Anthony "Rumble" Johnson misses weight at UFC 142 by 11 pounds

DANA WHITE IS NOT HAPPY AFTER THE WEIGH INS


On the horn:
Johnny Waugh
LEAD SR WRITER

Anthony Johnson at the UFC 142 weigh ins
(USA TODAY PHOTO) 

       The UFC 142 weigh ins took place last night and all went well, except the worst thing that could possibly happen to a fighter and promotion at the weigh ins happened. Anthony Johnson (10-3) misses the 185 lbs weight limit by 11 pounds after weighing in officially at 197 lbs.


       UFC president Dana White was very unhappy about the inability of Johnson to make the weight in the same professional manner his counter part Vitor Belfort did, by weighing in at the limit of 186 lbs.


"Complete and absolute un-professionalism, that's what happened," White said. "There's no other way it can be explained."


       The real question we should be discussing is why a fighter who competes at the welterweight limit of 171 lbs in almost every UFC fight until this one can't make weight at his debut in a higher weight class?


(CONTINUED)...    WEIGH IN VIDEO INCLUDED

White Unhappy, Shamrock on ESPN to speak on low fighter pay

UFC President Dana White is unhappy with an ESPN Program


On the horn: 
Johnny Waugh
LEAD SR WRITER

UFC President Dana White

       Ken Shamrock (28-15-2) is apparently the only fighter that is willing to be interviewed by the Outside the Lines crew about an investigation of the UFC. They researched into the claims of the UFC not paying their fighters fairly or nearly enough.


       ESPN's investigative reporting series was doing research to determine whether or not the UFC under pays fighters in different tiers of class of skill. 


       Some fighters do get paid amounts with only four figures in them ($1,000-$9,000) for their bouts inside the octagon but, to be fair and keep the numbers relative, single A class baseball players came make as little as $850 a month or a little over $10,000 a year.


       My question is why on earth does Ken Shamrock, a man who lost seven of his last nine fights and hasn't fought since 2010, have any relevance to the UFC or the contracts of any other fighters in the organization.


(CONTINUED)...       ESPN TRAILER INCLUDED

Can Jon Jones keep his title in 2012?- Potential Henderson fight

Jones is hungry to fight, Can he kept his title this year?


On the horn: 
Johnny Waugh
LEAD SR WRITER

UFC Light heavyweight Champion: Jon Jones

       The second champion we will break down the outlook of the year for is the light heavyweight phenom, future, superstar, you pick the adjective or word that best suits this demi-god of men, Jon Jones.


       In this article we will examine the possibilities of this young Rubix cube of talent losing his UFC belt anytime this year and who might have the opportunity to take it from him because it seems he wants to fight again real soon.


       Now that Jones (15-1) wants to fight, he is rumoured to fight Dan Henderson (29-8).


“He (Jones) called up four days ago and said ‘okay, let’s go I’m done with vacation." White said. 


(CONTINUED)...

Back Injury Threatens Kenny Florian's Career

Diagnosis: lumbar herniated disk

On the horn:
MattZilla
SR WRITER

Kenny Florian

        UFC veteran, and multi-weight fighter, Kenny Florian was lifting weights when he suffered a herniated disk in the lumbar region of his back.

        If you are unaware of this injury, it happens when a spinal disk's soft nucleus pushes through the annulus, the tougher exterior of the disk.

   "As of right now, obviously I can’t compete and train like I was at all. I’m just kind of doing what I can and hoping that things heal up and get better," Florian said in an interview. 


" I’m just kind of in a holding pattern... It sucks."

(CONTINUED)...

Junior Dos Santos - Who remains champion in 2012

Is The Baddest Man on the Planet, temporary?


On the horn:
Johnny Waugh
LEAD SR WRITER

Junior Dos Santos

       Before the first card of 2012 happens, this coming Saturday night at UFC 142, seems like the only fair time of the year to write this article. 

       There are some rather large match ups looming for 2012. The UFC has seven of the best fighters in the world holding the title of "Champion" within their ranks, but its time to look at the fights on the horizon and predict which of "The Super Seven" will keep their crown or lose the throne this year.

       Although it's difficult to foresee all the opponents that every champion may face, not all fights are official or have been put together yet, but with the best knowledge available we will attempt to determine who's keeping their belt at the end of 2012.

HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION:       
JUNIOR "CIGANO" DOS SANTOS

(CONTINUED)...

Volkmann Suspended from Coaching Wrestling over Obama Comment

Said comment is still not funny

On the horn:
MattZilla & Johnny Waugh
SR WRITERS

       Jacob Volkmann (14-2) has been placed on administrative leave after his UFC 141 post fight comments about the President got him in trouble in his other line of work as a wrestling coach.

       Our good ol' UFC lightweight fighter, chiropractor, and wannabe political commentator Jacob Volkmann feels people can't take a joke.

       Because I respect the art of comedy, I am not going to repeat the terribly unfunny joke on our classy website, but if you really want to read it, brace yourself and follow this link.

       Essentially, he said that President Barack Obama has his head up his a**.

(CONTINUED)...

Jose Aldo vs Chad Mendes: Will the title change hands

CAN WRESTLING OVERCOME THE FLASH?

On the horn:
Johnny Waugh
SR WRITER

Jose Aldo at the UFC open Workouts in BRAZIL
(Photo by Ty Silva for SRMMA.COM)

       Its that time for another Gut Check call for the main event bout at UFC 142 that puts Chad "Money" Mendes right in the lion's den for a chance at UFC glory.

       Both fighters showcased some of their talents at the UFC open workout yesterday. Jose Aldo, UFC Featherweight Champion, looked absolutely ripped an ready to defend his title on home turf considering he is from Rio de Janeiro.

       While Mendes himself looked to be in incredible condition for his chance at gold. The 10-0 wrestling stand out may have what it takes to finish the flashy and "Oh so pretty" style of Aldo.

(CONTINUED)...

UFC 142 Bonus Time: Can Aldo, Belfort, Johnson, or Mendes take home a bonus?

THE PICKS ARE IN: WHO WILL TAKE HOME THE BONUSES

On the horn:
Schroe
SR WRITER

Vitor Belfort at the UFC open workouts in Brazil
(Photo by Ty Silva for SRMMA.COM)



       The featherweight title is on the line as Jose Aldo takes on the challenger Chad Mendes and re-surging super star Vitor Belfort (20-9) aims to make Anthony Johnson's (10-3) decision to jump to the 185 pound division a poor one.

       Will either of these fighters be taking extra cash home? Time to break down UFC 142 and find out! Here are my predictions for who is bringing home the UFC bonuses at this weekend UFC event.

Knock Out of the Night-
Erick Silva

       The formula for Erick Silva (13-1) vs Carlo Prater (29-10-1) is striker (Silva) vs take down specialist (Prater). This will not go well for Prater.

(CONTINUED)...   SUB OF THE NIGHT & FIGHT OF THE NIGHT INCLUDED

Alexander Gustafsson vs Antonio "Little Nog" Nogueira at UFC on FUEL TV 2

UFC on FUEL TV 2 just got that much sweeter


On the horn:
Johnny Waugh
SR WRITER

Antonio Nogueira (right) beating down Tito Ortiz

       The light heavyweight rising star from Sweden will have an opportunity to truly see where he belongs in the division as he takes on a former PRIDE fighter and Brazilian Jui Jitsu master.

       Alexander Gustafsson (13-1) will be taking on Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (20-5) in Stockholm, Sweden. The fight will be on the main card of the second event the UFC will be bringing to the FOX owned television network FUEL TV.


(CONTINUED)...   

Boxing: Mixed Martial Art's Missing Ingredient

"Knowing is not enough, we must apply. Willing is not enough, we must do."-Bruce Lee
On the horn:
Schroe 
SR WRITER   

Hominick being finished by Jung (top).

      When it comes to boxing, there are many fighters that need to heed the words of this once great man. After certain performances at recent UFC events something has to be said about how important a fighter's boxing ability is inside the cage.

What makes a good boxer? Hand Position

       In the last few UFC events we have witnessed that a simple break down in hand position discipline can lead to devastatingly negative results.

UFC 140- Hominick vs Sung Jung


       Mark Hominick races out and throws a hay-maker left hook that Sung Jung dodges. Rather than bring that left hand back to his chin for protection, Hominick leaves it at his side giving Sung Jung's beautiful counter right hand a perfect lane to the button.

    Lights out for Hominick and all in a matter of seven seconds.

UFC 141- Fitch vs Hendricks 


(CONTINUED)...

UFC 142 OPEN WORKOUTS - LIVE PHOTOS FROM BRAZIL

UFC WORKOUTS TOOK PLACE TODAY IN RIO, TY SILVA WAS LIVE TO REPORT

On the Horn:

Ty Silva

SR WRITER

Brazilian Correspondent

Chad Mendes (right) punching focus mits at the UFC 142 open workout
(Photo by Ty Silva)

       At the gorgeous beach of Barra da Tijuca the UFC held an event on Wednesday between 11am and 2pm, (Brazilian Time) on an open stage built on sand just a few feet away from the water. 

       The event started under a cloudy sky with not too many attendees, but as time went by, the crowd grew into a considerable size as the sun brightened the day.

       Under these gorgeous circumstances all four UFC 142 main and co-main event stars practiced their skills for about 10 minutes each. 


       After that they were interviewed for another five minutes, in a style much similar to a typical UFC fight, with UFC ring girls announcing every fighter. 

(CONTINUED)...  MORE REPORTING LIVE FROM BRAZIL

Edson Barboza vs Terry Etim at UFC 142 - Fight of the Night Sleepers

This Bout is the next best fight on the UFC 142 card.


On the horn:
Johnny Waugh
SR WRITER

Edson Barboza

       At UFC 142 this Saturday, Edson Barboza (9-0) will be fighting in front of his home nation against an English talent who has the the ability to finish the fight in Terry Etim (15-3).


       These two are primed to steal the fight of the night award at UFC 142, even on a card with Jose Aldo and Vitor Belfort.


(CONTINUED)...

UFC 142 FANTASY UPDATE FROM THE VERBAL SCRAP PODCAST

Our UFC 142 Fantasy Picks from VERBAL SCRAP episode 7.
TUNE IN FOR MORE INFO,HOME PAGE CLICK PLAY!

GAME THREE FANTASY DRAFT RESULTS (UFC 142)

(CONTINUED)...

Part 2: Lesnar's Legacy after his retirement. Was he pushed too hard?

Lesnar's Legacy as UFC CHAMP

On the Horn:
Mattzilla
SR WRITER

Brock Lesnar after beating Shane Carwin at UFC 116 on July 3, 2010.
Sam Morris Photo

The Legacy:

       Lesnar stated after his fight with Overeem, that his plan was to win that fight, then win the belt from Dos Santos and retire afterwards. At first, I considered this career plan to be on the douchery side: it was as though he wanted to just grab the belt and go home.

       But considering his medical condition, he may have not had many fights left in him. Diverticulitis is serious business, and he was lucky he was fighting at all after the surgery. With his athletic clock ticking, he wanted nothing but to make one last drive for the belt.

       One thing we need to look at to understand where he fits in MMA history is his finishing record, 5-3.

      Not very good by combat sports standards. Of those eight bouts, however, he did defend a belt twice, granting him the unofficial title of "True Champion," as opposed to someone who wins the belt and immediately loses it in their next fight.


(CONTINUED)...   WHY NOT CONTINUE TO BUILD HIS RECORD?

Brock Lesnar- A True Phenom - Gone, His mark on MMA Part 1

What this wrestler meant to MMA

On the horn:

MattZilla

SR WRITER

Former UFC Heavyweight champion, Brock Lesnar

For those that might not have heard, Brock Lesnar (5-3) retired after his UFC 141 loss to Alistair Overeem after a short but completely entertaining and bulldozing career in the UFC.

Lesnar fought for a UFC title, won it, defended it twice, and was a polarizing figure at every UFC event he ever took part. Here a look at Lesnar and his meaning to MMA.

(CONTINUED)...

BRAZILIAN BEASTS LOOK TO STAY TOP DOGS AT UFC 142, ALDO AND BELFORT CAN FINISH

HOW CAN WE EXPECT THE UFC MAIN EVENT BOUTS TO FINISH AT UFC 142

On the Horn:
Ty Silva
SR WRITER,
Brazilian Correspondent

VITOR BELFORT
(vitorbelfort.com)

       As the city of Samba heats up leading to UFC 142, Cariocas (Rio natives) and Brazilians all over the world are looking forward to once again watching their countrymen represent their nation well, especially knowing the level of very tough foreign competition on a card stacked with talent and experience.

       While the UFC returns to Rio for the second time in less than five months, the sport of MMA continues to grow at an unprecedented level in Brazil. Popular fighters are featured in TV ads and billboards advertising products completely unrelated to Mixed Martial Arts.

       Fueled by this current MMA explosion in their nation plus the pride of fighting at home, Brazilian fighters on the UFC 142 card figure to be a tough nut to crack in front of their fellow natives.


      Their foreign opponents, however, are highly qualified to upset the national favorites. This provides the UFC´s return to Rio with the perfect potential to produce memorable battles in the minds of Brazilians and fans from all over the world alike.

Jose Aldo vs Chad Mendes

       Simply put, Aldo (20-1) is a beast. His size causes him to fly somewhat under the radar in the division even with his accolades, but a bigger fighter with his skills and power has no problem getting attention i.e. Anderson Silva or Jon Jones.

       Mendes (10-0), while a beast in his own right, has nowhere near the level of power and skill that the champion possess.

       Chad´s wrestling is obviously his greatest asset in this fight, but unlike in Aldo's fifth round against Hominick at UFC 129, Aldo will not lay still underneath Mendes.

(CONTINUED)...

Tyron Woodley wins a split decision, looks lackluster in the process

A TITLE BOUT DOESN'T SEEM LIKELY


On the horn:
Johnny Waugh
LEAD SR WRITER

WOODLEY (white trunks) taking Mein to the ground.

       Tryon Woodley showed that wrestling can beat even the most talented of strikers even if it wasn't an exciting performance by any stretch of the word.


       Woodley (10-0) was apparently more able to stand and bang with Jordan Mein (23-8) than viewing the fight itself may have seemed according to Woodley. Many fans booed during the second and third rounds of the bout because of the inactivity but Woodley said the numbers tell the truth.


"I've got the CompuStrike in my pocket if you want to check it out," Woodley said post fight. "I don't think I was reluctant to strike with him."


       Woodley defeated Mein by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 30-27). Mein came out rather cautious, a given against such a quality wrestler as Woodley, but was able to fend off an early take down that took about a minute to finally break away from.


       After they separated, Mein landed a quality uppercut before Woodley was able to take him to the mat and that was about that for three rounds. 



       Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker was not as interested in Woodley being in the title picture as putting him against other opponents in the division.


"We're going to take a look at the fight with Misaki and Paul Daley," Coker said at the post fight press conference. "Then we can have a conversation about that."


(CONTINUED)...

Robbie was "Ruthless", Lawler with flying knee KO over Amagov

Lawler showed why he is a "Ruthless" man

On the horn:
Johnny Waugh
LEAD SR WRITER

Lawler (left) with a flying knee against Amagov (right).

       The co main event of last nights Strikeforce: Rockhold vs Jardine card saw the very best of "Ruthless" Robbie Lawler as he overcame and illegal knee that stopped the fight for a short time to knockout Adlan Amagov.

       Lawler (19-8) came out swinging, like always, which allowed Amagov to obtain a quick take down. Amagov was maintaining a dominant position landing some decent shots to his downed foe until he committed an illegal knee to his down opponent.

"It bothered me a little but not too much," Lawler said. "I just wanted to make sure the cobwebs were out."

(CONTINUED)... 

KING reigns Supreme: Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal by Thunderous KO

CAN'T SAY I TOLD YOU SO, BUT I REALLY DID

On the horn:
Johnny Waugh
LEAD SR WRITER


KING MO POUNDING AWAY AT LARKIN FROM TOP POSITION
(Photos by Esther Lin/Forza LLC/Getty Images via Forza LLC

       Strikeforce: Rockhold vs Jardine was a booming success fight wise considering the top three fights on the card were all finished by knock out.

      Luke Rockhold won in championship fashion by finishing Keith Jardine (17-10-2) by TKO at 4:26 of the first round to retain his title and deny Jardine the title aspirations he so desperately hoped to attain by moving down to middleweight for the first time.

       But this particular piece is about Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal who moved his record to 9-1 after landing what seemed to be 15 right hands to Lorenz Larkin's (12-1) face while Lawal had him flat on the mat. Lawal was unhappy that referee Kim Winslow was so late to stop the bout causing Larkin more unnecessary damage at the 1:32 mark of the second.

"She said backstage, 'If I hear 'Ow' or 'Ouch' or 'Ooh,' I'm going to stop the fight,'" Lawal said at the post fight press conference. "Man, this dude was cussing. I hit him, and he's like, 'Oh, (EXPLETIVE).' I was like, 'Uh, ref?' 

       Lawal took Larkin down in the first round and kept him there while delivering some thunderous punches to the head and mid section of Larkin until referee Kim Winslow strangely stood the fighters up at a time when Lawal was very active and landing flush blows.

(CONTINUED)...

Former UFC Star Hermes Franca arrested for Sexual Abuse

FORMER UFC TITLE CONTENDER IN JAIL

On the horn:
Johnny Waugh
LEAD SR WRITER

HERMES FRANCA BARROS

       Portugese publication Esporte.uol.com and Oregonlive.com have reported that Herma Franca (22-12) plead guilty on Wednesday Jan. 4, 2011 to one count of unlawful penetration and one count of first-degree sexual abuse.


       Franca has been sentenced to 42 months in a state prison. Franca flew from his home in Florida to turned himself in to Clackamas County, Oregon police after a warrant was issued for his arrest.


       Franca ran the operations of the Team Hermes Franca Brazilian Jiu-Jutsu Academy and engaged in a sexual relationship with an underage female student at his gym.


       Franca was sentenced to four an a half years probation after he serves his term in prison and must register as a sex offender after his release.

(CONTINUED)...

Mayweather Jr's jail sentence postposed, Ortiz vs Berto 2, Williams vs Ishida

Another Boxing thought about the current Mayweather situation and some coming match ups

On the horn:
Scottie 2Piece

LEAD BOXING WRITER

FLOYD MAYWEATHER JR
Ethan Miller/ Getty Images

       So the big story is Floyd Mayweather Jr's jail sentence being postponed until June, leaving the May 5th date he made public last year open for a possible fight with Manny Pacquiao (54-3-2).

       When the news first broke on Mayweathers' sentence Manny Pacquiao was said to have wanted nothing more than to be the one he faced in May.

       Apparently that has changed now that the courts have allowed Mayweather to fulfill his contractual obligations.

       Bob Arum (Pacquiao's Promoter) is steering clear of any talks of the Mega Fight we all want to see and leaning toward another possible Marquez tango or any other opponent for Pacquiao. They are also apparently attempting to schedule a Pacquiao in May in what could be taken as even more evidence of his lack of interest in a mega fight.

(CONTINUED)...  ORTIZ V BERTO 2, WILLIAMS V ISHIDA INCLUDED.