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All MMA Forums»JZ Cavalcante Making Sure He Is 100% Healthy Before Returning
By Ariel HelwaniPosted: 02/09/2010 10:00 AM ET
It wasn't too long ago that JZ Cavalcante was considered one of the best 155-pounders in the world. But after losing two fights in a row and dealing with multiple knee injuries, the Brazilian lightweight has fallen out of most top-10 rankings. Cavalcante hasn't competed since May 2009, and when MMA Fighting caught up with him recently at the American Top Team gym in Coconut Creek, Fla., he said he expects to return to action in April or May, which is when he is sure to be 100% healthy.
Cavalcante also talked about wanting to fight in the United States and how he is able to fight with not one, but two, tongue rings. Check out the video interview below.
Chael Sonnen Follows Blueprint of Trash Talk, Cage Success to Title Shot
By Mike ChiappettaPosted: 02/09/2010 08:39 AM ET
Just days ago, Chael Sonnen was ripping Anderson Silva for wearing earrings and pink shirts, and "pretending that he doesn't speak English." He was calling him "a bum" and saying he'd really rip into the champ after he beat Nate Marquardt after UFC 109.
The rest of us couldn't help but ask if the guy was crazy. Not only was he trash-talking the man who many consider the pound-for-pound MMA king (Sonnen also takes exception to that), but he also basically promised a win over Marquardt?
Ridiculous, some thought. But the man with the golden mouth has the last word. He's had plenty to say about Silva, and now -- as the sudden and surprising No. 1 contender for the belt that Silva has owned since 2006 -- he'll have plenty of time to think about possibly fighting him.
Wilson Reis Expects Bellator Fight on April 8, Sengoku Debut Will Have to Wait
By Ray HuiPosted: 02/08/2010 06:23 PM ET
Wilson Reis (9-1) will first look to capture the Bellator featherweight title before he makes his MMA debut in Japan.Bellator made the announcement Monday that Reis would again be entering the promotion's featherweight tournament, beginning in April. But last week, it appeared Reis was headed to Japan on March 7 to face Cage Force featherweight champion Yuji Hoshino.
World Victory Road's announcement of the Reis-Hoshino fight at Sengoku 12 was apparently premature.
UFC 109 Medical Suspensions
By Ray HuiPosted: 02/08/2010 06:02 PM ET
The Nevada athletic commission has handed down as a precautionary measure medical suspensions to half the fighters on Saturday's UFC 109 card.Mike Swick (left elbow), Demian Maia (upper eyelid cut) and Mac Danzig (possible knee sprain) are required to receive medical clearance to compete before August 6. Melvin Guillard will need to see an eye specialist before March 26.
The seven other suspended fighters received short suspensions.
Joe Stevenson Prepares to Fight an Aussie Down Under
By Michael David SmithPosted: 02/08/2010 03:00 PM ET
When Joe "Daddy" Stevenson steps into the Octagon against George Sotiropoulos at UFC 110, he'll likely hear the loudest boos of the night. UFC 110 is, after all, the UFC's first card in Australia, and Sotiropoulos is the UFC's top Australian fighter.But Stevenson says he's fine with that.
Ryan Jensen vs. Jesse Forbes Added to UFC 114
By Mike ChiappettaPosted: 02/08/2010 02:43 PM ET
A middleweight bout between two fighters in need of a win was added to UFC 114 pitting Ryan Jensen against Jesse Forbes.
Bout agreements have been signed for the fight, according to a UFC source.
Both fighters are in their second stints with the UFC, and are coming off losses.
Chuck Liddell 'Strong and Healthy' Preparing for Tito Ortiz
By Michael David SmithPosted: 02/08/2010 02:00 PM ET
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- When former UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell lost to Shogun Rua at UFC 97 in April of 2009, it was supposed to be the end of his career.At least, that's what UFC President Dana White said at the time. But Liddell never wanted the loss to Shogun to be his last time inside the Octagon, and we now know that it won't be: Liddell will square off with Tito Ortiz for a third time this year, most likely at UFC 115 in June. And in a conversation with MMAFighting.com during Super Bowl week, Liddell said he can't wait to get back into the Octagon.
UFC 109 Salaries: Randy Couture Makes $250,000
By Ray HuiPosted: 02/08/2010 11:45 AM ET
The last six months have been very lucrative for Randy Couture. The UFC Hall of Famer has headlined three of the last eight numbered UFC events. At this past Saturday's UFC 109, Couture earned $250,000 for his fight against Mark Coleman, representing 26.5% of the entire 22-fighter payroll. The next highest earner was former welterweight champion Matt Serra, who made $150,000 for his first-round knockout against Frank Trigg. Serra posted another $60,000 for Knockout of the Night.
Coleman, headlining his first UFC event since UFC 14 in July 1997, earned $60,000.
Fight Calendar
| UFC 110 - Nogueira vs. Velasquez | |
| UFC on Versus 1 | |
| UFC 111 - St. Pierre vs. Hardy | |
| UFC 112 - Silva vs. Belfort | |
| Strikeforce Challengers | |
| Strikeforce Challengers | |
| WEC 47 - Bowles vs. Cruz |
UFC Video
Dana Breaks Down UFC 109
UFC president Dana White discusses Mark Coleman's future, UFC 109 and whether James Toney will land in the UFC in an exclusive interview.
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