FUEL TV presents ‘In Focus: Silva vs Stann’, a fascinating in-depth look at the main event of UFC On FUEL TV 8. ‘In Focus’ paints a vivid picture of MMA legend Wanderlei Silva and his opponent, ex-United States Marine Brian Stann, as they work out and prepare for their big fight in Japan. These warriors do battle in the Octagon on Saturday, March 2 at UFC On FUEL TV 8.
Also on the card is Mark Hunt vs Stefan Struve, Takanori Gomi vs Diego Sanchez, and Yushin Okami vs Hector Lombard.
Fight Nerd correspondent Michael Stets spoke with Jamie Varner at the MMA World Expo to talk about his return to the UFC, the highs and lows of that comeback into the promotion, his plans for a title run in 2013 and signing a new four fight deal with the company. Varner also told us he asked for a match against Rafael Dos Anjos and hopes to get that fight in April or May, and also tells us much more about the lightweight rankings and state of the division.
Apologies for the mono audio track in this video, we had tech issues with the mic at this event.
Fight Nerd correspondent Michael Stets caught up with former UFC lightweight champ Frankie Edgar at the MMA World Expo 2013 to discuss his recent loss against Jose Aldo at UFC 156, and how it feels to have had seven title fights back to back. We also discuss how he feels about being in the featherweight division and if he will stay there, thoughts on Anthony Pettis getting a title shot next, and why so many lightweights are moving down to featherweight, and more!
Please excuse the audio, we had some mic troubles at the event.
UFC ON FUEL TV travels to Wembley Arena in London, live, on Saturday, Feb. 16 (3:00 PM ET) and marks the network’s first-ever Ultimate Fighting Championship title fight. The seventh installment of UFC ON FUEL TV is highlighted by Renan Barao’s first interim title defense in the bantamweight division against top contender Michael McDonald. Barao is riding a 19-fight win streak (4-0 in the UFC, 31-1, 1 NC), while McDonald (8-fight win streak, 4-0 in the UFC) could become the youngest fighter in the UFC to win a title at the age of 22. The Barao vs. McDonald main event is preceded by five exciting undercard matchups, all televised by FUEL TV, while FOXSports.com live streams the six-fight Prelims.
In the POSTFIGHT SHOW, FUEL TV premieres its “Fan CAMeo,” a groundbreaking feature that allows viewers to submit video reactions to the fights. By using the FUEL TV website or app, Fan CAMeo lets viewers record video responses from their mobile phone, table or laptop, upload the clip, and have it used within minutes on the live show. Fans can upload their videos here.
The afternoon telecast features a featherweight clash between Cub Swanson (18-5, 3-1 UFC), who’s riding a three-fight win streak, and Dustin Poirier (13-2, 5-1 in the UFC), who was awarded Fight of the Night honors in his back-and-forth battle with the “Korean Zombie,” Chan Sung Jung, at UFC® ON FUEL TV 3. Undefeated Jimi Manuwa (12-0) takes on Cyrille Diabate (20-8-3) in a light heavyweight battle; Gunnar Nelson (10-0-1) tries to follow up his first round submission of DaMarques Johnson at UFC® ON FUEL TV 5 against fellow welterweight Jorge Santiago (25-10); light heavyweight Ryan Jimmo (17-1) hopes to carry the momentum from his seven-second KO of Anthony Perosh at UFC® 149 in his clash with James Te Huna (17-5), who’s coming off a victory over Joey Beltran at UFC® ON FUEL TV 4. Che Mills (15-5, 1 NC) plans on giving his home country fans something to cheer about against Matthew Riddle (7-3, 1 NC) in a welterweight war.
UFC announcers Jon Anik and Kenny Florian call all bouts live from London on FUEL TV. Host Jay Glazer, UFC number one UFC light heavyweight contender Chael Sonnen and bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz offer analysis from FUEL TV’s Los Angeles studios.
Coverage of UFC ON FUEL TV 7: BARAO vs. MCDONALD begins Tuesday, Feb. 12 (10:00 PM ET) with UFC TONIGHT (10:00 PM ET), the official news and information show of the UFC and features in depth breakdowns of the main fights with hosts Kenny Florian and Chael Sonnen. The evening wraps with UFC ULTIMATE INSIDER (10:30 PM ET), a 30-minute program going behind-the-scenes to deliver an insightful preview of the World Bantamweight Championship fight between Barao and McDonald.
FUEL TV premieres UFC ROUNDTABLE: THE ANALYSTS (part 1) on Friday, January 11 (10:00 PM ET). Host Jay Glazer is joined by Kenny Florian (UFC TONIGHT analyst), UFC Light Heavyweight Brian Stann (UFC ON FOX/UFC ON FUEL TV analyst), former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Rashad Evans (UFC ON FUEL TV analyst), and UFC Light Heavyweight number-one contender Chael Sonnen (UFC ON FUEL TV analyst).
The four athletes-turned-analysts discuss their experiences balancing careers as fighters while serving as analysts for UFC shows across FUEL TV, FX and FOX in a candid, ligh-hearted and sometimes humorous conversation. Glazer asks questions ranging from the difficulty of commentating and analyzing fights to how fighters feel about their critiques. The analysts reveal the hardest parts of being on TV, the moments in their careers they wish they could take back, insecurities they have with fighting and being in front of the cameras, and advice to future fighters trying to break into the MMA world.
Evans admits that being in front of TV cameras can be just as nerve-wracking as stepping into the Octagon: “The first chance I got to work as an analyst was working with Kenny, and [he] was killing it. Kenny was so good, [he] was like lead host and I was like, ‘it looks so easy.’ But when I got in front of the cameras, the words just didn’t come out. I started stuttering. I had all kinds of speech impediments I didn’t even know I had.”
Sonnen voices the same sentiment by explaining that being an analyst is much harder than it looks like on TV: “A lot of people don’t understand, we have an earpiece in and a director is talking to us. It’s so hard to keep your cameras, listen to what’s going on here and get the direction from the boss in your ear.”
Although some fighters are uncomfortable with receiving criticism from the analysts, Stann embraces the critique he gets from his fellow fighters: “We’ve all had to critique each other. We’ve had to do postfight shows and analyze each other. I’ve never once gotten mad. In fact, I looked after my last fight to see what was the analysis from my fellow fighters? They’re in a better position than I am to gauge what I did wrong, how can I get better from that? Especially with the guys that are up here, these are guys who I’ve trained with, who I’ve fought, I’ve known for a long time now. I respect their opinions and so I reach out to them.”
The most seasoned analyst of the group, UFC TONIGHT’s Kenny Florian, shares his appreciation for being on TV and educating MMA fans: “I never thought about [being on TV]. I wish I could say I did, but I did not. Even before THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER went on TV, I said, ‘there is no way this is going to end up on TV. There is no way.’ But sure enough it did and became a success and the sport has been growing so much. I think it’s great that we have that ability to not only educate the fans, but communicate our viewpoints as fighters, [which] has been rare for our sport for a long, long time.”
This is the sixth edition of UFC ROUNDTABLE. Earlier UFC ROUNDTABLE editions looked at UFC Champions, Legends and top UFC welterweights. Look for FUEL TV to continue to get exclusive, inside access to the most important figures in the UFC through upcoming UFC ROUNDTABLES.
On January 22, some of the world’s most talented and determined mixed martial artists will face-off in the most grueling sports tournament on television. Watch as 28 mixed martial arts prospects battle for a coveted spot on the new season of The Ultimate Fighter®, which begins with a special two-hour premiere airing at 8 p.m. ET/PT on FX.
The Ultimate Fighter, the Ultimate Fighting Championship®’s long-running reality television series, will run for 13 weeks and will culminate in a three-hour finale, live from the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nev. Unlike previous seasons on FX, the one-hour broadcast will now be shown on Tuesday nights at its new regularly scheduled timeslot of 9 p.m. ET/PT.
The 14 successful combatants will be divided into two teams, which will be coached by two of the fiercest rivals in all of sport. UFC® light heavyweight champion and MMA superstar, Jon “Bones” Jones will captain one team, while the controversial and charismatic challenger Chael Sonnen will lead the second team into battle in this, the 17th installment of the series.
The coaches will then collide for the light heavyweight title on Saturday, April 27, at UFC® 159: JONES vs. SONNEN at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.
Not surprisingly, both Jones and Sonnen will be bringing their trademark self-confidence into their stints as coaches this season on The Ultimate Fighter.
“I thought it would be a good way to share myself with the sport of MMA,” Jones said. “I embrace the role.”
Said Sonnen: “The hottest show on FX is being graced with the greatest talent God ever made: Chael P. Sonnen.’’
The list of finalists in the middleweight (185 pounds) division was trimmed from more than 250 applicant athletes. The fighters – all seeking the opportunity of a lifetime and a six-figure contract from the Ultimate Fighting Championship – hail from the United States, Australia, England and Sweden.
“The quality of guys we have this season in unbelievable,” said UFC President Dana White. “From the fights to get into the house, to every single fight this season, I think the talent is some of the best I’ve ever seen on this show. We’re going to end up with some really good guys in the 185-pound division.”
“The production value has increased, the talent level is at an all-time high, and we have two of the most dynamic personalities in all of the UFC as our coaches,” said Chuck Saftler, EVP of FX Networks. “I’m extremely excited about this season of The Ultimate Fighter and truly believe this could be the show’s best season yet.”
On Jan. 22, the season will launch with 14 gripping elimination scraps. Those victorious in the opening round, or “Fight In”, become official cast members and earn their place in The Ultimate Fighter house in Las Vegas. The winners will be drafted into opposing teams of seven by Jones and Sonnen. Thereafter, cameras will document their activity before and after their training and fights during the season.
Each episode’s winners will advance in the single-elimination tournament until one is crowned The Ultimate Fighter.
The competitors are:
Dylan Andrews (16-4-1), 32, Gold Coast, AUS
Jake Heun (3-2), 25, Salt Lake City, Utah
Hito Andrews (9-2), 34, Sacramento, Calif.
Nicholas Hohring (3-0), 22, Valley Springs, Calif.
Luke Barnatt (5-0), 24, Cambridge, ENG
Mike Jaspar (6-0), 29, Camarillo, Calif.
Leo Bercier (7-2), 31, Great Falls, Montana
Bubba McDaniel (20-6), 29, Albuquerque, N.M.
Ryan Lee Q. Bigler (9-3), 28, Guam
Frasier Opie (10-5), 25, Milton Keynes, ENG
Kevin Casey (5-2), 31, Hawthorne, Calif.
Frederick Persons (3-0), 28, Stockton, Calif.
Adam Cella (4-0), 27, Fenton, Mo.
Jimmy Quinlan (3-0), 26, Metheun, Mass.
Zach Cummings (15-3), 28, Kansas City, Mo.
Scott Rosa (4-1), 27, Sparks, Nev.
Andy Enz, (6-1), 21, Anchorage, Alaska
Josh Samman (9-2), 24, Tallahassee, Fla.
Nik Fehete (5-1), 32, Las Vegas, Nev.
Gilbert Smith (5-1), 30, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Kelvin Gastelum (5-0), 20, Yuma, Ariz.
Eldon Sproat (3-1), 27, Molohai, Hawaii
Uriah Hall (7-2), 28, New York City, N.Y.
Tor Troeng (15-4-1), 29, Umea, SWE
Collin Hart (4-1-1), 23, Santa Rosa, Calif.
Eric Wahlin (5-1), 29, Taylorsville, Utah
Clint Hester (7-3), 24, Atlanta, Ga.
Timothy Williams (7-1), 26, Millville, N.J.
Many of today’s most recognizable names in the UFC have emerged from the TUF™ series, including, among many others, Forrest Griffin, Kenny Florian, Rashad Evans, and Michael Bisping.
On this week’s episode of UFC Tonight, Mark Hominick announced his official retirement, and it’s for real. “Over the last 11 years, I’ve followed my passion in the UFC,” Hominick stated, “Now, I’ll say UFC 154 was my last fight in the Octagon as I’m retiring and moving on to next phase of my career. I have a young daughter at home and another on the way. I’ll always be involved in the sport. But I know the commitment I have to make. I have to make a commitment to this as I have to fighting in the past.”
Hominick on if his trainer Shawn Tompkins passing away last year affected the decision: “Losing him was a blow to all of us. But it actually motivated me to carry on in his name, tradition and legacy. I want to do the same on the outside of the Octagon. I’ve reached a lot of my goals in my life. Now I want to carry on with my life and my family.”
“Right now I’m not rushing into anything,” the fighter responded when asked about his plans for the immediate future. “Mixed martial arts is my passion and it drives me every day. I’m taking a step away from Octagon, but not the sport. I’m sure I’ll find my way. The UFC has been one big family for me and I’ll always be a part of it.”
When asked about what the highlight of his career was, Hominick admitted it was his loss against Jose Aldo. “It put me on the map. I felt like I was competing in obscurity before that fight. I got to fight in front of 55,000 people in my home country and it really put me on the map in MMA world. I got to show people who I was as a fighter and a man.”
Check out this animated toon from Youtuber Prebek that features Nate and Nick Diaz responding to a tweet from UFC welterweight champion, Georges St. Pierre. This was put up a few days before Nate’s fight against Benson Henderson, but that does not make this any less funny. Frankly, I have never seen the Diaz boys so relaxed and not dropping f-bombs for such a long period of time, so that alone makes this a refreshing video.
Round 5 President Damon Lau, announces the release of Ultimate Collector Series 11 featuring the most robust offering in Ultimate Collector history – including three Championship Edition characters, and a variety of Limited Edition and Special Edition figures.
The Championship Edition Series 11 lineup consists of UFC welterweight champion Georges “Rush” St-Pierre, UFC light heavyweight champion Jon “Bones” Jones, and former interim welterweight champion Carlos “The Natural Born Killer” Condit.
The Limited Edition lineup includes a Condit WEC figure complete with the WEC championship belt, a Mark Munoz WEC figure, and a Duane “Bang” Ludwig figure (only 750 units) featuring Ludwig’s actual autograph on the packaging.
A highly-limited run of Hall of Fame Edition figures of Randy “The Natural” Couture, Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell, and Royce Gracie rounds out the series roster (only 500 of each made). Each Hall of Fame figure, featuring Round 5’s standard eight points of articulation but constructed from clear plastic resin – a first for any Round 5 figure – is an instant collector’s item.
Each figure in Ultimate Collector Series 11 arrives on shelves early December in collectible and protective UFC-themed packaging that includes a short bio detailing the individual fighter.
Ultimate Collector Series 11 will be available at Walmart in Canada, and Toys”R”Us in the United States.
In the debut episode of “How to Kill Zombies with Daron Cruickshank”, Daron and special guest Nick Newell break down the Samurai Sword for use on battling the undead… assuming they can get along well enough to finish the video without killing each other.
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