Hector Lombard and four other most disappointing debuts in the UFC

When it comes to MMA promotions, the UFC is the biggest kid on the block. The best fighters in the world fight in the Octagon and the competitive level is second to none. Very often fighters will have successful runs in second and third tier promotions and go on to success in the UFC. However, there are a few that follow that same pattern only to find themselves totally outclassed in their Octagon debut.If it is “UFC Jitters”, it is usually bypassed by the second fight. However, if it goes beyond that,

Dana White: I expect UFC 100 numbers for Silva vs. Sonnen II

Speaking at yesterday’s UFC 148 media conference call, UFC President Dana White declared high hopes for the card that arguably the most anticipated rematch in MMA history, Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen II. White was not bashful in his declaration of expectations for the event:
“There’s no doubt that we expect over 1 million buys here. We expect UFC 100 numbers.”
The bar has been set quite high for the UFC by its President, who has already set the comparisons to 2009’s summer blockbuster in motion. The

Lorenzo Fertitta: Alistair Overeem’s fate is in the NSAC’s hands

UFC co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta announced today that Alistair Overeem will not be scheduled to fight for the UFC until reinstated by the NSAC.  Currently suspended for nine months with elevated Testosterone levels,  Overeem could possibly be eligible to fight in late December. When asked about a possible year-end fight for Overeem, Fertitta quoted the following on the subject:
“That’s speculation. It’s in the NSAC’s hands.  The UFC can’t be presumptuous.” – via ESPN.com
Lorenzo Fertitta

Shogun Rua and the UFC are back on the same page

Recently, Dana White stated that Mauricio Shogun Rua was taking the strong stance of rather being cut by the UFC than fight Glover Texeira. Texeira was considered as the next opponent for Rua after his original opponent Thiago Silva was injured before their UFC on Fox 4 bout. This seemed to have caused some controversy between White and Rua’s team, who ultimately settled on a fight with Brandon Vera as the event’s headliner. When asked about White’s insinuation, Rua’s manager Julio Heller stepped up to

Shane Carwin: I plan on crushing my opponents

Former Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion Shane Carwin has not had a fight since he lost to current Heavyweight Champion Junior dos Santos, by decision last year.  This past November he underwent surgery for neck, back and nerve problems. The surgery took 4 four hours and required drilling into Carwin’s skull as part of the process that repaired nerve damage and problems with his spine. On top of that he was not allowed to train again until February.I caught up with Carwin in January he was getting ready

Alistair Overeem denied license by NSAC for nine months

The soap opera of Alistair Overeem’s failed drug test from the UFC 146 press conference came to a decisive close today in Las Vegas, and the results were not favorable for the former title contender and his team. He was handed down a nine month suspension from the Commission. Overeem’s defense of taking an anti-inflammatory injection which, unbeknownst to Overeem, contained testosterone did not suffice. The commissioners were stern in dealing with Overeem from the beginning, not granting a continuance

Cain Velasquez will now face Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva at UFC 146

Cain Velasquez has a new opponent for May’s UFC 146 in Las Vegas. Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva will step in to face Velasquez in his UFC debut. Dana White made it official today:
Don’t believe any of the BS you read on the internet. Cain is fighting Bigfoot Silva May 26th in Vegas
— Dana White (@danawhite) April 22, 2012
Velasquez was originally slated to face Frank Mir in a perceived number-one contender’s match, but these plans fell apart when original title challenger Alistair Overeem had a

ADCC champion, UFC fighter Jon Olav Einemo calls it quits

Today, news broke that former Abu Dhabi Combat Club winner and UFC combatant Jon Olav Einemo retired from active competition in Mixed Martial Arts. Einemo, best known for his high-level submission skills, made this somewhat surprising decision after being cut by the UFC.
An ADCC champion in 2003, he was noted for defeating the famed Roger Gracie in grappling. It seemed that, for a moment in 2011, Einemo would have a shot at five against popular fighter Shane Carwin at UFC 131.It was not in the