Badr Hari and Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic to return at K-1 Rising 2012

 
It was announced today that Badr Hari and Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic will both return to the K-1 arena  as part of the May 27 K-1 Rising 2012. Set in Madrid, Spain, Hari will be returning to the ring after besting Gokhan Saki earlier this year in a retirement match. Cro Cop returns after also winning his last kickboxing match against Ray Sefo. Hari will step into the ring with Anderson “Braddock” Silva (the Heavyweight kickboxer) while Filipovic will face the Spaniard

Looking into the future of the UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jon "Bones" Jones

Jon Jones has now dispatched the very best in his weight division within a span of only two years. He’s been faced with challenge after challenge, and continues to not only triumph, but to learn and grow from every experience both inside and outside the octagon. With every opponent came a different challenge physically, and a new lesson morally. With Shogun, he proved to himself and the world that he possesses the skills to fight fire with fire, and ended up defeating Shogun in his strongest area. He

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

Rory MacDonald ready for UFC 145; credits GSP and Tri-Star gym

Rory MacDonald will be fighting in the highest-profile bout of his career when he steps into the cage on Saturday in Atlanta. He will face Che Mills in the co-main event of UFC 145, looking to prove that he is indeed the future of the Welterweight division. Surrounded by a large amount of hype, the 22-year-old MacDonald finds himself with a record of 12-1 and would seem to have confidence past his years. When asked about his next opponent, he responded:
“I really don’t know all that much about him, that’s

Dana White fires back at Ben Askren on Twitter

On Monday, Ben Askren tweeted a very vocal response to Dana White’s insistence that it would be difficult to test all of his fighters due to a lack of resources. Labeling White’s statement a “bold-faced lie,” Askren elicited quite the response from the UFC President:
“When ambien can’t sleep it takes Ben Askren. The most boring fighter in MMA history. I would rather watch flysf**k.” – credit: Twitter via bloodyelbow.com
This situation does not bode well for the Bellator champion

The UFC will have to wait; Gilbert Milendez faces Josh Thomson May 19th

Gilbert Melendez was anxiously awaiting the announcement of his first UFC fight. However, the plan never came to fruition for the Strikeforce Lightweight champion, who now finds himself facing Josh Thomson in a trilogy-ending bout May 19. The fight will precede that evening’s Daniel Cormier-Josh Barnett Grand Prix Final. Melendez expressed his disappointment at this finding, and had the following to say:
“I guess it was inevitable. I was hoping for something better, for some top talent, and it

United Nations conference may change date of Anderson Silva – Chael Sonnen II

The absolute barrage of news centering around UFC President Dana White continues today with the announcement that the UFC 147 battle between Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen may have to be moved to a different date.  The possible date change comes due to a meeting of the United Nations in Rio that week, which could cause major planning conflicts and confusion.  White is no doubt working vehemently with officials in Rio de Janeiro to get a set date, and was quoted:“We’re working on it,

UFC on Fuel TV 2 aftermath: Who’s next for Alexander Gustafsson?

The dust has settled on UFC on Fuel TV 2, and now many questions arise about where Alexander Gustafsson will go from here. No doubt a promising prospect with title fights on the horizon, just how ready is he for the biggest stage at this point of his career? His decision victory over Thiago Silva in Stockholm was a one-sided affair. Gustafsson beat arguably the best opponent of his young career handily in Sweden, but there are seemingly many detractors to his performance.
Those arguing for Gustafsson say

UFC on Fuel TV 2 Recap: Alexander Gustafsson beats Thiago Silva

Alexander Gustafsson was granted the opportunity of a lifetime, and delivered for his hometown fans in Sweden. He faced Thiago Silva, who had only previously lost to Lyoto Machida and Rashad Evans, with a great gameplan and striking accuracy. Earning a decision victory, Gustafsson took advantage of a first round uppercut that knocked his opponent down. Silva never quit coming forward the entire bout, but seemed to be just a step behind Gustafsson quick in-and-out style. The victory was the biggest of