MMA Link Club: Ballet Lessons, Secret Powers, and Awkward MMA Photos
– The 25 Most Awkward Photos in MMA History (CagePotato)
“As the editor of an MMA website, I’m constantly bombarded with images of tattooed skinheads engaged in gay foreplay. And yet, there are times when I’m faced with an image that even makes me uncomfortable. Check out 25 of the most chillingly awkward MMA photos in the gallery after the jump, laugh nervously, then avert your eyes in shame…”
– Piece of cake: Bellator LW Lloyd Woodard discusses his huge upset win over Patricky Freire (MMAMania)
“The trick to that was me having control of his head. I was pushing his head down with my legs and I had control of his body so when I lost it, I knew I still had his arm extended and I was still able to control his body using my leg so when I got it again, I had it even tighter than the first time. I knew at that point we were either gonna roll like that again or I was going to get the submission. – Lloyd Woodard”
– Promoter says New York Officials have “been cooperative” for Sanctioned Amateur MMA (TheFightNerd)
“The TNT Fight Series, is set to take place this May in Tonawanda, New York, just north of Buffalo and will be sanctioned under the USMTA. The USMTA is one of the organizations that New York State allows to regulate “martial arts” competitions, which amateur MMA falls under according to the legal definition of the term. Many sanctioning bodies have known that they can regulate amateur MMA shows but have been intimidated by possible conflicts with state and local authorities.”
– We went to the ONE FC open workouts at Evolve MMA and made this snazzy video (MiddleEasy)
“I already know what you’re going to do tonight before you guys even think about it. For example, I absolutely know someone will put a ‘Dan Henderson KO Bisping’ .gif in the comment section of this article for no apparent reason – yet it will be appreciated by the masses. That’s the advantage of temporarily living in Asia, clairvoyance. Here’s another thing you’re going to do; watch our video of the ONE FC: War of the Lions open workout at Evolve MMA created by Cynthia Vance.”
– UFC on FUEL TV: Gustafsson vs. Silva Betting Odds (5thRound)
“”The Octagon’s extended hiatus doesn’t end for another 17 days, but that certainly shouldn’t stop one from examining the investment options for “UFC on FUEL TV: Gustafsson vs. Silva. The April 14th event features a light heavyweight shootout between Alexander Gustafsson and Thiago Silva. Gustafsson is nearly a 2.5-to-1 favorite to spoil Silva’s return to action after serving a year-long steroid suspension. The Brazilian, on the other hand, checks in as almost a 2-to-1 underdog…”
– Video: Hendricks And Schaub Tricked Into Ballet Lesson (FightLine)
“As part of their continued degradation by sponsor Ecko, Brendan Schaub and Johny Hendricks were recently conned into taking a ballet lesson. But, as with the the time they were conned into testing their escape artist skills and ended up tied to a chair while Schaub’s phone got blended, all was not as it seemed. Their teacher turned out to be comedian Lynne Koplitz, who clearly enjoyed berating the two fighters as they made feeble attempts at grace.”
– Exclusive: Sean McCorkle on Mark Hunt, UFC, Mirko Cro Cop and WMMA (BleacherReport)
“Mark Hunt is the only guy I fought that I didn’t talk trash about. I was a huge fan of him. It was surreal to fight him. Everybody now is like, ‘you wouldn’t want a rematch?’ You’re darn right I wouldn’t want a rematch. What would I have to gain from a rematch? I already beat Mark Hunt, and you’re not going to take it away. I’m proud of beating him. – Sean McCorkle”
– The Secret of Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson’s Power (Five Ounces of Pain)
“Two days after the fight I got back home and the UFC had a contract ready for me to fight Matt Brown. There was very little down time I took a few days off before I was back training and in the gym. I started camp about two weeks ago and I’m training hard. I’m down in Florida training with Rashad Evans and a few of his teammates. From here I’ll be going to Dallas to train with my brother-in-law and then Nate Marquardt will be coming down from Denver. – Stephen Thompson”
– Canadian Prime Minster gives counterpart GSP gloves (MMAPayout)
“While it’s a tradition for diplomats to exchange gifts, this is the first time that UFC memorabilia has been given as a gift. Without looking too much into the gift, it is a sign that the UFC is gaining mainstream momentum – at least in Canada. Prime Minister Harper could have gifted a hockey stick or puck but decided with the signed GSP gloves. It also shows how much MMA is thought of in Canada…”
– The Ultimate Fighter Brazil Episode 1 Recap (MMAConvert)
“The 32 Brazilian fighters entered the HSBC Arena, walked into the empty octagon, and quickly began to familiarize themselves with their new surroundings. Wanderlei Silva and Vitor Belfort entered from opposite ends of the arena and stood before the fighters. Dana White entered last, and all three took turns speaking to the fighters, but before the words could sink in, the first fight in “TUF Brazil” history, was underway.””
– Post-PRIDE five years later: What happened to the main players? (FightOpinion)
“On March 27th, it will be the 5th anniversary of the transactional change between Dream Stage Entertainment & Zuffa over the assets of PRIDE. The elaborate press conference in Roppongi Hills, Tokyo was heralded as a chance to finally see ‘the Super Bowl of MMA’ between UFC & PRIDE. Of course, that never happened. When the sale went down, PRIDE marketed a Lightweight tournament featuring UFC & PRIDE names for a May ‘07 event at Saitama Super Arena. That never happened.”
Check out last week’s MMA Link Club: Talking TUF, Nelson’s Quest, and The “Bones” Revolution
