Fracas breaks out after Bellator bout

Andreas Spang had an exciting win at Bellator on Friday night, but what will be remembered is how he acted afterwards.

Spang was rocked in the second round by Brian Rogers in the Bellator middleweight tournament semifinal, but he came back to knock Rogers out with a left hook. Rogers fell to the canvas like a tree being cut down. After the fight was stopped, Spang jumped to the top of the cage and flipped two middle fingers to the Cleveland crowd, who was behind the Ohio-based Rogers.

After his arm was raised for the win, Bellator brought Maiquel Falcao in the cage to face off with Spang. Falcao win his tournament semifinal in a decision earlier in the evening. When they faced off, Spang pushed him. Falcao responded with a knee to Spang's body, but clearly pulled a punch and didn't hit Spang before they were separated. Falcao charged back towards Spang, but was stopped by his coaches and Bellator commentator Jimmy Smith. Both men were ushered out of the cage without any further incident.

According to the Detroit News' Matt Bishop, Ohio Athletic Commissioner Bernie Profato immediately "read Spang the riot act" after the bout. This isn't the first time he pushed an opponent while not in a fight. During Thursday's weigh-ins, he pushed Rogers as they faced off.

UPDATE: Bishop reports that Profato has given Spang the option of a $500 fine and a six-month suspension, which would take him out of the middleweight tournament final, or 20 percent of his purse now. If Spang crosses the line again, the six-month suspension will be added on.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/fracas-breaks-bellator-bout-024720825.html

Luiz Azeredo  Luciano Azevedo  Ba Te er  Ryan Bader 

Jon Jones has a new respect for Rashad Evans; why you should, too

After defending the UFC light heavyweight belt on Saturday over Rashad Evans, Jon Jones said he had a new respect for his former training partner and friend.

"I would say Rashad is my toughest fight to date, and a lot of it is because of how talented and awesome of a fighter he is," Jones said after beating Evans in a five-round decision.

Since winning and defending the title, Jones has finished former champs Mauricio "Shogun" Rua, Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, and Lyoto Machida. Evans is the first fighter ever to force Jones into the fifth round, and the first fighter to require judges' cards since Stephan Bonnar in 2009. Evans was wobbled several times throughout the fight, but was still standing for the final horn.

Somehow, there were still fans who were unsatisfied with Saturday's main event. On Cagewriter's Facebook page, one reader said Evans had no heart. Another called the fight boring, while another claimed Evans didn't want the fight.

Seriously?

Evans trained for months and months to face a man he once called his friend. He cut down his weight, went through countless interviews, had cameras follow him around incessantly for "Primetime," then traveled to Atlanta and got in a cage with someone who is considered one of the world's best fighters. He withstood elbows, punches and kicks for 25 minutes. At the end of it all, he lost, but was still standing.

And there are actually fans who think Evans did not want to be in there? For the final word on the subject, let's hear from the great Baltimore boxer (and fictional character), Dennis "Cutty" Wise.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/jon-jones-respect-rashad-evans-why-too-175611137.html

Gilbert Aldana  José Aldo  John Alessio  Houston Alexander

Dan Henderson Breaks Down Jon ?Bones? Jones

After steamrolling another former UFC light heavyweight title holder, Jon Jones emerged as (arguably) the most unbeatable fighter in mixed martial arts. Dan Henderson (Pictured) now faces the daunting task of dethroning the reigning 205-pound king. While Henderson will be a significant underdog against Jones, he does have over 15 years of MMA experience and [...]

Source: http://www.5thRound.com/112945/dan-henderson-breaks-down-jon-bones-jones/

Matt Andersen  Alex Andrade  Jermaine Andrè  Yoji Anjo 

James Head balancing fighting and engineering heading into UFC on Fuel 2

In an average day, UFC welterweight James Head will walk his dogs, work for hours for a major gas and oil company, get in a strength and conditioning workout, go back to the desk job, train for several hours, and then cheer on his St. Louis Cardinals before doing it all over again the next day.

Just reading through that schedule is exhausting, but Head, who is facing Papy Abedi at UFC on Fuel 2 Saturday in Sweden, told Cagewriter it's perfect because he never gets bored.

"It's mentally challenging and I like that. That's why I fight, because it's a mental and physical challenge. It keeps me sharp. I'm always learning things about my industry and fighting. That's how I was brought up. If I get bored with something, it's not really worth my time. I haven't gotten bored with any of the aspects of my life."

The industry is petroleum engineering, where it is Head's job to design and implement oil wells that will produce oil and natural gas. He started fighting when he was studying engineering at the University of Missouri-Rolla (now called the Missouri University of Science and Technology.) When boredom hit, he tried fighting.

"The school was pretty male-dominant, so I didn't have a lot of distractions in the small town of Rolla. That's what led me to mixed martial arts. I went into a gym. It was a boxing gym, and my grandfather was a boxer. I was bought up around it. Walked into the gym, and that's where it all started."

Since then, his life has been about engineering and training MMA. For nine years, he has balanced the two demanding jobs. He likes that both challenge his mind.

"I'm cerebral in all aspects of my life, or I try to be. When it comes to training, I'm always seeking out the best training partners, the best dietitian, the best coaches. You can't be the expert in everything, you just have to have faith in the people who surround you. One of my main strengths is the mind God blessed me with."

Now he will try to take that style to Saturday's bout with Abedi. Since Abedi is from Sweden, Head will be in enemy territory. But no matter how many supporters Abedi has outside the cage, Head is confident all the fans in the world won't matter when the Octagon door closes.

"It doesn't really matter if you have all the king's horses and all the king's men on the outside of the cage. At the end of the day, it's just me and him. I'm looking forward to it."

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/james-head-balancing-fighting-engineering-heading-ufc-fuel-144124610.html

Kenny Florian Jesse Forbes Xavier Foupa Pokam Hermes Franca

Report: Frank Trigg out at HD Net because of abuse and affair

Former UFC fighter Frank Trigg was a popular commentator for several MMA promotions on HDNet, so his absence from their broadcasts was surprising. The gossip website "The Dirty" reports his dismissal was not for business reasons.

MMA fighter Frank Trigg choked out his wife in front of his children on October 17th, 2011. They are now going through a VERY messy divorce and the children who saw the carnage are right in the middle of it. He no longer is employed at HDnet because he was sleeping with a co-worker, assistant producer, 23 year old Amy Vaughn. The company does not approve of the affair and abuse that they were made aware of soon after the incident and have chosen not to utilize his services as a commentator anymore.

HDNet did not respond to requests for comment. Trigg said he does not comment on personal business.

Trigg was 21-9 as a fighter and had a memorable loss to Matt Hughes. He fought in the UFC, Pride, Rumble on the Rock and BAMMA.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/report-frank-trigg-hd-net-because-abuse-affair-195545960.html

Dos Caras Jr   Phil Cardella Roan Jucao Carneiro Shane The Engineer Carwin 

Picture of the day: How Bellator champ Pat Curran pumps his gas

Pat Curran recently won the Bellator featherweight belt from Joe Warren. Proud to own that belt, Curran decided to wear it when even doing the most mundane tasks.

If you had a championship belt to wear, where would you wear it? Tell us in the comments, on Facebook or on Twitter.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/picture-day-bellator-champ-pat-curran-pumps-gas-115200618.html

Rich Franklin Ian Freeman Don Frye Tony Fryklund

Brendan Schaub taking out Chris Tuchscherer is your Knockout of the Week

Of Brendan Schaub's eight wins in his short career, seven come by knockout. Here's what his knockout power looks like, as shown on Chris Tuchscherer's face at UFC 116.

His hard-charging style also leaves him open for attack, as both of his losses are by knockout. Will Schaub or Ben Rothwell end up with the big win on Saturday? Tell us in the comments, on Facebook or on Twitter.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/brendan-schaub-taking-chris-tuchscherer-knockout-week-115514649.html

Kyle Bradley  Jai Bradney  Ebenezer Fontes Braga Chris Brennan

Dan Henderson focused on fighting the winner of Jon Jones-Rashad Evans bout

Though Dan Henderson has been given an option to fight for the UFC middleweight championship, possibly avenging a loss to Anderson Silva in the process, it appears the legendary scrapper?s sole focus at the moment relates to this weekend?s title-fight between Jon Jones and Rashad Evans. Due to his recent success and overall standing as [...]

Source: http://www.fighters.com/04/19/dan-henderson-focused-on-fighting-the-winner-of-jon-jones-rashad-evans-bout

Melvin Guillard Cody Guinn Jorge Gurgel Andre Gusmao