MMA Link Club: Talking TUF, Nelson’s Quest, and The "Bones" Revolution

– Mac Danzig Interview: Talking ‘The Ultimate Fighter’, Training and More (BleacherReport)

“Despite being a big Cruz fan, Danzig believes that Team Faber will be able to win. His advice to the contestants is to not get distracted by the drama and remember they are there to compete and to win. Danzig is back with his original trainer, Rico Chiapparelli, who to Mac is the most respected guy in all of UFC. Danzig feels that being back with his old trainer, he is learning again, and that his new training will showcase a smarter and more tactful fighter in the ring.”

– Mike Kogan has had enough of Rampage’s complaining with UFC (FightOpinion)

“Rampage’s comments have raised key issues regarding Testosterone usage in MMA and also the role of doctors and alleged relationships with the UFC. This is his own doing, for better or for worse, and Rampage clearly thinks he’s on the right end of this PR battle. With that as the latest background, fighter agent Mike Kogan has had enough of Rampage’s act. Here’s what he posted on Twitter on Saturday night…”

– Pro MMA Radio 190: Jake Ellenberger (MMAConvert)

“On this week’s edition of Pro MMA Radio, Jake Ellenberger joined the show to talk about his win over Diego Sanchez, his upcoming fight against Martin Kampmann and his thoughts on the UFC welterweight title picture. MMA Mania’s Jesse Holland also stopped by to talk about all the latest news in MMA with host Larry Pepe.”

– ‘Dolce Diet’ Founder Mike Dolce on Weight-Cuts, Roy Nelson’s Quest for 205 + More (CagePotato)

“I don’t want to use Roy’s name specifically, but when I worked with Rampage, he began his training camp at 255 pounds, and he made 205 pretty easily. Quinton is shorter than Roy, and Roy, at his heaviest, weighs 260 pounds. So, if Rampage can achieve it, and he probably has more muscle, then I think it’s safe to predict that Roy could make 205. – Mike Dolce“

– How to Avoid Buying Scam Supplements (TheFightNerd)

“We all know this already about many things in life, but buyers continue to fall victim to sales tactics that promise to change us from meek to sleek overnight. If something was really that easy, why wouldn’t everyone in the world be doing it? Certain products do deliver instantly, such as those dietary supplements that claim to shed pounds. Why? Because it’s a diarrhetic, and will result in extremely unpleasant urination and discharge…”

– SEC Files Order Against ProElite (MMAPayout)

“In terms of ProElite and the SEC filing, Stratus Media Group (parent group of ProElite) CEO Paul Feller told MMAPayout that this “does not impact the daily operations of ProElite”, as it is a “total separate matter carried over from the old Pro Elite group.” He went on to state that “We’re doing all the necessary paperwork required to comply with the SEC and to lift the temporary hold placed on ProElite.” Feller expects a resolution to the matter in a “very short time frame.”

– Stop, drop and roll: Bellator‘s Rick Hawn is ready to take the lightweight tournament by storm (MMAMania)

“I’m just worried about myself more than anything. I know what I have to do. He’s well-rounded but I’ve fought well-rounded guys before. Jay Hieron was a pretty well-rounded guy in the last fight and I did okay with him. It’s definitely not gonna be an easy fight but I had a great training camp and I’m feeling good so it’s gonna be a good day for me. – Rick Hawn”

– Dan Miller moving to welterweight to face Ricardo Funch in June (Five Ounces of Pain)

“Miller, whose New Jersey roots will no doubt lead to a lot of love from the Atlantic City crowd, has only gone 5-5 in the UFC but never fails to entertain based on a hard-nosed style and granite chin. He was last seen taking on Rousimar Palhares this past August in one of the year’s more memorable match-ups, focusing on family issues since the bout.”

– Tom Watson Talks Title-fight At BAMMA 9, Possible Shot In Strikeforce (FightLine)

“After the last fight I had quite a bit of contact with Sean Shelby of Strikeforce. Everything is about timing in this business and the best thing that I can do is go out and win this fight against Marshman on March 24. The more I win, the more in demand I will be and from there I can negotiate and see what’s next. Strikeforce has a couple quality middleweights to face: Luke Rockhold, Tim Kennedy and Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza… – Tom Watson”

– Now you can place bets on the outcome of fights on The Ultimate Fighter Live (MiddleEasy)

“Go ahead, bet away your April month’s rent on tomorrow’s The Ultimate Fighter Live fight. I’m sure if you explain it to your landlord, he/she will understand. Don’t worry, it’s happened to me before. I ended up pawning my bass guitar only to use the money to bet on another fight. Fortunately I won, which enabled me to barely not get evicted from my apartment. Keep in mind, this was a different time in MMA.”

– The Jon ‘Bones’ Jones Revolution: One Year Later (5thRound)

“Although the then-23-year-old owned an impressive 12-1 record entering the shootout, with his lone blemish coming in a controversial disqualification loss to Matt Hamill, fans had heard similar hoopla surrounding fighters in the past. ‘He’s going to be the next (fill in the blank),’ but for whatever reason always failed to live up to the hype. However, Jones was not only anxious to take the baton, but he snatched it and never looked back.”

Check out last week’s MMA Link Club: Natasha Wicks’ return, Chad George’s Mission, and Brendan Schaub’s Ghost Adventure

Photo: Scott Hirano