"Kimbo Slice" prepared to utilize ground skills against Ken Shamrock

by John Morgan on Sep 13, 2008 at 2:00 pm ET

With "EliteXC: Heat" just three weeks away, one of the evening's main-event competitors may be taking a less-than-expected approach to the bout.

In a recent media conference call, street-fighting-legend Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson (3-0) said he intends to use his grappling technique to defeat Ken Shamrock in their CBS-broadcast bout.

"Being a good grappler like myself -- against a supposed-to-be striker like Ken -- I'll try and break his leg," Slice quipped in regards to his strategy.

Conventional logic has dictated that the heavy-handed Slice would do everything in his power to remain standing against the submission-savvy Shamrock. Slice insists he is unconcerned with his 44-year-old opponent's ground prowess.

"As far as the ground is concerned -- being a good grappler like myself -- if Ken wants to take it to the ground, I'm going to mangle him up," Slice said.

While perhaps more pre-fight posturing than actual game plan, Slice's acceptance of a ground battle with Shamrock could certainly be construed as disrespect. The brawler insists that is not the case, and that he considers Shamrock a viable opponent.

"I'm getting ready to fight the world's deadliest man," Slice said. "That's a big responsibility for my little black ass to fight a guy like Ken Shamrock. This guy has the ability to really [expletive] somebody up. He could break a leg and end somebody's career. So I'm not taking this [expletive] lightly. This is not a joke to me."

Slice went on to say he considers it an honor to be in a fight with the UFC and Pancrase legend.

"I'm honored to fight Ken Shamrock," Slice said. "I'm bragging about it. I'm excited about it.

"The respect I have for a legendary fighter like Ken Shamrock, it's a lot of respect. To lose to Ken Shamrock to me is not a bad thing. But to kick his ass is the preferred thing. Either way, I look at it in a good way."

Shamrock and Slice, polar opposites in many ways, are also on a very different path in their careers. Slice has won the first three bouts of his not-yet-one-year-old MMA career, while Shamrock has lost five-straight fights in the tail end of his storied 15 years in the sport.

Slice doesn't see either pattern changing.

"This (fight) is going to keep streaks the way they are," Slice said. "Ken's going to stay on his streak, and I'm going to stay on mine."

Whatever the final strategy for Slice turns out to be, the Florida-native looks forward to a scrap.

"I enjoy doing what I do," Slice said. "I just want Ken Shamrock to come with the intent of kicking my ass. I want a guy to try and kick my ass. Knock me the [expletive] out. Try and knock me out. Try and break my leg.

"Do it, because I'm going to damn sure try."

Machida Off UFC 89 Card, Likely To Return in December or January

By: Kris Karkoski | Sep 13, 2008

UFC light heavyweight contender Lyoto Machida has been removed from the promotion’s October 18th UFC 89 card after Machida’s original opponent, Thiago Silva, withdrew from the matchup due to a back injury and the UFC was unable to secure another opponent for the bout.

Ed Soares, Machida’s manager, has informed MMA Junkie that Machida is likely to return to the octagon in December or January.

The current UFC 89 (FREE ON SPIKE TV) fight card features:

MAIN CARD

• Michael Bisping vs. Chris Leben
• Keith Jardine vs. Brandon Vera
• Luiz Cane vs. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou
• Chris Lytle vs. Paul Taylor
• Shane Carwin vs. Neil Wain
• Marcus Davis vs. Paul Kelly

PRELIMINARY CARD

• Akihiro Gono vs. Dan Hardy
• David Bielkheden vs. Jess Liaudin
• Terry Etim vs. Sam Stout
• David Baron vs. Jim Miller
• Per Eklund vs. Sammy Schiavo

Dan Hardy: I can be the UK's first UFC champion Dan Hardy: I can be the UK's first UFC champion

Friday, September 12, 2008, 07:44 PM GMT [General]

G. Davies

Dan Hardy, who went out to the US with Michael Bisping to train under jiu jitsu expert Eddie Bravo in advance of his UFC debut against Akihiro Gono in Birmingham next month, is very, very confident.


Bring it on: Dan Hardy (r) is pumped up and ready for his debut

“Eddie is great. The good thing about him is his understanding of how the sport works, and exactly how useful jiu jitsu is. You have to be flexible to do it, a rubber guard is perfect for MMA. He calls his techniques interesting names, and we had long talks after our sessions. It’s nice to be working with someone who knows the ground game so well,” Hardy tells me.

While Bisping remains the flagship fighter from Britain in UFC, Hardy could yet sneak in through the backdoor – well, almost - and become the first UK fighter to be a UFC belt holder. “That would be awesome. That’s my main goal - to be the first British title holder. I’m chasing Michael Bisping who is way ahead of me right now, but there’s no reason why one of us can’t take a belt in the next couple of years. The key is that we are a bit behind the fighters in the US on a technical level and in the quality of training, but that’s why I’m happy to go abroad to be able to bring the level up.”

The British pair have been working mainly on wrestling and jiu jitsu “because we don’t have the tradition of it in the UK” unlike the US, which has wrestling as a major sport, even through High School grades.

“We are always going to be outclassed by the level of training they have out there. GSP [George St Pierre, the current UFC welterweight champion] never wrestled at high school but has dominated wrestlers in the cage. We need to be willing to put the time in, and we need to travel to do that. If we get the top guys coming to train UK fighters, we will see huge leaps in the standard of British MMA.”

But surely Hardy must look at Georges St Pierre – and freak out!

“Sure, he’s a fantastic athlete – but I think he and John Fitch both exposed each other a bit when they fought – and he’s more human than I thought before. GSP has cracks in his superhuman façade.”

But first things first, back to his debut. “Gono is the opponent, and the fans are going to see him go home in tears. The UFC have given me a huge opportunity against Gono. I have fought in Japan a few times. He’s coming a long way to get beaten.”

Hardy also told me that Joe Rogan is no mug – and he knows his onions – in the Octagon, that is, with both microphone, and skills: “Joe Rogan – he is a beast in jiu jitsu, unbelievable. I trained with him a few times, we talk whenever we see each other. He’s so strong, he became a brown belt under Eddie Bravo. It’s not a myth – he’s the real deal – and dangerous because he can talk and fight.”

Hardy is also under no illusions - he's in for a difficult debut against Gono, an experienced opponent, on October 18. In the broadest terms, Hardy sees this as a technical, exciting fight. But he also told me it is “a gift”. That’s confidence for you, against 47-fight MMA artist against a UFC neophyte.

Biggest advantages? Age and hunger, says Hardy. Let’s hope he’s right.

UFC Fight Night 15 Diaz vs. Neer and Why It Matters

Props: Spike.com

Greg Jackson, Rashad Evans and Jardine's Trainer Talks Liddell Loss

Greg Jackson interview after Rashads KO of Liddell.

Sanchez Talks Alves and Leben talks Bisping...and A Little Kos

Sorry about the relatively gargantuan size of this video, but it's so strange I had to post it. Koscheck is in the car with Leben and his nemesis, or so I thought, Diego Sanchez, and they all talk about their upcoming fights. Kos doesn't have a fight scheduled now, but he does indirectly call out Sanchez in a round about way.

Georges St Pierre Training BJJ in Brazil

by Kid Nate on Sep 11, 2008 1:54 PM EDT in News

Bad news welterweights, UFC champ Georges St. Pierre is down in Brazil again working on his jiu jitsu and grappling:

I started training immediately the next day, because that's the purpose of my trip - training. The classes at Gracie Barra Academy were under the supervision of Jefferson, a former world champion in BJJ, who is an excellent instructor, by the way. Jefferson taught me a lot of new tricks and he helped me change a lot of bad habits that I was doing in the past on the ground. It was my 2nd time at Gracie Barra & my 2nd visit to Brazil - this time I came alone with no friends from Canada - it was actually very good for my Portugese because I was forced to speak the language of the country. I was training also with my friend Gustavo Machado and Aloiso Barros, who is supposed to fight 9/13 in Montreal. I also had the chance one of my friends from my last trip to Brazil, Master Roberto Leiton, who came from a background of luta livre. Luta Livre is a martial art similar to jiu jitsu, but without the gi/kimono. I met with Mr. Leiton one night and for a couple of hours, he showed me some really great grappling techniques that will make me a better fighter, without a doubt. He told me he's coming out with a book that has all this stuff in it, and I plan to buy a copy when it's available.

This is just one of the many things that separates the truly great athelete from the near great. GSP continually leaves his comfort zone, seeks out the best training partners anywhere in the world and learns. It's not just BJJ and Luta Livre either, I found some shots of GSP training Savate in Brazil as well. They're in the extended entry.

Continue reading this post »

Quinton Rampage Jackson vs Wanderlei Silva 3 UFC 91 fight likely

By: Sean McManus


Sources close to Wanderlei Silva (32-8-1) have indicated that the explosive (and long-rumored) third showdown between “The Axe Murderer” and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson (28-7) is indeed set, according to MMACanada.net.

The blockbuster light heavyweight match up will co-headline UFC 91: “Couture vs. Lesnar” at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on November 15.

Bout agreements have been distributed to both fighters and are just now awaiting signatures. Representatives from Silva’s management team, however, indicate that the Brazilian camp will have its end of the agreement signed and completed by the end of the day.

“The Axe Murderer” and “Rampage” of course share quite a bit of history, fighting twice overseas in Japan under the Pride FC banner. Silva was victorious on both occasions and in rather convincing fashion — the fights ended with brutal knockouts.

Since that time, Jackson has indicated that he was not necessarily competing on a level playing field. He and/or his handlers have hinted at everything from unchecked steroid use to crooked officiating. One thing is for certain — Jackson is now a much improved fighter who is dedicated to training with partners who can elevate his game.

That was something that he was clearly missing in “The Land of the Rising Sun.” And now he gets to prove that with the right approach — and under strict supervision of a regulated sanctioning body — he can exact revenge once and for all.

Silva’s last appearance was an absolute mauling of “The Dean of Mean” Keith Jardine at UFC 84: “Ill Will” back in May. He definitely looked like the “Axe Murderer” of old with a quick and vicious knockout. For “Rampage,” this will mark his first fight after his highly publicized run-ins with the law and his subsequent split with long-time trainer, Juanito Ibarra.

He will also look to bounce back from his controversial unanimous decision loss to Forrest Griffin at UFC 86: “Jackson vs. Griffin” in July, which cost him his 205-pound title.

This is definitely a huge fight that the hardcore fans have been dreaming about — Silva and Jackson have an epic feud and a real distaste for one another. This should definitely be another instant classic.

To check out the latest UFC 91 fight card and rumors click here. This is already shaping up to be a downright monster pay-per-view (PPV) event.

Chuck Liddell vs Anderson Silva: Who wants to see it?

By: DrubySunshine

“Chuck you now look like the drunken frat guy at a party who hit on the wrong guy’s girl and ended up on queer street…. There’s now speculation that Liddell will try to get his cred back by challenging Anderson Silva. Chuck, my man, if you got any sense and you don’t want to end up nose flat on the mat, you’d be wise to stay as far away from The Spider as possible.”

– Jim Rome running his mouth on ESPN’s “Rome is Burning” program today about the apparent “speculation” that Chuck Liddell wants a piece of UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva in a superfight now that his chances of recapturing the 205-pound bout anytime soon are all but dashed. Personally, I doubt Liddell is pursuing any fight so soon after his most recent defeat. He was knocked out cold this past weekend by Rashad Evans, which marked the third loss in his four most recent fights — a far cry from the clout he wielded just prior to the second loss to Quinton “Rampage” Jackson in 2007. Options are limited at this time for the “Iceman,” however, making a fight with Silva certainly a possibility because it would be a cash cow. A trip up to heavyweight wouldn’t be a bad idea, either. Whatever it is … something needs to change.

Evan Tanner : Rest in Peace

Video highlight of his career:

“I plan on going so deep into the desert, that any failure of my equipment, could cost me my life.”

– Evan Tanner, August 18, 2008

It appears that former UFC middleweight champion Evan Tanner predicted his own death less than one month ago.

The Imperial County Sheriff’s Department today discovered the dead body of a man in the Palo Verde, Calif., mountain area. And it is indeed Tanner.

MMAmania.com has placed several calls to the Imperial County Sheriff’s Department and we have been unable to confirm or deny the report. However, it has been confirmed by several people close to Tanner.

Here’s a snip from IVPressOnline.com:

“Authorities have not confirmed if the body is that of missing mixed martial arts fighter, Evan Tanner, who had fought in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Tanner, 37, has been missing since last weekend. Tanner’s friends from Oceanside, where Tanner resides, had been texting him without reply since Wednesday before they reported him missing on Friday. On Sunday, a campsite was discovered in the Clapp Springs area of the Palo Verde mountains. Tanner’s motorcycle was found at the campsite. A body was found today when a sheriffs deputy was flying around the general location of the campsite. The Imperial County deputy coroner is being flown in to retrieve and identify body.”

This is truly a a huge loss. He was a pioneer of the sport who had his own unique approach to fighting and to life.

He was an adventure seeker, documenting his travels in great detail on his personal blog and on Spike.com. Tanner recently overcame a dark period in his life and a battle with alcohol.

His life was an open book, which either turned fans in his favor or against him. Tanner didn’t really care one way or the other how people felt — he did things his way.

He recently returned to the Octagon to recapture some of the glory from earlier in his fighting career; however, he lost his first two comeback bouts.

Tanner mentioned that he was going to take some time off and address some injuries that had been hampering him for the past several years. In the meantime, he continued his nomadic ways. While terribly tragic and entirely premature, it’s perhaps a poetic end for one of the most eccentric fighters the sport has ever known.

Rest in peace, Evan.

Trainer: ‘I practically begged Matt to take Rich down’ at UFC 88 By: MMAmania

Props: FightLine.com

Quoteworthy:

“No way Matt Hamill stands with a guy like Franklin. Matt is, by far, the best wrestler in the UFC’s light heavyweight division so our plan is simple; we’re going to take Rich down and work the ground and pound while avoiding submissions…. Matt got his start helping Rich work on his takedown defense. Those two go way back and Matt has a deep respect and allegiance to Rich…. He’s sponsored Matt with his company American Fighter and has been a kind of mentor to him, and to be honest, that has me a little concerned….. I practically begged Matt to take Rich down. I was screaming at him to stop fighting Rich’s fight and fight his fight. I can’t explain it. He just had this blank look on his face. I don’t know where he was, but the Matt Hamill that I know and trained for the past 11 weeks was not in that Octagon on Saturday…. I can’t explain it. The only person that knows why he didn’t come out to fight is him. I told him after the fight that his performance was uncharacteristic and that he really needed to do some soul searching to see if this is really what he wants to do. He had absolutely no fighting spirit, no killer instinct. He looked like a shell of himself and was just out there to get through it and that is very disconcerting.”

Duff Holmes — a trainer for Matt Hamill — vents his frustration and bewilderment regarding the gameplan that his fighter executed against Rich Franklin over the weekend at UFC 88: “Breakthrough.” Hamill was finished in the third round via technical knockout after essentially going toe-to-toe with the former middleweight champion for most of the entire fight despite his superior edge in the wrestling department. And when he did attempt takedowns he could not finish them … Hamill appeared to be content just holding an ankle rather than driving Franklin into the cage or using it somehow to get “Ace” to the floor. Curious indeed. -mmamania.com

Inside MMA

Forrest Griffin vs Rashad Evans UFC 92 title fight likely in December

By: MMAmania

What a difference one punch makes.

Rashad Evans delivered a blistering overhand right this weekend that had former light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell snoring in the center of the Octagon during the main event at UFC 88: “Breakthrough” at the Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.

It’s a shocking result that perhaps has company president Dana White and the rest of the executives at UFC headquarters on West Sahara Avenue crying in their corn flakes this morning.

That’s because Evans ruined a monster year-end pay-per-view (PPV) event on December 27, which had Liddell — the promotion’s biggest money-maker — all but guaranteed to face current 205-pound champion Forrest Griffin with a win over “Sugar.”

Not so fast, blockbuster.

Now it appears that Evans has earned that honor with one magical punch, setting up a bout between two champions from separate seasons of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, on New Year’s Eve weekend.

That’s a rather remarkable turn of events when you consider all the other “big name” draws in the loaded light heavyweight division, including Wanderlei Silva, Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Liddell, Lyoto Machida and Thiago Silva, among others.

But there really are no other options — all the fighters mentioned above (sans Machida and Silva) are either hurt or coming off losses. “The Dragon” is still at least one win away from title shot even though he may be the one most deserving and Silva would likely need another big win soon to justify leapfrogging either Machida or Evans.

Indeed, it’s a chain of events and circumstances that appeared unlikely as recently as of July 4 — the day before Griffin pulled off his own shocker, winning a unanimous decision to defeat Jackson for the 205-pound belt at UFC 86: “Jackson vs Griffin.”

UFC 88 fighter salaries: Despite KO loss, Chuck Liddell top earner with $500K

by Dann Stupp on Sep 08, 2008 at 4:55 pm ET

Despite a shocking knockout loss to Rashad Evans in the night's main event, Chuck Liddell still received the highest reported payday at this past weekend's "UFC 88: Breakthrough" event with a $500,000 fight purse.

MMAjunkie.com today requested and received the list of official salaries from the Georgia Athletic and Entertainment Commission.

Other top earners included UFC 88 main-card winners Dan Henderson ($250,000), Evans ($120,000) and Rich Franklin ($100,000).

The total disclosed payroll for the event was a hefty $1,220,000.

The event took place this past Saturday, Sept. 6, at Atlanta's Philips Arena and aired live on pay per view.

The full list of salaries included:

Now, the usual disclaimer: the figures do not include deductions for items such as insurance, licenses and taxes. Additionally, the figures do not include money paid by sponsors, which can oftentimes be a substantial portion of a fighter's income. They also do not include any other "locker room" or special bonuses the UFC oftentimes pays.

In other words, these are simply base salaries reported to the commission and do not reflect entire compensation packages for the event.

For more on "Breakthrough," be sure to check out our previous coverage, including our UFC 88 results, UFC 88 recap and UFC 88 bonus winners.

For our entire event coverage, check out the UFC 88 page here at MMAjunkie.com.