Sam Stout set to face Spencer Fisher at UFC on FX 4

A trilogy six years in the making is set for completion this summer when Sam Stout (17-7) scraps with Spencer Fisher (24-8) in hopes of coming out ahead with the 2-1 series win. The two talented lightweights first fought in 2006 when Stout was 21, picking up a Split Decision win over the seasoned veteran, [...]

Source: http://www.fighters.com/04/04/sam-stout-set-to-face-spencer-fisher-at-ufc-on-fx-4

Wagnney Fabiano Kevin Kimbo Slice Ferguson Paulo Filho Mirko Cro Cop Filipović

Mo Lawal?s dismissal emphasizes need for Zuffa policy on Twitter

"King" Mo Lawal was cut from Strikeforce yesterday. He received a suspension from the Nevada Athletic Commission for testing positive for a banned substance after his January win over Lorenz Larkin. Shortly after his hearing with the NAC, Lawal called a commissioner a racist b**** over Twitter. According to Strikeforce's Scott Coker, Lawal's reaction was to blame for the dismissal.

Calling a woman the b-word is wrong, no matter the circumstances, which is exactly what I told Lawal yesterday. He's been a friend of mine since long before either of us were involved in MMA, so I told him what I would tell any friend of mine. If you don't want it said about your mother, you shouldn't say it about any woman. Though I don't know if I influenced his decision, he deleted the tweet not long after.

What he tweeted was wrong, but he should not have lost his job, just like Miguel Torres should not have lost his job late last year. I didn't think Torres should have lost his job then, nor did I think Forrest Griffin should have lost his job over a tweet about rape, or Rashad Evans over his comment about child abuse, or Joe Rogan for calling me the c-word, or White for calling MMA reporter Loretta Hunt the b-word.

What every one of these cases called for is punitive action. Some combination of a reprimand, a fine that will benefit the aggrieved parties, a public apology, a suspension, and corrective action like sensitivity training would be more appropriate than being fired. The offender would be more likely to learn something from their offenses than if they suddenly have to look for a job, or if there had been little done about the offense.

The problem, once again, is that Zuffa has no policy on fighter (and commentator) behavior. A fighter doesn't know if he's crossed the line until he's crossed it. Fighters can't even learn from each other's actions because there is no consistency on how incidents are treated. Considering how White called Hunt the same word that Lawal to describe the commissioner and then never apologized for it (he only apologized for using a slur against homosexuals), how could Lawal know Zuffa would have a problem with it?

The UFC usually holds their fighters' summit in June. It's the end of March. They have a few months to formulate a policy that is clear and fair to fighters.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/mo-lawal-dismissal-emphasizes-zuffa-policy-twitter-130830350.html

Zelg Benkei Galesić Mauro Galvao Arman Gambaryan Manvel Gamburyan

Mo Lawal apologizes to NSAC official for inappropriate remark

Former Strikeforce light heavyweight Muhammed Lawal still has a ways to go before stepping foot in the ring again let alone a cage owned by Zuffa. However, the recently released Lawal has at least taken the first step towards redemption by showing accountability for the actions leading to his newfound free agency. Lawal recently went [...]

Source: http://www.fighters.com/03/30/mo-lawal-apologizes-to-nsac-official-for-inappropriate-remark

Jason Guida Melvin Guillard Cody Guinn Jorge Gurgel

Josh Barnett A Strong Possibility For UFC Return

UFC president Dana White seems to have a soft spot in his heart for Josh Barnett. The former UFC fighter is currently scheduled to face Daniel Cormier in the finals of the Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix in May. IT was announced last year that the heavyweight division in Strikeforce would be absorbed by the UFC, [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/mmaconvert/~3/au1LVZMXoZA/

Marcus Aurelio  Mikhail Avetisyan Luiz Azeredo  Luciano Azevedo 

Knockout of the week part II: Dennis Siver?s spinning back kick

MMA judges do not award points for originality, and wins are still wins whether they happen with style or not. But that doesn't mean MMA fans won't appreciate a knockout with a little flair from time to time.

Dennis Siver brought that panache to his fight with Nate Mohr at UFC 93. He took him out with a spinning back kick to the abdomen and following up punches.

Siver then used the same attack to take out Paul Kelly at UFC 105. Watch Siver's next bout on UFC on Fuel in April.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mma-cagewriter/knockout-week-part-ii-dennis-siver-spinning-back-164828037.html

Tony Fryklund Kazuyuki Fujita Masakatsu Funaki Zelg Benkei Galesić

Jake Ellenberger vs. Martin Kampmann to determine top contendership

Speculation turned to confirmation today when UFC President Dana White announced the winner of a June bout between welterweights Jake Ellenberger and Martin Kampmann would emerge as the division?s #1 challenger. Each has turned in a number of solid outings over the past few years including multiple wins over ranked competition. The match-up is set [...]

Source: http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2012/04/02/jake-ellenberger-vs-martin-kampmann-to-determine-top-contendership/

Kyle Bradley  Jai Bradney  Ebenezer Fontes Braga Chris Brennan