Initial autopsy report inconclusive in South Carolina fighter?s death

An initial autopsy performed on Tyrone "Teestea" Mims, an amateur fighter who died on Saturday night after competing at a regional fight show in South Carolina, has proven inconclusive, according to the Charleston County Coroner.  Toxicology tests are pending.

Mims was stepping into the cage for the first time, and was competing at an event called "Fight Night at the Point VI."  He allegedly suffered minimal damage during his bout, and witness accounts had him dominating throughout the first round.  But Mims began appearing exhausted in the second round, and when the 30-year-old seemed unable to improve his position, the referee stopped the bout.  Mims was taken backstage; when his condition deteriorated, he was taken to Medical University Hospital, where he died.

Mims, a Georgia resident, was taking part in a reality show titled "Georgia Boy's Grits-n-Glory."  The show released the following statement:

One of the fighters, who happened to be our own Tyrone "Teestea" Mims, was fatally injured tonight, possibly as a result of his fight.  The promoters and the South Carolina Fight Commission consulted with the fighters and all involved and decided as a result of the death of one of their own we should call off the rest of the fights.  The promoters and the Athletic Commission did everything in their power according to protocol and this accident was beyond their control.  We apologize for the inconvenience and hope you'll understand as we deal with the gravity of the situation.  Our thoughts and prayers are with Teestea and his immediate family, which include his five children.

This is the second mixed martial arts-related death in South Carolina history.  In 2010, amateur fighter Michael Kirkham died from a brain hemorrhage after suffering a knockout at an event in Aiken, S.C.

As per state regulation, amateur fighters must pass an eye exam, be screened for HIV and Hepatitis, and pass a cursory examination by a physician prior to getting in the cage.  It is unknown if Mims had completed those requirements.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/initial-autopsy-report-inclusive-south-carolina-fighter-death-025710893--mma.html

Renzo Gracie Rickson Gracie Rodrigo Gracie Roger Gracie

Vitor Belfort: ?I make my own odds. I make my own atmosphere.?

UFC middleweight-turned-205er Vitor Belfort may be entering his September 22 scrap with light heavyweight champion Jon Jones as a massive underdog but don?t tell him that. The 35-year old Belfort is busy training his tail off in Florida as part of the growing Blackzilians camp alongside the likes of Tyrone Spong and Rashad Evans. He also has a wealth of experience given his accomplishments over a fifteen-year career peppered with wins against some of MMA?s all-time greats.

Belfort recently spoke about his meeting with Jones at UFC 152 where he made it clear he?s not only going in there as a fill-in favor to management but to beat the title-holder and cement his legacy in the sport.

?I make my own odds. I make my own atmosphere,? explained Belfort in a video profile from GracieMag before acknowledging he understood why Jones was such a favorite in the fight. ?I recognize I have the phenom history, he has the phenom history too. This guy is amazing.?

Belfort Calls Jones the Greatest Fighter in UFC History

Regardless of Jones? current run or reputation for wowing against upper-echelon opponents, Belfort assured fans he?ll be leaving it all in the Octagon in a few weeks and hoping its enough to earn him the divisional strap.

?I?m gonna bring the fight. That?s what you can expect. A fight,? said a confident Belfort. ?I?m gonna go to win, not just to be there getting a paycheck. Because the bottom line is, the only reason I?m still fighting is because I love it. I don?t need it ? I want it.?

PHOTO CREDIT – UFC

Source: http://www.fighters.com/09/03/vitor-belfort-%e2%80%9ci-make-my-own-odds-i-make-my-own-atmosphere-%e2%80%9d

Luke Cummo  Jeff Big Frog Curran Dai Shuanghai  Mac Danzig 

Initial autopsy report inconclusive in South Carolina fighter?s death

An initial autopsy performed on Tyrone "Teestea" Mims, an amateur fighter who died on Saturday night after competing at a regional fight show in South Carolina, has proven inconclusive, according to the Charleston County Coroner.  Toxicology tests are pending.

Mims was stepping into the cage for the first time, and was competing at an event called "Fight Night at the Point VI."  He allegedly suffered minimal damage during his bout, and witness accounts had him dominating throughout the first round.  But Mims began appearing exhausted in the second round, and when the 30-year-old seemed unable to improve his position, the referee stopped the bout.  Mims was taken backstage; when his condition deteriorated, he was taken to Medical University Hospital, where he died.

Mims, a Georgia resident, was taking part in a reality show titled "Georgia Boy's Grits-n-Glory."  The show released the following statement:

One of the fighters, who happened to be our own Tyrone "Teestea" Mims, was fatally injured tonight, possibly as a result of his fight.  The promoters and the South Carolina Fight Commission consulted with the fighters and all involved and decided as a result of the death of one of their own we should call off the rest of the fights.  The promoters and the Athletic Commission did everything in their power according to protocol and this accident was beyond their control.  We apologize for the inconvenience and hope you'll understand as we deal with the gravity of the situation.  Our thoughts and prayers are with Teestea and his immediate family, which include his five children.

This is the second mixed martial arts-related death in South Carolina history.  In 2010, amateur fighter Michael Kirkham died from a brain hemorrhage after suffering a knockout at an event in Aiken, S.C.

As per state regulation, amateur fighters must pass an eye exam, be screened for HIV and Hepatitis, and pass a cursory examination by a physician prior to getting in the cage.  It is unknown if Mims had completed those requirements.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/initial-autopsy-report-inclusive-south-carolina-fighter-death-025710893--mma.html

Jeff Big Frog Curran Dai Shuanghai  Mac Danzig  Karen Darabedyan

Reza Madadi saves drowning child and father

Swedish UFC fighter Reza Madadi is on a huge win streak. His victories include wins over Yoislandy Izquierdo, Rich Clementi, Carlo Prater and death. He saved a drowning toddler and his father in Sweden on Aug. 3.

After kayaking in the Stockholm Archipelago, he was headed to lunch when he saw a 1-year-old fall off of a pier into the water. The child's father jumped in after his son. Instinct kicked in for Madadi, who once trained to be a firefighter, and he jumped in after the father.

"Everyone just panicked but I didn't even think, I just acted on instinct," Madadi said. "I could tell the man was very upset, but at the same time relieved. It's easier said than done to act fast in situations like these. The problem is that many people start to think, but there is no time for thinking."

Madadi brought them to safety. The coolest part of the report is that when people who were watching from the shore asked to take a picture of Madadi with the family, he said no out of respect of the shaken up family.

Fighters have been in the life-saving business before. Nick Ring came to the aid of a couple being mugged in Calgary. Jon Jones did the same the morning he won the UFC light heavyweight belt.

Thanks, MMA Mania.

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Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/reza-madadi-saves-drowning-child-father-192040872--mma.html

Sean Gannon Edgar Garcia Leonard Garcia Andrew Gardner

Bellator 72 Fight Highlights - Bellator

"Travis Wiuff continues to amaze with another completely dominating performance, while Paul "Semtex" Daley did exactly what we thought he would in his Bellator debut by delivering another brutal knockout," said Bellator Chairman & CEO Bjorn Rebney. "My hats off to Karl Amoussou, who came out as his usual explosive self and had everyone on their feet with a slick submission win. Amoussou vs. Askren is something I'm looking forward to, and should happen in short order." For Bellator welterweights Bryan "The Beast" Baker and Karl "Psycho" Amoussou, a win Friday night would not only earn them the Bellator Season 6 Welterweight Tournament Championship, but also $100,000 and a shot at Bellator Welterweight World Champion, Ben Askren. After briefly exchanging on the feet, Amoussou (16-4-2) swept the leg of Baker (18-4) and rather than taking the back, latched on to the leg of "The Beast." Baker immediately felt the pain of the inverted heel hook and tapped quickly to halt the bout at 0:56 of the first round. "I'm really happy right now," said an emotional Amoussou. "It's been a lot of hard work, and I'm so happy to be at this point right now."When asked about his next challenge, reigning Bellator Welterweight World Champion Ben Askren, Amoussou didn't hesitate."Lay and prayer, it's time for you to face the Psycho. I think Bellator needs a real exciting champion. Somebody is getting knocked out, and that somebody is going to be him."Entering the Bellator cage for the first time Friday night, vicious striker Paul "Semtex" Daley was looking to impress Bellator brass when he met 6-time Bellator veteran, Rudy Bears at the USF Sun Dome. While Bears (14-11) appeared to have some success early on, Daley (30-12-2) ultimately showed why he is considered one of the best knockout artists in MMA. After landing a series of brutal knees to the body of Bears, Daley unloaded with a barrage of punches until the referee was forced to stop the fight at 2:45 of the first round. "Anybody who trades with me is getting knocked out. Much respect to Rudy Bears for stepping in here with me," said Daley. "I'm looking to get in the tournament, and I'm going to win it."After choking out Zelg Galesic last month in the quarterfinals of the Bellator Summer Series Light Heavyweight Tournament, Attila Vegh was matched up with the toughest test of his career Friday night when he faced Emanuel Newton. Newton (18-7-1), was coming off a submission win of his own over Roy Boughton and looked to stop the momentum of "Pumukli." The story throughout the fight was the aggressiveness of Newton and the counter striking of Vegh (27-4-2). For three close rounds, both men went blow for blow until a decision was rendered by the judges. Two of the three judges scored the fight in favor of Attila Vegh, who will now move on to the finals of the Bellator Summer Series Light Heavyweight Tournament. "It was hard to train for the awkwardness he brings. The kicks were coming out of nowhere," said Vegh. "However, I was confident wherever the fight went. I trained for 15 minutes." After earning a decisive victory over Chris Davis in the quarterfinals of the Bellator Summer Series Light Heavyweight Tournament, Travis "Diesel" Wiuff undoubtedly wanted to impose his will on Tim Carpenter when the two met Friday night in a semifinal matchup. For three rounds, Wiuff (68-14) controlled Carpenter (9-2), utilizing his takedowns and landing devastating strikes from the guard. After dominating for the entire fight, Travis Wiuff was awarded the unanimous decision victory. After the fight, Wiuff had choice words for Bellator Light Heavyweight World Champion, Christian M'Pumbu. "Christian, I'm coming for you," said Wiuff. "It's only a matter of time, Christian. Next time I beat you, I'm taking that belt." In the first fight of the evening, Bellator welterweights Waachiim Spiritwolf and Marius Zaromskis were looking to pick up where they left off in their previous contest and finally put a stamp on their epic trilogy. Throughout the fight, Zaromskis (18-6) was the aggressor, constantly moving forward and avoiding the power shots of Spiritwolf (9-11-1). Zaromskis also showed off his improved takedown defense every time Spiritwolf attempted to take the fight to the ground. After the completion of three rounds, two of the three judge's cageside scored the fight in favor of Marius Zaromskis.

Source: http://mmalice.com/bellator/bellator-72-fight-highlights-video_fc25edec4.html

Tank Abbott Hiroyuki Abe Cyril Abidi  Daniel Acacio

Georges St-Pierre says he?s medically cleared to fight

The UFC welterweight champion is now cleared to compete. Georges St-Pierre shared the good news on his Facebook page.

Yesterday was the final chapter of my Road to Recovery- I'm now medically cleared to compete in professional mixed martial arts! Big thanks to all my fans for the amazing support during those 9 long months of rehab- couldn't have done it without you.

St-Pierre tore his ACL while preparing for a bout with Carlos Condit. While GSP rehabbed, Condit fought Nick Diaz for the interim welterweight belt. Condit won with a tight decision. Since he was not given a chance to defend the interim belt, it turned out to be just a really shiny, kind of heavy reminder of Condit's No. 1 contender status.

The two are slated to fight at UFC 154 in Montreal. GSP's last fight was on April 30, 2011, against Jake Shields. By the time he fights on Nov. 17, St-Pierre will have had 572 days off between fights.

Will the time off affect GSP or will he pick up where he left off? Tell us in the comments, on Facebook or on Twitter.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/georges-st-pierre-says-medically-cleared-fight-173636630--mma.html

Wesley Cabbage Correira  Patrick The Predator Côté  Randy The Natural Couture  Dan Cramer