team- Tiger Schulmann Notes- Kendall “Spider” Groves- http://www.sherdog.com/fightfinder/f...ighterid=10126 From- Maui, HI Record- 7-3 WT.- 185 Age- 23 Team- Cobra Kai Notes- trains under Marc Laimon.

Spike video bios: http://www.spiketv.com/#shows/ultima...html?open=bios
Even though the Spike site is a memory hog, it's a lot better than just reading text on the fighters.

[karasu]

Are there any MMA fighters that use Machado style BJJ?

[Boogie]

Haven't heard of any of those fighters. It seems the talent pool for the show might be running dry. And yet their supposed to have greenlighted TUF season 4-7 already? :-/

I think my best friend trains with Kalib Starnes out in BC though. I should ask him.

[Asbel]

Haven't heard of any of those fighters. It seems the talent pool for the show might be running dry. And yet their supposed to have greenlighted TUF season 4-7 already? :-/ I think my best friend trains with Kalib Starnes out in BC though. I should ask him.

They got a few good fighters like Bisping and Starnes to beat on guys like Pointon and look like a badass doing it. They're just trying to set up entertaining TV. A lot of the better unkown fighters seem to skip TUF and go straight to UFC.

[Boogie]

They got a few good fighters like Bisping and Starnes to beat on guys like Pointon and look like a badass doing it. They're just trying to set up entertaining TV. A lot of the better unkown fighters seem to skip TUF and go straight to UFC.

Yeah, but it's the TUF fighters who get the 5+5k contract, while the better unknowns start from 2+2. That ain't right.

[karasu]

eff you guys :P

[DD-11]

Are Shamrock/Liddel and Tito ever going to fight again? All tito seems to do is talk smack. While he has some cause after the beating he gave Shamrock the last time, how can he be so cocky after getting dominated by Liddel?

[Asbel]

Yeah, but it's the TUF fighters who get the 5+5k contract, while the better unknowns start from 2+2. That ain't right.

Unfortunate but true that fighters can't get on TUF based on fighting skill alone. And they got to get rid of the 2+2 shit.

eff you guys :P

Not sure man.

Are Shamrock/Liddel and Tito ever going to fight again? All tito seems to do is talk smack. While he has some cause after the beating he gave Shamrock the last time, how can he be so cocky after getting dominated by Liddel?

Shamrock and Tito will fight at the end of the TUF 3 season which is around August. If Tito beats Forrest in next month's ppv and Shamrock later, he's getting a shot a Liddell. And Tito will continue to talk smack cuz it makes him a ton of money.

[Boogie]

eff you guys :P

Well, there are a few actual Machados fighting MMA. Gustavo Machado, for one. Trains at Gracie Barra.

Eddie Bravo learned from JJ Machado, and teaches Jiu-jitsu for a few MMA fighters, including Gerald Stebendt and Jason Chambers.

But unless there's direct lineage, it's hard to say what exactly "Machado-style" BJJ is.

[Carton]

You'll find as much variation between Machado schools as you will between other schools of BJJ.

[dem]

Seems that Rampage has signed with the UFC





Thats the rumour anyway


Ultimate fight night on spike next week :)

[Boogie]

Don't get my hopes up, dem....

[Asbel]

I smell April Fools when I saw the rumor on sherdog. But Sherk and Stevenson going to 155 ain't.

And for those with FSN http://www.pridefc.com/pride2005/ind...ws&news_id=654

THREE PRIDE FIGHTING BUSHIDO MATCHES TO BE TELEVISED EXCLUSIVELY ON FSN Three bouts from PRIDE FIGHTING'S upcoming event, BUSHIDO Volume 10, will be shown exclusively on Fox Sports Net's (FSN) PRIDE FIGHTING SPECIAL on Sunday, April 9th at 9:00pm local time: Phil Baroni versus Yuki Kondo, Mark Weir versus Denis Kang, and a third fight to be announced.

[dem]

Don't get my hopes up, dem....

Well I've probably reported Rampage signed to the UFC like 5 times..

I'm just going to keep doing it until it happens.

[karasu]

Well, there are a few actual Machados fighting MMA. Gustavo Machado, for one. Trains at Gracie Barra. Eddie Bravo learned from JJ Machado, and teaches Jiu-jitsu for a few MMA fighters, including Gerald Stebendt and Jason Chambers. But unless there's direct lineage, it's hard to say what exactly "Machado-style" BJJ is.

Ah, I was unaware of the history between them and the gracie family, so I figured it was totally different.

[dem]

Oh shit... check out the video on rampages website

Rampage is comin to the UFC!!!

http://rampagestreetsoldier.com/rampagewebintro.wmv

[Boogie]

dammit dem, that don't mean anything, it could just be Rampage fucking with us!

[Future Trunks]

Had my second tournament this past weekend. Took 2nd (Gi) and 3rd (No Gi). Haven't been able to attend BJJ much over the past 4 months....

Instructor called me at work to get a report on the tournament, told me that due to my performance in tournaments (quality of opponents) that I was getting stripes on my belt.

[Boogie]

Had my second tournament this past weekend. Took 2nd (Gi) and 3rd (No Gi). Haven't been able to attend BJJ much over the past 4 months.... Instructor called me at work to get a report on the tournament, told me that due to my performance in tournaments (quality of opponents) that I was getting stripes on my belt.

Congratulations FT! Nice work! Got a tourney coming up this weekend myself.

[Asbel]

Pride Bushido 10 SPOILERS

from fightreport.net









Damn the Gomi lost was shocking and I know everyone loses sometime but I don't want to take anything credit away from Aurelio either. He had great control of Gomi the whole time on the ground and it wasn't just lay n pray as he was actively striking from the top. If the gif was longer you'd see Gomi trying to fight out to the choke and how he got caught.

[Boogie]

Partial matchups for the Open Weight GP have been announced. The subtitle for the event is "The Death of Minowa"

Yoshida vs. Nishijima
Mirko Filipovic vs. Minowa
Barnett vs. Alexander Emelianenko (great matchup)
Nogueira vs. Wanderlei Silva.

[truffleshuffle83]

ultimate fight night on tonight

[Asbel]

UFN 4 tonight at 8 on SpikeTV then TUF 3 premieres at 10 for 1 1/2 hours. Gone are the challenges in TUF I hear. The first four fights to be shown for UFN. Here's hoping for a great night and that they show the Cummo fight.

STEPHAN BONNAR -335 KEITH JARDINE +255 - Some good value with the underdog Keith Jardine if you think he can pull it off against the favorite Stephan Bonnar. Bonnar is at -335 which means you would have to bet $335 to make $100. If you like the underdog Jardine, you would bet $100 to get $225. RASHAD EVANS -205 SAM HOGER +155 - Rashad Evans is the favorite at -205. The oddsmakers give respect to Sam Hogar at +155 which makes him a slight underdog. JOE STEVENSON -500 JOSH NEER +400 - Stevenson is the favorite which isn't a big surprise. The suprise may come that Stevenson is at -500 while Neer has value at +400. CHRIS LEBEN -575 LUIGI FIORAVANTI +450 - Chris Leben is the biggest favorite on the card at -575. Fioravanti a big underdog at +450. LUKE CUMMO -200 JASON VON FLUE +160 - In what should be an interesting battle between two of the stranger personalities in Ultimate Fighter History, Luke Cummo is a small favorite at 2-1 over Jason Von Flue. JOSH BURKMAN -240 JON FITCH +190 - Josh Burkman opens up as the favorite at -240 over A.K.A fighter Jon Fitch at +190 JOSH KOSCHECK -270 ANSAR CHALANGOV +210 - Josh Koscheck hopes to bounce back after a loss in his last fight. Koscheck is the favorite at -270 while Chalangov at +210. TREVOR PRANGLEY -250 CHAEL SONNEN +190 - Two very good wrestlers square off as former South African wrestling champ Trevor Prangley, goes against former All-American University of Oregon Wrestler Chael Sonnen in what should be a good battle in the cage. BRAD IMES -225 DAN CHRISTISON +175 - Brad Imes takes the ring for the first time since losing in the final of the Ultimate Fighter Final 2 as he battles Dan Christison who takes the fight on three weeks notice.

[Boogie]

ultimate fight night on tonight

AND the premier of TUF season 3. Alas, I have jiu-jitsu tonight, so I'll miss most of UFN. I'll have to tape it.

edit: TUF starts at 10? Nuts. I'll have to tape that too.

[Asbel]

AND the premier of TUF season 3. Alas, I have jiu-jitsu tonight, so I'll miss most of UFN. I'll have to tape it. edit: TUF starts at 10? Nuts. I'll have to tape that too.

Yep, new schedule here http://www.ufc.com/index.cfm?fa=TvShow.TUF
Thursdays at 10 EST is the regular time now.

Nogueira vs. Wanderlei Silva.

Big or Li'l? Wow either way.

[Boogie]

Yep, new schedule here http://www.ufc.com/index.cfm?fa=TvShow.TUF Thursdays at 10 EST is the regular time now.

DAMMIT. I don't usually get back from BJJ until nearly 11.

Big or Li'l? Wow either way.

Big.

[SyNapSe]

A pretty tame card tonight but hopefully it will be fun. Almost completely filled with prior TUF competitors.

[Asbel]

UFN prelim play by play is up http://www.sherdog.com/news/news.asp?n_id=4237

1 hour 'til showtime.

[SyNapSe]

another koscheck rear-choke

[Asbel]

The Christison/Imes fight sounds like a heavyweight slugfest.

[SyNapSe]

nooo! Cummo- Von Flue is going on now apparently off air :(

[Boogie]

Soooooo, guess who I met on Friday? GSP, BITCHES!!!!!!

The UFC had a media event at a Sports bar here in Toronto on Friday. I only discovered it that morning, as MMAweekly.com had a news piece about it. Other than that, there was no advertising except for the Fight Network's mailing list.

Mark Hominick and Sam Stout were going to be there too, so I figured I couldn't pass up the opportunity to stop by.

It was a joint UFC/Fight Network promotional event. Dana White was there by a video feed and officially announced GSP would get his title shot.

So I got a free T-shirt and a couple of posters signed by the three of them. I said hi to Shawn. Mark told me he'd be fighting more in the UFC at 155lbs, and Sam confirmed that he's slated to fight Kenny Florian in June.

The place was packed considering there hadn't been any advertising. Over fifty people showed up in the time that I was there, at least.

[Asbel]

What? No picture of you in a fighting pose against GSP?



I kid. I just wanted to use this gif.

[EviLore]

Haven't been keeping up...wow, aurelio beat gomi? I trained with him ;b

[karasu]

[Bishman]

'The Ultimate Fighter 3' on Spike TV: A Knockout Premiere With 2.4 Million Viewers Monday April 10, 1:55 pm ET The Most Watched Original Series Premiere in Spike TV History #1 Among Men 18-34 in Timeslot Against Broadcast and Cable NEW YORK, April 10 /PRNewswire/ -- The Season 3 premiere of Spike TV's The Ultimate Fighter(TM) on Thursday, April 6 (10:00 - 11:30 PM, ET/PT) drew record ratings for the network and out-delivered anything else in television in its timeslot in the hard-to-reach demographic of Men 18-34. The 90-minute premiere also out-delivered major competition on cable including the NBA on TNT (Pistons vs. Heat and Lakers vs. Nuggets) and USA Network's coverage of The Masters. Among the notable ratings achievements for the premiere of Spike TV's The Ultimate Fighter 3 include: * #1 among Men 18-34 (3.71, 971,000) in its timeslot out delivering everything on broadcast, cable, or pay cable. * #1 in HH rating (1.95), average audience (2.4 million), Men 25-34 (5.03, 758,000), Men 18-49 (2.70, 1,411,000), Persons 18-49 (1.67, 1,794,000) (Ad-supported cable only) * Highest household ratings for an original series premiere in Spike TV history (1.95) * Defeated TNT's NBA doubleheader featuring the league's marquee teams including Pistons vs. Heat/Lakers vs. Nuggets in household rating (1.95 to 1.68), average audience (2.4 million to 1.8 million), and Men 18-34 (3.61 to 1.41). * Defeated USA Network's coverage of golf's biggest tournament, The Masters, in average audience (2.4 to 2.2 million), Men 18-34 (3.61 to 0.72), and Men 18-49 (2.70 to 1.01). * Highest delivery of Men 18-34 in network history for an original series * Versus last year in the timeslot (MXC), up +236% in households, +429% in Men 18-49, +395% in Men 18-34, and +262% in average audience. * Earlier in the evening, Spike TV simulcasted the first-ever LIVE network sporting event (Ultimate Fight Night Live) to a mobile device via Amp'd mobile. "It's a great start to Season 3 which promises to be the best one yet with the intense rivalry between Ken and Tito and an incredible crop of fearless athletes," remarked Kevin Kay, General Manager, Spike TV. "The momentum continues to build which is really exciting for us. We were confident people would respond to the sport of mixed martial arts once they got to know the professional athletes who participate in it. Stay tuned, it's going to be a great season," said Dana White, President of the Ultimate Fighting Championship® organization. About The Ultimate Fighter 3: Sixteen of the best up-and-coming mixed martial artists from around the world have convened in Las Vegas in pursuit of one goal -- to be named the "ULTIMATE FIGHTER" and to be given a contract in the Ultimate Fighting Championship® organization. UFC legends and bitter rivals Ken Shamrock "The World's Most Dangerous Man" and Tito Ortiz, "The Huntington Beach Bad Boy," train and coach the participating light-heavyweights and middleweights. The Ultimate Fighter 3 is hosted by Dana White, UFC President. The premiere episode of the thirteen-part series culminated in a first round victory by Team Shamrock's Kalib Starnes (Vancouver, British Columbia) over Team Ortiz's Mike Stine (Hicksville, Long Island). Craig Piligian of Pilgrim Films and Television, Frank Fertitta III, Lorenzo Fertitta, Dana White of Zuffa, LLC, and Kevin Kay of Spike TV are the show's executive producers. Brian J. Diamond is Vice President, Sports & Specials, Spike TV and Co-Executive Producer. Peter V. Symuleski serves as Executive in Charge of Production for Spike TV. Spike TV, the first network for men, is available in 90 million homes and is a division of MTV Networks. MTV Networks, a division of Viacom International Inc.

Niiiiice.

[Minotauro]

While I'm happy to see the UFC succeeding, I'm also somewhat dreading the higher visibility it's going to receive. Until now, MMA has kinda skirted below the radar in the US. Eventually, with it's continued success (like the Strikeforce show in San Jose and TUF ratings), the mainstream media will be forced to recognize it. It's been strange so far to see it get such a high level of success with almost zero coverage...from the sports media in particular. Call me a cynic but I bet their opinions will be far from complimentary. You can probably expect to start seeing a serious increase in the number of attack "articles".

Either way, more MMA on free TV is never a bad thing.

[BSsBrolly]

<<< Wandy getting pwned in the UFC.

[Boogie]

<<< Wandy getting pwned in the UFC.

Thanks, because I'm sure nobody in this thread is familiar with that fight. At all.

And, you know, it being eight years ago.

[Minotauro]

Thanks, because I'm sure nobody in this thread is familiar with that fight. At all. And, you know, it being eight years ago.

More importantly, eight Vitor Belfort years ago.

[dem]

Rampage says he will reveal who he has signed with on Saturday... the same day off the UFC pay per view.

Fucking Rampage.. now he's just fucking with us. He'll go and sign with rage cage or some shit on Saturday...

[Boogie]

More importantly, eight Vitor Belfort years ago.

Rampage says he will reveal who he has signed with on Saturday... the same day off the UFC pay per view. Fucking Rampage.. now he's just fucking with us. He'll go and sign with rage cage or some shit on Saturday...

*crosses fingers*

If this doesn't happen, dem, I'm blaming you for jinxing it all these months.

[truffleshuffle83]

you guys ready for this weekend??

tito vs forrest

arlovski vs silva

[dem]

I'm lookin forward to Sherk vs Diaz

Sherk needs a win to get an idea of where he ranks in the UFC after getting pounded by GSP... and Nick Diaz REALLY needs a win. Diaz might be right the fuck out of the UFC if he loses.

[truffleshuffle83]

I'm lookin forward to Sherk vs Diaz Sherk needs a win to get an idea of where he ranks in the UFC after getting pounded by GSP... and Nick Diaz REALLYneeds a win. Diaz might be right the fuck out of the UFC if he loses.

evan tanner fights too

[joerogan] his face is a mess[/joerogan]

when does diego fight again??