Mixed Martial Arts

In the Cage

ALL
OUTSIDER

UFC 100

By Sean A. Malone | July 7, 2009 | In the Cage

It's the biggest mixed martial arts event ever and it happens this Saturday. That's right; I'm talking about the highly anticipated UFC 100. Hard to believe that in twelve short years the UFC went from underground pseudo-sport to a behemoth of a corporation, one that single handedly broke the sport out of the shadows and into the mainstream consciousness. Such is the enormity of UFC 100 that the sport of boxing has abounded any attempt at counter promoting and locally here in the DFW Metroplex, two local MMA promotions have bookend Saturday night in order to avoid a sea of empty seats at their events. In the coming days I will be previewing some of the bouts on this historic event so keep it locked here at In the Cage....

Read more | Discuss | Tags: MMA

Liddell Out Till 2010

By Sean A. Malone | July 7, 2009 | In the Cage

Former UFC light heavyweight champion and iconic superstar Chuck "The Iceman" Liddell is making it clear that he does not intend to fight in the Octagon until after April of 2010. Liddell is coming off of crushing knockout loss to Mauricio "Shogun" Rua three months ago. It was his second knockout loss in a row and "The Iceman" is clear that he wants to take some time off to give his brain a reprieve from the poundings it has taken over the span of his Hall of Fame career. Liddell's announcement puts the kibosh on a rumored fight with Rich Franklin at UFC 103 in September taking place in Dallas, Texas...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: MMA

Lavar Johnson Hospitalized Following Gunshot Wound

By Sean A. Malone | July 7, 2009 | In the Cage

Heavyweight Lavar Johnson was hospitalized early Sunday morning following a gunshot wound to his abdomen. Johnson was struck when an unidentified assailant opened fire on a family reunion outside a private residence in Bakersfield, CA. Johnson, 32, was reportedly in attendance when a male in his late teens opened fire with a semi-automatic handgun. At least three other individuals were said to have been hit by the gunfire. Johnson is reportedly in serious conditions following the attack. Fighting out of the American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose, CA, Johnson's stock was on the rise following successful appearances in WEC and PFC. He was currently in talks to face James Thompson on the August 15 Strikeforce promotion in San Jose. ...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: MMA

Say It Ain't So: Why Professional Sports Are Manipulated

By Celticsfanatic | May 28, 2009 | Celtics 17

NBA (first round) mock Draft!After a 61-foul (including two technicals and a flagrant) NBA Playoff game (3) between the Cavaliers and Magic, I felt I had to bring up a somewhat touchy point -- the possibility of altered outcomes in professional sports.The definition of physical in sports these days is not what it used it be... to say the least. Referees, umpires, you name it, they are all eager to blow the whistle or issue a warning whether the intention was there or not. The amount of fouls in today's NBA is nothing short of horrendous (as shown in the example above), as well as the amount of fouls, ejections, etc. It all depends on the sport being played.After the conviction of NBA referee Tim Donaghy (found guilty of gambling on NBA games), there has been a lot of suspicion throughout the Association. After an altercation between NBA referee Joey...

Read more | 14 Comments | Tags: A.J. Pierzinski, Bennett Salvatore, Boston Celtics, Boston Red Sox, Boxing, Bud Selig, Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Cavaliers, David Stern, Detroit Pistons, Doug Eddings, George Mitchell, Golf, Houston Astros, IRL, Kelvim Escobar, Los Angeles Lakers, Mitchell Investigation, Mitchell Report, MLB, MMA, NASCAR, NBA, NBA Playoffs, NCAA, NFL, NHL, Orlando Magic, Paul Pierce, Sacramento Kings, Soccer, Tim Donaghy

John Stansberry: Sorry MMA fanboys, your sport isn't as interesting as you make it out to be

By John Stansberry | May 4, 2009 | Stone Cold Sports

On Saturday night on the canvas of the MGM Grand Garden Arena's boxing ring, the world witnessed what happens when a great boxer executes to perfection a gameplan laided out by a great trainer. Manny Pacquiao and Freddie Roach both knew that Pacquiao's opponent, Ricky Hatton, was a sucker for the right hook. So the training camp leading up to the fight was devoted to taking advantage of that chink in Patton's armor. Several Pacquiao right hooks rocked Hatton's world before a wicked overhand left ended the affair in the second round. Pacquiao's ascension to the top rung of the sport, to the mythical title of "World's Best Pound-for-Pound Boxer," has occurred in an era when interest in boxing has been on decline. A combination of a lack of marquee boxers (especially in the heavyweight division), too many title belts floating around and a dearth of interesting rivalries have served...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Bonecrusher Smith, Brock Lesnar, Dan Gable, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Freddie Roach, Manny Pacquiao, MGM Grand, Mike Tyson, MMA, Ricky Hatton, Staples Center, UFC, wrestling

Manny Pacquiao - Ricky Hatton: The (Disgraceful) Undercard

By Tim Starks | April 29, 2009 | The Queensberry Rules

So continues our marathon coverage of the biggest fight of the year, pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao against junior welterweight champion Ricky Hatton, culminating in a live blog of the bout Saturday. Today -- here, a note on the undercard, and later, my final prediction. Previously -- keys to the fight parts I and II. Tomorrow -- the Ultimate Guide, and an open thread.If you didn't think big event pay-per-view boxing undercards could get any worse than the one that was a pox upon December's welterweight bout between Manny Pacquiao and Oscar De La Hoya, allow me to introduce you to the worthless trash that is the undercard of Manny Pacquiao vs. Ricky Hatton. And it's emblematic of a severe problem with the sport. Rant commences... NOW....

Read more | 16 Comments | Tags: Boxing, Mixed Martial Arts, MMA

UFC Fight Night 18's Condit/Kampmann Event Showcases Two Rising Stars

By Evan | April 2, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Last night marked UFC's Fight Night 18, and it wowed the crowd with its matches. The main card featured two up-and-comers in Carlos Condit and Martin Kampmann. The main card delivered on its promise, with Kampmann winning on a split decision, 29-28 twice for Kampmann and 29-28 for Condit.Condit, 24, had a career record of 22-4 coming into the event and is the outgoing WEC welterweight champion. He is a prolific kickboxer, but the Albuquerque native has a sensational guard that became the death knell of many in the WEC. It helped against Kampmann, as Condit won the first round behind a knee to the face midway through the first.After the first, which saw Condit challenged by Kampmann's sweeps and guillotines but effectively blocking off Kampmann, Condit continued his edge into the second as he continued his offensive barrage. A slight slip near the end of the round allowed Kampmann...Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: MMA

MVN: Most Valuable Network

UFC 100

Liddell Out Till 2010

Lavar Johnson Hospitalized Following Gunshot Wound

Say It Ain't So: Why Professional Sports Are Manipulated

John Stansberry: Sorry MMA fanboys, your sport isn't as interesting as you make it out to be

Manny Pacquiao - Ricky Hatton: The (Disgraceful) Undercard

UFC Fight Night 18's Condit/Kampmann Event Showcases Two Rising Stars