Late Wednesday evening and early Thursday morning, there were conflicting reports about the future of The Ultimate Fighter 17. Not the show itself, but which day it would air on FX. For the last two seasons, it's aired on Friday nights. Flagging ratings, however, have forced bold changes and tough decisions, including a change in air date.
Jon Jones' manager Malki Kawa told a Canadian news outlet the show was moving to Wednesdays. UFC President Dana White told this website that was true. FX officials then told this site that was false. So, I frankly have no idea what to expect.
All of this appears to be gamesmanship on the part of FX and the UFC. They likely don't want to be counterprogrammed by Spike and their new Bellator reality show, so either this was an accidental leak of sorts or it's all a bluff. Your guess is as good as mine on which one it actually is.
Let the games begin.
5 MUST READ STORIES TO START YOUR DAY
TUF 17 is apparently moving to Wednesday nights, per UFC Dana White.
TUF 17 is 'unlikely' to be moving to Wednesday night, per FX executive.
Shane Carwin has had to withdraw from the TUF 16 finale after blowing out his knee. I'm reluctant to speculate, but I also can't help but wonder if this is the last we've seen of Carwin in the Octagon.
Georges St. Pierre says he's looking to channel his inner Tiger Woods on Saturday before his UFC 154 main event with Carlos Condit. I'm not sure what they means, but it sounds provocative.
The MMA injury bug continues as Gray Maynard is out of his bout with Joe Lauzon at UFC 155, but stepping in to fill the void is perennial top contender Jim Miller.
MEDIA STEW
Jon Jones' manager reveals Wednesday will be the night new for TUF. Not sure if by accident or not:
Our UFC 154 playlist so far with material that include interviews with Carlos Condit, Tom Wright, UFC 154 presser highlights and more:
Greg Jackson is ready to work with GSP and Carlos Condit again:
Carlos Condit talks to ESPN's MMA Live about the biggest fight of his life:
GSP says a few words to ESPN and not much else:
GET SOME 'REST'
Getin packed for Arizona.Gonna be out there training for a week.Bringn the fam.Gona b nice 2 get away from the destruction of #sandy 4 a lil
— Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) November 14, 2012
ALRIGHT, THEN
Sometimes I take bubble baths.
— Josh Koscheck (@JoshKoscheck) November 14, 2012
GROSS BUT COOL
My apologies @renzograciebjj. I left 5 liters of sweat on the mats this morning. #TrainingHard #BeastMode #BJJ4Life
— Phillipe Nover (@PhillipeNover) November 14, 2012
CLOSED MOUTH DON'T GET FED
if1azn brother falls than another must take his spot. Who wants 2 c me fight Dennis Siver? tweet 2 @ufc & @danawhite lol :)
— Nam Phan (@NamPhanMMA) November 14, 2012
AIN'T THAT THE TRUTH
2012 = the year of the injury for @ufc : (
— Kenda Perez (@KendaPerez) November 14, 2012
ANNOUNCED FIGHTS
- Jim Miller vs. Joe Lauzon, UFC 155
- Nam Phan vs. Dennis Siver, UFC on Fox 5
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today's FanPost of the Day is from Sam Park and is a collection of the most common single leg takedowns seen in MMA. Here's one great example:
One takedown that offers many opportunities to build of off is most certainly the Single Leg. Options such as switching to the double leg is very useful. Today we will cover many basic finishes and types of Single Leg takedowns.
Low Single Leg Takedown
Notice how Randy drops his front leg's knee to the ground between Toney's legs. This is the called the Penetration Step which is the basic shot in wrestling. As one shoots and drops his lead knee, the trail leg (the other leg) then proceeds to come up to a knee to provide a base to drive off from. Randy also used the classic wrestling move, the crackdown. The crackdown is a move to counter off of a sprawl by "cutting the edge" and pinning the knee of your opponent to the ground, then hopping sides.